asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which a German, Herbert Kosemund, served for two years in the British Army as Private Edmunds; whether he has now been discharged; how much back pay he has claimed; and whether this claim has been approved and the money paid.

This man was enlisted as Private Edmonds at Liverpool on 10th November, 1950, on a Regular Army engagement of 12 years. It is now clear that on attestation he gave false information of his name, nationality, country, place of birth, and the age and nationality of his parents. This was found out on 7th September last year. He has made no claim for arrears of pay.

Without knowing any more about this case than the right hon. Gentleman has just told us, may I ask him whether he can give the House a few more particulars about this rather surprising case? Was the man a good soldier, for example?

I think that this man did perfectly adequate service. He made no claim for arrears of pay because I think he was aware that, by and large, from the fact that he was not subsequently brought to trial he was reasonably leniently treated.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and how many of other ranks have now taken home leave from the Middle East, paying for their own air passages; and to what extent the existence of this arrangement prevents him from extending the grounds on which compassionate home leave may be granted.

Special arrangements have been made to enable officers and other ranks of the Services and their families to fly home direct from the Canal Zone to this country at their own expense. I cannot give the numbers who came home privately before the scheme started on 9th July, but since it did so 62 Army officers and 57 other ranks had reached this country by 22nd July. The limiting factor in extending the qualification for compassionate leave is not the availability of aircraft.

If there is even this amount of surplus air space available, is it not rather wrong that it should go only to those men and officers who are fortunate enough to be able to pay their own fares home? Would it not be better even to consider a secondary category of compassionate leave for cases slightly less urgent than the most urgent ones?

The amount of air space available is dependent on the extent of orders we give to charter companies in the contract for trooping. With regard to the question of a less urgent type of compassionate leave, our problem in considering compassionate leave is to have a really definite regulation so that we can say that if qualified a man has it and if not he does not get it. To judge the merits of less urgent cases would put an immense task on the administrative machine.

Are there any stipulations made about the length of time that the officers and other ranks concerned have to serve in the Middle East before they can have this sort of leave? Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the free leave to Cyprus is really no substitute for United Kingdom leave?

Yes, I am well aware that leave to Cyprus is no substitute for United Kingdom leave. A definite period has to be served in the Middle East before a man is qualified or eligible to apply for leave to the United Kingdom.

Do they have to pay the full civil rate for air passage, or less?

Less.

How much less?

Speaking off-hand, I think the fare is £47 return.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in order to save heavy postage on parcels, he will institute a scheme under which the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute will hold in this country a stock of goods of the kinds most commonly sent home by men serving in Korea, Malaya, and the Middle East, and will deliver them to addresses in this country when Service men order and pay for them at the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute's shops in those theatres.

I doubt whether a scheme of this kind would be popular or justified, since I understand that the men overseas generally send home goods of local origin and prefer to choose themselves.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that cases have frequently been raised in the House of parcels on which very heavy postage has to be paid, and sometimes also dues on delivery at home? This suggestion would get round that difficulty. Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise also that this is simply, in reverse, the scheme he has accepted from the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, West (Brigadier Clarke)?

I am aware that this is the scheme in reverse. I am quite prepared to ask commands if they think it is worth while. The difficulty is that N.A.A.F.I. would have to have available in this country a bulk store of curios from Korea, Malaya and Hong Kong.

Would the right hon. Gentleman at the same time consult with the Chancellor to see if anything can be done about the very heavy duty that has to be paid on these parcels? It is a real source of embarrassment to their families.

We have had a great deal of discussion with the Excise authorities on this particular subject, and I think we have done the best we possibly can, but I should be glad to discuss the matter with the hon. Lady. I can assure her that we have had long discussions about it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the civilian storekeepers of the War Department, Singapore, have been waiting over two years to have their claims considered by his Department; that reminders were sent to him on 12th October, 1951, 13th May, 1952, and a third one last week to the Command Secretary, General. Headquarters, Singapore, that this protracted delay is causing a feeling of frustration among the workers; and what action he is taking to deal with this long standing problem.

Discussions and negotiations to settle this matter have been going on between all three Services and the trade unions concerned. The matter is not, therefore, solely in my hands, but I am trying to hurry it up.

is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I received a communication from the union concerned a few days ago telling me that they presented him with a memorandum two years ago, and three reminders, and that 14 days ago negotiations had not been started? Will he do all he possibly can to hurry the negotiations, because this delay creates an amount of frustration that is difficult to handle in a place like that?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the negotiations were started a great deal longer than a fortnight ago. As I understand it, a great deal of the discussion is concerned with when a civilian storekeeper is not a civilian storekeeper. I can assure the hon. Gentleman I am trying to hurry it up.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds his Department proposes to keep in its possession a volume recently borrowed by his Department from the Plymouth Libraries and Museums Committee.

