asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that there has been a considerable falling off in the collection of waste paper salvage and that printing, bookbinding and other paper industries are seriously affected as a result; and whether he will, in the interests of saving imports and shipping space, as well as providing full employment for those employed in the paper and kindred industries, stimulate waste paper salvage by some public announcement.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if, when the present Thanksgiving Savings Campaign is completed, he will take steps to organise an equally widespread and vigorously conducted appeal to promote salvage of waste materials on even more effective lines than those adopted during the war period.

:I have recently broadcast an appeal to the public to increase the supplies of waste paper, kitchen waste, bones and rags, and encouragement is being given to the local authorities to intensify their salvage collections within the limits of the labour and transport available.

:Is it not a fact that if these waste products are not collected many men in the Forces will not be able to find employment on their return to their various trades?

:I am well aware of that, and I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for drawing public attention again to this fact.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that no useful purpose will be served by continuing the campaign in connection with scrap rubber, because the results are of little use for industry, or for export purposes?

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether in the disposal of tools, the property of His Majesty's Government, issued on loan or otherwise to members of the Services, such members will have an opportunity of acquiring them at a reasonable price.

I cannot say at the moment whether there will be any surplus kits of tools, but if in due course such surpluses should arise, I shall be happy to discuss with the Service Departments whether it would be practicable to devise a scheme whereby members of the Services should have an opportunity of acquiring them at a reasonable price.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if, in view of the undesirability of using the paper control as a form of indirect censorship or for discrimination between one class of publication and another, he will withdraw the ban on the printing or publication of county and other local guide books.

Careful consideration is being given to relaxing this and other similar war-time restrictions.

the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he will retain in the possession of the Government all company shares now in its possession and, in order to achieve that end, whether he will discontinue negotiations for the sale of any such shares.

:The action to be taken as regards the retention or disposal of company shares acquired for purposes of war production must depend upon the circumstances of each case.

asked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production if he has yet approved any models for either take-to-piece or package furniture of utility types.

:I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative.

:Would the Minister look into this matter again? Is it not very desirable that people living in prefabricated houses should be able to move their furniture with considerable ease and speed, which they cannot do readily with normal furniture?

:This matter has been looked into by my advisory committee, and they are against its use at the present time.

:Is the Minister informed as to what is being done in the United States on this matter, where it has been found to be very satisfactory indeed?

I am fully informed as to what is being done, both in the United States and Sweden.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is able to make a statement on the supply position of utility furniture

:The production of utility furniture continues to increase. Taking an index figure for production in June, of 100, production in September, was 298, the highest figure yet attained. Any further substantial in creases must depend on the availability of timber.

:Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that although these figures show a marked improvement, people entitled to utility furniture are suffering months of delay before they are able to get their furniture?

:I am quite aware of the delay that is taking place, and we are doing our utmost to deal with it. The present bottleneck is timber.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that in addition to the shortage of timber a great many former furniture manufacturers are unable to get back their requisitioned premises, which have been used for storage while no joinery work was being done?

I am quite aware of that fact as well. We are doing our best to clear all those factories, but the present position is that there is plenty of factory space and labour if we can get the material.

:Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of plywood which might be available to supplement the supply of timber?

:We are quite aware of the various possible sources of plywood, and we have tapped them to the maximum amount at the present time.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend satisfied that all the timber being released for furniture is finding its way into utility furniture?

:So far as we can control it no furniture except utility is being manufactured out of such timber at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether, in view of the continued shortage of goods, he is satisfied that no injustice will be done by basing compensation for the loss of chattels under the War Damage Act on values at the time of the loss and not on values at the time when it will be possible to replace articles; or if he will reconsider the position.

:I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 23rd August to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of staff employed in his Department at the last convenient date and the corresponding figure six months previously.

:The number of staff employed both at the centre and in the regions on 1st October, 1945, was 7,362 as compared with 6,423 on 1st April, 1945, It is hoped that a further increase in staff may be attained before the end of the year so as to enable the work of the Board to be carried out expeditiously and efficiently without subjecting the staff to the excessively long hours that they have worked during and since the war.

:In view of the fact that these increases in staff have in no way improved the efficiency of the right hon. and learned Gentleman's Department, would he consider setting up a working party to see what improvements can be made?

:I have had a party working on that, and from the many letters of thanks which have been received by the Department I am quite sure that they are giving satisfaction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the heavy wear and tear upon clothing of women and girls engaged in agriculture; and whether he will make additional clothing coupons available to them.

