asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider the refusal of his Department to grant the issue of supplementary coupons to the Manchester City Mission for the provision of uniforms as worn by the deaconesses of the mission.

I am giving this matter further consideration.

May I say how much obliged I am to the right hon. and learned Gentleman for his reply, and express the hope that he will give very favourable consideration to this very worthy cause?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what percentage of our exports for the first quarter of this year was represented by N.A.A.F.I, and U.N.R.R.A. supplies;

(2) what percentage of our imports for the first three months of this year came from the hard currency area; and what percentage of our exports went to this area.

Full information about N.A.A.F.I. and U:N.R.R.A. supplies will be found in the Board of Trade Journal for 26th April; and about our trade with hard and soft currency areas in the Board of Trade Journal for 24th May.

The approximate percentages are:

Is it not a fact that when calculating the difference between our imports and exports, these uncommercial exports are included, and ought they not to be excluded?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the U.N.R.R.A. and N.A.A.F.I. figures. If the U.N.R.R.A. exports do not go under the ægis of U.N.R.R.A., they may well go under some other ægis.

asked the President of the Board or Trade if he is aware that Government surplus officers' field boots, sold by the Government at £1 7s. 6d. per pair under condition of sale that the boots be exported, were retailed on the home market at £3 5s. per pair: if the rice between £ 7s. 6d. and £3 5s. is within the price margin fixed by him; if Purchase Tax has been paid on the sales of these boots; and what steps he is taking to prevent future evasion of conditions of sale.

Yes, Sir. I am aware of this unsatisfactory transaction. The difference between the Government surplus sale price and the retail price charged does exceed the total of distributors' permitted margins for footwear and it is not yet established whether Purchase Tax has been paid on any or all of these boots. These matters are being looked into, but steps have been taken to ensure that future sales of this type are confined to traders whose full observance of conditions of sale can be guaranteed.

How was it possible for my right hon. and learned Friend's Department to give the answer on 3rd April that they were aware of the sales, and justified them on the ground that they were in accordance with the method of disposal of Government surplus articles, when the answer now proves that they could not have been in possession of that information?

After further inquiry, we have come to the conclusion which I have stated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of 25 by 6 tyres required by many local authorities for vehicles engaged in refuse disposal and cleansing work; what action he is taking to persuade tyre manufacturers to meet this urgent need; and when it is anticipated that outstanding demands will be met.

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the shortage of this and other sizes of giant tyres. Tyre manufacturers are giving as much priority as possible to the needs of local authorities for their sanitary vehicles, but they have also to provide for new sanitary vehicles and for the competing needs of many other essential transport services. It is not possible to anticipate when outstanding demands will be met.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that local authorities cannot get tyres for their ambulances, and would he give attention to that matter also?

That is another question. Ambulances take a much smaller tyre than the oversized tyres mentioned in the Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has yet been made with regard to the right of British firms to trade with Japan; and what arrangements have been made so far as the payments in dollars or sterling are concerned.

Yes, Sir. As my hon. Friend will have read in the Press, an announcement was made by General MacArthur in Tokyo on Monday last authorising the resumption of private trade with Japan, with certain limitations, from 15th August next. The Orders relaxing the United Kingdom trading with the enemy restrictions have already been issued. As regards the second part of the Question, negotiations on these and other points, including the size of the quotas of business men from each country to be permitted to enter Japan, are still proceeding with the American authorities.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer, may I ask whether the 11 nations concerned with the set-up in Japan have met to discuss the possibilities of fixing the international commercial rate for the yen; and could he also state whether the United States Commercial Corporation will control this trade in Japan, as some of us are given to understand, after 15th August?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put those Questions on the Paper.

On which system are these men to be allowed to go to Japan? Will it be by selection, or will it be open to anybody?

It will probably be on the basis of allocating certain numbers from each nation. That has not yet been settled, but anybody who wishes to go should communicate with my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, why tailors and clothing outfitters in Liverpool are unable to obtain supplies of men's flannel trousers; and why there is an abundance of women's flannel slacks for which there is little demand.

