Allen asked the Minister of Supply whether he is now in a position to make a statement relating to the rents charged for houses on his Department's estate at Radway Green.

A new basis of assessment has now been agreed for the rents of estates owned by my Department. There will be a reduction at Radway Green and I will let my hon. and learned Friend have details within the next few days.

May I point out to the Minister that I have approached him upon this matter on innumerable occasions since last October?

Not in vain, I am glad to say.

asked the Minister of Supply how many radio sets made for partisans in former enemy occupied countries are in store; and what arrangements are intended for their disposal.

There, are at present only small quantities of partisan radio sets in store for disposal, though further surpluses will probably arise shortly. These sets are of special design and are quite unsuitable for ordinary civilian use, A decision as to the method of their disposal has not yet been taken.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulty at present experienced by those engaged in atomic research in obtaining the necessary equipment for their task; and if he will take the necessary steps to make this equipment available.

There are no serious difficulties in the provision of this equipment, but if the hon. Member has any contrary information and will let me have particulars I will be glad to look into it.

Was the right hon. Gentleman's attention called to the statement of eminent scientists engaged in this type of research who said it was almost impossible to get the equipment necessary and that, when it was available, the prices charged were wholly exorbitant?

We are discussing the situation with them.

asked the Minister of Supply what stocks of dental equipment are now available for disposal to the profession; and what stocks have been handed over to his Department from the Service Departments.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Minister give me any information about the equipment released by the Ministry of Health? Does he know that, during the winter months, a large quantity of dental chairs have been lying out in the open at Chessington and Woolwich and that, when dental supply traders were asked to quote a price, they said they could only offer a scrap price? Is he further aware that many dental surgeons are debarred from practising because they cannot get equipment?

asked the Minister of Supply at what percentage of full capacity the tinplate trade is operating in this country.

At about 60 per cent., Sir.

Will the Minister say why there is so small a production, and is he able to confirm the report that the tinplate administrator has issued an order prohibiting the further use of tinplate, except for foodstuffs?

There is a shortage of labour, and that is the principal difficulty.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied with the amount of civil work which it has been possible to allocate to the royal ordnance factories; and what percentage of redundant labour it has been possible to reabsorb into these factories.

The introduction of civil work to the royal ordnance factories is a continuous process which is by no means complete, but it is going well. Broadly speaking, the increase of alternative work is now absorbing the labour becoming redundant on production for the Services.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether that is true of the whole country, particularly in the industrial North, as well as in the areas around London?

That is about right over the whole country.

Could not the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of the hon. Lady's Question?

I have done so.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will reduce the rents of the bungalows on the Corsham and Chippenham sites, erected in connection with the Bristol Aircraft factory at Corsham, owing to the reduction in earnings following the closing of that factory.

A revised basis of assessment of rents for houses owned by my Ministry has recently been settled. This will be applied to these estates immediately.

Does the Minister realise that, for a long time, his Department has been charging rent for accommodation which is very much worse than that which can be obtained from local councils for the same money?

That arises from the fact that those particular houses do not carry the subsidy. I have the point in mind, and a revised basis has now been settled.

asked the Minister of Supply why he disposes of surplus watches by tender instead of through the horological pool, which would ensure that recognised jewellers and watchmakers obtain supplies for sale direct to the public.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 18th February last.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the present position of the supply of porcelain for electrical fittings required for the housing programme.

While there is still a general shortage of ceramics, supplies for the housing programmes are, I am glad to say, now improving.

Does the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that there is a shortage or not?

I said that there is a general shortage of ceramics, but that the supply for the housing programme is improving. There is a shortage, which is being rapidly overtaken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to reduce the present export rate of empty bottles, of over 20,000 gross per month, in view of the acute shortage which is being felt in this country at the present time.

Present exports of bottles constitute only about two per cent. of total production and are sent mainly to Empire countries which need them for their own industries. I am not prepared to reduce this rate of export.

Is the Minister aware that by exporting empty bottles, which could be exported full, he is losing considerable revenue?

I am aware that the quantity exported is only a minute proportion of the total produced. Since they are being sent to Empire countries to assist them in their own industries, I cannot see my way to alter the present rate.

