asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider authorising increased charges for meals served in hotels and restaurants on 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st December, 1948 and 1st January, 1949.

No, Sir. I have considered this possibility but have come to the conclusion that it would not be desirable to allow caterers to charge more for meals at Christmas time.

In view of the fact that both hotels and restaurants have to pay greatly increased charges because of the provisions of the regulations under the Catering Wages Act, and as many hotels have already announced their intention to close down for these holiday periods, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his answer, or are we to have complete austerity at Christmas time, too?

I do not think I can consider allowing a higher charge for meals, but it might be possible to do something along the lines of some allowance for special Christmas festivities at particular meals—crackers, etc.

Does not the Minister realise, having regard to the fact that the public know that the Government are compelling restaurateurs and hotel keepers to pay additional wages for Christmas service, that the public are only too anxious to take advantage of what is provided for them by those restaurants and hotels, and will be only too ready to pay an extra contribution for what they are getting?

That is a matter of opinion.

In view of the fact that hotels and caterers have to make their arrangements some time in advance, will the Minister come to an early decision on this matter and let them know where they stand, in order that they can make their plans for Christmas?

Yes, I think that is a reasonable request.

In view of the most unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the decision reached by most of the large chocolate manufacturers throughout this country to discontinue the manufacture of slab chocolate owing to the high price of cocoa beans, and since this price is fixed by the Government, he will take steps to reduce the cost of the raw material used in the manufacture of slab chocolate.

The Ministry selling price is reviewed from time to time to bring it in line with the price of raw cocoa, but I am not prepared to make a special reduction to manufacturers of slab chocolate.

Surely the Minister is aware that plain slab chocolate is almost unobtainable throughout the country today? Is it not vitally necessary that plain chocolate should be made available, and that present prices, which do not go to the growers, or at least will not reach them for a long time, should come down so as to make it worth while to manufacture plain chocolate? Why not take sweets and sugar off the ration at once?

It would be very nice if the world price of raw cocoa came down, but that is not a thing which it is within the power of the Government to do by fiat.

With regard to the raw material and its cost, is my right hon. Friend always looking out for new sources of supply which have not yet been fully developed? Is he aware, for instance, of the research into more intensive methods of cultivation now being conducted in Jamaica? Has my right hon. Friend consulted the Colonial Office about that?

Yes, that is important, but unfortunately it is a long-term remedy, as the cocoa tree takes seven years to attain full production.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the large yield of potatoes per acre throughout the country, and the difficulty growers are experiencing in finding licensed merchants who will accept their crops, he will allow the growers to sell them to the shops or public without a licence.

The licensing system was introduced to ensure guaranteed prices to producers and regular supplies to consumers. I am considering whether any change is needed to meet the present temporary situation. Any grower who cannot find a merchant to take sound ware potatoes may of course offer them to my Department and obtain the guaranteed fixed price.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware the Members of Parliament, and the hon. Member for Evesham, may not tender their potatoes to the Ministry under a very old Act? What in the world are they to do? Are they to go on looking at their potatoes throughout eternity?

I recognise that there is a special difficulty for the limited category of persons to whom the hon. Member refers, but I think they may meet that difficulty through an accredited merchant.

Why cannot the Minister allow to continue the system which was in force before the war by which if the grower had a surplus of potatoes, he could sell them to the public without any licence at all?

I know that was one of the suggestions which I said I would consider, provided, of course, that he sold within the guaranteed price.

May I ask whether the Minister will consider it very quickly?

asked the Minister of Food if he will give in tabular form the retail fixed prices for the various sorts of potatoes for the 1947 and 1948 crops; if he will state the amount of Government subsidy used to achieve these prices; and if he will take off all controls on potatoes immediately.

As the reply is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is not the Minister aware that his regulations for the control of potatoes are causing unnecessarily high prices to the consumer and a waste of potatoes? Is he not aware that there never was a shortage of potatoes this year or last year?

I am unaware of all those things.

The right hon. Gentleman will never learn.

The hon. Member's suggestion that all controls should be taken off potatoes this year would, of course, involve the most unwarrantable breach of promise to all the farmers of the country.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider extending the provision of orange juice and cod liver oil to children after they attain the age of five years.

