asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been drawn to the conditions in primary schools in Gloucestershire; and what action is being taken for their systematic repair and alteration.

I am informed that the local education authority have drawn up a comprehensive programme of work of repairs and improvements to schools.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the county have carried out a survey which is probably the first of its kind to be carried out with such thoroughness, and will he give every encouragement and support to measures to overcome these appalling conditions in rural schools?

Yes, I have already asked the authorities to get on as fast as possible with the supplies of labour and materials that are available, and I am expecting that we shall achieve improvement—minor improvement, at any rate—in existing schools.

Is the Minister aware that the authority in question has taken very forward steps to provide secondary education? Is he satisfied that sufficient priority is being given to primary schools?

My attention has only just been called to this new survey which has been made of primary schools. It brings them into line with what is being done in the secondary schools.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that his Department will give all the facilities it can to enable an authority to get the requisite labour and materials?

Yes, within the limits that are laid down for the Department.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that it has taken over two years to build a canteen at the Ilkley-Ben Rhydding primary school; what have been the causes of the delay; what is now holding up its completion; and when the canteen is likely to be ready for use.

I understand that the regrettable delay in the completion of this canteen has been due mainly to the pressure of housing and other work on the contractor, and to slow deliveries of certain equipment. I am informed that it will be brought into use for school meals next Monday.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether his own Department has been building this canteen, or the Ministry of Works? If it has been his own Department, would it not have been built quicker by the Ministry of Works? Is there lack of liaison between the two Departments?

Neither my Department nor the Ministry of Works built that canteen.

Who did?

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the improved feeling of goodwill created among the nations by the interchange of school children between the schools on the Continent and this country; and what steps he is taking to extend this principle for the Summer of 1949.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to arrange further exchanges of youth leaders with continental and other countries.

My Department has recently made a grant towards the establishment of the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges by the Educational Co-operating Body for U.N.E.S.C.O. The Central Bureau is now primarily responsible for educational ex- changes of all kinds, and there is good reason to believe that the volume of exchanges will increase next year.

Will my right hon. Friend get into touch with the various Governments on the Continent with a view to making the exchanges national, rather than leave them for local organisations to arrange?

A good deal of work has been done through local voluntary organisations. We are in touch with the representatives of the Ministries of Education in other countries, but we hesitate to put a stop to the work that is being done privately.

Is my right hon. Friend, apart from ordinary educational work, encouraging the youth of the various nations to come on working parties—not from this country only to the Continent, but from continental countries here—in connection with such matters as agriculture and the reconstruction of devastated towns?

I should want notice of that question and of the particulars concerned. In so far as this affects my Department, we assist.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the present moment there are here visitors from Germany, including ministers of religion and leaders of youth organisations, who are here especially to study our methods of youth organisation, and is not that a clear indication that in Germany and other countries on the Continent there is a desire on their part to foster this interchange of visitors for educational and moral purposes

Yes, that is perfectly true, and these things have been going on for a long time. It is part of our duty to encourage them, and to see that they are properly organised.

Is the right hon. Gentleman doing anything to encourage an exchange of visitors between this country and Russia or this country and Poland?

Not at the moment

asked the Minister of Education if he will give the names of members of the governing bodies of the national colleges for various industries so far established, indicating their educational and industrial qualifications.

With permission I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the members and the bodies by whom they are nominated.

Is my right- hon. Friend satisfied that a proper balance has been secured between the representation of educational and industrial interests on these bodies, and is he also satisfied that the industrial representation is as weighty and representative as can be secured?

It is difficult to say that one is always satisfied that a proper balance has been obtained, but I think that if my hon. Friend will read the lists which I am sending him he will find that they are as good as can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to voluntary training colleges and their students by delays in paying grants; and whether he will institute a system of regular payments made in good time to meet the commitments of those concerned.

The British and Foreign Schools Society, which is responsible for three training colleges, has complained that the present arrangements for the payment of grant are causing them, inconvenience, and my Department is discussing this complaint with them. So far as I am aware, there have been no other recent complaints or criticisms.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is expected that three-tenths of the annual grant should be paid at the beginning of each term and that in each case this grant is delayed, according to my investigation, in the colleges mentioned? The Ministry has to lay down some approved fees for the students, and if these fees are not laid down in time it causes inconvenience to the students?

I have these points in mind, and I think that they can be cleared up.

asked the Minister of Education if he will issue a circular to local education authorities encouraging instruction in the history of the U.S.A. in secondary schools; and if lists of approved textbooks on U.S. history will be made available for teachers.