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the figure of 20,000 gross per month?

The figure I accept is the one I gave, which is two per cent. of the total production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why instructions have been issued by the Timber Controller requesting timber merchants to report privately to him the existence of parcels of standing timber which the estate owner is unwilling to sell; and whether it is by his authority that timber merchants have been encouraged to make private reports with a view to pressure being put by the controller upon the estate owners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what arrangements are in force between the Federated Home Timber Association and his Department for the reporting of parcels of timber which are considered suitable for felling;

(2) whether it is with the approval of his Department that an undertaking has been given to the Federated Home Timber Association that, where an individual has reported a parcel of timber considered suitable for felling, his area officer shall visit the owner and quote two or three buyers, so as to prevent the owner knowing who has given information to the Timber Control;

(3) how many cases have been reported to Mr. Beavon Clayton of the Timber Control by area officers of timber considered suitable for felling on information supplied by private individuals; and what action has been taken on such reports.

Timber merchants are finding difficulty in a number of instances in obtaining standing timber, and, in view of the great importance of maintaining output, it has been arranged that area officers, when informed by merchants of possible sources of supply, will, in suitable cases, approach the landowners and endeavour of arrange for the timber to be placed on the market. The names of two or three buyers are mentioned, and an undertaking has been given to the Federated Home Timber Association that the name of the informant will not be divulged, nor is there any question of insisting that any sale must be made to him. In several instances, the area officer's approach has already led to the landowner consenting to sell, and in other instances negotiation is proceeding. Area officers have so far reported to the Timber Control three instances in which agreement has not been reached locally. In one of these it is considered that, in view of the quantity the owner has already contributed, it would not be reasonable to press him further. The other instances are under consideration.

Does that answer mean that the hon. Gentleman's Department is encouraging secret reports by private citizens upon other private citizens?

Put in that way it sounds very alarming. All it amounts to is that somebody sees a stock of standing timber and suggests to my Department that we approach the owner of the timber with a view to him selling. No pressure is brought to bear upon the owner of the timber, and I really cannot see anything dreadful about it.

Why has the Minister taken precautions to ensure that the landlord never discovers who has laid this information?

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the letter which has been sent out? I think that if he will get a copy of it he will find that it does not altogether tally with the information which he has just given. According to the letter, a copy of which I have seen, these men are being deliberately encouraged to spy and report things, and are promised a considerable reward if they do.

I will accept the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion with alacrity. I will have a look at the letter and compare it with the answer which I have given this afternoon.

Gestapo.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider the whole question of dockets and units, in view of the impossibility of newly-married ex-Servicemen being able to make a home with the numbers now allowed.

In spite of a considerable expansion in the production of furniture, floor coverings, bedding and curtain materials, we are not yet able to increase the number of dockets and units for these goods issued to new applicants owing to the continued heavy demand. We have, however, recently validated some of the deferred furniture units outstanding and we shall continue to do so as supplies improve.

Does the Minister realise that these men feel intensely about this matter, especially when they see shops full of all sorts of furniture made for people who have far more money to spend than ex-Servicemen? Cannot that material be put into a common pool?

That, of course, is not the case. I will be perfectly frank with the House. I am not satisfied with the amount of furniture, floor coverings, etc., that we are able to make available to ex-Servicemen and other people setting up home for the first time. The key to the whole matter is production. The simple truth is that we are not producing sufficient furniture and floor coverings at the moment to meet this pent-up demand. We are doing all we can to expand production, but there must necessarily be a period in which, this shortage will be felt, and I regret it more than anybody.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Tudhoe Co-operative Society are having great difficulty in supplying orders of utility furniture; that this society placed orders for flock mattresses in November, 1945, which have not been delivered; and if he will take steps to speed up delivery of these important articles.

In April last I looked into the difficulties which this society were having in getting supplies of utility furniture, and, as I informed my hon. Friend in a letter, dated 29th April, all but 13 of the items to which this society's complaint referred had then been delivered. If, however, the society have any further difficulties, I should be glad to have details, including the names of the suppliers.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are members of this society who have had bedsteads since November but have no flock mattresses to put upon them; and will he try to expedite the delivery of these particular flock mattresses?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the name, location, future work and number of men and women, respectively, to be employed in the Government factory allocated to Aberdeen.