I am not aware that tailors and outfitters in Liverpool are not obtaining their share of the supplies of men's flannels. There is a general shortage because, while demobilisation led to a large increase in demand, the output of cloth especially of worsted flannel trouserings is increasing only gradually and is still well below prewar. So far as women's garments are concerned, I have no reason to suppose that manufacturers will continue to produce in any quantity those types for which there is little demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that large quantities of new rubber Wellington boots have been cut up and delivered to mills for fuel in recent weeks; under what authority this is being done; and if he will take immediate steps to stop such waste.

No, Sir. I am not aware of any such waste of new rubber boots; but if the hon. Member can give me any detailed information, I will certainly look into the matter immediately.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there were very large quantities of new boots, some of them marked "Dunlop"? I will do my best to produce some for him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by how much tobacco consumption has been reduced since the Budget; whether the reduction is as great as was anticipated; and what steps is he taking to substitute Empire-grown for U.S. tobacco.

There was a substantial drop in tobacco consumption immediately after the Budget, but it is too early yet to estimate accurately whether consumption will settle down at a level above or below the target of a 25 per cent. reduction set by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. We are already buying al] the Empire tobacco that is available.

Is the quantity of Empire grown tobacco sufficient to make up for the 25 per cent. the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to save on imports from America?

No. That will be taken off what is left.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to ensure increased production of soda ash; whether he is aware that woolcombers in the wool textile industry cannot increase their 1946 output without increased allocations of soda ash; and whether he will arrange for such increased allocations to be made.

Production of soda ash is at present limited by coal supplies. I am examining the position as to woolcombers' supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what procedure is now in force in regard to the separation of paper from other refuse col- lected by local authorities; and by what regulations it is prescribed.

The Directions under Defence Regulations 54B, served on local authorities requiring them to collect certain salvage materials, including waste paper, and keep them separate from ordinary refuse, still remain in operation. Local authorities for the more populous areas are being urged to see that the work is effectively carried out.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the maximum amounts of expenditure allowed to be incurred for alterations to ready-made, utility, and non-utility garments, respectively; by what regulations they are prescribed; and for what purpose.

Subject to certain exceptions, the maximum charges for alterations to ready-made garments are 20s. for utility and 20s. for non utility. It was necessary to prescribe maximum charges for alterations to ready-made garments in order to prevent evasion of price control. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the orders which prescribe these maximum charges.

While appreciating the reason which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has given for this, may I ask whether he realises that very little alteration can, in fact, be done for those maximum sums? Does he not think some up-scaling of them may now be required?

This matter has been considered, and, in order to prevent evasion, we think the present sums ought to be stuck to.

Does the maximum sum fit the maximum size?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of shirts and scarves for Boy Scouts; and whether material can be diverted from army purposes to help alleviate the situation.

I am afraid that these difficulties are no greater than in other cases. It is impossible to make any special arrangements for diversion of surpluses to meet this case, but such surpluses as do arise are distributed through the normal channels of trade, and manufacturers of Boy Scouts shirts and scarves can purchase such surplus material.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal from the U.S.A. is to be imported into the United Kingdom by the end of 1947.

As a result of the recent application made by the United Kingdom to the European Coal Organisation, an allocation of American coal has been made to this country for the third quarter of 1947. This allocation, which amounts to 600,000 tons for the quarter, is contingent upon the total U.S. availability of export coal to Europe attaining and exceeding 3,000,000 tons per month. Provision has also been made by the European Coal Organisation whereby, in certain circumstances, the United Kingdom will be entitled to secure tonnages of U.S. coal in excess of the 600,000 tons, and in certain other circumstances, to secure some coal if the U.S. availability is below 3,000,000 tons. The allocation of American coal to European destinations for the fourth quarter will not take place before August, and it is not possible to forecast what the position will be at that date.

Can the Minister give the House an assurance on two points? First, that the maximum quantity of coal available to this country will be imported from the U.S.A. to avoid the possibilities of another fuel crisis? Secondly, that future information about these matters will be given to this House in the first instance?

As regards the amount of coal, we shall, of course, secure the maximum amount of imports; but there is a limit to what we can receive. As regards furnishing information, we always do furnish information to the House on these matters in the first instance.

