asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many poles complying with G.P.O. standards, are held in stock by the G.P.O., or by any other Department on its behalf; how many have been ordered for the use of the G.P.O., and if he will give similar figures for poles of equivalent quality available in this country to the electricity supply industry.

Apart from poles issued but not yet erected, the number of which, of course, varies from day to day, the G.P.O. have about 140,000 poles in stock. The greater part of this stock is in sizes usable only by the G.P.O., and a considerable proportion is below the normal G.P.O. standard or has not yet been creosoted. No stocks are held by any other Department on behalf of the G.P.O. The only stocks held by the electricity supply industry are small day to day working stocks. Of the 96,000 poles expected to be available for use this year, 45,000 have been allocated to the Electricity Commission. The G.P.O. will receive 37,000 poles due in the second half of the year.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say what is the value of these poles per pole?

I am afraid that I cannot give that information in reply to a supplementary question, but if the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I will do my best to answer it.

Are there not a large number of poles, the lack of which is hindering agricultural production, and which are surplus to Air Ministry requirements, that could be made available for this purpose?

So far as I am aware, that is not the case, but I am prepared to look into the matter.

Would not a greater use of ferro-concrete poles ease the situation?

That is another question, but I am prepared to look into all these matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied, having regard to the importance of electricity supplies to the community, that sufficient priority is being given to the electricity supply industry in the allocation of poles, as compared with that accorded to the G.P.O.

The allocation of supplies for 1946 has been made in consultation with the Departments concerned, including the Electricity Commission, and has been accepted by them.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied that the number of poles allocated to the electricity industry is sufficient, in view of the very great demand for the extension of electricity in the rural areas?

I am satisfied that the allocation of poles to the Electricity Commission is fair. In so far as there is a shortage, we are doing our best to provide them with what they need, but we have to allocate as between different people.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the 96,000 poles, which are estimated to be coming in during the year, will be coming from Scandinavia?

That is quite a different question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the forthcoming negotiations for the sale of rubber from the Empire to the U.S.A., such negotiations are to be conducted by representatives of the rubber producing industry on the one side and rubber consuming industry on the other, or by Government officials.

Representatives of the United States Government are now in London

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of tons of paper exported in the most recent three months for which he has particulars; and how much was allotted to papers specialising in trade matters during the same period.

Exports of all descriptions of paper and board and articles made therefrom for the three months February to April, 1946, amounted to 21,838 tons. Precise figure of the consumption of paper by newspapers and periodicals specialising in trade matters is not available, but I estimate that it would amount to 1,500 tons.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, owing to this ex- discussing future arrangements for the purchase of rubber from the Far Eastern rubber producing territories with representatives of His Majesty's Government. In these discussions, I am assisted by representatives of the London registered rubber companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the present average prices of the four principal raw materials imported from the U.S.A. into the United Kingdom; what were the corresponding prices in 1938; and what is the difference in percentage in these prices.

As the answer includes a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

It would be, if the supplies of paper were available, but they are not.

Do not the figures, which the Parliamentary Secretary has given, show that there is enough paper, and that he is not using it for the right purposes?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the closing of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange has been instrumental in the reopening of the Bremen cotton market; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this business being lost to Britain.

The facilities of the Exchange are being utilised by the military Government for the distribution of certain quantities of cotton which are being imported into Germany by the United States authorities for spinning in the American zone, but there is no question of the resumption of purchasing abroad on private account by members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange or of the reopening of that Exchange.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the closing of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange has resulted in old established and valuable business being transferred to foreign countries, with a fatal loss of invisible exports to this country?

All these questions were fully considered during the Debate, and I see no reason for a change of opinion.

Is it not the case that this House decided, by an overwhelming majority, that this institution should be closed down?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider consulting members of the Liverpool Cotton Asociation to see whether the foreign business formerly done by the Liverpool Cotton Exchange could be saved to this country, and will he consider some method of doing this?

That subject has been considered very thoroughly by the Liverpool Cotton Association, and I anticipate that the Lord President of the Council will be announcing the Government's decision on the matter before very long.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that utility furniture purporting to be made of mahogany is in fact often only stained a colour similar to that of mahogany though the price charged is that of the genuine article; that oak tables sold as genuine have beech legs in many cases; and if he will take steps to prevent members of the public being exploited in this way.

