asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the cost of making the Old Palace at Johore Bahru ready for occupation by His Excellency the Governor-General of Malaya; and from what funds is the expense to be met.

The question does not arise as there is no intention at present that the Governor-General should be accommodated in the Old Palace at Johore Bahru.

In view of our long connection with the Settlement of Penang, could my right hon. Friend say whether it is intended that the Governor-General should have his residence in that Settlement?

The whole problem of the residence of the Governor-General is now under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the need for conciliation machinery and for the employment of persons skilled in industrial conciliation in British Malaya, he will set up a labour relations division in the Malayan Union and Singapore with the necessary small but expert staff.

Conciliation machinery is provided by the Industrial Courts Enactments of 1940 and its operation is the responsibility of officers of the Labour Departments, who are trained in the languages and psychology of the local races and are skilled in local industrial conciliation. They are assisted in this task by experienced trade unionists from the United Kingdom, whose duties include the formulation of arrangements for the settlement of disputes by conciliation or arbitration, they also bring to the attention of officers of the Labour Departments any grievances of the workers which might impair labour relations on matters affecting conditions of employment. The present organisation thus covers much of the work of a Labour Relations Division, but the formal addition of such a division to the Labour Departments of the two territories may be found necessary before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that there is confusion and lack of decision in the handling of industrial and economic affairs by the Government of the Malayan Union; and whether he will take steps in order that a single department of economic affairs may be set up to replace the present trade and industry department and to absorb the economic functions now being performed by administrative officers in the secretariat.

I am not aware that there has been any such confusion or lack of decision on the part of the Government of the Malayan Union, in spite of the unprecedented economic problems with which that Government has to deal. But I am bringing to the notice of the Governor the suggestion which my hon. Friend has made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us what the Malayan Union actually is at the present time?

I think the hon. Gentleman is fully aware that discussions on that problem are going on at the present time.

Does not the Minister think that the considerable degree of confusion that exists arises from the fact that there is a high commissioner, two governors and an economic adviser—a sort of "four ring circus"—all trying to work in different directions?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the details sent him about the congestion of shipping at Singapore; and, in view of the importance of our export trade, if he has any statement to make.

I am aware of the past congestion at Singapore, but I am informed that the position there has recently been very substantially improved. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him on 14th October by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

In view of the fact that there are several Government Departments involved, will the right hon. Gentleman try to institute an interdepartmental inquiry into the disgraceful state of affairs in Singapore, including shipping, pilfering and empty cargo space?

The facts are pretty well known. We have had inquiries made, and I think the situation is now very much better than it was.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a. statement on the rubber situation in Malaya and define the Government's policy with regard to the purchase of rubber.

As the reply is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what will be the loss in millions of pounds to the British taxpayer arising from this disastrous experiment of State trading?

The matter of buying rubber is obviously one for the Board of Trade, and the question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain the difference in price between that in Malaya of Is. and that in Ceylon of Is. 2d., and the fact that there is a difference of 2d. a pound in the price which the Americans have to pay and the price which the British manufacturer has to pay?

I imagine that a sufficient explanation of the differences of prices has been afforded to the House, but in regard to recent negotiations I submit that this matter of buying is one for the Board of Trade, and a question should be put to them.

Following is the answer:

I am glad to say that the recovery of the rubber industry in Malaya has been more rapid than was expected. The amount of rubber available in the second half of the year is considerably greater than was estimated. This has however caused certain difficulties in marketing. The Rubber Development Corporation in the United States agreed in June last to purchase 95,000 tons of rubber from Malaya during the second half of the year at Is. 2d. per lb. f.o.b., but these purchases were completed by September. The Board of Trade have also been purchasing rubber since 1st July last at the same price to the extent which shipping was available to transport it to the United Kingdom. They have now completed their purchases for November and December shipment and in all have taken substantial quantities from the Malayan market.

The cessation of American buying and the slowness of other countries in taking up the allocations made to them by the Combined Rubber Committee led to some accumulation of rubber in Malaya. Recently, however, the United States have agreed to purchase as much rubber as can be shipped before the end of the year up to 200,000 tons from Malaya at approximately Is. per lb. It is hoped that other countries will take up their allocations promptly and that in this way any accumulation in Malaya will be avoided. As regards future arrangements for the marketing of rubber, I understand that my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade hopes to be in a position to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what considerations guided him in selecting the personnel for the recently appointed Colonial Development Council.