I do not think that a circular on the subject is necessary, nor is it my practice to issue lists of approved textbooks to teachers. I feel sure that teachers do not need to be convinced of the importance of the study of the United States, and the welcome presence in our schools of a large number of American exchange teachers is a constant reminder to them.

But in view of the deplorable ignorance in this country of American history will not the Minister do something to encourage teachers in every class of school in the country to study a little more of the history of the United States

I seem to find a sort of reciprocal feeling in other countries who deplore our lack of knowledge of their history. We are doing our best to bring a liberal interpretation to all history, and to give freedom to teachers.

Could the right hon. Gentleman come to some arrangement with his colleague in the educational department of America for a reciprocal arrangement to revise the history books of each country in their respective schools?

If the Minister brings in American education will he see that Al Capone, graft and the lynching of Negroes get a foremost place?

asked the Minister of Education if his attention has been called to the experiment in remedial education which has been established in the Institute of Education in Birmingham University; and what steps he is taking to have this experiment tried out in Institutes of Education in other Universities.

Yes, Sir. I have been kept informed of this very interesting experiment and have given it every encouragement, but I prefer to leave to other institutes of education the responsibility for considering whether it should be repeated elsewhere.

Does not the Minister think that this experiment ought to be extended to other modern universities throughout the country; and is it not very unfortunate that this example should not be followed by other educational bodies?

I should like it to run a little longer before I come to any decision on whether or not I personally would recommend it.

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been called to the report of the auditors on the accounts of U.N.E.S.C.O. contained in the French version of the report of the Committee of Administration set up by U.N.E.S.C.O.; and as the auditors reported that the accounts were kept in a disorderly manner and that there had been a misappropriation of 1,173,339 franc?, why no mention of these facts is contained in the English version of the same report.

asked the Minister of Education why the information that more than 1,000,000 francs was lost by the cashier in gambling was omitted from the British official edition of the recent U.N.E.S.C.O. report.

asked the Minister of Education why the British report of the Second General Conference of U.N.E.S.C.O. held in November and December, 1947, omitted certain paragraphs which are contained in the French version, including the strictures of Messrs. Price Waterhouse, the auditors.

As this matter has aroused a good deal of interest I hope the House will bear with me while I give a detailed explanation. Various reports on the Mexico City Conference have been published. U.N.E.S.C.O. has itself published both in French and in English the complete transactions of the conference. These documents fill three volumes and can be obtained in this country through His Majesty's Stationery Office. Readers of English are not, therefore, denied access to any of these documents.

The Report on the Conference published by His Majesty's Stationery Office was not intended to cover fully the official U.N.E.S.C.O. report. Something shorter and cheaper was needed. It makes a general reference to the financial irregularities of 1946 and to the remedial action taken, but to have printed the whole of the auditors' reports would have increased the size and price of the pamphlet to an extent which did not appear to be justified for the following reason:

The inadequate accounting and financial irregularities referred to took place between 15th September, 1946, and the end of that year, while the Preparatory Commission, which preceded the establishment of U.N.E.S.C.O. itself, was sitting in Paris. The Auditors' Supplementary Report of 18th September, 1947, indicated that U.N.E.S.C.O.'s methods of accounting had been greatly improved since the beginning of that year.

I might add that the U.S. Government report is similar to the one published by His Majesty's Stationery Office and also omits the auditors' reports.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, even though this happened some time ago, it is always most important that where there appear to be defalcations special attention should be drawn to them, otherwise the sort of suspicion which has arisen in this case will inevitably occur; and will he take pains in future, when dealing with matters of this kind, to see that this sort of thing is brought out?

I am hoping that there will be no future occasion when it will be necessary to draw attention to the defalcations of a member of another State. I would point out that reference is made to it in the abridged report, although I admit that there is no full statement, but this is to be found in the official U.N.E.S.C.O. report which is available to anyone who desires it.

Is the Minister aware that there is public anxiety—voiced in a leading article in last Tuesday's "Times"—about the wisdom of some of U.N.E.S.C.O.'s activities, and does he agree that it is therefore important that no impression should be given that unpleasant facts are being suppressed, especially as the British taxpayer is contributing over £250,000 a year?

I am in full accord with the leading article in "The Times" but it had nothing to do with this question.

I hesitate to raise this matter because it hardly affects the present administration, but would the Minister answer this question? He said that the United States report and the United Kingdom report were the same. Would he not agree that, when we go to a conference and agree on a particular report, and then find that in the British report the numbering and the annexes are so changed that there is no reference to particular financial matters—and I have looked at both reports—it is a matter for very grave consideration? I do not want to press the matter now because it did not really arise during the Minister's tenure of office.