We have followed the accepted trade practice in describing the articles of furniture in the utility range according to the predominant timber, or veneer, used in the face surfaces. Other materials used are stained to match the predominant shade. Since the prices of these articles are related to detailed specifications prescribing the materials which may be used in their manufacture, the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question does not arise.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider making some arrangements so that these items of furniture can be indelibly stamped with the types of wood which are incorporated in them?

I foresee difficulties there, but I do not mind having a look at it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a general issue of dockets will now be made to householders in rural areas who had evacuees billeted on them, to enable them to replenish household goods such as sheets, pillow cases and linoleum which are now worn out.

No, Sir. While supplies are so short, I regret that I cannot see my way to extend the issue of priority dockets as the hon. and gallant Member suggests. Dockets are not issued for pillow cases which can be purchased without surrender of coupons.

Can the Minister state if there is any hope in the near future of these people being able to get dockets for sheets and so on, as they are getting very short?

We shall be able to relax the restrictions just as quickly as production catches up with demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of dustbins in West Ham, and Upton in particular; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome this shortage.

I am aware that there has been a general shortage of dustbins due to a shortage of suitable raw materials. I am glad to say that supplies of these materials have improved recently, and West Ham and Upton will get their share of the resulting increased production of dustbins.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is not a question of production but rather one of maldistribution, because in certain parts of North and West London there is an over abundance of dustbins, and could he get some of them directed to the East End?

I can only suggest that my hon. Friend gives me the details of this maldistribution, and I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the report of the Central Price Regulation Committee on their inquiries into the radio valve industry; and when this report will be published.

The draft report will be considered by the Central Price Regulation Committee on Tuesday, and I expect to have the final report shortly after. I will consider the question of its publication after I have received it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the largest selling wool dress cloth comes in class 210A and is now sold 54 inches wide for three coupons a yard, and that, owing to in creases in costs and wages, manufacturers cannot continue this cloth at the price, which entails it going into four and a half coupons per yard, he will raise the specification for this cloth from 210A to 210B, for three coupons.

The hon. Member is misinformed. The utility wool dress cloth of Specification No. 210A is not the largest selling of the utility wool dress cloths, forming less than 20 per cent, of the total output. Moreover, production of cloth No. 210A, far from decreasing, is in the current period some 140 per cent, in excess of production in the corresponding period a year ago. There is, therefore, no reason to make any change in the coupon arrangements.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if this concession is not granted the public will pay four and a half coupons a yard for exactly the same cloth for which they have to give three coupons a yard, thus reducing the already meagre coupon allowance?

No, Sir.

The hon. Gentleman does not know his job.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will authorise the necessary additional clothing coupons for men engaged as musical directors of orchestras.

No, Sir. I sympathise with such people but they must look for relief to such increases as become possible in the basic ration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if arrangements have been made to provide Dominion and Colonial troops visiting this country for the purpose of taking part in the Victory Parade on 8th June with the coupons necessary to purchase articles they desire to take back to their homes.

No, Sir. I am sure that, in view of the shortage of clothes here, our visitors from the Empire will be content to purchase articles which are not rationed.

Has not the hon. Gentleman got it wrong? Is it not the case that the people of this country would wish visitors to take home with them some recollection of perhaps their first and only visit to this country?

That is entirely a matter of opinion. My feeling is that the majority of the people of this country would prefer to keep here the clothes of which they are being deprived at the present time.

Is it not a fact that the delegates who came here for the U.N.O. Conference were provided with coupons and, that being so, could not similar arrangements be made in this case?

Arrangements are being, and will be, made to cover the needs of people who come from parts of the world where the clothing usually worn is not suitable for the climate here.

Can my hon. Friend say how many tens of thousands of coupons have been given away to visitors who come to see us for business, compassionate or surreptitious reasons? Will he stop giving away 90 coupons to anybody who comes to Britain?

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the advertising value of letting these people take a few British articles back with them?

The predominant consideration in my mind, and in the mind

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will increase the supplies of yarn for making cloth for bookbinding so as to match the quantity of books which is being produced with the paper now available.

