asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the present position with regard to the experimental arrangements for linking the electric power system of Great Britain with Western Europe by means of a cross-Channel power cable; and what consideration has been given by his Department to the construction of a tunnel under the Channel for this purpose which would serve to carry the necessary cables as well as provide a pilot tunnel for the road and rail tunnel which could be built as soon as Her Majesty's Government's objections thereto are overcome.

The proposals which I approved, and to which I referred in my statement of 6th July last year, were for experiments in regard to a scheme for laying submarine cables and transmitting electric power across the Channel. No proposals have been made to me for the construction of a tunnel. Cable-laying trials were conducted off the English coast last summer, and the corresponding sea trials by the French authorities are now in progress at Boulogne.

Will the Minister consider discussing the matter with his colleagues, as a move of that sort might be of considerable use in bringing about understandings between the Western European Powers and ourselves, and particularly, also, in respect to reducing the cost of generating power?

I had before me a concrete proposal from the British Electricity Authority which had been agreed with Électricité de France, and I think we ought to press on with our own practical scheme.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is satisfied that good co-operation has been arranged between the Ministries affected, the British Electricity Authority, the Atomic Energy Authority and manufacturers so that the generation of electricity can be obtained from nuclear energy as soon as possible and contracts undertaken for plant for other countries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the nature and method of the co-operation to be established between the British Electricity Authority and the proposed Atomic Energy Authority.

Co-operation is already close and continuous in all matters affecting the generation of electricity. As stated in another place, the Atomic Energy Authority will not itself generate electricity except as a by-product of the manufacture of fissile material or as a product of experimental power stations, nor will it compete with the electricity boards, but will offer them any electricity generated that may be surplus to its own requirements.

Having been in this since the beginning, and seen the very fine work carried out by our scientists, engineers and manufacturers, has not the time arrived when the Minister should see that there is maximum co-operation between all concerned so that we can keep in the forefront of world development in this matter?

In co-operation with other Ministers, I have already secured that. Indeed, there is a special programme of collaboration between the Atomic Energy Department and the British Electricity Authority, and also private manufacturers.

Will the Minister consider pressing upon his colleagues the possibility of common appointments to the boards of these corporations?

Naturally, the appointments are made after consultation between Ministers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number and location of new district heating schemes planned in conjunction with electric power developments.

Three; at Spondon, Warrington and Stepney.

Will the right hon. Gentleman discuss with his colleagues the possibility of providing special financial assistance beyond the resources of the electricity industry for the development of these schemes?

No. I think it is much better that this matter should proceed as at present, on the basis of proper commercial negotiation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will, within the powers conferred upon him by Section 5 of the Electricity Act, 1947, give a general direction to the central authority to ensure that greater safety precautions are to be taken in sub-stations.

No, Sir. Section 53 is the relevant Section.

Is the Minister aware that the machinery of joint consultation, no matter what the relevant Section may be, in this matter and in other matters appears to be breaking down to the great dissatisfaction of those concerned? Is he also aware that recommendations arising out of an accident some time ago at Bishopsgate that nearly resulted in serious loss of life have been made and accepted but not implemented by those responsible? Will he do something about it?

The Act passed by the previous Government clearly lays down in Section 53 that this is one of those matters that should be dealt with by joint consultation. I should not like to assume simply on what the hon. Gentleman has said that that consultation has broken down.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had any complaints from either side about the lack of consultation in respect of that Section?

As far as I am aware, none.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what recent steps have been taken or are intended by his Department to save coal, improve its use and prevent air pollution.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the coal situation, what action he is taking to reduce waste by industrial users and to avert any undue hardship among the public or dislocation in industrial production during the forthcoming winter.

The National Industrial Fuel Efficiency Service has been set up at my request. Under the new Government loan scheme I have approved 51 schemes amounting to £339,000. I have approved substantial capital investment by the fuel industries which will enable them to save further large tonnages of coal.

While welcoming the steps taken by the Minister, may I ask whether, in view of our economic difficulties, the time has not come for him to put a great drive behind the saving in the use of coal in the national interest? In view of the contribution being made by the miners and by the Coal Board, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is his duty to initiate this great drive in order to forestall the difficulties that may arise?

The hon. Gentleman will, perhaps, bear in mind that very massive savings are made every year by the fuel and power industries and by great private industries, such as the steel industry. With regard to industrial fuel efficiency, that is more a matter of proceeding in detail, and it was for that very purpose that this Fuel Efficiency Service was set up.