I assume that my hon. and learned Friend is referring to the Government factory on the Tullos Estate at Aberdeen which, as my right hon. and learned Friend informed him on nth February, 1946, has been allocated to Tullos, Limited, for manufacture of agricultural machinery. The company hope to employ about 400 men and 200 women by the end of this year, these numbers rising eventually to 650 men and 300 women.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a survey and issue a statement as to factories and potential productivity of, and in, the city of Aberdeen, with a view to an extension of its varied industries.

As regards the extension of industry in the city of Aberdeen, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answers given to him on 17th December, 1945, and nth February, 1946, respectively. I do not propose to make a special survey of factories and their productivity within the city of Aberdeen; the second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there are available a great many sites other than those to which he has referred in previous answers, and would he make a survey of them with a view to developing the potentiality of Aberdeen to the utmost?

What my hon. and learned Friend is asking me to do is, to a certain extent, being done as a matter of course through the Scottish Regional Office of the Board of Trade, but we are not prepared to adopt the same methods with regard to Aberdeen as we are using in the case of the development areas. I do not think a case could be made out for special efforts to be directed to Aberdeen in view of the more special need of the development areas.

Does my hon. Friend realise that Aberdeen, by reason of its geographical position being so far North, stands in a very special position and does require such a survey?

asked the President of the Board of Trade which is the factory in Aberdeen for which an extension is approved but not yet started; when will the building of the extension start and finish; what is the present area of this factory and what will be its extended area; what work will it do; how many persons, male and female, respectively, has it hitherto employed and how many, male and female, respectively, will it employ when it is completed.

The factory is that of the North Eastern Agricultural Co-operative Society at Bannermill Works, Aberdeen. Work on the extension is expected to start in June and to be completed within a period of six to nine months. The area of the existing factory is about 38,000 square feet and the extension will add a further 30,000 square feet which will be used to house new granulating plant for the production of compound fertilisers. At present, the factory employs 25 males and seven females, and on completion it is expected to employ 40 males and 12 females.

Having regard to the number of people available for employment in Aberdeen, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to expedite the completion of the extension to which he refers?

I will see that the extension is completed as soon as it possibly can be.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that supplies of carnauba, can-dililla and ouri curi are confined to a few manufacturers only and that other manufacturers are unable to fulfil export orders based on the controlled figures, owing to a great rise in future prices following decontrol; and what steps he proposes to take.

I am not aware that any manufacturer is unable to obtain supplies of these commodities at current world prices. The limitation on prices which importers could pay in the countries of origin was removed in October last as a consequence of the withdrawal of import control by the United States of America. If the subsequent price increases have created difficulties for manufacturers who entered into commitments on the basis of prices ruling at the time of contract, the matter would seem to be one for negotiation between those manufacturers and their customers.

Does the Minister realise that this serious matter cannot be left where it is? The House has a right to be informed about the nature of these singular commodities.

I am sure the House will agree that it is not my duty to inform the House of the nature of these commodities.

Will the Minister say what he is doing to restore the balance of these prices? The price of carnauba a few months ago was £300 a ton and it is now £1,000 a ton. It is impossible to buy these materials on the market; I have been trying to buy them for some time without success. What is the Minister going to do about it?

The control was removed at the end of last year, and I would have thought that that would have satisfied hon. Members opposite. Because of the removal of the control and probably because of the tremendous demand for these commodities, the price has risen. This control was removed very largely as a result of the withdrawal of import control by the United States, and, in the absence of a renewal of import control by the United States, there is very little we can do about it.

On a point of Order. May I call attention to the fact that after the word " country,"In the second line of the Question, the words " during the last two years " should appear?

The answer has been framed to meet the Question which was asked. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given on 28th March to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Altrincham (Mr. Enroll).

After that tremendous amount of information, does the hon. Gentleman know that the feeling in. Liverpool is that the price at which cotton is being sold is—

It looks as if the hon. Member is giving information and not asking for it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Cotton Control has sold Ashmouni cotton at 14.50d. per lb., when the replacement value is 22.50d. per lb., a difference of 8d. per lb. or £24 per bale; and why the Cotton Control is selling at so much below world prices.

