asked the Minister of Supply (1) what proportion of the total consumption of lead in this country in 1938 was used for building and water supply, for cable manufacture and for battery manufacture respectively; and what are the respective proportions allocated for these purposes at the present time;

Full statistics are not available for 1938, but I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table giving estimates of consumption of lead and steel by these industries in that year. I cannot give the hon. Member the proportion allocated at the present time, as it is contrary to the policy of the Government to give the allocations of materials to particular industries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what degree of priority in allocation is given to rural water supplies?

Allocation is made according to the needs and demands of firms, but the hon. Member will appreciate that there are many substitutes, besides lead and steel, for making water pipes.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be better to keep the steel in England for water supplies, rather than to send it to Holland so that we can get their strawberries?

Is not all this secrecy simply to cover up the blunders of the Government?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement as regards the redundant supplies of conveyor belting which the Government are purchasing from the U.S.A. for the re-equipment of the mines and which is at the present time being stored as surplus to requirements; and whether he will consider utilising at home the high quality conveyor belting manufactured by one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the country who are at the present time finding difficulty in disposing of their output overseas.

If the hon. Member is referring to the purchases made by the National Coal Board, I would refer him to the reply given on 3rd June by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor). There is now no restriction on the supply of belting to home users.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered the Question. Is it not a fact that we have spent an enormous sum in dollars on conveyor belting which is not really required, and which could be produced at home? The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question; he has answered something entirely different?

I have done nothing of the sort. The belting which has been bought will be used and, meanwhile, it is in stock.

Why should we buy an enormous quantity of belting which is not required? Why waste dollars? Why behave in this way?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that, in connection with the derequisitioning of Bolt Head airfield, although some of the landowners and farmers concerned were offered many hundreds of rolls of Army link tracking due for salvage, for use as fencing in lieu of the original bank fences destroyed, this tracking was subsequently all sold at a price not more than 25s. per roll to a firm in London and that the farmers who seek to purchase what is still left on the airfield are being asked £4 10s. a roll; and whether he will make an inquiry into this matter.

This material was originally offered to local farmers at 40s. and 50s. a roll, but they did not accept the offer. It was therefore sold to a number of purchasers at prices ranging from 40s. to 60s. a roll; none has been sold at 25s. a roll. There is no control over the price at which the material may be offered for re-sale.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries? Does he realise that I have taken a certain amount of trouble to trace the progress of this tracking? My information is that it was not offered to the farmers who were responsible for that piece of ground, but that it was sold to Iron and Steel Disposal, Limited, Park Lane, London, at 25s. a roll, and that it is now being offered by the Square Grip Reinforcement Co., Bristol, at £4 10s. a roll?

I have made further inquiries. None of it has been sold under 40s. a roll. It has been sold between that price and 60s. There is no control over the re-sale price.

Have the other purchasers mentioned in the original answer included farmers in other districts, in view of the great shortage of the stouter types of wire netting?

I do not know exactly who the other purchasers were; there was a large number.

Would the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiries?

If the tracking has been sold at prices ranging from 40s. to 60s. a roll, and is now being sold to farmers at £4 10s., is not that profiteering?

That is profiteering by the industrialists or merchants who bought the rolls. If the hon. and gallant Member is suggesting that I should impose further controls to stop this profiteering, I will consider it.

In pursuance of the Government's policy of limitation of prices and profits, will my right hon. Friend consider the desirability, when disposing of future supplies, of laying down conditions to limit the amount of profit which may be made?

We do that in respect of a whole range of commodities, but if we extended it to other types of commodities, such as this, then the control organisation would be so cumbersome that it would not be worth while.

That is so now.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that instructions recently given by his Department have resulted in drastic curtailment in the production of refuse and salvage collection vehicles for the home market; and if he will give higher priority to local authorities for delivery of these vehicles.

No, Sir. Arrangements have recently been made to enable many more of these vehicles to be produced this year than would otherwise have been possible. Distribution is left to the industry.

