asked the Minister of Pensions to state the changes proposed in the administration of Ministry of Pensions hospitals after 5th July next.

As Ministry of Pensions hospitals are not transferable under section 6 of the National Health Service Act, no change in administration is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is now in a position to make an announcement regarding the improvement in the allowances paid by his Department for the wear and tear of clothing.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is yet in a position to announce an increase in the wear and tear allowance for disabled ex-Service men.

I am glad to say that the present allowances of £3 and £5 a year are being raised to £5 and £8 a year respectively with effect from 1st February, 1948. Application for the increase will not be necessary, but it may be some little time before the work of adjusting the considerable number of current grants is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the Somerset County Council has negotiated with his Department since December, 1946, in respect of compensation payable for removal of defence works on the Donyatt Estate; that no settlement has been reached and meanwhile valuable agricultural land worth up to £6 per acre annual rental, cannot be used for food production; and if he will make a statement.

I regret that there has been delay in a local office in dealing with the county council's claim, but the council are now being informed of the amount of compensation which can be offered them.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there has been a very long delay in this matter, and can he give an assurance that steps will be taken to avoid a similar delay in future, so that agricultural land is not held and wasted in this way?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that there has been delay, and it is being further investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that two officers holding His Majesty's commission, Major C. H. H. Young and Captain Vivian, are respectively on bail and in gaol in Burma; and what steps he will take to protect their interests.

Both these ex-Indian Army officers are alleged to have committed very serious civil offences. One has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment, but is appealing against this sentence. The trial of the other officer is not yet complete. The British Military Mission are watching their interests.

Is the Minister aware that there is a great question of principle and of the prestige of Britain involved here? Is he aware that these two officers, and, incidentally, U Saw, who is to be hanged on 9th April, were convicted under British rule, and at that time had a right of appeal to the Privy Council, and that that right has now been taken away? Will he do what he can to see that British justice is vindicated?

The Government of Burma have the power to hold these officers and try them, but the British Military Mission are keeping us closely informed of all developments.

Will the Minister give them a right of appeal?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that an Aberdeen subaltern in the A.T.S. with a good and long record, particulars of which have been sent to him, who applied for extended service in the A.T.S. was obliged to resign her position as an established civil servant in the Post Office before her application for such extension would be considered; that her application was then refused and she thereby lost both such extended service and her Civil Service post through no fault of hers; and if he will investigate this case and restore her to the A.T.S.

I regret that I have not completed my investigation of this case, the circumstances of which present some complications. I hope to be able to write to my hon. and learned Friend shortly.

Will my hon. Friend give an assurance that, if this woman applies to make the Army her career, she will not be penalised?

I cannot, until the investigations are complete, give a positive assurance on that point. This woman is still serving with the A.T.S. at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will advise the War Graves Commission, when it applies for a new charter for the second world war, to include in the new charter powers to enable it to look after the graves of all ex-Service men and women of all future wars or warlike operations or who die on active service at any time in the future.

My right hon. Friend is not at present prepared to invite the Imperial War Graves Commission to apply for an indefinite extension of its purposes and powers as suggested. Provision is contained in the present charters, which cover the recent war, enabling the Commission by agreement to meet the wishes of any Government of the Empire concerning any place of burial or memorial not already within the Commission's powers. A similar provision would, no doubt, be included in any new charter which may be required as occasion arises.

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to the Secretary of State the feeling that ex-Service men or women, whenever or wherever killed, are entitled to the same honourable burial and care of their graves as those who died in the two great wars?

Yes, Sir, but honourable burial and proper care of the graves are ensured whether they come within the purview of the War Graves Commission or not.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many R.A.S.C. clerks in groups 68, 69, and subsequent groups, serving in M.E.L.F., are to be affected by the impending deferment of their release; by what authority the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, has extended the principle of deferring the release of individual key men, whose services are operationally vital, to cover whole groups numbering many hundreds each; and what steps were taken to make such group deferments unnecessary by training extra clerks in good time.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many R.A.S.C. clerks in groups 70, 71 and 72, serving in East Africa Command, are to have their release deferred two months or more; and on what authority deferments are made of whole groups at a time without individual consideration of each case.