It is because the same point has been raised in another publication that I went very carefully into it. It is true that in the American report which can be compared with our abridged report there is only one slight reference to the auditors' report but this is available to anyone in this country.

Will the Minister take note of where such corrupt practices take place and that they are one form of activity for which the Communists cannot be attacked?

asked the Minister of Education what are the main projects now under consideration by U.N.E.S.C.O.

UNESCO, has under discussion or in hand a number of projects designed to achieve two main objects: to help to reconstruct the educational and cultural life of countries devastated by the war and to encourage the free movement of people, material and ideas in the fields of education, science and culture. It is impossible to summarise the practical projects themselves within the limits of a Parliamentary answer, but I am sending the hon. Member a document which sets out this year's programme in detail.

As the Minister has pointed out that it is impossible to summarise what is happening in U.N.E.S.C.O., and in view of the very considerable interest taken in the general things which U.N.E.S.C.O. are doing, which are brought out in various papers such as the "Manchester Guardian" and the "National Newsletter," does he not consider that this would form an extremely good subject for a Debate on the Adjournment just before the Recess?

I would suggest that the hon. and gallant Gentleman should put that question to the Leader of the House or to Mr. Speaker.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that places like Beirut and Mexico City are the most convenient venues for the furtherance of these projects, and would he use his influence to see that the next conference is held in Europe and that it is more fully reported in this country?

I think that if my hon. Friend would read the report of the last conference he would find that we were in a minority of three who objected to going to Beirut. I will certainly do my best to bring all conferences to Europe if I can.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much U.N.E.S.C.O. is spending on the study of the influence of altitude on sex?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1), what progress has been made in the discussion with the Governments of India and Pakistan about the provision of proportionate pensions for non-Secretary of State servants;

(2) whether he will start discussions immediately with the Governments of India and Pakistan for the provision of compensation for those non-Secretary of State civil servants whose position has been prejudiced by changes of government policy towards them since August, 1947.

I am glad to tell the hon. Member that the Governments of India and Pakistan have now agreed to allow European members of the non-Secretary of State's Services who are not domiciled in India or Pakistan to retire on proportionate pension, it they so desire. The Government of India have reserved the right to postpone release for as long as a year from the date of application, if they think it necessary in the public interest to do so. The Government of Pakistan have made the same general condition, but for technical officers they have fixed the maximum period of postponement at two years instead of one.

Details of the arrangements are being published in announcements which the Governments of India and Pakistan are issuing today. I will, with the hon. Member's permission circulate the text of the announcement made by the Government of India in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Governments of India and Pakistan do not feel able to grant the right to compensation in addition to the right, which they have now conceded, to retire on proportionate pension.

Would I be right in saying, following that answer, that this arrangement does not apply to those non-Secretary of State servants who have already retired—that is, retired before the making of this announcement; if so, is it not wholly unfair to these men, whose retirement may well be due, and normally has been due, to the changed conditions; and has not this difference in treatment been brought about largely by the fact that His Majesty's Government have purposely postponed discussing this important matter with the Governments of India and Pakistan?

No, Sir. The hon. Gentleman has asked three Questions. First, this is not retrospective; it does not apply to men who have retired. Secondly, in our view that is not unfair. The hon. Gentleman will have noticed that the two Governments have felt it necessary to reserve the right to postpone release for a year in one case, or in some cases even two years, because they find it difficult to do without the services of these men; they regard those who have resigned as having walked out on them; for that reason they would not agree to make it retrospective. Nor do I think if they did agree, that would be fair to those who are now to be retained perhaps for a year after they wish to retire. Thirdly, the hon. Gentleman asked if the Govern- ment had been guilty of delay in negotiating this matter. I think not; I think it was not possible to deal with it until the sterling balance negotiations had taken place, which was in July of this year. Since then we have pressed it vigorously.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be ready to receive representations from some of us on the subject of those civil servants who have resigned; would the Government seriously consider accepting liability for their case, now that the Governments of India and Pakistan have accepted liability for the case of those who are remaining; and would he further accept the fact that there is great satisfaction in the House that, to the extent of the concession that has been given, the Indian and Pakistan Governments have been generous towards these men?

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman and I will transmit to the two Governments what he has said in his concluding words. With regard to the earlier point, of course I shall be very happy to receive representations on this matter, but I could not enter into any commitment about what we shall do. I have not so far received evidence which seems to me at all conclusive that anybody has been forced to resign by action taken by either of the Governments.

