asked the President of the Board of trade if, in view of the fact that the Station Hotel, Aberdeen, has recently been de-requisitioned and is now about to be restored to a condition to house the large numbers of visitors both British and foreign expected this summer, he will grant a special allocation for linen and internal fittings under the priority scheme sufficient to utilise the whole of this hotel.

No application for help with equipment has been received from this hotel, but I should be ready to consider giving some assistance, similar to that normally granted to de-requisitioned establishments, nearer the time of its re-opening. I understand that the building work alone involved in the restoration of this hotel will take about nine months to complete.

While I thank the Minister for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that already the building work has been put in hand, that it is hoped to have the hotel completed in time for the very large number of visitors expected this summer and that the licence for restoration will be ineffective unless allocations are made on the lines suggested at the end of the Question?

When they get nearer to opening, I shall certainly be willing to give the appropriate assistance as I have said.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the peak textile stocks just shown by the Bank of England monthly statistical return and the high price of wool, he will now permit all hosiery goods to be sold without clothing coupons.

No, Sir. The return mentioned is no doubt that for April, since when steps have been taken which should help to move these stocks.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that wool is now three times higher in price than it was at the end of the war, and that manufacturers are afraid to make big stocks because they may be ruined? Will he therefore take off coupons to encourage manufacturers to go on making stocks.

Wool, from which we removed all controls some time ago, is undoubtedly above the post-war price, but that is no argument for taking off coupons. The matter was fully debated in this House less than three weeks ago.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether consideration can now be given to extend the area of operation of the Distribution of Industry Act to include the Borough of Barrow-in-Furness.

This will be carefully considered as part of the general review of the Development Areas which I shall very shortly be making in accordance with Section 7 (1) of the Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what data he has received from the footwear trade about the sale of boots and shoes since they were reduced in coupon value; and, in view of such data, if he is now in a position to take all footwear off coupons.

I have received preliminary reports from a large number of manufacturers and distributors of footwear which show that there was at first a sharp increase in the volume of sales of boots and shoes after they were reduced in coupon value. There has, however, not yet been time for the long-term effects of this reduction to show themselves, and I am not, therefore, prepared to take all footwear off coupons.

In view of the underemployment and the fear of much greater unemployment in the footwear industry, does not the Minister think he might take the risk of doing away with all coupons?

I am keeping the matter under very close review. What we have to bear in mind is the task of getting enough hide supplies to keep the industry fully employed next year.

Has my right hon. Friend received any indications of cheaper boots and shoes?

That is something to which I am very much looking forward now that there is more competition provided between the various manufacturers and distributors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the half-coupon and half-price scheme recently introduced; whether he is satisfied with the results; whether he is aware that where a Purchase Tax is in operation the sale involves a heavy loss to the retailer; and whether it is his intention to modify, continue or extend the arrangement.

The scheme allows wholesalers and retailers to sell goods at half-coupon rate if the price, including Purchase Tax where paid, is reduced to not more than half the legal maximum price, and there are special arrangements for manufacturers and for the passing on of goods which wholesalers or retailers have bought at half-coupon rate. The details have been fully explained in a Press notice, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

The charge of Purchase Tax on non-utility clothing is one among several factors which increase its price above that of utility, and, therefore, increase the amount of the loss which a retailer must incur in selling at half-coupon rate, but I see no reason for giving specially favourable treatment to non-utility clothing on that account. The arrangements were fully discussed in advance with representatives of the principal retail trade associations, and followed the lines of the trade's own proposals. It is too early yet to judge the results of the scheme, but I shall keep the position under review.

Could my right hon. Friend say how extensive has been its use so far?

If my hon. Friend will look at the shops in many parts of the country, as I have during the last fortnight, he will see that in many places these half-coupon, half-price sales are being introduced with great benefit to our consuming public.

Is my right hon. Friend convinced from his perambulations round the shops that there is still too much money chasing too few goods?

No, Sir. As I said after an abortive meeting with the Dundee housewives yesterday morning, for some time I have been of the opinion that the shortage of money rather than a shortage of clothing coupons is one of the big limiting factors for a large section of our population, but that is no reason for taking everything off coupons and allowing those with money to scoop the lot.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that our imports from Canada are subject to British Government control, which has compelled the Newsprint Supply Company on more than one occasion to repudiate the agreements entered into for the purchase of newsprint from Canada, he will now prevent a repetition of this enforced repudiation by making a minimum allotment of £3,000,000 worth of dollars for the priority purchase of Canadian paper.