As my right hon. Friend said in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 23rd March, it is not possible to forecast how many R.A.S.C. clerks in group 68 and later groups serving in the Middle East, including East Africa Command, may have to be deferred. It is not the case that whole groups are being deferred. Cases are dealt with individually, a minimum working strength being assessed for each unit. It was not possible to avoid the necessity for deferments by training extra clerks because the present difficulties have arisen partly owing to acceleration of the release programme generally, and partly owing to the situation in Palestine.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is simply not true that each case is dealt with individually? Is he further aware that whole groups are being deferred, not in the sense of age-plus-service groups, but in the sense of groups numbering several hundreds of clerks?

I think that what my hon. Friend has in mind is that all R.A.S.C. clerks in group 67 in this theatre were warned that they were liable for deferment, but of those about 25 per cent. have already been sent back to this country. The procedure of individual deferment and the opportunity for appeal are being maintained in every case.

How many have actually been deferred up to the present time?

In group 67, approximately 300 have already been deferred.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the concern at the decision of his Department not to release the village of Imber for civilian use; and if he will reconsider the matter.

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the concern aroused by this decision, but in the absence of any new factor falling within the terms of the White Paper on Service Land Requirements, he regrets that he can see no case for further inquiry.

In view of the fact that a certain number of the inhabitants have stated that five years ago a verbal assurance was given by a representative of the War Office that the village would be restored, will the hon. Gentleman order a judicial inquiry into that point at issue between the inhabitants and the War Office?

No, Sir. We are fully satisfied that that undertaking was not given. The nature of the undertaking was that if ever the village were to be inhabited again, the previous inhabitants would have the right to go there. Indeed, a promise such as is described could not have been given, because the inhabitants of the village were War Department tenants and there was always a clause in their tenancy which allowed the War Office to resume possession of the houses.

Apart from the promise, about which the hon. Gentleman does not appear to be certain, has he satisfied himself that this is a suitable area for street fighting? It is not substantially built up? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the information I have received is that there are more suitable areas which could be acquired?

I would like to repeat that I am quite certain of the facts about the promise. In choosing an area for training of this kind we cannot select what, for purely military reasons, would be perhaps the ideal area. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman can recommend to us an area, say in his own constituency, we should be pleased to look into it.

In view of the very general feeling that some sort of undertaking was given, will the hon. Gentleman go further into this question, as he has denied that any undertaking was given?

My right hon. Friend and I have already been into this question in very great detail. No doubt it will be necessary to go still further into it, but I do not think that any inquiry would reveal anything different from what I have already stated to the House with regard to this alleged promise.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what is considered to be the advantage which will result to the Army from retaining this village and using it for training? Is it not a fact that equally good results could be obtained in many other places which are not inhabited at all?

It is necessary to have training of this kind. The number of places where there are the necessary facilities and where people are not in occupation must be extremely limited. I would point out that not only is this village uninhabited now, but it would not be a reasonable proposition, on merely economic grounds, to make it habitable again.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the public would have much more confidence in the decision of a judicial inquiry on the point at issue rather than in a one-sided statement from the War Office?

Can we accept it that this is now a matter of "Forever Imber"?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the representatives of the Sinclair Company, engaged in oil extraction in the Ogaden have been attacked by armed bands; that, in consequence, oil extraction has been suspended and the company's representatives have been obliged to retire for safety to Dire Dawa; and why the British Military Administration, which is responsible for maintaining order in the area, under the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement, 1942, has refused to protect the employees and installations of the company.

I have just received a full report on this matter from the overseas military authorities. When this has been studied I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of German prisoners of war now in Egypt; what is the rate at which these men are being returned to Germany; and the date by which it is expected that that repatriation will be completed.

There are at present approximately 46,000 prisoners of war in the Middle East, of whom the majority are in Egypt. Prisoners of war from the Middle East are being repatriated at an average rate of about 5,000 a month. Their repatriation is expected to be completed in October.

Are any women prisoners included in that number?

I could not say without notice.

Are any of these prisoners being given the chance to come to this country to assist in agriculture, or in any other connection?

That is not the Question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour the average net monthly increase of manpower in the coal industry during the calendar year 1947 and the figures for January and February, 1948.

In each monthly period of four weeks during 1947, there was an average net increase of 2,000 in the number of wage earners on colliery books. The corresponding figures for the four week periods ending 31st January and 28th February, 1948, are 2,500 and 2,000.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Wells House Hydro, Ilkley, is standing vacant, although it was handed over to his Department in October last for the accommodation of European volunteer workers; and will he make arrangements for the immediate use of this accommodation in order that the textile factories in the neighbourhood may be able to increase their production.

