asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage reduction in miners' house coal is contemplated consistent with his broadcast of 6th January emphasising the need for economy in domestic fuel consumption.

I am confident that the miners will loyally respond to my right hon. Friend's appeal for economy and will, in the present critical weeks, do what they can to cut down the amount of free or concessionary coal they take home; but I cannot, of course, forecast what the saving may be.

While this is, of course, a recognised perquisite for those who produce our coal, does not the Minister feel that there is now too wide a discrepancy between the allocation of coal to miners and that to other householders, which is now less than two tons per annum?

No, Sir, the requirements of the miners are very different from those of other classes of people.

Has the Minister considered giving the miners an equivalent allowance in cash so as to place them on the same footing as ordinary householders, and thus bring home to them the fact that coal is not, perhaps, as plentiful in the rest of the country as in the mining areas?

In most areas an allowance is made by the colliery for coal left at the pit by the miner.

Is the Minister aware that many miners in Lancashire and Cheshire had not received an ounce of concessionary coal up to last Saturday, and that they are prepared to make sacrifices until the coal situation is somewhat easier than it is at present?

Yes, Sir, I understand that that is so.

I beg to give notice that I shall be raising this matter later.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average amount of coal issued to each householder in the United Kingdom during 1950 and the average cost per ton; and the average amount of concessionary coal issued to miners' households and the price per ton.

During 1950 the average amount of coal, including boiler fuel, delivered to householders was a little over two tons at an average cost of 90s. per ton including the cost of delivery. The average amount of free or concessionary coal supplied to men in the mining industry was about 10 tons. Where payment was made the average price was 8s. 4d. per ton, excluding the cost of delivery. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that concessionary or free coal is part of miners' remuneration and is covered by wage agreements.

Is the hon. Gentleman fully satisfied that there is no abuse of this concessionary coal privilege and that all the coal is consumed in the houses for which it is intended? Further, will he say what approaches have been made to the miners to withhold acceptance of concessionary coal in view of the great hardship to other householders in the country?

Yes, my right hon. Friend made an appeal. We spoke of that on Question No. 1. As far as abuse is concerned, if the hon. Member has any facts I shall be glad to look into them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the last issue of the "Digest of Statistics" showed that a smaller number of miners had a greater amount of coal this year than in 1938, and that if they had been willing to sacrifice a quarter of the excess over domestic consumption it would have obviated any need to import coal from America?

The right hon. Gentleman will probably remember that since the date he mentioned Lancashire miners have come into the concessionary coal scheme.

Yes, but I was talking about the last day of December. If the hon. Gentleman takes the figure for 1950 he will find they had five million tons of coal and that if they had been on the domestic ration they would have had just over one million tons.

Is not the King getting free coal like the miners?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider subsidising fuel for old age pensioners in view of the fact that they have great difficulty in buying their present ration due to the high cost of living.

I regret that I am unable to consider the suggestion made in the hon. Gentleman's Question. Old age pensioners finding their income inadequate should, of course, apply to the National Assistance Board for supplementary grants.

Does the Minister appreciate that these poor people are now not only rationed by the purse but by the incompetence of His Majesty's Government? Does he consider that "fair shares for all"?

No doubt there will be problems for some old age pensioners, but I understand they are met by the reasonable arrangements made by the National Assistance Board.

In view of the evidence of hardship to old age pensioners in this matter in Birmingham, and no doubt, in other places, would the hon. Gentleman confer with the Minister of National Insurance to make sure that the Assistance Board revise their rates upwards where necessary in order to meet the increased price?

I am sure that the Assistance Board deal generously with old age pensioners who are in need.

Could my hon. Friend make arrangements for old age pensioners to have a greater allowance of coal because of their greater need in particularly cold weather?

Where there is need for additional coal the local fuel overseer is entitled to make arrangements for these people.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average cost per ton of getting opencast coal for 1950, including depreciation of machinery and the cost of replacing land.

The estimated total cost of getting opencast coal in 1950 was approximately 43s. 0d. a ton, including the appropriate provision for the depreciation of the machinery used and for the restoration of the land.

Could the hon. Gentleman tell us, approximately, what was the maximum cost in the worst places where the coal has been worked?

Not without notice. It would vary from site to site of course.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the recent increase in the price of coal includes the full cost resulting from the imports of coal as at present planned.

Yes, Sir. The extra cost resulting from the import of coal, as at present estimated, was allowed for in full in the increase of price which has recently been made.

