asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to what extent Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are co-operating in the proposals lately announced by Her Majesty's Government in Australia to encourage British immigration to Australia.

:The United Kingdom Government are co-operating with the Australian Government in encouraging British migration to Australia, both financially, under the Assisted Passage Scheme, and in other ways, such as publicity, recruitment and the provision of sea transport.

May we take it that Her Majesty's Government recognise that the investment of British people in Australia is just as important as the investment of British capital?

We recognise that it is very important that emigration should be encouraged to the fullest possible extent.

:Has the hon. and learned Gentleman succeeded in persuading the Government to join the Inter-Governmental Committee on Emigration, in Geneva, to which the Australians attach so much importance?

I think that that question should be addressed to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Is not the hon. and learned Gentleman very much concerned in the matter, since the Australians so much desire that we should join that Committee?

Yes, but that is another question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what restrictions are imposed by the several Governments of the Commonwealth in respect of emigration and immigration between the other members of the Commonwealth and this country and its dependencies; and, in particular, as between the Union of South Africa and the Central African Federation.

There are no powers for restricting British subjects or British protected persons wishing to enter or leave the United Kingdom. While I cannot undertake to give a detailed account of the practice of each Member of the Commonwealth or of the Rhodesia and Nyasaland Federation in this matter, I can say that in most cases the Governments concerned have powers to restrict the movement of persons between their countries and other countries, including the United Kingdom and its dependencies.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware of any restriction that has been imposed by the Central African Federation against the immigration of citizens from the Union of South Africa?

I have not sufficient knowledge about that, but I could try to get the information for the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations were made by Her Majesty's Government in respect of the recent High Commissioner for India in Kenya, Mr. Pant; and what communications between Her Majesty's Government and the Indian Government have yet taken place in respect of his successor.

No formal representations have been made by the United Kingdom Government about Mr. Pant, the Indian Commissioner in East and Central Africa, and no communication has yet been received from the Indian Government as to the name of his successor.

:Is the Minister aware that Mr. Pant has recently done yeoman service for race relationships in Kenya? Has his successor been appointed yet?

:We have not had any communication about his successor.

:Having regard to the friendly and informal nature of the relationship between this country and other sovereign nations of the Commonwealth, would my hon. and learned Friend agree that it would be most unfortunate if he said anything which put on a formal footing discussions of a confidential nature which may take place between this country and another member of the Commonwealth family?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to recent proposals on the part of boards of directors of joint-stock companies to remove part of the assets of their companies from the voting control of the shareholders, or to change the character and purpose of the companies without prior consultation with the shareholders; and whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Companies Actwith the object of protecting the rights of shareholders, and of strengthening their powers against arbitrary action on the part of boards which they consider inimical to their interests.

I am aware of the cases which my hon. Friend has in mind. I have no reason to think, however, that the remedies available under existing law are inadequate to protect shareholders against action by boards of directors which is ultra vires, or in breach of trust,or oppressive.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of business failures in 1953; whether this was an increase or a decrease when com pared with 1951; and what was the difference.

In1953, the number of bankruptcies, deeds of arrangement and company liquidations which may be regarded as "business failures"was 3,642. This was 697 more than in 1951. As the hon. Member knows, the figure for 1951 had increased by nearly 1,000 compared with 1948, and all such figures should be interpreted with caution.

:Although they may be interpreted with caution, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this increase is a matter for concern? Does he not agree that unless there is an appreciable increase in trade between the East and West this year we shall be in a worse position in 1955?

:Do the 1951 figures include the late Administration?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give further support to the industries concerned in the production of terylene fur coats, in order that mass production may be started so as to ensure the export of these coats before next winter.

I am informed that the fabric for these coats is still in the technical development stage and that mass production will not be a practical proposition for some time. The industries concerned are receiving every assistance from the producers of the raw material, and I am not aware that they require any special support from the Government.

Are these terylene fur coats animal, vegetable or mineral?

I should like notice of that question.

:Will the President encourage this interesting new development, because if the ladies can be persuaded to wear these coats instead of mink it will definitely help our foreign trade balance?