Are these pensions guaranteed by the British Government?

No, Sir. These are non-Secretary of State pensions. The conditions of service were drawn up entirely by the Government of India.

Is it not true to say that His Majesty's Government have not so far pressed the Governments of India and Pakistan to grant any form of compensation to men who are forced to retire in the changed conditions; and is it not extraordinary that they have shown such weakness, when they managed to get the Government of Burma to give similar servants a gratuity or compensation on retirement?

If I may, I will send the hon. Member the details of what was done by the Government of Burma, which I think he will see do not at all support the conclusion he has drawn in connection with these men. I do not think it would be right for us to press the Governments of India and Pakistan to do this, for the reasons which I have already explained.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether European judges, who were appointed judges in India before August, 1947, and who have resigned or may resign in consequence of changed conditions, will receive compensation; who will pay them compensation; what amount; and on what conditions.

The hon. Member may by now have seen the answer to a written Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bexley (Mr. Bramall) on 16th November, in which I set out the scale of, and the conditions for, the grant of compensation to European Judges of High Courts in India, Pakistan and Burma who retire owing to the changed conditions. The cost of compensation will be borne by the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, and payment will be made by the Commonwealth Relations Office

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the committee of inquiry into weights and measures administration and legislation is to be set up; and whether he is yet in a position to announce the personnel of the committee and its terms of reference.

This committee has been set up and has already held its first meeting. I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate the terms of reference and the names of the members in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

In view of the fact that Government and Government-sponsored organisations are more and more entering into matters of trade, would my right hon. Friend consider so widening the terms of reference of this committee as to enable the committee to inquire whether such organisations, Government or Government-sponsored, can be brought under the aegis of Board of Trade inspectors in order that weighing and measuring appliances used by them may conform to the same standards as those used in ordinary retail trades?

I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind, but when she sees the terms of reference she will find, I think, that they are pretty wide.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the safeguards against the sale of the strategic stock of rubber in America to American manufacturers, of which there have been a number of instances recently, will be sufficient in the future to stop the pressure that such sales exercise against the dollar-earning power of the rubber-producing industry in Malaya and elsewhere; and if, in the negotiations for the disposal of this stock, he considered representations either from the Rubber Study Group or from the producing and distributing associations, thereby avoiding a repetition of the error committed in this connection at Geneva.

I am not aware of any recent sales from the United States strategic stocks of rubber except for the purpose of replacing deteriorating material. Such representations as we have received in the past from the producing and distribution associations were in favour of transferring Government trading stocks of rubber to a strategic stockpile. The Rubber Study Group is an Inter-Governmental organisation.

Is not the Minister aware that this stockpile of rubber is being made available for American civilian use on a rotation basis of every 30 to 45 days, which can have nothing to do with the deterioration of the stock, and that the effect is to produce many less dollars for the British Empire? Will he take the matter up through official channels to see that it is done in rather a different way?

Sales which are made from the stockpile are, of course, replaced, and so the total volume remains the same, but if the hon. Member has any evidence that the stockpile is being used in such a way as artificially to reduce the price of rubber and therefore reduce our dollar-earning capacity, I shall be very glad to take it up with the United States Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the price at which part of the rubber stock held in this country and sold to America under the terms of the E.R.P. Agreement entailed a loss to His Majesty's Government, after taking into account storage, interest and insurance calculated on a commercial basis.

The loss on the basis suggested by the hon. Member is estimated at about £750,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this loss was made when there have been many opportunities to dispose of these stocks beforehand in this country and elsewhere without making a loss?

The reason this loss was made, as I think the hon. Member knows, is that much of this rubber was bought following the wartime Ceylon contract, which was at a very high price, and it is being disposed of at a lower price than the price enforced upon us by wartime conditions. If this rubber had been made available for current consumption, it would have had the effect of depressing the market, which would have affected our dollar-earning capacity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far the price at which a proportion of the rubber stock held by His Majesty's Government in this country was sold to the United States Government was below the Is. 3 13/16d. per pound at which it was available to manufacturers in this country; and whether manufacturers in this country were given the opportunity of buying this stock at the price at which it was sold to the United States Government.

The rubber was sold on the basis of 22⅝ cents per 1b. c.i.f. New York for standard No. 1 sheet. Manufacturers in this country were not given an opportunity to buy the stock, but I am satisfied the market could provide quite as satisfactorily for their requirements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why the manufacturers in this country were not given an equal opportunity along with the Americans to buy this stock, and why, in view of the need to keep our goods at a proper price-level for the export drive, this method of depriving them of stock, which has been held in this country, at the same price as has been made available to America, was adopted?