The main consideration by which my predecessor was guided was the need to assemble, within a small and workmanlike body, men who between them would command wide experience of practical affairs. With the additional appointments which I hope to announce shortly, I trust the Council will be fully equipped for its task.

Is the Minister aware that the appointment of people who are opposed to Socialism to implement a Socialist policy is causing grave concern amongst many people?

The one-party State.

If there are any additional appointments will the Minister consider people with business training who have knowledge of the Colonies?

That is very much in my mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if any recommendations have been made by his Ministry to the B.B.C. that there should be a weekly commentary on Colonial Empire affairs on the Home Service in the same way as there is an American commentary.

I am not sure that anything exactly analogous to the American commentary would be the most appropriate means of representing Colonial affairs in the several broadcast services, but this matter is at present the subject of discussion between the Colonial Office and the B.B.C. and I understand that the latter are hoping to introduce a regular series of talks about developments in the Colonial Empire.

Will the Minister make definite recommendations that it is the wish of the vast majority of people in this country that they should hear something about the Colonial Empire and not merely about foreign countries?

I think the hon. Gentleman may take it that those representations have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Government of Kenya in setting up a committee to keep under constant review those defence regulations which have been retained, and to advise the Kenya Government on their revocation or amendment; and whether he will bring this example to the notice of other Colonies.

Instructions have been sent to all Colonial Governments to keep all emergency legislation under regular and careful review. The question whether this can best be done by setting up a committee as in Kenya is a matter for decision according to local circumstances in each territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how it is that known terrorist leaders in Palestine are able to arrive in Paris.

I am not in a position to control the arrival in Paris of terrorist leaders who may evade the frontier control in Palestine.

Would the Minister say whether it was known in Palestine that the leader of the Stern Gang had got out, and if it is known where he now is?

I am not in a position to answer that question today.

Will the Minister inquire whether passports for these terrorists are being obtained through the good offices of U.N.R.R.A.?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who are the persons referred to as "NWBW" and "WLSLY" in telegram No. 2 on page four of Command Paper No. 6873.

I am not in a position to state with certainty the identity of these persons. To make public the various speculations on the subject might be unfair to individuals in fact not concerned, and I am not prepared to do so.

As it has already been made perfectly clear by the predecessor of my right hon. Friend that the first person mentioned in the telegram is Dr. Weizmann, surely it is possible to tell us who the other two are?

I am quite aware that my predecessor as Secretary of State did make that statement, but I fear I personally have nothing to add to what I have already said.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his legal advisers have considered criminal proceedings against any or all of the persons mentioned or indicated by the telegrams printed in the White Paper on the Statement of Information relating to Acts of Violence in Palestine, Command Paper No. 6873; and what legal action has been taken.

The question whether criminal proceedings should be taken is a matter for the Palestine authorities. I understand that it has been considered but that it is not proposed, on grounds of public interest, to take any action in that direction at the present time.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that less dreadful happenings than this occurred due to action by the Arabs, and that severe measures have been taken; and as all this can be laid at the door of the Jewish Agency is not it about time that Agency was wound up?

When the Secretary of State says he understands that this has been considered by the local government does he mean to tell us that the local government have so informed him?

Yes.

Could the Minister tell us if the letters "NWBW" mean "Not worth bothering with"?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, and by whom, was publication prohibited in Palestine of the full text of the statement made in the House of Commons by the Lord President of the Council on 30th July last.

My hon. and gallant Friend is misinformed. Publication of the full text of the statement was not prohibited in Palestine.

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been directed to the frequently reiterated statement that certain portions of this speech have been prohibited from publication in the Palestine Press?

Yes, Sir. Some misapprehension seems to have arisen. I think it was due to the fact that Reuter's message reproduced the statement with the omission of what they felt were the less significant passages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the White Paper on the marketing of West African cocoa will be published.

I hope to make a statement on this matter very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the result of the recent Gold Coast elections and give details of how many chiefs were elected; what parties or groups were successful in the elections; and what interests are represented by the nominated members.

Of the 18 members, all Africans, who were returned at the Gold Coast election on 17th June, eight are chiefs. The election was not contested on party lines, and none of the 18 members was elected to represent a party or group. Of the six nominated members, three are Africans and three are Europeans. They are not chosen to represent particular interests, but two have long experience in municipal affairs, and one in the missionary field, two were chosen from the commercial and mining communities, while the sixth, who was a welfare officer in the Army, can speak for the ex-Service-men.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the population that was entitled to vote used its vote in the recent Gold Coast elections.