Is the Minister aware that in some cases these vehicles were ordered as long ago as May, 1947, and that they are not due for delivery until next March? Is he further aware that they are required particularly by the small authorities, who operate only one or two vehicles, especially in view of the salvage campaign?

I appreciate that point. We have recently taken steps to increase the number of these vehicles which are being produced.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the acute shortage of bicycle chains and similar spare parts for bicycles; and if he will take steps to ensure a greater supply being made available especially for industrial districts such as Tees-side, where bicycles are essential for industrial workers who are engaged on shift work to reach their work, often at times when regular public transport services are not available and at considerable distances from their homes.

Owing to the large number of bicycles and spares now being exported, some shortage at home is unavoidable, but supplies of both spares and chains are improving. A revised scheme of distribution of chains for replacement purposes has recently been introduced, and special attention has been paid to the needs of industrial areas.

While appreciating my right hon. Friend's reply, may I ask whether it implies that he will see that areas where there is a three-shift system being worked, upon seven days per week, will get special supplies of these spare parts?

I will bear that point in mind.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the average time taken by the section of his Department which acts as the production authority and gives advice on essentiality to the Board of Trade, on matters affecting the licensing of imports of essential machinery and components, for notifying their decisions to the Board of Trade, especially where urgent decisions are required by industrialists wishing to manufacture in this country for export.

The average time taken by my Department in advising the Board of Trade on applications for licences to import machinery is 14 days, but exceptional cases requiring detailed consultation with other Departments may take longer.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the delay is very much in excess of 14 days in some cases, and that industrialists have been told by the Board of Trade that his own Department is to blame? Will he look into the rather lengthy procedure which is required in some cases in order to see whether it can be smoothed out?

I would like to shorten the time if possible, but my right hon. Friend will realise that long and careful inquiries have sometimes to be made before an import licence is granted in respect of machinery to make sure that the machinery is not produced in this country or will not be so produced in the near future.

Is it not possible that some of the decisions are made by people who do not understand particular industries?

asked the Minister of Works what priority has been given to buildings being erected at Filton, where the maintenance of B.O.A.C.'s aircraft is to be carried out.

W.B.A. priority for labour and materials was granted for these buildings on 5th February, 1948.

Is that the highest priority which can be given? Is the Minister aware that while his Department has been considering this matter, dollars at the rate of £500,000 a year are being spent to maintain aeroplanes in Canada?

W.B.A. priority is the highest priority for materials, but there has been no difficulty about materials on this job at all.

asked the Minister of Works what licences were issued for materials for making special tracks for midget car racing at Stamford Bridge.

No licences for materials were issued for this work.

asked the Minister of Works how many building trade workers were employed in making special tracks for midget-car racing at Stamford Bridge.

I am informed that a maximum of nine building trade workers were employed in making the special tracks.

Are the building trade workers mentioned by my right hon. Friend actually on the staff of the Stamford Bridge arena?

That I do not know.

asked the Minister of Works the value of the work done to Richmond Park Camp in connection with its use by competitors in the Olympic Games.

The work carried out at Richmond Park for the benefit of the Olympic Committee was originally estimated to cost £35,000. It is possible that the figure will be exceeded, but final costs are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Works whether he can now make any further statement about the licensing of building work and particularly upon the amount of work that can be done without the necessity for applying for a licence.

Yes, Sir. Although economic conditions do not permit of any substantial relaxation of the building licensing scheme, I have today made an order providing that a sum of not more than £100 may be spent on any one property in the twelve months starting on 1st July without applying for a building licence. The position will be kept under review and should the new arrangement be found to prejudice the progress of urgent work it will have to be reconsidered.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that at this moment there are adequate building materials to meet this concession? Is he further satisfied that the concession will not result in a drain of manpower from essential house-building?

Any materials normally in short supply would need a W.B.A. certificate for their priority. We need therefore fear no shortage of supply of materials. So far as labour is concerned, the present situation is that ordinary decorating labour is in good supply.

While congratulating the Minister upon the concession, which will be welcomed everywhere, may I ask him what effect it will have upon the licensing powers of local authorities who are at present working on a monthly quota?