What is likely to be the price of that imported coal? What will be the equivalent of 600,000 tons in terms of daily output from our own mines?

As regards the first supplementary, I shall answer a Question on that matter later on. As regards the second, I should like to see it on the Paper.

How does the Minister reconcile his statement that he always gives publicity with his refusal to give publicity to the salaries paid to the members of the Coal Board?

That is wholly irrelevant.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power under what authority a local fuel overseer acts in forbidding a consumer from changing his coal merchant; and if any appeal lies against the decision of the fuel overseer.

The power to grant or refuse a change of registration for coal supplies is vested in local fuel overseers by Article 30 of the Coal Distribution Order, 1943. An appeal against any local fuel overseer's decision on this matter may be made, under Article 55 of the same Order, to the regional coal officer.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think the time has come when these fuel overseers—little Hitlers—should be dispensed with?

I think not. The local fuel overseers render very valuable service.

Is there any machinery of appeal from the ruling of a regional officer to the right hon. Gentleman to get satisfaction?

Of course, there is always access to the Minister.

Is there any facility for getting rid of our Fuel Minister?

Oh.

The right hon. Gentleman does not care a tinker's cuss.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of complaints by retail coal merchants that trucks are arriving seriously short of the declared amount carried; that this is adding to the difficulties, both of retailers and domestic consumers; and what action will be taken to avoid this in the immediate future.

Yes, Sir, but short weight may be due to one or more of a variety of causes, and I can hold out no hope of an early or comprehensive solution of this long standing and difficult problem. As far as colliery weights are concerned, however, I am informed by the National Coal Board that they already have the matter under consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that it is alleged in some parts that this abuse is increasing? In view of that, could not something specially be done, at least, to get back to the normal rules of supply?

It would require the removal of a great many defects—in the loading of coal at collieries and in the tare of wagons; and we should require to ensure that the coal was not pilfered in transit.

On a point of Order. As the hon. Gentleman the Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) is not here to ask the Question which you have just called, and as I asked a supplementary seeking this information just now, is it not right that the Minister should answer it?

If an hon. Member is not here to ask a Question I am afraid it cannot be asked.

Further to that point of Order. As the Minister stated definitely that he would deal later with the supplementary of the hon. Member for East Fife (Mr. Henderson Stewart) when we reached this Question, cannot he now answer it?

We cannot have a Question answered that is not asked.

It was only the other day, was it not, that a Minister answered at the end of Questions a Question which had been passed by? May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, if it would not be fitting that the Minister should take that course on this occasion?

That is not a matter for me at all.

On a point of Order. May I ask the Leader of the House if he will now invite the Minister of Fuel and Power to make his promised statement on the price to be paid for imported American coal?

I do not think it is for me to invite Ministers to answer particular questions. The fact is that the hon. Member who put down the Question was not here, and it would really be rather unusual for a Minister to reply in those circumstances.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recollect that the Minister of Fuel and Power, in answer to my supplementary question, indicated that he intended to make a statement, and further that his statement about the importation of American coal is quite incomplete unless the House knows what the price is going to be.

If the hon. Member rose to a point of Order, it should be addressed to me and I must deal with it. The blame lies upon the hon. Member who was not here when the Question was called. We cannot expect the Minister to look round to see whether a Member is here; he is quite entitled to say that he has a Question down and is going to answer it. It will, of course, be answered in due course in HANSARD.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give the number of cases, showing acreages and periods in excess of four weeks, where opencast coalmining has ceased and restoration has not begun.

I regret that information in the form requested by the hon. and gallant Member is not available, and could not be obtained without special inquiry. If, however, he has in mind any particular case where restoration seems to have been unduly delayed and will send me details, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the total estimated yields of opencast coal from sites already restored, and from sites where working has finished but which await restoration; and what were the actual yields in both cases.

On 28th May, 1947, the latest date for which the information is available, 15,091,197 tons of coal had been produced from worked out sites, as compared with original estimates before working started of 18,767,346 tons, or an overall recovery of 80.4 per cent. The information available does not distinguish between sites already restored and worked out sites awaiting restoration.