This book is War Office property and strayed to the Plymouth Library. In view of the circumstances in which it was recaptured it will be returned to Plymouth on indefinite loan.

Would it not have been more courteous if the War Office had sent that reply in the first place, instead of telling the Plymouth Libraries Committee, from whom it had seized this book, that it had been decided by the War Office that it was going to hang on to it?

The War Office asked no questions as to how it got to the Plymouth Library.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the title to the land on Plymouth Hoe which his Department holds on behalf of the Commissioners of Crown Lands has often been disputed by authorities in Plymouth; and why he refused to initiate negotiations with the Commissioners of Crown Lands with a view to restoring this property to its proper owners.

No, Sir, I know of no grounds for disputed ownership in this case.

This case is rather like the book case. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Plymouth Hoe was taken from the people of Plymouth by a Stuart King; that the people of Plymouth have never received one brass farthing for it; and that the War Office, therefore, is in the position of a receiver of stolen goods? What does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do about it?

I am aware that, so far as the War Office is concerned, we propose to face the future.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say he is not going to make any inquiry about this matter at all? It does give rise to frequent difficulties, for whenever it is proposed that some change be made on the Hoe the people of Plymouth have got to argue with a Department that has got no right to be there at all.

If the hon. Gentleman will bring to my attention any matter which is disputed regarding the ownership of this land I shall be only too glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reinstate Mr. Christmas in his post as general handyman at the Royal Engineers Camp at Fernhurst in view of his 11 years of satisfactory service.

No, Sir. I am afraid I have no choice in this matter.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his full and helpful reply, may I ask him if he realises that this decision is in sharp contradiction to the reply made by the Minister of Labour to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 1st July? Does he, further, agree that his action, far from showing any saving, is really adding a burden to the Exchequer, as Mr. Christmas will now be thrown on to National Assistance?

I am aware of the position of Mr. Christmas, and I feel considerable sympathy for him, but the fact remains that the War Department's industrial agreement with the trades union states quite definitely the action we have to take in this particular case of redundancy, and, short of tearing up the agreement, I do not see what I can do to help Mr. Christmas.

asked the Secretary of State for War why a National Service man suffering from deafness was discharged from the Army a week before his Parliamentary Secretary stated in a letter, dated 11th July, to the hon. Member for Ladywood that the soldier wished to continue in the Army and that consideration was being given as to how he could best be employed; and why two months were allowed to lapse before action was taken in this matter.

I regret that the wires became crossed in this case. I can, however, now confirm that this man will be discharged from 5th August, and I will write to the hon. Member giving him the full story of what has happened.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that after I received the letter to which I refer in my Question the man came to see me to inform me that he had been discharged, and showed me his papers: is there not, therefore, something wrong; and will the right hon. Gentleman take some steps to see that there is more efficiency in the Department, as it places Members of Parliament in a very serious position when they get information of this kind?

When my hon. Friend wrote to the hon. Gentleman instructions had been sent out at the same time that, if possible, this man was to be retained in the Army, as was his wish, but at almost that identical date a medical board sat and discharged the man from the Army. The two events coincided. If I could have a word with the hon. Member I think I could explain it to him. It is extremely difficult to find a job in the Army for a man who is so deaf.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has now re-examined the case of 916925 Gunner C. D. Yates, Royal Artillery, reported missing for 10 years; if he has considered additional evidence sent to him on 10th June; and if he will now presume the death of Gunner Yates and pay a widow's pension to Mrs. Yates accordingly.

Yes, Sir, but unfortunately the additional evidence, which tends to show that Gunner Yates was last seen on board a ship sailing to Australia, does not help very much. In all the circumstances, however, I have now decided to presume death. The question of a widow's pension is for consideration by my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.

May I express my personal appreciation of the answer by the Minister?

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of admissions to hospital as a result of the recent disorder at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; and the length of stay in hospital of the patients concerned.

Five, Sir. Two for two days and the others for three, six and 14 days, respectively.

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what disciplinary action was taken in connection with these disorders which caused damage to public property and caused the admission of men to hospital? Or do we take it that it is his fixed policy that disciplinary action is taken only when it falls, not on the Military Academy, but other branches of the Service?

I will admit that during this particular jubilation the cadets were rather rough. They were addressed subsequently by the Commandant, and were told they had been too rough. At the same time, I do not think that on an occasion like this we can expect them to sit in the mess after dinner reading Clausewitz or knitting.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether any disciplinary action was taken, and, if not, why not'?

