asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that teachers of swimming in schools are not now being given the Burnham scale of salaries nor are they entitled to any superannuation; that this is causing hardship and is prejudicial to the teaching of swimming in schools; and will he make a statement as to the emoluments and future prospects of such teachers.

Swimming instruction is normally given by regular members of the school staff who have, in addition to their general training, taken a course of specialised training in the subject or have other suitable experience. If, however, a full-time teacher of swimming is appointed to a school his salary falls under the appropriate scale prescribed by the Burnham Reports. Full-time service by swimming instructors may be treated as contributory service under the Superannuation Acts.

Is the Minister aware that, unless the interests of swimming teachers are safeguarded, a large proportion of the population will be unable to keep their heads above water, especially at sea?

asked the Minister of Education whether it is his intention to implement or postpone the recent recommendations of the Burnham Committee regarding salary scales increases for teachers in primary and secondary schools and establishments in view of the Government White Paper on Wages and Prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 5th February. My approval of the Burnham Committee's recommendations was given before the issue of the White Paper. In any case I do not find any conflict between the proposed new scales and the principles of the White Paper such as would have caused me to modify my decision.

By that does the Minister intend to convey that local education authorities may proceed to estimate on the basis that these scales will be payable for the next 12 months?

The scale comes into operation in April, and the education authorities have been doing that for some time.

asked the Minister of Education what steps are taken by his Department to detect the existence of tuberculosis among teachers and pupils.

The arrangement of the school health service for routine and special medical inspections is directed to the discovery of the onset of diseases, including tuberculosis. In all cases of suspicion children are referred to the tuberculosis officer of the council. All intending teachers must take an initial medical examination. In addition, under standing instructions, published in 1926 jointly by the Ministry of Health and my Department, a teacher found to be suffering from active tuberculosis shall be suspended from teaching. I propose to remind authorities of this requirement.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that answer, may I ask whether he has considered a recent speech by Dr. Norman Tattersall, and will he consider making it compulsory for all teachers to have a regular medical overhaul, in order to ensure that they are not carriers of tuberculosis capable of infecting the children in their schools?

I will look into it.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether it would be possible to arrange for all teachers to have an examination of their chests by mass radiography perhaps once in five or 10 years?

I will consider the possibility of discussing that with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and the local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the prohibition of any school fees in maintained schools under the Education Act of 1944, has he approved of the action of the Breconshire Education Authority in asking pupils who enter their maintained grammar schools to pay a sum of five shilling on entry.

The answer is in the negative. I understand that the payments referred to by my hon. Friend arise under School Life Agreements. Agreements of this kind do not require my approval, but I think that the arrangements in Breconshire are open to objection, and I am communicating with the local education authority in the matter.

asked the Minister of Education how many nursery classes have been closed to make way for infants.

I regret that this information is not available, but the number of nursery classes in England and Wales rose from 1,828, with 54,092 children, in January, 1946, to 2,364, with 68,425 children, in January, 1947. Comparable figures for January, 1948, are not yet available.

I realised that there was that rise, but all the figures relating to this emergency appear, according to my information, to be in the last six months. Is the Minister aware that reports from several authorities confirm what is behind the Question, and that one authority says that it will have to refuse 1,000 children in infant schools next July? Will the Minister treat this matter as one of emergency, as was done during the war, when literally a miracle of improvisation was performed?

I will look at it when the figures are available. They should be available before long.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to see that children, who are deprived of their nursery classes and await entrance to infant schools, are not also deprived of school meals, milk and the medical service.

Children under five have the benefit of the Welfare Foods Service whether they go to school or not. Local education authorities have no power to extend their meals, milk and medical services to children not attending school.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in how many cases enforcement officers of his Department have interrogated individuals as a consequence of telephone conversations which have been tapped or overheard.

I have made the fullest inquiries into allegations that have recently appeared, and can find no evidence that there have been any such cases.

