asked the Minister of Works what has been the price paid for Belgian bricks; what quantity of these bricks have been imported; and at what price they are sold to British contractors.

The estimated average cost of English sized Belgian bricks unloaded at U.K. port is £8 per thousand. For Belgian sized bricks the figure is £6 4s. per thousand. Up to date the approximate numbers shipped are 50 million and eight million respectively. The English sized bricks are sold at the controlled prices, which vary from area to area, for comparable types of home-produced bricks; the Belgian sized bricks are sold at three-quarters of these figures. In both cases the cost of carriage from port to site is extra.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman's Department was offered, in the early part of 1946, 80 million Belgian bricks at a price of 75s.-79s. per thousand, free alongside, London, which he refused?

No. I do not think so.

Were the bricks bulk purchased by the Government?

Yes.

Worse luck.

asked the Minister of Works if be will give an estimate of the average number of common bricks laid per day of eight hours per man in 1928, 1935 and 1946.

I regret that no reliable figures are available on which a comparison could be made.

asked the Minister of Works by what date does he expect to be able to derequisition premises in the City of London now occupied by civil servants and which are urgently required by those carrying on the trade and commerce of the country.

Apart from The release of a limited amount of accommodation already arranged in the City of London, I am unable at present to forecast any further releases in view of the demands for office accommodation which I have to meet.

Does the Minister realise how extremely urgent this is in the City of London, and what an important effect it has on the invisible exports of this country?

Yes, Sir, I am well aware of the need for more office accommodation in the City, and I am ready, at any time, to discuss with the City authorities the possibility of meeting the difficulty.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that three persons have been recruited from out side the Civil Service to fill executive posts in the Reading, Birmingham and Scotland areas of his Department; that the official reason given for these appointments was that no permanent civil servants were available; and what steps were taken to ascertain from other Governments Departments, in the areas concerned, whether any suitable serving civil servant's could be released to fill these posts.

Yes, Sir. No direct approach was made to other Government Departments as, in accordance with the agreed procedure, Departments requiring staff apply to the Treasury who have particulars of redundant staffs in Government Departments. The Treasury were unable at the time to supply candidates for these three posts and, with Treasury agreement, the posts were filled by the appointment of temporary staff obtained through the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

Does the Minister realise that if he or another Department goes outside the public service unnecessarily it gives rise to a good deal of discontent amongst the staff, and would he assure the House that in future he will avoid this, except when it is absolutely inevitable?

Yes, Sir, I will take note of that. I should never dream of going outside the Service unnecessarily.

Has the Minister found any difficulty in recruiting the necessary staff in the Birmingham area?

No, I do not think so.

asked the Minister of Works when the statue of King Charles I will be restored to its site.

asked the Minister of Works when the statue of King Charles I will be restored to its place at the top of Whitehall.

There is still a certain amount of work to be done on this statue, but I hope to see it restored to its site in the spring.

How many forms had to be filled up, and how many Departments had to give their consent, before a final decision could be reached?

In this instance, none.

Can the Minister restore the statue of Eros?

There is a Question down in regard to that statue.

In view of the presence of the hon. Member for Chislchurst, does not the Minister regard this proposal as a work of supererogation?

On a point of Order. If the hon. Member for Rugby {Mr. W. J. Brown) is referring to me, I am not now the hon. Member for Chislehurst.

asked the Minister of Works how many licences have been applied for to carry out repairs and improvements to farm buildings and other work to increase the efficiency of agriculture; what is the estimated total cost of the work; and how many of these licences have been granted.

In the year ended 31st December, 1946, 18,787 applications were made to my Ministry for licences to carry out repairs and improvements to farm buildings. The number of licences granted was 17,746 for work amounting to about £7,717,000. Figures are not available in respect of licences granted by local authorities for work costing less than £100.

Can the Minister say why so small a proportion of licences was granted?

I should have thought 17,746 out of 18,787 was a great proportion.

I am sorry. I misunderstood the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Works what proportion of the total available asbestos sheets is at present allotted to agricultural buildings, both for new construction and repairs.

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available, as no fixed allocation is made for agricultural buildings, and no special record is kept of deliveries for this purpose.

Can the Minister say, at least, that agricultural work is not completely ruled out when the asbestos is available?

No, it is not ruled out. Supplies are made under the priority scheme.

asked the Minister of Works for what amount a building licence has been granted for the alterations and renovations at 19, New Walk, Leicester; and for what purpose these premises are to be used on completion.