Had this been made available it would have had a depressing effect on the market, and it would undoubtedly have affected our dollar-earning capacity.

Is it not quite obvious that if rubber is sold to manufacturers in the United States at a lower price than to British manufacturers, it is quite impossible for British manufacturers to compete in the world markets with the United States?

This was sold, not to American manufacturers, but to the American strategic stock pile.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that, if there is any question of disposing of further stocks in future, manufacturers in this country will have an equal chance?

No, Sir. I cannot give any such undertaking.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how, in a world of high material prices, His Majesty's Government can quote such low prices for materials over which we have some control?

I am not sure whether the hon. Member is referring to the general low prices of rubber, or to this particular transaction. As far as the former is concerned, I think the hon. Member knows that the main reason why we did not get what many consider to be an adequate price for sterling area rubber is the large volume of synthetic rubber overhanging the market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make on his Department's intention with regard to a Government-owned film studio.

Yes, Sir. The Report of the Film Studio Committee was published today by His Majesty's Stationery Office, and copies are now available at the Vote Office. I am most grateful to Sir George Gater and his colleagues for the Report they have submitted to me. The upshot of their recommendations is that the Government should not embark upon the provision of additional studio space in any form without being satisfied that its continuous employment in production can be guaranteed by means of an efficient organisation of independent or, as the Committee prefer to call them, free-lance producers. The Committee also point out that at the present time independent or free-lance production is not being hampered in any way by lack of studio space.

I have decided that in these circumstances it would not be expedient at the present time for the Government to build or acquire a State-owned or State-managed studio. The Committee, however, suggest that the Government might consider, as an alternative method of providing additional studio space, the possibility of granting facilities for the erection of an additional stage or stages at existing studios, on condition of their being made available to free-lance producers. I think this suggestion is a good one, and in considering proposals of this kind I shall have regard not only to the claims of independent production but also to the possibility of introducing improvements in production technique.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that so long as there is a vast amount of studio space unused he will not go to the ex- pense and trouble of wasting labour and material in erecting further stages?

I think that was implied in my answer. It is a fact that no freelance producer or any other producer is held up at the present time by lack of studio space, although I would not commit myself not to grant facilities, if this could be done, for people to build a studio, particularly if it could embody some of the latest ideas in studio production technique.

Will my right hon. Friend give an equivalent undertaking to the effect that he will approach the film industry in regard to a reduction of the rentals of privately-owned studios?

Yes, Sir. If there is any evidence produced before me that studio charges are excessive, I shall be very glad to go into it with the film industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken as the result of the letter addressed to him on 21st October by Mr. Wiswell, of the Muzak Corporation of U.S.A., asking for his assistance in placing orders worth 40,000 dollars a year; and what reply he has sent to Mr. Wiswell.

I appreciate the offer made on behalf of the Muzak Corporation, but I understand that there are certain objections on the part of the Musicians' Union. I have of course no powers of compulsion in this matter, but my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade has invited the Union to discuss their objections with him. It has not yet proved possible, however, to arrange a meeting. Mr. Wiswell has been kept informed of the position.

Is it not a fact that Mr. Radcliffe, the Secretary of the Musicians Union, is opposing this transaction, which is likely to be of such benefit to this country, purely on grounds of personal prejudice, and is it not a fact that this individual has been invited to the Board of Trade and has not even replied to that invitation? Can something be done to remove this petty difficulty, which is preventing work going to the musicians of this country and also the country from earning those dollars which we so urgently require?

I do not know whether my hon. Friend's imputations are correct or not, but as I have already said, the Secretary for Overseas Trade has asked the officials concerned to come and discuss the matter with him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the trade hardship suffered by Northern Ireland hairdressers by their being obliged to use their own clothing coupons to obtain towels for trade use and to carry out by-laws requiring the use of a clean towel for each customer; and if he will take action to enable these hairdressers to obtain an adequate supply of coupon-free towels for this purpose in the interests of public health.

I have received representations from hairdressers on this subject, but I am afraid that up to the present the supply position has not permitted a further quantity of towels to be made available to them. I shall, however, keep this matter under careful review.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the by-laws of the Ministry of Health of Northern Ireland relating to hygiene in hairdressing, in accordance with which a clean towel must be used for every client, and is he aware that leading barbers have said they have been obliged to use their own private coupons in order to comply with this law?