I have absolute faith in the Commandant of this institution.

May I have an answer to my question? Was disciplinary action taken, and, if not, why not?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question I will find out.

Yes, but why does the right hon. Gentleman brush this matter aside as though it were of no consequence? After all said and done, if action has occurred of a disorderly character—[Laughter]—and, presumably, there was some disorder; the right hon. Gentleman has himself admitted it—

It has been going on for 100 years.

—are we to understand that disorder, which has been tolerated for nearly 100 years, must still be tolerated because it applies to cadets? Would the same treatment be applied to other ranks?

These occasions of jubilation do sometimes tend to disorder, and I believe it has even occurred in this House—

But here there is discipline.

—but what I would point out is this, that it is traditional in this establishment—and I do not think it causes much harm—that there is certain jubilation towards the end of each term. It has occurred in the past, and, indeed, I myself have taken part in it. I think that on this particular occasion the cadets were unduly rough, but I have no doubt that, in the light of the Commandant's address, that will not occur next year.

Can my right hon. Friend say how many times the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg), who asked this Question, would have been put into the lake if he had been at Sandhurst?

Is it the fact that because the right hon. Gentleman has taken part in these jubilations he now protects the perpetrators of what, after all, was an outrage and breach of discipline? Consider the consequences of their action. What I want to establish is this. Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether there are to be two rules, one for his class and one for mine?

No, Sir, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that he can be quite certain that in this particular jubilation there were a great many representatives of all classes, as there are at Sandhurst today.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers, other than quartermasters, serving in the Brigade of Guards and the Household Cavalry, who were educated at Eton, Harrow and grant-aided schools other than those represented at the Headmasters Conference, respectively.

Two hundred and seventy-five, 45 and three respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that on 19th July at a fête organised in aid of various organisations, including the Heston and Isleworth Conservative Association, there were performances by the band of the Coldstream Guards and other displays by a contingent from the same regiment; and what regulations have been made dealing with such participation by Army units in affairs organised wholly or partly in aid of political parties.

This engagement was accepted by the band of the Coldstream Guards on the understanding that this was a charity fête which had no political significance. The attendance of the band is governed by Queen's Regulations, paragraphs 541 and 1434, and is also dealt with in an Army Council Instruction.

But does the Secretary of State agree that this could not have been an entirely charitable affair since the Conservative Party stood to benefit from it? After all, though I know these regulations have been in force some years, would not the Secretary of State now agree it may be reasonable to have a look at an arrangement which compels men in uniform to go to help to collect money for political objects with which they disagree?

I understand that this fête was held for the National Lifeboat Institution, the Scouts, the local church, etcetera, and I have seen the letter received by the Coldstream Guards, which gave a specific undertaking that it was not for political purposes. I cannot tell what actually happened at the fête because I was not there.

Is it not rather unfortunate that the "etcetera" includes the Heston and Isleworth Conservative Association, which on the sale of programmes stood to benefit from this attendance by the Army.

All I have seen is the application from this fate for this band, and a definite undertaking that it was nonpolitical in character was given in the letter, and, therefore, I think there was justification for accepting it.

Would my right hon. Friend make it clear that the usual commercial fee of over 100 guineas was paid for the performance of this band; that the Spring Grove Conservative Association contributed materially to the success of this fête, which was in aid of a dozen well known charities; and that the Association profited to the extent of only £40—a trivial sum compared to the total amount raised of over four figures?

asked the Secretary of State for War when the Shropshire Light Infantry Battalion, now on duty at the Koje Island prison camp, will embark for Great Britain; and whether these men will be given leave on arrival in this country.

The company which was on duty at Koje Island rejoined this battalion on 10th July. This unit will probably embark for this country about 19th September. On arrival, the men will be qualified for leave, including the special Korean service leave.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to increase consumption of plums and plum products in the Army including plum and apple jam; and whether he will make a statement.

The Army has done long and meritorious service in the consumption of plum and apple. I do not wish variety to be sacrificed in the cause of plum consumption but, as things are, the Army, in co-operation with the Royal Air Force, will consume in the next year some 2,425 tons of plum jam and 400 tons of tinned plums.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the consumption figure that he has indicated for the next 12 months has been related to the exceptionally heavy plum crop this year; and would it not be reasonable to ask him to swim in the stream with his Ministerial colleagues and place special contracts for plums and plum products in order to help the growers?

There are other hon. Members interested in other types of fruit.