:Without attempting to say what ladies ought to wear, I shall do all I can to encourage the development of terylene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what guidance he has given to industries making consumer goods in view of the coming into force of the principal amendments to the Merchandise Marks Act on 1st February last; and what plans his Department has made to enforce the provisions of the Acts in the immediate future.

I have issued a Press notice drawing the attention of traders to the provisions of Section 1 ofthe new Act and to the increased penalties for infringement; but I can give no specific guidance on these matters without involving myself in the interpretation of the Act, which would be an encroachment on the functions of the courts.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all reputable traders, as well as their customers, will be very glad to know that he is prepared to institute proceedings where he considers it advisable? Is he aware that from 1938 only six proceedings were instituted by the Board of Trade, which is quite inadequate? Does he hope to be able to bring more proceedings now that the procedure under this Act has been widened?

:It all depends on what circumstances are brought to my attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the adoption and application of standards of finishing for furnishing fabrics.

I understand that draft specifications, which include standards of finishing, have been prepared for upholstery fabrics and are at present under consideration in conjunction with the draft British Standard for upholstered furniture. Certain performance standards for curtain cloths are also under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do all he can to expedite the final decision in this matter, in view of the fact that for some housewives the purchase of furnishing materials is a major capital expenditure and they are entitled to have a reasonable assurance about the quality of what they buy?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

:Would the right hon. Gentleman also ensure that these specifications are flexible enough to allow at least the trial introduction of new materials?

:That is, no doubt, one of the factors which the British Standards Institution will bear in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the South African Wool Board has asked the Minister concerned for the complete labelling of all textiles; that the representatives of 14 of the largest women's organisations in Britain met recently in London and recommended the informative labelling of all textiles, including the percentages of constituent fibres and a statement as to whether any particular fabric should be washed or dry-cleaned; and if, therefore, he will receive a deputation representative of consumer, retailer and manufacturer interests to discuss the matter.

:I am aware of these developments. I am informed that the matter is under consideration by the British Standards Institution, on which the various interests concerned are represented. I doubt whether it would help for me to receive a deputation, at any rate at this stage, and I should prefer to await the outcome of B.S.I.'s deliberations.

:Did not the right hon. Gentleman inform the House on several occasions recently that he was definitely not in favour of this labelling by fibre content? If so, may we take it now that he has changed his mind and would favour it?

No, Sir.That would be a very wide interpretation of my answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of public concern at the advertising as wool and camelhair of coats or cloth which contain only 2 or 3 per cent. of camelhair; and if he will institute proceedings against such offences under the Merchandise Marks Acts.

:No, Sir; but if evidence of infringement of the Merchandise Marks Acts is submitted to me I am always prepared to consider whether the circumstances warrant the institution of proceedings.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I shall have much pleasure in giving him the names of 10 manufacturers who are guilty of this infringement? Will he consider instituting prosecutions against them?

:I shall value such a communication.

:Will the President give serious consideration to this because of the adverse effect it may have upon our export market, especially in view ofthe fact that overseas buyers buy goods wrongly described and go away with the wrong information about the quality of our high-grade goods?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is awarethat Messrs. English Spinners, Limited, Blackburn, have been obliged to dismiss 30 workers owing to the refusal to them of a licence to import spinning kraft from Scandinavia; and whether, in view of his promise to encourage alternative industries in areas like Blackburn, he will now issue such a licence.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

:While thanking the President for the action he has taken in this case, following my representations, may I ask whether he would agree that the present system of allocating this raw material is totally unsatisfactory? Will he consider whether supplies, instead of going through merchants, may go direct to the firms who are processing the raw material and providing employment in this country?

If the hon. Lady would put a Question on the Order Paper about allocation I should be happy to answer it. But I do not think that any system of allocating quotas can be wholly satisfactory to everyone.

:Would the President treat this matter as urgent, because the present system is the most unsatisfactory which has been devised? Is he aware there are other firms, including Messrs. Somic, Ltd., of Preston, who have been battling with the Board of Trade in an attempt to get more favourable treatment, and have been met by a blank refusal?

:The most satisfactory answer would be that our balance of payments position should improve to a point where we might liberalise this trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the steps taken to liberalise trade with Europe and, particularly, with Scandinavia, the import of Scandinavian kraft paper is still restricted by licensing to a level below 1951, thus causing unemployment in essential industries.