A substantial part of the orange juice required to meet even our present commitments costs dollars, so I am afraid that I cannot extend the class of beneficiaries. Cod liver oil may be obtained by anyone through the ordinary retail channels.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of once again getting orange juice from Palestine?

Yes, Sir. We are getting all the citrus products that we can from Palestine.

asked the Minister of Food how many licences for fish friers have been granted during October, 1948; and how many were issued during October, 1947.

One thousand two hundred and twenty—two in October 1948, and 25 in October, 1947.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether the increased number issued during 1948 indicates that all these are people who otherwise would not have got licences under the old regulations?

Yes, Sir, I think that is a fair inference.

Is it not a fact that this wholesale granting of licences will prove most unfair to those who have borne the heat and burden of the day during the last few years owing to the great difficulty as regards the fat allowance?

The existing fish friers have borne the heat and burden of the day for a year or two, but it has not been an unremunerative heat or burden.

asked the Minister of Food why applicants for fish friers' licences may now receive 4 cwt. of fat per allocation period without there being any investigation by his Department into the requirements of consumers, whilst many fish friers receiving 3 cwt. or less of fat per period, who are already equipped to give additional service, are denied a 4 cwt. allocation.

The arrangement I made to provide licences freely was to encourage competition in the fish-frying trade. Obviously an applicant for such a licence would choose an area where he had good prospects of making a living and, therefore, of satisfying the demands of consumers. I am, sure the hon. Member would agree that the applicant who has to stake his livelihood on it will be the best judge of consumer need. The vast majority of fish friers who receive less than 4 cwt. were part-time fish friers before the war, and as I announced in the House on 1st November, I have arranged to bring the allocation of fat up to a minimum of 3 cwt. per eight weeks for all fish friers, from 5th December, 1948. The large full-time friers in general already get an allocation of varying quantities much above the 4 cwt. per eight week period according to their pre-war usage.

In view of the fact that many of the new licences which have recently been granted have been granted for shops in close proximity to many fish friers who are now getting only 3 cwt. of fat, and in view of the fact that these new licensees are getting 4 cwt., does my right hon. Friend consider that that is fair, and will he consider bringing up the minimum to 4 cwt. for existing licences?

If that is so, if the existing fish frier has been getting less than 3 cwt., it must have been because he was a very small or part-time operator before the war. I would like to bring up the allocation to 4 cwt., and if and when fats are available, we shall do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman instruct his officials in the country to look into the applications for additional fats rather more sympathetically, particularly where the shops are situated in an industrial area, and people really want this form of food? Is the Minister aware that during the three years I have been a Member of this House, I have never yet had a single application that I put forward received favourably by his Ministry?

I am very sorry that the hon. and gallant Member has had such bad luck, but I am sure that of over 2,000 applications which we have just granted, some must be in his constituency?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he has not answered my main point, which was whether he is aware that there are new licensees getting 4 cwt. of fat when there are already licensees in the same area who are still getting only 3 cwt.? In all fairness will not he bring the allocation to the people receiving 3 cwt. up to 4 cwt.?

My reply to my hon. Friend was that those who were getting 3 cwt. or less—if they were getting less it has been brought up to 3 cwt.—must have been small or part-time fish friers before the war, because they are getting 80 per cent. of the pre—war allocation. Therefore, I do not think that any injustice is being done. But I repeat that if and when we have more fats available, we shall, of course, be very happy to increase their allocation, as we shall be to increase the allocation of every fish frier.

Would the Minister draw the attention of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the case of those fish friers who were bombed out during the war and are having great difficulty in finding new premises?

Would it not be possible for a fish frier receiving an allocation of 3 cwt. to close down his business for one day and make a fresh application and get 4 cwt.?

That is a very ingenious suggestion, but I am afraid it is too late, as the period of free granting of licences closed last week.

asked the Minister of Food what percentages of the new fish friers licensed since 20th September, 1948, have received fat allocations of 4 cwt. or more, and 3 cwt. or less, respectively.

Of the new permits granted up to date, 87 per cent. have been for 4 cwt. per eight weekly period and 13 per cent. for 3 cwt. or less. These last will all receive 3 cwt. per period as from 5th December.

Is not this figure an added justification for the plea that existing fish friers should have their allocations increased from 3 cwt. to 4 cwt.?