How does the right hon. Gentleman explain a recent visit of one of his enforcement officers to an office in Manchester, who stated that he had come as the result of a telephone conversation overheard on the previous day?

I have attempted to find evidence of this allegation. If the hon. Gentleman will let me have particulars, I will look into them. I am certainly prepared to issue instructions that this should not take place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider allowing boot repairers authority to charge a greater increase than 1½d. in the shilling to meet the increased cost of leather supplied to boot repairers.

An Order—S.I. 1948, No. 227—was made on 10th February which fixed separate charges for leather and non-leather footwear repairs. The permitted charges for leather repairs take account of the prices which repairers are having to pay for leather.

Is it not a fact that at the same time the amount of increase allowed to be charged for rubber repairs has gone down, which to a large extent cancels out the permitted increase in leather repairs, and is he consulting with the industry concerned to see if there can be a better adjustment of prices?

We had full consultations with the industry when the previous Order was made, and I am satisfied that this provides a very fair basis for the price.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why some fruit trees which have been sent by the Ministry of Agriculture, Canada, from their Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, to Mr. Dalgliesh, nurseryman, of Market Weighton, and arrived on the "Aquitania" at Southampton a month ago, have not been released, and why Mr. Dalgliesh has received no reply to three communications which he has addressed on this subject to the Import Licensing Department.

Licences are not normally granted for the import of fruit tree stock from Canada, but as I explained in my letter to the hon. Member, a licence has been issued in this case since the stock in question has reached this country and no payment is involved. I cannot, however, undertake to issue licences in any future similar cases.

While thanking the President for his reply, may I ask him why there should be such difficulty in obtaining permission to import into this country a gift from the Department of Agriculture of the Canadian Government which was intended to assist horticultural research in this country? And does he appreciate the bad impression he is creating in a country like Canada, when gifts of this kind are held in Southampton for two months, exposed to all the dangers of the climate?

That is a long speech.

Answer.

I have been into this case fully and have written to the hon. Gentleman about it. There are very many difficulties about importing things of this kind, even as gifts—[An HON. MEMBER: "Why?"]—from Canada, particularly since there is always the danger that they might be solicited, although in this case I know they were not.

Are the trees still alive?

To the best of my information, yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the legis- lation which he proposes to introduce affecting the activities of monopolies, trusts and combines, he will seek powers to prevent wholesale and retail trade associations from acting in concert to debar co-operative societies from receiving and distributing specific types of commodities.

My hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the contents of the proposed Bill.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Wholesale Newsagents Association, acting under pressure from the Retail Federation of Newsagents, has refused to supply newspapers and periodicals to a shop recently purchased by the Luton Co-operative Society? And what does he propose to do to deal with this kind of malicious discrimination?

Yes, I have seen details of the case referred to by my hon. Friend but, as I say, at this stage I cannot anticipate what will be in the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now agree to a cancellation of the cross-over agreement by which cinemas are compelled to show certain newsreels whether they want them or not.

The agreements which prevent cinematograph exhibitors from stopping their newsreel subscriptions are a necessary part of the arrangements for saving raw film stock by requiring pairs of neighbouring exhibitors to share the same copies of their newsreels. The probable net result of doing away with these arrangements would be the use of more film at home and an equivalent sacrifice of valuable exports. I am, however, looking into the arguments for enabling the cross-over system to be suspended, and I hope very shortly to reach a decision.

Would my right hon. Friend press on with his investigation, as I am sure he is aware that there are ample supplies of raw film stock in the country at the moment? And is he aware that all this agreement does at present is to compel cinemas to show newsreel films which they do not want? Often they are not newsreel films at all, but outdated films of Hollywood mannequin shows.

I cannot agree that there are adequate stocks in this country, but I will certainly hasten the investigation referred to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to institute any system of licensing of retail newsagents.

No, Sir.