As I informed the House during the Debate on the Board of Trade Vote on 25th May, the question of our future dollar import programme will have to be considered in relation to the whole European Recovery Programme, and at the moment it is impossible to make any allocation of dollars to the purchases of Canadian newsprint beyond the programme which has already been agreed for 1948.

Is the Minister aware that this country is only receiving one-third of its prewar supply of newsprint; that there is no real world shortage of newsprint; and that the discrepancy between supply and demand is very small? Why have other European countries a better supply than we have?

First of all, I am aware that the supply of newsprint is far too small; secondly, I am aware that whether there is or is not a shortage of newsprint there is a world shortage of dollars; and, thirdly, I am aware, in spite of certain statements made by hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite, that this country is amongst the highest—it is the tenth highest of 37 countries—in consumption of newsprint per head. I should not be prepared to recommend to this House that we allocate dollars in that way until we can see the whole dollar situation more clearly.

Would the Minister say whether the decision with regard to how much is to be allocated in the way of dollars will be taken before September of this year?

It is very difficult to say that until the dollar position becomes clearer.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ascertained whether there is any prospect of a free grant of newsprint or dollars for newsprint under the European Recovery Plan?

There has been no such offer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of a recent statement to the effect that the Kemsley Mills under a special arrangement are about to make two and a half million dollars' worth of newsprint for the Hearst Press, and could it at least be arranged for earnings of this special character to be used for the purchase of further newsprint and not taken into the general dollar account?

I am well aware of the arrangement which was made with Board of Trade approval. [An HON. MEMBER: "Shame."] It is not a shame. The particular programme is being carried out with materials, including sulphite, paid for with American dollars by American newsprint interests, and if we had not done it, there would not have been any additional newsprint available in this country. I cannot undertake that the earnings from that programme will be allocated entirely to newsprint and probably the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) would be the first to complain if I were to cut down the feeding-stuffs programme in order to purchase more newsprint.

In view of the utter failure of the Minister to give an assurance of priority in this important matter and the utterly irrelevant matters that have been introduced, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the whole question on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the delay which is taking place in dealing with applications for building licences from pottery manufacturers; and if he will take steps to expedite decisions.

I am aware that the examination of individual industrial licence applications takes a considerable time. These applications have to be examined in relation to competing schemes for the limited resources available and there is an unavoidable need for consultation with other Departments concerned; this takes time. As announced by my right hon. and learned Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 23rd April, in reply to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers), Departments are, however, examining how these controls can be simplified and speeded up. I can assure my hon. Friend that the importance and urgency of the modernisation schemes put forward by pottery manufacturers are fully appreciated and that applications are dealt with as speedily as possible.

Does the Minister recognise that at least three months must elapse before we can get a decision one way or the other, and, while recognising the difficulty, could we have some information a little more speedily so that manufacturers will be the better able to plan their future course?

I recognise that there have been delays due to the introduction of the cuts in the capital investment programme, but I have said that these matters will be speeded up. Of course, the great tragedy is that these very desirable improvements were not brought about before the war when the machinery was available

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the hardship caused by the necessity of women who must have special post-confinement belts or abdominal corsets being compelled to give up coupons for this purpose; and whether he will make some concession in this direction.

Surgical belts and corsets of not more than six inches in width specially designed for a number of specified conditions may be purchased without coupons. Coupons are required for other types because they cannot be clearly distinguished from garments made for ordinary wear. I am, however, always prepared to consider sympathetically applications for extra coupons to meet abnormal expenditure on these garments.

May I take it from that that there is some hope that it will be possible to purchase these garments without coupons?

I said that I am always prepared to consider sympathetically individual cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take in the near future to increase the proportion of short films exhibited in British cinemas and to ensure the producers of these films a fair return for their outlay.

