asked the Minister of Agriculture what evidence he has as to the possibility that bone meal and flour imported into this country can carry infection; and what regulations have been made concerning importation.

Samples of imported bone meal and flour have been analysed in the past, and some have been found to contain anthrax, but there is no evidence that these particular products have been responsible for the introduction of other diseases. Bone meal and flour are covered by the Importation of Carcases (Prohibition) Order, which regulate their importation from certain European countries, but their importation is allowed under licence.

Is the Minister aware that there is some concern about the possibility of fowl pest being brought in by this means, and have his scientists taken special care to go into this question?

I will certainly draw the attention of my technical advisers to this point. I am advised that it is not considered that there is any danger.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that, where-ever possible, wheat is imported into this country whole, so that we may enjoy the benefits of its by-products, instead of being imported as flour?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many outbreaks of fowl pest occurred in the West Riding of Yorkshire in 1951.

Twenty-one, Sir.

Can the Minister say how many outbreaks there have been so far this year?

One outbreak in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the 64 farmers at present under supervision in Kent have been supervised previously.

None has been supervised before by the Kent Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many holdings there are in the county of Kent exceeding five acres; and how many of these are graded A, B, or C.

There are 8,196 holdings of five acres and over in Kent. Five thousand and forty-three are graded "A," 1,821 are graded "B," 172 are graded "C" and 471 are unclassified. The remaining 689 holdings have still to be surveyed.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied that every reasonable care is taken to step up those in the lower categories?

That is my intention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what weight of paper was used in 1938 for the production of agricultural returns; and what weight of paper was used for the same purpose in 1951.

About 28 tons in each year.

How is it possible to produce four documents when only one was produced formerly and still use only the same amount of paper?

While the number of returns called for from all occupiers is no larger than it was in 1938, there has been substantial economy in the use of paper by printing the forms more closely, and in many other ways.

Does the Minister realise that these forms need to be cut down? Is he aware that a farmer filled in a form saying that he had 2,000 acres when he had only 200, and that he had a herd of wapiti on his place, 200 zebras and two giraffes, yet no notice was taken by the Ministry of Agriculture?

Can the Minister say by how much he estimates that the quantity of paper will be reduced in 1952 compared with 1951?

I cannot answer that question at this stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider having a supported price for pork pigs up to 100 lb. dead weight.

The prices paid by the Ministry of Food for fat pigs of all descriptions are guaranteed; but if my hon. Friend is suggesting that the prices of pigs weighing up to 100 lb. dead weight should be made more attractive the answer is that the production for sale of pigs of such light weight as this would result in a wasteful use of our limited supplies of feedingstuffs.

In view of the wonderful response which the farmers have made by the production of more meat, especially pigs, does the Minister not agree that if greater freedom was given for the sale of pork that would further increase the number of pigs above the figure we have today?

Owing to the limited supply of concentrated feedingstuffs, it is considered that the production of light weight pigs would at present be wasteful.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent he will increase the quarantine facilities in Glasgow for pedigree cattle awaiting export to Canada and the United States of Amercia.

Plans for doubling existing accommodation at the Glasgow quarantine station are under consideration.

Does not the Minister agree that the capacity of quarantine is only about half the capacity of the ships in which the animals are exported, with the result that ships are leaving half empty and there is a tremendous hold-up of animals awaiting export?

Yes, Sir, but that consideration does not arise at the moment, because of various restrictions overseas. I am giving consideration to the question.

In extending that accommodation, will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that the quarantine extension is formed into a double station, so that periods can be staggered and thus prevent the immobilisation of the whole station with what may sometimes be only a small shipment?

That point will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make regulations empowering agricultural tribunals to prevent a landowner repeatedly serving notice to quit on a tenant farmer after a case has been decided in favour of the tenant by the tribunal.

I have no power to make such regulations, but I will consider the question of repeated and unjustified notices to quit when an opportunity arises to amend the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1948.

May I thank the Minister for that sympathetic reply and ask him whether he realises that, to get full production from British farmers, it is necessary to guarantee them security of tenure against vindictive landlords who repeatedly give notice to quit, thus putting the tenant farmer to great expense in the protection of his holding.

Yes, Sir. But the evidence I receive is that there is some doubt in the minds of many people about whether or not the security provisions are rather excessive.

Will the Minister give special consideration to a recent case at Winchester which has brought to light the background of this matter, and which I think should be studied very carefully?

I think my reply covered that case.

Will the Minister consult the Attorney-General, or some other appropriate Minister, with a view to amending the Rent Restriction Acts, because this is a provision which is quite different from any other provision in the Acts and it gives the landowner special powers which he ought not to possess and against which there is no appeal?

I will look at that point.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 80 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, so as to permit investigation by Members of Parliament into allegations of under-employment on farms and where agricultural workers are evicted from agricultural subsidised council houses because of their inability to find employment in agriculture.

