asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many dwellings have been requisitioned during the month of November in the Hohenzollerndamm in Berlin; how many Germans have been displaced; what number of British personnel are going to occupy the vacated houses; and whether he will arrange for such houses to be shared with the German families rather than occupied solely by the British.

One building comprising eight small apartments occupied by 21 Germans was requisitioned in November. Sixteen British are expected to occupy the vacated accommodation. The possibility of sharing large houses with Germans is already being examined in conjunction with the Army authorities.

Can my hon. Friend say when some decision will be taken on the policy of sharing as a principle?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that a British officer with his wife and one child are now living at 38, Verdenerstrasse, Rotenburg, near Hanover, in accommodation comprising eight rooms, two kitchens and other offices; that the previous occupiers were a couple aged 65 and 60 years, both of them anti-Nazis, one of whom has spent eight weeks in prison under the Hitler regime, and others occupied the top fiat; that efforts are now being made to bring pressure to bear on the owner to dispose of his furniture against his will; and if he will take steps to see that the accommodation is shared between the previous occupiers of the house and the military, instead of being commandeered in this fashion.

My preliminary inquiries confirm the information indicated in the Question. I am looking into the case further, and will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have done so.

Meanwhile, will my hon. Friend give instructions that this sort of expulsion is not to take place?

I am afraid I could not give any general instruction on that basis, but I am inquiring into this particular case

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what representations he has received with regard to the proposal to close down Hoesch, of Dortmund, for reparations; and if any decision has been taken.

I am not aware that any representations have been received about this plant Under the present level of industry plan, it has been declared surplus to the German economy, and therefore available for reparations; but it has not yet been allocated to any claimant country and is still working.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether all questionnaires already filled in by the Germans for purposes of de-Nazification are to be re-examined, with a view to placing all individuals concerned in one of five categories; what is the number of such questionnaires; and how long the process of re-examination is expected to take.

No, Sir. Of the 1,368,000 questionnaires already completed only 234,000, relating to persons who have been removed or excluded from office, are to be re-examined. I cannot say how long this task will take, but the need for expedition is fully appreciated.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that very grave disquiet is caused to a whole population, whether Nazi or not Nazi, by continual examination and re-examination, and the fact that nobody knows whether they are to be kept in their jobs or not?

Of course, I am fully appreciative of that. However, I think my

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the fact that a number of British drivers employed at Bünde by the Control Commission have no motor cars to drive, and are, in consequence, being paid for doing nothing, he will cancel their appointments and withdraw them from Germany to enable them to do some useful work in this country

I presume my hon. Friend is referring to a situation at the beginning of October, when a small number of civilian drivers at Bünde were temporarily redundant while taking over from an Army unit. By 20th October all these drivers were fully employed.

hon. and gallant Friend has overlooked the significance of my answer to the Question. Out of the 1,368,000 questionnaires already completed, over 1,000,000 will not require further examination. Those which will be examined relate to people who have already been penalised, and we are anxious to give them justice.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think the time has now come to stop the whole process, and to try to get these people back into normal industrial life?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the tonnage of cereals imported into the British occupied zone in Germany each month of 1946 to date.

I will, with permission, circulate these figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the information:

In the interests of economy, will the Chancellor of the Duchy consider replacing British drivers by German drivers?

There is another Question on the Order Paper dealing with that. The fact is, that is our policy. Not more than 15 per cent. of the drivers are British drivers, as against 85 per cent. German; and we propose further to reduce the proportion.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if, in view of the projected economic merger of the British and U.S. zones in Germany, he can say what the resultant military and political relationships are expected to be.

No change is contemplated.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will assure the House that, following the fulfilment of the projected economic unification of the British and U.S. zones in Germany, the level of the best British administrative treatment of the German people will be maintained.

I am glad to assure my hon. Friend that this is our intention.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, seeing that officers and men of B.A.O.R. have to pay £160 for a Volkswagen, that the sum thus paid is approximately three times its production cost and that the motorcar cannot be exported to this country at the end of the soldier's service duty in Germany, he will say, in view of the transport difficulties which have to be overcome, why this large sum is charged.