Would the Minister say whether some of the sites which originally were considered not to be worth working, in the light of the quality of the coal, are now being worked, in view of the yield being considered adequate?

Of course, the quality of coal varies on these opencast sites. We must go on working them.

Is it not a fact that sites which were likely to produce poor quality coal are now being worked, despite the fact that it was not intended to requisition them earlier on; and is coal of poor quality now being used for some other purpose that was not possible before?

It seems as if the hon. and gallant Member has some particular case in mind. I wish he would let me have it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he Will, on application, provide owners of land re- quisitioned for opencast coalmining with a copy of the conditions as to restoration contained in each contract affecting their land.

Yes, Sir.

Have the county agricultural executive committees also given some information, in view of the importance of ensuring that proper drainage is instituted when restoration work takes place; and will the right hon. Gentleman consider that?

I will look at it but I should imagine that every owner of requisitioned land is furnished with a copy, and that is as much as I could do.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal has been carbonised per week in Yorkshire ovens owned by the National Coal Board since 1st January, 1947.

The average quantity of coal carbonised weekly between 1st January and 31st May, 1947, at coking plants in Yorkshire belonging to the National Coal Board amounted to 58,165 tons.

Is the Minister aware that I am firmly convinced that there would be a considerable increase in output with carbonisation on a full throw-out; and that, furthermore, I am firmly convinced that some of them—even under the coke-oven plant owned by the N.C.B.—are not doing as much as they might do?

We have, on the basis of this weekly average, carbonised 1,250000 tons since the beginning of the year. But I will take note of what my hon. Friend has said and see what can be done.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) why, in view of the great public interest in coal production, he has instructed the National Coal Board to discontinue the publication of weekly output statistics;

(2) why he has decided that coal-production figures should henceforth be given on a national instead of a divisional basis.

Weekly figures of current coal output are normally given in the Ministry of Fuel and Power's monthly Press announcement. Provisional estimates of coat output have recently been given at weekly intervals because of the public interest in the effect on output of the five-day week. Provisional estimates of this kind are, however, subject to considerable margins of error, and it is not proposed to continue to publish them regularly. Weekly figures will, however, continue to be given in the monthly Press announcement, both on a national and on a regional basis

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the reason given by Mr. Hobson for declining the position of Deputy Chairman of the British Electricity Authority.

In the letter he wrote to me Mr. Hobson gave no reason for declining a proposal I had made to him that he should be a Deputy Chairman of the British Electricity Authority when it is set up.

Is the Minister aware that this Mr. Hobson was formerly one of the most experienced men in this particular field in this country; and is it not a fact that he would not serve under this particular authority?

There is no indication of that in Mr. Hobson's letter, which I have before me.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has any further statement to make regarding conversion from coal to oil.

In my previous statement I explained that the annual rate of oil consumption represented by schemes of conversion already approved would be increased to five million tons a year, equivalent to an annual saving of coal of eight million tons by the middle of 1948. This programme, which is the maximum that can be achieved in that time, has been reviewed, and the Government have decided against any further general extension of the programme for the time being. The matter will, however, be considered again in the autumn, when the trend of coal output will be more clearly established.

In the meantime, to provide in appropriate cases for applications that are now awaiting consideration, arrangements will be made to import another one million tons of oil a year. After meeting these cases there will be some margin for special cases where it can be shown that the amount of coal saved would be exceptionally high in proportion to the amount of oil burnt, but no other new applications can be entertained. The additional import of one million tons of oil a year will not begin to be available before the third quarter of 1948, but it is not anticipated that most of the firms whose applications may now be authorised will be able to complete conversion before that quarter: any exceptional case where earlier conversion is possible will be given special consideration. In the result, unless it is decided in the autumn to increase the whole programme, the consumption of fuel oil on coal-oil conversion projects will attain a rate of six million tons a year, and will result in an annual saving of ten million tons of coal by the calendar year 1949.

During the course of his reply the Minister stated that the programme to use up to five million tons of oil was the maximum that can he achieved. Why is it the maximum? Is it because that is the maximum amount of oil that can be imported to this country; or is it because in the estimation of my right hon. Friend it is the maximum amount of oil which can be burnt by the equipment which can be supplied in the time?