The complete returns have not yet reached me. I am asking the Acting Governor to supply the information, and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken, so far, to implement his final decision in regard to higher education in West Africa.

Two replies are still awaited to my predecessor's despatch inviting the views of the West African Governments on the practical methods of implementing his proposals. In the Gold Coast, that question is under close examination by a special local committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to publish the report of the official who recently visited Northern Rhodesia to inquire into labour questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to publish the report of the Ministry of Labour official who recently visited Northern Rhodesia.

The official mentioned was not sent out to make special inquiries into labour questions in Northern Rhodesia, but to act for a period as industrial adviser to the Government. He was not called upon to furnish a general report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the Legislative Council of Northern Rhodesia favouring the appointment of a Speaker to take the place of the Governor as President of the Council; whether he proposes to act on this resolution; and whether the procedure suggested will be adopted in other colonies.

The appointment of a Speaker as President of the Legislative Council in Northern Rhodesia was one of a number of constitutional matters discussed recently with the Governor and certain unofficial members of the Council who visited this country. The proposal was accepted in principle by my predecessor. The timing of the change has been left for the Governor to consider further with the unofficial members, with a view to determining whether it can be made at the same time as other changes in the constitution which are to be introduced in 1948. This development is naturally one which will be kept in mind when other Colonial constitutions are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he accepts the statement made by Sir Wilfred Woods in his fiscal survey of East Africa to the effect that none of the East African territories has, or is likely for a long period to have, sufficient taxable capacity to provide more than a fraction of the funds required for universal African education; and what action he proposes to take to improve African education in those countries.

I am well aware of the serious nature of the problem of establishing a comprehensive system of African education. The report is at present under examination by the East African Governments, and I should prefer to await their views before making a considered statement on Sir Wilfred Wood's Report.

In view of the statement in that report that 90 per cent, of the Income Tax paid in Kenya is collected from the European population, will the Minister say whether active steps are being taken to see that the whole of the community contribute their fair share?

One of the purposes of the inquiry was to discover the taxable resources of Kenya. Now the report has been published, I think an opportunity must be given to the local government to consider it. Obviously the problem of evasion of taxation is certainly in the minds of the local government.

Is the Minister aware that this report has been discussed in the Legislature?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the composition of the sub-committee set up to examine the operation of Kipande system in Kenya; and, in particular, how many Africans had been appointed.

The sub-committee of the Kenya Labour Advisory Committee at present examining the Kipande system is sitting under the chairmanship of the Labour Commissioner, and is composed of two Europeans, one Indian and two Africans.

What is the Kipande system?

It is a kind of pass which Africans are supposed to produce as they move about the territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what sum the Government of Jamaica proposes to spend on tourist publicity; whether existing hotels can provide sufficient accommodation to meet increased demands; and whether local enterprise has shown any evidence of wishing to build additional accommodation.

The Jamaica Estimates for the current year provided £5,881 for expenditure by the Tourist Trade Development Board. In the revised development plan now under consideration it is proposed to provide £30,000 a year for the first five years on the understanding that private enterprise will contribute a further amount equivalent to two-thirds of that sum. The Governor has recently indicated to the Legislature that in his view the provision of more hotel accommodation is a first essential. The Hotels Aid Law (Law 55 of 1944) has provided for tax concessions and customs drawbacks to encourage the building of new hotels and the extension of existing ones, but with one or two exceptions local enterprise has not yet taken advantage of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations have been received from the Government of Jamaica that the period for which the Ministry of Food have guaranteed to purchase Jamaican sugar, which is up to the end of 1948, is insufficient to enable the sugar planters to plan ahead and to attain the maximum production of which their estates are capable.

I have recently received from the Governor of Jamaica a copy of a communication from the Sugar Manufacturers' Association of Jamaica to the West India Committee expressing dissatisfaction at the limitation of the present Ministry of Food's contract to the period ending with the 1949 sugar crop, and I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conclusions were reached by the Currency Conference in Barbados regarding the unification of currency in part of the British West Indies; and whether it is proposed to accept their recommendations.