I have no power to enforce the substitution of short films for long films in cinema programmes, and as at present advised I see no reason to take any steps to do so. I hope, however, that British producers of worthwhile supporting films, long and short, will derive benefit from October onwards from the operation of the new 10s. cost test. The question of terms for the distribution and exhibition of short films will fall to be reviewed by the committee which I intend to set up before the end of the summer.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this important section of the British film industry is in a very difficult situation indeed, and if the committee is not going to start until October the chance of increasing British film production in the supporting programme and making it possible to raise the quota will be very considerably delayed.

The establishment of a quota for this type of film is the first step in a campaign to increase the proportion of screen time taken by films made by this section of the industry as long as the films are of good quality and are of the kind which our people want to see.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that conditions in the industry are such as will permit producers of the short film to fulfil the new 25 per cent. quota of British films?

I would not have fixed the quota were I not satisfied that the films could be produced and shown. I am not yet satisfied that conditions on the distribution side of the industry are such as to guarantee a right outlet for all films that can be produced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman repudiate the statement which has appeared in the Press recently that there was the possibility of some of the cinemas in this country boycotting the type of film in question?

I cannot answer on behalf of the distribution side of the industry, but the settlement of a quota is the best guarantee of showing for the films that can be produced.

The right hon. Gentleman says that he is satisfied. Is he aware that the great majority of small cinema owners in the country giving about two shows per week hold the view that the new quota will just about ruin them?

This Question did not relate to the quota, and the House will have an opportunity of debating the quota provisions this evening. I am not aware of anything of the kind.

In view of the fact that many of the producers of short films will be out of business if they await the full report of the Committee, can the President of the Board of Trade arrange for an interim report on this specific side of the industry to be presented before the main report?

As I said, the fixing of the quota at 25 per cent. is first-aid treatment for this section of the industry. Consequently I have made it clear to the exhibitors that the whole House, judging from the remarks made during the Debate on the Films Bill, would wish to see distributors make arrangements for showing more of these films ahead of that report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this section of the industry feel that if they get a fair return and a fair showing they will be able to supply considerably more than the 25 per cent. quota.

Yes, Sir, I am well aware of that and I made some remarks to that effect during the Debate on the Films Bill. The first step, however, must be to fulfil the 25 per cent. quota.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the definition of an independent film producer accepted by his Department.

None, Sir. Any film producer can call himself independent if he likes, and almost every film producer can have his independence impugned on the ground that, before he can raise his finance, he must get his film accepted by a distributor. Generally speaking, however, I regard a producer as "independent" if he is not financed or controlled by an American company or by a company associated with a circuit.

Does my right hon. Friend also include within the ambit of his definition of independent producer people who have links with distributing organisations or controls?

If my hon. Friend has any specific cases in mind perhaps he will let me know which cases they are.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the great value to British exporters of the Survey for British Consumer Goods in the U.S.A., which "Time and Life" conducted in association with the British Export Trade Research Organisation, whether he will consider the advisability of commissioning B.E.T.R.O. to carry out similar surveys in relation to the consumer capacity of other countries.

B.E.T.R.O. was started by private industry with the support of the Board of Trade, with the object of undertaking the kind of market research exemplified by the survey referred to by my hon. Friend. Such detailed research is considered to be beyond the normal functions of the Government overseas service and I do not think, therefore, that I would be justified in adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion. I am pleased to acknowledge the value of the "Time-Life" survey in the hope that manufacturers and their organisations disposing of market research funds may consider placing commissions with B.E.T.R.O.

Will the Minister consider linking the work of the export sections of his own Ministry with that of B.E.T.R.O., in order to see whether in the various countries similar surveys can be carried out?

The export promotion department and B.E.T.R.O. are very closely linked, both in this country and overseas. There is a very close working arrangement between B.E.T.R.O. and our commercial representatives overseas.

Is the Minister satisfied that the results of the survey have been brought to the attention of the maximum number of potential British exporters?

Yes, Sir. My Department are at the present time discussing that survey with each of the industries covered by the survey.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared, in cases where a development council or advisory council or advisory or consultative committee is constituted in any industry which has an important Scottish element, to appoint a separate Scottish council or committee.

No, Sir. I cannot give any such general undertaking. Each individual case must be considered on its merits. But, while I fully recognise the importance of providing for Scottish interests, I do not think that the setting up of separate bodies will be found, as a general rule, to be desirable.