:No, Sir. Women and girls engaged in agriculture already receive the ro-coupon supplement issued to a wide range of manual workers. In addition, they may obtain oilskins, milking smocks, rubber boots and agricultural gloves coupon-free. On matters relating to special "industrial" issues I seek the advice of the Trades Union Congress. They have not reported to me that the supplements for agricultural workers are inadequate.

Is the Minister aware that the Trades Union Congress do not receive the communications that Members of Parliament receive; and does he really think that the coupon allowance which is suitable for women working out of doors in all weathers, should be the same as that for girls working indoors, and requiring only light protective overalls?

:This does not apply only to light protective overalls, but to trades where clothing is likely to be damaged.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the need for footwear, both for home and export, boot and shoe factories will be derequisitioned in order to allow of the necessary expansion of output of such footwear.

Yes, Sir. Over 100 factories have already been restored to footwear production and I intend to continue to press for the derequisitioning of premises wherever I am satisfied that the material and labour can be made available for their operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the working party for the boot and shoe industry has met; and whether he is satisfied that he is receiving the co-operation of the manufacturers in the matter.

:Yes, Sir; the first meeting of the working party for the boot and shoe industry was held in Kettering on Tuesday, 23rd October, and I am satisfied that all parties are co-operating wholeheartedly in the work that has to be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of paper was released for the publication of "Tory M.P." and how this compares with the amount used for "Imperial Commonwealth."

No paper has been re-released from my special reserve for either of these books. Both have, no doubt, been published from the regular quotas that publishers receive and which they are free to devote to whatever books they choose.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this raises a serious problem, and that in a question I put last week concerning a similar production, I got an answer that no paper was released? Are we to assume from the previous answer and this one, that Mr. Gollancz is getting his paper from the black market?

The hon. and gallant Member can assume that Mr. Gollancz gets his paper from the publishers' quota, like all other publishers.

In that case, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether we may assume that now that the purpose of "Tory M.P." has been achieved the paper so saved will be devoted to books of a cultural character?

:On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is it proper for an hon. and gallant Member of this House to misuse his position by making a highly-defamatory statement about a very respectable firm of publishers?

:The position with regard to Questions on the Order Paper and that governing supplementary questions also, is that they should not include unworthy insinuations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to re-establish British trade with China.

:Apart from such general measures as I outlined in my reply to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 15th October, I may mention the following steps special to China. His Majesty's Consulate-General in Shanghai was re-opened some weeks ago and preparations are being made for the early re-opening of Consulates-General in other liberated cities. The Commercial Counsellor has recently opened an office in Shanghai. Various representatives of British firms have arrived in Shanghai from Chungking and arrangements are being made for a number of British business men to proceed to China from this country. I was glad to welcome to this country in August a party of 12 delegates from the Chinese National Resources Commission, who were able to see for themselves various aspects of our industrial life. I hope that other visits of this kind may be exchanged between China and this country. British official and unofficial representatives are working in close touch with the Chinese authorities on measures for the safeguarding and restoration of British properties, rights and interests in Shanghai and other places in the liberated areas. The question of arranging more satisfactory financial machinery for payments is under urgent consideration. It is hoped to open at an early date negotiations with the Chinese Government for a commercial treaty, as provided for by the Extra-territoriality Treaty of January, 1943.

:While thanking the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him to bear in mind that, before the war, the British Empire had a bigger share of Chinese external trade than any other country?

I will certainly bear that in mind.

:Does the Minister not consider that a quota of 20 businessmen, so far, permitted to enter the country by the Chinese Government, is totally insufficient?

I think that when transport arrangements become easier, we shall be able to send more people there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to ensure that children's Christmas toys are made available to the public at reasonable prices by the time the Christmas shopping season commences; and to ensure that the actions of manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers, who endeavour to take advantage of a scarcity market by selling worthless toys at high prices are brought within the scope of the criminal law.

The prices of toys are controlled by the Toys and Indoor Games (Maximum Prices and Records) Order, 1943, under which a number of prosecutions have been instituted. I have asked local price regulation committees to pay special attention to these goods during the Christmas season. If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of any cases of alleged overcharging brought to his attention, I will gladly have them investigated.

:Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman completely satisfied with the administrative machinery at his disposal, at present, to deal with this question, during the coming winter?

I am never satisfied that there is complete perfection of any administrative machinery, but this is as good as we can make it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to ensure that the available supplies of women's shoes are sold with less inconvenience to women shoppers than at present.