Will the Secretary of State consider setting up in this nationalised industry a consumers' council?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the First World War what was called plum and apple jam was actually neither plum nor apple?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will bring to an end the official use of the phrase, "other ranks," in view of the fact that it expresses its meaning only indirectly.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the Dominions has already dropped this phrase? Will he recollect that at this hour last week he objected to a particular title because it was neither descriptive nor inspiring and can he imagine any phrase which is less descriptive and less inspiring? Will he not at least follow the example already set him overseas?

If the hon. Gentleman has any specific suggestion I should be glad to consider it, but this phrase does cover a very large number, from warrant officers, N.C.Os. privates and women to boys, and we want some all-embracing term to describe them.

Is not that the objection to this phrase, that 80 or 90 per cent. of the personnel of the Army are described by a phrase which simply says that they are not the other 10 or 20 per cent.; and is not there something rather derogatory about that?

asked the Secretary of State for War what periods of training are now given to infantry recruits before they go overseas.

At the present time infantry recruits going to Europe receive a minimum of six weeks' training in this country; those going to the Middle East receive 10 weeks; and those for the Far East and Korea 16 weeks. These varying arrangements for training establishments in this country have not been altogether satisfactory, and we have decided to introduce a standard 10 weeks' period for all infantry recruits.

All recruits going to the Far East and Korea will receive an additional six weeks' training, as before, to bring the total up to 16 weeks, but it will be carried out overseas. In Malaya this will have the dual advantage of more realism in jungle training and a longer period of acclimatisation before men undertake active service in those theatres.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that that reply will give very great satisfaction indeed?

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard it as wise to send men, for example, to Malaya, where there is jungle warfare, with only 10 weeks' training in this country?

Yes, Sir. I think that on the whole it is better for a man to go with 10 weeks' training in this country and have a regular course of six weeks' jungle training in Malaya, rather than have that extra six weeks in this country under very unrealistic circumstances, without experiencing local conditions.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether they have jungle training at Sandhurst?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he authorised the Officer Commanding No. 4 Training Battalion, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, to close a right of way between the married quarter at Blackdown and the main shopping area; and what answer has been returned to the petition of protest which has been presented to the officer commanding troops by the married families concerned.

There is no public right of way. The path was closed because of children causing serious damage to the barracks and to the garden of the war memorial. The officer commanding troops, Blackdown, has replied to the petition, explaining the reasons for the action of the commanding officer of this unit.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any disciplinary action was taken against the soldiers of the wives who made the protest?

No, Sir, not so far as I know. I would point out to the hon. Gentleman, who is interested in these matters, that the children broke 32 windows, broke into the paint shop and rolled pots of paint down the hill.

asked the Secretary of State for War the present strength of the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve; and what is being done to encourage further enrolments.

Three thousand five hundred and thirty-three men and 222 women. I do not think it necessary to enlarge the scope of this Reserve.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all that happens to members of the old Army Officers' Emergency Reserve is that they get a chit once a year asking them to confirm their address—in other words, all the War Office wants to know is whether they are alive or dead: and cannot the Secretary of State find something more useful for this Reserve now that we have, in addition, side by side with the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve the new Army Emergency Reserve with quite different functions?

I should be only too delighted for men who were in the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve to join the Army Emergency Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision has been made for the supply of winter clothing and equipment for members of Her Majesty's ground forces serving in Korea during the forthcoming winter.

Substantial quantities of winter clothing have already been despatched to the base in Japan and arrangements have been made for the supply, mostly from United States sources, of the scale of heaters asked for by the Command.

Is my right hon. Friend quite satisfied that there will be no delays such as occurred on a previous occasion, whereby in the earlier part of the campaign troops were without adequate winter clothing?

I have been into this matter in considerable detail, and I hope that there will be no trouble at all.

asked the Secretary of State for War how it is intended to select pupils for the proposed school at Welbeck Abbey.

The boys will be required to have the General Certificate of Education with passes at the ordinary level in mathematics, science and one other subject, or to have reached an equivalent standard, and to satisfy an interviewing board that they are suitable candidates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the week-end one of the news items in the "Observer" stated that the purpose of the college would be to give education to boys who would otherwise have left school at 16? Will he say whether that is so? If it is so, will he further say by what means he intends to ensure that the proposed school will attract only those who would otherwise have left school at 16? May I further ask him whether he will assure the House that as much as possible will be done to draw pupils on as wide a social basis as possible?

We want to draw pupils from a wide source. I know there is anxiety especially among headmasters, that we might draw away some of their best pupils whom they would like to remain on at school. We have told them that the total number we are taking, 150, should not be very serious. It is not our intention to go for the best pupils, but to go rather for boys interested in these particular subjects, who have a general all-round qualification to make officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men have now been enrolled in the Home Guard.