The allocation of cotton yarn for book cloth was raised in March last, and increased supplies of cloth should shortly be coming forward. I am well aware that book cloth is short and hope soon to be able to raise the allocation further but there are many other important claims on our limited supplies of cotton yarn, and I cannot undertake to see that increases in the supply of book cloth will be exactly matched up with increases in the supply of paper.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the gap between supplies of book cloth and the amount of paper available for publishing books is a of the Department I represent, is that our own people are still in need.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new factories, extensions and modernisations approved for development areas in 1046; and what progress has been made.

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

The trouble, of course, is that paper supplies have improved more rapidly than cotton yarn, but we are aware of this wide gap and that is why I said we hope we shall be able to raise the allocation shortly.

There are at present something like five million books unbound at the binders, awaiting covers, and will the hon. Gentleman take some urgent steps to try to release these books to the British public, who are so eagerly awaiting them, especially students?

Will the Minister explain what he means by " shortly "? Will it be within the next two weeks or within the next month, or can he give any indication?

I am sure the hon. and gallant Member does not expect me to give a definite period. I have given an undertaking that, so far as we can, we will do what we can to ease the situation. So far as unbound books are concerned, the problem is one of cotton yarn, and as soon as we get more yarn we will increase the allocation.

Is the Minister aware that most of the books published today deserve only paper bindings?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he has made to make known the information regarding German trade processes obtained by B.I.O.S. to all manufacturers in this country.

The arrangements for the distribution of reports on German trade processes prepared by the British Intelligence Objectives Sub-Committee investigators were given on 14th November and 30th January last, in replies to questions put by the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) and the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll), copies of which I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member. Present arrangements for publicising the information contained in these reports are as follows: particulars of the reports are listed, on publication, in the Board of Trade Journal and in the monthly list of Government Publications issued by His Majesty's Stationery Office; these lists are circulated to the trade and technical Press, who can obtain copies on request for reviewing, and to Chambers of Commerce. Consolidated lists, with reports arranged under subject headings, will be issued from time to time.

Is the hon. Gentleman quite happy that this process is not being interfered with by too much recognition of German patents?

That seems to me to be altogether a different question, but if the hon. and gallant Member likes to put down a Question to that end, I will do my best to answer it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, despite his intentions as to; the system of this distribution, the fact remains that a large number of manufacturers are not receiving this information, and could he not consider broadening the basis of distribution?

The best thing that can be done is for the hon. Gentleman to give me details and I will do my best to look into the matter.

Is there any reason at all why the Government should not advertise to the people in the various industries that this information is available?

Surely the fact that we are publishing the full facts in the Board of Trade Journal and in the monthly list of Government publications, issued by the Stationery Office, which are circulated to the trade and technical Press, shows that we are doing as much as we can be expected to do to advertise them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to encourage the industrial development of the Western Isles.

The possibility of expanding industry in the Western Isles is under urgent examination, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and the other Ministers concerned, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not easy to attract new industry to this remoter part of the British Isles. I shall be happy to consider any suggestions he may have to make for this district.

Is my hon. Friend aware that we are gradually moving towards the end of a full Session of Parliament and that I have received a similar answer to this since the beginning of Parliament, that the conditions are similar to those of 1936 which this House, by Resolution, regarded as conditions of distress, and as these conditions are rapidly deteriorating, will not the Government take some initiative in the matter?

I would not accept the criticism implied in the last part of my hon. Friend's question, and all I can suggest is that the best way of meeting this matter is for him to come and see me, when I shall be very pleased to discuss it with him.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that there are hundreds of unemployed men in the Western Isles who, during the war, were engaged in mine sweeping and rendered yeoman service second to none in the British Empire? Surely the President of the Board of Trade and the Minister of Supply ought to be able to get together and do something to get them work.

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the very high level of unemployment in the Western Isles—[An HON. MEMBER: " Why not do something?"] If the hon. Member opposite will spare me his interruptions I will try to show what we are doing about it. Early in March, at the request of the Scottish Regional Industries Panel, the Scottish Home Department agreed to conduct an inquiry, with the other Scottish Departments concerned, into the question of unemployment in this area. The Committee has not yet reported but I can give the assurance that when the report is received there will be no hesitation on the part of the Board of Trade doing what it can to ease what, I agree, is a most difficult situation.