Yes, Sir, but I am also aware of the very great need for maximum hygiene in catering establishments and many other places which are already short of towels, and of the acute shortage of towels on the home market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms have requested the assistance of the Production Efficiency Service during the year ended June, 1948; and what was the total cost of operations during this year.

Eighty-six different firms requested assistance during the year ending June, 1948. The cost of the service during this period, excluding accommodation and overheads, was approximately £35,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why no reply has been given to an urgent communication addressed to his Department on 14th October, 1948, by the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers regarding a permit issued by the Board of Trade for the importation of Finnish granite memorials.

My personal attention was drawn to the letter from the Amalgamated Union of Building Trade Workers by a letter from the National Joint Council for the Monumental Industry for England and Wales, to whom I replied on 15th November.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the industry is predisposed in favour of the Government but that they were very disappointed when there was no reply forthcoming to the letter sent?

I very much regret the delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a granite quarry in Cornwall, employing 100 men, was put out of work last month? Will he see that this sort of thing does not occur as a result of imports from other countries?

I am well aware that our granite supplies are sufficient, but in our trade negotiations with countries like Finland, from whom we want timber for the building industry, we cannot in each case refuse to take non-essentials with which they want to supply us.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, have been instituted by him in connection with the sale of goods falsely described as Scotch whisky.

None, Sir.

In view of the Minister's powers under this Act, has his attention been drawn to liquids bearing such labels as "Whisky McAndy," "The Cameron," "Highland Bonnie." and others?

I have no means of checking them, but it is a fact that so far as communications with the Board of Trade are concerned we have had no evidence of false description of Scotch whisky. In any case the Scotch Whisky Association can themselves take a case to court under the Act, as they did in 1938.

If I send the Minister the opportunity of tasting will he undertake to taste?

I could not quite hear what the hon. and gallant Gentleman said, but I shall be happy to listen to any proposal he may wish to make.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whenever an application for petrol for an additional hire car or taxi is received by officers of his Department, what authorities are consulted as to the need for further hire cars or taxis in the area before a decision to grant or withhold petrol is made.

In the case of hire cars, the regional petroleum officer decides whether to grant a petrol allowance after obtaining information, normally from the police, regarding the need for further hire car facilities in the district concerned. An allowance is granted irrespective of need in certain cases where the Ministry of Labour certify that occupation as owner-driver of a hire car would be the best means of permanent rehabilitation of the disabled person.

As regards taxi cabs, which are licenced and controlled by local authorities the regional petroleum officer grants an allowance where the local authorities concerned certify that an addition to the number of vehicles licensed to ply for hire is required to meet essential transport needs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that licences for petrol for additional hire cars are being refused after they have been granted by the local magistrates in the magistrate's court, at which the Chief Constable was present; and can he remove this sort of muddle in future either by agreeing in advance to the number of hire cars required for the district or in some other way?

I am aware of the case mentioned. There was a misunderstanding whether this was a taxicab or hire car, but it has now been cleared up.

Can the Minister say if it is still a fact, as he said a year ago, that the police play an important part in deciding whether petrol should be allowed to these private hire cars and will he explain what part the police play?

The answer to that is perfectly clear from my original answer. Regional petroleum officers seek information from the police about the need for hire cars in precisely the same way as they have been doing for several years.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for how long unused standard petrol ration coupons of the present series will be valid.

As I explained in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble) on 4th November, standard ration coupons are valid for the month shown on them and five succeeding months. Those for June, marked "First month," will not be valid after the end of November, but those marked "Second month" will be valid till the end of December, and so on— those marked "Sixth month" being valid till the end of April.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether motorists using the standard ration only will still be able to license and insure their cars at the reduced rate for the new issue of the standard ration starting on 1st December.

Yes, Sir.

To prevent any misunderstanding between the public and the insurance companies and the licensing authorities, would the Minister make it quite plain that if supplementary petrol is used in these cars, a full licence and a full insurance policy must be taken out, because altering them has given a lot of trouble in the past?

I shall consider giving further publicity to the point made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his attention has been called to a recent court case wherein the witness was a grade III clerk at the regional fuel office who stated to the judge, in reply to a question, that very few of the applications for supplementary petrol went up to the control officer but were dealt with by him; and what steps he has taken to remedy this state of affairs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. J. Morrison) on 11th November. I do not accept the statement attributed to the clerk in question. While routine renewal applications may be dealt with in the first instance by grade III clerks, their work is invariably subject to check by another officer.