We must have regard to several factors. One is the element of uncertainty about the imports of fuel oil in the next few years. In addition, there is difficulty regarding the supply of steel for the purpose of manufacturing the equipment. Apart from that, we must have regard to the possibility—I would not put it higher than that—that in 1949 we shall be producing a larger amount of coal, and, to that extent, would not require fuel oil.

Will my right hon. Friend also continue to bear in mind the necessity for making and keeping ourselves as self-supporting as we possibly can, in the event of there being another national emergency?

We are doing what we can to safeguard supplies, but supplies are obviously affected by a great many considerations, some of which are out of our control.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give special consideration to those cases in which the preliminary work is practically completed, and where they are ready to convert except for the oil? Surely their case should have first consideration?

I think I can give an assurance on that point at once. If the work is already in hand, of course, the fuel oil will be supplied.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is in the nature of a gamble to assume that there will be sufficient coal available in 1949 to render a large extension of this conversion programme unjustified; and would he consult with the firms engaged in this work, who are very anxious to see a very much bigger scheme than he is prepared to agree to?

We are in constant consultation with the manufacturing firms in this matter. Of course, we use as our medium the Petroleum Board, who are experts in this regard. As regards the future of coal supplies, the hon. Member will have taken note of the fact that we are seeking to achieve a saving of 10 million tons in 1949.

It is not very clear, but perhaps we shall understand it better when we read the terms of the Minister's answer. It would appear that this position is a reversal of the appeal made by the right hon. Gentleman earlier on. Are we to take it that with regard to any individual firm which placed orders on the strength of the Minister's appeal, the necessary machinery will be allowed to be installed when delivered?

So far as I know, this is no reversal of the programme originally arranged.

Could the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my supplementary question? Where firms or individuals have placed orders for machinery, on the strength of the right hon. Gentleman's earlier appeal to do what they could to convert coal or coke burning installations into oil, and got the machinery delivered, are they to be allowed to instal the machinery or are the orders to be cancelled?

If the scheme has been approved by the Department the oil will materialise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the increasing number and variety of officials who have been given rights by the Government to demand entrance to the homes of the people throughout the country, he will give an assurance that no system of inspection under which psychologists visit delinquent families in their homes will be permitted.

I have no knowledge that any such system of inspection is contemplated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British public is very long suffering? That must not lull the Government into believing that they can interfere more and more with the daily life of the nation. Our people merely want to lead their own lives in their own way — [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] Never mind about "Speech." What about an answer?

I told the hon. Member that no such appointments are contemplated.

Can I have a definite assurance?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Cambridge County Council is inviting applications for the post of children's officer at a salary of £360 per year; whether he has given guidance to local authorities as to the qualifications and experience desirable for this work; and whether, in view of the recommendations of the Curtis Report, he is satisfied that local authorities are aware of the need to offer salaries which will attract applicants of the requisite high standard for this important and responsible work.

My attention has been drawn to this advertisement, and I am in communication with the county council. It is of great importance that the salaries offered for posts of children's officer should be such as to attract candidates with a high standard of qualifications, as recommended in the Report of the Care of Children Committee. I intend shortly to issue guidance to local authorities on this and other matters bearing on the implementation of the Committee's recommendations.

In laying down the qualifications, will the right hon. Gentleman see that undue stress is not placed on academic qualifications, and that proper emphasis is placed on humane and humanitarian qualifications?

I shall endeavour to see that the qualifications required are well balanced. I accept the general principle contained in the hon. Member's remarks.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that it is the practice of Ministers of His Majesty's Government to decline to disclose to Parliament the salaries and allowances paid to members of the boards and executives of national undertakings, when they have power under the Statutes to obtain that information; and if he will issue instructions that this practice is to cease and full information be given.

I have been asked to reply. Salaries and allowances of members of the boards of socialised industries have been disclosed to Parliament. Members of these boards are appointed by the Minister concerned, he determines the terms and conditions of appointment, and in respect of these he is responsible to Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is aware that information has been declined in respect of executive staff of such undertakings. They are appointed by the board concerned, and the Minister has no responsibility. Appointment and remuneration of staff are functions of management, and the Government believe that socialised boards should have the same freedom and privacy in this respect as does any other commercial undertaking.