It has not been the practice during the war and in the present transitional period, in selling to users raw materials imported on public account, to follow closely the upward movement of replacement prices abroad, but rather to take account of the overall cost of Government purchases of the material as a whole, and in this way to maintain considerable stability of prices in this country. I should add, that in view of the advance over the past two years in the overall cost of Government purchases of cotton, selling prices are now being somewhat increased, and the price of the particular type referred to by the hon. Member will be raised to 16.5od. per lb.

Who will bear the eventual loss? Will it be the taxpayer? Is not the action of the Cotton Control detrimental to Empire cotton planters and their employees?

It is not at all certain that there will be eventual losses. I said in the original answer that we take account of the overall cost of Government purchases of the raw material as a whole. It may be that we are making a profit on some while making a loss on others. In any case, the justification is the maintaining of a stability of prices in this country, which, I think it will be agreed, enabled this country to emerge from the war with very remarkable stability.

How is the individual manufacturer of that particular forward contract going to meet the additional cost of cotton, deprived, as he is now, of a futures market?

I am afraid that that is quite a different question.

Is the principle of selling cotton in this country at values below the replacement price abroad consistent with our obligation under Bretton Woods?

That again is another question. In any case, we have not yet entered into the Bretton Woods Agreement. The point is, we have been doing what we are doing in order to maintain a stability of prices in this country and, in doing so, as far as I am aware, we have not hurt anybody.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer my supplementary question, namely, whether the policy of the Cotton Control is not detrimental to Empire cotton planters?

Surely not.

Of course, it is.

This appears to be a matter of a difference of opinion, at which I am not surprised. The point is, we are paying the Empire cotton producers the price which we think and they think is fair.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many perambulators were produced in April, 1946; and how many of these were retained for use in this country.

Complete statistics are not yet available, but from returns covering over 90 per cent. of the production it is estimated that April deliveries totalled 41,960 perambulators, of which 37,140 were delivered to the home market.

Has the production of perambulators caught up with the production for the corresponding period last year?

Would my hon. Friend guarantee that one of the perambulators referred to will be maintained and kept for the exclusive use of the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill).

I am sorry I am unable to give the figures of production for last year and compare them with those for this year, but if my hon. Friend will put down a Question I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been received for coupon floats in connection with the licensing of nonfood shops; how many applications for building licences since the beginning of this year; and how many applications in each case were successful.

It is no longer necessary to obtain a licence to open a non-food shop, but ex-traders, war-disabled persons and ex-Servicemen with previous experience are given special assistance in respect of coupon floats and building licences. Between 1st January and 30th April, 1946, 5,607 applications for coupon floats and building licences were received. Separate figures are not available. 2,085 applicants were granted coupon floats, and in 420 cases the Board of Trade have sponsored applications for building licences to the licensing authority.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that all the committees concerned with the granting of licences operate so that prewar traders, especially those who have served in the Forces, get a square deal?

We are extremely anxious to avoid any injustice to prewar traders, especially those serving in His Majesty's Forces

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of piano production is at present allocated to the home market.

Owing to the shortage of the raw materials needed, especially timber, the production of pianos is at present reserved for export only.

In view of the fact that pianos, apart from their potential artistic value, are also articles of domestic furniture, will my hon. Friend consider increasing the quota for the home market and, having done so, give preference in distribution to young married couples setting up home for the first time?

We might argue the merits of the piano as an article of artistic value; that will depend on one's neighbours. However, a piano cannot be described as a necessity, or anything approaching a necessity. It is essential to maintain an export trade, and we choose this as one of those things which can be exported with little harm to our own people.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the dearth of scientific books being sent from this country to Czechoslovakia and other central European countries; and whether he will facilitate an increase in the supply.

Trading with the enemy restrictions still apply to certain central European countries, and in other cases the shortage of scientific books in this country at present limits the supplies that can be sent. The Board of Trade and the Foreign Office are anxious to see an expanding export of books to these countries, and with that object in view the British Council has recently arranged book exhibitions in Czechoslovakia and certain other central European countries.

