asked the President of the Board of Trade whether decisions reached at the International Trade Conference at Geneva will be published for discussion before being implemented.

The forthcoming meeting at Geneva of the Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Employment will, it is hoped, result in approval on behalf of the member countries of a draft charter for an international trade organisation as well as agreements on specific tariff questions. It is likely that, while the charter cannot be finally approved until the United Nations Conference itself has been held, some of its provisions will be included in an interim agreement covering also the results of the tariff negotiations. The principal object of this interim agreement would be to implement the result of the tariff negotiations. Since this would require Parliamentary sanction, there would naturally be an opportunity for discussion of the whole agreement before its coming into force.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise—I am sure he does—that this is a major operation ant that the eyes of the primary producers of the Empire are upon him? Will he give an assurance that those interests will be properly safeguarded?

Representatives of the Empire will, of course, be present in Geneva. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, we have already had a long conference here with Dominion and other Empire producers.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say how long the conference is likely to last?

I am not a prophet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will withdraw the instructions that coupons must be surrendered for articles sold at jumble sales, bazaars, &c., in cases where such articles are gifts from donors who have already surrendered coupons for them or are articles made from unrationed material or by the remaking of second-hand clothes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will encourage the thrifty conversion of outworn clothes during the prolonged scarcity of new clothes by amending the Consumer Rationing Order to exempt from coupons remade garments at sales of work organised for charitable purposes.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to similar Questions on Tuesday last.

Why should the Government be so slow in removing a control which is merely exasperating hard-working and thrifty ladies and serving no useful purpose?

There is an extreme shortage of clothing.

Is that not a reason why they should be allowed to convert existing clothing into something useful?

We should then nave an unequal distribution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the Travel Association fully appreciate the importance of a knowledge of languages in staffing its new Tourist Information Centre; and how many languages are spoken by the staff at that centre.

I am informed that the foreign languages spoken by the staff of the centre are French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Hungarian and Urdu.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the effect of the fuel crisis on production is yet sufficiently established for him to make a definite announcement of the period for which the present issue of clothing coupons will have to last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends in the near future to raise the clothing ration allowances.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the decrease in output of cotton yarn, which during the fuel crisis fell to one-third of current normal production, will affect the present or future issues of clothing coupons and the maintenance of exports.

Yes, Sir. The loss of production in the cotton and wool industries over the winter period will amount to about two months' output in all, and the present issue of 32 coupons will therefore have to be made to last until the end of October. The loss of production extends also to production for export.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman concentrate all his energy upon increasing supplies to the textile industry, with a view to a betterment of the output of household goods?

I am doing that at the present moment.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us why, in view of the alarming announcement he has just made, he is taking steps to encourage the export of cotton yarn at the present time?

I am not.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has been offering an increasing inducement to spinners in respect of exports?

I made an announcement some time ago in the House about the relationship between the export trade and the home trade, and that relationship is being observed.

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that while coupons may be made to extend for another two months, the clothing which they might be used to replace will not?

It depends upon the quality of their manufacture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why more than 1,000 British-made houses have recently been exported to Holland.

The export of these houses was approved over a year ago in response to an urgent appeal by the Dutch for assistance in repairing devastation from war operations. The houses are not of a type selected for the British housing programme and do not include most of the fitments in short supply in this country. The Dutch are themselves providing the whole of the timber work.

Why are licences prohibited in regard to the sale of this type of house?

It is not one of the types selected for use in this country.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give any reason why these houses were turned down? Is it not a fact that the price of them is considerably less than the prices of types adopted?

That question should be addressed to the Minister of Health and not to me.

Is it not a fact that tenants of these houses have had to pay considerable sums of money in repairs?

Could not some of these houses be made available to farmers and landowners for their farm workers?

That question should be addressed to the Minister of Health.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that these houses require a large number of fittings such as are urgently required in this country, and materials as well, and. therefore, they must be exported?

I pointed out in the original answer that these houses do not include most of the fittings which are in short supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many timber houses have been exported from this country since 1st January, 1946; to what countries they have been sent; and what was the average price and the number of standards of timber used in their construction.

So far as I am aware, none, Sir. The rest of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the Minister say whether there was no timber at all in the houses supplied, because the contrary has definitely been stated?

So I have been informed. The Dutch are supplying all the timber required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, why he has refused licences to import leather from Canada and at the same time sanctioned the purchase of shoes amounting to over 500,000 dollars.