If my right hon. Friend does not propose to institute such licensing, can he say whether the virtual licensing of the Wholesale Newsagents Association can be justified, especially as they base their decision upon the kind of political conditions to which my hon. Friend the Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey) referred on an earlier Question?

Is the Minister aware of the fact that there is great concern among a large number of people who have been restricted from purchasing newspapers and periodicals where they choose?

That is a separate point, which has been covered by the previous Question of the hon. Member for Luton (Mr. Warbey). We have no system of licensing the main body of retail shops in the ordinary consumer goods, and I certainly would not consider that the way to deal with such a complaint.

Will my right hon. Friend institute an inquiry into this question of discrimination in order to assist him when he is drafting legislation?

This question is very much in our minds and I think my hon. Friend had better wait until he sees the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what request was made in 1947 by His Majesty's Government, through the Far Eastern Commission or otherwise, to the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan, that Japanese textile production should be increased; what was the reason for such request; and what limit was indicated for Japanese textile production.

In February, 1947, the Far Eastern Commission, at the instance of the United Kingdom member, issued a directive to General MacArthur on Short Period Controls to Relieve World Shortages of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. Among the objectives there stated are the restriction of Japanese consumption of textiles and the stimulation of Japanese production of textiles for export. The reason for this directive was the urgent need for cotton textiles in the Far Eastern Countries which had been devastated by the war, including British territories, at a time when no alternative source of supply was open. No overall limit was indicated in the directive for Japanese textile production, because of the low level of existing Japanese production as compared with pre-war capacity.

Will the right hon. Gentleman formulate a policy on the level of Japanese production in the near future, and when formulating such a policy will he bear in mind the needs of Lancashire and the importance of the Lancashire textile trade of this country?

As the hon. Member knows, we have been giving a lot of attention to the question of Japanese competition recently, and there have been certain talks across the Atlantic following discussions in which he and another hon. Member took part.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that Lancashire does not require to be protected against Japanese competition by imposing a ceiling on that production, but only by seeing that Japanese production is on a good labour standard so that we are not undercut?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the moment in Japan standards of labour are not such as will ensure that in the future Lancashire will be able to compete on a reasonable basis?

Yes, Sir, we have the point very much in mind about the quality of labour standards and the best safeguard against Japanese competition is to increase the level of efficiency of production here.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will facilitate the purchase of new tyres by bona fide commercial travellers who are ham- pered in the carrying out of their business by reason of the fact that the tyres on their vehicles are worn out.

I hope to make an announcement on this matter in the course of the next week or so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of the staff at present employed on duties in connection with the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947; in how many counties are these inquiries being conducted; and what has so far been the cost of carrying out the provisions of the Act.

The work authorised by the Statistics of Trade Act, 1947, has not yet commenced. A staff of 353 is at present employed in the Census Office on duties which include certain preliminary work for the censuses of production and distribution that will be taken under the Act.

Are we to understand from that that no inquiries are being made as to how much trade is being conducted in the retail shops?

There is the pilot census of retail distribution, about which I have given information to the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Service clothing coupons are issued to women on demobilisation from the Services instead of ordinary Board of Trade coupons, since it is only with the latter that they can purchase civilian clothing.

The hon. and gallant Member is misinformed; the coupons issued to women on demobilisation from the Services are ordinary civilian coupons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to prevent the production of such large quantities of longer women's coats and dresses, having regard to the fact that this fashion is only acceptable amongst a limited class of persons and leads to waste of material and expensive alterations in the case of many women.

I am not prepared to dictate styles to manufacturers of women's garments, much as I deplore extravagant use of cloth at the present time. I am informed that there are considerable quantities of shorter garments available for those who want them.

Is the Minister aware that mass production firms would welcome a definite lead from the Minister against this new fashion as it is with reluctance that many of the firms have had to make these "new look" garments, because the retailers and distributors have been loth to buy the stocks already existing with the wholesalers? Is he aware that the London Co-operative Society, and other firms in the London area, dealing in mass production garments, are only offering them to a very minor degree?