Local authorities will be asked to take into account the amount of work below £100 which they licensed in the previous period and to make allowance for that in the licences they issue in the succeeding period.

While congratulating my right hon. Friend upon what he has done in this matter in raising the figure from to £10, to £100; may I ask whether he is aware that the labour chiefly required will be decorating labour and not general building labour.

Yes, Sir. Decorating labour is not in short supply at the moment.

While regretting that the right hon. Gentleman has taken so long to give this concession, may I ask whether he confirms the fact that £100 does not include any element of the cost of the owner's own labour, as was the case with the original £10?

So far as the owner is concerned, his labour will not be taken into account, but the volunteer labour of anybody else will have to be accounted for.

asked the Minister of Works how many men are employed by his and other Government Departments at Woodhall Aerodrome; and how many of these men are employed permanently and how many on a temporary basis.

My Department has 21 men directly employed at this airfield, of whom 13 will be discharged shortly. A Ministry of Works contractor is also working on one of the sites. I am not aware that any other Government Department has men employed there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Soviet Government still refuse to pay compensation in connection with the loss of life caused by their plane in the recent accident at Gatow, Berlin.

The Soviet Government have so far refused to pay compensation. We shall continue to press our claims.

May I ask whether the Minister is convinced that the Soviet Government are morally and lawfully responsible for the payment of damages for this incident?

Inquiry showed that they are legally responsible for compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to which Reparation Agency the 101.6 kilos of fine gold acquired by Spain from Germany during the war has now been restored.

The Spanish Government has now agreed in principle to restore this gold. The Reparation Agency concerned is the Tripartite Commission for the Restitution of Monetary Gold, which consists of British, French and United States Commissioners. The next step is for the Commission to indicate to the Spanish Government how and when they wish the gold restored. I anticipate that they will do this in the near future.

Will the Minister of State say whether it ought eventually to go to the Inter-Allied Reparations Agency and whether the Tripartite Commission will eventually direct that course?

The Tripartite Commission is a competent body, and the list of States who are entitled to compensation of this kind and from this quarter has already been published and is known.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what opinion the Bizonal Economic Council at Frankfurt has expressed on the differing proposals for expropriation of agricultural land in the British and U.S.A. zones.

On 28th April, 1948, the subject of agrarian reform was debated in the Economic Council. It was recognised that the matter was one for each State to decide, but a resolution was passed that the Director for Food, Agriculture and Forestry should be instructed to submit recommendations to the Economic Council as to how the implementation of agrarian reform in general could best be co-ordinated between the Laender Departments and the Department for Food, Agriculture and Forestry in Frankfurt. These recommendations have not yet been submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that British civilians in the British zone of Germany are punishable by Control Commission courts for offences unknown to the English law, including those contained in Ordinance No. 1 originally drawn up by S.H.A.E.F. and then intended only to apply to the German populace; that there is no right of appeal to any court in this country; and whether he will now overhaul the penal code applicable to such British subjects;

These officials, it is true, are subject to Military Government Ordinances, which make certain things offences in Germany which are not offences in the United Kingdom. The economic conditions of Germany and the necessity to control a black market render it necessary for transactions to be prohibited in Germany which can be permitted in the United Kingdom. Similarly, different measures of currency control pertain to the two countries. Discussions have been proceeding in Germany with a view to simplification and the Staff side of the zonal Whitley Committee has been fully consulted. I hope that a final decision will be reached before very long.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider sending out a commission of inquiry into this matter, because the present situation is somewhat unsatisfactory, and it is undesirable that British subjects in a British-controlled area should be under the jurisdiction of a law which is not recognised in this country?

I doubt very much whether there are any facts which could be uncovered that are not already in our possession. However, if the hon. and learned Member would talk or write to me on this subject of a special inquiry, I will engage that my right hon. Friend shall consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider discussions with the six Powers who took part in the London Agreement on Western Germany with a view to defining more clearly the proposals for the international control of the Ruhr industries and the rôle of the German directors in those industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the reservations in the matter of control of the Ruhr industries made by the French National Assembly in approving the Six-Power Agreement; and whether it is his intention to re-convene the conference of the six Powers to give further consideration to this matter.