The United Kingdom's balance of payments is not yet such that we can afford to relax all our restrictions upon trade with Western Europe, and the removal of all quota restrictions from imports of paper would cost too much in present circumstances. Substantial additional quotas have recently been made available, however, for the import of paper and board of most types, including Scandinavian kraft paper. I would add that imports of paper during the year 1951 were exceptionally high, and included imports for stock building.

:But is it not absurd that at a time when we are liberalising trade with Europe, and bringing in many more luxuries, we should be restricting employment in this country by restricting the importation of raw materials? Is not it a fact that only the other day the Economic Secretary to the Treasury said that there were no longer any balance of payments reasons why we should restrict Japanese imports? Cannot we therefore bring raw material into this country and so create employment instead of destroying it?

I hope that the hon. Lady is not in favour of the liberalisation of Japanese imports to the same extent as we are liberalising them from Western Europe.

:In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Super Oil Seals and Gaskets, Limited, who incurred an expenditure of £46,000 and losses of approximately £50,000 in connection with the opening of a factory in South Wales under pressure from his Department, have had their application for a grant under Section 3 (1) of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1950, refused.

I am aware that the company claim that certain expenditure and loss were incurred solely as a result of the establishment of production in a modern factory near Cardiff which was leased to them at a favourable rent. Having considered all the relevant factors, I am not, however, satisfied, as required by Section 3 (1) of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1950, that there are exceptional circumstances which justify a grant in this case.

:Will my right hon. Friend tell industry that he is not proposing to give further assistance under this Act, as he is clearly rendering inoperable the intention of the Act by administrative action?

No, Sir. I think I must judge each case on its merits, in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Act.

:Can my right hon. Friend say in how many cases a decision for assistance was agreed?

:There are two cases in which assistance has been agreed in principle and where it will shortly be given.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the Regulations governing the issue of a licence to import sea lions into the United Kingdom from a dollar area.

There has recently been a large number of applications for licences to import sea lions from the United States, all of which have had to be refused. Some of these sea lions were gifts, but we could not agree to issue licences for valuable gifts intended for commercial use.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a former constituent of mine has been placed in a somewhat peculiar position in having received the unusual gift of a consignment of sea lions by air from the United States; and that after prolonged consultation at London Airport with immigration and Customs and Excise authorities—who may or may not have taken their fin prints—the sea lions have now been impounded in the Zoo? Can he say what is to happen to them?

:I understand that the sea lions are the property, or are in the possession of, Her Majesty's Customs. Whether or not they are the property of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, questions about their disposal should be addressed to him.

:Are sea lions and Super Oil Seals the same thing?

:I think we have moved away from that subject now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the value of United Kingdom exports to Cuba declined progressively in 1952 and 1953, compared with 1951, in view of the Cuban tariff reductions secured in the Trade Agreement of 1951 and the un favourable balance of trade with that country in all three years.

As I informed my hon. Friend on 28th January, it is not possible to explain satisfactorily within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary Question why exports in general have fallen off in a given market. The value of our exports to Cuba in 1953 cannot be fairly related to the figures for 1951 and 1952, which were increased by deliveries under one important contract for motor buses worth some £3½ million. There was also a large export of sugar machinery in 1951.

:Is it not rather extraordinary that after the Trade Agreement of 1951 our balance of trade should be so unfavourable?

A great many factors are involved in the exports to one particular market and it is impossible to deal with them in answering a single Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the rubber boots bearing the trade name "Seacrest," on the bottom of the instep a blue label bearing the name "Empire," and underneath it figures 31/51 and the letters H.K. moulded on the actual sole of the boot at the instep are not of Empire manufacture; and whether he will take action in respect of this importation.

No, Sir. But I will gladly look into the matter and should be grateful if my hon. Friend can let me have any further information about any specific consignment of which he is aware

I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer, but is he aware that a constituent of mine went into a shop last week—not in my constituency—to buy some boots, and, finding no recognised brands available, inquired where these boots weremade, and the shopkeeper said "I should not tell you, but it is Japan"?

:If my hon. Friend will let me have particulars I shall be able to make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals for the relaxation of the embargo on certain exports to the Soviet bloc he has made to the Consultative Group Co-ordinating Committee in the last three months.

