asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement regarding trade negotiations that have taken place with the Dutch Government.

These negotiations were adjourned before Christmas, after a preliminary exchange of views, and will be resumed in the Hague early next month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement regarding the trade negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Soviet Union.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 22nd January.

As I have not the answer by me, would the right hon. Gentleman say whether anything has been received yet?

No, but grain is being loaded, and a number of ships have been chartered to go from this country to pick up grain which will be available at the beginning of February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what instructions he has issued to manufacturers regarding the sizes in which ladies' shoes are to be made in future; and whether these will include a reasonable proportion of the larger sizes from 6 upwards.

No instructions are issued to shoe manufacturers as to the range of sizes which they must produce, though arrangements are made to see that makers of larger sizes receive an adequate return both in selling price and raw materials. The proper proportion of all sizes, including the smaller and larger ones, is a matter for each manufacturer to decide in the light of the orders he receives. I am, however, aware that some women who need larger shoes find considerable difficulty in getting them, and I have spoken to the shoe manufacturing and distributing organizations who are meeting shortly to see whether they can devise a means of dealing with this difficulty.

When the right hon. Gentleman meets the manufacturers will he bear in mind that the shops today are simply stacked with these small, dainty, Cinderella-like shoes? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes, they are Cinderellas in that they are always left behind. Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that there must be something to buy for the large, queue-tortured feet?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a boot and shoe repairer is required by regulation to use his leather allocation solely to meet the requirements of the district in which his works are situated, or whether he may use any raw material available to execute work from adjacent areas.

No, Sir; there are no restrictions on the area from which any licensed shoe repairer may draw custom.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make his reply idely known?

Has there not been an extra allocation of leather in Westminster to inspire the slogan, "Boot out Bevan," which appears on the Embankment?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what he estimates would now be, on the average, the amounts apportionable to leather and other materials, to labour, to overheads, and to profit, respectively, out of a charge of 10s. 6d. for soling and heeling a pair of shoes.

Until we have had a general investigation of costs and profits, we cannot analyse repair charges in the way suggested by my hon. Friend. As my hon. Friends the Members for East Nottingham (Mr. Harrison) and Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp) were informed on Tuesday last, such an investigation is now being undertaken by the Central Price Regulation Committee.

As there is such a great difference between the Department's figures and those given by the boot repairers, will the right hon. Gentleman see that the Committee report as soon as possible?

Yes, Sir. We promise a speedy report in this matter. The price was increased to take account of the increase in leather costs, and we took as our basis the figures supplied by the trade association.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the boot and shoe repairers have been faced with a loss of from 9d. to 1s. 3d. on every pair soled and heeled?

They are claiming that, an I we have promised them an investigate next month.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of leather has risen 60 to 70 per cent., and the basis for the figures was a 50 per cent. increase in the price of leather?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what is the cost of a pair of heels and soles, and whether it would reach 2s.?

Not without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why there is an acute shortage of good quality shoes for children at a time when supplies for adults are plentiful; and, if he will ensure that more leather is allocated for the making of children's shoes by reducing, if necessary, the quantity allocated for the making of shoes for adults.

Leather has for a long time been allocated on a basis which ensures a much higher children's shoe production than before the war. Production of children's shoes is now running at 130 per cent. against about 80 per cent. for adults' ordinary shoes. Seventy-five per cent. of the children's shoe production is utility, which is, on the average, rather better than the standard of pre-war shoes. But I agree that the healthy demand for the highest grades has grown so fast as to outstrip production of them. The limitation here is one of capacity, and not of leather allocations.

As there are not enough coupons to enable frequent replacements of shoes, will my right hon. Friend increase the quota for the better kinds?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, when his Department is responsible for assisting owners of requisitioned hotels to re-equip and recondition their hotels after de-requisition, letters dated 4th and 31st December from Blackpool Cliffs Hotel to the Tourist Catering and Holiday Services Division of the Board of Trade have not been answered; and what licences, permits and dockets he intends to issue in this case.

These letters which, incidentally, were sent to the wrong address, were forwarded immediately they were received to the British Tourist and Holidays Board, who are responsible for the distribution of rationed equipment within the hotel industry. The Tourist Board replied to the first letter on 10th December enclosing the necessary application form. This completed form has not yet been returned, but in case it has been overlooked the British Tourist and Holidays Board are sending a duplicate. It is regretted that owing to an oversight the letters were not acknowledged by the Board of Trade before being forwarded to the Tourist Board. As soon as the required information is provided the case will be sympathetically considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this sort of thing does not happen again? Does he realise that the British Tourist Catering and Holiday Services Board did nothing at all until I put down the Question?