Is the shortage due to the absence of pulp for making the paper?

Very largely, yes.

Is there any reason for maintaining the trading with the enemy restriction? Does this not appear to be an obstacle to trade which might otherwise be taking place?

That is a totally different question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the position as regards the Pottery Working Party Report.

The Report of the Working Party for the pottery industry, which has now been published, is being considered by the Government. My right hon. and learned Friend wishes to express his gratitude to the Chairman and the members of the Working Party for a very useful Report. A number of Government Departments are affected and it will take time before decisions can be announced on those recommendations which call for Government action. Meanwhile, the views of the trade association and of the trade union on the recom- mendations are being sought. It is particularly important to reach decisions without delay on the proposed Pottery Advisory Board and on the statutory levies suggested for meeting the expenses of such a board, and of other activities designed to promote the interests of the industry as a whole. Many of the recommendations, however, concern individual manufacturers or the trade organisations rather than the Government, and my right hon. and learned Friend is anxious that the members of the industry should consider as a matter of urgency what action they can usefully take themselves in the light of these recommendations and raise any points of doubt or difficulty with the Board of Trade.

On another aspect of the question, is my hon. Friend aware that this Report is not yet available at the Vote Office; will he tell us, as Members of Parliament, if such reports should not be available to us at least as early as they are available to the Press, and whether such a policy will be followed in future in regard to working party reports?

This is not issued as a White Paper. This is a Stationery Office publication.

Is the main recommendation of this Report in favour of the continuity of private enterprise in this industry?

Answer.

With regard to the publication of these reports—of which I understand this is the first of several— could we have some consideration from the Government as to whether they could not be made available in the Vote Office, as many hon. Members are interested in studying the recommendations of these working parties? I really can see no reason why we should not get them earlier.

I understood one of the complaints against the present Government was that we were issuing too many White Papers. If hon. Members care to go to the Vote Office and ask for copies of these working party reports they will have no difficulty in getting them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much softwood timber for construction purposes was imported in the last three months for which he has statistics from the British zone of occupation in Germany; and how much hardwood timber in the same period.

During the three months, February to April, 1946, 4,970 standards of softwood and no hardwood were imported from the British zone of Germany.

We were told earlier this afternoon that we cannot export more goods because we cannot get hard wood. Why do we not get some from Germany?

We are very anxious to get all the timber we can from Germany, but the North German Timber Control has not been operating very long. We are anticipating an increase. The hon. Gentleman may be assured that the Board of Trade are anxious to import as much timber as we can get from Germany.

Will the hon. Gentleman, in order to increase the supply, consider suggesting to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the introduction into the British zone of Germany of a scheme under which German citizens report secretly of each other where the timber is?

I am always prepared to consider suggestions put forward by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much pulp or timber for pulping was imported from the British zone of occupation in Germany during the most recent three months for which he has statistics.

There have been no such imports.

Is it not utterly ridiculous that we cannot produce scientific books because we cannot get timber for pulp, and yet are told it is being systematically cut in Germany? Why do not we get it?

The hon. Gentleman assumes too easily that there is a surplus of pulp in Germany. There is not. In fact, they are importing it from Scandinavian countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he can now see his way to increase the number of clothing coupons on the next occasion.

My right hon. and learned Friend has already expressed the hope that the ration from next September will be at the annual rate of 52 coupons. The actual decision must be taken in the light of the latest information about the supply position, but my hon Friend can rest assured that my right hon. and learned Friend is most anxious to raise the ration to the highest possible level.

Will the hon. Gentleman give any indication when it will be possible to give an increase in clothing coupons?

I have already indicated that my right hon and learned Friend has expressed the hope that he will be able to do so in the September rationing period. I do not think the hon. Member can expect me to go beyond that.

asked the Prime Minister if he has yet decided under which Ministry the duty of protecting the coast line of Great Britain from coast erosion is to be placed.

I have been asked to reply. No, Sir. The Government's inquiries, which include an investigation into the measure of the problem, will take some time yet. For the present, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health will deal with questions which arise.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that during the Debate which took place in this House not very long ago all sides of the House pressed upon the Government the urgency of this problem, and the importance of getting a Minister appointed as soon as possible?