Can the Minister say what will be the anticipated saving on the schemes which he has so far approved?

No, I could not say now.

The right hon. Gentleman has said that he has authorised over 300 schemes. Is he able to say how much fuel he anticipates will be saved?

I could not give an exact figure today.

Is the Minister aware that according to the Anglo-American Productivity Team it is estimated that the efforts of 10,000 miners in the industry are going to waste through lack of proper organisation, and so on? Does he not think that this is having a retarding effect on the industry?

It is important at all times to save as much coal as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the proposed coal imports will be destined for the domestic market to alleviate the house-coal shortage.

A large part, but I cannot say exactly how much.

To save a long supplementary, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he and, indeed, everybody would read the leading article on page 6 of yesterday's "Sunday Times"? It would do them all good.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now make a statement upon house-coal supply prospects for next winter, in view of increased coal imports.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what further steps he is taking to expedite summer stocking of coal, in view of the threatened shortage of house coal in the coming winter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a general statement about the coal and fuel prospects for next winter; and what particular steps industry and householders should take in preparation for the winter months.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what advice he is giving to industry, particularly the textile industry, about stocking coal for the forthcoming winter

Consumers generally should buy and stock as much coal as they can during the rest of the summer. So far, I am glad to say that distributed stocks are somewhat higher than last year. But the purpose of my answers last week was to emphasise the danger that will arise in the winter if consumption continues to rise as at present and production remains broadly static. The Government and the coal industry as a whole fully appreciate the gravity of this prospect.

As I announced last week, the Government have already decided to import more coal, but the fundamental need is for greater production, and this has been stressed by the N.C.B. and in the recent report of the Executive of the National Union of Mineworkers.

Can my right hon. Friend give an asurance that the Coal Board, in the course of the next nine months, will deliver to merchants all over the country a total quantity of coal which will enable the merchants to honour their obligations in supplying the maximum allocation to householders, namely, 34 cwt. in the South of England and 50 cwt. in the North of England?

It depends upon the level of production which Members in all quarters of the House and, indeed, people throughout the country wish to see increased.

Does the Minister anticipate that all the steps that he has now planned will be as effective as the precautions which he took in the middle of last summer?

That is the reason why the Government have taken their decision with regard to importation, and it is because of the gravity of the prospects for the winter that we hope that these steps will result in our getting through next winter with the same success that we had last winter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that domestic consumers are stocking up in the summer as they should?

So far, they have taken about 300,000 tons more than in the same period last summer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the difficulty of certain people in stocking up in the summer? Will he do what he can to see that people who cannot stock up in the summer can get their coal in the winter?

Yes. That is one of the reasons for encouraging those who can get it now to do so. We recognise that not all people can stock up in the summer, but it eases the problem of serving those who cannot stock up in the summer if those who can stock up in the summer do so.

Is the Minister aware that in view of the difficulties which we are likely to face this coming winter, the N.U.M. are doing all they can to get the men to work on Saturdays during the summer months to meet the situation?

Yes, and I think that this House and the country appreciate the firm and frank leadership of the leaders of the National Union of Mineworkers. It is a fact that, no doubt following the lead that has been given, some districts and some coalfields have decided to work every Saturday this year.

Could the Minister give an estimate of the amount of coal which he expects to import this summer?

No, Sir. I would not like to give such an estimate. As I explained last week, it is undesirable to do so because it might prejudice the best buying of the coal at the best price by the Coal Board.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power his plans to ensure adequate supplies of coal and coke for industrial and domestic users in Wales and Monmouthshire next winter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the concern that is felt in Exeter, and other parts of the West Country, at the possibility of a breakdown in the supplies of coal next winter; and if he will ensure that adequate reserves in the area are built up to prevent this.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give an assurance that there will be adequate stocks of fuel available in Heston and Isleworth this coming winter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will take steps to ensure that coal merchants in the London area receive enough house coal to enable them to meet in full demands for the full ration of 34 cwt. for the year which includes the winter months.

The National Coal Board assures me that steps will be taken, in co-operation with the organisations representing the merchants, to ensure that all districts receive their fair share of the total supplies available next winter.

May I ask the Minister whether the problem in South Wales is very different, in scale or severity, from what it is in other parts of the country and, secondly, whether South Wales ports will have an opportunity of importing some of the coal which he proposes to buy from abroad?