:I regret any inconvenience experienced by women shoppers in search of shoes. The main cause is shortage of supplies, which I am taking all possible steps to remedy. I do not think that any further measuresof control would achieve the object which my hon. Friend has in view.

:While I recognise that there is a very great shortage of shoes, may I ask the Minister if he is aware that, usually, although there are shoes in the shops, the shop-doors are shut early in the mornings?

:I am not aware of the precise shutting hours of different shops, but I understand that all the shoes available are being easily disposed of at the present time.

Is the Minister aware that, if you want women's shoes of a high grade, you have to start queueing at 5 o'clock in the morning; and that people working long hours, or in the country, have no chance at all of getting these shoes?

I fully realise the great inconvenience of the acute shortage of shoes, but I am afraid that nothing, at the moment, can be done to remedy this, beyond trying to get more people back into the industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is going to set up a working party to investigate the woollen textile industry; and if so, will he consider, in view of the widely differing nature of the two industries in England and Scotland, establishing separate working parties for each country.

:As I have already announced, it is my intention, as soon as circumstances permit, to extend to a number of other industries the policy of inquiring into industrial efficiency by the method of tripartite working parties. I hope to discuss this matter with the whole wool textile industry in a few weeks' time. I cannot, of course, anticipate the result of that discussion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why highly-priced curtain materials can be obtained at retail shops without the surrender of coupons, while in return for the majority of the cheaper materials priority dockets and coupons have to be surrendered.

:The manufacture of non-utility furnishing fabric has been prohibited since 1942. The highly priced material referred to by my hon. Friend consists either of remnants of stocks of heavy furnishing fabrics unsuitable for wearing apparel or of fabrics woven under licence from stocks of yarn technically unsuitable for more essential purposes. By reason of their weight, weave or printed pattern these cloths are priced higher than those within the utility range. Priority dockets are issued to persons setting up house for the first time on marriage or after losing their former homes through enemy action. These dockets entitle the holder to 15 square yards of utility furnishing fabric without the surrender of coupons. It is necessary to demand the surrender of coupons for any other curtain material since it can also be used for the manufacture of wearing apparel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will cause stocks of Wellington rubber boots, held in reserve for police and CD. purposes, to be released for farmers and agricultural workers, in view of the difficulty in obtaining rubber boots through trade channels.

:Yes, Sir; arrangements have already been made for these boots to be inspected, reconditioned where necessary, and released at controlled prices through ordinary trade channels. The first boots should reach the shops within the next fortnight.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is now satisfied with the rate of intake of persons into the cotton industry;

(2) whether he is satisfied that the quantity of cotton yarn now at the disposal of the cotton industry in sufficient to ensure full employment.

The rate of intake of operatives into the spinning section of the cotton industry has shown a marked improvement recently, but is still much below the level which I could regard as satisfactory. I will circulate the figures in the Official Report. The intake of operatives into other sections of the cotton industry is on the whole adequate at present, having in mind the shortage of yarn. I can give no assurance about the expansion of employment in the yarn-using industries so long as the expansion in yarn supplies is uncertain.

Can the Minister say what is being done to induce ex-cotton operatives, who are redundant since the end of the war, to return to the industry?

:The Ever shed Commission, which has recently been sitting, has just finished its report to the Minister of Labour, as regards wage conditions in the industry. Four reports have been made, under the agisof the Chief Inspector of Factories, as regards conditions in the industry, which have to be implemented, and the Cotton Working Board which is now at work on other matters.

Is the Minister satisfied that the training schemes for young workers in the cotton industry are adequate?

:The Cotton Board is taking every step which it can to see that these are made as adequate as possible. That is one of the matters which the working party will take into consideration.

:Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how many of those returning to the industry have come out of the Army under Class A and Class B releases?

Will the Minister agree that the question of wages is one of the

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that development of the export trade in cotton goods is being delayed by most important matters concerning the cotton industry? When does he anticipate that the working party will be in a position to state what wages will be paid to certain of these groups in the cotton industry, who have been so badly under-paid in the past, and who, for this reason, are not prepared to return to the mills?

:The working party will not deal with wages or conditions of employment. That is being dealt with, as regards the spinning industry, by the Evershed Commission, the report of which has just been completed.

:I have been asked to reply. For the quarter ending 31st December, 1945, cotton allocations for textiles for the three Services amount to 5,150 tons. This figure shows a reduction of nearly two-thirds on the allocations for the quarter ended 31st March, 1945. In addition, there is an allocation of 2,500 tons for demobilised Servicemen's clothing.