It is not possible to use Wells House Hydro for the accommodation of textile workers until some necessary adaptations have been completed. A new boiler has now been installed, and it is hoped to complete other work in time to secure partial occupation in about three months' time and completion in a further couple of months.

Is the Minister aware that no action was taken until this Question was put on the Order Paper? Why were five months allowed to elapse without any action whatever being taken?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is misinformed. It was the question of the installation of the boiler which was holding us up, and that was in hand long before the Question was on the Order Paper. I do agree, however, that there has been delay. We badly need this place, and we shall press for it as hard as we can.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed at the Appointments Office, Cardiff; the number of persons registered as seeking suitable employment through the medium of the Appointments Office, Cardiff; and the number of people who have been found employment by the Cardiff Appointments Office during the past three months.

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

Is my right hon. Friend aware that according to the Question on the Order Paper, I require only three lots of figures?

My hon. Friend may want only three lots of figures, but to give him a full answer necessitates eight sets of figures.

asked the Minister of Labour how many foreign chefs are registered as employed in Scottish hotels; and how many British and foreign chefs, respectively, are registered as unemployed in Scotland.

The information is not available.

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the propaganda of the Scottish Tourist Board in favour of importing foreign chefs while there are plenty of Scottish chefs available?

I am tempted to say something about haggis. I have not had my attention drawn to that propaganda, but if my hon. and learned Friend will send me details, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Minister of Labour why his recent letter to wage councils and boards has been withdrawn; and whether he will publish the terms of this letter.

It was brought to my notice that there had been a misunderstanding as to the interpretation to be placed on the terms of this letter and it was, therefore, considered desirable to withdraw it. I propose to circulate another letter in due course. In these circumstances the publication of the original letter would serve no useful purpose.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the difference between the two letters is simply a difference in drafting and not a difference in policy.

Yes, Sir; in the main, that is so.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the introduction of legislation to set up a special branch of the judiciary to serve as a special court of appeal in industrial disputes not amenable to the existing machinery.

No, Sir. I do not consider it necessary to add to the machinery which now exists for the settlement of industrial disputes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the effect upon employment in Kingston-upon-Thames and district of the proposed removal by Messrs. Leylands of their works to Farrington, Lancashire; whether he is satisfied that no unemployment will result from this move; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. I have no grounds for thinking that any unemployment problem will be created and I do not expect any difficulty in placing redundant workers in other employment.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the percentage unemployment rate for Wales as compared with England at the latest known date.

At 16th February 5½ per cent. in Wales compared with 1½ per cent. in England.

In view of the great discrepancy between these figures, can the Minister say what steps are being taken to see that unemployment in Wales is no greater than it is over the rest of England?

I can say not only what steps are being taken, but what steps have actually been taken. In February, 1946, the percentage in Wales was 9½ per cent. and since that time it has been brought down to 5½ per cent, It is admitted that this is much too high, and active steps are being taken to induce other industries to go to the area.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to make a statement in regard to increasing the security of tenure of allotment holders.

Security of tenure for allotment holders is one of the matters that are being reviewed in connection with comprehensive proposals submitted by the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society for amending the Allotments Acts. I am not in a position to make a statement on the matter.

Can the Under-Secretary indicate when he is likely to be able to make a statement, as I asked a question on this subject in January, and nothing seems to have happened?

I am afraid I have nothing to add to what I have said.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that, as in Scotland so in England, this has been a burning matter for the last quarter of a century?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the delay in negotiating a contract with the Control Commission for Germany for the purchase of 1948 cure of herrings; that this delay is slowing up curers' preparations for the coming fishing season; and what steps he is taking to secure an early settlement.

Negotiations for the supply of cured herring to Germany are at present in progress and I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement at an early date. I am informed by the Herring Industry Board that, in order to enable curers to complete their preparations with more assurance, the Board are willing to purchase the whole of this year's production of cured herring.

Can the Under-Secretary explain to the House the reason for this inordinate delay, the damaging results of which I am sure he thoroughly understands?

