asked the Minister of Education (1) if he is aware of the increasing number of private-house schools; whether his regulations make it necessary for any person setting up a school in a private house to notify the local education authority; and to what extent these schools are responsible to the local education authority;

(2) if he is satisfied that children attending private-house schools are receiving the proper physical and mental training; and to what extent he undertakes inspection of these schools to ensure the adequacy of the conduct and conditions of such schools;

(3) whether the register of independent schools which he proposes to keep under Section 70 of the Education Act, 1944, has yet been compiled.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is yet in a position to inspect private schools.

Part III of the Education Act, 1944, which provides for the registration of independent schools, is not yet in operation and I cannot say when it will be. I am, however, considering whether, as an interim step, I can introduce some measure of inspection of these schools under my existing powers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in one small area in my division no fewer than six of these schools are open, holding boo children; and that the Parents' Association are very alarmed at the rapid growth of these schools and feel that something should be done at once to supervise and to inspect the buildings?

If I can, under my present powers, implement the suggestion which I have made—I agree about the necessity of it—I will do all I can to speed it up.

Will not my right hon. Friend get into touch with the local authorities and ask their health departments to inspect these private houses in respect to sanitation and the general health of the children, even though it might be some time before the inspection in ordinary subjects can take place?

That is not my responsibility, which is to call the attention of the local authorities to the facts. If they consider that children are not receiving adequate education they can prosecute under the Act as it stands.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that independent schools are made necessary by the fact that there are not enough places in the ordinary schools for the children?

I would not accept that. What I would accept is that that position may arise in certain instances. That is one of the reasons why it is impossible at the moment to implement Part III of the Act.

Can my right hon. Friend say the reason for the delay in bringing Part III of the Act into operation, seeing that there is no capital expenditure involved?

There are two or three reasons, adequate reasons too. One is that it would involve a large increase in the number of inspectors, if this job is to be properly done. The second is that it would be necessary to call into being a tribunal for schools found to be unsatisfactory, where we refused to register. The third reason is that if we close these schools at the moment because they are not satisfactory, there are not materials and labour available to make them adequate to our requirements.

Is not the Minister aware that the more private schools there are, free from his control, the better for the children of this country?

Is it not the case that any person without any qualification whatever and in any kind of building can open a private school? Does not my right hon. Friend think that that ought to be stopped?

It is so, but it is also incumbent upon local authorities to proceed under the Act of Parliament if children are not receiving adequate education.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is satisfied with the working of the scheme to admit boys nominated by local authorities to public schools.

It is too soon to assess the success of a scheme which is still in its early stages.

Can the Minister say whether these nominations depend on the merits of the boys or whether hardship has to be proved?

The various local authorities are making arrangements with regard to these transfers and those arrangements vary according to the authorities concerned. In some instances hardship is involved and in other cases it is not. Quite a number of varying reasons are given for the transfers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how the numbers nominated by the local authorities compare with the places offered by the public schools?

Yes, Sir. This year it would appear that out of some 580 places which have been offered, 155 have been taken up. In addition to that I ought to say that a number of local authorities are making their arrangements direct. The 155 are through the Ministry's Committee on Boarding Education.

Even making allowances for that, will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this is rather an unsatisfactory situation when there are schools which have offered places two years in succession and no boys have been provided by the Ministry or the local authorities?

I would like to point out that before hon. Members come to the conclusion that this is unsatisfactory, they should remember that we are altering a principle which has been regarded as unsatisfactory in itself all the time it has been in existence.

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to the different criteria in respect to applicants, applied by different local authorities. Has he given them any guidance as to the correct attitude to adopt, in the view of his Department?

We have attempted to guide them. I have sent out a circular, and I will send the hon. Member a copy.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that these results, which have now become patent to everybody, show how false were the conclusions arrived at by the Fleming Committee?

It is better than their having to go to school in bare feet.

asked the Minister of Education how many intending women teachers who applied for places in September of this year in training colleges and university departments had been unable to gain admission.

The Clearing House organised by the Association of Teachers in Training Colleges and Departments of Education, with which most of the training colleges co-operate, has on its books the names of 2,250 women candidates who have so far been unable to secure places. There are from 200 to 250 further vacancies for which some of these candidates are being or will be considered.