Is the Minister aware that in many industries the system of operating is very different between Scotland and England? Is he further aware that in the furniture trade and trades of that kind considerable anxiety is expressed at the appointment of a council in which the English method of working will have dominance?

We have not yet appointed a council for the furniture trade but last night in Edinburgh I had a discussion with a special committee of the Scottish Council for Industry on this matter. While I agree that there are differences in working, in many other cases there are such similarities that everyone will be advantaged if we can have a single council for the whole country.

Does the Minister's answer take any consideration of the knitwear trade and of the difference between the Scottish and the English methods of production?

Yes, Sir. That point was made in Edinburgh last night, but I have found some difficulty in discussing the matter with the Scottish knitwear and hosiery industry, in the first place because they are opposed to having a development council at all, and, secondly, because they want a separate one for Scotland.

Would the Minister reconsider his attitude regarding the setting up of an independent Scottish advisory council for the exhibitors in the film industry, in view of the difficult position in which Scottish exhibitors find themselves under the new quota?

The question I am answering relates to development councils. There is no development council in the film industry, nor is one in contemplation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent cardboard is used in the manufacture of utility furniture.

Not at all I am glad to have this opportunity of denying a statement, which has been given considerable publicity, that my Department permitted the use of cardboard in the manufacture of utility furniture. I can only assume that the series of misstatements were based on a mis-hearing or misprint for "hardboard," which is quite a different matter.

In view of the importance of this statement will my right hon. Friend see that it receives as much publicity as did the previous statement, because many people who bought such furniture are very anxious? They think it may fall to pieces at any moment.

I have every hope that, for once, the "Daily Express" will give as much newsprint to denying the statement they made as they gave to making it in the first place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement with regard to the adequacy or otherwise of the supply of tobacco for the next 12 months.

The amount of tobacco leaf which we can expect to get from the United States this year is still uncertain, but it must in any circumstances be small compared with normal requirements. We expect larger supplies from Southern Rhodesia than ever before, and there should be small increases from other non-dollar sources. But, even on the most favourable assumptions, these sources of supply cannot at present or in the immediate future make up for the reduction in supplies from the United States.

In the circumstances, we must expect the supplies of tobacco goods in the shops to continue to be severely limited. These supplies are already falling below demand, and there have been queues and complaints of shortages. Nevertheless, even these limited supplies are greater than before the war. The shortage is general, and there is every prospect that it will continue for a long time ahead. The fact is that as a nation we are trying to smoke more than we can afford.

Is it true that one may go to a tobacco shop and order a large quantity of tobacco and cigarettes, duty free, and send them out to Holland, Denmark and other countries—tobacco for which we have paid dollars?

I would like to have notice of questions about arrangements for shipping supplies overseas.

Does the Minister give full consideration to the value of manufactured tobacco, with respect to the possibility of getting the raw tobacco here and manufacturing this tobacco for re-export?

Yes, Sir, we give a lot of consideration to that matter. There are arguments in favour of importing dollar tobacco and exporting the manufactured tobacco to soft currency countries, but most of the exports go to hard currency countries or to countries which otherwise would be paying sterling-area dollars to buy cigarettes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say anything about the reserve supply of tobacco which is already in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Plymouth has not been included in the list of towns in which Princess Elizabeth's wedding dress is to be exhibited.

The object of the tour is to give satisfaction and encouragement to textile workers by letting them see this unique example of British craftsmanship. The tour will therefore be confined to towns forming the most convenient centres for the industry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Bristol is no more a textile producing area than is Plymouth, and that women of the West Country ought to have an opportunity equal with that of other women throughout the country of seeing this dress, which is the dress of a decade if not the dress of a generation? May I ask whether he will look at this matter again?

I recognise that Bristol is not a textile centre but it was chosen as convenient, as being midway between the Stroud valley and South Devon, both of which are textile areas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the firms in this country who have not yet obtained satisfaction of enemy debts due to them from Italian sources may expect to receive payment.

Arrangements have now been concluded by the Italian Government to give effect to Article 3 of the Anglo-Italian Property and Debt Agreement of the 17th April, 1947, and the payment of debts to British creditors has already begun. It is not possible to say when any particular debts will be paid, although the arrangements contemplate, in general, that the first debts to be paid will be those which have been outstanding longest.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me whether the payment of some £50,000 from Italy to South Wales coal exporters has started?