As that increase has been put on the worse qualities, does that mean that the Minister has abandoned his policy of trying to get a wider price, differential between qualities?

No, Sir. It is the procedure which has been adopted by the-Coal Board—to vary prices in accordance with quality.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the increase of 4s. 2d. per ton of coal and of 6s. 3d. per ton of coke represents increased wages costs; and what proportion represents other costs.

Of the recent increase in the price of coal, 1s. 5d. per ton, or just over one-third, is due to increases in miners' wages made since September last, or to the National Coal Board's contribution to a Supplementary Pensions Fund. The rest is due to the increase in the price of materials which the National Coal Board must purchase, and to other factors. The increase in the price of coke is the result of the increase in the price of coal.

In view of those figures, does the hon. Gentleman realise that he was grossly unfair to the miners in suggesting in a recent speech that the whole of the increase was due to the rise in miners' wages?

That suggestion was not made. In fact, if I remember rightly, the only figure I used was that over £100 million had gone towards better wages and conditions for the miners, and that is an accurate figure.

In view of the fact that the element in respect of miners' wages does not enter into the cost of producing opencast coal, why should the 4s. 2d. per ton be placed on opencast production?

Because the selling price of coal must be the same, whether it is deep-mined or opencast coal. There must be an average, in just the same way as the cost of American coal is not charged to industrialists at the higher price.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the decent members of our community are quite prepared to pay more for coal if the miners have justice and not the hunger wages which were paid under private enterprise?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement as to the result of his conversations with the National Union of Mineworkers on the subject of the use of further Italian labour in the mines.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is now the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the recruitment of foreign workers from European countries for work in British pits; whether he can indicate the number of additional foreign workers it is proposed to recruit during 1951; the countries of origin; the terms of employment in British pits; and whether he will make a statement.

In their recent agreement with the National Coal Board, the Executive of the National Union of Mineworkers have pledged themselves to use their best endeavours to secure the willing acceptance of foreign workers in every pit where there is at present a shortage of men. This agreement was endorsed, with only one dissentient vote, at a delegate conference of the union held in York three weeks ago. The terms of employment for foreign workers in the mines will be the same as for British workers, but I cannot yet make any estimate of the number who will be recruited during 1951.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether any steps have been taken to get any of these people here?

Yes, Sir. The labour attaché in Rome is in contact with the appropriate people there about recruitment.

Would the Minister now answer the second part of my Question No. 12, which asks for the countries of origin in which these miners will be recruited? Can he also tell the House what measure of success is anticipated from this scheme, in view of the failure of a similar desire in Belgium to employ Italian and other foreign workers?

As this is a scheme for employing Italians I assume that they will come from Italy.

Can my hon. Friend say to what extent we are competing with Belgium in taking Italian labour?

No, Sir. But there are many Italians experienced in mining work who are prepared to come to this country.

Is it not owing to the slow action of the Government in this matter that they now find themselves in competition with Belgium for what Italian miners there are?

No, Sir.

Would my hon. Friend impress upon the Opposition that the objection to employing Italian labour is not on the grounds of nationality but on the grounds of language? Will he point out, for the edification of hon. Gentlemen opposite, who know nothing about this, that in a coal mine it is necessary that each man should understand the language of the man with whom he is working?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the acute shortage of coal for domestic consumers, he will take all possible emergency action to facilitate the supply of coal in Manchester.

I do not accept that the house coal position in Manchester is such as to warrant diversion of supplies from other communities. Manchester is receiving its fair share of the coal available for the domestic market and, indeed, in the four weeks ended 3rd February received only 658 tons less than in the corresponding period last year.

Would the Minister further investigate this matter, as there are many households in Manchester without any coal at all?

The local fuel overseer keeps us fully informed of the position in the area.

If there is a drop this year how can the hon. Gentleman reconcile that with the statement by his right hon. Friend that he had provided 1.6 million tons more for consumers this year than was provided last year?

That is a correct statement. The domestic market has received 1.6 million tons more this year than last year.

Would the Minister bear in mind that to come home to an empty grate after working in the high temperature of a cotton mill is the surest way to bring about illness?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) to what extent supplies of foundry coke are falling short of demands; and what steps are being taken to secure improvement on the present position;

About 2,500 tons per week more coke have been supplied dur- ing the last five weeks to the foundry and engineering trades than in the corresponding period a year ago. It is estimated, however, that the demand for foundry coke has increased since then by 15 per cent., and there have in recent weeks been difficulties in the transport of coke by rail. Special measures have been taken—for example, the movement of coke by road, where practicable, to meet the current needs of consumers. New coke ovens are now under construction, and some of them will come into production within the next three months.