Imports of leather from Canada are now being licensed at the same rate as in 1946, but the whole leather import programme is at present under review. The imports of shoes which are permitted from Canada are about half the prewar imports by value, and in number represent only a very small proportion of United Kingdom production.

Will the Minister say why he refused to give permission to import leather whilst, at the same time, he allowed the import of finished shoes?

The leather which comes from Canada is a balancing leather which depends upon the quantity of hides which we have here for tanning, and in that period the balancing leather was not required.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why he permits the import of 600,000 hides from the Argentine, which is a hard currency country, while, at the same time, refusing imports from Canada?

They are different qualities of leather.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will revise the recent decisions as to the allocation of newsprint so that the increases granted to the daily newspapers shall apply pari passu to the weekly newspapers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what grounds discrimination is being exercised against local weekly newspapers, whose recent pre-fuel crisis allocation of paper is only being restored in part, whilst that of daily newspapers is being restored in full.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Penrith and Cockermouth (Lieut.-Colonel Dower) on 1st April.

But does my right hon. Friend recall that the main argument which he advanced in favour of this differentiation was that the recent allocation was unfair only if related to wartime consumption, but not if related to prewar consumption? As the wartime cut was on the basis of what the weeklies could afford, surely it is the prewar—

Argument is not a question.

Is the Minister aware that the allocations made to these papers may have no relation to the coal supplies delivered and allocated to the mills?

I have gone into the question of the paper and coal supplies with the English paper mills, and I hope that something is being done to assist them.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, in view of what I just attempted to point out to him, the fair thing would be to use not the prewar basis of consumption as the ratio for subsequent concessions, but the wartime allocation?

No, Sir. We believe that the system which has been worked out by the Newspaper Proprietors' Association is the best.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position regarding the supply of glycerine to chemists' shops.

Retail chemists draw their glycerine from wholesale chemists who are allocated supplies on the basis of the amount which they received during 1945, plus a current increase of 10 per cent.

Is the Minister aware that many people are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining glycerine, and will be give the matter his further consideration?

I am afraid that, in view of the shortage of oils and fats, that is all the glycerine that is available.

Are we not exporting a great deal?

I think not.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, now that the experiments at the Wye Mill, Shaw, have been stopped because the Oldham Cardroom Association objected to time and motion study among the cardroom workers, what action he proposes to take to arrange suitable standards of improving labour deployment in the cotton-spinning industry in accordance with the recommendations of the Working Party.

The experiments at the Wye Mill, Shaw, have been modified, but not, I understand, wholly stopped. In addition, several experiments of a similar nature are now proceeding under the auspices of the Cotton Board in other mills. The outcome of these experiments will be made known to the industry in due course and I hope it will be possible to reach agreement for their more general application in such a manner as will lead to an improvement in production.

Can the Minister say whether the experiments carried out by the mills exactly replace the experiments stopped or modified at the Wye Mill?

So I understand.

Will the Minister read the two speeches made by the hon. Member for Bolton (Mr. J. Jones) in connection with the restrictive practices, of which this may be an instance?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the policy of the Government towards the development of low temperature carbonisation of coal; and if he will make a statement.

While the present shortage of coal continues it is not possible to allocate additional supplies for low temperature carbonisation. When more coal is available the question of developing this process will be considered in the light of the demand for its products and the importance of their uses.

Is it not a tact that this industry is really in its infancy, and, in view of the very important by-products being obtained, will not the Minister, in spite of the difficulties, call together in consultation representatives of the industry in order to see how these products can be developed?

We are always prepared to consult with the representatives of this or that industry, but I must tell the hon. Gentleman that the quesion of byproducts which would be lost by diverting coal to this particular process has also to be considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that, after extracting the valuable by-products, what is left is a very good fuel? May I take it from his reply that he will receive a deputation?

The chief difficulty is that this fuel does not produce gas in sufficient quantities as a by-product.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. Will he receive a deputation?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why his Department has seen fit to deplete the reserve of coal held at Crown Street, Carlisle, and has allocated the same to firms outside the area when the Carlisle textile industry is working short time owing to shortage of fuel.

The reserve of coal held at Crown Street, Carlisle, has been sold to industrial consumers nominated by the North-Western Area Emergency Advisory Committee, who are the programming authority for the district.

Can the Minister say why the local firms working on textiles were not given the opportunity of purchasing the coal in view of the acute shortage, and is he aware that, unless further supplies of coal are available, there is a possibility of certain of these industries closing down?

