asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the agreement reached with the Government of Siam with regard to assistance given by His Majesty's Government in the re-equipping of the Siamese Army.

No such agreement has been reached by His Majesty's Government with the Government of Siam.

Has any application been made by the Government of Siam for the kind of assistance I have mentioned in my Question?

My right hon. Friend is considering some recommendations he has received from our Ambassador in Bangkok.

Will the hon. Gentleman draw the attention of his right hon. Friend to the fact that everyone on this side of the House wants to see the end of this bolstering up of primitive, feudal, reactionary regimes?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what agreement has been made with the Government of Siam for the export of rice to British territories in S.E. Asia.

No such agreement has been made, but the United Kingdom and Siam are both members of the International Emergency Food Committee, to which Siam makes her exportable surplus of rice available for allocation. His Majesty's Government arrange to purchase from Siam whatever is allocated by the I.E.F.C. to British territories in South-East Asia.

In view of the virtual breakdown of Government in Burma, and the improbability of South-East Asia being able to get anything like the amount of rice they hope to get, will the Government see if any further rice can be obtained from Siam, otherwise there will be a serious shortage of food in Malaya and other parts of South-East Asia?

I think the best way of arranging these allocations is on the basis of need, through the I.E.F.C.

Is it not true that a delegation from Siam is due here today or tomorrow, and will the hon. Gentleman make sure that this is one of the subjects to be discussed?

I expect it will be, but that does not alter what I have just said.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present annual consumption of petrol in the British zone of Germany; and on what basis it is allocated.

German civil consumption was 210,000 tons in 1946; 261,000 tons in 1947 and is estimated at 306,000 tons in 1948. Requirements are estimated and imported by military Government for the bizonal area on the basis of known past performance and the expected needs of an expanding industry. The detailed allocation of petrol to users is a German responsibility.

Do I understand that the only petrol allocated is for business purposes? If so, would my hon. Friend look into the fact that so much business seems to be transacted at the week-end?

There is a regulation about the use of petrol at week-ends, but my right hon. Friend is not satisfied on this point and an inquiry is being held to decide in what way the regulations need strengthening.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there is an impression that the average German motorist is better off than the British motorist?

That is not true, but, nevertheless, an inquiry is being held.

Is the recent increase in black market transactions in Germany linked up with the increasing allocation of petrol?

I should need notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present production of refrigerators in the British and U.S. zones of Germany; and what proportion is retained for the German home market.

Two thousand and twenty-one electric refrigerators and 686 tons of refrigeration equipment were manufactured during October. I am informed that no precise figures are at present available as to the proportion retained in the home market, but that exports are negligible.

Although we in this country were ready and indeed proud to share essential goods with the Germans why should they be allowed, when they owe so much, to retain even one refrigerator until the market here has been satisfied?

Are these pieces of mechanism necessary for the maintenance of the cold war?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action His Majesty's Government are taking in respect of the establishment of an independent magistrat by the Soviet authorities in the Soviet sector of Berlin.

This self - styled magistrat, which was not elected but nominated, was set up in the Soviet sector of Berlin by members of the Socialist Unity Party and other Communist-controlled organisations at what was miscalled an extraordinary session of the Berlin City Assembly which had been unconstitutionally convened by the Socialist Unity Deputy-Chairman. This is the culmination of a long Soviet campaign to disrupt the lawful administration of Berlin and to divide the city.

The establishment of this magistrat has been recognised by the Soviet authorities but has been publicly condemned as illegal by British Military Government, who will continue to give its support to the constitutionally elected City Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the terms of the Treaty of Peace with Bulgaria, he will state what is the estimated strength of Bulgarian Armed Forces.

The estimated strength of the Bulgarian Armed Forces is as follows:

• Land Forces: 87,000. The strength permitted by the Peace Treaty is 56,800.
• Naval Forces: 3,000, which is within the Peace Treaty limit.
• Air Forces: 180 aircraft, which is double the strength permitted by the Peace Treaty. The personnel strength is also estimated to exceed the Peace Treaty limit of 5,200.

Will the hon. Gentleman tell us what His Majesty's Government are doing about this matter?