Speech.

We have already had two supplementaries in one.

Both the present Chancellor and I have given a fairly definite lead about this question in the past, so far as the supply of coupons is concerned, but we would not be prepared now to try any further dictation about women's fashions.

Will the President of the Board of Trade explain why the "new look" skirt, irrespective of how many yards it contained—even up to 20 yards—can be had for four coupons, whilst a gentleman has to sacrifice 26 coupons for a suit, which contains only three and a quarter yards?

If my hon. Friend will give particulars of where this product can be found, I would very much like to get on to it—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—but she can certainly be assured that the arrangements being made in connection with what I understand is called the "new look" do not involve any further allocation or supplies of cloth or coupons.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in deciding what his future attitude is to be, that the "new look" is particularly discouraging to bachelors.

I think we had better get on to the next Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to shortage of newsprint, certain farming periodicals have had to reduce their circulation and, in view of the importance of food production and the great service that these papers render to the farming community, if he will take steps to increase the allocation of newsprint for these old established papers.

No further reduction is at present contemplated in the consumption of paper by periodicals, but I am afraid it is not possible to allow any increase in the supply at this stage even for farming papers owing to the serious shortage of paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware how very desirable it is to encourage everyone to take an interest in the cultivation of the land? How is it possible to do so if we cannot get a wide circulation of responsible papers?

Yes, I am aware of that, and in fact the farming papers, as well as other technical journals, did escape the last cut in paper supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to prevent the killing and offering for sale of birds such as lapwing, larks, nightingales and songthrushes, which are protected by law, he will prohibit their entry, whether dead, or alive and in captivity.

The import of all birds, whether dead, or alive in captivity, is prohibited except under licence. Licences are granted only in very exceptional circumstances to zoological gardens or for research purposes. No licences are granted for import of the birds mentioned by my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many poulterers in London are selling birds protected by law and excusing themselves by saying that these birds have been imported from overseas? Will he at least condemn this very bad practice?

If they are in the categories listed, either they have not been imported at all, in which case the statement is incorrect, or they have been imported illegally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the countries from which we imported 328 tons of typewriters in the year 1947; and the countries to which we exported 327 tons of typewriters in the same period.

As the reply contains a list of countries, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate the particulars in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us how much we have paid per ton for these typewriters we have imported, and how much we have got per ton for those we have exported?

I would require notice of that question, but the total exports for the year were 427,000 tons and the imports were 569,000 tons.

Why do we import foreign typewriters at all, since excellent typewriters are made in the Midlands?

Yes, but a large proportion of imports are spares for types which are not made in this country. I would not be prepared to interfere directly with present exports of typewriters. Many of them are dollar saving exports to countries chiefly within the sterling area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to reduce the unfavourable balance of trade with Spain and how this unfavourable balance is liquidated.

Figures of visible trade between Spain and the United Kingdom in 1947 show a balance in Spain's favour, but when all payments are taken into account, including payments between Spain and the rest of the sterling area, the balance in favour of Spain is small and the Government do not feel that any special measures are called for.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that it is in line with Government policy of saving currency from those countries with whom we have an unfavourable balance, to import considerable quantities of wine from Spain?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish as a White Paper the text of the recent trade agreements between Great Britain and Russia, and Great Britain and the Argentine.

An agreement with the U.S.S.R. has already been presented to Parliament as a White Paper, Cmd. 7297. The agreement with the Argentine will be similarly presented as soon as possible.

In view of the fact that the taxpayer has no confidence in the business capacity of this Government, will the President of the Board of Trade assume—

The only question was whether the right hon. Gentleman would publish a White Paper, and nothing else.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by "as soon as possible"? Will that be in the coming week?

I hope it will be within a few days. We have to get the exact text.

Will the White Paper about to be issued include a profit and loss account?

The White Paper in the case of Russia gives everything that entered into the agreement with Russia, and that will be true of the White Paper in respect of the Argentine.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the reports of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the harm caused by limiting the import of scientific books into this country.