As my hon. Friend is aware the question of allocations to industry is a matter for the President of the Board of Trade. Perhaps he will address his question to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what discrepancies there are between the agreement recntly made between the Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers concerning the five-day week and No. 4 of the heads of agreement signed by representatives of the Mining Association and the Mineworkers' Federation at the Ministry of Fuel on 20th April, 1944.

The effect, after the primary vesting date, of collective agreements to which the National Union of Mineworkers and the previous employers were parties, is governed by various agreements reached between the National Coal Board and the Union. These agreements expressly provided for early consideration of the application of the principle of a five-day week and the question of discrepancies does not therefore arise.

Is it not a fact that by the agreement referred to, the mineworkers have pledged themselves, in return for the guarantee of a minimum wage, not to raise the question of remuneration or of conditions during the currency of the agreement, and that there is still a year for that agreement to run?

Yes, Sir, but there can be no possible objection to a voluntary agreement replacing this one between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the agreement was made by the mineowners on behalf of the companies and the public, and can he say whether they have ever been consulted about the tearing up of this agreement?

As they are no longer employers, there would be no reason for consulting them.

Would the hon. Gentleman define what he means by "voluntary"?

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman is sufficiently master of the English language to realise what the word means.

As the Minister of Fuel and Power is not present, may we assume that he is only working a three-day week?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that, if the five-day week comes into operation in the coalmining industry in May next, an increased output of coal can be relied upon, and that the target of 200,000,000 tons of open-cast and mined coal can be anticipated.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the National Coal Board had formed any estimate of the diminution in the output of mined coal as the result of the coming into operation of the five-day week in May next, and, in particular, if the target envisaged in the recent White Paper can be reached under the new conditions.

I will answer these Questions by referring to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power in the House yesterday.

Have the National Coal Board approved this or not?

They would not have concluded the agreement if they did not approve of it.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say what reduction of output is anticipated as a result of this days and hours agreement?

That was referred to in detail in yesterday's Debate.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the agreement just arrived at between the Government and the National Union of Mineworkers had the approval of the National Coal Board, or is the agreement one for which the Government accepts full responsibility.

The principle of the working week of five days of 7½ hours for coalminers is one of which His Majesty's Government fully approve. The detailed conditions applicable to the five-day week have been negotiated by the National Coal Board with the National Union of Mineworkers and are now embodied in the agreement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The National Coal Board will operate the agreement with effect from 4th May.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the fact that low-grade coal was exported in considerable quantities to Holland and other places on the Continent during 1946, and that this coal was used by horticulturists for their greenhouses, giving them a substantial advantage over horticulturists in this country who were unable to obtain adequate supplies, he will refuse to make supplies for this purpose available to the European Coal Organisation during 1947.

My right hon. Friend has no information as to what proportion of the inferior coal exported by this country to Holland, in 1946, was used by the Dutch horticultural industry. I may inform the hon. Member however, that since 21st December no coal of any kind has been used by that industry, by order of the Dutch coal distributing authority. No United Kingdom coal is at present being allocated to the European Coal Organisation.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the feeling among horticulturists in this country was very strong about this coal being sent last year? I welcome the fact that he seemed to give an assurance that no further coal will be sent for this purpose during 1947. Will he confirm it?

I have stated that no coal is at present being sent. Obviously, the question of future exports of coal must depend on supplies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that the definition of domestic coal now includes not only coal suitable for burning in an open grate but also boiler coal for central heating of houses, etc., he will give an assurance that the coal shipped to Holland through the European Coal Organisation in 1946 could not have been classified as boiler coal suitable for domestic central heating.

Of the 26,000 tons of United Kingdom inferior coal exported to Holland during 1946, only 2,700 tons, drawn from anthracite dumps, were of a type which it might have been possible to use in central heating boilers. My right hon. Friend has no information as to whether it was in fact so used.

Can the Minister tell us when coal is not coal, in view of the fact that whenever it is sent out of the country, and we want coal, we are told that it is inferior and utterly unusable.? Surely those people to whom it goes can make use of it? It just does not make sense.

The Question was whether this coal was used for heating boilers, which I have answered. Most of the coal exported is very inferior, but there is no shred of evidence to show how it was used.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the coal here is very inferior, and that 25 per cent. of it is unusable?

At any rate, it is not as bad as the coal we export.

Why not keep the coal at home?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what meteorological and other reasons determine his allocation of only 34 cwt. of coal a year to each householder in the south of England as compared with 50 cwt. in the north; and if he will modify this disproportionate discrimination in periods of severe weather, such as that of the last few months, in which east and south-east coastal areas in particular have been at least as cold as any part of Britain.