Yes, Sir. That is exactly what is under consideration and we have every intention of straightening it out. It is a great reflection on the previous Government that it has not been straightened out before.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will support the proposal before the Atomic Commission of the United Nations that all significant supplies of uranium and thorium throughout the world shall be owned or controlled by the United Nations.

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not aware that any such proposal has yet been made to the United Nations Commission. This is clearly only one aspect of the general problem of the international control of atomic energy, about which His Majesty's Government prefer to make no statement in advance of the discussions in the United Nations Commission.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this proposal is contained in the American Report on the control of atomic energy, and that it has the support of almost all informed opinion in both Britain and America; and cannot he make some more welcoming statement about this proposal?

My hon. Friend's Question asked whether the Government would support the proposal before the Atomic Energy Commission of the United Nations. It may be that there are such proposals before them, but we do not think it right to make any pronouncement until the Commission has had time to consider them.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that we should take the initiative in placing this matter before the Commission, as otherwise it is in danger of being lost sight of, and somebody must take the initiative before it can be discussed?

We did take that initiative. We were parties to bringing the matter before the United Nations. It would not be right for the Government to make an ex parte statement before the Commission has had the opportunity of considering it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Secretary of State Byrnes has in fact made a statement welcoming this particular proposal, and the proposals in the American Report, in general terms, and will His Majesty's Government consider making some statement parallel to that already made by the American Secretary of State?

I doubt whether that would be wise. We are parties to the discussion in the United Nations Commission, and I do not think it would be appropriate for us to make statements in advance. We shall, of course, be ready to make a statement when the United Nations Commission has come to its conclusion.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether oil piped in the Russian zone in Austria is subject to control and distribution by a joint Allied authority as is coal mined in the British zone; and whether British and Russian procedure on these matters will be brought into line.

I have been asked to reply. Hitherto, the disposal of all commodities produced in Austria has been a matter for the Zone Commanders. That applied to coal as well as to oil. Negotiations, however, are now in progress on the Allied Council in Vienna with a view to ensuring that the economic resources of the country will be used by the Austrian Government for the benefit of Austria as a whole.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at the moment none of the oil which is being piped in Austria is being controlled by any international authority whatever, but only by the Russians, and will that situation be remedied?

I will draw my hon. Friend's attention to that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has any statement to make on the recent international coal conference as it affects the Ruhr; and whether, in view of His Majesty's Government's economic responsibilities to the British zone, he proposes to accept a further increase of coal export from that area.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Anglo-French Conference last month at Essen and I can add little to the joint communique issued by the British and French delegations, of which I am sending him a copy. The proportion of Ruhr coal devoted to export is not a matter for determination by us alone, but by a quadripartite committee of the occupying Powers. While, on the one hand, production in the Ruhr has declined owing to the cut in rations, on the other, increased quantities of coal are needed for consumption in Germany if basic requirements, including the needs of food production and of industries ancillary to mining, are to be met; at the same time we fully recognise the serious situation in which our Western Allies are placed through the American coal strike. In view of France's particularly urgent requirements we are considering whether special measures can be taken to make more coal available to the European coal organisation, a proportion of which would of course go to France. Apart from this we are doing everything possible to increase production in the Ruhr, both for domestic consumption and export.

Will the hon. Gentleman convey to the Minister concerned that unless this system is changed there will be a shortage in the production of mining machinery throughout Europe owing to coal shortage in the Ruhr, which will lead to a long term deterioration of the European economic situation?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how the 850,000 tons of coal exported per month from the Ruhr are allocated, giving the tonnage exported to each country concerned.

In April, 162,000 tons were exported to Austria by agreement between the four occupying Powers. The remaining export tonnage was allocated by the European Coal Organisation as follows: 115,000 tons to France, 137,000 tons to Belgium, 130,000 tons to Netherlands, 113,000 tons to Denmark, 56,000 tons to Norway, 78,000 tons to Luxembourg, 9,000 tons to Italy, 11,000 tons to Switzerland, 30,000 tons to Sweden, 10,000 tons to Finland.