What about the firms to which I have drawn special attention in North Staffordshire, which are on urgent Government contracts? Is my hon. Friend able to do anything for them in the meantime?

The programming authority in the region will give attention to any specific cases which reach their notice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that many industrial premises in the London area now have insufficient coke to maintain normal heating; and what action is he taking to increase the supply of coke to this area.

I am advised that supplies in the London area permit deliveries of 90 per cent. of last winter's requirements to industrial premises which are normally supplied with coke. Transport or other difficulties may lead to interruption of supplies, and if any manufacturers are in difficulties they should get in touch with the district coke representative.

Can we be assured that these establishments are pot short of supplies? Is the Minister aware that the export of coke from the London area has been restarted? Is it wise to do this?

If there are establishments which find themselves in difficulties, I am perfectly certain that the district coke representative will see them through those difficulties.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what basis he expects to allocate coal to industrial consumers during the period from 1st May to 1st November, 1951.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will arrange to make up the under deliveries of coal and coke to industry during the summer months.

The allocations of coal and coke to industrial consumers during the summer period of 1951 will be sufficient to meet their full requirements, for current consumption, and to build up adequate winter stocks.

Can the Minister say how these allocations will compare with allocations during the comparable period in 1950?

The allocations will obviously be greater than the allocation for 1950, because consumption is steadily rising.

Will they be sufficiently greater to make up for present under-deliveries?

Yes. I thought I had made it quite plain that the allocations will be sufficient to meet current consumption and to build up adequate winter stocks.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consider some method of arbitration if the allocations which are made appear to be unsatisfactory to the users?

There is no need for arbitration because we shall try to the best of our ability to meet all requirements.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent the distribution of coal supplies is being retarded by delays on the railways.

There was some congestion on the railways in the early weeks of this year, due at first to the bad weather and later to heavy sickness among the railwaymen. As a result of measures adopted by the Railway Executive, the movement of coal has now improved.

Will the Minister look into this matter again? Is he aware that cases have been reported to me of truck loads of coal standing in sidings for four or five days within sight and almost within reach of houses whose inhabitants are crying out for it?

That may well be, but there would be a very good reason for those trucks remaining in the sidings.

Can my hon. Friend say to what particular districts he had in mind when referring to the delays which have taken place?

In general, more in those areas where the influenza epidemic was greatest.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the calorific values of the coal imported from the United States, India and Nigeria, compared with those of the corresponding grades of British coal.

Exact comparisons are difficult to make, but the American coals which have been purchased compare well with British coals. On an air-dried basis, the calorific value of the American large coal which has been bought varies from 13,500 to 14,300 British thermal units per pound; British large coal varies from 10,700 to 15,000 British thermal units per pound. The Indian and Nigerian coals are rather lower in calorific value than the average British steam-raising coal of the corresponding size.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the coal from India and Nigeria is therefore costing more than is indicated by the price?

It depends very largely on the price at which the Coal Board has purchased it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the coal ordered from the United States and other countries will be delivered.

The National Coal Board expect that the greater part of the coal which they have purchased from abroad will have arrived in this country before the end of March. Up to 7th February, 260,000 tons had arrived from the United States.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say what he means by "the greater part"? What does that mean in tonnage? Will he also say whether coal is at present being exported from this country and, if it is, whether he is satisfied that every economy is being made in shipping space?

Yes; coal is being exported and every economy is being made with shipping. "Greater part" means the major part of the whole.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the lack of coordination and planning in the orders of coal and grain and in chartering shipping, there is grave congestion in the ports of this country, and that shipping has had to be diverted to Rotterdam, with the consequent increase in the cost of coal?

It is not as grave as all that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why instructions have been issued to local fuel overseers that they are not to give information regarding local stocks of fuel to interested persons.

No such instructions have been given to local fuel overseers. Information about local stocks of fuel can be obtained by those who want it from the regional offices of my Department.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the answer he has just given is directly contrary to what is being said by local fuel overseers? If I give him particulars of a case will he look into them?

With pleasure.