Does my right hon. Friend realise the perplexity of these young women when they see advertisements in the educational Press urging young women to become teachers and read reports of eloquent speeches made by my right hon. Friend also urging them to become teachers, and yet they cannot get a place in a training college in the country? What is my right hon. Friend doing about it?

If those young women had read the eloquent speeches of the hon. Member's right hon. Friend they would not be in the state about which he speaks, because the 2,250 candidates waiting for admission for whom no place can be found this year are in addition to those who have been accepted and are being trained. In order to relieve anxiety, I have pointed out to all the applicants that they can be considered for next year. We are speaking not about the emergency training colleges but about the permanent colleges. These are for young girls coming out of school who want to go direct into college. We have doubled the provision for next year, and there is a hope that all the suitable candidates will be accepted next year.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have included comprehensive secondary schools in their development plans; and what is likely to be in the future the number of scholars attending such schools as a percentage of those receiving secondary education.

This information could only be obtained by a special examination of all the development plans received. I cannot undertake this at present.

Can my right hon. Friend say what steps his Ministry are taking to encourage the formation of comprehensive secondary schools, seeing that that is part of the programme of the Labour Party and the T.U.C.?

I think I can say that I have not taken any steps to encourage local authorities to put forward a certain type—comprehensive, technical or any other schools. What I have asked is that they should consider those forms of organisation in the best interests of the development of education and submit their plans.

Does not my right hon. Friend consider it in the interests of the children that these schools should be definitely encouraged and not just tolerated?

asked the Minister of Education whether he will name the three areas of Middlesex in which experimental comprehensive schools are to be set up.

The schools will be at Potters Bar, Hillingdon and Hayes.

Will the Minister give an assurance that no more comprehensive schools will be set up in Middlesex until the result of this experiment is seen?

No.

Does that mean no assurance or no more schools.

I will not give the assurance.

On a point of Order. Is it not more polite, Mr. Speaker, for the Minister to say, "No, Sir"?

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this initial step which has been taken by the Middlesex County Council is giving great pleasure to many parents in Middlesex who are very worried about the difference in standards—in particular, social standards—between the grammar schools and the so-called ordinary secondary schools?

Is it not the case that every public school in this country—Eton, Harrow and so on—is a comprehensive school, and that there is therefore no need for the experiment?

I do not think we can settle this matter on the basis of question and answer.

asked the Minister of Education the number of local authorities in England and Wales who are giving maintenance allowances to secondary grammar school pupils; whether he is satisfied that there is uniformity of grant payment through the country; and whether he is satisfied that the payments made are sufficient to enable pupils in need to continue their education.

No figures are available on the first part of the Question but it is known that the great majority of local education authorities make such allowances. Each authority frames its own arrangements for the purpose and my approval is not required either to the amounts of the grants or the income scales governing their award. Some variation is therefore to be expected. I have the whole question of these allowances under review and hope shortly to make recommendations to authorities.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the end of this education year parents will be considering whether or not they can afford to allow their children to stay on for another year? Will he therefore speed this up and see that a review takes place in time?

I am hoping to meet that position.

asked the Minister of Education what number of schools, given as a percentage, have good modern broadcast receivers and adequate broadcast receivers, respectively; what number have inadequate or no broadcast receivers to enable them to take the fullest advantages of the school broadcasts made by the B.B.C.; and what steps does he propose to take so that all schools are provided with adequate broadcast receivers at an early date.

I have no complete figures, but I understand that about 15,000 schools of all kinds are on the register of the School Broadcasting Council. According to a recent estimate made by the Council, reception is unsatisfactory in about 30 per cent. of the schools. I am in close touch with the Council, who have already taken steps to bring to the notice of local education and school authorities the need for installing adequate equipment.

In view of the fact that it has been estimated that a very considerable proportion of schools have not got adequate receivers and in view of the very excellent school programmes which are broadcast and the fact that there is no shortage of receivers, will my right hon. Friend take vigorous steps to see that something is done to improve the situation?

I intimated that I have done that.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of Circular 170, he will reconsider his decision not to count for pension purposes the services of an Essex headmaster at the Bishop Cotton School, Simla, from 1911–1914 and consequently his subsequent service as a commissioned officer in His Majesty's Forces from 1914–1919, about which particulars have been sent to him.