I answered similar Questions last week. The truth is that enforcement of the Peace Treaty requires the co-operation of the Soviet Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the recommendations of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, to which S.I., 1948, No. 2504, gives effect, have been implemented by the other Governments who were parties to the Convention.

The provisions of the Convention are fully applicable to all Governments which have ratified it. The details of legislation passed in each of the countries concerned are not yet known, but we have no reason to suppose that the provisions of the Convention will not be carried out on the whaling grounds when the Antarctic Season opens on 15th December, 1948.

Is the Under-Secretary satisfied with the progress which is being made towards implementation?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Jewish detainees are now in Cyprus; and whether he will make a statement as to their future.

The total number of detainees on 1st December was 11,915. The Security Council truce resolution of 29th May, of which the terms were later extended by that of 15th July, called on the Governments and authorities concerned not to introduce fighting personnel into Palestine and the Arab States during the cease fire. The attitude of His Majesty's Government has been that the entry into the Jewish area of Palestine of the large number of men of military age at present held in Cyprus would have created a situation markedly to be military advantage of one side and thereby have defeated one of the main objects of the truce. Meanwhile women and children and men of non-military age are free to leave for Palestine, and many have, in fact, left. Should a new Resolution be passed which abrogates or supersedes the Clause of the Resolution of 29th May under which Jews of military age are detained in Cyprus or should more peaceful conditions be established, His Majesty's Government would review the above decision. His Majesty's Government are now re-examining the position in the light of the present situation in Palestine.

Could my hon. Friend say a little more about the people of non-military age? How many are still left in Cyprus and what is obstructing them from being sent to Palestine?

I have not got the figures, but there is no obstruction to their being sent to Palestine and many have, in fact, left.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many British personnel are engaged in looking after and guarding these detainees?

I should need notice of that question.

Can my hon. Friend say whether these people were not originally detained under the exercise, or purported exercise, of the Mandatory Power's duties with regard to immigration to Palestine, and, since that jurisdiction has come to an end by Act of this House, on what legal or constitutional basis are these people now deprived of their liberty?

I should need notice on that legal point.

Are the Government of Cyprus or His Majesty's Government financially responsible for the maintenance of these refugees?

Not the Government of Cyprus, Sir.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these refugees are now in the last throes of despair, and would it not be fairer in the name of humanity and common decency to let them know how many months or years longer their enforced detention is to continue, as even an ordinary criminal has a right to know that, and these people have committed no crime whatever?

They are held there in accordance with the Resolution of the United Nations, but, as I say, we are reexamining the position. Until then I cannot make any further statement.

When my hon. Friend says that these men are held there in accordance with the Resolution of the United Nations, will he tell the House what Resolution of the United Nations has ever asked His Majesty's Government to keep these men in detention unlawfully in Cyprus?

I do not accept, of course, that they are unlawfully detained. I have already referred to the Resolution concerned in my original answer.

Could my hon. Friend say what is the financial responsibility of His Majesty's Government?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what has been the result of the British Ambassador's representations to the Argentine Government concerning compensation to be paid to the British shareholders of the Buenos Aires Transport Corporation; and what is the present position concerning the assets of that corporation owned by British capital.

No reply has yet been received to the representations which have been made to the Argentine Government concerning the liquidation of the Buenos Aires Transport Corporation. The terms on which the liquidation is to be put into effect have not yet been fully disclosed.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long it is since the Ambassador made this application?

I cannot say the exact date. Our Embassy has been asked to telegraph as soon as new information is available.

Does the Under-Secretary realise that in this case serious losses will probably be sustained by shareholders in this Corporation in this country, and what effort has been made by the Government to ensure fair play for them in a final settlement?

We shall certainly try to get fair play.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct the British delegation at U.N.O. to support the application for admission to the United Nations which has been submitted by the State of Israel.

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government do not wish to exclude the possibility of Jewish entry into the United Nations at some stage, but they regard the present application as premature and hard to accept in view of the fact that the future of Palestine is still being discussed by the Assembly and that no frontiers have yet been drawn in Palestine.

As the war which the Foreign Secretary set on against the Jews in Palestine has met with the failure it so richly deserved, and as the State of Israel has emerged and is now established and will not be altered by the Foreign Secretary, is it not high time that the right hon. Gentleman pocketed his prestige and thought a bit about world peace and joined with the majority of the United Nations?