It is simply a question of priority.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are fish friers in areas such as Lancashire who are tied to a datum period allocation which is low because it reflects the period of the depression, and is it not fair to give these people such a chance to build up a worthwhile business as is given to any newcomer?

My hon. Friend should note that we have made a start in doing that by raising all allocations of under 3 cwt. to the 3 cwt. level.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that there is continued disappointment felt by old people over the inadequacy of the milk ration in relation to their special needs; and if he will now increase the amount available to them.

I sympathise with the old people who would like extra milk, but I am afraid that I could only give them more, out of present supplies, at the expense of other consumers.

Is the Minister aware that older people are increasingly troubled by digestive difficulties, and that an additional amount of milk does help to build them up in an illness? Could not he at least grant some concession to old people who are living alone?

In these matters I feel bound to follow the advice of my medical advisers, and while I am sure that they would sympathise with the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member, they do not feel able to advise me to accede to it until and unless there are greater supplies available.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that there is a large tonnage of onions available in Norfolk and Suffolk which it is already difficult for growers to dispose of, owing to the size of the current home grown crop, and that the forthcoming importation of 60,000 tons of onions from overseas will cause considerable prejudice and loss to the home growers; and what steps he is taking to meet this situation.

asked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken to delay the import of onions from the Continent to enable home growers to find a market.

During the early winter months, most imported onions come from Holland. In view of the late and heavy crop of home-grown onions, the Dutch Government have agreed at our request to limit their exports of onions to this country until the middle of December to those consignments for which firm sales had already been affected by 28th October, when the arrangement was made.

Can the Minister say what quantity of onions will be available in those cases where firm sales have been arranged?

No, Sir, not without notice, but it is a small part of the general transaction.

Is the Minister quite satisfied that the home crop will be disposed of before the imported crop has any effect on the home markets?

Well, I would not like to give a guarantee to the last onion.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is negotiating for the 10,000 tons of linseed offered for sale by Uruguay.

I am glad to say that we have just bought 20,000 tons, with a possibility of a further 10,000 tons, of linseed from Uruguay.

Can the Minister say when the delivery of this most welcome linseed can be expected?

Shipment is to be made before 31st December.

In view of the considerable reduction in the price of cereals in America and other parts of the world, and the likelihood that oil seed prices will also be reduced, will the Minister give an assurance that he will not enter into any long-term contracts without a break clause?

I could not possibly give a sweeping assurance of that kind to the House, but I can assure hon. Members that my advisers are watching this very welcome trend of which the hon. Member speaks. We shall certainly take these considerations into full account in any short or long-term purchases that we make.

Would it not be much better for the consumer if the Minister would stop bulk purchasing and State trading and allow Mincing Lane and the Baltic Exchange to get on with the job in healthy competition?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the improving world supplies of linseed oil as indicated by the steadily falling world prices, he will recommend to the International Emergency Food Council that participating countries should now be free to make purchases as and when they think fit.

I understood that the International Emergency Food Council have already announced that linseed and linseed oil are freed from allocation.

Can the Minister give an assurance that he will not find himself forced to take up any allocation at a higher price than he would need to pay by buying small quantities at widely spaced intervals.

Yes, Sir. There will be no allocation under the I.E.F.C.

asked the Minister of Food what advice was received by him as to the possibility of charges of offences against the Food (Licensing of Retailers) Order, 1945, being brought against Mr. F. V. Lambert in respect of the sale by him at 8, Lavender Road, Reading, of specified foods without a licence between 27th August, 1947, and 21st June, 1948.

My legal advisers' views were that while there was evidence on which it would have been possible to prosecute Mr. Lambert, the offence would be regarded as purely technical and it was neither necessary nor desirable to prosecute. There was, I repeat, no question of my legal advisers' views being overruled.

Does the right hon. Gentleman qualify the answer which he gave to my supplementary question last week to the effect that the advice he had received was that a prosecution would not succeed?

The advice I was given—I am sorry if I did not represent it clearly to the House—was that my legal advisers were against a prosecution.

asked the Minister of Food how much cheese was imported from the U.S.A. to Britain in the last six months; how much cheese was exported from this country to the U.S.A. in the same period; and what were the values in sterling of these imports and exports.