No, Sir. I have written to my hon. Friend about Mr. A. F. Joseph.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this headmaster is losing £100 a year from his pension as a result of his attitude and that if this gentleman had been born a little later than he was he would not have been penalised in this way?

No, Sir. I am not penalising this individual because he was born later but, he did not come under the scheme.

asked the Minister of Education when he expects to start building the new county colleges; how many will there be; where situated; and what is the estimated total cost in building and equipping.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular 133, issued in March, 1947. In preparing their schemes of Further Education, local education authorities are also considering the needs of their areas for county colleges. Until these schemes and plans have been received and considered, it is impossible to reach a conclusion on the points raised.

While congratulating the Minister on his scheme, may I ask him if he can assure the House that materials will not be used for building these colleges until the housing needs of the people have been dealt with adequately?

That is not a question for me.

But it is an important question.

asked the Minister of Education what representations he has made to local education authorities in Wales concerning fees charged for the examination of pupils by the Central Welsh Board.

The fees charged by the Central Welsh Board for the examination of pupils in Welsh intermediate schools are subject to my approval. I have consulted the local education authorities on a proposal submitted by the Board that these fees should be increased, and have recommended them to agree.

Do I understand from my right hon. Friend that pupils will be called upon to pay this higher fee, or that the local authority will itself meet the cost of the increased fee which he suggests?

I would not like to be definite, but I think it is the local authority.

May I ask my right hon. Friend, if he is satisfied eventually that it is not the local authority, to take steps to see that an increase in educational fees in the Principality of Wales receives no further encouragement from his Department?

That is a hypothetical question, but I will consider it.

asked the Minister of Education what obligations he is under to the approximately 10,000 male teacher students whose training has been deferred; whether it is proposed to pay them compensation for the loss which they will incur from the delay; and how long it is expected to last.

asked the Minister of Education what is now the approximate average interval between the acceptance of a trainee school teacher and his admission to a training college.

I have undertaken to offer these men places in emergency colleges if they are willing to await their turn. The estimated waiting period for men varies from a minimum of about two years to a maximum of about three, according to a man's date of entry on to the waiting list and his type of previous service, but in no case extends beyond the Autumn of 1950. I appreciate that this will cause much disappointment and some hardship in individual cases, but I cannot agree that there is any case for compensation. The waiting period for women varies from a few weeks to a few months according to the type of training which the candidate needs.

Is not this another example of the failure of Socialist planning—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear"]—to face the facts—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear"]—and of raising false hopes which they cannot implement? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear hear."]

No, Sir. [Laughter.] I hope this question will not be treated as one that can be dealt with lightly. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Yes, I mean that for both sides of the House. It is a question which relates to the present position of men who were recruited immediately after the war, as ex-Service men in the main. Something like 100,000 applications were received, 54 colleges have been established in which to train them, and it is obvious that in the best of circumstances, with all the planning and all the will, there would have been a long waiting period. There is an extension now in some cases of from six to nine months in the waiting period due entirely to the fact that we are called upon to produce more women teachers of infants because of the rise in the birth rate. In those circumstances I think I am entitled to ask for the assistance of the House in connection with what is a difficult problem.

While appreciating entirely the Minister's difficulties in this matter, may I ask him if he will give an assurance that no further men's colleges will be closed until these men have been absorbed, and that if, as a result of some having been closed down, for example, in the London area, they have to go to the provinces to train, their claim for compensation on hardship grounds will be considered?

I will certainly consider that, and I would not like to see any college closed while we are extending the period.

Certainly it is a difficult position that has arisen for these students, but could not some of them have been discouraged some time ago, so that they would not have been in this position of disappointment today?

I do not think there is a position of disappointment. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] The disappointment arises from the fact that in any circumstances they would have been called upon to wait a minimum period of two years, but the fact that we need these men eventually, I think, justifies going out for them in the first instance.

In view of the fact that we might have foreseen the rise in the birth rate immediately after a war, and so have redressed the balance as between the men and women we recruited, will not my right hon. Friend now see whether these young men could not take advantage of what is known as school based training so that they might become fully qualified, and thus take up this big surplus?