Will the hon. Gentleman do all that lies in his power to get this Committee to send in its report at once? If the members were unemployed and depending on 24s. a week, they would get a move on.

Yes, Sir.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the most unsatisfactory answer, I shall raise this matter at the earliest possible moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the reasons for the recent increase in price of American raw cotton by 1d. per pound and Egyptian raw cotton by 2d. per pound; whether the trade was consulted prior to the increase being made; and for what period can the cotton industry be assured that there will be no further increases in price.

The reason is the advance in the overall cost of Govern- ment purchases of cotton since April, 1944, when the Control's selling prices were last fixed. The cotton trade was not consulted. It is hoped to maintain this general level for an appreciable period.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that while this absolutely fortuitous system of price fixing remains in force, manufacturers ought to be entitled to know that these prices will be maintained for a considerable time?

I hope they will be maintained for a considerable time, but we must naturally have regard to the movement of prices elsewhere. If prices rise steeply elsewhere we may have to follow them in order not to put ourselves into the position of making losses.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider setting up some machinery so that cotton spinners can be consulted?

No, Sir, we cannot possibly contemplate consulting people who might, in consequence, be placed in a position where they could use that inside knowledge for making profit.

How does the hon. Gentleman propose that manufacturers of cotton goods, who make contracts for forward delivery, will be able to cover themselves against these increased costs?

There is a full system of compensation. Any spinner who was short of cotton at the time the price changed can obtain compensation under the cover scheme now in operation by the Control.

Can my hon. Friend say what would be the price if the Liverpool Futures Market were operating, and the fortuitous system at present ruling were destroyed at the request of the Opposition?

The current price at which the Control is selling American cotton to spinners in Lancashire is less than the New York spot price.

Will the hon. Gentleman issue a profit and loss account of these charges?

That is another question.

When the hon. Gentleman says that compensation will be paid, is it not a fact that it will be paid by taxing the people of this country?

No, Sir.

Where will the money come from?

It is all part of the transactions of the Cotton Control.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is against the spirit of the Bretton Woods Agreement?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take on the Report of the Cotton Industry Working Party.

As the answer is long, I will, with permission, make a statement after Questions.

My right hon. and learned Friend is deeply grateful to Sir George Schuster and to the members of the Working Party for the cotton industry who have set out, in a Report of great clarity and ability, covering an immense field, problems that must be considered urgently by the industry and the Government. The Report is receiving the close attention of the Government, but consideration of so important a document must necessarily take some time. I trust that, in the meantime, individual firms in the industry, and representative organisations, will study the Report very carefully since it is clear that early action will have to be taken by all concerned to put this major industry on a sound and healthy basis. The various sections of the industry will, no doubt, put forward their own views as to the main objectives and recommendations of the Report; and the Government will wish, before final decisions are reached, to have the opportunity of discussing some important aspects of the proposals with bodies representing employers and operatives in the industry.

The Working Party have recommended that a Cotton Council should be set up as a central body for the industry and should have among its functions the responsibility of supplying a channel through which the industry as a whole could express their views to the Government. This function would be inherited from the present Cotton Board, which was set up under the Cotton Industry Act, 1940, and the Government have decided that the Cotton Board should continue to exercise it until such time as any desirable constitutional or other adjustments have received legislative sanction. I am glad to say that the members of the Cotton Board have agreed to remain in office, and my right hon. and learned Friend has been assured of their wholehearted cooperation in the task. Sir Raymond Streat has accepted our invitation to make his services available over the next five years as Chairman of the Cotton Board, and in a similar position on any new successor body.

There are two further points on which the Working Party recommended immediate action: They proposed that surveys should be made of the existing plant, capacity, etc., of the industry, and the Government regard the carrying out of such surveys as an essential and, they hope, non-controversial preliminary to any measures designed to help the re-equipment of the industry. Arrangements are, therefore, being made jointly by the Cotton Board and the Cotton Control to institute surveys forthwith. The Working Party have also made recommendations for an immediate investigation into certain aspects of the position on textile machinery supplies. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, whose Department, working in conjunction with the textile machinery manufacturers, have been stimulating the supply of textile machinery, appointing a small committee—under the chairmanship of the Hon. Mr. Justice Evershed—to investigate on his behalf and report on those matters connected with the manufacture and supply of textile machinery to the cotton industry recommended for immediate investigation in the Report of the Working Party.