By 15th July enrolments totalled 18,015 and, in addition, 16,839 are in the Supernumerary Register.

As the Army Estimates require us to make provision for 170,000 enrolments this year and only 18,000 have actually been made, is it not now clear beyond all reasonable doubt that the Government were extremely foolish to launch this ludicrous scheme, and should not this farce of trying to organise the Home Guard when there is no imminent danger of war be abandoned before further Government money is wasted?

The danger of war, in my opinion, is dependent upon the efforts of preparedness of this country. Since it has receded, it would be very unwise to let slide these efforts. As regards recruitment for the Home Guard, one of the main difficulties is that owing to the rashness of some individuals on the other side it has to some extent become a party matter, which I deeply regret.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman say that this has become a party matter when, in the course of the debate on the provision of a Home Guard, hon. Members and right hon. Members on this side of the House supported the principle of the creation of a Home Guard, but warned the right bon. Gentleman that the time was inopportune to proceed; and do not the figures—perhaps deplorable figures, according to one's opinion—indicate that it was a mistake to proceed prematurely with this scheme?

No, I would not agree that the figures indicate that. The men we have got are extremely good men and will form a valuable cadre against the days when we may have to expand. As regards the party side, I am aware of certain qualified support, but the fact remains that many men who might have joined the Home Guard have gained the impression that those who belong to the party of the right hon. Gentleman opposite are definitely against their joining.

Since only 10 per cent. of those required have come forward, and even newspapers like the "Evening Standard," which does not belong to this party, are against this ludicrous scheme, does not this show beyond all doubt that this is the wrong moment to try to arouse enthusiasm in those few volunteers who can be found to support the Government?

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that there is no reason to be disappointed with the progress that is being made? The first step was to provide headquarters, commanding officers, adjutants and quartermasters. This has been successfully done, and we hope that a great deal more progress will be made as the months go on.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many West Africans hold commissions; and how many are non-commissioned officers in African regiments.

There are at present 14 West Africans holding the Queen's Commission and 2,389 West African warrant and non-commissioned officers serving in the Royal West African Frontier Force.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any complaints regarding the small number of commissioned officers drawn from Africa, and is there any prospect of the number of commissioned officers being increased?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that. A few weeks ago we introduced a scheme whereby we shall aim to get another 14 Regular officers annually in this Force.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the glut of sugar in Cuba, if he will initiate negotiations for a new trade pact with that country which would enable the extra sugar to be obtained for sterling to be spent in Britain and thus make sugar rationing unnecessary.

No, Sir. We are heavily in deficit with Cuba on our balance of trade, and any additional purchases of sugar would increase the deficit whether we were to pay for them in inconvertible sterling or not. We already need a substantial increase in our exports to Cuba to pay for the existing level of our sugar purchases from that country.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware of the statement made by prominent people in Cuba that they are prepared to sell sugar at less than 2d. per 1b. to this country, the money to be spent in this country, and as rearmament is being cut, cannot some further efforts be made to get extra sugar which would not have the effect of creating hardship in this country?

Yes, Sir. Both my right hon. Friend and I have seen a representative from Cuba, but the trouble at the moment is that we are importing £48½ million from Cuba and only exporting £.7½ million, and we are determined not to take any steps to prejudice the interest of the British Commonwealth sugar producers.

If the Government cut out altogether the importation of these fantastically expensive sugar substitutes from the Continent the money saved could be used to buy sugar from Cuba, thereby achieving similar results to that in the mind of the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds). Would not that have the approval of the whole House?

That would not solve our balance of payment situation with Cuba, which is in fact almost part of the dollar area.

Will not the hon. Gentleman consider seeing the Cuban Government representative and suggest that it might be to our mutual advantage to forgo Havana cigars this year and take more sugar?

That is a different question. I am only too anxious to do everything we can. As the right hon. Gentleman says, it is our desire to help the Cubans to purchase more things from this country because, unless that is done, it will be difficult for us to maintain our present purchases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to secure an extension of the Eady Plan, in view of the vital need for long-term programme planning to ensure continuity of film production.

I look to the industry to take the initiative in working out plans for continuing the British Film Production Fund, which I believe is an important factor for the well-being of the British film industry. I appreciate that producers need to be able to look well ahead in making their plans, and I hope that all sections of the industry will co-operate in producing a scheme as soon as possible.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that statements such as were made in another place the other day do not help this situation?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the duties of the Clothing Industry Council.

The functions of the Council are specified in the Second Schedule to the Clothing Industry Development Council Order, 1949 (S.I. 1949 No. 2124), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the uncertainty with regard to this Council? When is he going to make up his mind what he wants them to do, as work is badly needed in regard to the future of this industry?