Is it not a fact that under the Companies Bill the salaries of all executives will have to be disclosed? Is not the maintenance of this secrecy entirely opposed to a democratic system, and is it not a scandal that Parliament are not to be kept informed on these matters?

I understand that that is not so under the Companies Bill, but in any case it is not yet law. If the House wanted this information, they should have made provision for it in the Bills, but there was considerable pressure from the Opposition side that the Government should not have excessive powers of interference.

Will the figures be given in the published accounts of these boards?

I could not say. I do not think there is any obligation on the boards to give them. On the face of it, it is clear that there should be no more obligation put on them than in the case of any other commercial undertaking.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the combination of the words "desirability of privacy" with "expenditure of public money"?

The right hon. Gentleman really ought to know better. These boards are not spending public money, but money which comes out of their revenue.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his colleagues, in the course of the discussions which took place on the Bills to which he has referred, definitely refused to allow provisions to be included for the publication of these figures?

In that case, it shows how well they responded to the doctrines and policy of the Opposition, and hon. Members opposite ought to be grateful.

To the extent that public money is involved in these undertakings, whether by subsidy or not, will the Public Accounts Committee and the Select Committee on Estimates have a right to make these investigations?

It is clear that if public money—I am talking about money voted by Parliament—becomes involved then Parliamentary accountability arises.

The right hon. Gentleman referred to the Opposition not wanting the Ministers to have increased powers over these boards, but is he aware that this question suggests that the Minister should give to Parliament information which is already in his possession, or should be?

Is not the real reason for the reticence in this respect the obvious discrepancy between the Socialist Government paying salaries of £40, £50 and g60 a week, and what they have been telling us for the last 50 years?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any precedent, except in the case of members of the Secret Service, for refusing to Parliament information about salaries and allowances coming out of public funds?

The noble Lord is hopelessly wrong. He really ought to know the first elements of this. These salaries are not paid out of money voted by Parliament, but out of the revenue of these business undertakings. Therefore they are in a different category from the Civil Service, where money is paid out of Parliament. These are not Civil Service undertakings, but commercial bodies.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any precedent for a Minister refusing to give information in the possession of his Department when the public interest is involved?

I have no idea whether the information is in the possession of the Minister or not; in fact, in some cases Ministers have specifically stated that they have not the information.

In view of the grossly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the subject on the Adjournment.

It is thoroughly unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Labour what plans and arrangements he has made for the absorption of the 2,000 people who are at present employed by the Ministry of Food in the administration of the bread rationing system when that system comes to an end.

When employees of the Ministry of Food become redundant through the abolition of bread rationing, the facilities offered by local offices of my Department are available to assist them to find further employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am not going to make a speech about this? Is he further aware that the tragic farce the Government made of bread rationing leaves me absolutely speechless?

If the consequence of the "tragic" legislation passed by the Government is your silence, I think it would be a good job if we had some more.

On a point of Order. I wish to draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to the gross attack the Minister has just made in addressing you. He said that it would be better if you kept silent. Is that in Order from a Minister? [Interruption.] It is time you obeyed the Rules of the House.

I am afraid that it missed me.

It is not the first time the right hon. Gentleman has been grossly disorderly, or perhaps rude in addressing you, Mr. Speaker.

Is it in Order for the noble Lord to say that it is about time "you" learnt the Rules of the House?

I think we might call it even—it is a Roland for an Oliver.

Further to that point of Order, may I most humbly apologise and express the hope that the Minister of Labour will have the courtesy to follow my example?

If following the noble Lord's example is courtesy, I shall avoid doing it.

I am quite happy. Nothing would ever keep me speechless.

asked the Minister of Labour if his talks with the football pool promoters are now completed; what labour they expect to employ in the coming season; what reductions they have made in their staffs and to what industries has the labour gone; and if he is now satisfied with the position.