:The proposals discussed by this informal consultative body of experts, representing this country and our friends in Europe, have never been made public, but any decisions reached by Governments after discussion by the Committee are, of course, publicly announced.

:As Members of the Government are now continually talking about the desirability of East-West trade by saying that we must be subject to the Paris Group, may we know whether the right hon. Gentleman has made any proposals for the relaxation of restrictions?

It has never been the practice of this Government, or the previous Government, to publish the proposals which are put forward by individual Governments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has of exports from foreign countries which compete with British exports being subsidised directly or indirectly contrary to the principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

It is very difficult to obtain evidence of direct subsidy, but some Governments certainly stimulate their exports by indirect subsidies, such as the remission of taxation or of other charges on exporters. The use of such measures or of export subsidies in general is not prohibited by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, but Her Majesty's Government have been and are taking all possible steps to secure their withdrawal, including in particular discussions in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the production of raisins and the growing of citrus fruit in the United States?

I shall be very happy to consider any examples that my hon. Friend likes to place before me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why total imports of tobacco from Jamaica fell from 309,917 lb. in 1952 to 217,083 lb. in 1953.

:About half of the decrease is due to the fact that the statistics of 1952 imports of cigar leaf were inflated by a large shipment at the end of 1951 which arrived too late to be included in the statistics for that year. For the rest, the decrease appears to reflect a reduction in demand for Jamaican cigars.

:Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the imports of cigars which he is now bringing in from Cuba will not adversely affect the import of cigars from Jamaica?

:The restrictions on the import of cigars from Cuba were imposed on balance of payments grounds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions took place with the leaders of the industries concerned before signing the agreement with Japan.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps were taken to consult representatives of the cotton textile trade before the conclusion of the Anglo-Japanese trade pact in view of the fact that the British cotton trade will be adversely affected.

:I would refer the hon. Members to the answers given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to a Private Notice Question by the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) on Monday last.

As the industry was not consulted, why is such a large proportion of the sterling under the payments agreement to be provided at the expense of the United Kingdom cotton trade? Would it not have been better to spread the burden over a greater number of industries instead of letting it fall so largely on the cotton textiles of this country?

The Agreement covers trade of £200 million each way. It has never been the practice of this Government, nor that of the previous Government, to enter into consultations with industry on the removal of quotas imposed on balance of payments grounds.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has never been any negotiation, since the war, involving Japanese competition, which has not been the subject of the fullest possible consultation with the industries concerned? Secondly, since his answer referred to the answer given by the Economic Secretary, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is an unworthy answer for a Minister that he has informed a certain gentleman in Manchester, in confidence, of what was happening and then, having muzzled him and prevented him from consulting the industry, quotes him as evidence of consultation?

It is absolutely plain that such a quotation has not been made as evidence of consultation. The answer which I gave just now is the accurate one, that neither this Government nor any previous Government has entered into consultation with individual industries about the removal of quotas imposed for balance of payments, as opposed to protective, purposes.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my first question, in relation to Japan? Does he not agree that in every previous case involving Japan—about which many industries are peculiarly sensitive; it is not like trade with Holland or other such countries—there was full consultation? Why was there not consultation this time?

:I am answering the question about whether or not there has been any consultation about the imposition or removal of quotas, and I say that under no Government has there been consultation, nor should there be.

:Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that what he says on that issue evades the point which my right hon. Friend is putting to him? Is not the real reason why nobody in Lancashire was consulted about it was because it was clear that if they had been consulted none of them would have agreed?

:It is perfectly plain that no consultation could take place on the quotas so far as this country was concerned because they were imposed for balance of payments reasons; and still less would it be proper for Her Majesty's Government to consult Lancashire about quotas which the Colonial Empire brings into force.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assurances concerning the prevention of unfair trading practices, such as the copying of designs and falsification of trade marks, were sought by Her Majesty's Government from the Japanese Government before signing the recent Trade Agreement.

:Under the Peace Treaty, the Japanese Government declared their intention in public and private trade to conform to internationally accepted fair practices. Since the war, we have had only a small number of complaints of copying of designs or similar practices on the part of Japanese traders; we have taken these up with the Japanese authorities and have found them cooperative in stopping these infringements.