Meanwhile, the Government wish it to be clearly understood that every desirable measure for improving output by individual firms should be pressed forward with urgency, and that the consideration of the Report should not be regarded as a reason for delay. If, in any case, the Board of Trade can help to overcome difficulties they will be glad to be consulted.

Will exchange be made available if firms wish to import, say, automatic machinery, from America, to fulfil the suggestions made in this Report?

That, of course, is one of the questions which will have to be considered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, who, as I have informed the House, is looking into this matter as one of urgency.

Pending the final decision of the Government on the recommendations in this Report, and the necessary introduction of legislation, to what extent will the powers of the present Cotton Board be extended?

It is not proposed, at the moment, to extend the powers of the Cotton Board at all; they will continue with their present functions. What will happen to the Cotton Board, or whether any other body will be substituted for the Board eventually, is a matter for consideration.

In view of the importance of this industry to the export trade, and the necessity for urgency in putting it on its feet, has my hon. Friend considered whether any advantage would be gained by having a discussion in the House on the Report before the Government have committed themselves to any policy?

That is a question which I should have thought would appropriately have been put to the Leader of the House, and I suggest that my hon. Friend does so.

But will my hon. Friend bear in mind that I was not asking about time for discussion, but whether he thought it was a desirable thing to do? If he does not, there would be no need to get into touch with the Leader of the House.

I am not sure that what I feel about the matter will have a great deal to do with it, but I will certainly consider it.

In considering this Report in detail, will the Government first of all direct their attention to those parts of the Report on which complete agreement has been reached?

I should think that would follow naturally.

Will the hon. Gentleman give the names and emoluments of the Textile Machinery Committee, which is to be set up under Mr. Justice Evershed?

That has not yet been determined. I can only suggest that the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question.

Will Sir Raymond Streat, or whoever is in control for the next few years, be authorised by the Government to deal in futures? I want an answer to that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the function of Panel B; the names of the respective members; and what positions they hold in the various Ministries or Departments of State.

This Panel is responsible for coordinating inter-Departmental consideration of the disposal of surplus Government factories for peacetime production, and for making recommendations thereon to my right hon. and learned Friend, the President of the Board of Trade. The chairman is an official of the Board of Trade, and all Departments concerned are represented on the Panel by appropriate officials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of the furs that have been imported from the U.S.A. during the three months ending 31st May; and what this represents in dollars.

Imports of fur skins from the United States during the first four months of this year were valued, c.i.f., at £1.4 million. The dollar cost of these imports is not available, nor is it possible yet to give the value of the imports during May.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that advertisements have appeared in the Press advertising large forthcoming consignments of furs from America? Does he not consider this a misuse of dollars, which should be prohibited?

So far as I know, practically all these furs have been undressed fur skins, and I do not think that a figure of £1.4 million for the first four months of this year indicates a tremendous flow of furs into this country, or a corresponding export of dollars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the numerous complaints from ex-Servicemen, trying to make a livelihood at weaving Harris tweed in the Outer Hebrides, owing to difficulty in, and in some cases the impossibility of, obtaining supplies of yarn for their work; and what early steps he proposes to take to assist these men to establish themselves in their native districts.

The bulk of the yarn for the Harris tweed industry comes from the spinning mills in the Islands, who have been offered every assistance to increase their production as fast as possible. The demand, however, for yarn in the Islands appears to be considerably greater than before the war, and, while weavers who were engaged in the industry before the war are receiving supplies, there is at present not enough to meet all the demands from persons now wishing to begin weaving. This problem of yarn supply is under urgent investigation at present by representatives of all the Departments concerned.

Is my hon. Friend aware that here is an opportunity to help a staple industry, which can help largely to solve the unemployment problem? Is he further aware that I have been receiving the same reply for the last two or two and a half years, and will he do something urgently to give these men a chance to rehabilitate themselves in their own area?

We have this problem very much in mind, and there is every anxiety on our part to deal with the situation in the Islands. As a matter of fact, some of the mainland mills have been supplying substantial quantities of yarn to the Islands, and we have asked that as supplies improve an increased proportion shall be sent to the Islands.