Imports of cheese from the U.S.A. in the six months ended September amounted to 9,262 tons valued at about £2,900,000. No cheese was exported from this country to the U.S.A. during that period. But we do hope to export a few tons of our very special English cheese, such as Stilton, in order to earn dollars. In general we intend to continue the policy of exporting luxuries in order to pay for necessities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman absolutely convinced that we cannot get this cheese, which we have been importing from the United States, from Empire sources?

Yes, Sir, naturally we should buy cheese or anything else from sterling sources before we went to a dollar source. The Chancellor of the Exchequer would ensure that.

asked the Minister of Food how the numbers of eggs handled by registered egg-packing stations in the first nine months of this year compares with the same period of 1947; and how the allocation of eggs to ordinary consumers compares for the same periods.

One hundred and sixty-six million dozen eggs were handled by packing stations in the United Kingdom during the first nine months of this year compared with 127 million dozen in the same period last year, an increase of 31 per cent. Allocations averaged 63 and 47 respectively, an increase of 34 per cent.

Is the Minister satisfied that the egg-packing stations will have the capacity to deal with the further increase for which we hope in home production next season?

Yes, Sir, I think so.

asked the Minister Food if, in view of the large quantity of potatoes which will be available for pig feeding this winter and the limitations of the digestive system of young pigs, he will arrange to pay the full price of 36s. a score for bacon pigs weighing up to 12 score dead weight.

No, Sir. The feeding of pigs to heavier weights would merely increase the drain on feedingstuffs without yielding a corresponding increase in the weight of bacon produced.

Is not the Minister aware that if good use is to be made of these potatoes for pig feeding, if we have a big surplus, it can only be done in the case of heavier weight pigs?

My advisers take the view that it would be a waste of feeding-stuffs to go to a higher weight than this, but no doubt it is a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the form headed, "Ministry of Food, Self Suppliers of Pigs Scheme," and containing on two pages of foolscap forms of application and declaration by an individual wishing to have a pig killed and by the person who is to kill the pig together with a number of Notes (a) to (k); that after the above form has been completed and rendered, a further form of licence to slaughter is issued with several printed conditions numbered (a) to (e) together with a form of declaration by the slaughterman; and whether he will discontinue the use of these long and complicated forms, substituting, if necesary, a simple licence to kill a pig.

The new forms were introduced, in consequence of the findings of the Bodinnar Committee, as one of the measures designed to check the serious abuses which had crept into the self-suppliers' scheme. I am glad to say that my information is that the new arrangements have effected a marked improvement. They must be detailed if they are to serve their purpose effectively and so I am not prepared to stop using them.

Has the Minister studied the notes on the first of those two forms and does he approve of note (c), which says:

"'Fed' means serve with food at feeding times. It does not mean sending or bringing food for some other person to feed the pig."

Yes, Sir. The situation before these forms were introduced was one which caused concern in every part of the House, because this self-suppliers' scheme was leading to rather grave abuses. On the other hand, it would have been a great pity to scrap the self-suppliers' scheme. The only possible way was to tighten up the regulations.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken into account the very great feeling of dissatisfaction among certain butchers who have practically been driven out of this branch of the trade by the new regulations, and will he consider the hardship involved?

If there are individual cases where a butcher should be made an authorised slaughterer, I shall be most willing to consider them.

In view of the reduced supplies of bacon from Canada, why do the Minister of Food and the Minister of Agriculture make it difficult for people— especially small people—to keep one or two pigs? Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if only he would withdraw some of his restrictions, thousands more pigs would be kept all over the country?

What we do is to make it possible for the self—supplier to draw rationed feedingstuffs.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the recent cases in which fines were inflicted after it had been established in court that certain meat killing and preparation for made up food had been conducted under filthy conditions, he will review his regulations and their enforcement, and if necessary make stronger regulations and enforce them rigorously in all food preparation depots.