I should require notice of those questions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many grades of coal are recognised by his Department; and on what criteria grading is determined.

Seven, for house coal. The main criteria are size, ash content, rate of burning and calorific value.

Is the category of any coal at any given colliery determined by a committee, or how exactly is it arranged?

It is determined by the Coal Board, in consultation with the merchants, with whom they have special arrangements.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what contribution he expects can be made by domestic coke supplies to the anticipated shortage of house coal next winter; and if he will give an assurance that coke will continue unrationed at least until 31st March, 1955.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is now taking to encourage sales of coke for domestic use, in view of the risk of a shortage of house coal next winter.

As the House is aware, I have removed restrictions on the sale of coke and do not contemplate their re-imposition. So far, this summer sales of gas coke to the smaller consumer show an increase of 17 per cent. over last year, and coke supplies should materially assist the fuel position next winter.

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that many millions of modern solid fuel-burning appliances which have been installed in the last five years were designed to burn smokeless fuel, notably coke, and that many of these appliances are still being used to burn inferior grades of coal? Will he make it clear that he has removed all the restrictions on coke to encourage the use of smokeless fuel and to economise overall by the best use of these appliances?

Yes. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me yet another opportunity to point out that these improved appliances reach their maximum efficiency when burning coke and that coke is the best of the smokeless fuels now freely available to the public.

Is the Minister aware that the best way of encouraging domestic consumers to stock coke during the summer is to have a price concession similar to that for house coal? Is my right hon. Friend also aware that anything he can do to encourage the Gas Council and other distributors to give such a concession and thus relieve the pressure on their own storage space during the summer will be most helpful?

Yes, Sir.

Why does the Minister put up with this fuss every year about the shortage of coal and other fuels? Now that the Government have got rid of food rationing, why not allow the free importation of coal in the same way as we buy anything else abroad when there is a shortage?

Until more progress is made in our economic affairs, we cannot lightly consider a considerable importation of coal in view of the demand for foreign exchange.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the current rate of total absenteeism in the mines compared with 1938.

12·40 per cent.; the figure of 6·44 per cent. for 1938 is not strictly comparable.

Has the Minister's attention been called to a report issued at the end of last week by the National Union of Mineworkers, pointing out the dangers to its own members and to our economy if present conditions are not changed, and that the only solution is to increase the production of coal without increasing production costs if the country is to survive? To import coal is sheer lunacy.

Would it not be fairer to break down that figure into voluntary and involuntary absenteeism?

There are several views upon that matter. Some of the best judges take the view that it would be unwise to make that distinction.

Will the Minister try to arrange a system of pairing between the absentee miners and the would-be absentees behind him?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many times, and by how much, he has authorised increases in tae price of house coal since nationalisation; and the aggregate of such increases per ton, average.

Since nationalisation there have been 11 national increases, which together with adjustments for local distribution costs amount to some 44s. a ton on average.

Is it not clear to the Minister that all these Questions and answers today prove the disastrous effects of nationalisation?

Is the Minister aware that one of the largest increases which took place was on account of the miners having a two weeks' holiday, which has been due to them for many years and which they have only just received?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power under what conditions coal merchants in the South of England are prepared to meet orders placed between 3rd May and 31st August at the price ruling at the date of order; and whether he will seek to secure the operation of a similar scheme in other parts of the United Kingdom.

The trade's conditions are that householders should not make special stipulations about date of delivery or precise quality, and that the coal is delivered by 31st October. There is no need for such arrangements in the North, where the same summer prices apply to all deliveries made between 3rd May and 31st October.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total of capital investment in the coal mines since nationalisation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much capital was invested in the coal mines in each of the last three years: and how far these sums fell short of the maximum required by the National Coal Board.

The Government have placed no limit on the National Coal Board's capital expenditure, which, in the last three years, has been £26·6, £38 and £52·4 million respectively. The total since nationalisation is about £205 million up to the end of 1953.

Is the Minister satisfied with the increased production in relation to this expenditure?

One must remember—as my noble Friend well knows—that in the case of coal mining, which is an extractive industry, capital expenditure, in new sinkings or major reconstructions, for example, very often takes some seven years to become effective.

Is it not also true that for the last seven years about £250 million worth of investment has been required to keep coal production where it is?