No, Sir. I am not satisfied that such an amendment is necessary or desirable. The information collected under Section 78 of the Agriculture Act is required and used mainly for statistical purposes; and although Section 80 permits its disclosure for a few very limited purposes I consider it is important that farmers should feel assured that the information they give is treated as confidential save in these exceptional circumstances.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, while everybody agrees that the interests of the farmer must be protected, the interests of the agricultural worker must also be protected? Further, is he aware that, because I have been unable to get some information from him about two farms in my constituency, I must repeat to him, in the House, the allegation that two farms in my constituency, known as Pessal Pits and Broadfields Farms, alleged to be of approximately an aggregate of 800 acres, are alleged to employ only a total of five or six men; that men are not able to secure agricultural employment locally and that they are being evicted by the Lichfield Rural District Council because they have to leave agriculture?

I do not think that that is a question for this House. It is more a question for the Agricultural Executive Committee under Part II of the Agricultural Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make a statement about the efforts being made to cope with the excessive number of starlings.

I have now consulted my colleagues concerned, and I am arranging, in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government, for immediate discussion on the problem with representatives of the National Farmers' Union, the Assocation of Municipal Corporations and the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee. In the light of this examination we will then consider whether any action can be taken that is likely to be effective.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend take care not to go too far in this direction, as starlings are an integral part of London life? May I suggest that perhaps a statue of my right hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams), might do something to scare the starlings?

Can the Minister tell us what number of starlings constitutes an excessive number?

That is a rather hypothetical question.

But if the Minister proposes to take action in conjunction with his officials to deal with the excessive number of starlings, surely he should know what constitutes an excessive number?

First we should be sure exactly what the problem is. I think it is a complicated one.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement with regard to the holding of agricultural shows.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what advice he has given to show societies on the risks involved in gathering cattle, sheep, pigs and goats for exhibition while foot-and-mouth disease is still prevalent.

I see no need for a general prohibition of the holding of agricultural shows, as there is little risk of foot-and-mouth disease being spread at shows exhibiting local stock in areas where there has been no outbreak. The major agricultural shows are in a different category, since they involve the congregating not only of valuable animals from all parts of Great Britain, but also of farmers and others who can be mechanical carriers of the disease.

No major shows are due to be held in the next two or three weeks, however, except the Bath and West, where the appropriate classes have already been cancelled because of infected area restrictions. If the promoters of other major shows will get in touch with my Depart- ment I will arrange for them to be given advice in the light of the most recent developments.

May we take it from that reply that the matter is constantly under review?

Yes, Sir, daily.

Will the Minister see that his technical officers give definite advice to the show organisers in good time so that no doubt remains in the minds of farmers and exhibitors?

Yes, Sir. The advice tendered in answer to any inquiries will be absolutely definite.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the estimated subsidy on animal feedingstuffs for 1952–53 of about £30 million affects the award to the farmers made in the Agriculture Price Review.

The Government's decision to stabilize the Ministry of Food resale prices for feedingstuffs for a further period was one of the factors taken into account at the recent Annual Review of the economic conditions and prospects of the agricultural industry. For a further explanation, I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper on the Annual Review, which will be available to the House later this afternoon.

While awaiting the White Paper, may I ask whether it was not assumed when the Price Review discussions began that this subsidy would be discontinued, so that this makes an extra call of £30 million on the Ministry of Food subsidy? Secondly, if the sum of £30 million comes out of the total of over £50 million recently announced, is it not quite clear that that sum was over and above the figure in the special review?

No, Sir. These figures are very complicated, and I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the White Paper which will be available this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is prepared to take action in cases where there is a legitimate complaint about the decision of a county agricultural executive committee to grant or refuse a certificate under paragraph (g) of the First Schedule of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Amendment) Act, 1933.

The only subject a C.A.E.C. is authorisd to consider under the paragraph referred to is whether the worker for whom the landlord requires the dwellinghouse is or is to be employed on work necessary for the proper working of an agricultural holding or maintenance of an estate. As I told the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 15th May, the committee, when considering the issue of a certificate, have no power to take into account possible hardship to the sitting tenant or the fact that a cottage is situated some distance from the farm; and I have no power to require the committee to alter or withdraw their certificate. It is for the county court to consider all matters bearing on the reasonableness of granting an order for possession.

Is not my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that, once the certificate has been issued, the county court has very little option in the matter, and that there may be cases where the ground of complaint is the procedure which was adopted by the committee at the hearing? Is it not desirable that somebody should look into cases where it is suggested that the procedure at the committee's hearing was unsatisfactory?