A licence in the sum of £4,250 has been granted for the alterations and renovations at 19, New Walk, Leicester. The premises will be used as offices.

Does my right hon. Friend think the time is opportune for spending money and using labour on a proposal such as this?

The need for office accommodation in some provincial cities, as well as in London, is pretty urgent.

asked the Minister of Works why, in view of the shortage of tubes, he has invited tenders for 300 special beds for use in the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, when there are available large numbers of surplus beds which were manufactured during the war.

The standard wartime bed does not fit in to the ward cubicles of the hospital nor is it sufficiently wide for the needs of the pensioners.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will make a statement upon the progress made in rebuilding the destroyed Chamber of the House of Commons; and whether the work has been delayed by any shortages of materials, delays in transport or the non-availabilty of labour.

The foundations of the new Chamber are completed and steelwork for the superstructure is in course of erection. It is hoped shortly to let the tender for the main contract. There has been no undue delay on account of difficulties referred to in the Question.

asked the Minister of Works the cause of the delay in the re-erection of the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus; and when he expects this monument will be restored to its rightful position.

I have no responsibility for this statue, which is in the charge of the London County Council, and I am unable to give the information which the hon. Member requires.

asked the Minister of Works how many shops or other buildings were converted during 1946 for use as food offices; what was the average amount spent on such conversion; and whether a decision taken by his Department to convert premises for use as a food office requires the authority of any other Department in order to obtain permission or priority for the work to be done.

I am obtaining the information asked for in the first two parts of the Question and will communicate it to the hon. Member. The answer to the last part is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Works whether the land occupied by the military camp at Leven, East Yorkshire, has now been released by the military; and whether it is in the occupation of another Department.

I understand that the Army camp at Leven, East Yorks, has not yet been released by the War Department, but is now in process of being handed over to the Ministry of Health.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Leven parish council have made several attempts to extract this information from his Department without success; and in view 'of the fact that squatters are now in occupation of some of these huts, can the matter be cleared up as soon as possible?

Until the camp is handed over by the War Office, it does not come within the jurisdiction of my Department.

asked the Minister of Works what is the present minimum standard temperature for central heating in offices where it is maintained on behalf of his Department; whether this standard has been raised in the last six months; and, if so, on what date.

The minimum standard temperature for central heating in all Government buildings is 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This minimum standard has not been raised in recent months, but has obtained for many years.

Is it the Minister's intention to maintain a temperature of 60 degrees throughout this winter, and is there no question of raising it?

As yet there is no question of raising the temperature. We hope to be able to retain it.

Can the Minister arrange for that temperature to be maintained in this Chamber and in the other rooms of the Palace of Westminster?

We do our best. That is the figure at which we aim.

Does the Minister think, taking into consideration the shortage of fuel and the fact that in many factory offices clerical staffs are working in overcoats without any central heating, that this possible increase is really necessary?

There is no intention of having a "possible increase" this winter, at any rate.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what the temperature is in the Members' Dining Room today?

I could not say, but it was quite comfortable when I was there.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the electric fittings for 10 newly-occupied houses at Ham., Somerset, to which his attention has already been drawn, are still undelivered; that no electric fittings are obtainable for 10 completed houses at Milverton, Somerset; and if he will take steps to arrange immediate delivery and explain, in view of the increased production of electric components, the reason for these delays.

Yes, Sir. I have hastened the delivery of all the items brought to my notice and they have now been despatched, with the exception of three items, on which special hastening action is being taken, and I am writing in detail to my hon. Friend. Production is now generally sufficient for priority work.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the U.S.A. are using bamboos to build houses, for framing timbers, rafters, sidings, floors and partitions; that a forest can be produced in three years; that there is already a plantation of consideable size at Lanivet, Cornwall; and whether he will go into this matter to see if its development could help to solve the timber shortage.

I have no information on the use of bamboo in the U.S.A. for house building. I am advised that there is little scope for its use as a practicable substitute for timber as used in house construction in this country, but if my hon. Friend will let me have any details of construction in this material in his possession I will have them examined.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will make a statement on release from the Indian Army, giving the approximate dates at which age and service groups may expect release.

Release of officers in the Indian Army has in the past followed the release scheme of the British Service but it has now proved possible to introduce new and accelerated schedules. This is due to the acceptance, of a large number of applications for deferred release by Indian E.C.O.'s and to the success of the Indian Army Short Service Commission scheme. The dates of accelerated release are as follow:

• Group 47—ist-28th February.
• Groups 48–51–1st-3ist March.
• Groups 52–70–1st April onwards.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of his recent visit to India, he will make a statement concerning the Indian Civil Service.