It is true that in an extractive industry, unlike ordinary manufacturing industries, a considerable amount of extra capacity must be brought in by capital investment to take the place of that part which has gone out of production and is no longer there. I hope the House will find it satisfactory that although the Coal Board has been rather slow in getting on with this investment in recent years the figure has increased so much that it has doubled in the last three years, and I am hoping that this year, for the first time, it will be actually up to the figure given in the "Plan for Coal."

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the coal mines are now getting enough capital in proportion to the coal consuming nationalised industries, especially the electricity industry, which, until recently, has been getting about four times as much capital to spend as the coal mines?

Yes. The difficulty in the coal mining industry is that although there has been no restriction on capital it has not had enough experts to be able to spend it properly. There is a very great difference between the coal mining industry, in which between 60 per cent. and 70 per cent. of the total cost of the product is labour, and the electricity industry, where from 60 per cent, to 70 per cent. of the cost of the article comes from capital expenditure.

Is not the country now paying dearly for the coal policy pursued before 1939, the consequence of which was that everybody drifted away from the industry? Is it not true that since nationalisation one of the major jobs of the Coal Board has been to attract new engineers and planners to the industry?

What the right hon. Gentleman has said somewhat under-estimates the part played by the war. It will be remembered, as a matter of history, that the great drift away from the mines took place after 1940, when our Continental export markets were lost.

My right hon. Friend has not fully understood my supplementary question. I asked whether or not he was satisfied with the production of coal in relation to expenditure since nationalisation.

I do not think I could give a short answer to that question. Many matters have to be considered, and I would not be prepared to give an answer offhand.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total of miners' free and concessionary coal distributed in the 12 months ending at the latest convenient date; and what percentage of it comprised, respectively, first, second and third grades of house-coal.

5·1 million tons in 1953, but I do not know the grades.

Is the Minister aware that there have been complaints from members of the mining industry themselves about the quality of concessionary coal? Does not this underline the fact that the type of coal now being mined, and the figures of improved coal production, are not as satisfactory as they appear on paper?

It is obvious that we should all like an improvement, but the amount and quality of this coal varies according to an infinite number of agreements, which are part of wage and service agreements in the industry. I know that there have been complaints.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that many of the best mines in our coalfields are now worked out, because of which we have to accept an inferior quality of coal? Is he further aware that the screening plants in the coal industry are capable of dealing with only 40 per cent. of the coal which is now produced? Will he speed up capital investment, including that in relation to screening plants, in order to get better quality coal?

I agree that many of the best mines have been worked out and that there has been a very considerable increase in the amount of screening done.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the maximum permitted quantity of coal which a householder may purchase in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Truro, in a year; and how much it would cost each such householder, assuming both purchases were of group four coal of the same quality.

50 and 34 cwts. respectively; 242s. 1d. and 242s. 11d. respectively, assuming that full advantage of summer prices was taken in each case.

Do I understand that the total cost is about the same at both places although the cost per ton at Newcastle is less?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent exports of British coal are to be restricted this year, in view of his decision to increase imports of coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) how much coal is expected to be exported from this country over the next 12 months; and its expected price per ton;

(2) how much coal is expected to be imported over the next 12 months; and at what price per ton.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the coal exports this year compare with the anticipated coal imports.

Coal exports so far this year amount approximately to 6½ million tons, at an average f.o.b. price of about £4 9s. a ton, and imports to about 400,000 tons. I expect that in 1954 exports will be about 14 million tons as in 1953. About imports, I have nothing to add to the replies I gave on 21st June.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a price system which enables coal mined in this country to be sold in this country at an average price that is probably too low, enables it to be sold abroad at a different price, and results in the necessity of importing coal at a still higher price is not really very satisfactory?

I could not follow my hon. Friend's supplementary question in every detail, but I would say that it is by no means only the price policy which is the reason why we are having to import coal this year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it is time that the Coal Board got off average costing and on to marginal costing, and that until a step in that direction is taken there will be no solution of the fuel problem in this country?

One would have to face that that would mean a very considerable increase in the price of coal in this country.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the household coal ration was, in fact, supplied to merchants in the South of England during the last coal winter; to what extent this was less than the ration per head; and what was the cause of the deficiency.

14·8 cwt. per registered customer. The maximum quantity consumers were allowed to purchase varied between 10 and 24 cwt. according to the amount taken during the previous summer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much open-cast coal is going to the domestic market.

About 30,000 tons a week.

How much of this coal is washed before delivery? If a large proportion is unwashed may that not be the reason for the increasing dissatisfaction of householders with the quality of the product they are sold as coal?