:Would the Minister read, or get one of his advisers to read, the report of Her Majesty's Commercial Minister in Tokio, which came out 18 months ago, since the Peace Treaty was signed, and which shows quite plainly that there has been a revival of the manufacture of counterfeited and copied British designs? As this is a matter of very great importance to the pottery industry, and as there is no protection in the Colonies under the Merchandise Marks Act, does his answer mean that we have had no assurances from the Japanese Government in this matter?

:I have read the report, and I will consider any individual examples given to me, but I would add that British traders would help if they protected their designs and trade marks by registration both in this country and in the export markets.

:As the Government are to allow £50,000 worth of Japanese pottery to come into this country this year, can we have an assurance from the President that, if some of it imitates any of our well-known patterns, action will be taken, because, otherwise, it will merely add insult to injury?

If any individual example occurred and it is brought to my attention, I will certainly take the matter up.

:Is not one of the difficulties in this matter the fact that one cannot register a design, but that, where there are infringements of patents and trade marks, action can be taken? It is very difficult to take action if a design is copied.

:I understand that it is possible to register these designs in foreign markets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from which countries 24,528 cwts. of new potatoes were imported into this country during December, 1953.

The countries were Cyprus, Italy, Channel Islands and the Irish Republic.

:Is it really necessary to import new potatoes at that time of the year, because it prejudices British agriculture later?

I do not think that any new potatoes are grown in this country in December.

:At a time when a great many people who grew potatoes last year, including myself, are having great difficulty in disposing of their crop, is it not rather unnecessary to spend foreign currency on importing new potatoes which are very inferior to the British product?

:Three of these sources of supply are open and free, being members of the Commonwealth.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the main classes of cocoa preparation, the importation of which from the Irish Republic increased in value from £4,378,000 in 1951 to £15,986,000 in 1953.

:Most of the increase in the value of imports of cocoa preparations from the Irish Republic between 1951 and 1953 was in imports of milk crumb and chocolate couverture.

:Can my right hon. Friend explain why there has been this fantastic rate of increase over a short period?

I think it was connected with sugar rationing. The abolition of sugar rationing will no doubt get rid of this type of trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reports he has had as to the effect of the order requiring a 33⅓ per cent. deposit for hire purchase of hand-operated wringing and washing machines; and whether he will now announce the abolition or at least reduction of this deposit.

I have received a number of representations about the effect of the Hire-Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order on sales of hand-operated wringing and washing machines, the most recent on 28th January from the Washing Machine Makers Association. These representations are being very carefully considered, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

:Will the President bear in mind that these are essentially articles used by the less well off sections of the population?

I should not like to express an opinion on that matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what rate of import duty is at present paid on cotton piece goods imported into the United Kingdom from India.

No duty is chargeable on cotton piece goods imported from India provided that the usual conditions of Imperial Preference relating to proof of origin and consignment of the goods are complied with to the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what rate of import duty will be payable on cotton piece goods imported into the United Kingdom from Japan under the recently announced trade agreement; and what rebate will be pay able on the re-export of such goods.

Foreign cotton piece goods are generally liable to an import duty of 17½ per cent. ad valorem, though if the goods in any way resemble lace or are embroidered, they would be charged 25 per cent. ad valorem. These duties apply to imports from Japan as from other foreign countries. Drawback of the import duty paid is allowable on these textiles if they are exported as piece goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what rate of import duty is payable on imported machinery used in the cotton spinning and weaving industry; and if he will immediately reduce or eliminate such duty.

:Foreign textile machinery is in general liable, according to type, to an import duty of 15 or 20 per cent. ad valorem. The Board of Trade are always prepared to examine any request made by a representative body of users for the reduction or removal of any protective duty. No such application has been received in respect of textile machinery.

:If such an application is received, will the President give it proper consideration? Now that the cotton trade will be open to much severer competition, does he not think it is his duty to ensure that other trades from which it has to purchase important materials do not receive greater protection than the cotton trade?

If an application is made to me I will give it proper consideration.

:How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that statement with the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 11th March, 1952, that no applications under Section 10 of the Finance Act, 1932, would be considered?