I could not answer a question about individual creditors. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of what he has in mind I will look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make an announcement as to the date on which claims under Part II of the War Damage Act will be dealt with, having regard to the fact that premiums slightly exceeded total claims, and the desire of traders affected to clear up their accounts under this particular heading.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 13th November to the right hon. Gentleman the junior Member for the City of London (Mr. Assheton). I would add that the amount of the claims under the business scheme, apart from expenses, exceeded the premiums by about £15 million.

Is the Minister aware that in the case of one Co-operative society the amount of claim outstanding is £80,000, and would he not agree that capital tied up like this is causing great inconvenience in the carrying on of a business?

I have already said that where any cases of individual hardship are involved, or where delay in payment is affecting capital development and capital expenditure schemes of a worthwhile character, I am prepared to look at them individually.

Is it not a fact that the answer of 13th November, to which the right hon. Gentleman referred the hon. Lady, was merely a statement that he was doing nothing whatever about this, and in view of the fact that three years have now elapsed since the end of the war, is it not time to authorise general payments?

Will the same principle apply to overseas schemes where the Government are guaranteeing payments?

I should want notice about questions in regard to overseas claims in individual countries. They are all being treated differently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of Egyptian cotton has been bought by the Raw Cotton Commission in 1948; what stocks of cotton were held in this country at the end of May, 1948; how many months consumption this figure represented; and what purchases have been made in the last six months.

Stocks of raw cotton in this country at the end of May are provisionally estimated at 310,000 tons, equivalent to about nine months' consumption. The final figure will be published in due course in the Monthly Digest of Statistics. I cannot give information about purchases or stocks of particular growths.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce the progress which is being made with the setting up of Development Councils as provided for in the Industrial Organisation and Development Act, 1947; and in particular what is holding up the formation of a Development Council for the pottery industry.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I have at present nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Mr. Sparks) on 3rd June. With regard to the pottery industry, as I told my hon. Friend in reply to his question on 11th May, the reason for the hold-up in the pottery scheme was that the British Pottery Manufacturers Federation were discussing with the National Society of Pottery Workers an alternative scheme they had formulated. Their proposals were not in fact acceptable to the National Society, but they have now been formally referred to me by the Federation. I have undertaken to consider them, and am at present doing so.

Would not the Minister agree that it is time some decisive action was emerging from the consideration of these councils, and will he tell us from where the opposition is coming? In the case of a pottery council, is it not a fact that many of the more progressive manufacturers are in favour of setting up a council?

Yes, it is certainly time for decisive action and I can promise that to my hon. Friend before the House adjourns. The delay has been caused, as I think he knows, first by illness on the part of the President of the Pottery Manufacturers Federation, secondly by a rather havering attitude on the part of the trade unions concerned. Certainly I can promise him some action in the near future.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Trades Union Congress has expressed its disapproval of the attempts made by Tory organisations to persuade trades unions to have an ad hoc non-statutory body in place of a development council? Will he add his discouragement of this practice? Further, does he recall that we worked very hard in the Debates on the Bill, to get him powers of compulsion, and will he use these powers wherever necessary?

I am well aware of that expression of opinion by the T.U.C., and in all cases where a development council would be appropriate, naturally I should consider it a retrograde step to have any other kind of body.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the effect upon British trade interests of the present tension between the Government of India and His Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad; in particular to what extent deliveries of machinery manufactured in the United Kingdom on Hyderabad State orders to the value of large sums of money are being held in India; and whether any new orders placed by Hyderabad State in the United Kingdom have been cancelled or threatened with cancellation.

So far as I am aware, relations between India and Hyderabad have not caused any appreciable loss to United Kingdom exporters, nor am I aware of any cancellations or threats of cancellation. Any complaints made about delays in forwarding goods from Indian ports to Hyderabad are a matter for India and Hyderabad, the more so since any financial loss resulting from them has not normally fallen on the United Kingdom exporters.

Arising out of that reply, does the right hon. Gentleman realise the deep concern felt in this country over the situation which has developed especially in view of the undertaking given to His Highness the Nizam during the passage of the India Bill?