I do not think that would assist in the solution of this problem. Only some 450 men's places have been turned over to women, so that is an indication of the size of the problem with which we are dealing.

Is it not possible that some of these men might receive a somewhat fuller training in the new circumstances than would have been available otherwise?

In many instances, but not in all. Men have taken the two years' training course rather than wait for the one year emergency training course, but that affects comparatively few.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that hundreds of these students are at present engaged as teacher trainees earning £5 a week and have the full duties of a teacher in the Metropolitan area? Will he, in view of the extended delay, consider giving them a higher recognition of their work?

There is another question on the Paper dealing with that subject.

asked the Minister of Education how many trainee school teachers who have been accepted for training are now awaiting admission to an emergency training college.

The number of candidates who have been accepted for training but not yet offered a place in a college was 10,691 on 8th July. Of these, 8,430 were ex-Service men, 1,309 civilian men, 85 ex-Service women and 867 civilian women.

asked the Minister of Education whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the remuneration of trainee school teachers actually engaged in teaching while awaiting entry to an emergency training college.

All questions relating to the salaries of teachers in maintained schools are matters in the first instance for the Burnham Committee. In the scales which came into effect on 1st April last, the maxima for temporary teachers employed in that capacity prior to entering on an emergency training course were increased from £228 to £300 per annum in the case of men, and from £198 to £270 in the case of women.

Does not the lengthening of the waiting period mean that a great many of these men will, perhaps for nearly three years, be doing the same work as fully qualified teachers and sharing the same responsibilities, and should not their remuneration, therefore, be reconsidered in the light of these altered circumstances?

All these things were taken into consideration by the Burnham Committee when this recommendation was made, and I would point out that they will become qualified teachers with 12 months' training, as against the two to four years' training which is normal in the case of teachers.

Will my right hon. Friend take into account the well known principle of the rate for the job instead of the situation as it is at the present time?

Yes, but I think we need also to keep in mind that qualifications are asked for in determining the rate.

Is the Minister aware that the engineers will get very jealous of the teachers because of the good representation the teachers get in this House?

Hear, hear.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no hope of any increase of salary for these men, many of whom are married, and who are receiving £5 a week for doing exactly the same work or, at least, having exactly the same responsibilities as a qualified teacher?

asked the Minister of Education if he will take steps to make school meals free, from the Autumn term.

No, Sir. We still have a long way to go in extending the facilities for school dinners before they can be made free. I cannot estimate how long it will take to complete this programme.

But in view of the fact that there is much variation in the scales up and down the country, will not the Minister at least consult the Association of Education Committees to see whether a standard scale throughout the country can be suggested to local education authorities?

I will go into that matter.

Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion he hopes to reach before making this much desired reform?

No, but it has been suggested that we should get to 75 per cent.

Does my right hon. Friend mean us to understand that he proposes to continue to apply the means test in the meals service in spite of the fact that all our social legislation is directed towards its abolition?

No, I am not giving any indication of that kind.

The Minister states that he hopes to reach 75 per cent. of the places before he introduces free meals; can he say what percentage he has reached at the present time?

Fifty-two point five per cent.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state for the last recorded date the number of community centres; how many have been set up in the past 12 months; and what steps he is taking to encourage further expansion of this movement.

I regret that it is not possible to give reliable figures. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular to local education authorities, which sets out the financial and other arrangements for encouraging community centres. Steady progress is being made, but is inevitably limited by restrictions on new building.

Will the Minister consider making representations to such authorities as are laggard in this matter, asking them to do more than they are doing?

That has already been done and I think that during the past year some 40 centres have been established in temporary or adapted buildings.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in sending out to local authorities the circular of which he speaks, he would ask them to consider the desirability of taking in sufficient land to permit the addition of a health centre on the same site as the community centre?

That is another question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the basis of distribution of the posters and plaques issued under the British Tourist and Holidays Board hygiene scheme, issued in co-operation with the Ministries of Health and Food and the Department of Health for Scotland.