In view of the fact that the livelihood of many men on the Islands is affected, should not the Government give this matter priority?

It is all very well, but there is a shortage of yarn. I do not know whether it is suggested that we should solve the unemployment problem in the Western Isles by creating unemployment elsewhere, but I do not think we should. I think we should do everything in our power to help these people without interfering too much with people elsewhere. That is precisely what we are doing.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland there is a feeling that ex-Service-men are being treated worse than we are going to treat the Poles?

If I may be allowed to put a supplementary question, affecting my own constituency—

On a point of Order. Is my hon. Friend aware that I put Questions affecting this part of Scotland before he came here?

Would the Parliamentary Secretary take into special consideration the fact that this industry has contributed out of all proportion to its size to our export trade with the United States in the dollar area? Does he realise that it is one of the two hopeful industries in the Islands, and will he give special consideration to it from that point of view, and not only from the point of view of the ex-Servicemen themselves?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many tractors and agricultural implements were imported into India during the first quarter of 1946.

Sixty-eight Crawler, 39 wheeled and 6 small garden tractors for agricultural purposes and 69 agricultural implements for power cultivation. There is no information available regarding tractors imported for purposes other than agriculture.

Does not the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the numbers are very small, in view of the tremendous requirements?

We are governed by conditions in the world market.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state the total number of electors to the Legislative Assembly in such Provinces of British India as have provided the necessary information; and, in each case, the proportion borne by the elector ate to the total adult population.

I have now received an advance copy of the information which, as stated in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 20th May, will in due course be published in a return showing the results of the elections in India. The total electorate for all classes of constituencies in the recent Indian Legislative Assembly elections was 1,610,692. The number on the electoral rolls in contested constituencies was 1,033,346, and the number of votes polled was 539,881, and not 583,351 as stated in my answer to the hon. Member's Question on 6th May. The 1941 census does not record separately the total adult population of India, but according to a rough estimate worked out by the Government of India the number of persons in British India above 20 years of age is 155,000,000. The percentage of the total electorate to this figure is 1.04 per cent.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Cabinet Mission have obtained guarantees that any independent Government of India will honour the obligations of its present Government in respect of pensions.

No, Sir, but these and other matters will come up for negotiation and settlement in due course in connection with transfer of power to the Government of the new Independent India. The stage for such negotiations has, however, not yet been reached.

Will the Minister give an assurance that the British Government intend to safeguard the rights of these pensioners, many of whom contributed to their pensions?

I have just indicated that the matter of pensions will be the subject of negotiation in due course.

That is not an answer.

Is the Minister aware that this matter is causing some uneasiness, and that although we in the House have no doubt about the intentions of the Government, a reassuring statement would be very welcome to many people?

I can assure the hon. Member that the question of pensions will obviously be safeguarded by His Majesty's Government.

That is better.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will give the amounts of imported food grains now secured to meet Indian requirements; what allocations are now reaching India each month; and by what amount of tonnage requirements are still short.

As regards the first part of my hon. Friend's Question, I would refer him to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Lord President on Friday last. In reply to the second part, about 235,000 tons of cereals were shipped to India in May and over 200,000 tons have already been arranged for shipment in June. In addition, about 80,000 tons of rice will be shipped to India during the second quarter of 1946 against her allocation of 146,000 tons for this period. As regards the last part of the Question, India's total requirements for imports of foodgrains, including rice, during 1946, were stated by the Government of India last March at about 4,000,000 tons. It is not yet possible to say by what amount of tonnage supplies for the whole year will fall short of requirements, since no programme has yet been arranged for the shipment of any cereals for the last quarter of 1946, nor have any rice allocations yet been made for the second half of the year.

Can my hon. and learned Friend give an estimate of the position at the present tune, and also inform us whether steps are being taken to find any extra means of meeting the requirements?

I am not in a position to give an estimate of the approximate shortage, as I have just indicated in my reply.

Can the Minister say why, if today he can give the figures of Indian requirements, the Lord President of the Council refused to give them on Friday last?

I can answer for my own sins of omission, but not for those of anybody else.

Will the Minister take steps to see that the House is furnished with regular statistical information showing the provisional allocations, the final allocations and the shipments as they take place, as set against India's requirements? Is he aware that what we suffer from more than anything else is a lack of information?