The French Government has now informed His Majesty's Government of their acceptance of the recommendations of the London talks on Germany and have drawn our attention to the reservations made by the French National Assembly. The question of re-convening the conference does not arise. Further discussions concerning the Ruhr will be carried out in accordance with Article 12 of the agreement.

Are we to understand from that, that conversations will shortly commence on this issue?

As I understand it—I am not sure what my hon. Friend means by "conversations"—the French Government have instructed their Military Government to proceed with the next step which was contemplated in the recommendation. Further conversations will take place as provided for in Article 12 relating to these precise issues of the Ruhr.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that serious and important considerations are involved here, and that whereas a great number of us believe that international supervision is good, the international management for which the French have now asked is a horse of a different colour?

Will my right hon. Friend take into account not only the French observations on the Ruhr but also the Assembly's suggestion that there should be a renewed attempt to reach Four-Power Agreement on the unification of Germany, and will my right hon. Friend suggest to his right hon. Friend that renewed efforts should be made in this direction?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the virtual breakdown of road communications between Western Germany and the British sector of Berlin.

On 18th June the Soviet authorities announced that in consequence of currency reform in the Western zones of occupation, entry into the Soviet zone for all types of animal-drawn or motor vehicles or for pedestrians from the Western zones, including traffic on the autobahn Helmstedt to Berlin, was prohibited. Traffic from Berlin to the Western zones along the autobahn was not affected by the new regulations. Such traffic has however been subjected to delays as a result of the closing for repairs by the Soviet transport authorities on 15th June of the Hohenwarthe bridge on the autobahn. An alternative route has been provided involving a detour of some 15 miles and the passage of the river by a ferry.

Would the Minister agree that any prolonged interference with normal communications with Berlin would be quite unjustifiable?

I should agree, of course, that any prolonged interference was quite a different subject.

asked the Minister of Food what extra rations, over and above the normal catering allowance, is allowed to British European Airways for meals served in the air.

With permission I will publish the information, which is rather long, in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The hon. Member will notice that a new scale of allowances for flights outside the United Kingdom has just come into operation.

Will the hon. Lady say when this new scale came into operation, and is she aware that at the moment British European Airways are at a complete disadvantage compared with the continental lines? How can she expect this nationalised industry ever to make its way when it operates against severe competition?

The new scale comes into operation this week.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now cancel the regulation which counts bread as a course at a meal.

I am afraid I cannot add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 12th May.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are very few restaurants, except of course, the House of Commons Dining Room, where this regulation is enforced, and if the Minister thinks it inexpedient to enforce it why does she think it necessary to retain it?

In reply to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, nobody ever offers me bread in a restaurant. We are prepared to annul the order when we abolish bread rationing.

Could the hon. Lady say what is the estimated saving in bread by this regulation or whether this is another of those psychological regulations?

That is determined by the waste of bread on the plates.

Is the hon. Lady aware that in this House of Commons we are not bound by any regulations and that anything done in the way of rationing is done voluntarily?

No, the hon. and gallant Gentleman is wrong, and if I find that he infringes the food regulations in the Dining Room, I am afraid we shall have to take action.

asked the Minister of Food what is the average annual wastage of potatoes due to deterioration in store in the years 1941–45, expressed in terms of tonnage or as a percentage of the total crop, and in the year 1947–48.

We estimate wastage in clamps and other stores on farms at 8.3 per cent. of the crop in 1941–45 and 5.9 per cent. in 1947–48.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these figures are supporting evidence for the view held by farmers and distributors that the wastage in the last season was less than at any time within living memory?

Yes, Sir, and I think this is the answer to those hon. Members who have alleged that my Department has not conducted its affairs on businesslike lines.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the heavy loadings of new potatoes are creating difficulties in the markets; and if he will permit of payments to growers at prices below the guaranteed minimum.

There is less evidence of markets now being over-supplied, the pressure to load having eased. I cannot contemplate reducing the growers' prices which were fixed to encourage a large acreage and early lifting, particularly when licensed merchants have a large measure of control over the quantity coming to the markets.