Is the Minister aware that in some parts of the country fuel overseers have nothing to conceal from inquirers since they have no stocks, and that in my constituency, in the town of Rayleigh, it is a well-known thing that even where a person possesses a medical certificate for priority his needs cannot be met?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the estimated cost of the leaflets which he proposes to issue and which will urge upon consumers the importance of economy in the use of electrical apparatus.

My right hon. Friend does not propose to issue any leaflets.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when his right hon. Friend broadcast to the nation on 6th January he told us he was issuing these leaflets? Has he had second thoughts on the matter now?

No, Sir. I understand that various industries are issuing leaflets and we at the Ministry do not want to duplicate what they are doing.

Does the hon. Gentleman recollect that as lately as 20th November his right hon. Friend said that except at peak hours he desired to increase the consumption of electricity? Can he say when his right hon. Friend changed his mind?

My right hon. Friend was influenced by the fact that at that date the problem in the electricity supply industry was generating capacity. At the end of the year it turned into a problem of saving coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give the total consumption of petrol for the latest convenient period as compared with the corresponding period before derationing.

In the 35 weeks from the 26th of May, 1950, to 25th of January, 1951, the deliveries of motor spirit by the bulk distributors of petroleum averaged 104,400 tons a week. That was 11,000 tons a week more than in the corresponding period of the year before.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of this increase is attributable to private motoring?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements he has made or is making to reintroduce the rationing of petrol.

No arrangements have been made to re-introduce petrol rationing. Shortly after petrol rationing was ended last May, instructions were given for a reserve supply of petrol ration books to be printed. This was done as an insurance against any future emergency that might arise.

Is it because there is abundance under free enterprise?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the average increase in cost per unit of electricity and per therm of gas, respectively, to industrial and domestic consumers, as a result of the price increase of 4s. 2d. per ton of coal and 6s. 3d. per ton of coke, announced on 1st February, 1951.

The increase in the price of coal will, no doubt, increase the cost of producing electricity and gas. But the electricity and gas boards fix the prices which they charge to their consumers, and in doing so they take many other factors into account.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage gas and electricity undertakings to pass on the whole of the cost increase arising from the advances in price of coal and coke, or will they, by greater efficiency, endeavour to absorb those price increases themselves?

All these organisations have a statutory responsibility to pay their way.

Does not this increase in the price of coke represent a subsidy to the gas industry? Will the Minister make a statement about the price of gas, or is that to remain at the present price and the coke industry to bear the increased cost?

No, the gas undertakings will have to decide the prices of the various commodities in accordance with the costs of production.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is prepared to answer Parliamentary Questions relating to the work of the Committee set up by him to secure that the publicity activities of the electricity and gas industries are co-ordinated with his efforts to secure economy of the use by the public of electricity and gas.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what are the terms of reference of the recently established Fuel and Power Publicity Co-ordination Committee; whether the proceedings and findings of this Committee will be published and in what form; and what representation of industrial and domestic fuel consumer interests will be provided on the Committee.

The task of the Committee is to consider the various forms of publicity needed to secure economy in the use of fuel and power and to advise the Ministry of Fuel and Power and the gas and electricity industries so that there may be a proper co-ordination on the general lines of this publicity.

My right hon. Friend does not think it would be appropriate for him either to publicise the proceedings of the Committee or to indicate in answer to Parliamentary Questions the nature of the advice given by the Committee on particular issues either to the Ministry or to the gas and electricity industries; nor does he think it would serve any useful purpose to add to the membership of the Committee in the way suggested by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro).

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this Committee is presided over by himself—

I am.

—and is there any precedent for this refusal to answer Questions about the public actions of a Minister of the Crown?

This is a small Committee over which I preside, and, as I have said, it has for its object the coordination of publicity. There does not seem to be any point in publicising its proceedings or, indeed, in answering Questions about them.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the establishment of this Committee will lead to the end of the preposterous dissipation of public funds by the lack of co-ordination in these industries?

At the moment all the publicity is devoted to fuel economy. What will happen in the future is a matter which the Committee will discuss with the industries concerned.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the advertisement which I read in the "Daily Herald" on Saturday, issued jointly by the National Coal Board, the Gas Council and the Electricity Authority, asking people not to use their products, was the result of the Committee's activities?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress is being made in Great Britain in the development of schemes for generating electricity from the water-power of rivers and tides.