The difficulty arises, with regard to the supplementary questions of the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. Nicholson) and the right hon. Member for Southport (Mr.. R. S. Hudson), that the Combined Food Board have been dealing with the matter in respect of different periods of time. The question to which the right hon. Gentleman addressed himself on Friday referred to the whole year, whereas my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council was dealing with the five months from May to September.

In view of the great responsibility and the poignant anxiety which every one of us must feel about the position, surely the Minister could carry out the suggestion made by my hon. Friend and place in the Library each week a statement of the minimum import requirements of India and the amount which is arriving?

I am afraid we are not in possession of information as to the minimum import requirements for a particular week. The Government of India stated their estimated requirements for 1946. If it were possible, I would certainly do as the hon. Member suggested, but I think the practical difficulties are such that it would not be possible.

Can my hon. and learned Friend say that at the present time the food requirements of India are being met and are likely to be met in the immediate future?

I can say that at the present time the food requirements of the population of India, in the sense that the system of distribution has not broken down, are being met, but I am not in a position to say what will be the situation in two months' time.

In view of the fact that the lack of information has been such that it has been very difficult to get information on the subject, could the Minister make some helpful suggestion as to how the House might better keep track of this tragic situation?

I shall be only too glad to consider whether it would be possible to give further information to the House, as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma how Mr. Stanley, a Burma railways official, lost his life on or about 14th April.

I have received the following report. Mr. Stanley and his wife were travelling with six others in a compartment of a train from Mandalay to Rangoon. In the early morning of 20th April three unknown Burmans entered the compartment and when the train was in motion held up the passengers with a revolver. Mr. Stanley did not appear to understand Burmese and did not comply with the demands of the robbers who thereupon shot and killed him and subsequently jumped from the train between stations. Arrests have been made and an identification parade is to be held.

Was this an isolated instance, or have there been hundreds of cases of murder and serious injury due to the operation of armed bands?

I am not prepared to say that there have been hundreds of cases. In reply to a later Question, I shall be dealing with the general position as regards internal security.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma (1) if he will give further information about the incident in April, when an omnibus on the Prome road about 60 miles from Rangoon was held up and three Indian soldiers were shot by dacoits;

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma, why defence guns have been withdrawn from villages in the Lewe township; and if he is aware that this has resulted in many poor and defenceless villagers being victimised by dacoits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma if he is aware that armed dacoits recently attacked and looted a motor sampan and a vessel called " Yetama " at Padokawa; that they announced their intention of looting the " Yindaik " as soon as she might appear; and what steps have been taken to round up this gang.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma how many cases have occurred of armed hold-ups on the Taungdwingi railway in which the railway staff were involved.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether he will give further details of the attack made by dacoits in April on a police post near Shwegyin in the Toungoo district when four policemen were murdered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma (1) if he is aware that at Shwebo, dacoities often involving murder are of frequent occurrence; and what steps he is taking to prevent them; (2) if he is aware that in the Pyinmana, Toungoo and other areas in Burma, employees of firms who are endeavouring, under Government control, to re-establish the country, are unable to tour the country without an armed escort of 20 men, and what measures he is taking to alter these conditions.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether he is aware that no vessel can proceed from Mandalay to Upper Burma unless accompanied by a military guard and an armed escort vessel; and what steps he is taking to deal with this situation.

I have asked the Governor for the specific information for which hon. Members have asked and will communicate with them on receipt of his reply. Meanwhile I can assure them that I am well aware of the serious situation as regards law and order which the authorities in Burma are facing at the present time. In some parts of Burma it is generally better than it was in the earlier months of the year, but in others, it continues to give grounds for anxiety and special steps, both general and local, have been taken to meet it. In particular additional measures have been concerted with the military authorities whose cooperation is proving most valuable and effective in dealing with well-armed bands of dacoits whose suppression is in a number of cases beyond the unaided resources of the police. Other measures, such as the provision of additional police officers on loan from the Army, extra armed police in all areas and for the rivers, armed guards on trains, and naval craft for the protection of river traffic, are all being put into operation.

Has the attention of the hon. and learned Gentleman been directed to the perfectly staggering figures in an official return, which says that there have been 785 robberies, 265 murders, 347 cattle thefts and 558 robberies with attempted murder in March in districts excluding Rangoon?