I cannot guarantee that the hon. Gentleman's constituents will always send things to the right address. That was the trouble here.

They sent them to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the object of the Mission which he proposes to send to Brazil; what plans have been prepared to support the educational work of the Mission; who are the persons appointed; and if he will give details of the programme which the Mission will undertake.

The object of this Mission, which will be led by Sir John Wise, and will include representatives of the Treasury, Board of Trade and Bank of England, is to discuss financial and economic matters of mutual interest to the United Kingdom and Brazil, including any difficulties that are at present hampering trade in both directions. The details of the Mission's programme will be a matter for discussion and agreement with the Brazilian authorities when the Mission arrives. As regards the second part of the Question, I am not quite sure what the hon. Member has in mind, but it is part of the normal functions of the Commercial Department of His Majesty's Embassy at Rio de Janeiro—with the support of the Export Promotion Department of the Board of Trade—to draw attention to the advantages of Anglo-Brazilian trade, and in particular the merits of British goods and services.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make clear to the House that all the diplomatic influence that can be brought to bear will be given in support of this Mission by the Commercial Attaché?

This Mission will have the full support of all the diplomatic representatives, and we hope it will succeed in removing most of the difficulties which our exporters encounter today.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the result of negotiations between Britain and the United States for the disposal of the United Kingdom stock of natural rubber; what is the volume stock which is being negotiated for sale; what was the price of the stock acquired by bulk purchase; and if a disposal price has been arranged.

In response to a request from the United States Government, I have recently furnished details of the stocks held by His Majesty's Government, together with the prices at which these stocks have been on offer for some time past. These prices are based on 1s. 3 3/16d. per pound ex store for No. 1 sheet, and roughly represents the overall cost. I have also given some indication of the amounts which might be released for the United States Government stockpile. There have been no further developments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that in any negotiations which may take place in matters of this kind the interests of this country are always protected?

In these negotiations we have very much in mind the interests, not only of this country, but also very particularly of the producers in Malaya, and the maintenance of a reasonable price for this commodity.

Is it not true that two other Ministries are concerned in these negotiations; that they are consulting different people in the trade; and in order to avoid a repetition of what happened at Geneva would it not be better to consult officially the Rubber Study Group set up for this purpose?

The Departments are working together very closely, and there has been no difficulty in the matter to which the hon. Member refers. As far as I know, the Rubber Study Group are not meeting for some time, so it would not be possible for them to discuss it.

Would not their advice be useful on this important occasion; is it not true that the Colonial Office representative did give the Press information which was not accurate; and how can negotiations be carried on by three Ministries who are not working together in the matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inform the House of any emergency measures adopted to stimulate sales organisation in the United States, the Argentine and Canada, following his plea to British manufacturers to display the utmost vigour in meeting competition in those markets; and if the Commercial Secretariats and Consular Services are being strengthened with this object in view.

The Commercial Diplomatic and Consular Services in the United States and Argentina, and the Trade Commissioner Service in Canada, have all been strengthened in the last two years, and these three countries were specially visited last year to consider on the spot what further strengthening was necessary. A number of additional posts are being provided. My Department is constantly advising manufacturers as to the best methods of organising their export trade to these countries, and our representatives abroad are giving every possible assistance to visiting businessmen. There have also been a number of visits to each of these countries by delegations representative of particular industries w wished to study local conditions at first hand.

Will the Board of Trade constantly keep in mind that, while production is of first importance in this country, in countries abroad the selling side is equally important?

Yes, Sir, we have that very much in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the date on which the provisions of the Companies Act, 1947, relating to accounts are to be brought into force; and whether they will apply to all accounts published after that date or to accounts made up for periods ending after that date.

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Portsmouth (Major Bruce) on 27th November, the provisions of the Companies Act, 1947, relating to accounts will take effect from 1st July next, and will consequently apply to all accounts required to be laid before a company in general meeting on or after that date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a serious deficiency of soda ash, which is an essential component in the manufacture of glass; and what steps are being taken to rectify the position.

I am aware that there is a shortage of soda ash which is a basic material, not only in glass manufacture but in a wide range of other industries. Existing capacity for manufacturing soda ash is being worked to the maximum extent, and further increases can come only with the completion of new capacity which I am doing my best to expedite. Certain additional quantities have recently been made available for glass.