The British Tourist and Holidays Board inform me that the posters and plaques issued under the hygiene scheme have been distributed to all registered catering establishments, except institutions, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Does not the President of the Board of Trade think it is gross extravagance that a number of large posters and plaques should be issued to a small business or lodging house of perhaps only four or five people in the same way as to a business of 100 or more and will he look into this very great extravagance which is now taking place?

I am looking into the further development of this campaign but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the British Tourist and Holidays Board do consider the views of the industry, which is represented on the Board, and that this scheme has had the widest support in the trade Press and in the trade generally.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is an awful waste, quite apart from the other considerations, in distributing to small boarding houses run by a family alone, or sometimes with only a few other employees, this enormous number of posters, which must be not only a waste, but an insult?

Apart from the extravagance, surely the insult to the public in asking them to "Wash Now" is very great, and would it not be much better to teach people these private matters in the elementary schools?

Is it not a fact that one individual employee's failing to wash his hands may, in fact, cause an epidemic of enteric?

Can the President of the Board of Trade reconcile the running tap which appears in this propaganda with the campaign of the water authorities against the running tap?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many posters of the British Tourist and Holidays Board hygiene scheme series issued in co-operation with the Ministries of Health and Food and the Department of Health for Scotland are being produced; the tonnage of paper required; the cost of the scheme; and will he state the amount of metal, tin and/or aluminium alloy used for the plaques in the same scheme together with the number of plaques and the cost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the cost of the Tourist and Holidays Board's "Wash your Hands" campaign; and how much tin, aluminium and paper have been or will be consumed in this campaign.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much tin has been used in processing the recently issued advertisement "Wash Now."

The British Tourist and Holidays Board inform me that they have produced 1 million posters, using 14 tons of paper, at a cost of £3,853, and 400,000 large and 75,000 small plaques, using approximately 56 tons of aluminium, and costing £31,150. No tin has been used. Whether or not more paper and aluminium will be used in connection with the campaign will depend on whether it is decided to extend it.

Does not the President of the Board of Trade think that some of this paper could be much more advantageously used for newsprint, which is so urgently needed at present?

The hon. Gentleman should be well aware that the kinds of paper used for posters and newsprint are not interchangeable.

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has found out how much paper and aluminium, both of which are in short supply in this country, have been wasted in this way, will he not do something to stop the furtherance of this campaign?

I have already said that I am in consultation with the British Tourist and Holidays Board about this matter and that the trade, as represented on the Board, felt that this was a most useful campaign.

Would it not have been better to have started this campaign in a small way and ascertained whether it would be successful before launching it in such a big way?

That would have been common sense.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that full publicity is given in U.S.A. to the fact that petrol is not available to tourists visiting this country unless they bring a car with them, or buy a car here and undertake to export it.

Yes, Sir. Intending visitors are informed of the conditions on which they will be able to get petrol here through the British Information Services, the British Tourist and Holidays Board, the travel agencies and other channels. Publicity is also given to the special hire-car facilities for tourists which I announced in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kennington (Mr. Gibson) on 23rd March.

Can the President of the Board of Trade say whether he is thinking out any other ways in which he can discourage our American friends from spending their holidays in these islands?

Our American friends are spending their holidays and visiting this country to the fullest extent to which travel facilities are available. If greater facilities were available, still greater numbers of American tourists would be visiting this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter because my attention has been drawn to several cases in my own constituency—and there must be others—where Americans have spent their holidays on the Continent because petrol for them to tour in this country cannot be granted to their relatives or friends who are prepared to lend them a car?

As the House well knows the figures for petrol consumption for travel facilities for visitors to this country compare favourably with those of any other country.

Is the Minister aware that this campaign to bring people to Great Britain has completely destroyed the tourist traffic in Scotland because they have to travel by rail from the South of England to Scotland, that there are no facilities when they reach Scotland to enable them to get a car in which to travel around, and that many beauty spots are inaccessible by rail?

No, Sir. My hon. Friend is misinformed, and if he would care to look at the regulations for American tourists he would find that the points he has mentioned are fully looked after.

In view of that reply, may I state that I took the matter up with the Tourist Board who confirm what I have said?

While not particularly wishing to aid the tourist trade in Scotland—

Why not?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind that this regulation is an extremely annoying one? If he could enable tourists to travel by car it would be very helpful?