:They are different matters. This is a question of an increase in the general rate of tariff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the other animals, numbering 84,215, to the value of £90,159, which were imported into this country during 1953.

Of the animals numbering 84,215, valued at £90,159, and imported during 1953, nearly 65,000 were poultry, valued at £55,000. The remainder are not identified in the official statistics.

:Why does my right hon. Friend include poultry among animals not customarily classified in Board of Trade returns as poultry when they are dead?

:These 55,000 were the only poultry, and, among the other animals were included swine, goats and turtles.

:Why should poultry appear in one classification when they are dead animals, and in another classification along with animals when alive?

:What are bees classified under?

:I should be glad if my hon. Friend would put that question down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the principal recommendations of the Tucker Committee on the treatment for Income Tax purposes of superannuation and pensions schemes; and what action he proposes to take on them.

:On a point of order. As it is two months since we had the opportunity of having the Chancellor of the Exchequer present to answer Questions, and as the Chancellor apparently is not helping us by his presence today, may we have an assurance that he has not given up answering Parliamentary Questions?

:That is not a point of order.

The answer to the Question is as follows: The Committee's report is now being printed and will be published as soon as possible. As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement. My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this opportunity of expressing in public our thanks to Mr. J. Millard Tucker, Q.C., and his colleagues on the Committee for the arduous and valuable work which they have done.

In view of the disquieting comments made on this matter by Professor Titmuss, may we be assured that we shall have this very important document in ample time to study it before the Chancellor introduces his Budget?

I very much hope that it will be available before the end of the month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how the current index figure of output per man, in the coal, steel and farming industries, respectively, compares with those of 1938.

The increase in output per man year between 1938 and 1953 is estimated at 2 per cent. in the coalmining industry and approximately 50 per cent. in steel melting and rolling. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture has not published a comparable figure for agriculture, since there are no reliable means of computing it. A recent unofficial estimate of the increase between 1937–39 and 1952–53 gives a rise of 30 per cent. in output per man year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far proposals for some permanent organisation for the collection and analysis of all economic data related to the economic development of the British Commonwealth were discussed at the Sidney Conference; and if he will make a statement.

:There is already adequate and effective machinery for examining problems of economic development in the various Commonwealth capitals, and I do not think that any other organisation for this purpose is called for, nor were any such proposals discussed at Sydney.

:Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if I am fortunate enough to catch Mr. Speaker's eye I shall reserve my supplementary question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer until later this afternoon?

:I agree that this is a very important matter, and I am grateful to the hon. Member for his leniency towards me, but there is a Sterling Area Statistical Committee, which regularly meets in London, and I think he will find that Commonwealth Governments are extremely well served by the statistical services of this Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the difficulties confronting many of the poorer local authorities in finding the necessary capital to ensure a satisfactory housing programme; that, under the present arrangements, due to the high interest rates charged on borrowed money, these councils have to charge such high rents that many of those in most urgent need of accommodation cannot afford to take possession of new houses; and whether he will consider in his forthcoming Budget making some arrangement whereby local authorities will be able to borrow money free of interest for housing purposes.

:I am unaware of the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers. The rates of interest paid by local authorities on their borrowings are not out of line with market rates generally. The answer to the last part of the Question is "No, Sir."

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are local authorities which are in the greatest financial difficulties, particularly my own borough of West Ham? They are finding it very difficult indeed to be able to pay their loan interest charges and keep their rents down to a reasonable level. Is he aware that many councils have to charge such high rents for their council houses that the poorest section of the population cannot afford to pay them?

I am aware that the county borough of West Ham has certain difficulties, but I think the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that they arise from circumstances connected with the war, and have very little to do with the subject matter of the Question. As far as the latter part of his supplementary question is concerned, he will remember that the Public Works Loans Board rate was reduced from 28th October last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far the decisions of the Sydney Conference took into consideration the undesirability of a move towards the convertibility of sterling before the effects of the American recession have worked themselves out.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend on 2nd February.

:Will the hon. Gentleman impress upon the Chancellor who, unfortunately, is not here, the undesirability of proceeding with any step of this sort while we are so worried about the effect which the American recession may have upon us?