Will the Minister give an assurance that the reduction will continue to keep pace with the speed of demobilisation so that, at the end, there will be no large stocks in reserve?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the shortage of waterproofs for pedestrians and motor-cyclists, what steps are being taken to make available to the public anti-gas clothing held by CD. services

Anti-gas clothing, including that held by CD. services, is being distributed through the ordinary trade channels for secondhand clothing and should be available in retail shops very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continued shortage of sanitary towels throughout the country and especially in Chelmsford; and whether he will take all possible steps to remedy the shortage

:Yes, Sir, and I very much regret the grave inconvenience that is caused thereby. All possible steps are being taken to alleviate the present shortage. I will make a further statement on this matter in the course of the next few days.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is only becoming modesty that has prevented more questions on this subject being put?

:I am aware of the very acute shortage. It has been drawn to my attention from many quarters, and I am doing my utmost to try to solve it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether heis aware of the present shortage of household textile goods, and whether he will be able to make arrangements in the near future for a reasonable supply of such articles for the home market.

Yes, Sir. I am well aware of the shortage. The fundamental difficulty is shortage of labour in the spinning sections, but measures are being taken to attract workers to these industries. I am supplementing new production wherever possible by utilising suitable surplus Government material for this purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to prevent the delays, sometimes running into several months, between the issue of dockets for furniture and household linen and the supply of the goods in question; and whether, when goods are in short supply, he will undertake to see that families with young children, and expectant mothers, are given priority.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Southend-on-Sea (Mr. Channon) on 15th October. Priority is already given in certain special circumstances to families with young children and expectant mothers who need additional bedding, and this is the most that can be done to help at present.

May I bring to my right hon. and learned Friend's notice certain cases in my own constituency where such priority has not been recognised?

Certainly we will look into them, if my hon. Friend will do that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage of shoes of all types, he will instruct shoe shops to withdraw all shoes from their display windows and make them available for immediate sale.

No, Sir. It is best to leave this matter to the good sense of the shopkeepers concerned. The number of shoes thus temporarily withdrawn from sale would be negligible.

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the continued presence of these shoes in shop windows is a source of irritation to the shopping public?

:I was not aware of that, but the number is so infinitesimal compared with the actual sales that it should not worry them.

:Is it not a pity that any shoes should be wasted in this way, even although they are very few in number?

Are not all the shoes shown in shop windows much too small to wear?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure a sufficient supply of clothing in the shops to meet the demand created by the supplementary clothing books at present being issued to all Service men and women on demobilisation.

:The extra demand created by the issue of coupons to the Forces on demobilisation was taken into account when the level of the clothing ration for the current period was decided. Owing, however, to the large demand for certain items for demobilised men, particularly suits, there will for a time be unavoidable shortages of these goods in the shops. This, however, should not prevent the demobilised men from getting other articles of clothing.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an assurance that the shop shortages will not increase to an extent which will make it necessary to reduce the civilian clothing ration?

On our present calculations there should be sufficient to honour the coupons that are out..

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that owing to the failure of his Department over a period of two weeks to grant a certificate for the purchase of timber to Messrs. William Evans and Co., Ditton Road, Widnes, and to the lack of co-ordination between his Department, the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Labour over a longer period in relation to the post-war production of this firm, this firm is obliged to give notice terminating the employment of approximately 300 workpeople who could be engaged in manufacturing furniture and other articles of domestic use in short supply; and if he will take steps to see that the necessary permits are issued without further delay and that in future there is co-ordination in similar cases between the Departments concerned.

:Messrs. William Evans and Co., who were not furniture manufacturers before the war, made separate applications in respect of woodware and furniture production. The certificates for the timber required for woodware were granted in full on 23rd October. I am sorry that I cannot also designate them for production of furniture at present, because there is no plywood available for the purpose.

:Is not this case just another example of the delays, inefficiency and red tape arising out of Government interference with industry?.

:It provides a very good example of the protection of those who are already in the industry, and making utility furniture under difficult circumstances..

the President of the Board of Trade whether now that there is a supply of aluminium saucepans being allocated to the shops, he will consider supplying aluminium kettles of a similar good quality as the tin kettles which are at present available wear out very speedily.

:Nearly half a million aluminium kettles have already been supplied this year, and production is increasing rapidly every month.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, if he will state the post-war policy of his Department; and what steps he is taking to carry it out.