The principal recommendation of the Conference was that mentioned in the reply to the hon. Member's Question on 5th June, namely, that currency in British Guiana, Trinidad, Barbados and the Leeward and Windward Islands should be unified, with the British West Indian dollar of the value of four shillings and twopence sterling as a basis. The Conference recommended also that a Regional Currency Board should be established with headquarters in Trinidad. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Report. The Conference recommendations are being considered by the Colonial Governments concerned, and I am still awaiting the views of some of them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a clergyman has been appointed as a member of the Executive Council of the Presidency of St. Christopher-Nevis contrary to the constitution of the Presidency; and what steps he proposes to take to regularise the position.

I am aware that a minister of the Methodist Church has been appointed to be a member of the Executive Council of the Presidency of St. Kitts-Nevis. I am not aware of any constitutional reason why such an appointment should not be made.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the fact that, owing to the recent federation move in these islands, it was regarded as unfortunate that this opportunity of seeing that a representative of organised opinion in the Colony was appointed was not taken?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the fact that a recent British Note to the Polish Provisional Government contained allegations of irregularities involving Government falsification of the results of the June Referendum, and of the fact that the Polish Provisional Government accepted the obligation of holding free and unfettered election as a basic condition of their recognition, he will now reconsider his decision not to initiate arrangements for a party of observers, including representatives of the U.S.S.R., U.S.A. and Great Britain to be present in Poland during the forthcoming elections.

All aspects of the projected Polish elections are receiving consideration, but I should prefer to make no statement on the subject at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what date the elections in Poland have been postponed; and if he is satisfied that the conditions laid down for these elections will ensure that they will be of a free and democratic nature.

I have nothing to add to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Belfast University (Professor Savory) on 14th October.

In view of our pledges given for free elections in Poland—and to which we are pledged—will the right hon. Gentleman take special steps to see that the elections will, in fact, be free, especially in view of the gross irregularities that occurred when the voting took place on the referendum?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the National Provisional Government of Poland is withdrawing Polish citizenship from officers and men who served under British command, on the grounds that by entering the Polish Resettlement Corps they are accepting military service with a foreign power; and if he will make a statement as to how far this corps is a military organisation, and what obligations are entered into by the officers and men joining it.

The Polish Provisional Government have deprived General Anders and certain other senior Polish officers of Polish nationality, for substantially the reason given by the hon. and gallant Member. The Polish Resettlement Corps is under the control of the British Service Departments and is administered under British military law. But while the Resettlement Corps comes under British military law, I should make it clear that its whole object is essentially non military, its sole purpose being the dispersal of its members into civil life. The training and employment provided in the Corps will be directed as far as possible to this end, and the Corps will be an unarmed body.

As regards the last part of the Question, enlistment in the Corps is for a period of two years, because, when men are enlisted into a British formation, a definite period of enlistment has to be stated. We hope, however, that men will pass out of the Corps as soon as possible. As soon as a suitable job has been found for any member of the Corps not wishing to emigrate overseas or to return to Poland, he will take it up as a civilian. He will then receive civilian clothing, his Resettlement Corps pay will cease, and he will be entitled to the appropriate civilian pay from the employer.

In view of the fact that the Polish Provisional Government are making this matter an excuse for the victimisation of officers and men in the Polish Army who were fighting on our side, will the Secretary of State communicate with the Polish Government and make the views of His Majesty's Government perfectly clear to them, in order that they may remove this injustice to Polish officers and men?

We have already done that.

With what result?

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us what reason prevents these men of the Resettlement Corps being placed under civilian control, thereby removing any reason or excuse for the Polish Government to take this action?

It is extremely difficult to take men who do not know our language and throw them on the labour market to fend for themselves. I, personally, when I had to study this case in the first instance, was totally against introducing any method of conscript law to apply to civilians in industry. Therefore, this was intended as a temporary means of transition, in order that it could be wound up, and I did not introduce any new principle into British civil law.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether special representations could not be made to the Polish Government against the deprivation of Polish citizenship of General Anders, in view of his distinguished services to this country and to the Allied cause.

I cannot distinguish General Anders from the other men who are affected. Really, these Polish men fought with us. and we cannot let them down. We are not going to let them down. But I do not think I ought to single out a general as against a private.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of their acquittal at Nuremberg, he will take steps to ensure that Schacht, Papen and Fritsche are given safe conduct to, and sanctuary in, a place where their victimisation by their own fellow-countrymen or others will be impossible.

These three men are understood to be at present in the American zone of Germany, and His Majesty's Government have therefore no responsibility for their disposal.

Yes, but would not the Minister use his very vital influence to secure that these men are not chased up on new charges until passions have died down, this being both vindictive and, in my judgment, indecent?