The maximum allowances are based on general climatic conditions which necessitate space heating to a greater degree and for a greater part of the year in the north than in the south. When there is a spell of severe weather which does not follow the normal climatic tendencies my right hon. Friend would not be justified on that account in revising the annual allowances. The modification of allowances for short periods would moreover be impracticable.

While not wishing to bring about civil war between the North and the South in regard to this matter, may I ask my hon. Friend why it would be impracticable to make the scheme more flexible to meet the conditions, described in the last lines of my Question, which are undoubtedly a fact?

It would be impracticable because the programme for distributing coal has to be fixed well in advance, and it would be quite out of the question suddenly to make alterations without upsetting it.

In view of the difficulty of acceding to the suggestion of the hon. Member, will the Parliamentary Secretary consider whether it would not be much simpler to increase production?

We are all anxious to increase production.

Will my hon. Friend make sure that the 34 cwt. is delivered to the people by the retailers?

The 34 cwt. is a maximum and not a ration.

In regard to the implications of the original Question, has the Parliamentary Secretary taken into account the course of the Gulf Stream?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that considerable hardship is caused by the fact that the allocation of solid fuel to consumers who have young children or invalids in their care at home is no greater than householders, in similar dwellings, where the occupants are out at work all day; and if he will see that, when new arrangements are made for the allocation of domestic fuel, the needs of individual consumers are taken into account.

The quantities of fuel allowed under the restrictions are intended to cover the normal needs of ordinary families with children. If there is abnormal need owing to the presence of young children or invalids, it can be dealt with by the local fuel overseer on application.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that these regulations appear to be completely misunderstood by the local fuel overseers, who will not give allocations where there is great need because of young children or invalids?

If the hon. Lady will let me have a specific instance, I will cause inquiries to be made.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that the instances are manifold all over the country and will he expect housewives to take note of his most unsatisfactory answer?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the restoration of the land at Wentworth Woodhouse is not being carried out in a proper manner; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the dwindling amount of land available for agriculture in Great Britain is not further reduced unnecessarily.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." In regard to the second part of the Question, no opencast coal working is started on agricultural land without prior consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his answer was similar to the one he gave me a long time ago, and shows that he is entirely unaware of the position? Is he aware that I have in my hand particulars of six different sites on the Wentworth Woodhouse estate which have been so-called restored? This is typical of the restoration. The top soil has been completely lost.

The hon. Member is giving information, not asking for it.

The land at Wentworth Woodhouse is being restored in consultation with the local agricultural executive committee, and we have had no complaint from that committee regarding the restoration.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the latest site, about to be worked, will involve spoiling water resources and trees under 10 years old, and will be a great inconvenience to the local inhabitants?

I have discussed this matter personally with the representatives of Earl Fitzwilliam, and we are going into the matter.

Will everything possible be done to restore the amenities being destroyed as a result of this opencast working?

Yes, Sir.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to make a personal investigation of this matter to find out what are the true facts?

I have already indicated that I am, in fact, doing that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of his assurance regarding the victimisation of employees on the resumption of work after the recent industrial crisis, he will consider cancelling contracts placed by his Department with Messrs. L. Gardener, Eccles, until they have reinstated the employees they have not re-employed.

So far as my right hon. Friend is able to ascertain, the Ministry of Fuel and Power have no contracts with this firm.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coalmining machinery and how many mechanical coal cutters have been produced during the most recent convenient statistical period; and what quantities were for British coalmines, for export to the Empire and to foreign countries, respectively.

During the period 1st January, 1946, to 28th February, 1947, 4,066 coal cutters, conveyors and power loaders were provided, of which 1,184 were mechanical coal cutters. Of the 4,066 machines, 3,327 were ordered for British mines, 100 for export to the Empire and 639 for export to foreign countries.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that my Question asks for figures of production and not the figures for these machines which have been exported? I want to know how many were actually produced.

I have already given the figures, and I do not think the hon. Member could have understood them.

In regard to the splitting-up between home and export?

Perhaps I may repeat the figures. Of the 4,066 machines produced, 3,327 were ordered and the remainder were exported.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what will be the amount of coal saved by cutting summer railway services by 10 per cent. and by reducing miners' allowance of free coal by 10 per cent. over the same period, and substituting a cash allowance.