In reply to the first and last parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Barrow-in-Furness (Mr. Monslow), on 17th April last. Information to enable replies to be given to the remainder of the Question is not available.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is satisfactory now, in June, to give me an answer as to the state of his mind last April? Is he satisfied with the position today, in view of the bottleneck in labour in the textile industry? Cannot he get more labour from the football pools to put into this industry? Is he satisfied with the position?

I was not asked whether I was satisfied or not; I was asked about the position.

I did ask whether the right hon. Gentleman was satisfied.

I referred the hon. Member to the answer I gave to another hon. Member, which sets out all the information I have at my disposal.

On a point of Order. The Minister said, Sir, that I did not ask whether he was satisfied with the position. Can the Minister read and understand King's English?

Whether a Member likes the answer that is given to him or not is not a point of Order.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that between now and the next football season this matter will be most actively pursued, as there is a widespread feeling among those who are in no sense spoilsports that there is a great waste of manpower in connection with football pools?

I have no authority to intervene in what should or should not be the activities of these football pool associations. The answer I gave earlier, and the conference I had with them, showed that they were most anxious to co-operate, and are carrying out the undertaking they gave me.

Due, I am sure to a misunderstanding, the right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of the Question.

I said that I had no further information beyond what I have already given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied? That was my question. He is afraid of it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the continuing reductions in the period of service in the Armed Forces, it is proposed that grants for further education and training will be perpetuated along existing lines.

Some changes are to be made after 30th September next; but as the detailed statement is long I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the need for attracting more women workers to the wool-textile industry, any negotiations have yet been made, and with what success, to give women men's rates of pay for equal work.

I am not aware of any such negotiations, which would, of course, be a matter for the two sides of the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet fixed the date for the introduction of the new Interim Index of Retail Prices as recommended by the Cost-of-Living Advisory Committee.

The Government have decided, in accordance with the recommendation of the Cost-of-Living Advisory Committee, to introduce the new Interim Index of Retail Prices forthwith. The Technical Committee of this Advisory Committee which has been working out the detailed plans for utilising the information obtained by the 1937–38 Budgets Inquiry has recommended that prices for the new Index should be collected on the Tuesday nearest the 15th of each month instead of the 1st of each month, as has been the practice with the existing Index. Accordingly, 17th June will be the base date of the new Index, which will then start at 100. On that day, also, prices will be collected for the last time for the purpose of the existing Cost-of-Living Index. On 15th July, and monthly thereafter, prices will be collected for the new Index only. The results of each calculation will be announced as soon as known and published in the next following issue of the "Gazette." Thus the calculation as at 15th July should be known about mid-August, and published in the August issue of the "Gazette." This will mean that any industries whose wage agreements contain provisions for adjustment according to movement of the existing Cost-of-Living Index will have something over two months in which to consider the question of amending those provisions. I would add that the Technical Committee to which I have referred will be issuing a final comprehensive report at an early date. In the meantime, for the information of all those interested, a leaflet has been prepared explaining, as simply as possible, the main difference between the new Interim Index of Retail Prices and the old Cost-of-Living Index. Copies are now available to Members in the Vote Office.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many candidates entered for the Open Reconstruction Competition for the clerical class of the Civil Service in November, 1946, and how many were successful; what were the comparable figures for the limited competition for minor and manipulative grades of the Post Office in December, 1946; and what were the passmarks required for Sections 1 and 3 and Section 2 in each examination.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the discontent among members of the minor and manipulative grades of the Post Office, at what they consider to be unfair discrimination against themselves in these two examinations?

They should not have that feeling, because they have a chance of entering for the open competition, as well as the restricted competition. We must keep our promise to the ex-Service men who enter for the other one, and who have certain prior rights.

Can my right hon. Friend answer the last part of the Question, about the passmarks?

The passmarks were: Section 1: Civilian, 400; Service, 355; Section 2: 400 in each case. Section 3: Service, 355. For the limited competition the passmarks are higher, because Service candidates are not entering. The pass-marks are: Section 1: 435. Section 2: 465. Section 3: 435.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us the percentage of failures, because my information is that it is over 50 per cent.?

That is true of the limited competition. The number of candidates entering was 5,645, and only 751 passed.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the number of candidates who present themselves, for the open competition and their quality, are sufficiently good to preserve the standards in the Civil Service?