In view of the recent statement made by my right hon. Friend at a Press conference, to the effect that he proposes exporting soda ash, will he assure the House that he does not propose to do so until the needs of the export trades, including the wool textile trade as well as the glass trade, are fully met?

No, Sir. I cannot give that assurance because soda ash is one of the most important commodities which comes up for discussion in bilateral negotiations, and in certain countries a small quantity of soda ash might swing the whole trend of the negotiations. However, we keep very much in mind the needs of the export industries, and have made allocations as generously as we can to those particularly in need.

Is the right hon. Gentleman turning his attention to increasing the output from the Magadi Lake in East Africa, where there are enormous natural deposits?

Yes, Sir, we have that source of supply very much in mind, as well as sources in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to set up development councils for the woollen and worsted, pottery and hosiery industries.

Discussions with these industries are taking place at present. I cannot yet say how soon I shall be able to make public my proposals.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that he regards this as a matter of real urgency in the interests of producing a greater degree of efficiency in these industries?

Yes, Sir, I regard it as a matter of very great urgency, and have personally been having conversations with most of the industries concerned. I do not think it is any secret that we have run into fairly strong opposition from certain employers' organisations. I should like to get on with it as quickly as possible, although I should prefer to get on with it by agreement, perhaps more slowly, than by forcing the issue.

Will the Minister give an assurance that there will be no undue delay in bringing development councils into being, despite the difficulties he is meeting?

Yes, Sir, we shall certainly do so with no undue delay.

Does my right hon. Friend accept the principle of the desirability of affording executive powers to these development councils in each of the industries?

The powers and functions of development councils were laid down quite clearly in the relevant Act passed last Session. I think all the industries know exactly what are the powers and functions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to secure the considered opinion of the organisations representative of employers and employees in all the industries to which the Question refers, irrespective of the working party report which has been issued?

Yes, Sir. In each case I personally have met organisations from both sides of the industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to see that adequate supplies of cigarettes and tobacco are allocated to the canteens and local shopkeepers to meet the needs of the men employed at the Freemans Meadows, Leicester, in the erection of additional electrical generating plant.

There is no statutory control over the distribution of cigarettes and tobacco, but I understand that the manufacturers are prepared, when necessary, to provide additional supplies to meet needs resulting from temporary increases in employment. Local shopkeepers and canteen operators should make direct application to them for such supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will extend the issue of priority dockets and units to people who voluntarily or by compulsory billeting order received evacuees into their homes during the war years.

No, Sir. The suggestion has often been made but has been invariably rejected. I do not think that at this late date it can be entertained.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that neither the compensation paid nor the amount of units and dockets issued is anything like adequate to make up the wear and tear on household furnishings?

Yes, Sir. That point was made during the war, and it was not then considered possible to do anything to deal with it. To do so now would create a great degree of unfairness in making special concessions in detail.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is an acute shortage of knitting wool; and what steps are being taken to remedy this.

Although supplies of hand-knitting yarn are still rather short, deliveries to the home market in 1947 were 7 per cent. greater than in 1946. I hope that it will be possible to maintain supplies at or about this level, but it will be difficult to secure further improvement for the time being, since hand-knitting yarn is a very valuable export and any increase of production must be reserved for that purpose.

Is the Minister aware that hand-knitting wool is more than "rather short," and that good quality is practically unobtainable?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the Canadian employees of Hield Brothers, Ontario Factory, have subscribed for and packed tinned soup, meat, vegetables, fruit and biscuits, etc., to provide a Christmas dinner for the 1,400 employees of Hield Brothers, Bradford Factory; that his Department have refused to permit this firm to receive this gift, but have suggested that the food should be unpacked, sent in parcels addressed to individuals and re-pooled on arrival; and if he will reconsider this unnecessary dilatory procedure.

After consultation with the Ministry of Food Messrs. Hield Bros., were advised that it is contrary to the policy of His Majesty's Government to allow firms or organisations in this country to receive gifts of food in bulk for distribution amongst their members or employees. In collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food I am, however, looking into this case and into the general question of licensing in relation to gift food parcels.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that sending food in bulk saves considerable labour and is easier for distribution?