There is no undue delay in the matter. In view of the fact that the Herring Board have given an assurance that the whole of this year's catch will be purchased by them, the matter does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what supply is available of tractors of the type International Tractor, type 6; and why they are not being released for sale.

The Scottish 1947 quota of imported high-power standard wheeled tractors which was completed in February of this year did not include any International Type W6 tractors. No machines of this type were imported into the United Kingdom in 1947 and the few which recently arrived were used to complete the 1947 quota for England and Wales.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the results of the conference which he held on 22nd March with representatives of both sides of the cotton industry; and if he is satisfied with the steps taken to raise the output of cotton yarn to the new target of 20 million lb. a week.

My meeting on 22nd March with the leaders of both sides of the cotton industry afforded an opportunity for a frank exchange of views on the problems which must be overcome if the production and export targets for the industry are to be met. It was agreed that given the goodwill and co-operation of all concerned ways could be found to achieve the targets for 1948. I am satisfied that the Government are taking all practicable steps to this end.

In view of the satisfactory outcome of this conference, will the Prime Minister consider holding similar conferences for both sides of other industries, especially the building industry, where production needs gingering up?

Wherever necessary, I do so. This is not the first. I have had a number of conferences of this kind.

Did the conference consider the question of the provision of night and day nurseries?

Yes, that was one of the matters under consideration.

On a point of Order, may I ask you, Sir—there is probaly some good reason for it—why the long-established practice of the Prime Minister's Questions starting at No. 45 is not followed at the present time?

There is no point of Order concerned. There were not enough Questions down.

Further to that point of Order, there are 61 Questions; and why should the Prime Minister not retain his honoured place at No. 45?

Certain Ministers have precedence, and if we have not reached No. 45, and the Questions to those Ministers, which have been put down have been exhausted, the Prime Minister comes on at No. 20 or No. 21, or at any other time. It is not laid down definitely that he comes on at No. 45 and No. 45 only.

This is the first time this has happened in 24 years.

asked the Prime Minister which of the three retired civil servants appointed to act as an appeal tribunal, for screened Communists or Fascists, has any legal qualifications.

As I explained in my statement of 25th March, this Advisory Board is not a legal tribunal nor a court of appeal. I do not, therefore, regard legal knowledge or experience as an essential qualification for its members, though in fact Sir Maurice Holmes has been called to the Bar.

Is the Prime Minister aware that, although he does not consider legal qualifications necessary, it is a fact that if such a tribunal were presided over by a judge of His Majesty's High Court it would give greater confidence to the public and to those concerned.

I do not think I quite agree with the hon. and gallant Member. I think a certain amount of legal training is always useful in order to enable one to judge anything, but in this matter I think experience and knowledge of human nature are, perhaps, better than technical legal qualifications.

Is the Prime Minister aware that what both the public and public servants want in this connection is not legal erudition but political horse-sense?

indicated assent.

Apart altogether from the legal qualifications as laid down in the Question, what is equally important is whether these gentlemen—without passing any reflection whatever upon them—have any political views?

These gentlemen have been civil servants for a great many years. I have no knowledge whatever of their political views. I think we can take it that they are impartial, as the Civil Service always is.

It is civil servants whom they are called upon to judge.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount contributed to the revenue by the living theatre in the form of Entertainments Duty from the inception of tax down to the end of the last accounting period.

About £32 million has been paid in Entertainments Duty by the public who have visited the living theatre, since 1st July, 1935, the earliest date from which separate figures have been kept.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask his right hon. and learned Friend to bear that figure in mind approximately two hours from now?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what number of Customs officials is regularly employed in manning the Customs frontier between the United Kingdom and Eire.

There are 72 members of the Customs and Excise Department regularly employed on the land boundary between the United Kingdom and Eire. In addition, the Royal Ulster Constabulary undertake preventive duties in connection with the boundary.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is here a considerable waste of manpower involved and, in order to release these men for more productive work, will he use his influence to ensure that the absurdity commonly known as partition comes to an end?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the popularity of the short version of the Economic Survey, he will have prepared a similar popular edition of the Budget.

I hope it may be possible to publish a booklet dealing in simple terms with the Budget and the White Paper on the National Income soon after Budget day.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any steps have already been taken in the preparation of this book?

Of course they have. It is hoped to publish it soon after Budget day, which happens to be today.

Does that mean that the Budget has already been revealed to the Central Office of Information?