An examination is set to give a standard which, we hope, will give us the kind of candidate we want.

In view of the high standard demanded in the Civil Service, will my right hon. Friend discuss this matter further with the Civil Service Commissions, because there is a great deal of dissatisfaction?

I realise that. These people have the chance of entering for the open competition, as well as the rather harder limited competition.

Is it not the case that the proportion of vacancies in the clerical grade, which are allocated to be filled from various sources of recruitment, is agreed by the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service, which is representative of both sides?

That is so, and not only by the Whitley Council, but also by this House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many policemen were sent on 3rd June to delete the words "Tinker's Palace" from a house in Beechcroft Road, Tooting; and what are the present instructions to the police with regard to the removal of slogans of this character from walls and buildings in the Metropolitan area.

The answer to the lust part of the Question is, "Four." No specific instructions about the removal of slogans have been issued by the Commissioner of Police.

Would the right hon. Gentleman use what influence he has to restrain Ministers of the Crown from making provocative and blasphemous statements, which are liable to lead to retaliation?

It is my duty, as being responsible for the Police, to see that the King's peace is preserved, and that when people break the law, as was done in this case, by defacing walls, that proper steps are taken to preserve the peace.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most objectionable Communist slogans have been painted on the walls of Bayswater Road facing Kensington Gardens, and that they have been there for some time?

Would my right hon. Friend look into the possibility of the culprit in this case being a member of the Housewives' League?

Can the Minister confirm or deny the rumour that motorists passing this residence have developed the habit of giving two hoots?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what report he has received from the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police upon the disorders which arose at the Royal Albert Hall on the occasion of the recent meeting of the British Housewives' League.

I have received a report on this meeting, from which it appears that about half an hour after it started organised interruption of the speakers commenced. After this had been going on for some time, police, at the request of the organisers of the meeting, asked the interrupters to leave, and the majority did so. At a later stage an attempt by two members of the audience to gain access to the platform led to some disorder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many visas have been granted to Swiss citizens in the last three months to enable them to visit this country; and how many refused.

The last three months for which complete returns are available are February, March and April. During that period the number of visas for the journey to the United Kingdom granted in Switzerland was 5,223 and the number refused was 43.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if evidence has been obtained to prove what body is responsible for sending letter bombs recently to certain citizens in this country.

Police inquiries into this matter are still proceeding, and I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any evidence to justify the present statements associating this with terrorist activities?

In the present state of the inquiries, I think that any information which I gave as to the line the investigators are pursuing might hinder their work.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange to have civilian respirators collected and the materials utilised for more useful purposes by the salvage organisation.

As many as practicable of the bulkier and specialised types of civilian respirators, which were not personal issues have been collected and these, with unissued stocks of all types, are being held in central storage as an emergency reserve. The salvage value of the materials of which these ordinary types are made would not, I am advised, justify special collection, and on balance it is preferable that these respirators should still remain entrusted to the custody of the public.

In view of the probable nature of the next war, is it not a waste of time and labour to gather and store these objects.

I am not going to prophesy about the nature of the next war, or whether some of the horrors of the past may not be repeated if we had such a misfortune.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the Parliamentary Boundaries Commission, extracts from which were recently published in the Press, will be available.

Full provisional recommendations for England with the exception of the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, West Riding, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland will, I understand, be published tomorrow and a copy will be placed in the Library. The recommendations in respect of the English counties I have just named will be available next week and those in regard to Wales will follow at an early date.

What about Northern Ireland?

I will make inquiries as to when the proposals with regard to Northern Ireland will be available.

What about Scotland?

Can the Home Secretary say how it is that a statement was given to the Press two weeks before it was available to this House?

A copy of the recommendations was not given to the Press, but in view of the general interest in the overall arrangement the Commissioners decided to give to the Press the figures there would be in each of the new constituencies. The full recommendations will be much more detailed than the statement issued to the Press.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether maps will be presented with the report showing the boundary alterations?

Yes, Sir. I hope that I shall not be accused of having an undue privilege, but I have seen the recommendations relating to the administrative County of London in which a map is included, and a map will also be included, I understand, with each of the other county reports.