During my visit to Delhi I had discussions with members of the Government of India on the question of compensation for civil officers appointed by the Secretary of State whose services may be prematurely terminated for constitutional reasons. I am reporting on these matters to His Majesty's Government, and I regret that I cannot make any further statement at present.

In view of the devoted and loyal service that these men have given to India, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman do all he can, and use all his powers with the Cabinet, to see that their future is not sold for a' mess of pottage when the Government are abdicating their responsibilities in India?

The hon. Gentleman may take it that there is no intention of selling anyone for a mess of pottage.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to be represented by an official observer at the Inter-Asian Relations Conference, to be held at New Delhi, on 23rd March next.

No, Sir; His Majesty's Government have not received an invitation to send an observer to the Conference.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the present food position in India; and to what extent previously estimated minimum requirements have been secured.

As the reply is somewhat long, I will with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the Minister say whether in fact the acute danger has now passed?

I think I prefer my hon. Friend to read the reply

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that the first proposals of the Japanese Government in relation to rural land reform would mean that less than 30 per cent. of the land at present held by landowners and worked by tenants would be transferred to tenant ownership and that even this transfer would involve a difficult and expensive process for the tenants, what proposals he is making to the Allied Council for Japan to ensure that a more satisfactory system is put into operation.

The first proposals for land reform made by the Japanese Government are now superseded by the Law for the Establishment of Owner Farmers, which was passed by the Japanese Diet on nth October, 1946. It is estimated that by this law tenant-farmers will come into possession of at least 60 per cent. of the land in Japan. The procedure laid down for the transfer and sale of land appears to be favourable to the tenants. My right hon. Friend is not, therefore, making any proposals to the Allied Council on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of the Allied Council for Japan to permit and encourage the resumption of relations between labour organisations in Japan and labour organisations in other countries.

The Allied Council for Japan has agreed that while it is desirable to encourage the resumption of relations between labour organisations in Japan and those in other countries, this is dependent upon the restoration of normal communications between Japan and the outside world. The Council added that there would in the meantime be no objection to trade union delegations from other countries visiting Japan, and as my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a delegation of the World Federation of Trade Unions is due to visit Japan in March next.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if, in view of the desirability of the rapid inclusion of Japanese trade union organisations, he will consider the possibility of choosing trade union advisers from Britain and the United States to be sent to Japan to help in that way?

I will most gladly consider the point about British trade union advisers, but the substantial point is that normal communications are lacking, though I ought to add that we are in process of negotiations to that end just now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the dissolution of the Zaibatsu in Japan, and, in particular, say what limitation is proposed on the value of any securities which may be bought by any individual or firm from the Holding Company Liquidation Corn-mission; and to what extent individuals, families or firms will be prevented from purchasing these securities.

The Holding Company Liquidation Commission has so far designated 65 Japanese holding companies for dissolution. It has taken over most of the securities of the five principal companies, to a value of over two thousand million yen. The assets of the designated companies are to be offered for sale in due course, but that stage has not yet been reached. The Commission's present plans are to prevent any single person or firm from buying more than 1 per cent. of the assets sold of any company. Sales will not be permitted to "purged" individuals, nor to members of the money-clique families nor their appointees.

Will my right hon. Friend say if the Government are satisfied that the capital market in Japan is capable of absorbing the enormous quantities of stock held by the Zaibatsu, and, further, that effective arrangements have been made to prevent clandestine transactions taking place that might bring control back into the hands of these families?

On the second point, we are being most rigorous in our supervision and I am satisfied that it is effective. On the first point, the question should be addressed to another Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the need for restoring British foreign trade, he will take immediate steps to secure the re-admission of British business men to Japan.

Trade with Japan is still, for the time being, on a Government to Government basis. His Majesty's Government are aware of the desirability of bringing about the early resumption of private trade provided that satisfactory arrangements are first made for the necessary intermediate steps. These include the return of British business men to Japan and the provision of facilities to enable them to operate their business. These matters are at present under discussion with the competent allied authorities in Washington, to whom our views have been made known.

Is it not a fact that representatives of American insurance agencies and motor manufacturers have already visited Japan?