:If the hon. Gentleman is fortunate enough to catch your eye, Mr. Speaker, this afternoon, he will have another opportunity of pressing upon my right hon. Friend the undesirability of doing anything before it ought to be done.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds he denies equal pay in the higher grades of the Civil Service while agreeing to it in the higher grades of the Joint Pricing Committee; and whether he will under-take an immediate examination into the expenditure of public money without regard to a common principle.

I understand that men and women in the higher grades of the staff of what is now the Joint Pricing Committee already received equal pay before their work was transferred to the National Health Service. This practice was continued on transfer. Equal pay has not been extended to grades not previously entitled to it.

:Is it not unfair that people who have not previously been in Government service should be brought into the Government service and obtain the rate for the job, whereas civil servants and teachers, who have served the Government and the country loyally for very many years, and have asked for equal pay, are denied what the Treasury are prepared to accept in respect of new entrants into Government service?

:Our general policy on this matter has been set out on a number of occasions. I hope my hon. Friend is not suggesting that we ought to alter the conditions of these people for the worse.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am not suggesting that at all? Does he not know that I am asking him when the negotiations took place and with what body? What committee was it that arrived at this very satisfactory agreement with the Treasury?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent agreement with the National Association of Local Government Officers making pay increases equal for women and men, he will now apply this principle to the Civil Service.

No, Sir. I see no advantage in varying the details of the existing Civil Service practice for fixing women's scales of pay until it is possible to make a change of principle.

:As the Treasury have already agreed to equal increases of pay and bonus in respect of N.A.L.G.O., does not my right hon. Friend think it is extremely mean to withhold it from the teachers and the civil servants? Where is the justice that we are always being told about?

The arrangements made, which have operated for some years are, in our view, the proper arrangements to make until, as I said in my main answer, it is possible to approach this matter from the point of view of a change of principle. It would be quite wrong to fiddle about with those detailed arrangements.

Can the Minister tell us the slightest thing that the Government have done, since they took office, towards furthering the principle to which the Government have given their support?

I do not think we need fear comparison with our predecessors in this respect.

:Were the new agreements negotiated with the civil servants and teachers especially so that they would be precluded from getting the beneficial decisions negotiated with N.A.L.G.O.?

:These agreements were negotiated on the existing basis of arrangements made some years ago for dealing with pay increases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what ballet companies received Arts Council's Grants for the year 1952–53 and what are the amounts involved; what ballet companies applied for Arts Council's subsidies and were refused; and what offers have been made to any ballet company at a. take-over price by the Arts Council.

:Details of the assistance given to ballet companies in England and Wales are given in the Annual Report of the Arts Council, 1952–53, a copy of which was, I understand, sent to my hon. Friend. The Council's Scottish Committee also gave £200 to the Celtic Ballet. It is not the Council's practice to publish details of applications refused, since this might well cause embarrassment to the applicants; in 1952–53, three applications for assistance one for additional assistance were refused.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in my opinion, there is much too much empire-building in the Arts Council, and that many of the subsidies are not fairly distributed? Would it not now be wise to consider the question of a new arrangement for subsidising the arts?

:The very nature of the problem which my hon. Friend has set out in her supplementary question indicates how undesirable it would be for direct allocation of these grants to be undertaken by aGovernment Department. I am sure that the Arts Council will give due weight to her views.

:Will the Financial Secretary bear in mind that the general view does not tally with the complaint made by the hon. Lady, and that, by and large, the Arts Council does a very good job in this and other respects?

:The work of the Arts Council inevitably exposes it to some degree of criticism, but I am inclined to agree with the hon. Gentleman that it does the work pretty well.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has now completed his inquiries into the insurance of Government-owned commodities; and what arrangements have been made for the current year.

As regards marine insurance, arrangements to insure are continuing to the end of the year. As regards fire insurance, present arrangements expire at the end of March, and the matter is still under consideration.

Will very serious consideration be given, before the end of the year, to the termination of these contracts, since there is no longer any reason why the State should subsidise private insurance interests? It is high time that this waste of public money came to an end.

I have nothing to add to my answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a means of assisting the poor, disabled, sick and old-age pensioners who have to make use of the National Health Service, he will consider in his forthcoming Budget removing all charges made to users of the National Health Service.