The conditions under which food is prepared for sale for human consumption and governed by the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, which is enforced by local authorities. The cases to which my hon. Friend refers have not disclosed defects in this Act, but they underline the importance of rigorous enforcement, and my officers have instructions to co-operate to the fullest extent with officers of the local authorities with a view to discovering and bringing to justice—as I am glad to say has been done in this case—those who, for personal gain, disregard the public welfare in this way.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the announcement which he has just made will give great satisfaction to people all over the British Isles, because of the terrible revelations in the cases to which I have referred in my Question?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the most revolting case in Lancashire has been going on for four months, whereby diseased and germ-ridden animal carcases have been supplied in 24 towns to 250 shops? Is he satisfied that his enforcement officers have been aware of this and really awake to the facts, because this case was discovered only by accident? Does he consider that these fines constitute justice, and is it really true that the welfare of the public is safeguarded against a recurrence?

My enforcement officers, in general, only co-operate with the local authorities in this matter, because it is on the latter that the responsibility for enforcement rests. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, in which he does not think that the action taken has been sufficiently rigorous, perhaps he will let me know.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Press in Lancashire last week received hundreds of letters from members of the public showing very great concern about the cases referred to? Cannot some more immediate and serious steps be taken to restore the confidence of the public in manufactured foods?

There is nothing to prevent the local authorities all over Lancashire or elsewhere from taking the most vigorous action in this matter, wherever they think they have a case, and we shall be very happy to co-operate with them.

Is not the only way to restore confidence, to a large extent, to issue another Statutory Rule and Order dealing with the slaughter of horses for human consumption?

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that rigorous enforcement would include adequate penalties, and is he not aware that the penalties recently enforced in some cases struck ordinary, common-sense people as being totally inadequate in the circumstances?

As regards the penalties imposed in these cases, there was one set of fines amounting to £2,000 and another of £1,700, which are not light.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will arrange for Christmas dried fruit to be allocated on the basis of sugar registrations alone, thus guaranteeing every registered person an equal share in whatever supplies of dried fruit are available.

Ninety per cent. of every allocation of dried fruit already goes to retailers who receive supplies on the basis of their sugar registrations. The remaining 10 per cent. goes to other retailers, who, although not holding sugar registrations, handled dried fruit before the war, and I can see no good reason for withdrawing their supplies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I discovered in my constituency last week that some housewives have been able to get as much as 1 lb. or more per ration book, while others have been able to get only a few ounces on their sugar registration, and does he think it is fair to those housewives who receive only the smaller amount? Would it not be very much fairer to make the allocation only on the sugar ration, so that everybody gets a fair amount?

As my hon. Friend knows, that would involve taking the remaining 10 per cent. away from those who always dealt in this class of goods before the war, which would cause a great deal of inconvenience to their regular customers.

Will the Minister make a further investigation in order to see why it is that some agricultural areas get far less dried fruit than other parts of the country, as, for instance the North of England, which gets far less than Scotland?

I cannot agree that that is the case.

asked the Minister of Food on what basis allocations of tinned tomatoes on points are made to various parts of the country; and when the last allocation was made to the Leicester district.

Tinned tomatoes are now privately imported under licence and distribution is not controlled by my Department. The last release of Ministry-owned stocks was made in March and April to first-hand distributors. The Ministry has never allocated these foods below the first-hand stage, so I do not know how much went to Leicester.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me whether any distinction is made in these allocations between the multiple shops which have branches and the small shopkeepers who have no branches? Is he aware that, in certain instances, the multiple shops are selling these tinned tomatoes, whereas the small shopkeepers cannot get them to sell?

No allocations are now made. These goods are imported under private arrangements, and are distributed in the ordinary way.

asked the Minister of Food what area the Langney slaughterhouse, Eastbourne, serves; and what is the maximum distance animals are brought to Langney to be slaughtered.

This slaughterhouse supplies sup-home—killed meat for the county borough of Eastbourne, the urban district of Seaford and the rural district of Hailsham. Normally, fat stock for this slaughterhouse are not brought from farther afield than 200 miles or so, but, during September, 1948, some cattle were sent from Darlington (300 miles) and Belford (380 miles). This was at a time when fairly large numbers of fat stock were coming forward for slaughter in the North Eastern area, while supplies in the South were relatively low.

Does it not seem ridiculous that cattle are brought from Wales and Darlington to this slaughterhouse to be slaughtered, and is the Minister satisfied that they are brought there in reasonably good conditions? If not, will he look into that matter before he gives his support to the Anti-Blood Sports Bill?