That seems to be a very different Question from the one on the Order Paper relating to the commercial consideration, and I have no comment to make outside the commercial aspect.

The right hon. Gentleman said there had been no appreciable loss. Will he tell the House what loss there has been, and will he also say whether, in his opinion, if there has been loss already, there is not likely to be further loss?

I am not in the habit of collecting either daily or weekly returns of losses to traders. There have been no appreciable losses reported to us by the traders concerned, but if the hon. Gentleman has any cases in mind, I hope he will let us have them straight away.

There would be nothing lost if we lost the Nizam.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are considerable losses, particularly since the Hyderabad Bank cannot get rupees from the Reserve Bank of India in order to finance its imports, and cannot obtain exchange facilities to cash the various currencies it receives for its exports, and will he look into it?

As and when British exporters are prejudicially affected, I have no doubt that they will come to the Board of Trade and tell us about it.

Does not the whole unfortunate business justify the anxieties expressed by many of us on this side of the House when we debated the India Independence Act last year?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that government servants owning private cars and whose vehicles have been authorised for use on official duties at the request of their respective Departments are denied the right to use the standard petrol ration in the same way as an ordinary citizen drawing petrol for business purposes; and whether he will take steps to allow such persons the standard ration.

I am considering whether civil servants who use their private cars for official business can be treated in the same way as the employees of large private firms which are given bulk allowances of petrol.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give some indication of when he will reach this decision, as this matter is particularly applicable during the summer months, of which there are not many more to come.

Shortly, I hope.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many sittings there have been of the Mineral Development Committee appointed by his predecessor nearly two years ago; and when the Committee is expected to make its report.

The Mineral Development Committee has had 11 meetings and its Technical and Economic Sub-Committees have met 23 and 11 times respectively. A Scottish Sub-Committee has had eight meetings. In addition, members of the Committee have made nine visits to mines and mining districts. I am informed that the Committee has still considerable evidence to collect and that it is likely to be some months yet before its report will be ready.

Does not the Minister think that three years since the Government took office is quite long long enough for them to announce their policy with regard to what is one of the oldest industries in this country, namely, the winning of the metals under its surface? In view of the fact that they visited one of the chief sites of these metals, namely, Cornwall, as long ago as January 1947, would he hurry up the Committee and get them at any rate to produce an interim report?

I am sure the Committee are well aware of the importance of the subject, but their terms of reference are very wide and I think we must give them a little more time.

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is a considerable body of local opinion which is anxious to see this report as soon as possible, as there are people who have in mind possible developments to suggest.

Yes, I appreciate the local interest in this matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give special consideration to owners of cars wishing to use them to help blind people through the Social Club for the Blind, so that the basic ration will not be deducted from supplementary coupons allotted for this purpose.

I am afraid I cannot make an exception to the general rule that the amount of the standard ration must be deducted from all individual supplementary allowances but I am asking the Standing Advisory Committee to examine whether any special arrangement can be made with organisations concerned with voluntary work of this kind.

While I thank the Minister for looking into this, I hope he is aware that the blind are desperately in need of cars to take them to social centres, and if there is no supplementary as well as the basic, it is a question of the blind or charitably disposed suffering, and I hope this is not the intention of the Government.

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point, but, of course, there are administrative problems here which we have to look into carefully.

Will the Minister also give consideration in the case of the disabled ex-Service men at Roehampton?

My answer referred to voluntary organisations of this kind and no doubt that would cover the organisation mentioned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that parking accommodation and petrol was provided for the attendance of 70 cars for the National Agricultural Advisory Service at the Bath and West Show; and since it is the policy of his Department to support such agricultural demonstrations, why he has refused 12 leading firms of agricultural machinery manufacturers the necessary petrol facilities to enable them to demonstrate their machines adequately at the Highland Show at Inverness next week.

Yes, Sir; allowances were granted to certain officials, exhibitors and farmers to attend the Bath and West Show where alternative public transport was not available, and where their normal business allowance was insufficient. I am prepared to grant allowances in similar circumstances for any agricultural show, including the Highland Show at Inverness. The particular cases referred to in the second part of the Question were to enable certain exhibitors to take their cars all the way from London and other far-distant places to Inverness. There are adequate rail services between these places and these applications were not supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

I think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that not all the cars are from places as far away as London. The real reason why people want the cars at Inverness is the difficulty, almost the impossibility, of getting accommodation there and the necessity for the demonstrators to be in daily contact with the show in Inverness.