I cannot accept all the implications of the question put to me by my hon. Friend, but I am looking into the whole position.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman reconsider this, particularly in view of the question which I put to him a few moments ago? Does he not realise that it is essential to have a right of appeal against the decision of the county agricultural executive committee—he will admit that, no doubt? In those circumstances, does he realise that at present the county court has no power at all, except on a legal point, to reverse the decision, and will he do something about this extremely serious matter?

No, Sir. I think the House is getting into difficulties here. If the hon. Member will refer to my answer, he will see that the first part of the business is the duty of the county agricultural executive committee. When that committee has decided whether a certificate is to be granted or not, the question whether or not possession is to be granted is a matter for the county court.

No.

In general, where there is complaint about the decision of the county agricultural executive committee, will my right hon. and gallant Friend allow, or take steps to allow, that complaint to go to an independent court of common law?

That is a different question altogether from the one on the Order Paper, which does not deal with that particular aspect.

Is the Minister not aware that whenever a case is brought before the court and a certificate is produced in support of the application, the court invariably takes it as a formal matter, and, because a certificate is produced, grants possession right away?

No, Sir; I would not accept that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what guidance or directions have been given to county agricultural executive committees as to the procedure to be followed by them when considering applications for certificates under paragraph (g) of the First Schedule of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Amendment) Act, 1933.

The instructions that have been sent to C.A.E.Cs. provide for a preliminary hearing of both parties to the application either by special panels or by the labour sub-committee of the C.A.E.Cs. I am sending a copy of the instructions to my hon. Friend.

In view of the answer to the last Question, does it not appear that, when the procedure to which my right hon. and gallant Friend has referred is not properly carried out, there should be means of going into the matter again? Will he be kind enough to look into the case of Mr. Mason, of Romsley, of which I have sent particulars to him, and in which it is suggested that the parties are not heard together, so that neither party has the opportunity of hearing what the other was saying?

Yes, Sir. I am inquiring into the particular case about which my hon. Friend wrote to me, and will reply to him later.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the recent standstill order enabled his veterinary officers to trace all livestock which had been in contact at markets with animals infected with foot-and-mouth disease; if a reliable blood test has been evolved to discover potential carriers of the disease; and if he is satisfied that there will be no further spread of infection from these sources.

All livestock which may have been in contact with infection at markets from 24th April to 1st May have been traced and examined. I understand that there is no reliable blood test which would enable the disease to be diagnosed in animals showing no symptoms or at an early stage of infection. Normally, there is no need of a blood test, as livestock in Great Britain are so susceptible that the disease very soon becomes evident in animals which are infected. Young calves may occasionally fail to show characteristic symptoms. This did unfortunately happen with the calves which recently caused outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland. I am satisfied that no further spread of infection will arise from the markets held in the period mentioned.

Could not my right hon. and gallant Friend tell us what happens when these contact animals which have been in touch with infection are identified, and the farm is known? Is that farm completely closed and isolated, and are hikers and others prevented from crossing that land, because there is evidence that some further outbreaks have arisen from mechanical means?

This is a very complicated subject, and I should prefer not to commit myself to the House to answer these difficult questions. Every aspect of the matter is under examination.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he expects to receive and publish the report of the first year's operation of the White Fish Authority.

I understand that the Authority hope to submit their report early next month. It will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware of the very considerable anxiety in the fishing industry about the fitness of this body?

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that people are very anxious about their inability to get white fish, because of its wholesale destruction?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give an estimate of the annual loss to British fishing interests that will result from the Government of Iceland's proposals regarding Icelandic territorial waters.

It is not possible to give a close estimate, but the quantity of fish taken by British vessels in the waters off Iceland which have now been closed to them was probably about 25,000 tons per annum, or possibly rather more. Some of this loss will be made up by vessels fishing outside the new line or in other waters.

In view of the fact that these are very considerable figures, can my right hon. and gallant Friend give the House an assurance that the last word in this matter has not been spoken between us and the Icelandic Government?

Certainly, Sir. The Icelandic Government's reply to the British Government's Note is at present under consideration, and further comment must be deferred until there has been time to study it. I cannot today go further than the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. Hoy) on 19th May.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend consider some form of sanction against the Icelandic Government if we should not get a satisfactory reply, such as a limit to their vessels fishing off our coasts?

I cannot go further than what I have said today.

May I ask the Minister what he meant when he said that this loss might be compensated for by fishing in other grounds? What other fishing grounds will recoup this loss, in view of the fact that all fishing grounds are being over-fished at the present time?

As the hon. Member realises, new grounds for fishing are being found every day, and, in addition to this, of course, by closing certain waters round Iceland, it is probable that, just outside the territorial waters, the fishing will be better than it was in the past; but I cannot over-estimate the seriousness which we attach to the position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the interests of publicity and recruiting for Civil Defence, he will consider with the authorities concerned the establishment of the same night each week over the whole country for Civil Defence training and recruiting with a view to that night becoming popularly known as "Civil Defence Night"; and, if this is not practicable, whether it can be considered on a regional basis.