How are the economic needs of these countries determined? Will the Minister take into account the fact that Holland seems to have supplies sufficient for her transport, as she has derationed petrol altogether, and now we find that she is sharing in coal and is likely to get more? How is the need determined?

I suggest that that is another question.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which editors of German dailies, weeklies and specialised newspapers, including trade union journals, are now provided with British newspapers; to what other categories of Germans in official positions British newspapers are made available; and what British newspapers are so made available.

British newspapers and articles are supplied to editors of all licensed newspapers and periodicals in the British Zone, to politicians of all important political parties and to senior German officials in the regions and principal towns in the Zone. The newspapers and periodicals supplied are: "The Times," " Manchester Guardian Weekly," " Observer," " Spectator," " New Statesman," "Tribune," " Economist."This list will be extended as soon as initial difficulties of distribution have been overcome. In addition, we are providing 32 British trade union periodicals to the editor of the licensed German trade union journal.

Will not the hon. Gentleman include the " Daily Herald "In that list?

Why is not the " Daily Worker included?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Nazis have been removed from office in the British zone in Germany; how many have been interned; and how many are awaiting trial.

Roughly 102,000 have been removed from office and 57,000 excluded from holding office. Forty-five thousand are interned awaiting trial.

In view of the reported recrudescence of Nazi activity in the British zone, is the Minister satisfied that everything is being done to remove Nazi influence from his sphere of activities?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the approximate area of mature softwood trees and the approximate area of mature hardwood trees at present existing in the British zone of occupation in Germany.

Approximately 1,157,000 acres of mature softwoods and 703,000 acres of mature hardwoods.

Is it being systematically cut?

Yes, Sir.

Can the hon. Gentleman state in what quantities?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a fully trained and experienced woman is unable to obtain admission to a university or college to study for the National Diploma in Dairying before 1948; and what action he is taking to improve the facilities for agricultural higher education.

I am aware of the circumstances of this case. The Committee on Higher Agricultural Education, which reported on 1st February, and whose report I am now considering with the authorities concerned, did not anticipate a need for any considerable permanent increase in the facilities for higher agricultural education at the undergraduate level. At the same time, centres of higher agricultural education are doing all they can to cope with the present abnormal demand for courses, and in accordance with the Government's general policy, first preference as regards the session beginning in October next is being given to applications from ex-Service personnel.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us whether, quite apart from next session in October next, there will be any hope, in fact, next year?

I am afraid I could give no definite guarantee but, perhaps there will be more hope in October, 1947, than in 1946.

We may have a different Government then. But does that reply mean that girls from the W.L.A. will be at the end of the queue behind girls coming out of the three Services?

I did not say anything of the kind. Indeed, I think they are on a par.

Are they?

Could we know where they are?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what, respectively, will be the figures of production in live poultry and pigs in England and Wales anticipated owing to the cut in feeding stuffs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash (Colonel Ropner) on 20th May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much has been expended by the Forestry Commission at West Moors, Dorset, on the seedling nursery; how many seedlings have been sold; how many burnt; and what has been the average amount of labour employed at this establishment.

During the current season £2,056, including £1,274 on direct labour, has been expended at the nursery to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. 69,000 seedlings and transplants have been sold to the trade, and 76,000 of the surplus stocks, which the trade could not absorb and which would have been too big for use next season, have been burnt. The average labour employed at this establishment is one foreman, 21 other adults and six juveniles.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of this land is heath land, and that it has been ploughed, cleaned, and sown at least three times; and that when they at last got a crop the seedlings have been pulled out, bundled, and then burned?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman is not aware that in this area there are at the moment not fewer than 2,500,000 seedlings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consult with the Ministers for the Service Departments with a view to preventing the destruction of smoke bombs until their usefulness has been explored for the prevention of damage to fruit crops by spring frosts.

I am considering my hon. Friend's suggestion, and I will write to him on the matter when I have made further inquiries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will raise the salaries of scientific workers in his research stations to a higher level than £250 per annum, to ensure the recruitment of efficient men.

The salaries of qualified scientific workers in the research stations for which my Department is responsible are already generally in excess of £250 per annum, and the scales are now being reviewed in the light of the proposals in the White Paper on the Scientific Civil Service. If my hon. Friend has any particular grade in mind, perhaps he will let me have details.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider these salaries in relation to those of the workers in the fishery research station?