I could not say what proportion is washed, but it is true that it does appear in the three lowest groups of house coal.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the figure he has given amounts to 1,560,000 tons of open-cast coal going to domestic consumers this year, and as a very high percentage of this coal is unwashed is it not a little unfair to blame the pits for the amount of stone in the household coal, which is largely due to this wretched open-cast method of working?

I agree that it is very unfortunate that we have to resort to open-cast production, but there is no doubt that it makes a great contribution to our fuel supplies. It is more important, of course, for industrial than for household supplies, and we are bound to continue it for many years.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of reducing the percentage of open-cast coal being mixed with the deep-mined coal? Because of the increased percentage of open-cast mixed with deep-mined coal the miners are being brought into disrepute, as people blame them for the stone and slate in their coal, which really comes from the open-cast working.

If we could get a substantial increase of production of deep-mined coal no doubt we could make arrangements of that kind.

Would my right hon. Friend say what the policy of open-cast production costs in ruination of good agricultural land?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can make a statement on capital allocation; and whether he has obtained an assurance that the required capital will be available for the long-term needs of all forms of power and fuel.

I have no reason to doubt that it will be possible to meet these needs.

Is the Minister aware that the question of capital allocation in the Report of the Electricity Board causes some concern? In view of the great contribution being made to Britain's economic development by the Coal Board, the Electricity Board and the Gas Council, does the Minister not think that it should be his responsibility to see that these organisations have a long-term capital allocation so that they may plan a long time ahead?

Yes. There will be an opportunity for discussing that matter when the Gas and Electricity (Borrowing Powers) Bill comes before the House shortly.

In view of the low price—[HON. MEMBERS: "Low?"]—of British coal, is there any reason why the price should not be put up so that the Coal Board could provide out of their own earnings sufficient money to finance their own capital investment programme?

The Coal Board, broadly speaking, provide about three-quarters.

Would the Minister, for the benefit of some of his colleagues, say whether it is a fact that British coal is now the cheapest in Europe?

British coal is still the cheapest in Europe.

It used to be £1 a ton?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view, of the coal shortage pending, he will encourage substitution of oil fuel for coal in appropriate industrial and domestic circumstances by giving an undertaking that adequate supplies of oil fuel will be available when plants are converted for oil burning, in view of the need to restore confidence following the alternations in Government policy in 1947–48, which sponsored conversion of coal plants to oil and then back to coal, thus causing heavy losses to all concerned.

Yes, Sir. Such substitution is in the, national interest, and to encourage it is part of the Government's fuel policy. The use of oil in place of coal has been increasing in recent years and in 1953 provided a coal equivalent saving of about 13 million tons compared with 10 million tons in 1950.

The increase is likely to continue over the next few years and the oil companies have told me that they expect to be able to meet such increasing demands; but those considering a new or larger use of oil would, of course, be wise to discuss their plans first with prospective suppliers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement—in such unequivocal tones—in favour of conversion from coal to oil, will do a great deal to restore the loss of confidence which has been felt in recent years, as a result of the alternations in policy of the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shinwell)?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if his Departmental advisers now include those versed in the problems and possibilities of nuclear science.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on, the situation in Guatemala and the safeguarding of British lives and property.

Since my right hon. Friend reported to the House on 21st June both sides have continued to make conflicting claims and counter claims. The insurgents claim to be advancing on Guatemala City, and Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Guatemala City has confirmed the report that President Arbenz of Guatemala has resigned and handed over to Colonel Diaz, the Chief of the Armed Forces.

According to Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires all British subjects in Guatemala are still safe. Damage to British property was caused when the Shell Company installation outside Guatemala City was machine-gunned by an unidentified aircraft on 22nd June.

In addition, the master of the British ship "Spring Fjord" reported to Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires on 27th June that his ship was bombed by an unidentified aeroplane and set on fire off the Guatemalan port of San Josée. The crew are safe. Communications with San Josée. are interrupted but Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires is endeavouring to obtain further details.

Her Majesty's representatives in neighbouring countries have also been instructed to make urgent inquiries of the Governments concerned in an endeavour to establish the identity of the attacking aircraft.

In view of these incidents, is it not becoming increasingly evident that this matter concerns nations other than those in Central and South America, and is it not extremely unfortunate, therefore, that Mr. Lodge, chairman of the Security Council, should have made a statement warning off the United Nations from interfering in this situation? Can we take it that it is the policy of the Government that the report that may be received from the fact-finding commission going into Guatemala and the neighbouring countries shall be considered officially by the Security Council?