About 1,500 million units of electricity were produced in Great Britain from water power in 1950; that was an increase of 25 per cent. on 1949. The greater part of this output came from the hydro-electric stations in Scotland and North Wales. It is often alleged that our river power could be used without the construction of large works; when such plans have been examined by the Department, they have been found to be impracticable. On tidal power, I would refer the hon. Member to an answer which my right hon. Friend the Lord President gave to the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 11th December last.

Will my hon. Friend press on with these schemes wherever possible so that coal might be saved in future?

Yes, Sir. The policy is to use water power to the greatest possible extent.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether final adjustments have been made in the price paid by Scotland to the Electricity Commissioners in England?

I cannot do so without notice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is now in a position to make a statement on what further action he has taken to give warning to electricity consumers and specially manufacturers, of electricity cuts and in particular say what assistance he has arranged with the British Broadcasting Corporation for them to give in this connection.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the general principle of national warnings of power cuts discussed by him with the British Electricity Authority.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether plans are now complete for a radio warning of impending electricity cuts; what is the nature of such plans; and when he expects the scheme will be put into operation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now in a position to make a statement about improving the present system for giving warning of power cuts.

My right hon. Friend is actively pursuing his discussions with the British Electricity Authority and the area boards about the methods by which more adequate warnings might be given of power cuts. In the meantime, the rota system is being perfected and more generally applied; the system of telephone warnings to hospitals, factories and other large users is being extended and experiments are being made with special short-wave radio transmitting and receiving sets. I am afraid, however, that there are still formidable difficulties to be overcome.

In view of the great interference with production, especially continuous processes, when electricity cuts take place, cannot the Minister expedite action and look into other ways of warning manufacturers in collaboration with the B.B.C.?

I think the hon. Gentleman will find that in the continuous process industries, in hospitals and emergency cases of that kind, arrangements have already been made, but we are pressing on as fast as we can with other methods for application to industry as a whole.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the extracts from the speech to a Press conference on 5th December of the Chairman of the British Electricity Authority sent him by the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames; and whether he will make a further statement on the matter.

My right hon. Friend has considered the extracts from Lord Citrine's statement which were sent to him by the hon. Member. They show that Lord Citrine did not say what the hon. Member suggested he had said when he put a Question last week, and I therefore have nothing to add to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave him then.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether that answer means that the report in the "Daily Herald" of that Press conference was inaccurate; and, second, why his right hon. Friend did not carry out his promise, made simultaneously with my promise to him, to send his version of the speech to me?

It means that the hon. Gentleman put a different interpretation on Lord Citrine's words from that of my right hon. Friend.

Will Lord Citrine shortly be revisiting this country to clear the matter up?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet arrived at any decision as to whether restriction of hire purchase facilities by the British Electricity Authority is required; and whether, before coming to any conclusion, he will publish comparable figures of the facilities offered by the Authority and by the private manufacturers.

My right hon. Friend has not yet decided that a restriction is required, but will continue to keep the matter under review. I doubt whether figures of the facilities offered by private manufacturers could be obtained.

If these figures are not obtainable, how does it come about that the Parliamentary Secretary's right hon. Friend committed himself to saying in last week's 'debate that the figures were not strictly comparable? How was he able to compare them if he could not get hold of the figures?

It seems to me that that is a question which ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend himself.

I did address it to the right hon. Gentleman and the Parliamentary Secretary is here to answer for him.

Is the Minister aware that these restrictions are desirable both on financial grounds and on grounds of economy in fuel?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of the agreement between the area electricity boards and the manufacturers of electrical equipment.

The agreement made between the Central Authority, the area electricity boards and the electrical contractors' associations in August, 1949, has been published as Appendix 34 to the First Report of the British Electricity Authority.

Has the hon. Gentleman read the agreement? Does it contain any clause relating to hire purchase facilities?

The agreement is there for the hon. and learned Gentleman to look at, and he can draw his own conclusions.

Will the hon. Gentleman draw his right hon. Friend's attention to this, for he will discover, on reading it, that the information he gave to the House the other day, in answer to a supplementary question, was not in accordance with the facts?

I am always ready to convey the views of the right hon. Gentleman to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Attorney-General what action he proposes to take against the Electrical Trades Union for supporting the illegal strike of electricians at Heathrow.

None, Sir.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman able to state the extent of the financial assistance granted by the Union to this illegal strike? Is the House to assume from his answer that in future unions can give support of a financial nature to illegal strikes without incurring any penalties?