Training classes are normally held on several nights in the week to suit the convenience of volunteers and to make the best use of the available training facilities. It would not be practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion, even on a regional basis.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the interests of publicity and recruiting for Civil Defence, he will consider with the authorities concerned the desirability of taking advantage, so far as can be arranged, of the opportunities provided by fetes, shows and other functions held by other bodies during the summer, for the dissemination of Civil Defence publicity by means of demonstrations, distribution of literature, etc., at those functions.

I hope that local authorities will make the most of the opportunities for recruiting that these outdoor functions offer. Some authorities already do so and I am arranging for my hon. Friend's suggestions to be brought to the notice of others.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer, may I ask if his Department would also inquire into the other methods of making use of the facilities of local associations and societies whose co-operation, I am sure, would gladly be forthcoming?

Yes, we are, and we shall be glad to extend our consideration of this matter.

Is the Home Secretary aware that much is being done in this direction in some parts of the country and that in the North-West a quiz has been held between the different towns and cities in that area? On Sunday last Newton-leWillows soundly defeated Manchester.

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the interests of publicity and recruiting for Civil Defence, he will consider with the authorities concerned the desirability of holding a Civil Defence Week throughout the country during the forthcoming summer.

Many corps authorities have held civil defence weeks already or are planning to do so. Owing to varying local conditions I think it best to leave such a matter to the judgment of the local authorities concerned.

Will some effort be made to make these weeks the same in particular areas, with a view to a concentration of effort—allowing for a more ambitious programme by that concentration of effort—and also the economies which can come from joint efforts?

I will consider that point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the unrest of the tenants of Gerard Gardens and Gerard Crescent, Liverpool 3, due to the refusal by his Department to allow the air raid shelters to be demolished; that these shelters are a danger to the children of the area, are insanitary, and give off a bad smell; and if he will cause an inquiry to be made with a view to the area being cleared.

It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to build up our Civil Defence resources as part of the general defence programme, and it would clearly be unwise to demolish any serviceable shelters which we still have, unless they are structurally dangerous or constitute a danger to health. I am making further inquiries into this case, and I will write to the hon. Member when I have completed them.

Is the Minister aware that within the last fortnight a four-and-a-half-year-old child in this area died suddenly after playing on this site, and that, in spite of the post-mortem and inquest, parents in the district are not convinced that the dangerous area in which the child was living was not responsible for its death? When the right hon. and learned Gentleman is next in Liverpool, and if he happens to be there at the same time as myself, will he come with me and look at this area, because the place literally stinks?

As I said, I am trying to get exact information on the particular problem which the hon. Lady has raised, and I shall welcome any means of doing it.

Is the Home Secretary aware that this problem appertains also to the City of Birmingham where there are many such shelters which are a menace to the health of the public?

the hon. Gentleman can give me notice, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons undertaking courses in physiotherapy as blind students at the National Institute for the Blind Physiotherapy School in London; the total amount of grants payable for personal maintenance and the maintenance of students' families; and how far these grants make provision for travel to and from the school.

Forty-six, of whom 31 are in receipt of grants from my Department; the total amount of grants payable by my Department is £6,292 per annum, individual grants varying in accordance with personal circumstances; special grants are payable to meet daily travel expenses in excess of 4s. per week.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that these grants have not altered since 1948 and that some of these blind people, trying to fit themselves to be useful citizens, are experiencing great hardship? Will he receive a deputation?

As my hon. and gallant Friend says, there are cases where the present rate of grants may be causing trouble. I am quite willing to receive a deputation on the matter.

ask the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Messrs. Spicer's Paper Mill, at Eynsford, Kent, which has been in existence for 300 years, is to be closed down and will put many out of work; and what steps he is taking to find alternative employment for these people.

On a point of order. Before Question time ends, Sir, may I ask if you will allow the Minister to answer Question No. 58 as a matter of urgent importance?

I have frequently ruled that unless the Minister asks for the right I cannot allow Questions to run over time.

ask the Minister of Labour what communication he has received from the Amalgamated Engineering Union concerning the repudiation of the Relaxation of Customs Agreement; and what effect this will have on the position of dilutees in Air Ministry Maintenance Units.

May I ask your guidance, Mr. Speaker, on what I think a very important matter? Owing to the time factor, the Minister of Labour has not had an opportunity of replying to Question No. 53, the inference of which is that a certain trade union has repudiated the Relaxation of Customs Agreement. If it went from the House that that were so, it would mean that many thousands of people would have to leave the engineering industry. May I ask how it is possible to obtain a reply, as the A.E.U. have not repudiated this Agreement?

The only way in which it can be dealt with is by the answer to the Question.

Further to that point of order. I would point out, Sir, that the Question in no way contains an implication that the Agreement has been repudiated.