asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the dollar content of exports to dollar areas.

I regret that the information asked for is not available. The total import content of our exports as a whole has been estimated at about one-fifth and the value of dollar materials embodied in our total exports is probably not more than about 5 per cent. of their value. While no precise figure can be given of the dollar content of our dollar exports, the major part of these exports can also be said to consist of non-dollar materials and resources.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is anticipated that United Kingdom exports to the dollar area will reach the pre-devaluation level in value.

Exports of United Kingdom goods to the dollar area in terms of United States dollars have already passed the level prevailing immediately prior to devaluation. I hope, however, to have the opportunity of making a fuller statement on the progress of dollar exports this evening.

May I draw the attention of the Minister to the answer he gave me just before the Recess, when he said that exports to the dollar area averaged 48.2 million dollars in the five months October, 1949, to February, 1950, compared with 58.2 million dollars in the corresponding period of 1948–49? I am sure all my hon. Friends on this side of the House will be delighted if the position has improved so much in such a short time.

I am not sure what question the hon. Gentleman is putting. The period covered by his statement ended. I think, in February, 1949, and the statement I have just made referred to the immediate pre-devaluation position.

Would the Minister tell us whether, since devaluation, sterling selling prices in the dollar area have improved considerably, or have we to export about 40 per cent. more in volume to secure the same return?

It varies from product to product. In some cases there has been no reduction in dollar selling prices. In other cases a fall in prices has been to the full extent of devaluation. On average I should say it is somewhere about half and half.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the foreign countries and members of the Commonwealth which place limitations either by tariff or otherwise on the import of British textile machinery, giving details of such limitations.

As the answer to the first part of the Question is long, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The information desired in the last part would involve a mass of details which could not, in my view, be given by means of a Parliamentary answer, but, if my hon. Friend will let me know the particular countries he has in mind I will see that the relevant details he requires are sent to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what limitations are now imposed on the export of textile machinery to countries of Eastern Europe.

Licences must be obtained for the export to all destinations of card clothing and of textile machinery manufactured before the 30th April, 1941. There are no other restrictions on exports to Eastern Europe.

Could that answer be given the widest publicity in view of statements. constantly made in reactionary circles. around the "Daily Worker" that there are limitations of that kind? Could the Minister say what chances there are of expanding this trade?

I hope my hon. Friend will co-operate in that publicity. We have to limit card clothing exports because of shortage. Second-hand textile machinery has to be limited to prevent a sudden uprooting of plant from existing mills. The prospect of further extension depends not on us, or on any controls imposed by this Government; but upon the willingness of East European countries to take British textile machinery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to future trade possibilities with China, with special reference to the question of the orders for textile machinery already placed for execution in this country.

No, Sir. It is not yet possible to make a realistic assessment of the future trade possibilities with China. Our traders, including exporters of textile machinery, are encountering many difficulties due in part to the Nationalist "blockade," in part to conditions in China and in part to uncertainty about the trade controls imposed by the Central People's Government.

Is the Minister aware that very large orders were placed for textile machinery before recent events in China, that substantial payments were allowed on account, and that these orders are of vital importance for the maintenance of employment in Oldham and elsewhere? Will he indicate how soon these difficulties will be resolved and how we can help to clear them?

Orders for textile machinery amounting to £10.8 million were placed before the events to which my hon. Friend referred, but it is quite uncertain how much textile machinery will be bought by China under the present Government.

What do we do about it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what success he has had during the past four years in encouraging industry to go to Portsmouth; and what plans he has for further encouragement in the future, in view of the fact that 5 per cent, of this city is unemployed.

Determined efforts have been made by my Department to interest industrialists in Portsmouth and in the past few years three firms new to the area have decided to establish themselves there. A number of other substantial projects are at present under consideration. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service informed the House on 6th April, in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member, a good deal of the rise in unemployment in Portsmouth during the winter was seasonal, and work for some hundreds of people should be provided soon by factories, both for incoming and local firms, still under construction. We fully realise that, as in the development areas, more industry is required in Portsmouth, and we shall continue to do everything in our power to assist industry already there to expand and whenever practicable to steer new industry to the district.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the firms which his own Department encouraged to go to Portsmouth are being frustrated by other Government Departments? These three firms want to come but the Minister of Health, the Minister of Works or some other Minister will not give them permission to build or to get on with business. The result is that 5,000 are unemployed. Is this in accordance with the Government's full employment programme?