I think it is common sense that preparations can be made to a given end without necessarily giving away anything which should not be given away.

Can my right hon. Friend indicate whether, if such an edition were published, it would really be popular?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions regarding the arrangements needed to finance British imports from Canada from 1st April.

As the hon. Member will now have seen, the present arrangements for financing imports into the United Kingdom from Canada have been extended to 14th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the words "The N.C.B. Magazine" were printed on the covers of the first six issues of "Coal," which were published by the Stationery Office at the expense of the taxpayers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of the reply which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to him on 20th January.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the letters N.C.B. led people to suppose that those six issues were published at the expense of the National Coal Board? Will he say why the loss of £4,000 on those six issues was not charged to the National Coal Board?

My right hon. and learned Friend, on an earlier Question, gave an answer at some length to the point which the hon. Baronet now raises for the second time, and I cannot add to what my right hon. and learned Friend then said.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no further expenditure purporting to be at the cost of the National Coal Board will be debited to the taxpayers?

This publication has now passed completely to the National Coal Board.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why that was not done in the first instance? Why were the first six issues published at the expense of the taxpayers?

My right hon. and learned Friend, I repeat, made it perfectly plain to the House why the first six issues were charged as they were.

It comes to the same thing in the end.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will now agree to waive claims for Import Duty and Purchase Tax on the nine fur coats which recently arrived in this country in the s.s. Eucadia as a gift from the people of Boston, Massachusetts.

Yes, Sir.

asked he Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has made a request, similar to that made to the Federation of British Industries, to the Boards of the socialised industries to reduce voluntarily their expenditure of money and materials on advertising.

The plan of action formulated by the Federation of British Industries was brought to the notice of the Boards of the socialised industries.

Will the hon. Gentleman look into the apparently gross waste of manpower and materials involved in the advertising activities of London Transport, and will he consider also if it is necessary for a State monopoly to publicise its activities at all?

I think there are good reasons for some amount of advertising, but I understand that some reductions have already been made as a result of these representations.

Will the hon. Gentleman go further, and bring this point to the notice of the Transport Commission? Will he also make an appeal to them similar to that addressed to the Federation of British Industries?

Exactly the same procedure has been followed as in the case of private undertakings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total paper consumption in the United Kingdom in the years 1938–47, respectively; and what is estimated to be the total consumption for the year 1948.

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of watering cans suitable for greenhouse work; if he will take immediate steps to improve the supply of these important utensils at this time of the year; and what was the number of greenhouse watering cans produced in 1947.

I am aware of the scarcity of watering cans for greenhouse work, which is due mainly to the shortage of suitable types of steel. I am, however, satisfied that the manufacturers of these articles are getting their fair share of the material available. I regret that I have no information as to the number of these cans produced during 1947.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many wholesalers have on their books people who have been waiting for watering cans for over two years, and that it is very difficult to carry on greenhouses without these utensils?

I know that there is a shortage of these things. Everything is being done to produce as many as possible, but there is a shortage of raw material.

Is my hon. Friend aware that anyone with any ingenuity can, by taking an ordinary can and making holes in the bottom, make a watering can?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make available for the protection of growing crops, a supply of bird scaring ropes, the lack of which is involving Kent farmers in serious loss.

So far as I am aware, suitable ropes for bird scaring can be obtained through normal trade channels. If, however, my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the case which he has in mind where difficulties in obtaining these ropes have arisen in the county of Kent, I will have the matter looked into.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in no part of Kent are these bird scaring ropes obtainable at the present time, and that this is having a very adverse effect on the food production drive? Will he look into this matter, as it is one on which I think he has been very badly advised?

Certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that leather stocks in the hands of boot and shoe manufacturers in some parts of the country have considerably improved; and if he will sympathetically consider new applications for licences to purchase leather.

The allocations of leather made to shoe manufacturers at the beginning of each quarterly period are based on the total estimated supplies which will become available during the period, with a small allowance for contingencies. The issue of further licences during the period would therefore merely result in over-licensing.

is my hon. Friend aware that some manufacturers have recently stated that they have embarrassingly large stocks of leather, and that this is very irritating to those who have been refused licences? Will he inquire into this position?

I do not think it is possible to generalise. I think some manufacturers have fairly large supplies of leather, but it is by no means certain that we are going to be able to maintain our leather purchases at the present rate.

Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that the leather so allocated is made into shoes that will fit?

I should have thought that it was for the purchaser to decide whether the shoes fitted or not. We cannot manufacture shoes to fit every pair of feet in the country.

In view of the fact that the supply of leather for this country's needs is quite adequate, will the Minister consider the removal of control altogether?

The supply of leather at the present time may be adequate, but, as I have said, that may not continue to be the case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider permitting larger allocations of materials for the manufacture of utility mattresses and thereby establish conditions that will keep in employment a number of manufacturing plants in the Nottingham area.

The principal material concerned is ticking. Ticking is in very strong overseas demand, especially in dollar markets, and the need to increase textile exports is so urgent that it is not possible at present to earmark more production for home use. Everything practicable is being done to ensure that supplies of other items, such as springs and hessian, are kept in step.

Will my hon. Friend re-examine the method of allocating the supplies of raw material between non-utility and utility production?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will let me have some idea of what he has in mind, and then I will consider it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of he continuing shortage of text books and books in the schools of Durham County; and if he will increase the supply in the area.

I am afraid that the shortage of educational books is not confined to any one area, but is general. We are seeking to overcome it in consultation with the Ministry of Education.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the deep resentment felt in educational circles at the fact that cheap, trashy novels can be bought at booksellers while children go short of their text books?

I am very well aware of the feeling that exists in educational circles about the shortage of educational books. We have done a good deal already to encourage and support the production of these books; but this shortage is mainly due to the exhaustion during the war years of stocks of educational books, and to the paper difficulties. We shall do all we possibly can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great shortage of cups and saucers in the North-East area; and if he will take steps to improve the distribution of supplies to this area.

The output of domestic crockery is increasing, and following a drive for greater production recently opened in North Staffordshire, I am confident that the rate of increase will be still greater. However, because of the great export opportunities of the industry, these increased supplies must be sent abroad, and I cannot promise any early improvement of home market supplies, although I know that all domestic crockery is very scarce in the shops. I am however, having inquiries made to see whether the North-East area is exceptionally badly supplied. If it is, I will try to arrange for some special deliveries.

Will my hon. Friend also see that the quality is better; because the cups being supplied at present are like jam jars, rather than cups?

To the best of my knowledge there has been no complaint about the quality of the crockery which is being supplied, but if my hon. Friend will let me know of any complaints, I will do what I can about them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the same acute shortage has occurred in the East of Scotland? Is he satisfied that the method of allocating such limited supplies as are available is the proper method?

The answer is that there is no system of allocation. We depend upon the manufacturers themselves to send crockery where they feel it is required. If there are any particular examples of places where the shortages are greater than normal, we should be prepared to ask the manufacturers to co-operate in relieving the shortages.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the allocation of additional clothing coupons to female workers in the textile industry will have the effect of bringing thousands of girls back to the mills and of attracting new recruits to the industry; and if he will take such steps to apply this principle of favoured terms to the textile industry so as to bring it into line with other industries where it exists in varying forms.

The assumption in the first part of the Question can only be a matter of opinion. I do not know to what favourable terms my hon. Friend refers in the second part of his Question; it is a well established principle of clothes rationing that supplementary coupons should be given only to meet special needs, and I do not think we should be justified in making an exception from this rule.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that in certain areas some miners receive free coal, and that certain railway workers receive privileged tickets; and, having regard to the fact that to reach our target for the expansion of the cotton industry it is necessary to recruit at a very much greater rate than we are doing at the moment, would he reconsider this question, in order to bring girls back to the mills?

It is certainly true that we need to recruit people into the cotton and textile industry at a greater rate, and I have no doubt that giving additional coupons would be an incentive. On the other hand, this is the kind of thing which, if applied to the cotton and textile industry, would precipitate a similar demand for quite a number of other industries, and I do not think it would be wise.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that wholesalers have large stocks of which they cannot dispose?

I am not aware of that.

Would my hon. Friend consider extending this request to the steel and the building industries?

Is it not a fact that female workers in the textile industry are given the "industrial ten" coupons?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the new policy of the Raw Cotton Commission of bringing its selling prices into line with those at present ruling in the principal producing countries; how he reconciles this with the previous policy of stabilising domestic prices; and if he will make a statement.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 25th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp). With regard to the second part of the Question, the prices of raw cotton to spinners were changed from time to time in the past by the Cotton Control and I have no reason to doubt that the Raw Cotton Commission will continue in the future to give due weight to the desirability of avoiding unnecessary disturbances of domestic prices.