I was not aware of those exact figures.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that the situation in Burma is very serious indeed, and that the best way of restoring good order is by securing the enthusiastic cooperation of the Burmese Nationalist leaders instead of maintaining the stuffy old-fashioned Imperialist attitude still maintained by Government House, Rangoon?

On a point of Order. Is it in Order, Mr. Speaker, for an hon. Member opposite to call out "Traitor " when speaking of an hon. Member on this side?

I did not hear any hon. Member use that word, but if one hon Member accused another of being a traitor it would be out of Order and he should withdraw the remark.

I am not prepared to accept the view that the policy carried out from Government House, Rangoon, is an Imperialistic policy. The policy which the Governor is carrying out is that of His Majesty's Government, who have made it clear, time and time again, that they are seeking to move as quickly as possible towards granting full self-government to the people of Burma.

In view of the interruption of trade on the waterways of Burma, is the hon. and learned Gentleman able to inform the House that drastic steps are being taken in order to see that that trade is allowed to proceed as quickly as possible?

I had hoped that my reply would have made it clear that the Government of Burma were taking every step possible to deal with this problem.

On a point of Order. When one hon. Member, Mr. Speaker, accuses another of saying something unparliamentary, should he not name the hon. Member concerned? No one on this side heard the remark referred to.

I distinctly heard the word "Traitor," but I am not prepared to identify the individual hon. Member who called out the word.

I did not hear it myself, but I think it would be better to let the matter drop.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma if he has any information to give about the attempted assassination of Mr. Butler on Saturday, 28th April, whilst returning from Dalla to Rangoon.

I have received the following report. On 27th April, in Rangoon, an Indian named Majid Khan attempted to remove Mr. Butler's dispatch case from his car, but was interrupted by a Burman. Having gone on to Lewis Street jetty, Majid Khan was being questioned by Mr. Butler when he drew a revolver, held it at Mr. Butler's chest and pulled the trigger. Fortunately the weapon misfired. Majid Khan then dropped his weapon and jumped into the river. An unsuccessful attempt at rescue was made.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for Burma why the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company had to suspend its Delta services in April; and what steps have been taken to meet the situation.

The Irrawaddy Flotilla Company was forced last April temporarily to suspend its services in the Delta area after several vessels had beer fired on. Following the taking of measures to ensure adequate protection, including the provision of armed police guards and naval craft for patrol purposes, the services have been resumed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether the Government of Burma have yet agreed to apply the Burma Extraordinary Pensions Rule to members of the staff of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, Limited, who may be killed or injured whilst on duty, through attack by armed dacoits.

These rules do not apply to the employees of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company since they are not Government servants to whom the rules apply. The Government of Burma have, however, suggested to the company that it should adopt similar rules for its own employees and, thereafter, take up with the Government of Burma the question of reimbursement in respect of payments which they make in cases where their employee are killed or injured by armed dacoits whilst on duty.

asked the; Under-Secretary of State for Burma if he will cause a special inquiry to be made into the condition of the Anglo-Burman community and communicate the result to this House.

I have consulted the Governor. A full report from him is on its way by mail and I will communicate further with the hon. Member when it has been received and considered.

I beg to thank the hon. and learned Gentleman for his reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma what steps are being taken to induce the Burmese to cultivate their ricefields; what was the total crop in 1939; and what is the expected crop in 1946.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the detailed statement which I made in the House on the 5th April, 1946, to which I have at present nothing to add. The 1939 acreage was about 12,500,000 acres, producing approximately seven million tons of paddy. It is hoped that the acreage now being sown will be 8,500,000 (an increase of two million acres on the 1945 figure) and that the crop (the bulk of which will not actually be harvested until the beginning of 1947) will amount to approximately 3,750,000 tons of paddy as against 2,500,000 in 1945.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma what steps are being taken to counteract the campaign in Burma against payment of revenue to the Government.

The Governor has recently issued a general public warning that action would in future be taken against those who advocate illegal methods in order to advance their own policies. Legal action is already being taken against certain persons active in the campaign to which the hon. and gallant Member refers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma what steps have been taken to counteract the anti-British feeling which is being created by seditionists in Burma.

I am calling for a report from the Governor.