I am glad to say that arrangements have now been made to permit British personnel in Germany to bring Volkswagen into this country on the termination of their appointment in Germany, provided they have had the cars for at least 12 months. As there is no rate of exchange for the German mark, it is not possible to fix the sterling price by reference to production costs. The price of £160 was related to prices for British cars of comparable performance.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us whether arrangements are being made for the disposal of their cars by those who have not been 12 months out there?

Yes, Sir. They may dispose of the cars in Germany to other members of the British staffs.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why British personnel have to pay approximately £40 more for these cars than German nationals or our Allies?

As I explained in the answer, there is no comparison between the German mark and the sterling price in these matters, because there is no foreign exchange rate

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why Miss Monika Dybowska and her child, at present in the Displaced Persons Camp, Neustadt Holstein, Germany, is not being given facilities to join her fianceé Mr. J. Hunter, 21 Alexandra Terrace, Charles-town, Weymouth, Dorset, despite the fact that a visa for Miss Dybowska and her child to enter this country was authorized by the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 28th September last.

Facilities are being given, and the British Red Cross Society are now making the actual arrangements for Miss Dybowska and her child to come to this country.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long it will take before she actually leaves?

I am afraid I cannot give the actual time, but the arrangements are well in hand.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why the members of B I.O.S. trip No. 2053 were prevented from seeing Mr. August Claas, who could have provided useful information in regard to agricultural machinery; whether Dr. Brenner has been discharged from the firm of Gebr. Claas for Nazi sympathies; and, if so, how Dr. Brenner is now employed.

Mr. Claas was in an internment camp at the time of this visit. Dr. Brenner was temporarily discharged from Gebruder Claas under de-Nazification regulations but, having won his appeal, he was subsequently reinstated in his former position.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many offences are punishable by death in Germany and Austria; whether British and German civilians are equally liable to be sentenced to death for these offences; and what is the maximum sentence which may be imposed on a British civilian found guilty of stealing goods, the property of the Allied Forces or any member of the Allied Forces,

A number of Military Government ordinances give Military Government courts power to pass such penalty, including death, as appears appropriate for offences against the laws of war, the security of the Allied Forces or public order. It is not possible to state how many separate offences are punishable in this way. British and German civilians are equally subject to Military Government ordinances, but British civilians are normally tried under the relevant provision of English law. The maximum sentences which may be imposed on a British civilian guilty of stealing property of the Allied Forces or of a member of the Allied Forces are prescribed by the Larceny Act, 1916.

What would be the penalty if he stole the property of a German?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is satisfied that Co-operative societies in the British zone of Germany are being given a just quota of supplementary non-rationed goods.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that societies in our zone of Germany complain that they are not getting these goods, and that members have to go outside the zone if they want to get them?

I am not aware of that fact, but special attention is being given to the particular situation of the Co-operative movement in Germany, and I have no doubt that any representations of that kind will be met.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the fact that supplies of paper are short for Co-operative propaganda and education in the British zone of Germany, he will grant permits to import supplies of paper that have been offered as gifts by other national Co-operative movements.

Gifts of this kind are already freely admitted into the British zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what attempts are being made to cut through the legal tangles that hamper restitution of former Co-operative property sold by Nazis to private individuals.

The legal problems presented in connection with the restitution of these particular properties, many of which have changed hands since the original purchase, are very complex. Every effort is being made to settle them as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, some progress has been made on the basis of voluntary agreements with the purchasers. Four out of 12 purchasers in the British sector of Berlin have already voluntarily brought their businesses back into the local Co-operative society, and it is expected that there will shortly be additions to this number.

Would the fact that some of the officials of the Trade and Economic Division are not paid by the Control Commission in Germany but by their previous firms, to whom they think they are still attached, have some bearing on the fact that they are not anxious to give help to Co-operative societies?