No, Sir; that would be a very unsafe assumption to make. I am not in a position to say offhand the exact amount of financial assistance which was given in this case, but I had the circumstances investigated by the police and, after consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions, I came to the conclusion that this was not a case in which to take action.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say why an inquiry is not being held into this strike?

I do not think that that is a question for me.

How much has this strike cost the country?

That, also, is not a question for me.

asked the Attorney-General whether a decision has yet been reached to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Porter Committee for the amendment of the law of libel.

I cannot say when it will be possible to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of this Committee.

asked the Attorney-General whether a decision has yet been reached as to the nature of the body to be established to inquire into the issues raised by the case of the Reverend J. G. MacManaway and its terms of reference.

No, Sir. We have been examining the general question of Parliamentary disqualifications, although with special reference to those which most frequently arise in practice, namely, disqualifications owing to the holding of an office of profit or a contract with the Crown. We have not yet decided what would be the most appropriate body for considering the question of clerical disqualification.

Could the learned Attorney say when it is likely that a decision will be reached on this matter?

I should not like to tie myself down. It is a subject of quite unusual complexity and a good deal of controversy.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman recognise the rather ridiculous distinction between clergymen of the Church of Ireland and clergymen of the Church of Wales, and the urgency of correcting an error which came from an archaic Act passed over 100 years ago?

We realise that there is an anomaly under the existing law—not of our making—but the question is how best to remedy it.

asked the Attorney-General the number of commissioners of assize appointed for the last autumn assize.

One. Sir.

asked the Attorney-General the number of cases set down for trial in the King's Bench Division at the commencement of the Hilary Term; and the number set down for trial at the commencement of the Hilary Term in 1950.

The number of cases set down for trial in the King's Bench division at the commencement of the Hilary Term in 1951 was 1,669 and in 1950 was 1,524.

asked the Attorney-General to what extent Service applicants have to pay more under the present scheme of legal aid than previously under the Forces scheme.

Under the new scheme members of the Services contribute towards the cost of their case if, and to the extent that, their means and the general circumstances allow. In many cases they will receive aid without payment of any contribution. Under the previous scheme they were required in all cases to pay the out-of-pocket expenses of their solicitor, which were usually not less than £8 and were sometimes more. The answer to my hon. and gallant Friend's Question is, therefore, that in some cases Service applicants are better off than under the old scheme and in some are not so well off, depending in each case upon the particular circumstances of the applicant and of his case. I would add that my noble friend the Lord Chancellor and I are closely watching the actual practice of the scheme in regard to the contributions payable both by Service and other applicants.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend re-examine the position in the case of those applicants who have to pay more now, especially bearing in mind the assurance given to me in the House by the Minister of Defence on 24th May that the same facilities would be available under the new scheme for Service applications as were available under the old?

It is not really a question of re-examination. We are examining the matter at present very carefully.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether this is another example of a means test introduced by a Socialist Government?

asked the Attorney-General whether he has considered a chain letter, a copy of which has been sent to him, which is being sent to Class Z reservists inciting them not to obey their instructions for recall; and what action he proposes taking in the matter.

Yes, Sir. I am examining the position in this matter, which may constitute a conspiracy to cause disaffection among the members of His Majesty's Reserve Forces, but I have not yet decided what, if any, action to take.

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman made inquiries about the organisers of this chain letter? Is it, perhaps, a Communist run organisation called the Ex-Servicemen's Movement for Peace?

Yes, we have made inquiries into the origin of the matter, and I think it started with a gentleman who is connected with that association and is an official of the "Daily Worker."

What exactly is a chain letter? Is it a letter to the Class Z reservists from the Ministry of Labour?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further statement to make concerning the establishment of a Welsh Board of Local Government and Planning in Wales.

I would refer the hon. Member to the announcement made on Saturday by the Minister of Local Government and Planning and the Minister of Health.

Should the House be satisfied with an answer given on a Saturday to a Question asked in the House? Is the Prime Minister aware that there is grave dissatisfaction in Wales about the different legal status given to the Welsh Board of Health as compared with that of the Ministry of Health in London, because it is felt in Wales that the same legal status should be given to the Welsh Board of Health and Local Government as is given to the Ministry in England?

This is not a debate on Wales, and this supplementary goes far beyond the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Russian and Peking Governments regarding British prisoners-of-war taken prisoner in Korea.