There are difficulties about food coming in large quantities off the ration, as it were. I have said I am not altogether happy about the situation, and I will go into it with my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it took from 21st August to 23rd December to complete the forms and procedure and answer all the questions of his Department before a gift of 168 lb. of dates from Teheran, which were to have been distributed between the employees of six textile factories in the West Riding of Yorkshire, could be cleared, and that, when all the requirements had been satisfied, the dates were rotten; and if he will take steps to simplify the procedure in order that wholesome gifts of food may be enjoyed.

No application for an import licence was made until the 27th October, although the dates arrived in this country on 21st July. Gift parcels to individuals are limited to 22 lb. gross. Normally, bulk imports to firms for distribution to staff are not allowed. As I have already explained, however, I am looking into the whole question of licensing of gift food parcels in collaboration with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food.

Will the Minister look into this case again? I can provide him with correspondence with his Department dating back to last August. Would he take note of the fact that the generous customer of this firm in Teheran who sent these dates has been paying for their storage, and also for watching the dates until they were found to be bad in December?

I should be glad to look at any correspondence the hon. and gallant Member cares to send me. I have said we are looking at the general case.

What compensation is being paid to those who should have received the parcels?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will issue an import licence immediately for a small parcel of garden seeds sent from Rochester, U.S.A., by a sister to Mr. T. L. Ground, Park House, Louth, Lincolnshire, for which he applied on 14th December and again on 9th January without receiving any reply; and whether he will state the reason for delay in dealing with correspondence.

A licence has now been issued. The hon. Member has been given full details in the reply to his letter of 20th January.

Will the Minister see that we get quicker service from his Department, and that our constituents do not have to wait for this service until we put down a Question?

I am anxious to see if we can speed up the service in these matters.

Why does the Department take so long to deal with all its correspondence?

I do not accept that imputation in the slightest, and certainly not as regards these cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a full statement with regard to the plans which have been made for accommodating foreign visitors who come to this country to attend the Olympic Games.

Arrangements to facilitate the provision of all types of accommodation for overseas visitors to the Olympic Games this year have been undertaken by the British Tourist and Holidays Board. An Olympic Games Accommodation (Overseas Visitors) Bureau has been established, and has now begun its work. This Bureau is operated, without profit, on behalf of the British Tourist and Holidays Board by the Creative Tourist Agents' Conference, and is located at 10, Mayfair Place, W.1. Its activities are supervised by a special committee under the chairmanship of one of the members of the British Tourist and Holidays Board, and is representative of the Organising Committee of the XIVth Olympiad, the Travel Agents and the Hotels Associations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many industries are desirous of assisting his export drive; and when he proposes to give facilities to Messrs. J. Wheedon and Sons, Salford, to export window frames and doors (softwood) which are so urgently required by other countries.

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have now been made for releasing timber for the manufacture for export of softwood window frames and doors, and manufacturers, including Messrs. J. Wheeldon and Sons, were informed of this on 21st January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of Turkish or East Mediterranean tobacco is being used in tobacco blends in this country.

Turkish and East Mediterranean tobacco is at present being used in manufacture in this country at the rate of about 5 million lb. per annum. This represents approximately 2½ per cent. of our total tobacco usage for home consumption. I cannot say what percentage is used in any particular blend.

Can the President of the Board of Trade say whether there is any likelihood of that percentage being increased, and whether there is sufficient blending machinery available to make an increase possible?

I am advised that the real difficulty is a technical one, arising from the differing moisture absorption rates of different tobaccos, which limits the extent to which Oriental tobacco can be blended with Virginian tobacco.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this difficulty arises out of certain Customs regulations going back nearly 100 years? Will he consider the possibility of amending these regulations to enable Oriental tobacco to be used?

I should be prepared to look at anything like that, but I am advised that at the moment the difficulty is a technical one. I do not think we should be prepared to make any change in the adulteration laws.

Is it not a fact that in the United States blends contain a much higher percentage of Oriental tobacco and are regularly marketed, which seems to indicate that they have overcome the technical difficulties? Is my right hon. Friend aware that if it is a choice between an inadequate supply of Virginian cigarettes, or an increased supply of blended cigarettes, the public would greatly prefer the latter?

Yes, Sir. But the American cigarettes contain a large proportion of miscellaneous commodities, including apple-peel, glycerine, honey and various other things in short supply in this country, which on grounds of our adulteration laws, we should not choose to see included in our cigarettes.

If tobacco is in such short supply, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is quite possible to grow Oriental tobacco in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that pit-props from abroad are being paid for at a higher price than home-grown pit-props; and what is the reason for this.