We are aware of the difficulty and the Regional Transport Commissioner has, in fact, laid on special local services to meet it.

Will the Minister again draw the attention of his regional petroleum officers to his undertaking in the House on 6th November that the officials carrying out essential work at agricultural shows would be allowed an allocation of petrol, as many firms are finding it impossible to get petrol?

I am not aware of a new instruction but if the hon. Member will give me particulars I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what allocation of petrol was made by his Department to the promoters of the recent midget-car racing at Stamford Bridge.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why petrol allocation to insurance agents is governed by a rigid maximum without regard to previous consumption; and whether he is aware that as a result the petrol allocation is in some cases less than half what is required in order to enable insurance agents to maintain the commission which formed their livelihood.

It has always been a principle of the petrol rationing scheme, since its introduction in 1939, that a maximum allowance should be fixed for various classes of consumers. The maximum for insurance agents has been altered from time to time as the petrol supply position has varied, and is now more than double the level ruling at the end of the European war.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the maximum allowance now, in view of the fact that the livelihood of many insurance agents is at present seriously restricted?

I have no evidence of the suggestion in the last part of that supplementary question, and I must remind the House that we are extremely short of petrol and I cannot afford to increase maximum allowances generally.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will grant more permits for hire cars than hitherto in those districts which have little or no facilities for public transport.

Allowances of petrol for operating hire cars will be granted where the regional petroleum officer is satisfied that existing services are inadequate to meet the public need.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider altering his present method of obtaining the information upon which he grants the permits because it is creating many anomalies. I refer to the employment of the police for this purpose.

I am sure the House would not wish in any way to criticise the help which the police are giving us in this matter. They have been doing this for many years and I must say that I know of no better source from which we may obtain reliable information on this subject.

Will the Minister take into consideration also the opinion of local medical people and ministers of religion, both of whom have a wide knowledge of their rural areas?

Obviously there is a limit to the number of local contacts that must be made but I am always prepared to consider any particular information from hon. Members on the subject.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House who is consulted, when the police are not consulted? There is a particular case in my own division where this has occurred.

Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many applications to open new hire car businesses have been granted or refused during the 12 months ended March, 1948; how much petrol was allocated to successful applicants; and how the total number of such businesses at the present time compares with previous comparable periods.

I regret that the information asked for in the first two parts of the question is not readily available and could only be obtained by considerable work in the regional petroleum offices which I could not justify in present circumstances. As regards the last part of the question, allowances for private hire work were made for just over 51,000 vehicles during the period ended 31st May, 1948, compared with 32,000, 39,000 and 42,000, in the corresponding periods of 1945, 1946 and 1947, respectively.

As these figures show approximately a 50 per cent. increase over the last five years, and in view of the fact that large numbers of these firms are now advertising journeys of several hundred miles, does not the Minister feel that, at a time when economy of petrol is vitally necessary, licences are being granted a little too generously?

No, Sir, I do not think we grant allowances too generously. We keep a very careful watch. It must be remembered that some of these allowances are for disabled ex-Service men and for persons returning from service with the Forces.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the uncertainty with regard to the compensation regulations which the Minister is required by Section 55 of the Electricity Act to lay before Parliament, which are the trade unions and other employee organisations with which he is now negotiating with regard to the terms of these regulations; what is the state of these negotiations; and when it is likely that they will be concluded.

My officials have discussed the basis on which these regulations should be drafted with the Employees' National Committee and other associations. Further consultations are pending and I cannot yet say when they are likely to be concluded. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the trade unions and associations concerned.

Will the Minister bear in mind that this is his personal responsibility and not that of the British Electricity authority; and that this continued absence of regulations, after a period of 10 months, is causing considerable alarm and despondency amongst employees who do not know their future? Does the Minister recollect that during the passage of the Bill through the House the Opposition pressed him to include the regulations in the Bill instead of leaving them to be issued afterwards?