I think we must leave it to the American authorities.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will place nothing in the way of the persons mentioned joining their fellow countrymen in hell?

Is it not in fact the responsibility of the four Powers to protect people whom they have already tried and acquitted, and that they cannot shed their responsibility?

I do not think there is any accusation that the American Government, who are responsible for the zone in which they are residing, are doing anything else.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many British personnel were employed by the Control Commission, British element, on 1st May and on 1st September, respectively.

I assume the hon. Member refers to the Control Commission for Germany. The number of British personnel employed on 1st May was 22,265, and on 1st September 25,381.

How does the hon. Gentleman reconcile the figures he has just given with the statement he made in reply to a Question by me on Monday, when he said that reductions had already taken place?

The House will remember that when the Estimates were presented last May it was pointed out that the establishment had been cut down approximately 33 per cent., from a total figure of 42,000 to 28,500, and we are still below the new establishment figure.

Do not these figures suggest that what we have got in Germany is a force which is far too large for control and far too small for administration, and will he say something on this matter?

I could say quite a lot, but it would take me far beyond the time available in Questions. The simple fact is that there is a considerable amount of work still to be done in Germany, and, as I stated in the House on Monday in reply to a supplementary question, we are already taking steps to apply further reductions in the staff because we are fully aware of the importance of such reductions being made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of each of the different British jams made this year was fresh fruit; and what proportion consisted of other ingredients besides sugar.

asked the Minister of Food what is meant by special fruit standard and full fruit standard; what other categories of jam are made in this country by commercial manufacturers; and what is the actual percentage of fresh fruit in each case.

The fruit content of each variety of jam is set out in Part II of the Schedule to the Food Standards (Preserves) Order of which I am sending each hon Member a copy The fruit may be fresh fruit (fresh fruit standard jam) or pulp (full fruit standard jam). There is no "special" fruit standard for jam; it applies only to certain types of marmalade. The only other permissible ingredients are pectin and, in some cases, colouring or preserving matter.

Is the hon. Lady aware that much British jam is pretty poor stuff and fully bears out her statement about pulp? Before the next jam-making season would she consider offering higher rates to school children for picking blackberries and other wild fruit, the vast bulk of which at present is wasted?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that pulp is fruit. As regards the other matter, we will certainly consider it.

Can the hon. Lady state the proportion of turnip?

There is no turnip in any of our jam.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the Government jam made this year has not been by any means confined to fresh fruit?

asked the Minister of Food the number of amending notices, G. 1569A, issued to correct errors in G. 1569; and what was the approximate cost of printing and postage, respectively.

Approximately 285,300 copies. The cost of printing was £54. I regret I cannot state the exact cost of postage; wherever possible the Circular was included with other matter which was being sent to the trader.

Will the hon. Lady say what would have been the cost for postage at commercial rates?

I will let the hon. Member know that.

Would the hon. Lady agree that she has already given it in the form of a letter, and will she not give it to the House?

Certainly. I had forgotten I had already given it to the hon. Member. I wonder, therefore, why he asked me the question, but I will remind him that the cost was £920.

Does the hon. Lady know whether the hon. Member who asked this Question has ever made a mistake?

asked the Minister of Food what number of persons he now employs; and the annual cost of their salaries.

The total number of civil servants employed in my Department on 1st September, 1946, the latest date for which figures are available, was 46,886. The annual cost of their salaries is estimated to be £13,570,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that beer is being exported from Holland and Denmark; whether the British Government have agreed to the allocation by the International Emergency Food Council to Holland and Denmark of grain in excess of their domestic requirements; and whether he will propose the re-allocation of any surplus.

Small quantities of beer are being exported from Holland and Denmark. I understand that Denmark's imports of cereals are almost balanced by her exports, and that although Holland has been receiving substantial imports, these have not exceeded her requirements as ascertained by the I.E.F.C. Cereals Committee. In any case we estimate that she will only have needed some 300 tons of barley to brew the beer she exported in the first half of 1946.

If anyone is going to make beer out of this grain, why should we not do it in Britain?

We cannot dictate to Holland and Denmark what they shall do. They are sovereign countries.

asked the Minister of Food whether the B.B.C. have a catering licence at Broadcasting House, Langham Place; how many visits his inspectors have made there; on what dates and with what results; and if he is satisfied that the rationing regulations are being complied with at this institution.