I did not quite follow the last part of the question.

I asked the Minister whether he would see that these cattle which are brought long distances are transported under reasonable conditions, and, if they are not, before he signs the Anti-Blood Sports Bill will he see that they are?

I am satisfied that it is necessary, to equalise the supply of meat over the country at certain seasons, to bring cattle a long way. It is very important that they should be brought under humane conditions, and we will do all we can to ensure that.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take on the representations made to him on 7th October by the Hornsey Chamber of Commerce with regard to conditions at Highgate tube station.

The representations made by the Hornsey Chamber of Commerce relate to matters which are the concern of the British Transport Commission, to whom they have been sent.

Has the Minister no authority to deal with this station, the approaches to which are among the most difficult, and probably the most dangerous in certain weather, of those at any London station?

I understand that these representations referred to escalators, the lighting of a footpath and a handrail to a wooden staircase, and I think those are obviously matters of management.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that applicants for "B" licences are being called upon by the licensing authority for goods vehicles to provide verbal evidence of consumers' need; and, in view of the difficulty of providing this evidence, whether he will take steps to make affidavits acceptable to the authority.

I have no authority to interfere with the discretion of the licensing authorities for goods vehicles to require such evidence of need as they consider necessary. An appeal against the decision of a licensing authority lies only to the appeal tribunal set up under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, which in a recent case expressed the view that written evidence of need is generally of little value.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, although written evidence may be of little value, with which I agree, applicants who go before the licensing authority are called upon to bring with them their potential customers, who are not prepared to leave their own businesses to give evidence on consumers' needs? In the circumstances, why could not a sworn affidavit be acceptable to the licensing authority?

The chairmen of these licensing authorities usually give an indication to the applicants of the procedure to be followed in these cases, and I have no jurisdiction to direct them.

Is the Minister aware that these are cases in which one would think that a sworn affidavit would be acceptable, and will he make representations to the licensing authorities on what they should do in the matter?

Evidence of that kind would be given proper consideration, but it does not follow automatically that it would ensure the granting of a licence.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent he intends to relax in the near future the present restrictions on road maintenance; whether he will give any indication of the reports which he has received from highway authorities during recent months as to the inadequacy of present maintenance and the degree to which liabilities which will have to be met in due course at an increased cost are accumulating.

While I have received some representations from highway authorities about the present restrictions on road maintenance, I consider that the objects of the Government's policy have been achieved without any serious effect on the general condition of the roads. I hope that it may be possible to increase the funds available for road maintenance next year, but my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the Estimate for the Roads, etc., Vote.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the costs and efficiency of British business are seriously affected by the present scarcity of British typewriters; and whether, in view of this and that typewriters are to some extent being imported into this country from Germany, he will arrange for a larger proportion of British output of typewriters to be made available in this country.

The export target for British typewriters was reduced some months ago to 25 per cent. of production, as the home demand for them was greater than the supply. This reduction in exports and the expected increase in home production should ease the position.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the position has not eased, and that there is still a very large demand for these typewriters; and, in view of the fact that British typewriters are both better and cheaper than the imported ones, will he not do something further in the matter?

I think the position has eased, and that there will be a substantial increase in the supply of these typewriters in the coming months.

Is the Minister aware that the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, who at this moment is sitting on one of the back benches with, perhaps, some significance, told me in April this year that at least 10,000 British typewriters had been ordered by and supplied to Government Departments, and could he tell us what is the present position with regard to typewriters ordered for Government Departments?

No, Sir, not without notice.

asked the Minister of Supply how many British jet engines have been supplied to countries which are not signatories to the Brussels Pact.

One hundred and seventy-four, Sir.

Will the Minister say to what countries these jet engines were supplied, and is he aware that in yesterday's parade in Moscow the Russian Air Force were presumably using jet fighters of British production supplied by His Majesty's Government?

The countries concerned are the Argentine, Canada, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give, in convenient categories, the number of persons employed by his Department at Foxbury, Chislehurst; and what is the annual cost of that establishment.

Five hundred and fifty-four persons are employed at Foxbury, Chislehurst, in the following categories; officer grades 15, technical grades 106, administrative, clerical and typing staff 52, miscellaneous non-industrial grades 34, industrials 347. The annual cost of the establishment is, approximately, £200,000.