No, Sir. I am not aware of these facts, nor is the unemployment figure what the hon. and gallant Gentleman quoted. I am aware, however, that thanks to the co-operation of the Cooperative Wholesale Society a factory for them is shortly to be established in Portsmouth. I shall be very surprised if the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggests that we should use compulsion on private business interests to establish themselves in Portsmouth.

I do not want compulsion.

So that the hon. and gallant Gentleman and the House can be properly informed of the relevant comparative figures in relation to Portsmouth, could my right hon. Friend indicate the new industries and what was the general level of unemployment in Portsmouth in the inter-war years?

Yes, if my hon. Friend or the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why best quality English moquettes are being exported while British furniture makers have to rely on supplies of inferior continental moquette.

Moquette manufacturers are playing their part in the export drive, and I am glad to say that exports of wool pile fabrics are increasing, but there are some supplies of British moquettes to furniture makers as well as ample quantities of alternative covering materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage greater exports of steel and steel manufactures to Canada, where a ready market exists for these products.

My Department loses no opportunity of urging upon the United Kingdom steel industry the importance of Canada as a market for their products. Exports of iron and steel and manufactures to Canada in 1949 were over twice as great as in the previous year, and I have every hope that as the result of the industry's efforts exports in 1950 will be even greater.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that several foreign countries are getting a far greater proportion of our iron and steel exports than Canada, taking into consideration the difference in populations?

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to exports to other countries in Europe, Canada has been a first charge on our steel exports. We would like to have sent far more steel to Canada, but it has not been available because the British steel industry was not doing enough to meet all our requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent cars, tractors, typewriters or other products manufactured by the Czech armament works at Skoda and Brno are undercutting the market for British products in Southern Rhodesia.

I have no evidence that Czech exports of the products mentioned are undercutting the United Kingdom market in Southern Rhodesia. Imports into Southern Rhodesia from Czechoslovakia of the three specified types of goods have been insignificant.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will send duplicate forms for the census of production so that copies can more conveniently be retained by those who are required to complete the forms.

No, Sir; but firms are invited on the census form to apply for any additional forms they need.

Would it not save a great deal of trouble if those forms were supplied in the first instance, so that all firms could keep a copy?

Not all firms need them. If we were to send two forms where only one is to be returned, the first result would be Questions by hon. Members opposite asking why we sent two forms when only one was needed.

Would not the cost of sending two forms be negligible compared with the cost of the correspondence asking that the extra forms should be sent?

Yes, but the cost of doing all the work involved in answering Questions by hon. Members opposite would not be negligible. We are quite prepared to send duplicate forms when they are asked for; we have, in fact, sent duplicate forms to the extent of about 12 per cent. of the original forms supplied.

Could the right hon. Gentleman carry his answer to its logical conclusion and not send any forms at all?

I am only concerned to avoid waste caused by sending too many forms, but it is necessary to send one form to each firm concerned in accordance with the decision of this House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the widespread abuse of the law relating to official cars at the General Election, and the inability of the police to enforce the law in its present form, he will consider altering this law which at present is unworkable.

No, Sir. I have no evidence to suggest that the existing law is unworkable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the Election there were many cases of this law creating nothing but annoyance? As it has served no useful purposes whatever does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is an annoyance which should be removed?

No, Sir. I think the law is sound and workable.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many prosecutions were made as a result of the abuse of this law during the General Election.

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I will supply the answer.

As this difficulty which has been referred to by my hon. Friend applies to every constituency and to all parties, would not the simplest solution be to increase the number of cars?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is exaggerating the difficulties that occurred.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the abolition of motor cars during elections, except for a few which would be placed under the control of the presiding officer for the conveyance of people who are unable to get to the poll because of sickness?

No, Sir. We must give the existing law a little further trial.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the rural areas this is a very real problem, and that in my constituency, as in many others, we caught the Labour Party red-handed?

That is the sort of hand that I would expect of the Labour Party

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in examining the possibility of strengthening the law in relation to the possession of knuckle-dusters and other offensive weapons, he will consider whether the powers of the police to arrest persons found in possession of offensive weapons need to be reinforced

I will certainly bear this aspect of the problem in mind

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether. in view of the fact that the size in acres of each county constituency in England. and Wales has previously been published and that the areas of county constituencies have been materially altered by the Representation of the People Act, 1949, he will now publish this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No, Sir. As I stated in answer to a Question by the hon. Member on 23rd March, I regret that this information is not readily available

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this information was provided in the 1931 census return? Is he further aware that material is available to the Home Office, and does he not agree that it is most desirable, the interests of all parties, to have this information?