The B.B.C. Broadcasting House, Langham Place, is licensed as a catering establishment. Inspections made in May, 1943, and July, 1946, showed the recording of meals and of purchases of foods to be excellent. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that rationing regulations are complied with.

Is the hon. Lady aware that on my one visit there, so far as I could tell, the regulations were being flagrantly broken?

If the hon. Gentleman is referring to the infringement of the Bread Order, I would remind him that that Order was made the day before he visited the B.B.C., and probably the B.B.C. were not then aware of the regulation.

Is it not a strange proceeding for Conservatives to want more snoopers?

asked the Minister of Food when he expects to be able to make a general statement on the savings effected by bread rationing; and if he will give an approximate date when bread rationing is likely to cease.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to give the date of the termination of bread rationing; or what facts still remain to be ascertained before such a decision can be made.

My right hon. Friend gave particulars of the savings in flour offtake effected during the first 10 weeks of bread rationing in his reply of 9th October to Questions by the hon. Members for Oxford (Mr. Hogg) and Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman), of which I am sending the hon. Members a copy. Bread rationing will be abolished the moment the Government are satisfied that it is safe to do so.

In view of the fact that the figures which have been given by the Minister have been more than once challenged by the baking industry, does the hon. Lady not feel that a White Paper ought to be issued on this subject, giving further data than have been given to the House?

It is for the hon. Member to choose between the bakers and the Minister.

Would the hon. Lady say whether the "saving in flour offtake" means the saving of flour, or something, quite different?

It is the same.

Then why use such jargon?

asked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken to prevent the recurrence of dumping fresh herrings into the sea.

Herrings dumped during the present season to date account for about 0.2 per cent. of landings, and were mostly of poor quality. My right hon. Friend has encouraged the consumption of herrings in this country by a reduction in price, by advertising, by a relaxation of restrictions on their use in catering establishments, by improved transport for distribution and by means of providing "Drikold" refrigerators in the railway waggons. These measures have not been without effect, for this season consumption in (he home market has gone up by 38 per cent. over 1945. In association with the fisheries Ministers and the Herring Industry Board, arrangements have been made for the export of large quantities of cured and klondyked herrings; and, during the East-Anglian season a start will be made with turning surplus herrings into oil and meal.

In the event of exceptionally heavy landings of catches this autumn, will the hon. Lady consider sending vessels direct to Hamburg, or other German ports, to land their herrings there?

We have been doing that to a great extent this year.

Is the hon. Lady satisfied that her Department are doing all they can to help in the more scientific methods of processing herrings where they are landed?

We are doing everything possible, but the hon. Member must realise that there is another Department concerned in this, namely, the Scottish Department.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the increased supplies of sugar which are available in this country, he will consider increasing the sugar ration from half a pound per head per week to one pound.

asked the Minister of Food if there is now any prospect of abolishing sugar rationing in the near future.

There is no prospect of my right hon. Friend being able to abolish sugar rationing in the near future, and I regret to say that supplies available to this country in 1946 do not permit of any increase in the domestic ration. Until the allocations for 1947 have been decided, it is not possible to say whether any improvement will be possible next year.

Are the Government aware of the obvious truth that the lack of sugar and fats is responsible for the acute tiredness of many people throughout the country? Will the Government abandon their campaign of self-persuasion against the obvious truth?

asked the Minister of Food what action he proposes to take in view of the resolution of the Kingston-upon-Thames Food Control Committee relating to extra allocation of rations for tubercular patients which was forwarded to him on 13th September.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar Question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Dumfries (Major N. Macpherson) on 31st July, 1946, of which I will send him a copy.

In view of the fact that this recommendation has also been made by several food control committees, including that of Battersea, and in view of the fact that medical opinion nearly as eminent as that of the hon. Lady herself regards the food ration for tubercular persons as quite inadequate, will she appoint a committee which is independent of the Ministry to consider this?

I am afraid that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. He does not appreciate that the most eminent opinion in this country in the Medical Research Council has advised against this grant.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the hardship caused to church and other charitable organisations by the refusal of his Department to permit the issue of food for the purpose of functions organised by these bodies; and whether he is prepared to take action to permit such issue in appropriate cases.

My right hon. Friend would very much like to be helpful in this matter, but he regrets that he is not yet able to relax the restrictions on special issues of rationed foods for functions organised by churches and charitable organisations.

In view of the hardship caused, particularly to certain Nonconformist churches, by this ban, will the hon. Lady give the earliest possible priority to this matter?