Is the Minister aware that I am credibly informed that the waste of manpower, the waste of time, and the waste of the taxpayers' money is scandalous at this establishment; and will he set up an inquiry under an independent chairman to look into the whole working of the establishment?

I have no evidence to confirm the allegations made by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, since over 450,000 of the public are waiting for the installation of telephones throughout the country, and the delay in these matters is largely attributable to the shortage of switchboard equipment, which is being exported, he will reduce the export of switchboard equipment and ensure maximum efficiency at home.

No, Sir. I am afraid we cannot afford to reduce exports, but output is increasing and more equipment should be available next year for both the home telephone service and export.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that would-be subscribers are informed that it may be two years before they have the chance of having the telephone installed; and would it not increase the efficiency of the country far more, both industrially and for the public generally, to have telephones available here instead of, for the sake of a few thousands pounds, exporting the necessary switchboard equipment? There is no need to starve this country of such equipment.

This is one of our most valuable exports, and I do not think it would be useful to reduce the amount of such equipment which is exported.

In view of the very unsatisfactory answer given by the Minister, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise a vigorous protest about this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment. It is absolutely damnable.

asked the Minister of Supply which of the companies listed in the Third Schedule of the Iron and Steel Bill have wholly-owned subsidiaries in overseas countries.

As certain subsidiaries of Third Schedule companies are registered overseas, particulars of the ownership of their share capital are not readily available, and my information as to wholly-owned subsidiaries may therefore be incomplete. I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those companies which, according to my present information, have wholly-owned overseas subsidiaries.

Does the Minister realise that the staffs of these overseas companies view with great dismay the prospect of becoming servants of the Labour Government?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he intends to make representations to the Board of Trade under the Monopolies Act, 1948, in respect of the Nuffield—Austin merger.

No, Sir.

Does not a very high proportion of the production of the 10–15 h.p. cars now come under this control?

Yes, Sir, but action is only taken where a Government Department believes there is some abuse by the concentration in a few hands of a high proportion of production. We have no reason to believe that any such possibility exists here, or is likely to.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that all informed opinion in the motor industry strongly approves the standardisation of the components which is likely to accrue?

asked the Minister of Supply how many redundant ex—Army and R.A.F. vehicles are now stored in the British zone of Germany and what arrangements are being made to dispose of them.

On 30th September, the latest date for which figures are available, the total number of vehicles was 18,225. Of these, 6,448 were sold and awaiting delivery, 2,535 were catalogued for sale, 7,194 were being examined for cataloguing, and 2,048 remained to be dealt with.

Would my right hon. Friend say when all of these vehicles are likely to be cleared—that is, those that are usable?

I cannot say. The Service Departments are continually throwing up vehicles for sale, and it must be appreciated that a large number of these vehicles have been so cannibalised that they are no better than scrap.

Can the Minister tell us how many of these 6,000 vehicles were sold to Continental buyers and how many to British buyers?

Who is responsible for maintaining and looking after these vehicles?

The Control Commission act on our behalf in this respect.

asked the Minister of Works how many schemes have been sanctioned for the building of new cement plants during the twelve months ended 30th September, 1948; how many approved for construction or major extensions to existing plants; how many of these are for independent companies; and how many for firms in the cement combine associated with the cement marketing organisation.

Sanction has been given in the 12 months for the building of one new cement plant and for a major extension to an existing plant. In the former, but not in the latter, case the firm sells through the Cement Marketing Company. Both firms are members of the Cement Makers' Federation.

In view of the information he has given, would my right hon. Friend further consider the proposals put to him by myself something like 12 months ago, in view of the great advantage that scheme had in probably reducing the price of cement and improving the conditions in which the workers would operate?

On both occasions when this matter was brought to my attention, I sent an invitation through the hon. Gentleman to the promoter of the scheme to discuss this project with officials of my Ministry, but that offer was not taken up.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the unsatisfactory state of the road surface in The Mall; and when this road is likely to be repaired.

Yes, Sir. It will be repaired next year.

Is the Minister aware that the surface of The Mall, which is maintained by his Department, is worse than that of any of the other Westminster roads, which are maintained by the City Council, and would he endeavour to keep the standard of the roads in the Royal Parks at least up to the level of the municipal ones?