I am expecting the Report referred to by my hon. Friend at a very early date, and will have it examined as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of shops opened under licence for the sale of footwear in Monmouthshire during the past 18 months; the number of applications refused over the same period; and the conditions which must be satisfied before a licence is granted.

Since 31st December, 1945, when the Location of Retail Businesses Order was revoked, it has not been necessary to obtain a licence to open a shop for the sale of footwear.

If that is so, why has my right hon. Friend's Department prevented the opening of shops in thickly populated areas where schools are situated?

The Board of Trade do not set up businesses, nor in the case of footwear do we stop businessess from being set up. I do not think we can take responsibility in the question.

In spite of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, is it not the case that the same effect is created by the refusal of the allocation of leather to shops which want to start? Is that not precisely the same as the refusal of a licence for the shop?

There are certain difficulties about it, as the hon. Member knows but, in fact, the production of footwear, which is what we are dealing with, was considerably higher in recent months than before the war, so that the point the hon. Member has mentioned should not create a real difficulty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to adopt any special measures for reviewing the structure and working of the controls affecting trade and industry as exercised by his Department.

Yes, Sir. We are continuously modifying these controls; but I am not yet satisfied that we have fully adapted them to present needs. I have therefore decided to appoint a special Examiner to undertake a comprehensive review of the controls of my Department. I should like to make it clear that this appointment implies no change in the Government's overall policy on controls, but I am anxious to take every opportunity of eliminating anomalies and modifying their form and method of operation so that we can secure all the results we want with less friction and delay. I am glad to announce that Mr. Laurence Merrian, Managing Director of B.X. Plastics Ltd., who was Plastics Controller from 1941 to 1945, has accepted this appointment. He will initiate reviews of individual controls, elicit suggestions from industry and commerce, and make recommendations about the future operation of controls. His work will not cover consumer rationing or the control of retail prices.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply has asked me to say that he has made a similar arrangement by appointing Sir Frederick Bovenschen, formerly Permanent Under-Secretary of State at the War Office, to review the controls exercised by his Department. I have promises of co-operation from the Trades Union Congress, and from the Federation of British Industries, the National Union of Manufacturers, and the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. The three latter bodies have agreed, at my suggestion, to set up an informal committee to assist with advice and suggestions. It would be a great help if firms which have suggestions to make would make them through this committee or through the appropriate trade body.

Is not such a review long overdue?

Will these reports, when received, be made available to this House?

No, Sir. The reports will be of a purely administrative character. Many will not be in writing and will result, I hope, in day to day changes in the operation of controls.

Is the right hon. Gentleman doing anything as regards further control of prices? Is it intended to take any further steps about prices?

I signed 14 orders on that question two days ago, and when the hon. and gallant Member studies those orders he will be able to form an opinion.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he intends to increase the domestic coal ration, or substantially to increase the export target now that stock piles are adequate, since further stock piling involves double man-handlings of the coal and raises the cost to the ultimate consumer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent coal in merchants' yards is in excess of what merchants can dispose of; and whether he can now make arrangements for future disposals.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent the National Coal Board are having difficulty in selling coal for export.

The favourable stock position, resulting from higher production and lower consumption than was expected, now enables us to push ahead more rapidly with our coal export programme. Stocks are now standing at about 14½ million tons and will probably exceed 12 million tons at the end of the winter. These stocks will be taken into account in planning our summer allocation and this will enable us to provide more coal for export in the summer months. We are already committed through trade agreements and in other ways to a total of nearly 12 million tons for exports and bunkers in 1948, while a further 3 to 4 million tons has been earmarked for further trade agreements to be negotiated in the near future. On this basis, we shall be able to fulfil our obligations under the European Recovery Programme.