No one has ever suggested that the responsibility is not that of the Minister. A number of associations and trade unions have to be consulted. This is a complicated matter and is bound to take time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what reduction in the demand by the sterling area, excluding Great Britain, for motor spirit produced from British operated sources has taken place in the last 12 months.

I regret that this information is not available.

Is the Minister able to say whether there has been an increase or a decrease in the demands made by the sterling area upon these sources?

As I have said, I have not the information. We have not the figures of consumption in the sterling area and it would take a long time—longer than the time at my disposal—to find out what the total imports have been, but I will see what I can do.

In view of the dollar position and the stringency of our rationing, should not the Minister take steps to reduce the demand from the sterling area upon our resources?

I am not responsible for what is done by other Governments.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he takes to maintain contact with the operations of the National Coal Board and the Electricity Board; whether regular consultations are held with the Boards; and if individual members of the Boards are free to consult him on matters of policy.

Officials of my Department are in constant touch with officials of the National Coal Board and the British Electricity Authority, and I have made a practice of maintaining informal contact personally with the Chairmen at frequent intervals. Consultations with the Boards are held when the occasion demands. Individual members of a Board, other than the Chairman, as representing the Board, would obviously not be "free to consult" me on matters of policy which are the responsibility of the Board as a whole.

Does the Minister want the House to understand that he does not see individual members of the Boards on matters of policy?

Certainly; that is exactly what I am saying.

Is the Minister saying that he has never seen members of the Boards on matters of policy?

Yes, Sir. I dare say the hon. Member is referring, as usual, to Sir Charles Reid. I saw Sir Charles Reid when he proposed his resignation but not specifically on matters of policy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that by declaring invalid coupons accepted for commercial petrol between 21st May and 31st May he has deprived garage proprietors of the coupons they require now for petrol for private users; and will he take steps to remedy this forthwith.

No instructions to this effect were issued. In certain cases where the instructions which were issued were misunderstood steps have been taken to remedy the matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many of the consultative councils contemplated under Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 1947, had been appointed by 1st June, 1948.

None, Sir, but I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave last week to my hon. Friend, the Member for Enfield (Mr. Ernest Davies).

Is it not extremely unfortunate that two months after the vesting date of the Electricity Act, none of these councils has been appointed? Secondly, in view of the fact that the councils are charged specifically with consideration of any variation of tariffs where the variation of tariffs have taken place without consultation with the Council, can that be held to be in order?

The difficulty is that I have to consult a very large number of different associations and some of those associations have not yet sent in proposals for membership of these councils. I cannot proceed to the final selection until I have those particulars. In the meanwhile, the electricity area boards are I know in various cases consulting with the associations before they make changes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is his responsibility and he cannot ride off by blaming other people, and that either he should have started earlier or he should get on with the job now?

I am not trying to blame other people; I am stating facts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the variation in tariffs is valid in view of the fact that the councils were not consulted?

Oh, yes, there is no doubt about that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how the average age of men engaged in coal mining now compares with the average age in 1938.

The average age of wage-earners on colliery books in 1947 was 39.0 years as compared with 36.3 years in 1937. A figure for 1938 is not available.

Can the Minister give separately the comparable ages of those working at the coal face?

If the hon. Member will put down a Question I will see what I can do.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will issue a report showing the output per man-shift in each of the principal coal areas compared with similar figures for last year and before the war.

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my hon. Friend say how the total figure of recent date compares with the figure a year ago?

The figure for the first quarter of this year amounts to 1.1 tons against 1.06 tons a year ago.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the difficulty which coal merchants in North Staffordshire are experiencing in meeting the requirements of sub-tenants in respect of domestic coal; and if he will make extra allowances to merchants for this purpose.

I am not aware of any particular difficulty in North Staffordshire other than that implied in a resolution of the North Staffordshire Coal Traders Association which is however in very general terms. If my hon. Friend knows of any specific cases of difficulty, perhaps he would send me particulars so that inquiries may be made. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. H. D. Hughes), on 10th June.

Is the Minister satisfied that his machinery for adjusting allowances to domestic distributors is satisfactory in the sense that it enables them to provide for alterations in sub-tenancies and for dealing with special licences from time to time?

I have no reason to suppose that anything is wrong in this case, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars, I will look into them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the value at current prices of coal exports at 1937 volume.