The Question asks about the duties of the Council. I am now discussing with the appropriate bodies to see what we can do about the future of the Council.

Can the Minister say whether this Council is working out a new standard for the protection of the consumer to take the place of the Utility scheme, and, if so, when we are likely to have a report?

The British Standards Institution is taking the lead in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the yardage of cotton cloth imported from Germany in the first six months of 1951; and the yardage imported in the first six months of 1952, or the latest period for which figures are available.

Imports of cotton cloth from Germany in the first six months of 1951 were 9,174 thousand square yards and in the first six months of 1952 20,771 thousand square yards. The main reason for this increase is that between one third and one half of this year's imports have resulted from defence orders placed last year when comparable goods could not be obtained in Lancashire. And I would remind my hon. Friend that these figures do not reflect the severity of the cuts made in March this year on private imports of textiles, since goods in transit at the time of these restrictions were admitted and licences issued to enable existing contracts to be honoured.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say whether it is true that the new restrictions limit the imports to 40 per cent. of 1951, and can he say whether he expects these imports, now that there is not such a great need for a defence programme, to cease?

These restrictions have taken textiles off open general licence and put them on quota. If the hon. Gentleman wants a percentage estimate perhaps he will put a Question down.

Do I understand from my right hon. Friend that no more licences are being issued and imports will in future come in only against quota?

They are off open general licence and on quota.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the comparative failure of the Development Area in Ross and Cromarty, what other steps he is taking to assist Highland areas where there is high and continuing unemployment in attracting new industries or occupations.

We are doing all we can to persuade new industry to set up in the Highlands, especially those based on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and on other local resources. But as the hon. Member will appreciate, the problem of dealing with small pockets of unemployment in a widely scattered population is not a simple one.

Would the Minister not agree that in point of fact unemployment is fairly widespread compared with the rest of Britain, and has been for some time, and as efforts to attract new industries have so far rather failed, will he look at schemes put into operation in Norway to deal with similar problems?

Certainly.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that until basic services are put right in the Highlands he will not attract industry into that area?

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is not that the Development Area has failed but that private firms have not been able to take advantage of the Development Area. Will he consider Government action to encourage private enterprise to go there?

I was not suggesting that anything had failed. I was agreeing with the hon. Gentleman that we must continue our efforts in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of growing complaints in overseas markets about British manufactures, he will set up an export standards bureau to supervise and improve the quality of British exports.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a number of Commonwealth legislatures recently the quality of British manufactured exports has been very severely criticised? Are not British exports getting a bad name because certain manufacturers are exporting cheap and shoddy goods?

We produce better goods than anybody else in the world. A great deal of the criticism comes from our competitors in other countries.

This was said in Commonwealth legislatures.

Do not statements such as those which have just been made, without any knowledge, do a tremendous amount of damage to the prestige of this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state what has been the value of orders placed in Great Britain from countries behind the Iron Curtain as a result of the recent Moscow Conference; how much has been exported; and what are the nature of the exports.

I do not know of any contracts concluded with the Soviet Union or the East European countries in question as a result of the Moscow Conference.

As to China, which my hon. Friend doubtless also has in mind, I understand that contracts have been concluded for the sale of chemicals and wool tops to the value of £270,000 and £500,000, respectively, but that no shipments have yet been made. The goods are mostly of the kind normally imported by China from the United Kingdom and might well have been purchased had there been no Economic Conference at Moscow.

Does this mean that the two totals, amounting to £700,000, disprove the report which was issued immediately after the conference that members brought back contracts to the value of £6 million as the result of the conference?

As I said in my answer, I have no knowledge of the contracts.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that no one who came back from Moscow said that he had brought back any contracts at all? What they brought back was agreement for trade between those countries and merchants here, which were subject to licence and subject to the ability to sell as well as to buy. Active negotiations are still going on, a great number of contracts have since been made, and there is no reason to doubt that every penny of the orders will be completed within the specified time.

I can only say that my right hon. Friend himself wrote to the head of the Soviet delegation in London and received no acknowledgment, and there has been no reply to our approaches to Pekin or to other countries such as Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Bulgaria; and I repeat the first part of my answer to the Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the reduction in imports into Pakistan from the United Kingdom in the year ended 31st March, 1952, compared with the previous year, especially in textiles, and of the greatly increased imports from Japan; and what steps he is taking to increase British exports to Pakistan.

