asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Mr. R. Kirkby, of Bradley Cross Roads, Grimsby, has been making applications to his Department for the last 12 months for increases of fats and potatoes on account of the three housing estates which are being developed near his shop; and, in view of the hardship which the recent cuts are causing, if he will have the matter reconsidered in the light of the correspondence sent to him.

I have re-examined this case and am satisfied that Mr. Kirkby is receiving his fair share of the supplies which are available. He benefited by the increase, granted in June last year, to fish friers in the Grimsby area. The supply position precludes any further increase of either fats or potatoes.

Will the hon. Lady consider giving her regional officers some discretion to deal with areas where the population is obviously growing and there is a great demand?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at this case again he will find that the biggest housing estate, which is adjacent to this fish shop, is served by another fish shop on the boundary.

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind that there are many similar cases in all parts of the country, and that there is a feeling that the present datum period is very unsatisfactory?

asked the Minister of Food whether he will ensure that no reduction is made in the allocation of fat to fish friers, who, as a result of the shortage of potatoes, are prepared to fry larger quantities of fish.

It is not the present intention to reduce allocations of fats to fish friers on account of the potato shortage, but as I said in reply to my hon. Friend's Question on 24th November, in the present uncertainties of the fats supply, we cannot ensure that no reduction will be made later on.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that general catering establishments are still able to maintain the size of the portion of potatoes served to customers; and, in view of the particular hardship caused to fish friers and their customers by the shortage of potatoes, if he will adjust the allocation of supplies further in favour of the fish frier at the expense of the general caterer.

No, Sir. The reduction imposed on fish friers is already less than that on caterers, and I regret that it is not possible to adopt this suggestion.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the fish and chip shop is a vitally important standby for the working class family, and that this cut is imposing much greater hardship on these consumers than on the consumers of potatoes in ordinary, commercial catering establishments? Will she make an adjustment between the two kinds of establishment?

I think I should point out that, in my hon. Friend's area, it is customary to give a large proportion of chips to a comparatively small proportion of fish, and that that is why she is feeling rather piqued about it.

Is not the reason which the hon. Lady has given extraordinary proof that, fish being a brain food, there are more brains in Lancashire than in most parts of the country?

Is the hon. Lady aware that the means of arriving at the reduction of supplies of potatoes for fish filers is altogether wrong, and that it has resulted in a 60 per cent. to 75 per cent. cut in the potato allocation to Birmingham fish friers, which has caused many of them to close on three or four nights a week?

Does the hon. Lady realise that the reduction in the allocation of potatoes is leading to the retention of the system of conditional sales, and that in this case the condition is, no chips without fish? That is a thoroughly undesirable practice.

No, we have no evidence of that.

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind that this question affects not only fish friers, but the cafés catering for industrial workers, and that there is great perturbation about it.

In assessing the value of the fish and chip shops, will the hon. Lady bear in mind that they are the only justification for large parts of our national Press?

asked the Minister of Food if he will base the allocation of potatoes to fish friers on the amount they previously used over a period instead of, as at present, on the allocation of oil, as that is causing hardship and a sense of grievance.

No, Sir. The only information which is readily available is on the allocation of oil.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the present allocation in practice works out at a cut of 60 per cent. and over, whereas she stated in answer to a Question last week that the intention was that the cuts should be of only 40 per cent.? Will she not have consultation with the National Fish Friers' Association on the matter, to try to get it adjusted properly?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we did consult the National Association before we adopted this scheme.

Does not the hon. Lady realise that unless she keeps the fried fish shops going in industrial towns the efforts to get women into industry will be seriously hampered?

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider granting an extra ration of potatoes for children who attend schools where no mid-day meal is provided.

I regret that this would not be practicable.

Will the hon. Lady bear in mind the cases in small country towns where the fathers of families are not able to get mid-day meals out but must go home for them, which makes it harder for those families when the children cannot get food at school?

The hon. Gentleman must remember that, if we alter our regulations in respect of this group, we must give similar treatment to the children who live near schools but are unable to partake of meals at the schools. That would mean that our scheme would become unworkable.

Is the hon. Lady aware that if these schoolchildren were given a ration of raw fruit, such as apples, instead of potatoes it would be better for their health?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to say what cuts have been made, under his potato distribution scheme, in the supply of potatoes to the Services.

I am not yet able to add to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 24th November.

Is the hon. Lady aware that there is a widespread belief, which is fortified by reports from the men in the Services themselves, that there is a good deal of waste of food going on in the Forces? Will she see to it that, when cuts have to be made at home, comparable cuts are made in the food supplies to the men in the Services?