The Department of Overseas Trade is working in line with the general policy explained by my right hon. Friend on Monday, 15th October, in reply to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère). I would also draw the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the answerwhich I gave on Tuesday, 16th inst., to my hon. Friend, the Member for the Hallam Division of Sheffield (Mr. Jennings)..

:Will the Minister indicate when the Department is likely to make a statement on the matter outlined in the speech to which he has referred?

:We are working as hard as we can, and as soon as more goods are available we expect to work harder still.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma if he is aware that the Research and Statistics Sub-Committee of the All-Burma Trade Union Congress is now engaged in preparing a revised cost-of-living index for Burma; and if he will ensure that any official co operation that may be needed for this work is made available.

I have no information about this and have ascertained that no approach has yet been made by the All-Burma Trade Union Congress to the Burma Government on this matter.

If such an approach is made, could my hon. and learned Friend say that it will be sympathetically considered?

Yes, Sir.

sked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma how soon it is proposed that a general election shall be held in Burma; if this election is to be held on a basis of universal adult suffrage; how soon he intends to introduce such legislation as may be necessary to amend the appropriate schedules of the Government of Burma Act, 1935; and by what date he anticipates that Burma will have achieved the status of a self-governing Dominion

His Majesty's Government are anxious that a general election should be held in Burma at the earliest date that conditions permit. It will be necessary, however, first to arrange for the complete revision of the electoral rolls, the restoration of communications and the re-establishment of those stable conditions in which the requirements of a democratic system of government can be met. This must inevitably, in view of the disorganisation caused by the war, mean some little delay.

No decision has yet been taken as to the basis of the franchise. This is a matter which is now engaging the urgent attention of the Governor and his advisers. No time will be lost, once the Governor's recommendations have been received and considered, by His Majesty's Government in introducing any necessary legislation to amend the appropriate schedules of the Government of Burma Act of 1935.

As regards the last part of the Question, it is the policy and the wish of His Majesty's Government that Burma should attain full self-government within the British Commonwealth at the earliest moment that practical considerations make possible. My hon. Friend will appreciate the difficulty of fixing a precise date for the conclusion of those stages. But he may rest assured that His Majesty's Government are determined that there shall be no avoidable delay in implementing the undertakings that they have given.

While appreciating the difficulties to which my hon. and learned Friend has referred, may I ask him to consider the tremendous psychological effect, not only in Burma but throughout South-East Asia, that the fixing of such a date would have, as reinforcing our promises and our guarantees; and will he constantly bear it in mind?

Yes, Sir, but we must also bear in mind the practical difficulties that I have mentioned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma what arrangements he is making for the registration and consideration of claims to compensation for damage in Burma resulting from the war against Japan.

The Government of Burma are keeping a register of all claims for compensation on account of war damage. These claims will have to be investigated and it is hoped shortly to make the necessary arrangements for this to be done. I am not yet in a position to state the extent to which it may be possible to award compensation in respect of verified claims and accordingly registration must not be taken as committing the Government of Burma to the payment of compensation.

:Does the Burma Office agree that if industry and trade in Burma are to be encouraged to get going again, a quick settlement of these claims is essential?

:The Government of Burma fully realise the need for a quick settlement, but they are not waiting for that before giving financial assistance in order to rehabilitate economic conditions in Burma.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the shortage of calcium cyanide for preventing eel-worm in potatoes; and if sufficient quantities are not available from Norway or elsewhere, will he consider the desirability of providing facilities for a factory to produce this fertiliser in Newport;

(2) whether he is aware that allotment holders in Newport are being caused serious loss by the prevalence of eel-worm in potato crops; and if he will arrange to have supplies of calcium cynanide or other suitable cure available to remedy such menace.

:I am aware that potato root eel-worm is a serious pest in many allotment areas where potatoes are grown year after year on the same land. No chemical treatment that is effective and economic is at present known for the control of this pest. The only satisfactory procedure on infested land is to adopt a rotation in which potatoes are grown not more than once in three or four years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many recommendations for release under Class B he has received from the counties of Brecon and Radnor; and how many have actually been allowed

Since June, 1945, my Department has received from the agricultural executive committees for the counties of Brecon and Radnor three and eight recommendations respectively for the release under the Class B arrangements of former agriculturists, or of workers in industries ancillary to agriculture. Two of the Brecon cases were supported and release has been approved; the remaining nine cases could not be supported by my Department as they did not comply with the conditions governing the release of individual specialists.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that war agricultural executive committees are refusing endorsements to applications for compassionate release from the Services except in exceptional circumstances; and whether he will consult with the Service Ministers with a view to securing more lenient administration of Class C releases.