I am not sure that I have heard the hon. Lady correctly. It is not the case that officials of the Trade and Economic Division of the Control Commission are paid by private firms. In any case, the difficulties are real ones, and these particular cases represent a very small proportion of the total Co-operative property in the British zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how far the German authorities have been authorised to institute a system of exit permits to prevent persons leaving Germany whose work is considered of importance in re-establishing the German economy; and whether he is satisfied that the powers exercised by the German authorities are not sufficient to prevent persons coming to this country whose presence here is a positive British interest.

Permits to leave Germany are issued by the appropriate element of the Control Commission.

In the event of His Majesty's Government deciding to make a voluntary appeal to German workers to come to this country in place of German prisoners of war who are repatriated, would this system of export permits be sufficiently drastic to prevent such a policy being carried out?

I do not know that the present exit permit scheme visualises such a mass movement as would be envisaged in the supplementary question, and I should think it would be reviewed.

Would the hon. Gentleman say whether the "appropriate element" means the authority responsible for the zone in which the individual lives, or whether it means that all these permits have to be subject to the quadripartite agreement?

No, I think the exit permit arrangement, whilst it is based on quadripartite agreement, is in the hands of the zone authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many courts will be set up to try the 27,000 persons at present in detention in Germany for belonging to Nazi organisations declared criminal at Nuremberg.

This matter is still under consideration; I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the disgraceful experience we had in this country over Regulation 18B, and will he take steps to see that these cases are dealt with with the utmost expedition by enough courts?

I will certainly give that assurance.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what quantity of newsprint is made available to German newspapers in the British zone in Germany, including Berlin, by the Control Commission.

The deliveries amounted to 1,340 tons in October, and 1,320 tons in November.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what obstacles still remain to the economic unification of the whole of Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what formal communications have been sent to the French and Soviet Governments concerning the desirability of attaining the economic unification of the whole of Germany; and what the replies have been.

At the Council of Foreign Ministers in Paris on 10th July, my right hon. Friend told his colleagues that it was the policy of His Majesty's Government to treat Germany as a whole. He subsequently circulated a detailed paper on this subject. Moreover, within the recently concluded British-American fusion agreement provision is again made for the extension of this agreement to either or both of the other zones of occupation. Neither the French nor the Soviet Government have so far replied to such invitations from His Majesty's Government.

In view of the rather conciliatory statements that have been made on this subject by Generalissimo Stalin and Mr. Molotoy in recent weeks, can my right hon. Friend say whether any new conversations have been undertaken on the basis of the proposals put forward?

It clearly would be competent at any time for either of the other occupation authorities to reply to the invitation that we have extended on this subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what was the calorific value of the rations actually distributed to normal consumers in Austria during September, October and November, 1946, respectively.

During September, October and the first ten days of November, the ration scale of 1,200 calories per day was in general met in full. On 11th November an increased scale of 1,550 calories was introduced. This scale has been generally met in Vienna, but difficulties in food collection and distribution have led to local deficiencies in the provinces.

While I welcome the assurance that the rations have at last been raised above the starvation level of 1,200 calories in Austria, can the hon. Gentleman say why the increase took place after the similar increase in Germany?

The increase was decided upon by the Austrian Government, who are responsible for deciding what scale of rations should be provided.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the projected ration scale for normal consumers in Austria during December, 1946, and January and February, 1947, respectively.

The projected scale, which is the responsibility of the Austrian Government, is 1,550 calories per day.

Is my hon. Friend aware that unless emergency action is taken now the bread bins of Austria will be empty at the end of February, and can he say what steps are being taken to deal with that situation?

I can only say that we are well aware of the situation in regard to the feeding of Austria for the next several months, and that very energetic steps are being taken by the control authorities, particularly by ourselves and the Americans, to ensure that the necessary supplies are brought forward.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is the case that, while the rations are so low in Austria, Austria is exporting food?

There are too many dead heads; that is the trouble.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what prospect there is of increasing the official ration in Austria above 1,200 calories.

This ration was increased to 1,550 calories last month.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Austrian people are being as well or worse fed than the Germans?

I am afraid I could not give an official answer to that. Officially they are getting 1,550 calories. It is probable that, as Austria is rather more an agrarian country than is the British zone of Germany, they are getting rather more.