Yes, but my hon. Friend must remember that these proposed cuts must be confirmed by the Board of Admiralty, the Army Council and the Air Council.

asked the Minister of Food why he fixed a price of £39 5s. 6d. per ton f.o.b. Singapore for this year's crop of illipenuts; and how much was purchased at this price.

This price was recommended by our local agents as likely to encourage the maximum collection of nuts. Our purchases amounted to 8,356 tons.

As there is considerable evidence of a higher price and a much larger quantity, will the hon. Lady make sure that a higher price is paid next year?

We are increasing it by £2 next year.

Will the hon. Lady say whether these are animal, vegetable or mineral?

Vegetable.

asked the Minister of Food what is the quantity of jam that we have purchased in Australia; and why was not sugar allocated from store to jam makers in this country in order to deal with our fruit season.

It is expected that imports of jam from Australia during 1947 will amount to about 10,000 tons. In reply to the second part of the Question, jam makers were given enough sugar to handle all the fruit they could obtain, and, in particular, they have been enabled to process an exceptionally heavy tonnage of plums from this season's good crops.

As my information is contrary to that of the Minister, will the hon. Lady look into the information if send it to her?

Certainly, but I must remind the hon. Gentleman that we earmarked 200,000 tons of sugar for jam makers and that they have taken up only 180,000.

Would the hon. Lady point out to hon. Members opposite that the jam ration has been increased to two pounds?

asked the Minister of Food what European countries and what Colonies have put up a barrier against the importation of all sauces and pickles.

Full information is not at present available and the position is constantly changing. If the hon. Member is interested in any particular country, I will obtain the information for him.

asked the Minister of Food whether any available foodstuffs have not been bought owing to currency difficulties.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made in this House by the Prime Minister on 6th August, by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) on 7th August, and by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23rd October, all of which made it clear that we have reduced our purchases of available foodstuffs, owing to currency difficulties, by a very substantial amount.

Are feedingstuffs included in these categories of foodstuffs?

No.

asked the Minister of Food what was the average daily consumption of milk per head of the population in Stoke-on-Trent in the year 1935 and in the year 1947.

It is estimated that the average daily consumption of milk per head in Stoke-on-Trent in November, 1935, and November, 1947, was 0.24 and 0.56 pints respectively.

Is the hon. Lady aware that in November, 1935, there were many areas wealthier than Stoke-on-Trent which had twice and three times the amount of milk we could get in my own city? Can we have an assurance from her as a Minister that the present policy of distributing food of this type according to need and not according to income will be continued?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Food if he will waive the regulation which limits the number of guests to 100 in those cases where it is proposed to give a free dinner to the aged poor at Christmas and New Year.

I am very glad to say that this concession has recently been made.

asked the Minister of Food which foods on points have been up-pointed during the past six weeks.

The only points rationed foods which have been up-pointed during the past six weeks are the special soft cheeses which are always reduced in points value during the warmer months to prevent delays in their sale.

Could the hon. Lady say whether there is any intention of putting tinned soup on points in the near future?

I am afraid I could not anticipate.

asked the Minister of Food how many enforcement officers have the right of access to domestic or business premises in Westmorland, what are their general powers and what right have they to question persons working on any premises other than the householder or proprietor of the business.

Westmorland is part of the Northern Food Division in which there are 33 enforcement inspectors who have authority to enter and inspect food undertakings by virtue of the powers conferred on them by Defence Regulation 55AA. They have no powers to enter private premises without a search warrant. An enforcement inspector may make inquiries of other persons in the absence of the owner of a food undertaking, but in such cases it is the general practice for the inspector, before making his report, to see the owner and give him an opportunity of making a statement.

asked the Minister of Food if the extra ration of cheese allowed to building workers in rural districts can be given also to those working in towns, in view of the fact that under their working regulations they have only half an hour for dinner for the six weeks before and the six weeks after Christmas, and so cannot go home for it, and that the extra cheese ration is already granted to other workers in comparable occupations.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton) on 26th November.

asked the Minister of Food if he will enumerate the steps that he has taken to acquire feeding-stuffs for British livestock from foreign countries, showing to which countries approaches have been made during the last 12 months, and with what successes; and what prospects there are of an improvement in the supply of feedingstuffs from abroad in the near future.

During 1947 we have been in negotiation with 16 countries, including Argentina, Canada, U.S.A., Australia, Russia and Brazil. Negotiations with a number of countries have not yet been completed, and it would be inadvisable at the present time to give further details or to express an opinion on the point raised in the last part of the Question. I am bound to point out, however, that as a result of the poor 1947 harvest supplies of feedingstuffs are disappointingly small throughout the world.