Yes, Sir. It is estimated that on the average the cost of imported pit-props is about 50 per cent. more than corresponding home-grown mining-timber, quality for quality. Prices of homegrown timber are controlled at a level which is intended to give the landowner and timber merchant a reasonable return, while prices of imported timber are governed by other considerations.

Is there any reason why there should be this difference between imported and home-grown prices? Surely the quality is the same?

The prices we have to pay for imported timber are determined by the world market. There is inflation of world prices for timber today, and there is no reason why our own timber merchants should cash in.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present controlled price of timber for pit props does not meet the cost of preparation, and that if the price schedule were reviewed objectively, it would be found possible greatly to increase the supply of home-grown pit props without putting any undeserved money into the pockets of the landowners or of the timber merchants, as well as at the same time effecting a saving in dollars?

No, Sir, I am not aware of that. The growing prices were increased by 25 per cent. last year, and a corresponding increase was made in the price of timber. I have every reason to believe that it does cover the cost.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the 25 per cent. is not sufficient, particularly since the cost of labour, which is the main cost, has risen approximately by 100 per cent.? Is he further aware that all this is set out in an admirable paper which was brought out recently, written by the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. Scott-Elliot), a copy of which has been sent to him?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a decision has now been reached on the number of licences to be granted for the new chain of newspapers to be published by the Labour Party; and what considerations led to a decision to grant the licence in this connection to the "South-West Herald."

No licences have been granted authorising the publication of the "South-West Herald," or of any newspaper by the Labour Party. Any person may, however, publish without licence a new newspaper or periodical, provided it uses not more than 8 cwts. in a four months' period.

In view of the fact that most of the national papers of this country have been starved of newsprint for a long time, what justification is there for allowing new newspapers to be started at the present time?

I was not aware that hon. Members opposite wanted me to operate a newspaper censorship. It has been the practice throughout the war, and for some time since, to allow small projects taking a small quantity of paper to go on.

Would the right hon. Gentleman apply that to other trades in the country which are not allowed to start up unless they operated before the war?

That is another question.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman be well advised to ensure an adequate newsprint supply for Socialist literature in Camlachie?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the shortage of lithographic prints is adversely affecting the pottery industry; and what action he is taking to increase the supply.

I am aware of the shortage of lithographic transfers, the production of which is highly specialised, and is limited primarily by the shortage of skilled operatives. I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service on possible means of meeting this difficulty. I understand, however, that recent developments in the process of production of lithographic plates should shortly lead to a substantial increase in the output of transfer prints.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer and the hope it gives for increasing the supply, may I ask is he aware that the inability to reproduce and replace the orders which have been executed, tends to give the industry a bad reputation abroad? Is he further aware that in 1947 its export value was 350 per cent. of the 1938 value, and that it could be better this year if we could have this help?

Yes, Sir. In spite of the very remarkable performance in exports in 1947, it is a fact that we still have not made up for the loss of prewar imports from Germany. Steps are being taken which ought to improve the position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider permitting an extension of the maximum length of newsreels in cases where this length is insufficient for important official announcements in the public interest.

Longer newsreels could only be permitted at the cost of forgoing valuable exports of unexposed photographic film. I am, however, looking into the arguments for permitting somewhat longer reels, and I hope very shortly to reach a decision.

During his consideration, with the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that during the talk on basic petrol by the Minister of Fuel and Power, now included in the newsreels, there is so much interruption by laughter that if it is to be of any use at all the talk ought to be lengthened by several minutes to allow time for the interruptions to subside?

In looking into this matter, I will bear in mind all relevant considerations.

Is it not a fact that this news talk was immediately preceded by a feature called "Take a Tub"?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that British manufacturers are desirous of doing trade with the liberated areas of China; and what steps he will take to facilitate such economic possibilities.

I am aware that British manufacturers are desirous of trading with all parts of China, including those areas which were occupied by the Japanese and are now liberated from them. The customary facilities for British traders are available within the framework of our general export policy, but if the hon. Member has any particular difficulty in mind which might call for special steps to be taken, perhaps he will let me know.

I will take advantage of that and get into touch with my right hon. Friend. Do the customary facilities to which the Minister refers apply to the liberated areas or only to the Chunking Government, which has no control over the liberated areas?

Is it not the case that British manufacturers or traders would have to get consent from America before they could deal with the liberated areas of China?

No.

Yes.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, since he has answered this Question, what he understands by the words "liberated areas of China"? Which parts of China are they?