Is there any truth in the statement that Austria is exporting food?

I am not aware of any food experts from the British zone.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware of the invitation received by the chairman of the British group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union from the Austrian group of that union, asking whether a small delegation from the British group can visit Austria during the Christmas Recess; and whether he will provide facilities to enable this visit to take place.

Yes, Sir, and I am glad to assist in the development of these interparliamentary contacts by providing the necessary facilities in this case.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if there has been a survey of the agricultural possibilities of Austria with a view to increased food production.

Yes, Sir. Such a survey has been made, and the Austrian Government have prepared a cropping programme for 1946–47 which envisages an increase of some 20 per cent. in the area under cultivation.

If the Minister is concerned with this question, will he take steps to intervene with the American authorities to prevent exports of food from the American zone?

What about the Russian authorities?

asked the Chan cellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the oil produced at Zistersdorf is, used with a view to assisting the economic rehabilitation of Austria.

In the last three months of this year some 120,000 metric tons of various kinds of oil produced at Zistersdorf and neighbouring oil fields were due to be released for Austrian consumption. Total production figures are, however, not available, so that I am unable to say what proportion the 120,000 metric tons represents.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the present state of the negotiations for a treaty between His Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government.

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement on this subject at present. Full information will be given to the House at the earliest appro priate moment.

Can the Minister say whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to withdraw the British Forces from Egypt before an agreement is finally reached?

I think it would be much better to wait and see the agreement at the appropriate moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether all grades of the Foreign Service are eligible for the travelling allowances, amounting to one half of the journey expenses each way while proceeding from a post overseas to the United Kingdom on leave, provided they have completed the qualifying period of residence abroad.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Great Britain is a trustee for Korea and of the unsatisfactory position there, he will take an early opportunity of raising the matter at the Conference of Foreign Ministers.

The proposed trusteeship for Korea has not yet been established. I have therefore nothing to add to my answer to the hon. and gallant Gentleman on 4th December.

Is it not a fact that trusteeship was established under the Moscow decision of December, 1945?

No, Sir. A joint commission was set up to implement the trusteeship agreement, but it has not been implemented.

Is it not apparent that the trusteeship agreement exists, and is therefore in force?

I hardly think so; it must be implemented.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, may I give notice that I intend to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government recognise Mongolia as an independent State.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements are under consideration to establish diplomatic relations with Outer Mongolia.

His Majesty's Government have not formally recognised the Mongol People's Republic, and the question of the establishment of diplomatic relations with it has therefore not yet arisen.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Mongol People's Republic includes Inner Mongolia as well as Outer Mongolia?

No, Sir

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communication he has received from the Government of the U.S.S.R. about the incorporation into the Soviet Union of the formerly independent State of Tannu Tuva; and whether His Majesty's Government have recognised this incorporation or intend to do so.

No communication has been received from the Government of the U.S.S.R. about the incorporation of Tannu-Tuva into the U.S.S.R. The question of His Majesty's Government recognising this incorporation has consequently not arisen.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the French Government concerning the visit of Dr. Schumacher to this country.

The French Ambassador called at the Foreign Office to express concern on behalf of his Government that His Majesty's Government should have given an official reception for Dr. Schumacher.

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that Dr. Schumacher's reception was intended as a tribute to German social democracy, and that in no sense was it evidence of a desire to favour German interests to the detriment of those of our Allies?

I did make it plain to the French Ambassador that various tributes had been handed to social democrats of many countries, including Germany.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember, if it is intended to fete German leaders, that the Christian democrats actually won 1,000 more seats than the party represented by these particular gentlemen?

We have made no discrimination in these matters. The facts of this case are that these gentlemen were invited by the Labour Party. It would have been inappropriate if His Majesty's Government had not officially noticed their arrival.

While I am not complaining of private invitations, I hope the Government will bear in mind that it is quite essential that these invitations should be known to be private, and not appear to have an official complexion because for the moment there happens to be a Labour Government on those benches.