I am sure that the hon. Member will realise the possible abuse to which it would be subject if that were recommended.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the view of Mr. Thomas Johnston, the chairman of the Scottish Tourist Board, on this issue, and is he aware of the opinion about His Majesty's Government, which has been publicly expressed on this matter?

Yes, I have been made aware of all the opinions expressed on this matter.

Will the President of the Board of Trade bear in mind that there is no conceivable reason for stopping American tourists spending dollars in this country, whether on petrol, or on anything else?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Switzerland and Italy tourists can get as much petrol as they wish? [An HON. MEMBER: "That is not true."] It is quite true. Is the Minister suggesting that there are the same conditions in this country?

May I press the Minister to look again at this footling and unnecessary regulation? Is he aware that his comparison with other countries in Europe was highly inaccurate?

Answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that British trade with Portugal has been severely restricted as a consequence of the refusal to grant import licences for Portuguese wines, etc., into this country; and what steps he is taking to deal with this situation.

Licences for the import of Portuguese wines have, in fact, been granted on a scale agreed with the Portuguese Government. According to my information, United Kingdom exports to Portugal are not, in general, subject to severe restrictions, but if the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will immediately replace the clothing coupons used by Mr. D. Sutherland of Walesby, Market Rasen, which owing to the delay of his Department had to be used to purchase clothing for Miss Sutherland, a visitor from Denmark, as correspondence sent to him indicates; and if he will see that such applications which assist the export trade are more swiftly dealt with by his Department.

No, Sir. Miss Sutherland was not entitled to an issue of clothing coupons on her recent visit to this country, and I cannot therefore reimburse her father for any coupons expended on her behalf. I much regret the delay which occurred in dealing with this application.

Surely since Miss Sutherland is now resident in Denmark, she is entitled to reimbursement of the coupons supplied by her father? While I sympathise with the right hon. Gentleman in the amount of correspondence with which he has to deal, may I ask him if he cannot hurry things up in his Department, so that we can get replies more quickly?

I would like to go into the case of Miss Sutherland in mare detail, but it is not a fact that a British citizen temporarily resident in a foreign country should be entitled to coupons for visits to this country.

But she is working there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to down-point men's suits, at present requiring 26 clothing coupons.

I hope to announce before the House rises any pointing changes, whether up or down, which may be decided upon for the next clothes rationing period commencing 1st September. I would ask my hon. Friend to await that statement.

Can we have some assurance that the pointage in this case will be down? Does the President of the Board of Trade consider that there is any incentive to a young man if it takes 26 coupons before he can get a suit? Does that represent "fair do's" all round?

As I have said, this matter is being very fully considered and the pointage of a very large range of items is being considered in consultation with the two Committees which I have set up specially for the purpose.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at the same time protect the interests of the down-trodden male and see that the limited supply of his nether garments are not appropriated by women and worn by them in the form of slacks?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many coupons are respectively required for the summer flannel-type shirt worn by small boys, if woollen, cotton, or a combination of both.

A small boy's shirt with long sleeves requires six coupons whatever the material. With half sleeves it requires six if made of wool, five if made of cotton. Mixtures count as wool if they contain more than 15 per cent. by weight of wool.

Would the President of the Board of Trade see that there is less confusion in regard to the pointage on boys' shirts, and also will he obliterate that confusion by relieving them completely from points?

My hon. Friend will realise the difficulties about the concluding suggestion which she has made, but I have asked the two Committees in question to look very specially at the position of children's clothing. I am not aware of any of the confusion to which my hon. Friend has referred.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that woollen garments are piling up in warehouses and shops, and will he downpoint them as much as the cotton goods?

I am fully aware both from official statistics and from the advice we are getting from the trade about the stock position of all the garments we are considering at the present time. I do not think it would be at all helpful to try to isolate one of these garments and discuss it in the House in advance of the statement to which I have made reference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of frustrated exports to the nearest available date.

I regret that figures are not available.

In view of the rumours which circulate as to the volume of these exports, would it not be desirable for the Board of Trade to make a statement of their actual and possible extent?

It is impossible to give figures on this matter, but, as the hon. Member knows, individual cases of frustration of exports where goods cannot be sold after a genuine attempt to sell them abroad are now being dealt with by a special advisory body appointed by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce at my request.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the value of the goods involved?