:Compassionate release is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Service Departments concerned. Committees are prepared, if so requested, by the appropriate military authority, to supply them with a factual statement of the position on the holding.

Is the Minister aware that a farmer has to be quite seriously ill before the farmer's son is allowed to return from the Service to the farm? Can he hot consult with the Service Ministries to see whether some more lenient administration cannot be adopted in these matters?

It is a matter entirely for the Service Departments themselves. I understand that they make a local inquiry when any case on compassionate grounds is brought to their notice. The war executive committees would, in cases where the Service Departments invite them to do so, send a purely factual statement of conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the present bull licensing regulations preclude the issue of a dairy bull licence in respect of a bull whose immediate female ancestors, although of outstanding merit and with milk records recognised in other countries, were not recorded for milk production in England and Wales; and if he will amend the Regulations to overcome this anomalous position.

I am aware that the present Regulations debar some bulls of merit, whose dams, or sires' dams, have been recorded under Scottish or overseas milk recording schemes and not under an official scheme operating in England and Wales, from being made the subject of a dairy bull licence. I am considering what steps might be taken to enable reliable and properly authenticated milk records, other than those prescribed in the Regulations, to be accepted for bull licensing purposes.

Will the Minister make the Regulations retrospective?

I do not think that would be possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce the cropping programme for the next two years.

:The cropping programme for the 1946 harvest was announced on 20th July last. The uncertainties of the future world situation preclude a decision at the present time about the production of crops in this country for the harvest of 1947. The position will be reviewed early next year, and I contemplate that cropping arrangements for 1947 will be announced well before the commencement of the sowing season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to issue directions for the growing of potatoes next year.

:It was announced on 20th July last that, owing to the difficult world food situation, it would be essential to obtain in 1946 approximately the present year's acreage of potatoes, and that, where necessary, this acreage would have to be secured by the service and enforcement of directions.

:Yes, but is the Minister aware that many farmers think that the growing of potatoes has been spread over too many different types of land, and that we had better in future concentrate on land that is really suitable?

:I think the hon. Member will agree that we recognised that situation a few years since, but the urgent need for food of this kind over that period, and at the present time, compels us to grow potatoes on land which otherwise would, perhaps, be utilised for other purposes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether what he has said applies also to sugar beet?

Yes, Sir. I think the instructions have already been issued that we shall expect the same acreage for 1946 as we had in 1945.

:Will the Minister say that those who grow potatoes in Northern Ireland for the English market will be under no disadvantage, compared with those who grow potatoes in England for the same market?

:I do not quite see how they will suffer any disadvantage, as they will get the same price for their potatoes.

It is a question of carriage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the desirability of including amongst the delegations to future conferences of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations practical British farmers and farm workers.

:Two Advisers, representing respectively the organised farmers and farm workers of the United Kingdom, accompanied the United Kingdom Delegation to the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations which opened at Quebec on 16th October. I am glad to be able to inform the House that the Adviser representing farm workers is my hon. Friend the Member for Northern Norfolk (Mr. Gooch). Arrangements for future conferences will be considered when the time comes, in the light of their particular purpose and scope.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has taken notice of the unsatisfactory conditions under which vegetables are marketed, and the loss sustained to producers thereby; if he proposes to initiate schemes for the better marketing of home-grown vegetables under the Agricultural Marketing Act or by any other means; and for the orderly importation of such vegetables as we cannot grow in sufficient quantities at home.

:I am aware that marketing conditions in the vegetable industry are capable of improvement, and discussions on this subject have already started between my Department and the National Farmers' Union. Insecticides

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the indiscriminate use for agricultural purposes of D.D.T. and gam-mexane will have no deleterious effects; and whether his scientific advisers were fully consulted before control of production was removed.

I would refer the hon. Memberto the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Ludlow (Lieut.-Colonel Corbett) on 22nd October.

:Is it not a fact that after the wholesale spraying of D.D.T. to kill mosquitos, only wind-pollinated plants survive, and that after a strip of orchard in Britain had been sprayed with gam-mexane no fruit was available at all? Therefore, is it not very important in the interests of this country's food production that this stuff should not be available until further inquiries have been carried out?