I understand that United Kingdom exports of textiles to Pakistan decreased and exports from Japan to Pakistan increased during the year ended 31st March, 1952, compared with the previous year. But I would remind my hon. Friend that our exporters to Pakistan enjoy preferences over a wide range of goods including textiles, that none of the measures which Pakistan has taken to regulate its imports are at all discriminatory, and that the share our exporters take of the market depends on the price, the quality and the availability of British goods.

The fact that total United Kingdom exports to Pakistan during the year ended 31st March, 1952, increased by over £5 million or 12 per cent. compared with the previous year shows, I think, that our Trade Commissioners in Pakistan are doing all they can to help British exporters expand their trade with that country.

Are any of the reductions due to the trade agreement which was negotiated with Pakistan last year involving reductions in preferences which were forced upon us by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?

It would be very difficult to relate particular reductions to particular measures of that kind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the inquiry being held into the administration of the Development Areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the report of the committee on the trading estates; whether he proposes to make this report available to hon. Members; and when.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the inquiry into the administration of trading estate companies in the Development Areas has been completed; and what action he is taking on it.

I would refer the hon. Members to the replies which my right hon. Friend gave to the Question of the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. F. Willey) and to the ensuing supplementary questions on 1st May. As he then explained, he has not appointed any committee but has invited Sir Thomas Phillips and Sir Edward Gillett to give him confidential advice which he expects to receive by about the end of September.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree that there is considerable interest in the advice that may be given? I am sure it will be of great interest to all connected with the Development Areas. Will he consider whether it is possible to publish the gist of the advice when he receives it so that we may all be cognizant of it?

I agree about the interest in the matter. The House will no doubt have some opportunity of knowing what is done as a result of the advice, but, having asked for confidential advice, it would be wrong of my right hon. Friend to undertake to publish it. What the hon. Gentleman has in mind can probably be considered later when my right hon. Friend receives the advice.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, as some directors of the trading estate companies gave information to the two gentlemen privately without other members of the companies being present, there is a good deal of interest in the Development Areas and that we should like to know what the conclusions of the two gentlemen are?

I think all hon. Members are agreed in wanting the inquiry to be of the greatest usefulness, but that object would obviously not be promoted if, having asked for a confidential report, one then agreed to publish it.

Does the inquiry also cover the problems in the Development Areas in Scotland?

Yes, Sir

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman say why it was necessary to have a confidential inquiry? What are the reasons for it? Why could not everything have been made public in the first instance?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the Questions which I have mentioned in my reply he will find the answer to his supplementary question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to make a statement regarding the proposed trade agreement with Czechoslovakia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement about the recent AngloCzechoslovakian trade talks.

The negotiations, to which I referred in answer to the Private Notice Question by the hon. Member for Ardwick (Mr. L. M. Lever) on 17th July have not yet been concluded. But I shall bear in mind the desirability of making a statement as soon as possible after their conclusion.

Will my right hon. Friend give an undertaking that all steps are being taken to safeguard the interests of the Lancashire textile industry under the terms of the agreement, and will he also bear in mind that by trading with Czechoslovakia he is strengthening the hold of that country's Communist Government on its unfortunate people?

In regard to the negotiations, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Cotton Board, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the cotton industry trade unions and take due account of what those bodies have to contribute? Will he give an undertaking that an agreement which includes the importation of printed cotton will not be concluded during the Recess when we shall have no opportunity to discuss it?

The hon. Gentleman had better wait until the discussions are concluded, when I shall be able to inform him.

Will the agreement be concluded during the Recess?

Clearly it will take two sides to make the agreement. As far as I am concerned, the sooner it is concluded the better.

The right hon. Gentleman has promised us an opportunity of discussing the agreement. Will he give us an opportunity of discussing it before it is signed?

I have already answered that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much tobacco in volume and in value it is proposed to import this year from dollar sources; and what were the corresponding figures for last year.

Imports into the United Kingdom of unmanufactured tobacco from the United States, Canada and Cuba are expected to amount in 1952 to some 103,500,000 lb., a reduction of 56 per cent. on imports of 233,740,933 lb. from these sources in 1951.

Owing to the noise I could not quite hear the figure mentioned by my right hon. Friend, but I think it was a figure of 103 million pounds. In view of the fact that the dollar gap is not likely to be filled by our exports to the dollar markets, would it not be better to use the rare dollars we have to buy necessary food and cut out tobacco imports altogether from the market?

My hon. Friend missed the most satisfactory part of my answer. There has been a reduction of 56 per cent.

That is only half a loaf and I am asking for the whole of the loaf.

Would it not be best to stop altogether our imports of manufactured tobacco, including cigarettes, from dollar sources, because even though the amount is small it seems to be a waste of dollars.

That is a different question.