The National Coal Board have accordingly been told to plan on the basis of providing for exports and bunkers at least 15–16 million tons this year and the weekly limit of 200,000 tons has been removed. While the detailed commercial transactions necessarily take time to complete, I am assured that there should be no difficulty in selling this coal. Owing to the urgent need to export as much coal as possible, an increased allocation for domestic consumers is not at present practicable. But in view of the low level of deliveries to some consumers earlier in the coal year, I propose to permit those who were not able to obtain their full permitted quantities in the earlier restriction periods of the year to acquire the balance, if they so desire, between now and the end of April.

Does the Minister expect to encounter any difficulties in regard to price in selling the 15 million tons abroad?

I think we can leave that matter to the National Coal Board to settle. They are anxious, as they should he, to get the best possible price, but they are going to sell the coal.

In view of the possible short term difficulties arising from the less attractive consequences of the Marshall Plan, will emphasis be placed upon long-term contracts in the export of coal rather than upon short-term contracts?

There again we must to some extent leave that to the National Coal Board. I have explained that we are telling them to plan for the year on the basis of exporting from 15 to 16 million tons.

Is there any shortage of cleaning and washing machinery, because that is one of the factors which affects our coal in competitive markets abroad at the present time?

There is a very serious shortage.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what coal measures were disclosed by oil boring operations at D'Arcy, Midlothian.

A number of thin seams of coal were encountered, none of which exceeded one foot in thickness.

Can the Minister say whether any oil was encountered?

Not without notice of the question.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what boring operations have been conducted in the Penicuik-Leadburn area of Midlothian.

No boring operations have yet been conducted in the immediate area referred to, the possibilities of which were brought to the Ministry's attention by my hon. Friend, but a systematic programme of borings outwards from the present disposal point for opencast coal is being carried out, which will, in due course, cover the area.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what area of good agricultural land will be temporarily put out of use by opencast mining operations at Gorebridge, Midlothian.

Four hundred and sixty-six acres.

Would the Minister consider a policy of short drift mining, before scarring the face of the countryside in this fashion?

I should be quite prepared to look into that, but I must point out that the value of this opencast coal is about 30 times the value of the agricultural production which would be lost.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many copies of a poster entitled "Half a fire keeps me warm" were issued by his Ministry and at what cost.

Fifty thousand copies were issued, at a total cost of £95.

Has the Minister looked at this poster of this summer-clad belle, with her sleeves rolled up and wearing no stockings? Whilst it is possible that she may keep warm, how would any other members of the family ever get anywhere near to the fire? Does he realise that this type of poster makes nonsense of the fuel saving campaign?

I do not agree. I thought it was a rather attractive poster, and would no doubt serve to discourage a number of persons from using electricity at peak hours.

Would the Minister consider having another poster issued entitled "Half a bath is better than no bath"?

I think that probably sufficient emphasis has already been laid on that particular form of fuel economy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he is taking to secure a reduction in the price of coal.

One of the main objectives in setting up the National Coal Board was to keep the price of coal as low as practicable consistant with preserving a proper standard of living for the mineworkers and with attracting the labour force required. I am confident that the Board will continue to do everything in their power to achieve this objective.

Does that answer mean that no express and specific action has been taken by the Minister, as a result of the appeal by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to private industry a fortnight ago; and that it is the policy of the Government to exclude from that appeal this nationalised monoply and, if so, why?

If the hon. Gentleman has read the Chancellor's speech carefully, or listened to it carefully—

I did both.

—he would have observed that the main purpose of seeking a reduction in prices was to reduce the profits being made by certain sections of private enterprise—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] That was the main purpose. After all, I do not think it will be suggested that the main purpose was to make a loss. That being so, since the National Coal Board is not concerned to make profits, there would be no particular purpose in addressing that appeal to them.

Is the Minister aware that the days of cheap coal at the expense of the wages and conditions of the mineworkers have gone?

Is the Minister aware that, in his original reply, he did not refer in any way to the question of safeguarding the interests of the consumer, and will he take steps to see that when coal is sold to the domestic user the prices are not charged for the 10 per cent. of dirt that goes with it?