To avoid causing any difficulties, since the phrase has already been used by the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Piratin), I would prefer to have notice of that question.

Do the words "liberated areas" cover the reoccupied areas now under Communist control?

asked the President of the Board of Trade, what action he is taking to promote the increased manufacture of Caste 48 MG Tube paper, urgently required for the manufacture of paper bobbins and tubes.

In the past eight months, the supply of paper for the production of paper bobbins and tubes has been increased by 30 per cent. which it is estimated should be adequate to meet essential home requirements. I shall be glad to investigate any case in which a user of bobbins is unable to obtain the necessary supplies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware—I have sent him this information—that although there has been this increased allocation of paper for the production of paper tubes, there is still a great shortage, and, as a result, exports of yarn are being held up?

The paper allocated for this purpose in the current period is 28 per cent. more than in the previous period. With reference to the case which my hon. Friend sent to me, my information is that because of newcomers to the industry existing firms are not working at anything like full capacity at the present time.

I am now speaking about the yarn manufacturers, who cannot get the paper tubes which they require in order to export yarn.

There is no reason why any yarn manufacturer should not be getting all that is required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the continued scarcity of mending wool and when the promised extra supplies will be on sale.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 16th December last.

Is the Minister aware that the present supply is still quite inadequate, and that for the sake of decency he must allow our wives to have more mending wool, so that they can keep our clothes properly darned?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the total amount of each foreign currency expended on token imports during 1947; and whether he will set out the amount paid for each category of imports separately.

The information for which the hon. Member asks is not readily available and would take some time to compile. If he will let me know in what particular commodities he is interested I will arrange for the information to be obtained.

Would the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many dollars have been expended, if he cannot give the information for all these foreign countries?

Yes, if the hon. Member will put a Question down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what year the value of artificial teeth imported from the United States into the U.K. amounted to 2½ million dollars, so as to justify the 1947 Token Imports.

The value of import licences for artificial teeth from the United States under the Token Import Scheme in 1947 amounted to £52,000, which represents less than 20 per cent. of the average imports from the United States of America for the years 1936, 1937 and 1938.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by that that the whole excess of over £52,000 was wholly re-exported or was it used in some other way?

It was entirely re-exports, and the figure of imports for this country is less than 20 per cent.

Is the Minister aware that there is a flourishing artificial teeth trade in Cyprus, and will he support the British industry in preference to the American?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that organised opposition to the Pilot Census of Distribution is being encountered in some of the towns chosen for the pilot census; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. I am aware that in certain towns covered by this census, retailers and others are being advised to withhold co-operation with the Government in this experiment. While the census is voluntary, it is very regrettable that traders should be discouraged in this way from completing their returns, and I can only suppose that those who are responsible for this opposition are under the impression that by limiting the success of the pilot census they will bring about the postponement or even abandonment of the National Census. This is certainly not the case. The Statistics of Trade Act passed last year made provision for a national census and the plans for this, which will be compulsory, will go forward whatever the response may be to the pilot census. The most the campaign can succeed in doing is to prevent us from framing the questions in the National Census in the form most convenient to traders.

I would also like to repeat the reassurance of my predecessor that any information given in individual returns received by the Census of Distribution Office will not be seen by anyone outside that office, nor will it be communicated to any other Government Department or used in any way other than to arrive at the census totals. In particular, it will not be used for such matters as Income Tax, rationing, price control or allocation of supplies. I can give the same assurance about confidential treatment of returns at the coming national census. Traders need, therefore, have no hesitation in completing their census forms, and I hope that the majority of them will do so as fully as they can and will send them in as soon as possible.

Can my right hon. Friend give some form of guarantee that will remove any fears retailers may have that the returns from the pilot census may be used to nationalise the retail trade and will he make it perfectly clear that the proper preparation of the National census forms will be quite impossible unless we can get correct information in the pilot census?

The retail distributors have had already the fullest assurance on that point. The purpose of the pilot census is to enable us to prepare the forms which will give us the information required with the least possible trouble to retailers when we take the compulsory census.

Can the Minister say whether any evidence has come to the Board of Trade that can be relied on that this organised opposition referred to in the Question exists?

There is plenty of evidence on that point. It is a fact that a number of quite high-powered representatives of the National Chamber of Trade are going round the country stirring up opposition to this voluntary census. When I met members of the Executive this week and asked them to invite their members to stop doing this, they said that they would not take any steps in the matter.

Can the Minister say what advice or assistance is available to retailers to enable them to complete this extensive and complicated schedule?