Can we take it that the policy of this Government is the same as the policy of the last Government, to increase the imports of tobacco coming from non-dollar sources?

The arrangements for substitution are proceeding as they have for some years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the textile industry in the Rossendale Valley has been adversely affected by the serious increase in the cost of electricity which has followed upon the introduction of tariff M in April, 1952; and what plans he has for alleviating the situation.

I am aware of the increase in electricity charges affecting the textile industry in the Rossendale Valley and elsewhere. I understand that discussions are in progress between the North Western Electricity Board and representatives of the textile industries concerned.

Can the President of the Board of Trade say whether these negotiations are also affecting other parts of Lancashire, because this is a wide problem in the textile industry?

Not without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the textile industry in the entire Rossendale Valley will be seriously affected by the importation of cotton under any Czechoslovakian agreement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with the Eireann Government in regard to revision of import duties into Eire for British manufactured carpets; what is the nature of the revision in tariffs; how far this is in accord with the terms of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; what reciprocal advantages Britain will now obtain, or otherwise, from the Eireann Government; and whether he will make a statement.

From the 15th July, the Government of the Irish Republic restored the duty on textile floor coverings from 20 per cent. ad valorem to its pre-war level of 40 per cent., which I should add, still gives British exporters a preference of 20 per cent. The Anglo-Irish Trade Agreements of 1938 and 1948 leave the Irish Republic perfectly free to restore this rate without having to consult us. But it is provided in the Anglo-Irish Trade Agreement of 1938 that in such a ease the appropriate means of seeking a revision of the duty is for United Kingdom exporters to ask for, and present a case at, a tariff review in the Irish Republic. The Irish Republic is not a Contracting Party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now place the importation of wood flour on the individual licence system.

No, Sir. The proper method of protection for British industry is the tariff, and wood flour producers in this country are free to apply for an increase in the present tariff, if they are dissatisfied with the present rate of 15 per cent.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that there is some urgency in this matter and that negotiations for a tariff would take some time? Is he not further aware that there is a surplus production of this form of sawdust, that we are importing thousands of tons of that for which we have to pay gold while at the same time we are producing all that we need except for 2,000 tons'? Can I have an answer?

I am aware of the hon. Gentleman's allegation, but nevertheless the difference exists between what it is right to do by tariff and by import restrictions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the deadlock reached between shopkeepers and manufacturers on the labelling of woollen and worsted cloths; and, as it was hoped that such labelling would partly replace Utility quality standards, if he will press the Retail Trading Standards Association for an early decision on the matter.

I assume that the hon. Lady is referring to discussions which have been taking place on a committee of the British Standards Institution to settle a draft glossary of wool textile terms. I am aware that there have been differences of opinion on that committee and that the Retail Trading Standards Association have circulated their views. In accordance with the normal procedure of the B.S.I. in settling standards by consent, a further meeting of its appropriate committee will be held to discuss the comments received.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the annual report of the Association they described the manufacturers proposal for labelling wool and wool mixture as clumsy and misleading? Is he further aware that if those proposals were adopted it would be legal to describe all rayon cloth as worsted suiting, and will he urge the Institution to be quick in making their decision?

I am aware of the case put by the Retail Trading Standards Association, some of which the hon. Lady has repeated, but the British Standards Institution is a perfectly competent body to hear and consider these matters.

Does the Minister agree that it would have been much better to have had a scheme of standards before the Utility scheme was scrapped, and in view of the uncertainty that his action is causing in the woollen industry, will the hon. and learned Gentleman do something to expedite the decision.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the losses sustained by Cornish producers this year on the early potato crop, due to mistiming of open general import licences; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such a thing recurring in 1953.

I am advised that the temporary break in prices in mid-June was primarily due to the early English season which brought crops from several districts on to the market simultaneously. As regards arrangements for 1953, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, North (Sir H. Roper).

Is the Minister aware that the Cornish growers this year have lost over £250,000 on this crop, that one of my constituents lost £220 on four acres of potatoes, that the answer he has given is that he will follow precisely the same procedure next year as this year, and will he next year take steps to consult the growers directly?

I intend to consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Food in this matter.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the only way to cure this is by tariffs, but in the meantime will he give some assurance that Her Majesty's Government are doing their utmost to make this quota system more efficient until such time as tariffs can be applied?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take such action as may be possible to keep industry fully informed of current research and development, in order to maintain the traditional high standards of British workmanship and materials, particularly for manufactures intended for export.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newton (Mr. Lee) on 1st July on this subject. I would only add that the Board of Trade Journal, as part of its service to exporters, regularly draws attention to publications which are thought likely to be of value to industry.