I should have thought that to have the price of coal as low as practicable was certainly in the interests of the consumer.

Would not the Minister agree that there is scope for economy in distribution costs?

rose—

This is a wide subject. We might discuss it all day.

I beg to give notice that, in view of the inconsistency of the right hon. Gentleman's answer with the policy of His Majesty's Government, I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in relation to the recent increase in coal bunker prices he is aware that in addition to the representations he received from the Leith Shipowners' Society he also received a protest against the sudden rise in price by the General Council of British Shipping on behalf of the whole shipping industry; and what reply he made to this protest.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." The second part does not therefore arise.

Is the Minister aware that the shipping industry considers it proper to make representations in the first place to the Minister of Transport, and may I assume that when matters are raised in the first instance with the Minister of Transport concerning bunker coal the information is passed to his Department? If that assumption is correct, will he say why he made such a misleading reply on 5th February when he said that the only representations received were from the Leith Shipowners' Society?

I do not agree that the reply was misleading. It answered the Question, as my answer did today.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, what is the average calorific value of coal supplied to electricity and gas undertakings as shown by the amount of coal consumed and electricity produced by a representative number of public and privately owned concerns for the years 1935 and 1947; and what was the average cost of the coal for the same two years.

The average calorific value of the coal consumed by all those authorised electricity undertakings which consume coal only, fell from 11,300 British thermal units per lb. in 1935–36 to 10,934 units per lb. in 1946–47, but owing to improved methods of generation the average number of units produced during this period per ton of coal consumed at these stations increased from 1,545 to 1,551 units. During the same period the average delivered cost of coal consumed at these undertakings increased from 14s. 2d. to 435. 2d. per ton. Corresponding records are not available as regards the calorific value and cost of coal consumed at gas works.

Is the Minister aware that at some of the electricity stations about 30 per cent. more coal is required to produce the same amount of electricity as compared with pre-war, and does that not mean that the output of coal today ought to be reduced by about 30 per cent. to compare with the pre-war figure?

I cannot agree with those figures. Of course, it is a fact that some power stations are much more efficient than others.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps have been taken to constitute the necessary Valuation Boards to deal with the stage III proceedings under the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946; and if he has any statement to make.

I am in process of appointing the Valuation Boards and I hope they will commence their work immediately after Easter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he intends installing pithead baths in the Desford Colliery; and why work has not yet commenced on them despite his statement that the contract would probably be placed towards the end of 1947.

I am informed that the Miners' Welfare Commission now hope to place the contract before next August. The final planning of the scheme had to be deferred pending a decision about the number of workmen for whom facilities should be provided.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that on 16th May, 1947, he informed the hon. Member for West Leicester that the Desford Colliery was included in the pithead baths building programme and that the contract for the building of the baths would probably be placed towards the end of the year; further, is he aware that the only bath installed appears to be a bath for the manager, and will he say what he proposes to do to ensure the speedy provision of baths for the men, many of whom have to travel long distances to their homes in a most undesirable state?

I am aware of all those facts, but I have also explained that it is hoped to place the contract towards the end of August.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the ban on hired cars travelling more than 20 miles will prevent foreign visitors being met at their port of entry and motored to their destination; and whether he will consider increasing the distance allowed for all persons arriving in this country by boat or by air during the holiday season.

As I stated in reply to the hon. Members for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) and West Edinburgh (Lieut-Commander Hutchison) on 19th February, the matter is under consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that already the American travel agencies are pressing the point here as to whether it will be worth while for Americans to come over here for motoring purposes at all, and that bookings are being made at the present time for summer holidays in Europe? When can the right hon. Gentleman let us know?

This is only a small part of the question of motoring facilities for tourists here. It is a difficult problem, but I have every confidence that we shall find a solution.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the general 20-mile ban is to come into force?