We have a number of information bureaux in various parts of the country who will help them, and also, of course, the National Chamber of Trade could provide services for that purpose.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suggest that we are not allowed to protest nowadays when we want to?

Is the Minister surprised that retail traders are suspicious of the intentions of the Government?

The retail distributors have done so well under this Government that I am surprised, and if the hon. Gentleman will turn up the answer which I gave a week ago on the number of bankruptcies in the retail trade while we have been in power, compared with the number when the party opposite were in power, he will see why.

In order to put the matter in its right perspective, and as the Minister has given an indication of what he said to the National Chamber of Trade, would it not be fair for him to put to the House the case which that body put to him, so that we can judge?

The only statement which they made of any relevance was that they were not behind any organised national campaign, and that the Executive of that body has not actively carried out this campaign. I fully accept that. The other arguments which they put were arguments which apply to the compulsory census of distribution scheduled for 1950, and agreed to by this House.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman of opinion that today's overwhehning anti-Conservative vote at Camlachie was a clear and appropriate expression of the right to protest?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that owing to the cut in the allocation of wire, many people are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining fireguards; and if he proposes to take any action to remedy this.

Over 500,000 wire fireguards were manufactured for domestic use during 1947 and I believe that this satisfied most of the demand. I would assure my hon. Friend that in allocating the restricted amounts of wire that are available the importance of adequate supplies of fireguards particularly for the protection of young children will not be overlooked.

Will my right hon. Friend look carefully into the distribution of fireguards, because from letters I have received from infant welfare associations it appears that there are difficulties in obtaining them in some areas.

I have looked into this question myself, and I have seen a fair number of fireguards available in the shops. In the particular area which my hon. Friend has in mind there may be a local shortage, and if she will let me have particulars of it I will look into it.

Will there also be some coal to guard?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman seems to be a little behind the times.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent demands for special qualities of raw cotton have been met in the last six months.

To the fullest extent possible, having regard to currency restrictions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many amalgamations in the cotton industry have taken place in 1947 under plans offering inducements for such amalgamations offered by His Majesty's Government.

During 1947, 11 groups of spinning mills were accepted for registration under the Modernisation Subsidy Scheme. The majority of these groups were in existence prior to 1947 but some of them added extra mills during the year.

Does the President of the Board of Trade agree that this very small number shows the necessity of going into the whole question again and altering the basis considerably?

I certainly cannot say that I am satisfied with the rate of progress so far achieved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what way the £1,500,000 subsidy to cotton spinning industry is administered; whether it is distributed over the industry as a whole or only to selected sections of the industry.

The figure of £1½ million to which the hon. Member refers is the provision made in the Board of Trade Votes for 1947–8 for claims which might arise this year as a result of the Government's offer of financial assistance for the modernisation of grouped cotton spinning mills. The subsidy scheme and the methods of administering it were described in the reply to a Question by the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for South Kensington (Mr. Law) on 30th April, 1947.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what price per ton his Department sold their stocks of Tung Oil to paint manufacturers in December; at what price it was available on the free market; and for how long he proposes to use compulsion to insist that the paint trade must buy Government stocks at higher prices than ruling market prices.

Tung Oil was sold by the Board of Trade during December at L250 a ton ex store. The free market price was approximately £200 per ton cost and freight. The intention is to continue to charge £250 a ton for Government stocks until these are liquidated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it just and equitable that manufacturers should be forced to pay to the Government prices higher than the ruling market prices because of their bad buying, and how is it possible for them to compete in the export drive if they are forced to pay higher than the ruling world prices for their raw material?

There is no question of bad buying in this case. At a time of acute shortage manufacturers pressed the Government to make these purchases. The purchases were made by the Government at the world ruling price, which any private buyer would have had to pay, and it does not seem right that in working the stocks off the ratepayer should be subsidising manufacturers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the concern existing among housewives, in that only well-to-do persons can buy uncouponed furnishing materials, and of the fact that coupons for household linen constitute a heavy drain upon housewives' clothing coupons, he will make provision for an allocation of household coupons to each individual in the next rationing year and bring all furnishing materials within the rationing system.

As I told my hon. Friend, the Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Keenan), on 22nd January, I will again examine the question of curtains. The suggestion of issuing special coupons for curtain materials and household linen would have no effect on supplies and I think that they are more reasonably distributed against the surrender of the ordinary clothing coupon.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in most households it is the housewife who has to supply the coupons for these articles and that it would be much fairer to the community if the coupons for this purpose were scattered throughout all the rations books of the family?