That is our view.

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman any information about the nationality of the aircraft which, it was reported recently, had attacked some of the main cities of Guatemala? Is there any indication at all where it came from?

No.

Ought we not to make representations to the United Nations Security Council, therefore, that it ought to make the necessary inquiries to establish the facts?

There is another Question on the Paper about the Security Council, and I will deal with that in answering it.

Why did the British representatives abstain from the most recent vote that the matter should be referred to the Security Council?

There is another Question that we shall come to in a moment about the Security Council.

Has Guatemala a military attaché in this country?

I will try to find out and let the right hon. Gentleman know.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what attitude has been adopted by Her Majesty's representative on the Security Council to the renewed request of Guatemala for an emergency meeting of the Security Council to consider the invasion of Guatemala.

A meeting of the Security Council to consider Guatemala's further request was held on Friday, 25th June. A proposal to accept the Guatemalan complaint on the Agenda was defeated by five votes to four, the United Kingdom and France abstaining. The attitude of Her Majesty's Government, which was made clear at the meeting by the United Kingdom delegate, is that the Security Council cannot divest itself of responsibility.

However, a competent regional organisation within the meaning of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter exists—namely, the Organisation of American States. The Inter-American Peace Committee, which is a part of that body, is sending, with the agreement of the Guatemalan Government, a fact-finding committee to the area. This committee will inform the Security Council as soon as possible of its conclusions and the Council, by allowing the regional organisation to take action does not, therefore, surrender its ultimate authority.

Can the Minister say whether Her Majesty's Government accept the proposition laid down by the United States Administration that incidents in the American hemisphere are not the concern of the United Nations? Would he answer that quite clearly? As for the fact-finding body, is it not the case that Guatemala has not been in agreement with the nations which compose this fact-finding commission? Will he make certain that the inquiries are carried out with all possible speed and that, if necessary, the United Nations itself sends a competent body to investigate?

Her Majesty's Government are in favour of adhering to the Charter of the United Nations. If the hon. Member will study Chapter VIII he will see that there is a clear place in the Charter for these regional organisations and that each case has to be taken upon its merits.

Answering the second part of the supplementary question, I think there is widespread misunderstanding about the composition of the peace committee. The representatives are Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Mexico and the United States. That does not mean that all of them are necessarily hostile to the Guatemalan Government.

Is not Chapter VIII of the Charter subject to Article 35, under which Guatemala had an absolute right to have its dispute heard by the Security Council? Is it not a fact that under Article 39 the Security Council had an absolute duty to determine whether there was a threat of invasion? Is it not most regrettable that, instead of voting with New Zealand, the United Kingdom delegate compromised the principles for which we fought in Korea by his regrettable abstention?

I do not agree with the right hon. Gentleman at all. I think the Charter as a whole has so to be operated as to produce satisfactory results in the cause of peace. In this case, in view of the circumstances—and the right hon. Gentleman is as well aware as I am of some of the difficulties in regard to Latin American countries—I think it is quite right, in the first instance, to try this peace committee, always provided that it has to report back to the Security Council.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that Latin American disputes are always more easily settled in the first place within the hemisphere and that the intervention of external organisations in these matters always has the result of making them worse? Was not the intervention of the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. Noel-Baker) most ill-judged?

Is it the Minister's point that successful aggression can sometimes be in the best interests of the cause of peace?

My point is that each case has to be dealt with in such a way as to produce peace as quickly as possible. Our view is that this peace committee of the Organisation of the American States is the best way to find the facts as quickly as possible.

Could my right hon. and learned Friend say what are the terms of reference of the fact-finding commission and what action will be consequent upon its conclusions?

It is to investigate whether there has been any aggression or not.

Is it not also essential that anybody who brings his case before the United Nations should feel that he is getting justice?

That is certainly true and I think that in this case the Guatemalan Government will get justice.

What will be the attitude of Her Majesty's Government or the United States Government if an Asian country at Geneva now takes the line that incidents in Asia should be settled by the Asian people?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what agreement has been reached with the West German Government on the subject of occupation costs after 1st July next, when the present arrangements expire.

If the hon. and gallant Member will repeat his Question in a few days' time I hope to be able to give him a definite answer.

Does that mean that between 1st July and a few days' time the position is left absolutely open, that no arangements have been made and that a vacuum has been created as a result of the Government's indecision?