I should have thought that the churches, and charitable organisations, would be the first to recognise that available food should not be used for social functions.

Is the hon. lady aware, in me case to which I drew attention, that the objection to the issue of food was not that it was to be used by the churches, but that the Department said that they should employ professional caterers? In the circumstances, will she abate her enthusiasm for private profit?

I should like the House to be clear on this question, in case it might be thought that my Department is being a little cruel and unjust. The only social gatherings for which we authorise special supplies of controlled food, are weddings and funerals, and entertainments organised by reputable bodies for the sick, wounded, disabled, aged, the poor, the blind, children and young people under 19 years of age.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now consider granting an extra allowance of milk to people over the age of 65.

My right hon. Friend very much regrets that he cannot grant extra milk for elderly people at the present time. It could only be done at the expense of other sections of the community, and he would not be justified in reducing their allowances still further.

Will the hon. Lady consider saving some of the immense waste which is going on with' school-children's milk, and allocate it to people who need it, such as old people?

It the hon. and gallant Member will give details of such waste we will certainly make inquiries, but I would remind him that there are five million people who are over 65 years of age.

How much milk is being allocated for the manufacture of plastics?

Not one pint.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the milk position in the country; to what extent milk is being poured down drains by farmers because they are unable to dispose of it; and what percentage of the milk production of this country is being used in industrial manufacture.

Production of milk in England and Wales during the week ending 5th October, the latest date for which figures are available, is estimated at 21.7 million gallons, and liquid sales at 21.05 million gallons. The surplus of 0.65 million gallons is being used mainly for the manufacture of baby food and cheese. It is quite untrue that any is used for industrial manufacture.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the implied statement in the second part of my Question has not been answered? Is she further aware that this statement was made at a public meeting in my division by the national chairman of the British Housewives' League?

I thought that I had dealt with the question of milk being used for industrial purposes.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will review the whole position of the present allocation of milk as between priority and non-priority consumers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on elderly people and others who live alone arising from the present reduced supplies of milk; and whether he will arrange for a fairer distribution of existing supplies between priority and non-priority consumers.

I have recently reviewed the allocation of milk as between priority and non-priority consumers, after consultation with the Standing Committee on Medical and Nutritional Problems. I hope it will not be necessary to reduce the supply to non-priority adults below two pints per week during the winter, and I shall increase it above that figure so soon as the output rises in the spring. I am not prepared to reduce the quantities supplied to mothers and children below the present amounts, which my medical advisers recommend as essential. I am sorry that I cannot make special arrangements in the case of the elderly and people living alone.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the present ration of two pints of milk is completely insufficient, especi- ally for single people and those in humble circumstances?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we have never pretended that the present figure is the maximum which we would like people to have.

In view of the unsatisfactory position in regard to milk distribution, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.

asked the Minister of Food why private potato merchants are not allowed to deal with stock reserves for their clients; and why these reserves have to be handled by merchants acting for his Department.

There is nothing to prevent a potato merchant maintaining a stock reserve. In order to provide adequately against shortages between seasons, however, there must be a national reserve centrally controlled so that supplies can be sent where they are needed. Merchants are employed by my Department as agents for the purchase of the national reserve in order that full use may be made of trade facilities for this purpose.

If I bring a special case to the attention of the hon. Lady, will she look into it? What is happening is that the merchants who are supplying private individuals are not able to supply stock reserves.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now put an end to tea rationing.

I have nothing to add to the reply given the, hon. Member to his similar Question on 17th July.

Is it not a fact that the stocks of tea in this country are greater than they were before the war? If that is so, is there any reason why tea rationing should be continued?

I do not think that the hon. Member is quite sure of his facts. We are consuming tea today at 89 per cent. of our pre-wax consumption.

Will the hon. Lady issue some statistics about world tea production and consumption? Many of us think that some of the markets where tea was consumed have been cut off. Is it not a fact that production is the same as before the war? If so, why cannot we have an abolition of tea rationing?

I would not agree that production is the same as before the war. I would remind the hon. Member of conditions in the Far East, where they have not yet rehabilitated themselves, and that we used to get a good deal of tea from Japan.

Will the hon. Lady issue statistics about Indian tea, and other statistics, showing what the position really is?

If the hon. Member likes to put down a Question for next week, I will give him a detailed answer.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that a large amount of meat has been condemned at the Westerleigh abattoir; and if he will review the position with the object of disposing of poor quality beasts in a more satisfactory manner.