I know that in many households it is the housewife, but in very many others it is not. The suggestion would not increase the amount available, but it is a question which might be considered as and when supplies begin to arrive.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 52 Questions have been addressed to him today, and can he hold out any hope that the pressure of his Department on the citizen will be reduced?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the confusion which is being caused by the section of his publication on the Registration for Employment Order dealing with street traders who are ex-Service men on release leave; and whether he will take steps to clarify the position.

No, Sir, but if the hon. Member would write to me and explain the nature of the difficulty, I would look into the matter.

Is the Minister aware that in this publication, in answer to one question, "Must every street trader register?", among the exceptions given are, "Ex-Service men and women on leave with full pay"; and in answer to the next question, "Supposing I took up street trading during my release leave?", it states, "You will have to register"? Which is the case?

If the hon. Gentleman in his Question had given me any idea of what was in his mind I would have made an effort to answer it, but I cannot do so off hand.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will amend the regulations under the Registration for Employment Order, 1947, to provide that registration shall not apply to persons looking after sick relatives at any time since 17th November, 1947.

No, Sir, but I would remind the hon. Member that registration does not necessarily mean transfer to employment, and that the personal circumstances of each registrant will be carefully and sympathetically considered before employment is offered.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated total of men and women available for employment in Skegness, Lincolnshire, how many were unemployed at the latest known date; and how many of these were members of the building or civil engineering trades.

The total numbers of insured persons in the area of the Skegness Employment Exchange at July, 1947, were approximately 5,470 males and 3,000 females. The numbers of such persons registered at the Skegness Employment Exchange as unemployed at 12th January were 303 males and 272 females, including 49 males from the building industry and 6 from the civil engineering industry.

In view of the large percentage of building trade workers who were out of work at that time, would the right lion. Gentleman consider consulting with his colleagues, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Works, to see whether during periods such as this, more licences for repairs might not be granted because they do not require the use of material but largely use labour?

Whilst not accepting this as an unusually high percentage in the circumstances, I will certainly do as the hon. and gallant Gentleman requests.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the European Volunteer Workers working at Carter and Parker, Limited, Yarn Manufacturers, Guiseley, live in a hostel and, having no household duties to perform in the evenings, have requested to be permitted to work additional overtime, but have been informed by the Factory Inspector that they cannot be permitted to do extra work; and, as this decision has deprived this country of knitting wools and yarn for export, if he will reconsider it.

This is one of the factories at which I have authorised an evening shift of part-time women to help in increasing output. I understand the firm recently sounded a factory inspector as to whether they could employ some women in accordance with the day-shift scheme and in the evening shift as well; but this would have meant allowing their employment for 13 working hours with a night interval of only 9½ hours and I do not think this is justified. The firm were, however, advised as to the overtime permissable for day-shift workers under the Factories Act.

These work-people have asked to work longer hours, and is this not an example of where restricted practices by the Minister's Department are stopping production?

Not in the least. If it is a fact that these people have asked to work these hours they should be protected from such unreasonably long hours.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state, by regions, the numbers of building trade operatives registered as unemployed at the most recent convenient date.

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements have now been made so as to enable engineering firms short of skilled and semi-skilled labour to employ Poles.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff Central (Mr. G. Thomas) on 22nd January.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the answer he gave was not very clear as to the exact procedure and could he give a little more direction to those who have to implement the policy it outlined?

If the House will permit me I will refer to that aspect of the question. The instruction states that energetic steps have to be taken by the Ministry to find suitable available British labour. If British labour is not available and the employer wants labour we inform him that other labour is available, but he himself must make contact with the local branch of the union. If, having done that, he comes back to us and says that he wants Polish labour we will not stop him.

What happens if the union concerned do not agree? Does the employment collapse or does the employer proceed anyway?

If the employer was the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) I could not imagine him collapsing. The point is that the employer must take some share of the responsibility. We ask him to contact the trade union branch and if he comes back and says he has done so we ask no questions. If he says he is proposing to take this labour we assume he has weighed up all the advantages and disadvantages before deciding to take it.

asked the Minister of Labour on what grounds boys compulsorily directed to the mines are not on demobilisation granted the 56 days' leave with pay, new clothes and 120 clothing coupons, which are granted to all men who are demobilised from the Armed Forces, since volunteering for the mines ranked equal in importance with service in the Armed Forces.