If the hon. Member puts down a Question, I will endeavour to answer.

Would it not be very inconvenient to the Government if the figures were given?

No, Sir, not at all. The policy of this country and of all hon. Members is to push exports to the greatest possible extent and it would be no embarrassment to anyone if certain exporters were not pushing exports as we would like them to do.

Is this due to price or quality, or is it because the countries concerned will not grant import licences?

In many cases it is due to the fact that they will not grant import licences, but it is also due to the fact that we have to face high competition in markets abroad.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Advisory Committee on frustrated exports has been set up in co-operation with the Association of British Chambers of Commerce; and whether he has any further statement to make.

Yes, Sir. The names of the members of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce Advisory Panel on frustrated exports appeared in the Board of Trade Journal of 10th July. I have no further statement to make at this early stage.

Can my right hon. Friend say when this Advisory Committee began to operate and whether it has heard any application yet? What is the procedure? Must applications from those who are interested be sent to this Committee or to the Board?

Applications sent to the Board of Trade will be automatically referred to this Committee. Full details were published in the Board of Trade Journal last week.

Will experts be co-opted to this Committee to advise on particular trades?

The Association of British Chambers of Commerce consists of experts, but I have no doubt that if technical problems are raised they will seek all the technical assistance needed.

Is it experts, or exports, which will be frustrated?

Will this Committee consider the effect on our exports to the United States of the boycott by Jewish interests owing to the Palestine position, because I think it is causing a great deal of trouble in regard to exports?

The Committee will consider the cases of all exporters who have made a genuine effort to sell goods in all markets open to us and who find it impossible to sell goods but seek to sell them on the home market.

Is the Committee composed of frustrated experts?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the further talks envisaged in the Anglo-Soviet Agreement of 1947 have yet taken place; and if he will make a statement.

On Tuesday last, the 13th July, I had a useful preliminary exchange of views on these matters with the Soviet Ambassador and the Head of the Soviet Trade Delegation in the United Kingdom. We shall now arrange for our experts to discuss these questions in greater detail.

While the President will have realised that the mere resumption of talks has caused deep satisfaction throughout the country, will he bear in mind that that in which people are interested, in addition to the grain, is the possibility of getting some timber to enable our housing programme to go ahead?

Yes, Sir. This matter has been brought quite strongly to the notice of the Soviet authorities as also has the large range of goods which we used to import from the Soviet Union before the war and from countries now embodied in the Soviet Union.

Although I could not hear the answer to the last part of the Question, in view of the fact that the last part asked for a statement, will my right hon. Friend consider incorporating in that statement a paragraph to the effect that if the Russians wish to continue to be regarded as a civilised State they must conform to civilised standards?

Innuendo.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether as yet any proposals have emanated from or been adumbrated in any quarter for the purchase of civil aircraft from the Soviet Union?

No, Sir. I have not been made aware of any proposals to purchase civil aircraft from the Soviet Union.

Can I have an answer to my question?

I thought the hon. Member's question very improper. After all, Questions which are hostile to a Government with which we are in amity are not supposed to be put down.

With great respect to your Ruling, Mr. Speaker, I was speaking on a matter of fact and not of innuendo and referring to the fact that there are 17 million people in concentration camps. I protest against His Majesty's Government having any trade relations with the Soviet unless they conform to civilised standards.

Will the Minister give an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) repudiating his offensive and blackguardly suggestions?

I think we had better get along.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether clarification has yet been reached with the Administrator of the European Recovery Programme as to the possible effect on Anglo-Soviet trade of the obligation resting upon him to refuse delivery to countries participating in the Marshall Plan, of any commodities which go into production for re-delivery to any nonparticipating country.

We are in close touch with the United States authorities on all matters arising out of the European Recovery Programme, including the obligation laid on the Administrator by Section 117d of the Economic Co-operation Act.

As the President of the Board of Trade has been seeking clarification for more than three months of what categories of goods we shall be prohibited from selling to Eastern Europe, is he yet in a position to say what it is which stands in the way? Is the Administrator declining to agree on these categories?

No, Sir. We are still discussing the clarification of the questions which the hon. Member has mentioned.