I think I said that these salaries are being reviewed in the light of the White Paper on the Scientific Civil Service

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will discuss with the Canadian military authorities the exchange of accommodation occupied by them at the Government Buildings, Bromyard Avenue, Acton, with the Ministry of Pensions staff now evacuated to Blackpool, thereby giving the people of Blackpool an opportunity of entertaining Dominion Forces and. at the same time, returning nearly 500 of the Ministry's staff to their homes in London after an absence of seven years.

As regards the return to London of the evacuated staff of the Ministry of Pensions, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23rd May. The position as to the buildings at Acton to which the hon. and gallant Member refers will no doubt be examined as part of the general question.

Will the hon. Gentleman give us any idea as to how long the Canadian military authorities are likely to occupy this building?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will arrange for shipments of rationed food from the Dominions to this country equivalent to the number of coupons surrendered there by housewives for this purpose.

While I am not aware of any arrangement for the surrender of food coupons by Canadian housewives, I can assure the hon. Member that the Canadian Government are fully alive to the food situation in this country, and are in constant touch with the United Kingdom authorities concerned with a view to the supply to this country of as much food as Canada can spare. As the hon. Member knows, the attitude of the Canadian authorities in this matter is uniformly generous.

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply to the Question, which was not limited to Canada, mean that he has made inquiries of all the Dominions, and that there is no scheme by which house-wives surrender rationed foods?

There is one Dominion where that does happen. I will cause inquiries to be made with regard to the other suggestion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the qutoa of 30,000 immigrants recently announced by New South Wales includes any special categories of immigrants from this country and if it includes or excludes Poles.

I have seen the brief report which recently appeared in the Press but have no further information with regard to it. The matter is one for the Australian authorities, but I understand that they are not as present in a position to indicate what categories or classes of persons may eventually be required for settlement.

Surely this is a case not only for the Australian authorities but for this country? In view of the intense interest in this question, and the unfortunate anxiety of many of the better elements to take advantage of it, will the hon. Gentleman go into this question more carefully to discover whether it is, in fact, a mare's nest, or if it is true? If it is true, will he make known all the details of how immigrants from this country can take advantage of it?

This, after all, is the responsibility of the Australian Government.

Will the hon. Gentleman, in view of the great interest in emigration at the present time, and the great anxiety of people to leave this country— for some reason we do not know—which anxiety is greater than at any time in our history, arrange that when there is an officially issued statement by any Dominion Government, a copy shall be placed in the Library?

I am not aware of this demand for early emigration.

Will the hon. Gentleman make a simple inquiry of the Australian Government whether this report is true or not?

Yes, Sir, that matter can be looked into.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will give an estimate of the amount of illiteracy among the adult population of British India.

The only estimate that I can give is that mentioned in the report of the Central Advisory Board of Education in India, namely, that over 85 per cent. of the population is still illiterate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether in view of the recent decisions of His Majesty's Government he will arrange for the evacuation from India of all European women and children immediately.

No, Sir; nor am I aware of any justification for the suggestion that immediate evacuation is required.

Who will guarantee the safety of European women and children if British rule is withdrawn, either during trouble in India or when the Russians walk in?

All I would say in reply to that question is, that I think it is regrettable that any suggestion should be made that is likely to give concern to the minds of those who have relatives and friends in India.

Would it not be much better if the hon. and learned Gentleman, instead of having to direct his attention to such cockeyed questions as that, addressed his attention to the great need for passages for Europeans in India, who for many years have not been able to get them?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India on what date Dr. Sjahrir, Prime Minister of the Indonesian Republic, offered 500,000 tons of rice to India; and whether, in view of India's need for rice, negotiations have now begun for the shipment of this rice to India in exchange for cotton textiles for the Indonesian Republic.

Dr. Sjahrir's offer was made in a statement to a Press representative in Java early in April. I can assure the hon. Member that the possibility of procuring any supplies of rice which may be available in Java is being actively pursued by His Majesty's Government in conjunction with the Government of India and in consultation with the Netherlands Government.