I understand that there would be some difficulties which I do not think it would be worth while encountering.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has given consideration to the formation of a police cadet corps.

Police cadets are already employed in a number of police forces. The Oaksey Committee recommended that. police forces which do not now employ cadets should give the system a trial if suitable work is available and I have this recommendation uncle: consideration

Does not the Minister think it would be possible that some arrangement like the cadet forces of the three Services might be suitable for the Police Force?

There would be some difficulty about making that arrangement, but I am considering with the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police whether I can extend to the Metropolis a system which is working quite satisfactorily in many provincial forces.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that during the war this system worked very well, and that in some of the large cities there were some wonderful boys who afterwards passed out into the Police Force?

Yes; the cadets continue in some police forces, and I would like to see a considerable extension of this form of recruiting.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider using these cadets to watch Labour Party motor cars at the General Election?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that a patent medicine sold under the name of "Dolcin,' and advertised as a cure for rheumatism, can be sold with safety without a doctor's prescription.

I have no reason to think that the sale of this preparation should be restricted in the manner suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent a modification is proposed in respect of experiments in the discipline of prisoners and the external physical form of their imprisonment

The. question of modifications in prison discipline will be considered in the light of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Offences and Punishments in Prisons and Borstals, which is expected to report fairly soon. I presume that my hon Friend is referring, in the latter part of the Question, to the establishment of prisons where prisoners serve their sentences under open conditions. The success of this experiment has been amply shown, and no significant modification of it is contemplated. Its extension is limited only by the numbers of prisoners appearing to be suitable for treatment along these lines.

Can we take it that the rather sensational statements in the Press that this experiment has proved a failure are quite. untrue?

I do not think anybody with a knowledge of the subject would countenance such a statement.

asked the Minister of Health what is the policy of His Majesty's Government for responsibility for housing Poles formerly accommodated by the National Assistance Board.

So far as my Department is concerned, I invite local authorities to assume the administration of camps occupied by Polish families where the camps contain other accommodation which can be made available for housing purposes.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that when he is asked by local authorities for assistance in taking over these camps, and that assistance is not forthcoming, he will not compel the local authorities to take over those camps?

As a rule, when local authorities have been asked they have agreed. In the case that the hon. and gallant Gentleman has in mind there is accommodation in the camp for 20 families. We thought the local authority would be interested in administering the camp in order to get 20 families into the camp alongside the Poles. When the local authority does this we usually have a conference with the Departments concerned and the Parliamentary Secretaries, but we do not use compulsory powers because it is no use compelling local authorities to do this work unwillingly.

Is the right hon Gentleman not aware that in the case he mentioned, according to the memorandum from the National Assistance Board, there were 644 persons involved, and that this would mean a very serious interruption in the local authority's housing scheme for their own people?

I think that is where the local authority is under a misapprehension. This does not affect their own housing needs at all. In fact, according to my information it would provide accommodation for 20 additional families in the locality.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious shortage of houses in Liverpool and if he would be prepared to have a conference with the Liverpool housing authorities to find ways and means to get rid of this shortage.

My principal regional officer is in close touch with representatives of the council and will give all practicable assistance to them in expediting their housing programme.

Is the Minister aware that the position is becoming very deplorable in the city of Liverpool and that I am asking for this conference because we are not satisfied about the housing question in the city? Is he aware that we should like some stimulation introduced to get things going more speedily?

As my hon. Friend knows, the Liverpool authority were given permission by me to build more houses than, in fact, they did build. I think the rate of completions has been expedited in recent years, but if I can give any help I shall be very pleased to give it

asked the Minister of Health what allocation of houses has been made to Deal for 1950; and when he expects to make a further allocation.

No allocation has yet been made for 1950 because tenders for 106 houses were approved as recently as 22nd December, 1949. Further allocation will depend on progress.

asked the Minister of Health how many licences he has authorised the Blackpool Corporation to grant to private builders to build houses since 1st January, 1950; and how many further licences he expects to authorise them to grant during this calendar year.

The council have been informed that they may issue such licences up to a maximum of one in 10 of the allocations made to them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he intends to restore the figure to the maximum of one in four which existed before the cuts, which were made last October, as these cuts are now being restored?

It was not one in four, but one in five. I hope to make a statement to the House very shortly about new systems of allocation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that if he examines the housing columns in the local Press at Blackpool, Brixton or anywhere else, he will find that there has been no shortage of houses for sale with vacant possession since 1945?

asked the Minister of Health if he will give particulars of his regional awards for the best-designed local authority housing estate, with special reference to their cost and the amount of time that will be required by the officials involved for their implementation.