In view of the fact that my hon. Friend cannot contemplate reducing the minimum prices, is there any other method whereby the overloading and subsequent holding up of supplies can be avoided, because that is what is happening now?

No, I think that at the moment we are satisfied with the loading, and to reduce the price at this stage would be a breach of faith.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) how many British workers are employed under the Bedfordshire Agricultural Executive Committee at the nearest convenient date; and how does this figure compare with that for a year ago;

As the answer contains a number of figures, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he anticipates that suitable land will be acquired for the operation of the National Vegetable Research Station; and if he is ratified that sufficient funds have been allocated both for capital expenditure and running costs.

The governing body of the Vegetable Research Station are actively seeking a suitable site, but I cannot forecast how soon one will be found. Such funds as prove necessary for capital and maintenance expenditure will be provided.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this research station will eventually be set up in a central part of England, or must it be in an already established horticultural centre?

It will certainly have to be located in a centre where the soil and all other considerations are suitable for research.

Is it the intention of my right hon. Friend at a later date to publish a report on the activities of this organisation?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the great inconvenience caused to farmers through the serious shortage of barbed wire for fencing purposes; and if he will take steps to remedy this shortage.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge) on 10th May. I would be glad to take up any specific case with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply if I am given full particulars.

Is not the Minister aware that tradesmen cannot get any of this barbed wire? Does he realise the great inconvenience thereby caused to farmers and the strain placed upon them in protecting their crops? Will the Minister make further inquiries to satisfy himself of this difficulty, and take what steps he can to help the farming community?

I am aware that there has been a shortage but the output of late has improved considerably. If my hon. Friend will bring any particular case to my notice, I will gladly hand it over to the Ministry of Supply.

May I ask my right hon. Friend when the huge dumps of barbed wire now existing beside the railway line between Swindon and London can be disposed of?

I am afraid that is not my responsibility.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the Live Poultry (Regulation of Sales Exhibitions and Movements) (No. 2) Order, 1948, prohibits the sale at a market or fair of any number less than 50 of fowls, geese and ducks by a breeder or rearer; that this order prejudices the small producers; and whether he will consider waiving a restrictive minimum.

The new order reduces, as far as is yet possible, interference with the supply of birds from breeders and rearers to ordinary poultry keepers, but it is still necessary, in order to guard against disease, to prevent the gathering together of small numbers of birds from large numbers of holdings. It would not be advisable to consider any further relaxation until we are sure that this one does not increase risks.

Is the Minister aware that, until these minimum figures are reduced, it will be quite impossible for markets to operate, since they operate generally for the small rather than the big producers?

Yes, Sir, but the hon. Member will be aware of the great dangers of fowl pest which have been facing us. Until we know that that has been pretty well stamped out, it would be unwise to invite further trouble for ourselves

Does the Minister realise that this new regulation encourages a black market in poultry and will he restore the former position as soon as he is able to do so?

I will look into that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that agricultural executive committees engaged in schemes of land reclamation are finding great difficulty in obtaining bulldozers, tractors and agricultural machinery and vehicles of all kinds required for this work owing to the fact that so many of the vehicles and machines in question are being exported; and if he will take steps to remedy this situation.

No, Sir. I know that supplies of certain classes of agricultural machinery, particularly crawler tractors, fall short of total needs, but I have not heard that any county agricultural executive committee is held up on land reclamation schemes for want of the necessary equipment. I should willingly look into any case of which I am given particulars.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government will produce the statement—which they are under an obligation to produce by July—for the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations on the subject of the requirements for tractors and all agricultural machinery in this country, and what this country is prepared to export? When will this paper, which has to be produced by July, be ready?

I am not sure of the particular paper to which the noble Lord refers. What I can inform him and the House, however, is that the output of agricultural machinery in this country is now double what it was last year

Surely the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Government spokesman in another place—although I cannot quote his actual words—admitted that the Government were under an obligation to produce such a paper and said that it would be produced shortly.

It the paper is on the way, I will let the noble Lord know when it is likely to be published.