In regard to the third category—motor representatives—I have no knowledge of them. As to the first two, it is true that they are not there in a commercial position. They are there because certain currency, banking and insurance facilities have to be made available to the troops there, and I repeat that the position is that there are no normal business transactions. As I have stated, there is no discrimination against British business men, and we would not permit that to be so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs oh what evidence his recent note to the Polish Government was based.

The evidence was factual and extensive, and was embodied in the note itself. Since the Note is long and has already been published, I do not propose to circulate it, but, to meet the convenience of the hon. Member, I am sending him a copy of it.

Is it not the case that the information received by the Foreign Office comes from the Embassy, and is obtained from the social contacts of the Ambassador, and, further, has it not been proved that the social contacts are utterly unreliable?

I could not, of course, accept the implication of the question, but, in regard to this note, as the hon. Gentleman will discover when he takes the trouble to read it, the information was available, not from our Embassy, but from private Members throughout various parts of Poland, and, of course, from the numerous representatives of the Press who were there on that occasion.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the evidence with regard to the election of last Sunday is not overwhelming that it was neither free nor unfettered, in spite of the solemn guarantee given both at Yalta and at Potsdam?

That is quite another question.

Is it not a fact that the elections in Poland were fairer and more democratic than the recent elections in Greece?

That is another question altogether.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider withdrawing the present ambassador in Warsaw and replacing him by someone who will make social contacts more in keeping with the policy of the Labour Government.

I do not consider as valid the reasons for which the hon. Member would like to see a change of Ambassadors in Warsaw.

Is it not the case that the Ambassador represents the Minister, and am I to understand that the social contacts which this Ambassador is making are the social contacts after which the Minister is hankering?

Indeed not. Any representative of His Majesty's Government must maintain contacts with all sections of the community, both Right and Left, and, in this case, His Majesty's Government were guilty of no offence.

Would it not be desirable that our policy in relation to Warsaw should conform to our policy in relation to Madrid?

Would the right hon. Gentleman explain what he meant by the use of the words "Indeed not"? Surely, he meant what he said later— that, whatever friends and contacts His Majesty's Ambassador had, the Government were also behind them? What did the right hon. Gentleman mean by "Indeed not"?

I took it that the assumption behind the supplementary question asked by the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) was that His Majesty's Government should disapprove of these-contacts of His Majesty's Ambassador in Warsaw, and I made it plain that, if such contacts were confined to one section of the population, he would be failing in his duty. His duty is to establish wide contacts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any estimate has been made of the number of new binders required by British farmers for 1947; how many are likely to be produced by home manufacturers; how many are to be imported; and whether any of those produced by home manufacturers are to be exported.

It has not been practicable to make an official estimate in advance. Home production for the home market is however, based by the manufacturers on orders received. Farmers were advised in November last to place their orders for new binders as soon as possible, and the supply of home produced machines should be adequate to meet the requirements of farmers who have followed this advice. I am not able to supply detailed information as to home production as this is confined almost entirely to one firm. About 1,000 im- ported binders are, However, expected and have been allocated. The home manufacturers may be able to export up to one-third of their output, though this will only enable them to meet a small part of their heavy overseas orders.

Do I understand that home manufacturers are compelled to export?

I said they were expected to do so—not that they were compelled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cows in this country at the present time have been shown at the tuberculosis test to be suffering from tuberculosis in some form; and what steps are to be taken to ensure that adequate safeguards are supplied for the use of milk from such diseased cows thereafter.

My information relates only to the testing of attested and T.T. herds. I have no information of the number of animals in other herds which may have reacted to the tuberculin test. In 975,000 tests of attested cattle made in 1946, 4,461 animals reacted and In 368,000 tests of T.T. cattle 6,734 animals reacted. Separate figures for cows are not available. In answer to the second part of the Question, reaction to the tuberculin test does not imply infection in the milk of a reactor. The Food and Drugs Act, 1938, prohibits the sale of the milk of a cow affected with tuberculosis in a clinical form or known to have given tuberculous milk; the Tuberculosis Order provides for the compulsory slaughter of such animals.

Does not the Minister agree that one system which would materially assist in the elimination of this disease would be the establishment of a State veterinary service?

Would the right hon. Gentleman state what steps he proposes to cake in connection with these reactionary animals?

I am not at all sure. I only adopted them 18 months ago. In reply to the first supplementary question, I would like to remind my hon. Friend that we have a State veterinary service.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if agreement has now been reached between his Department, farmers and the veterinary profession on a national programme for the gradual elimination of bovine tuberculosis.