I repeat that no discrimination has existed. Social democrats from many of the European countries, liberated and ex-enemy, have been here, and I suggest that it would be inappropriate if we did not recognise them here.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind also that many of us were proud to welcome to this country people, especially people from Germany, who had spent 10 years fighting Hitler, when many hon. Members of this House were supporting him?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the arrest of M. Galaj, M. Szturm de Sztrem and other leaders of the Polish Socialist Party; and whether, in view of the terms of the Potsdam Agreement, he will make suitable representations as to the unfortunate effect of such actions by the Polish Provisional Government on the eve of the elections.

Yes, Sir;, my right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to these and other arrests. In a Note presented to the Polish Provisional Government in Warsaw on 22nd November by His Majesty's Ambassador, His Majesty's Government made it clear that they would not be able to regard the undertaking given by the Polish Provisional Government to His Majesty's Government at the time of recognition to hold free and unfettered elections as having been fulfilled if, among other things, all democratic parties did not enjoy equal facilities to conduct electoral campaigns freely, without arrest or threat of arrest and without discriminatory restriction of election activities.

My right hon. Friend is concerned at the indications that the weapon of arrest is being used to prejudice the free conduct of the Polish elections, but he does not think that it would be appropriate for His Majesty's Government to intervene in individual cases.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the action of the Government will be if these elections take place in Poland under the new electoral law which does not provide for free and unfettered elections?

It would be much better to wait for the elections. Our views on this subject are well known.

Is it not a fact that not only the weapon of arrest but also the weapon of murder is being freely used, and is the Provisional Polish Government one of those which the Foreign Secretary detests?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Rumanian Government to his representations, regarding the falsification of the recent elections, contrary to the Moscow Agreement.

My right hon. Friend has received no reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman impress upon the Rumanian Government that they would never have been recognised had they not given a most solemn assurance that the elections would be free and unfettered?

Our views on this subject have been made perfectly clear. I do not think that there is any point in restating them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the results of these recent elections very fairly represent the political will of the Rumanian people, and that our Government, by interfering unwarrantably in Rumanian internal affairs, would retard the friendship between Britain and Rumania which we so ardently desire?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, before handing over to the present Yugoslav Government Yugoslav funds held here, he will arrange for payments to be made from these funds in compensation to British companies owning chrome mines in that country which have now been seized by the Yugoslav Government.

The chrome mines to which the hon. Member refers were seized by the German authorities and, on the liberation of Yugoslavia, automatically came under the control of the Yugoslav Government, who have undertaken to restore all British property to its owners under conditions which are shortly to be discussed by a mixed commission in Belgrade.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me what steps those who have substantial interests in these chrome mines ought to take in order to bring their particular claims before the attention of the mixed commission.

I would rather have notice.

Would the Minister allow the Yugoslav Government to make their own decision about compensation on the basis of confiscation, and will he express the hope that they will give them nothing?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not enter into any military pact with the U.S. Government or any other Government without the prior approval of Parliament.

The broad principles of His Majesty's Government's foreign policy are subject to constant review by Parliament; but it would be entirely contrary to constitutional practice to require the Government to obtain the prior consent of Parliament before taking any detailed steps to give effect to that policy.

Would the Prime Minister make it clear that we should welcome, in peace, a continuance of the Anglo-American Alliance which we welcomed in war?

I have already made it clear to the House that His Majesty's Government welcome an alliance for the preservation of peace with all countries.

asked the Minister without Portfolio why the tour of duty in the R.A.F. in India is two and a half years, whereas in the Army it is three years; the tour of duty for the R.A.F. in Gibraltar 18 months, whereas in the Army it is three years three months; the tour of duty for British air forces of occupation, Germany, two years, whereas for British troops Austria and B.A.O.R. it is three years nine months; and whether he proposes to bring the tours of overseas duty for the R.A.F. and Army more into line.

Overseas tours in the Services must differ with their varying circumstances, in particular with the different proportions of men in the United Kingdom and abroad which are not, and cannot be, the same. But because of the longer tours in the Army, the War Office have introduced leave to this country during the overseas tour from areas further afield than North-West Europe.

asked the Minister without Portfolio what percentage of the men now serving sentences after conviction by courts-martial were sentenced for crimes other than desertion or absenteeism.