Is it proposed, in the case of other industries, to adopt this new price control for other raw materials owned by the Government; and is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this increase in the price of cotton is making it difficult to sell our exports, especially in Canada and America?

As regards the second part of the supplementary question, we are aware that rises in the price of raw cotton must have a disturbing effect, if not a completely adverse effect, upon the prices of our exported goods, and might interfere with the possibility of exporting to dollar countries. The first part of the supplementary question raises a large issue, and a Question should be put down on the Order Paper; it is certainly not one for me to answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have been made to allow visitors from countries which are in the hard currency areas to purchase goods in shops while they are in Britain.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Kennington (Mr. Gibson) on 23rd March.

In view of the fact that, at any rate until recently, both in the United States and among shopkeepers in this country the system was not known, understood or publicised, is it sufficient to rely on a previous answer given to a previous Question?

A very full reply was given, and the scheme was outlined by my right hon. Friend. It has been given publicity. I am quite prepared to inquire to see whether any more publicity is needed, but the scheme is set out very fully in the reply given on 23rd March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now reduce the coupon points value for all footwear, in view of the greatly increased production and accumulating stocks in retailers shops.

Although there has recently been a welcome improvement in production and stocks, there is no guarantee that the present levels can be maintained, since the footwear industry depends to a very considerable degree on raw materials imported from hard currency areas. A reduction in the coupon rates could not, therefore, be justified at present.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give further consideration to it, especially in view of the statement that supplies are very ample, made in the House this afternoon by the hon. Member for Howdenshire (Mr. Odey), who is himself a large producer of leather in this country, and the statement made by the President of the Board of Trade to the Leicester boot and shoe industry, that stocks are piling up in the retailers' shops because there are not enough coupons to buy them?

As I have already indicated, if supplies can be maintained at their present level we shall be prepared to look into the coupon question; but at present we have no guarantee that we shall be able to maintain supplies of raw materials at their present level.

Can we take it from the original answer that, where the Government find a surplus they immediately set about organising a scarcity?

No.

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a danger of considerable unemployment among the lower grades in the boot and shoe manufacturing industry, because of the coupon position; and will he look into the question from that angle?

It has been mentioned to me that there is the possibility of unemployment in the boot and shoe manufacturing industry. I can assure hon. Members that these things are kept under constant review, and that it is our anxious desire not to produce a scarcity, but to make the best use of the available material.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Board of Trade Notice 1865, of 16th March, affects the importation of about 100,000 trade and technical journals, magazines and periodicals; that by eliminating booksellers and publishers he is losing dollars earned in trade discount of about 20 per cent. of the value; and if he will reconsider his decision in the light of the fuller details which have been sent to him.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to Notice to Importers No. 281 of 17th March, announcing an amendment to the open general licence for the import of printed matter by post. The point he raises is under consideration.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that the important words of this Question are "trade and technical journals"—which will not come in—because they are virtually the raw materials essential to the business of these firms; and why does he voluntarily throw away the 20 per cent. dollar discount which they would otherwise get?

I will bear in mind the point made by the hon. Member, together with all other points in connection with this Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how much board manilla has been allocated to Telphads Limited for advertising purposes;

I am having inquiries made, as no manilla paper has been licensed by the Paper Control to Telphads Limited for advertising purposes. The use of manilla paper is already severely restricted by the licensing system. Further restriction would not ease the shortage of newsprint.

In view of the fact that the folder in question, made by Messrs. Telphads Limited, is apparently intended to cover the "Radio Times," can the Minister say whether the B.B.C. are involved in this waste of paper?

No, I certainly cannot say. I should not have thought so, but, as I have indicated, we are having inquiries made, since no paper was licensed for this purpose; we are trying to find out how they got it.

asked the Minister of Food what were the total exports of sugar and confectionery, respectively, to Canada during 1947 in terms of quantity and value.

There were no exports of sugar from the United Kingdom to Canada during 1947. Total exports of chocolate and sugar confectionery to Canada from the United Kingdom in 1947 amounted to 18,570 cwt., valued at £161,676.

In future, could these figures be included in the Trade and Navigation Returns?