Particulars of these awards are given in Circular 19/50, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The cost of the scheme in time and money will be very small.

asked the Minister of Health on what basis the allocation of houses to local authorities for the year 1950–51 has been made.

Within the limits of the total programme, allocations to individual local authorities are made in the light of the current evidence available as to relative housing need and building progress.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution, a copy of which has been sent him, passed by a recent conference of the Leicestershire and Rutland British Legion Council, urging him to speed up the building programme of council houses, and to relax immediately the recent restrictions imposed on private house building in order to help to reduce the numbers of those already on the waiting list for a council house; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the course of his speech on 18th April

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the principle on which equalisation grants to local authorities are based is inequitable to certain cities such as Liverpool. and that the grants payable are calculated in a way that encourages extravagance; and if he is prepared to reconsider the principle on which the grants are based.

I cannot accept these allegations, but in any event the Act provides for an investigation into the working of the grant as soon as the new valuation lists come into force.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Liverpool, which forms part of a development area, receives no equalisation grant, whereas cities which do not, like Birmingham, receive a substantial grant; and that, in the case of those authorities who do get grants, the grant is related to the rate of expenditure?

These grants were related quite definitely to the reteable value per head of the. population. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman's city did not.attract a grant under that basis, it is obviously because its rateable value is higher than the average.

asked the Minister of Health how frequently his regulations permit persons who have obtained spectacles under the National Health Scheme to have them replaced.

As often as a sight test under the service shows that different lenses are clinically necessary. New frames are supplied only if the original ones cannot be re-used.

May 1 ask the Minister whether he will make inquiries. in a selected number of cases, to see how many spectacles are now in the possession of pawnbrokers?

I think that in view of the policy of the Labour Government there are no pawnbrokers to take in the spectacles.

As I do not understand the answer, may I again ask the Minister whether he will make inquiries?

I cannot make inquiries from non-existent pawnbrokers

asked the Minister of Health how long those requiring ear aids have to wait for an appointment to be examined at Manchester Ear Clinic; and how long they have to wait after examination for their aids.

Waiting period depends on the priority given to the case. The rate of issue will increase shortly with the appointment of another technician

Is the right hon. Gentle. man aware that I have instances of cases where people have been kept waiting for seven months for examination and another 19 months, afterwards, for their aural aid?

Yes, and a very large number have been waiting for many years for what some of them are now able to get. As I have explained previously, the limitation upon the issue of aural aids is not the production of aural aids but the number of technicians who fit these aids at the hospitals. It is not desirable to issue the aids through unskilled people; if that were done deaf people would not know how to use them.

Would it not be much more honest for the National Health Service to make these facts known, and not to hold out hopes to the deaf which the service is quite unable to fulfil?

These facts have been made known. They were made known when the service was started, but I would point out that between 60,000 and 70,000 deaf people have received aural aids who would not have had them if the hon Member's party had been in office.

asked the Minister of Health whether the committee appointed by him to inquire into the question of registration of opticians has yet completed its findings: and if he will make a statement.

The committee is not expected to report for some time yet and I am not, therefore, in a position to make any statement on the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentle. man aware that it was as long ago as April last year that he said, in answer to a Question, that he had decided to set up a committee to inquire into this question and into the abuses which have occurred and have given rise to considerable anxiety? Could he expedite this matter?

I am not the boss of this committee. The committee has been established and it will take what time it considers necessary to do its work properly.

asked the Minister of Health what were the numbers and the costs of the clerical and administrative staffs of hospitals for each of the last four years.

Figures are available for only the last two years. On 31st December, 1948, when staff was still being built up and much of the administrative work was being done by local authorities on an agency basis, the total clerical and administrative staff of hospitals was 20,933. On 31st December, 1949, when the agency arrangements had been superseded, the figure was 25,654. Corresponding figures of cost are not available, but the cost of administration in the financial year 1949–50 was estimated at £3,500,000 and in the year 1950–51 at £4,500,000.

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that no estimates, even if slightly less accurate, can be made for the two earlier years? Is it quite impossible to make any estimates for the condition of things when the Ministry took over?

Absolutely impossible, because in the first place, voluntary hospitals had no uniform system of accounting which would throw up the various categories upon which the money was being spent.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet received the report from the Whitley Council on the new scale of salaries of the higher grades of nursing staff.

No, Sir.