As regards the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to the hon. Member for St. Ives (Mr. Beechman) on 20th March. As regards the second part of the Question, a reduction of 10 per cent. in the coal supplied to miners during the summer would represent 8,100 tons per week, of which 3,400 tons would be from free coal and 4,700 tons from coal at reduced prices.

Would the Minister let us know which of these two reductions will be the greater?

The total for the summer is 250,000 tons, which is about 10,000 tons a week. Therefore, the saving on transport is rather greater than the saving on miners' coal.

Does the hon. Gentleman remember last night's Debate, in which we quoted two entirely contradictory figures given by the Government as to the saving? He now says that 250,000 tons will he saved, but one of his colleagues—I think it was the Minister of Transport—said that the figure would be 120,000 tons. Which is right?

The Minister of Transport's figure is the one I am giving on this occasion.

But is it the right figure?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister if, in considering the import of coal, he will examine the possibility of obtaining some from Poland, whose coal exports in 1946 were nearly twice as much as those of Great Britain; and if, in this and in other connections, he will give an assurance that no ideological differences will be allowed to obstruct the development of trade between Great Britain and Poland.

The matter is being discussed with the Polish Trade Delegation now in this country, with special reference to obtaining a share of any increase in the Polish coal export surplus for shipment to bunker depots overseas, which have hitherto been supplied from the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the prevailing practice of vessels belonging to neutral nations taking supplies of bunker coal from this country instead of from Belgian ports because of the high prices demanded, he will stop this practice, in view of the shortage of our supplies.

I have been asked to reply. Foreign vessels not carrying cargo to or from this country are strictly limited in the quantity of bunkers they may take here and are not given more than sufficient coal to reach their next port of call. If carrying cargo to or from this country foreign vessels are allowed bunkers in tile United Kingdom on the same basis as British ships. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that this policy reduces the off take of bunkers by foreign ships to the minimum compatible with our position as a maritime nation.

Is the hon. Member aware that I put this Question down to the Minister of Fuel and Power, who did not like it? He transferred it to the Minister of Transport, who did not like it. Now the hon. Member, with whom I have no quarrel, is put up to deal with it. These important Questions should not be passed over by two important Ministers. It is really treating this House with great indifference in a very important matter. I wish to make a protest.

rose—

On a point of Order. May I make a protest?

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that, owing to a shortage of fuel, Messrs. Lloyds' Tile Company Limited, Withington, Hereford, will be compelled to close down and put out of employment 86 regular workers; and, in view of the fact that this company has a full order book for the export and home trade, if he will give the matter urgent consideration.

I am informed that the gas coke required by this company cannot at present be supplied since the available production is required for more immediately essential services. Every effort will be made to met the needs of the company as soon as supplies improve.

In view of the fact that this firm is securing export trade, is it not necessary that they should be given first priority?

My information is that the whole of the supplies coming forward from this particular gas company are required for essential local services, such as bakeries and hospitals.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will do all in his power to provide the poles and other equipment so that the Buckrose Light and Power Company, Limited, can supply electrical energy to Sancton Vicarage, near York.

The supply of suitable poles is insufficient to meet all priority needs. My right hon. Friend would. therefore, not feel justified in asking the Electricity Commissioners to issue a licence for the acquisition of the poles required for this connection.

Would the hon. Gentleman do his best, and may I inform him that, in view of his very unsatisfactory answer to Question No. 28, I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the present position with regard to the use of lifts in blocks of flats, etc., especially where old or infirm people may live, or families with young children.

The use of electricity in residential premises is at present prohibited for all purposes during certain hours, except where a certificate is given by a registered medical practitioner that it is necessary in the interests of health. As my right hon. Friend announced in the House yesterday, the Government have under urgent consideration a comprehensive plan, as an alternative to a compulsory rationing scheme, to secure reductions in domestic gas and electricity consumption during the summer, and will announce it as soon as possible after the Easter Recess. In the meantime, the existing Order remains in force.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is extremely difficult for people to do shopping and house work and be able to use the lifts in the period allowed, and will he give further consideration to this matter?

We are aware of this, and that a number of other factors in the present situation are not satisfactory, and we will take them into account.

asked the Minister of Labour what increase of labour there has been in the textile industry in the first three months of this year.

Figures are not available for any date later than the end of January, 1947. It is estimated that during that month there was a net increase of 13,000 in the labour force of the textile industries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of that 13,000 have been unemployed, or on short time?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour, how many Poles are now working in the mines.

184 Poles have gone into the coalmining industry. Thirty are in actual employment. One hundred and fifity-four are in their preliminary four weeks' training.