Can we take it for granted that the Government will continue to handle this whole problem with their usual inefficiency?

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement with regard to the grave events reported in Palestine.

I have not received complete reports yet on recent events in Palestine, but the High Commissioner has already briefly reported incidents on 2nd December, when Arab demonstrations took place in Jerusalem, Jaffa, Haifa, Nazareth, Ramle, Acre, Tiberias, Beisan and Tarshiha. These disturbances, the High Commissioner informs me, were sporadic and unorganised. In Jerusalem there was mob violence directed against Jews and Jewish property. A number of shops were looted, and there were several cases of arson. Shots were fired by Jews, and possibly also by Arabs, though the latter is not certain. Hagana has been out on the streets in force, and has generally done its best to restrain the Jews from reprisals. Casualties reported are, two Jews seriously wounded, one Jew and four Arabs injured, and one Jewish and two British police injured. A number of Jews with arms were arrested during the day, two of whom had been sniping.

In Haifa, two Jews were injured by Arabs, neither seriously. In Jaffa, Arabs attacked Jewish shops, and police were compelled to make a baton charge. One British policeman was slightly injured. In Lydda, two Jewish clinics were sacked by Arabs. There were a number of cases of Arabs holding up and stoning Jewish transport in the Lydda district. These incidents resulted in one Jew being fatally injured, one Jew seriously injured, and one Jew slightly injured. A fourth Jew was injured when a bus was fired on near Ramle. Among other incidents reported was one near Roshpina, where a car containing Jewish Supplementary Police was held up and stoned by Arabs. Jews fired warning shots and escaped injury. Subsequently, an Arab was found dead in the vicinity, and an injured Jew named as his assailant was found in a nearby colony. He claimed to have been beaten by Arabs. I should add that the Palestine Government is responsible for the maintenance of law and order until the Mandate is finally surrendered, and will continue to take all possible steps to preserve order and to prevent such tragic and unhappy conflicts. The Arab leaders in Palestine are fully informed of this.

While I thank the right hon. Gentleman for the statement which he has made, may I ask him if he will pay tribute to the conduct of the British troops and Palestine Police in these most distressing and difficult circumstances; have they not done all that it lay within their power to do to keep. order?

Yes, Sir. The Government, of course, would wholeheartedly associate themselves with the sentiments expressed by the hon. and learned Member. I hope shortly to make a statement in regard to Palestine, and then I can say something about the excellent work which the Police and the Service have performed.

In these new circumstances, is Hagana getting every facility to maintain order, including the right to bear arms?

That is a point which can be put to me when I make a statement a little later on.

In view of the exacerbation of feeling which has taken place as a result of the United Nations organisation's decision in favour of partition, can my right hon. Friend say how long he proposes to maintain British soldiers in Palestine in order to keep the peace between the two races?

The British Government will be responsible for law and order until the Mandate is surrendered. The British troops will be withdrawn, and we hope that the final withdrawal will be by 1st August of next year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state if any special constables are being enlisted to assist the Palestine Police; and, if so, whether they are being drawn equally from Arabs and Jews, and not only from one side?

Some steps are being taken to augment the existing arrangements for the preservation of law and order. However, I would prefer to cover that point in the statement which I make on behalf of the Government some time very soon.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if there is any misapprehension that special facilities are being given to one side or the other it will increase the risk of disorder; and therefore, will his statement be made very soon?

The statement will be made very soon. I fully appreciate, and so does the High Commissioner, the point which the hon. Member makes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that sometime ago his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said that, if a situation arose in which the United Nations organisation created a certain strong feeling between Jews and Arabs, British soldiers would not be used to keep the peace?

I have made it perfectly clear that, while the British Administration is functioning in Palestine for some months ahead the British Government must remain responsible for law and order.

Are British women and children still allowed to return to Palestine to rejoin their husbands and fathers?

Many women and children have returned to Palestine in recent months.

Are they still allowed to return?

Can the Secretary of State inform the House what arrangements are being made to preserve the peace in Palestine after the withdrawal of British troops?

When the right hon. Gentleman makes his statement, will he pay particular attention to the employment of the Transjordan Frontier Force?

That point will be covered in the statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that British troops have not now to wait until they are shot at before they use their own arms? May I have an answer?

I should have thought that an answer was hardly necessary. The British authorities in Palestine have very definite responsibilities which they must discharge so long as the Mandate is held by Great Britain.

Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will co-operate loyally with the United Nations in carrying out the decision of the General Assembly?

Oh!

I shall make a statement on this matter at a very early date.