Does the Minister realise that this is a very serious matter and is causing a great deal of distress to senior nurses in hospitals? Will he please take action to see that this report is received as soon as possible?

It is, of course, open to hon. Members to put these Questions on the Order Paper, but it has been the practice to allow the Whitley machinery to operate under its own steam.

Could I be assured that this is not part of the Government's wage freeze?

The Whitley machinery has worked very hard and a very large number of adjustments have been made in the salaries and conditions of health staffs, which have been improved more in four years than in the previous 40 years.

asked the Minister of Health how soon Whitley machinery will be set up to negotiate new salaries for dentists in the service of local authorities

Progress in setting up a Dental Whitley Council now depends entirely on the representatives of the dental profession.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet given consideration to recommendations (f) to (n) and (r) of the Departmental Committee on the Export and Slaughter of Horses: and, if so, whether he will give an indication of the action it is proposed to take.

These recommendations are still under consideration. I am afraid I am not yet ready to make any statement.

Could the Minister say when he will be able to make a statement?

Discussions are taking place between my Department and the Ministry of Food about the transfer of legal responsibility for this subject, and I hope that a statement will be made next week.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now reconsider his decision to defer the allocation of a sum of £2,750 towards the Upper Harbledown sewage disposal scheme, in view of the danger to health arising from the present condition.

A grant of £2,750 towards the cost of this scheme has already been allocated provisionally under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944. Authority to proceed with the work will be given as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Health where our recent smallpox infections originated; what foul ports are visited by British ships; and if he is satisfied that international health and quarantine regulations are efficiently observed at these ports.

All cases were traced to an Asian seaman who arrived in London on 5th March. It has not been possible to establish the source of infection. British ships inevitably visit many ports where serious infections may occur, but the application of health and quarantine measures is a matter for the Governments concerned.

Could my right hon. Friend say what ports are, technically, foul ports at the moment?

No, I could not say at the moment what they are, but if my hon. Friend puts down a Question I will try to obtain the information for him. We are satisfied that certain ports of call have been sources of infection, and I am making inquiries about it through the International Health Organisation

Could my right hon. Friend say how many of the victims in this country had recently been vaccinated?

If my hon. Friend will put down a Question I will give him an answer. I think that quite a number had not been vaccinated.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the anxiety which exists about pollution of the River Thames and the danger to health therein involved; and what action he is taking.

I am aware that conditions are unsatisfactory in certain parts of the river, and I am in close touch with the authorities concerned as to the different problems which arise. If the hon. Member would indicate which particular reaches of the river he has in mind I should be glad to make inquiries and to give him such information as I can.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared, in due course, to indicate whether any reaches above tide water are unsafe for bathing on health grounds?

If the hon. Member will indicate what particular reaches they are, I will make inquiries. At the moment I do not know.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider giving a general warning to the public, covering the whole of the river above tide water?

No; I think that would frighten people unnecessarily.

asked the Minister of Health if he will expedite the granting of permission for the connecting up of the supply of mains water to the council houses and doctor's surgery in Foulsham, Norfolk.

The local authority have been authorised to make an immediate start on the extension of mains for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking in selecting members of river boards to ensure that the interests of boat owners and others using the rivers for navigational sport and recreation are properly safeguarded.

The River Boards Act does not provide for the appointment of members to represent the interests to which the hon. and gallant Member refers.

While I realise that, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he proposes taking any action to encourage representations by local authorities and other interests to ensure that the interests of the users of waterways are not deliberately disregarded?

I should have thought that the hon. and gallant Gentleman would have relied upon the representatives of local authorities to safeguard the interests he has in mind.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that navigational sport is not the only form of recreation that can be derived from rivers, and will he take steps to see that the interests of fishermen are also properly safeguarded?

That is exactly why Parliament decided, when the Act was being passed, that only revenue producers should be represented on the river boards.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question is an indication of difficulties which, unless he takes some action in the matter, will result in the interests of navigation being completely overlooked?

I do not anticipate any difficulty.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on the progress of the River Great Ouse flood prevention scheme, with particular reference to the financial aspect.

Before work on the main scheme begins, the Catchment Board need to determine the extent of their liability under Section 42 of the River Great Ouse (Flood Protection) Act, 1949, for protective works in the Port of King's Lynn. Negotiations to this end are in progress, and 1 understand that, meanwhile, the Board are putting in hand certain surveys and other work of a preliminary nature. Whether the Government grant of 90 per cent. on the main scheme can be extended to include any protective works is a matter to be considered when the probable cost of such works is known.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many farmers are anxious to keep sheep but are prevented from so doing by the shortage of shepherds; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Labour with a view to considering any plan that may assist flock-masters to obtain the services of qualified shepherds, men or women.

