asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many American companies have arranged with the Economic Co-operation Administration to invest capital in Britain; and whether he can give any information as to the nature of their investments.

Nine, Sir. The investments cover a wide variety of enter- prises, all of which should play their part in rendering us independent of external aid.

Is not the number of American companies that have come over to this country so small because they fear they will not be able to transfer their profits back to America when they have made them, and are frightened of the nationalisation of their capital?

This Question does not relate to the number of American companies that have come over here, but to the number that have taken advantage of the arrangements provided by the Economic Co-operation Administration. which gives them precisely the guarantees to which the hon. Gentleman referred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is expended from the food subsidy account to cheapen consumers' prices in the case of homegrown food and imported food respectively; and what proportions these subsidies bear to the actual cost of the food in both cases.

It is estimated that of this year's food subsidies, totalling £410 million, £246 million will be in respect of home-produced food and £164 million in respect of imported food. The estimated subsidy on home-produced food will be 43.6 per cent. of the cost, and on imported food 16.5 per cent.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this information is carefully explained to the new Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give particulars of the subsidies paid to British farmers apart from those subsidies for the direct benefit of consumers which are paid on food supplies from all sources.

I will, with permission, circulate the particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in the Economic Survey for 1950, the total capital expenditure on railways has been placed on a different basis from that used in the Economic Survey for 1949, and now excludes the cost of permanent way repairs and maintenance; and why similar steps have not been taken to exclude from The capital expenditure on roads the cost of their maintenance as against improvement.

The only expenditure excluded relates to the examination and day-to-day repairs of the permanent way and roiling stock. Expenditure on work similar to the maintenance of roads is still treated as investment. The figures for capital outlay on roads were adjusted to this basis in the Economic Survey for 1949, when comparable day-to-day repair costs were omitted.

Then why was the position not made clearer in the Survey itself?

I think it is made perfectly clear in the footnote.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether, in connection with the 2,000 officials who have power to enter private houses and premises without a warrant, he can state the exact numbers who are in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the War Damage Commission and the Inland Revenue Valuation Offices; and if, in view of the public dislike and resentment at having their homes intruded upon, the whole position will now be reviewed with a view to these powers being rescinded;

As regards the numbers of officials, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant) on 18th April. These powers are invariably exercised with proper discretion. Visits are nearly always arranged by appointment, and the householder can demand to see the official's pass.

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that that reply does notgive the precise number; does he really mean to suggest to this honourable House that we are not to have this information? Supposing there were but one, is that not one too many; and is it not commensurate with a "Police State "? Surely something must be done to preserve our traditional liberties. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Hear, hear! Can I have an answer, or do we understand that liberty has gone up the flue?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of youths in Cardiff who were liable for conscription to the Armed Forces during, 1948 and 1949; the number actually conscripted; and whether he is prepared to review the system of conscription.

The number of men in Cardiff who became liable for registration under the National Service Acts in each of the years 1948 and 1949 was between 1,500 and 1,600. As explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Blackpool, North (Mr. Low), on 3rd April, 1950, I cannot say the number of men called up from those who registered in any particular place. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "No."

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulty of obtaining employment in the Nottingham area for a skilled welder with full experience in the aircraft industry; and what action he is taking to overcome this difficulty.

I have written to the hon. Member explaining the circumstances of this individual case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this question crystallises the fears of some 600 men at Nottingham, who are not entirely satisfied with their jobs and are afraid of losing, not only their skill, but also their homes?

It does nothing of the kind. If the hon. Gentleman had carefully examined the letter I have sent to him he would have informed the House in his supplementary question that this man is not out of a job, is not in need of a job, and is merely making inquiries about another job should he need one.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will set up a committee to inquire into the effects on the health of agricultural workers of pest sprays having phosphorous, arsenic and parathion bases, in order to ascertain whether any changes in the existing safety regulations are necessary.

The question of the precautions to be taken in the use of poisonous sprays in agriculture was the subject of a recommendation in the Report of the Gowers Committee. The Report is at present under consideration.