For the Navy, the percentage is approximately 24, which includes men serving sentences both at home and overseas. For the Army and the R.A.F., figures are available only for men serving sentences in this country. The percentages are 24 and 49, respectively.

In cases of absenteeism and desertion, will the Minister facilitate the return of these men to industry and the Forces by suspending their sentences, as was done in 1915?

The circumstances are different from 1915. My right hon. Friend has already stated in the House that a constant review of sentences takes place in the Service Ministries to see that justice is done, and that any compassion which needs to be shown is shown.

—

I would point out that this Question only asks for the percentages of sentences, and is not about remission of sentences.

asked the Minister without Portfolio what progress has been made in implementing the changes in Service conditions announced by Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery and Air-Marshal Lord Tedder.

Both the War Office and the Air Ministry have issued instructions for the reduction of parades, guards and fatigues, the institution of request hours, the increase of freedom off duty at weekends and overnight, and on other similar points which restore and extend prewar privileges. These instructions are intended, without relaxing the discipline and efficiency of the Services, to give liberties and privileges to all ranks comparable to those enjoyed in civilian life. Good progress has been made in implementing them. Plans have also been made for improved living accommodation both for the Army and the R.A.F., but progress in this direction must necessarily be slower in present circumstances. As much as possible is, however, being done within the limits of available resources.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether commanding officers are completely cooperative in this matter?

Certainly—if anyone proves not to be so, I am sure that it would be taken notice of.

Can the Minister say whether the conditions of the s.s. "Empress of Scotland" at Liverpool?—

Mr. Hughes.

Will the right hon. Gentleman indicate whether, in the statement he has made about request hours, it also covers representations on collective grievances and suggestions?

I think so, but I should like to have notice of that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what he meant just now when he said that progress in improving accommodation must be slower—slower than what?

The rate of progress will be slower than in the other welfare matters I have mentioned, because we are short of labour, materials and so on.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that the herring meal and oil factory at Hull will be capable of absorbing any surplus herring caught on the Yorkshire coast.

I hope that it will be possible to arrange for surplus herrings, landed on the North-East coast of England in 1947, to be processed into oil and meal at Hull and elsewhere. Herring catches are extremely variable, so I cannot promise that every surplus landed can be used in this way

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that egg packers are paying above his Department's established price for eggs; and what steps he proposes to take to enforce his regulations.

If the hon. Member knows of any case in which the price is now being exceeded, and will let me have particulars, inquiries will be made, and if the allegation proves well founded, the appropriate steps will, of course, be taken.

Is the Minister aware that the Co-operative Society, in Kent, are not only paying the normal 5 per cent. dividend, but an additional 3d. per dozen, and is he aware that I have a letter from his Department accepting that?

Yes, Sir, I thought that the hon. Member might have that in mind. I should like to tell him at once that it it perfectly legal for any Co-operative Society to pay a dividend on purchases to its members, just as it is legal for a capitalist organisation to pay dividends to shareholders.

Is the Minister aware that in addition to the dividend of 5 per cent. as I have said in my supplementary question, there is an additional 3d. per dozen given to the shareholders?

If the hon. Member wants a further answer, he must remember that the Co-operative dividend is never specific on a particular purchase, but is a general dividend for all purchases made from the society.

On account of the total inaccuracies of the Minister in his replies, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter again on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the estimated 2 lb. allocation per head of canned fruit will reach consumers over the counter; and how much will be diverted to catering and manufacturing purposes.

There is naturally no allocation of canned fruit at the rate of 2 lb. a head, or at any other rate. The fruit is being issued under the points scheme, and I repeat that the total quantity would give everybody just below 2 lb. a head if every consumer bought an exactly equal quantity, which of course they will not. Caterers may buy, in exchange for points, in the same way as ordinary consumers. My guess is that they will take up some 10 per cent.

; Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement on this sub- ject some time ago was interpreted by the country as a whole that there would be 2 lb. per head available of canned fruit, and that, in fact, the public have been grossly misled, because there is nothing of the kind, and a very large amount is going for catering and manufacturing purposes?

No, Sir. The public will not have been misled. The amount available is not 2 lb. per head, but as I originally stated, just under 2 lb., and catering establishments will take up just under 10 per cent., and why should they not?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the continued dissatisfaction of the Danish people with the prices paid by this country for Danish agricultural produce; and whether, in view of the adverse effect which this is having on their ability and willingness to buy British goods, he proposes to review the position in the near future with a view to some modification of the existing arrangements.

I know the Danes would like to be paid more under the agreement of July, 1946. That agreement, however, gave Denmark solid assurances of a large share in the British market for her products for the next three years, and provided for a review of the prices at reason able intervals. I do not see why the arrangements laid down in the agreement should be modified. We cannot ignore the repercussions which would follow if we paid Denmark prices for her agricultural produce entirely out of relation to those paid to other suppliers, such as the Dominions

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how this policy of buying agricultural products below cost of production in the country of origin, squares with the Hot Springs Resolution, which this Government supported?

; We buy agricultural products at the lowest price we can get them in the world, and if we deviated from that policy I am sure the House would censure us very severely indeed.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether solid guarantees have been received from the Danish Government that a large share of their produce will be-available to British exporters?

The trouble is that the Danes are, at the moment, taking rather too much than too little of British exports. They are running up a very large bill indeed, and we are rather anxious about payment of that bill.

Is this an example of how bulk buying is to the advantage of the British public?

Hear, hear.

I think Members opposite are cheering a little too early. My hon. Friend had in mind that it is producing much cheaper goods.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what stocks of foodstuffs are at present held in the interior of Java and Sumatra; and what steps are being taken to bring them into use;

(2) if he proposes to offer assistance to the Indones an Republican Government-to bring out surplus stocks of food held in the interior of Java and Sumatra.

I am very interested in the possibility of obtaining supplies of food from Java and Sumatra. We are in touch with interests which previously carried on business in these areas. We do not yet know what is actually available.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the chief complaint seems to be the lack of shipping with which to bring the food away? Can he help in that direction?

Can the Minister give us a liquid assurance that we shall get a fair proportion of the tea in Java, which is so badly needed in this country?

I do not think shipping is the difficulty. The difficulty is that until the Dutch Government can come to a decision on the matter of settlement, any large-scale trade will hardly begin. As regards tea, we are most anxious to get the largest possible share from Java. We are not waiting on political events, but are in touch with the interests on the spot.

asked the Minister of Food how many non-returnable containers suitable for the distribution of lettuces will be available to British growers in time for next season's crop.

Timber is so scarce that there is no early prospect of getting non-returnable containers for lettuces.

is the Minister aware that last year a very great quantity of home grown lettuces remained unsold owing to there being returnable containers, when imported lettuces, in non-returnable containers, were able to be sold? Is he in favour of handicapping the home produced market in this fashion?

I am not in favour of a world timber shortage, and we are doing everything we can to overcome it.

Is it harder for us to get timber than for the people from whom we export?

In many cases the containers come from people who have their own timber resources, but in conjunction with my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade we shall do all we can to get more timber.

In the interests of home food production, will the Minister look into the rumours that are floating around that we are actually exporting materials for these containers to some of our competitors?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied that all the tinned food stored in the Cheddar Gorge is still in a fit condition for human consumption; and what steps he is taking to ensure the use, as food for pigs, of any proportion of this food which may from time to time cease to be suitable for human food, but still be fit for. pig-food.

My Department is not storing any tinned foodstuffs in the Cheddar Gorge.

Is the Minister aware that there is a very large quantity of food being stored by the Government in Cheddar Gorge, and that a lot of it is being wasted? It is going bad for lack of attention.

I made inquiries of my colleagues on this matter, and the nearest I could get to it was that the War Department and the N.A.A.F.I. have supply depots some five miles from Cheddar Gorge.