No, Sir. A memorandum on the subject has been sent to the organisations mainly concerned, and further discussions will be taking place shortly.

Does not the Minister think it is high time to get a start made on this job?

Yes, and discussions are to commence next week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the urgent demands of farmers for baling wire have yet been met; and whether, in view of the urgent plight of the farmers in Hampshire whose allocation was in 1946 reduced to 295 tons, although 595 tons were required, he will make this wire available immediately in order to avert a crisis.

I regret that supply is still considerably below demand, and I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that he fears it is likely to remain so for some time. Hampshire's allocation for 1946 was 379 tons, not 295, which was about three-quarters of the estimated requirements of 520 tons. Total available supplies for the first quarter of 1947 have now been allocated. Hampshire's share could only be increased at the expense of other counties, and this, I am afraid, I cannot do.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, under present conditions, there is a far greater demand by users of combined harvesters and others for baling wire than formerly, and will he give this matter attention, not only as regards Hampshire, but all counties?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that I have already been in contact with the Ministry of Supply. It is a question of shortage of labour and raw materials which limits us to our present figure.

On what principle is allocation made to counties? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that farmers in Gloucestershire are complaining that they have had much less than they ought to have had in the circumstances?

The allocations are made strictly on the basis of the produce in any particular county.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that exports of baling wire will be prohibited until a sufficient supply can be produced for British farmers?

I am not sure that any baling wire is being exported.

Can the allocation of baling wire be related to the actual number of balers working in each particular county?

I have already explained that the allocations are based strictly on the productivity of any particular county.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of the poultry advisory officers under the National Agricultural Advisory Service are in grade one of the comparative grading of officers.

Some two per cent.; that is, two officers, including the chief poultry officer, out of a total of 85 permanent appointments.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that in relation to the importance of the poultry industry, this is a very low percentage?

It may be a very low percentage, but I understand that appointments are based on qualifications.

Is any free choice given to the poultry as to who their advisory officers are to be?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the provincial chief officers, assistant provincial chief officers and county chief officers in the National Agricultural Advisory Service have special qualifications in the advising of the poultry section of the industry.

The hon. Member presumably has in mind the national diploma in poultry husbandry, there being no other course of training specifically designed for the poultry industry. This diploma is held by four chief provincial poultry officers, four assistant provincial poultry officers and 30 county poultry officers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the wide spread dissatisfaction and sense of grievance which prevails amongst officers recently appointed to all branches of the National Agricultural Advisory Service, and the importance of starting the new service with a contente4 staff, he will hold an inquiry with a view to the removal of genuine grievances and adjustment of the conditions which have led to the dissatisfaction.

Certain of the conditions under which officers have been appointed to the National Agricultural Advisory Service are still under discussion with the staff associations concerned, but in my view a special inquiry is neither necessary nor appropriate.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the main basis of dissatisfaction seems to be in regard to the form of examination, and could he direct his inquiries into that matter?

As I have already explained, these matters are still under discussion with the various staff associations. Wherever an officer in the National Agricultural Advisory Service feels aggrieved at his appointment, or at the failure to get an appointment, he has direct access to the Department. In fact, many officers have made contact.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why poultry advisory officers in the National Agricultural Advisory Service were graded so much below their colleagues in other branches of the industry; and if he is prepared to re-examine the matter with a view to re-grading these officers at an early date.

Applicants for posts as poultry advisory officers were graded in accordance with their qualifications by boards set up by the Civil Service Commissioners, which included officers of my Department and outside experts, and every care was taken to apply uniform standards of grading as between applicants for the several sections of the National Agricultural Advisory Service. While I am, therefore, unable to accept the implication in the first part of the Question, I have received representations from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants about the general position of poultry advisory officers and am considering them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give details of the present and future production of farm tractors made from Bren carrier parts; how many of such tractors are to be delivered to the Argentine Government; and what supplies are to be made available to British farmers.

Present production of tractors made from gun carrier parts is small, and I understand that there is so far only a small home demand for them. A demand has, however, apparently arisen in the Argentine and the extent to which this might be met by the manufacturers, having regard to available supplies of materials and other factors, is at present under consideration

asked the Minister of Agriculture why a circular, called "Fabian Quiz," advertising the Fabian Society, appealing for members and for financial support for that society, was sent out in a franked envelope bearing on its label, "On His Majesty's Service," and, "On the official business of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, London."