On 1st March.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any petrol ration will be allowed for visitors to this country during the coming summer; and what estimate has been made of the amount of dollars and other foreign exchange that will otherwise be lost to the Treasury.

In reply to the first part of the Question, the present position is as stated in the answer I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Brighton (Mr. Marlowe) on 13th November, but I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about the possibility of increasing the allowance for overseas visitors. In reply to the second part of the Question, no estimate has been made of the loss of dollar and other foreign exchange which would occur if the allowances to foreign visitors were discontinued.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the American Automobile Association has stated that last year over 2,000 cars were brought over to Europe, that over 60 per cent. of these came to this country, and that it was calculated that at least double that number would come in the present year? Does the Minister also realise that the private hire cars and "self-drive" cars for chauffeurs in this country are a far greater gain to us in dollars? Can the Minister let us have some information about this soon?

I have already explained that we are going into the question of providing better private hire car facilities for tourists. I am consulting my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade about the question of the petrol allowance for this purpose.

Is the Minister aware that in the case of American visitors petrol will be sold to them at the retail price, and bring in a profit in dollars?

Yes, of course, that is why we are considering increasing the allowance.

May I press this point? People must make up their minds about their holidays in the next few weeks.

Is the Minister aware that the 20-mile limit affects not only Americans? It works unfairly in places like the Lake District which are thinly populated and where distances are great compared with the South-East. Will the Minister see whether he can do anything in this matter?

I do not think I can reconsider the question of the Order, but when the hon. Member studies it I think he will find that most of the difficult cases will be covered by it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what basis petrol is allocated to political organisations, and what bodies are so classified.

All political party organisations which sponsor Parliamentary candidates, are given allowances. Block allocations are made for political party work in constituencies and for officials of party headquarters and area offices. The scales of allowance have been agreed with the parties concerned.

Will my right hon. Friend say to what extent that ruling applies to organisations which have not yet adopted candidates, but which have announced their intention of so doing, and also to what extent the rule applies to those fascist organisations which masquerade under the guise of literary societies or other quasi cultural organisations?

The rule does not apply to organisations which have not yet sponsored a Parliamentary candidate. I cannot discriminate between different organisations. It would be wrong to do so.

Does that rule also apply to the Commonwealth Party, which has no members now?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now give a decision in the case of Mr. W. Bradwell, of White House, Canal Street, Congleton, who is a farmer, aged 81, and who has applied for a supplementary petrol allowance for business purposes.

I have written to the hon. and gallant Member and explained what has been done in this matter.

Yes, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this aged farmer has applied five times to the regional office for his petrol since last September, and why was it that the petrol was issued only the day after this Question was put down; will the Minister undertake to sec that regional offices give priority to food producers and farmers in these matters?

There is no need to alter the instructions to regional offices. I agree that in this case a mishap occurred. That is inevitable when we deal with nearly two million applications.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what allowances of petrol were granted to officers attending the Rugby match between the Royal Navy and the R.A.F. at Twickenham.

No allowances were granted for this purpose.

Will the Minister explain, if no allowances were made to officers, how the Duke of Edinburgh got there?—[Interruption.] Is he aware of the discontent of other officers who wish to go to their homes at the weekend, when they see that petrol is being used for this purpose?

Is the Minister aware that the greater number of spectators, judging by their cars, were not officers but doctors?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent the publication, sponsored by his Department, dealing in a factual and explanatory way with the basic petrol ban and petrol rationing generally, has been taken up by the public; and whether he will make a statement about its distribution.

I understand that some 40,000 copies have been distributed to the principal agents of His Majesty's Stationery Office, and to certain bookstalls, but I am unable to say how many copies have been sold. Copies may be obtained from these agents and bookstalls, from the sales offices of His Majesty's Stationery Office and may be ordered through any newsagent or bookseller.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a great many Members of this House have never seen any copies of this excellent publication, and would he arrange for a copy to be sent to each hon. Member, with details as to how it can be purchased for widespread distribution among constituents?