The sheep population has been rising since 1947, but I am aware that in certain areas the shortage of shepherds is one factor, among others, limiting further recovery. The number of regular workers in agriculture has increased, however, and in my view it is primarily tor the industry itself to devise means for training young workers as shepherds. In this connection, I should be glad to see more rapid progress made with the agricultural apprenticeship scheme which the industry has for some time had under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any consultation with the Ministry of Labour on this matter?

Yes; and we are now conducting a publicity campaign to secure further recruits to agriculture generally, instead of specifying only one or two sectors of the industry.

As the right hon. Gentleman's colleagues now have fewer "sheep" to look after, will he release one or two of them to act as shepherds?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of agricultural land held by private and national mineral workers are at present waterlogged or derelict as the result of subsidence.

I regret that the information is not available.

As it is believed that considerable areas are in this state, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make the information available at an early date?

I scarcely think that a wide survey for this purpose would be justified.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will furnish details of the land-use and agricultural production during 1947–49 inclusive, derived from the area of 201.535 acres, north and south of the Abberley/Tenbury main road,.in the rural district of Martley, in the county of Worcestershire, and referred to on site plans, "The Elms, M.O.F.P.-M/9/551/1," and "Crundle, M.O.F.P.-M/9/550/1 "; and what plans the Worcestershire Agricultural Executive Committee have for food production from this area of 201.535 acres in the years 1950, 1951 and 1952.

This area includes parts of six holdings and comprises some 66 acres of permanent pasture, 115 acres of arable and 20-i acres of woodland roads and waste. About 40 acres of the pasture forms part of a stud farm. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing for the three years 1947 to 1949 the estimated total produce sold off the land or transferred to other parts of the holdings.

In answer to the second part of the Question, agricultural executive committees do not draw up cropping programmes for individual farms. but so far as can be foreseen at present there is no reason to anticipate that the 1951 and 1952 production plans of the occupiers of this land will show any significant changes from the current pattern.

Is the Minister aware that the areas referred to are intensively cultivated farmlands of exceptional fertility, and that the Ministry of Fuel and Power proposes shortly to commence opencast coalmining activities which will destroy the natural water supplies and drainage of the area and render the land unfit for agricultural production for all foreseeable time? What measures does he propose to take to protect farming interests in the locality?

Although a proposal has been made from the Ministry of Fuel and Power, no clearance for boring purposes has yet been given

Why should the people of Worcestershire be treated in this manner? I raise my voice in protest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the resentment amongst farmers that dealers are given the first opportunity to purchase from agricultural executive committees any available surplus agricultural machinery; and whether arrangements will be made in future to put all such surplus machinery up to auction, so that farmers may have the same opportunities as dealers with regard to its purchase.

It would not be in accordance with Government policy, as laid down in the White Paper of 1944 on Plans for Disposal of Government Stores, to dispose of surplus machinery entirely by public auction. The present arrangements provide for disposal both through trade channels and by public auction, and the major part of the machinery has, in fact, been sold by public auction. When sold through the trade, it has to be fully reconditioned and its re-sale price is controlled this system should not, therefore. be disadvantageous to farmers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to stop the present method of earmarking calves under the subsidy scheme, and adopt some other method of identification which avoids the unnecessary injuries now caused

No, Sir. The present method of marking was adopted after a careful study of humanitarian considerations and practical requirements, and I see no reason to change it.

Is the Minister aware that many farmers are perturbed at the way in which the hole is punched in the ear? It catches in trees, and so on, half tearing the ear off, spoiling the appearance of the animal, and causing unnecessary suffering.

I have had no information brought to my notice to that effect, but the hon. Member will be aware that this ear punching was to avoid the same calf's collecting two sets of subsidies.

Would that have been very painful to the calf?

Is the Minister aware of the importance which breed societies attach to this question, and to the fact that the problem can be quite easily solved by tattooing the left ear, as is done in the case of bulls?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the National Farmers' Union was consulted before this method was approved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to give effect to the recommendations of Lord Rosebery's Commit- tee on the Export and Slaughter of Horses.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the full statement I made in reply to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Dodds-Parker) on 30th March.

Yes, but as the right hon. Gentleman will realise, the public have the fate of these exported horses very much at heart. Will he do something, in conjunction with the Minister of Health, to expedite action in regard to this matter?