Yes, Sir, and in due time we shall surpass it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what time next year—the beginning or the end?

I cannot say what time next year.

Is the Minister aware that as a result of driving down The Mall this morning, I have been suffering from aggravated oscillation ever since, and will he repair the road this year instead of next?

Aggravated oscillation—I do not know.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many farmers are classified "C" at the present time; and how many of these are under supervision within the terms of the Agriculture Act, 1947.

The extraction bf particulars of grading would involve the detailed examination of committee records, and I do not feel justified in asking committees to undertake this additional work at the present time. Three hundred and fifty—six farmers have so far been placed under supervision orders under the Agriculture Act, 1947.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give an assurance that adequate supplies of potash fertiliser will he available to farmers for the 1949 season.

All our potash comes from abroad; but provided that imports arrive as arranged, there should be sufficient to meet farmers' requirements for the 1949 season.

Is not the Minister aware that a large amount of potash is available in Germany? Cannot he impress upon other members of the Government that action should be taken now to see that the potash is here in time?

I understand that only a small amount is available in the bizone, and that is what we are in fact getting.

Will some of it be sulphate of potash, which, I believe, in some cases is more useful than muriate of potash?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if a recent report has been received from the United Nations Administration in Palestine on measures in operation for the safety and security of the Holy Places; and if he is satisfied that precautions adopted are adequate.

The Progress Report of the United Nations Mediator in Palestine dated 16th September contains a section on "Protection of the Holy Places" in which the hon. Member will find a short account of the damage done, the efforts made to avert it and the prospects for the future. No precautions will be adequate as long as intermittent shelling continues in the Jerusalem area. His Majesty's Government will continue to support all efforts to make the truce effective and to restore peaceful conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken by His Majesty's Government, either alone or through U.N.O., to secure the immediate release of Mr. Sylvester, who is now a prisoner in Jewish hands; what action he intends to take; and whether he will give an assurance that Mr. Sylvester and the other British subjects kidnapped with him will receive full compensation for any injury suffered out of the Palestine assets now held by His Majesty's Government.

Pending the conclusion of the hearing of Mr. Sylvester's appeal, which began on 3rd November, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hollis) on 1st November.

Does the hon. Gentleman recognise the validity of the legal proceedings to which he refers? Will he give me an answer to the second part of my Question?

We do not recognise the right of the Israeli Government to stage this trial, but in the man's own interests we feel that we must see that he gets the best possible defence. On the subject of compensation, it is true that theoretically we hold the assets of the Palestine Government pending the establishment of recognised successor authorities. In fact, however, there are no assets but, on the contrary, liabilities.

Does my hon. Friend agree that British subjects resident in foreign countries owe the same local allegiance to the Governments in whose territories they are as aliens owe to this Government when they reside in this country? Will he say, further, whether he has any reason to believe that the trials so far held have not been fair and have not resulted in justice being done?

In reply to the first point, of course we do not recognise the Israeli Government. I will not comment on the second point since the trial is sub judice.

Can we be told whether the British counsel who went out for Mr. Sylvester was refused right of audience at the original trial; and secondly, whether the British counsel, a different one I think, who is now in Jersualem has been granted right of audience in the so-called court of appeal? Surely we can be told those two things now?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a Question down.

Is it not a fact that the allegations made against this man, if they were true, would only be true in that the incidents occurred on United Nations territory? What steps have his Majesty's Government taken with the United Nations to get them to look after the interests of this man?

I really cannot comment on this while the case is subject to appeal.

Would my hon. Friend please reply to my first supplementary question concerning the duties of British subjects resident abroad? Secondly, will he say whether, of the three men who were accused and originally tried, two were acquitted and released?

The answer to the second point is "Yes, Sir." I have already given the answer to the first point, namely, that we do not recognise the Israeli Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to make public the details of the production and export targets and investment programme of the Four-Year Plan relating to Western Germany recently submitted to the O.E.E.C. in Paris.

The final version of the bizonal programme will be published as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the discussions in Paris. It will be appreciated that all the individual programmes recently submitted are in the nature of working documents for the preparation of a comprehensive programme and as such subject to modification in the light of the discussions in the O.E.E.C.