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he has for the engagement of foreign, other than Polish, labour in the mines.

At the present time, as many entrants as the industry can absorb are forthcoming from British applicants and volunteers from the Polish Re-settlement Corps. There is thus no immediate question of the engagement of foreign workers, but with a view to the utilisation of this source if and when circumstances render it desirable, discussions are in progress with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

Does that mean that the coal industry has all the men it requires?

No, Sir, the answer means what it says:

"at the present time, as many entrants as the industry can absorb. …"

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the decrease of 80,000 in the number of persons employed in public service prescribed for 1947 by paragraph 128 of Cmd. 7046 had been achieved by the latest convenient date.

Comprehensive figures of the numbers employed in public service are only available at quarterly intervals, and information as to the change that has occurred since the end of December, 1946, is not yet available.

In view of the fact that the last two quarterly returns have shown an increase, can the Minister give us an assurance that the decrease budgeted for in the White Paper is even being attempted?

It would be impossible to give that assurance until I have seen the figures.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the increase of 50,000 in the labour force in building and civil engineering prescribed for 1947 in paragraph 128 of Cmd. 7046 had been achieved by the latest convenient date.

An increase of approximately 10,000 occurred in the labour force of the building and civil engineering industry during January. Figures for later months are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour how long it will take to obtain a final decision from the conciliation machinery in the case of the dispute at Messrs. Gardeners, Eccles.

As I stated in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Stretford (Mr. Austin) on 26th March, I trust that the industry's constitutional machinery will be enabled to operate with the least possible delay. I am, however, not in a position to say how soon a final settlement will be reached.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the extent of this dispute and the fact that 12 men have been dismissed and have been victimised? Is he aware that an influential deputation representing the workers attended on Members of this House, and expressed the opinion that the use of the official machinery might involve a delay of two years in coming to a final decision?

I am not aware of those facts, and I do not accept that there is likely to be that delay. I am a little disappointed that the trade unionists do not go to their trade union for cooperation. It is the action of the men in the shops which is delaying the operation of the machinery, not the trade unions.

Would my right hon. Friend inquire into the facts, and see whether it is not necessary, in view of the possibility of a grave dispute, for this machinery to be overhauled?

That is another question. The trade union concerned is making its application for the machinery to be put into operation, and while the men concerned are taking certain action they are preventing the machinery from coming into operation.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that a rank injustice is being done to these 12 men, and that this is the most flagrant case of victimisation that has yet appeared since the resumption of the industry? As this has been going on since 3rd March, will he not do something to settle it?

Not any more than I have previously said I would do. I am not satisfied that there is a rank injustice. It is not for me to express an opinion, but the fact that there has been so much interference has only delayed a settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men have been refused re-employment after the general resumption of work at the end of the fuel crisis in the Manchester area.

I regret I have no information on which I could base a reply to this question.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated proportion of the total working population of the country employed otherwise than in Government or local government offices in the execution, compilation and fulfilment of returns and records to meet Government requirements, including Pay As You Earn.

I have no information on which to base an estimate.

Does the right hon. Gentleman ask the House to believe that his production estimates have been arrived at without taking into account the nonproductive element in the manpower force in industry?

I am not asked for an opinion on the matter, but the fact is that to get this information I should have to communicate with every firm in the country, to ask them what part of their staffs were engaged on this work.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present average age of the labour force engaged in the agricultural industry; and what is the annual wastage therefrom.

The average age of the men aged 14–64 insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts in farming, forestry, and market gardening at July, 1946, is estimated to have been approximately 37 years. The corresponding figure for women aged 14–59 years was 28 years. Statistics of annual wastage are not available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the average age of farm-workers will be affected if 100,000 young farmworkers arc called up under the new National Service Act?

I would not like to say, without checking the figures, but if the hon. Gentleman will give me notice I will give him the information.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Poles, displaced persons, German prisoners of war, German ex-prisoners of war, Italian prisoners of war and Italian ex-prisoners of war, respectively, are now employed in agriculture; and how many he estimates will be so employed by 1st September, 1947.

No displaced persons, German ex-prisoners of war or Italian prisoners of war are employed in agriculture. The number of Poles so far placed in farming and forestry is approximately 2,600; about 1,400 Italian ex-prisoners of war are employed in the industry, and the present allocation of German prisoners of war is approximately 163,500 I cannot at this stage estimate the numbers in these various classes that will be employed in agriculture by 1st September, 1947.