No, Sir.

Are we to take it that the only chance that the people will have of getting a free National Health Service again is to wait until the next General Election, when a Labour Government will come in?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a means of stabilising and reducing the cost of living, and thereby bringing about a reduction in the present spate of wage demands, thus assisting in bringing about industrial peace, he will consider in his forthcoming Budget making arrangements for the restoration of food subsidies to the pre-October, 1951, level.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

As this is vital to the industrial peace of the country will the Chancellor promise that he will favourably consider the matter?

I cannot add anything to what I have said.

Is my hon. Friend aware that one of the best ways of reducing the present demand for increases of wages would be for hon. Members opposite to stop making misleading statements about the cost of living.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the response to the Realisation Agency's offer of the shares in Lancashire Steel to the public.

:Details of the response to this offer were given in a public statement which was issued by the Agency on 22nd January, and to which I have nothing to add. I am sending a copy of the statement to the hon. Baronet.

:Is it not obvious from that statement, even to the Government, that there is no group of individuals capable of carrying the burden of this agency, except the community as a whole?

:The arrangements for dealing with this matter were set out at some length in the debate that we had on the Motion the other day in the name of the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd). The facts do not support any of the insinuations made by the hon. Baronet.

:In view of the results, will not the Government abandon the whole operation which, they must now know, has been as injurious to the country as it is discreditable to the Government?

No, Sir. In the first place, I do not accept the right hon. Gentleman's description of this issue, and, secondly, Her Majesty's Government have no intention of abandoning the duty imposed upon them by Parliament.

:Does the right hon. Gentleman care to make any comment on the strong criticism made of the activities of the Iron and Steel Corporation's holding company by the "Financial Times" and the "Daily Express" this week?

:If the right hon. Gentleman can manage to get that question passed as being in order, I shall be delighted to answer it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what special instructions have been issued recently by the Board of Inland Revenue to inspectors of taxes for special scrutiny of claims for business entertainment; whether he is satisfied that there are enough personnel to carry out these duties efficiently and impartially; and what is the estimated saving to the Exchequer.

No special instructions have been issued on this subject. As I stated on 8th July last, a new form of return was introduced in 1953 to make the position clearer to employers. Inspectors of taxes have been reminded that the Government expect the law to be uniformlyand properly enforced, and have been given general guidance in the matter.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that, whereas his reply will be universally approved, there is a fear among the already overburdened inspectors of taxes that the instructions which they received recently cannot possibly be carried out without very large increases in their staff?

I fully appreciate the burden of work which falls on the devoted officers of the Inland Revenue, but I understand that they have no undue difficulty in operating this particular matter.

:Is my hon. Friend aware that if the Revenue Department is overworked the ordinary citizen would be only too willing to relieve it of some of its duties?

I am sure that they would tend to differ among themselves as to the direction in which the relief should be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what undertakings he gave to the Australian Government with regard to future United Kingdom purchases of wheat from Australia and the United States of America.

None, Sir. The Australian Government are fully aware that imports of wheat into the United Kingdom are now in private hands.

:Does the Economic Secretary say, contrary to what his right hon. Friend said, that the Government are going to leave it at that?

I said nothing contrary to what my right hon. Friend has said. I merely emphasised that imports of wheat into the U.K. are now in private hands.

Why do the Government think it sensible to go on spending dollars on North American grain when supplies of this commodity are available in this country and in the sterling area?

:When talking of North American wheat one should remember that we purchase six times as much from Canada as from United States. Imports of grain from Australia were slightly more in 1953 than they were in 1952.

:Is it the policy of the Government to avoid dollar purchases where they can and to buy within the sterling area? If that be so, what are the Government doing to apply that policy in the case of wheat, including Australian wheat?

:There are, clearly, advantages in buying in sterling instead of in dollars, but there are also great disadvantages in doing so when large premium prices are involved.

:Did not the previous Government urge the Australian Government to increase production of primary foodstuffs? Now that they have done so, are we to see them holding a surplus themselves, while we go to the United States for wheat?

I have beenexplaining that we get six times as much wheat from Canada as from United States.

:Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that returning the trade to private interests has made it more difficult to save dollars than by not applying the policy at all?