I should be grateful if the hon. and gallant Member would wait for a few days.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has completed his investigations, arising from the evidence and documents submitted to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, of the underground traffic carried on by the prisoners of Spandau; and whether he will make a statement.

The investigations are still proceeding, but I hope to communicate with the hon. Member shortly.

asked the Minister of Food the average annual cost of production of non-welfare milk per pint; and the average sale price.

The average cost of milk as delivered to the consumer is about 7½d. a pint. The retail price for ordinary and pasteurised milk during 1954–55 will average about 6¾d. per pint.

What social justice is there for selling milk which is non-welfare milk at ¾d. a pint less than the cost of production to a nation prepared to pay hundreds of millions of pounds for beer at three times its cost of production—and to pay for it gladly.

I can only say that the different fluids are consumed by different people of different ages for different purposes.

asked the Minister of Food the number of officials in his Department who will be employed in connection with the sales of livestock.

rose—

On a point of order. Can anything be done to help private Members, Sir? I put a Question on eggs on the Order Paper to the Ministry of Food, but it has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture. Previously, the Ministry of Food answered similar Questions. We ought to stop this reprehensible and evasive action.

It has frequently been pointed out that the transference of Questions is entirely a matter for the Departments. It is impossible for me or the learned Clerk to know exactly what the bounds of Ministerial responsibility are.

About 1,200, directly employed.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary think that this considerable staff will be adequate?

We hope that it will be adequate.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement on the marketing arrangements regarding the procurement of foodstuffs from British West Indian territories.

The only foodstuffs bought by the Department from the British West Indies are sugar and concentrated orange juice. The sugar is marketed through the trade, the orange juice distributed under the Welfare Foods Scheme.

In view of the anxiety expressed recently, which the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, will he look at this matter sympathetically and see that the vital food-producing industries in the West Indies are adequately safeguarded?

I appreciate the point which the hon. Member has in mind, particularly in relation to bananas and citrus fruit, and I assure him that the representations of the West Indian delegates have been very sympathetically examined.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any progress was made during the recent discussions with the West Indian fruit delegation on the question of citrus fruit?

Yes. What was explained and what was promised to the West Indian delegation, as recently described to the House by my right hon. and gallant Friend, relieved their anxieties in relation to citrus fruit.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an estimate of the quantity of surplus skimmed milk disposed of as waste in the years 1952, 1953 and to the nearest convenient date in 1954.

About 18,000, 211,000 and 425,000 gallons respectively.

Would it not be a far better policy, instead of wasting this valuable food by throwing it down disused mineshafts, to give it free of cost to milk distributors, who would, I think, gladly bottle it and offer it for sale to consumers?

That is a difficult problem. The skimmed milk in surplus, which amounts to one-third of 1 per cent. of the total supply of skimmed milk, is in the hands of the manufacturers. They do their utmost in time of flush to convert it into powder or dispose of it for food on farms, but this is a difficult problem which recurs whenever there is a milk flush of substantial size.

Is my hon. Friend aware that very good skimmed milk cheese can be made—Dorset Blue Viney? If the manufacture of that cheese was encouraged I am sure that it would have a large sale among people who are afraid of getting too fat, because it contains no fat.

I am sure that manufacturers are aware of the possibilities of converting this milk into cheese, but I note my hon. Friend's point.

Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter and see whether there is not a possible way of putting this waste milk to good use?

I am as concerned as the hon. Gentleman is about this, but this is a very difficult problem for a short period of each year.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the fact that butter purchased by his Department at 2s. 11d. per lb. is retailed at 3s. 10d. per lb., or more, he will reimpose price control.

No, Sir 2s. 11d. per 1b. is the f.o.b. price for Southern Dominions butter. To the average f.o.b cost must be added the cost of freight, duty, handling expenses, overheads and costs of distribution before a true comparison with the retail price can be made.

Having regard to all the normal and legitimate costs of transport and distribution, is it not quite obvious that the Ministry of Food is getting far too great a share of the swag, and that out of this 11d. margin, the Minister is taking 5d. or 6d. a 1b.?

I assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that his guess is quite wrong, and that the modest profit, which may at any time turn into a loss, is not of the size that he guesses.

Does the Minister appreciate the significance of this Question, which states that butter is sold at 3s. 10d. per lb., although that fact was hotly denied by the party opposite last week?