On 5th February the Soviet Government were requested to use their good offices to obtain permission for a delegation of the International Red Cross Committee to enter North Korea. The Soviet Government were also requested to explore with the North Korean authorities the possibility of transmitting relief supplies and correspondence to prisoners-of-war in North Korea. The Central People's Government are also aware of the efforts of the International Red Cross Committee to this end, and discussions, which at the moment do not involve His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, are now taking place in Peking.

Does the Under-Secretary mean by that that no representations were made until 5th February? Will he confirm that the Allies have made available information about Chinese prisoners to the Chinese Government?

Representations were made prior to 5th February. Informal approaches were made, although the first officially to be made were made on 5th February.

Can my hon. Friend say whether there is any news of British civilians in Korea, including our representative, Captain Holt?

That is another question, but I am glad to be able to inform the House that the Soviet Government have suggested that we should transmit a letter through them to Captain Holt. A letter has been sent, including a request that Captain Holt should endeavour to find out about Bishop Cooper and other British prisoners.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether a request has been addressed to the Peking Government, or an assurance received from them, with regard to the application of the Geneva Convention to British prisoners-of-war captured by Chinese forces in Korea?

The Geneva Convention has not been accepted by the North Korean Government. They have indicated that they intend to abide by it, but we have no evidence that they are doing so.

Can my hon. Friend say how many British prisoners-of-war were voluntarily released by the Chinese authorities and sent back, and what proportion that number bears to the number of prisoners they took?

No, Sir. There have been reports of some releases, but I think that for further details a Question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend.

Did I understand the hon. Gentleman aright—that this letter was being transmitted through the Soviet Government? If so, can he explain how their good offices have come into this matter?

Yes, Sir, because we were most anxious to find out any information we could about Captain Holt. We approached the Chinese Government and the Soviet Government, asking them to use their good offices, and I am glad to say that the Soviet Government are doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has received from the United Nations as to what States are contributing to the expenses of the United Nations organisation Forces now engaged in active operations.

States which have provided contingents to fight in Korea bear their own expenses. Many other member States, which have not felt able to contribute Armed Forces, have however offered material assistance. I have placed in the Library of the House copies of a United Nations document giving full details of these offers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps be is taking to give the people of the United States of America a full account of the British contribution to world security through the United Nations.

The British Information Services have for many months now been engaged in bringing to the knowledge of the American people the facts of our whole-hearted co-operation in upholding the principles of the United Nations in Korea and elsewhere. As a result of these efforts the contribution which this country is making to the common cause throughout the world is, I have reason to believe, gradually becoming better understood.

Does the Under-Secretary realise that, nevertheless, there is a considerable impression in the United States of America that our total contribution is confined to what is being sent to Korea? In those circumstances, will he make greater efforts to encourage American journalists in this country to put the true facts to the American people?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that our contribution in Malaya, for instance, is known in the United States, and that through our information officers, and otherwise, we are doing everything possible to bring to the knowledge of the American people our great contribution at this time.

Would not a useful contribution be made if there were more solidarity on the benches opposite in support of the, decisions the Government have taken?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has taken steps to ensure that the peace treaty with Japan will include provision for a settlement of civilian compensation claims by British nationals who suffered for some years in the Philippines and elsewhere.

I would draw the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner) on 24th January, to which I have nothing to add.

Will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that if it is not possible to get compensation for these people by the Philippines Rehabilitation Act, this is really their last opportunity?

Will the hon. Gentleman also bear in mind the many claims of the former Far East prisoners of war and the dependants of those who died in Japanese prison camps?

All those matters are being taken into account in considering this question.

Does my hon. Friend's reply mean that conversations on these and other matters are taking place with regard to the Japanese peace treaty?

What my reply means in that respect is that we have made certain proposals in this regard, about which we are at present in consultation with the Commonwealth. As soon as they are completed I hope to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish the terms of the agreement recently concluded between Great Britain, the Argentine and Chile regarding naval demonstrations in the Antarctic during the present southern summer; what information he has regarding any action taken by the Chilean Government following their expressed intention to establish a third military base in the British sector of Antarctica; and what action he has taken, or will take, in this and kindred matters.

With regard to the first part of the Question, the Governments of Argentina, Chile and the United Kingdom exchanged simultaneous declarations on 20th November, 1950, accepting a restriction of naval movements in Antarctic waters; these did not refer to land installations. The text formed part of a Press communiqué issued the same day and I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the rest of the Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given on 7th February to a similar question.