I know that, with my right hon. Friend, I resent many of the assumptions in that supplementary question, and I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the State of Israel is obnoxious and odious to most British working men?

Is not the Question and the subsequent performance of the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. PlattsMills) likely to give a wholly wrong and mischievous impression to the United States of public opinion in this country?

In view of the fact that sooner or later the State of Israel must be recognised would not the Minister agree to the decisions of Labour Party Conferences, keep the pledges given, and make the recognition sooner rather than later.

While dissociating myself from what has been said by the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Platts Mills), may I ask the Government to reconsider this matter, because many people are anxious to see an equitable solution arrived at between the Arabs and Jews, and they believe it can only be done if the Israeli application is supported at United Nations and we can have equality in the discussions?

I am aware of the views of the hon. Member and his supporters about getting an equitable solution. The point is how we can get an equitable solution. It is not necessarily the case that we should be helping by taking the action suggested.

In view of the very long-standing policy of the Labour Party in this matter, will my hon. Friend take the opportunity of repudiating the suggestion made a moment or two ago that the State of Israel is obnoxious to British working men?

The hon. Gentleman should ask his constituents.

A whole number of insinuations seem to have been made in supplementaries, and I entirely repudiate many of them.

Would it not be anomalous as well as premature to admit Israel to the United Nations when Eire, Portugal, Italy, Transjordan and Ceylon are still waiting?

There are certain States with much stronger claims than Israel.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many consulates and in which cities in the United States of America he has decided to close down; and how many will be continued.

It has been decided to close the consular establishments at Buffalo and Tampa. It is not the present intention to close any of the remaining 25 consular establishments.

In view of the community of interest between this country and the United States, and the need to attract visitors to this country and to promote trade in the United States, does the hon. Gentleman really think that this is a wise decision?

There is also the need to economise on dollars.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many people in His Majesty's Government's service are now waiting entry visas to enable them to take up their appointments in countries within the sphere of influence of the U.S.S.R.; and how many people in the service of the Governments of such countries are awaiting entry visas to enable them to take up appointments in this country.

The number of British officials now awaiting entry visas into the U.S.S.R. is three, into Czechoslovakia five, Hungary three, Poland three, Roumania four, and Bulgaria one. The number of officials from these countries awaiting entry visas into the United Kingdom is five; four from the Soviet Union and one from Poland.

Can the hon. Gentleman exercise some pressure with regard to the entry visas required for countries beyond the Iron Curtain by declining to give entry visas which are required for entry into this country until those required for Eastern countries are granted by the Soviet Union and her satellite countries?

No, Sir; I do not think that would have any effect at all.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state as at the latest convenient date the programme of activities of the British Council in the Netherlands; whether proposals are being promoted for the improvement of cultural relations; and if plans have been completed for exchange of teachers and inspectors of schools between Great Britain and Holland to develop friendship and understanding between both countries.

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

Would the Under-Secretary tell the House if everything possible is being done to establish close relations, cultural, trade and everything else, between the Netherlands and this country?

I think my answer will show that as far as cultural matters are concerned, that is certainly so.

asked the Minister of Food what has been the cost to the latest convenient date of inserting in the newspapers the articles entitled, "Food Facts."

Before 31st March, 1947, the cost of "Food Facts" advertisements cannot readily be separated from other advertising costs. In the year ended 31st March, 1948, the cost of space for "Food Facts" newspaper advertisements was £150,582; in the six months ended 30th September, 1948, £77,262.

Is not the hon. Lady aware that many people think that these "Food Facts" are just a joke, that they are only Socialist propaganda and a complete waste of the taxpayers' money?

The hon. Gentleman's supplementary question only goes to show how completely out of touch he is with the Housewives' League.

Should not the title be altered to "Food Fables"?

Would the hon. Lady change the title to "Food Failures"?

asked the Minister of Food how much sugar or sugar products were exported to the West Indies in the first nine months of 1948.

Sugar exported from the United Kingdom to the British West Indies this year has consisted of a few hundred tons of refined sugar supplied to the non-sugar producing colonies of Bermuda and Grenada.

Has the hon. Lady ever heard of the proverb, "Why send coals to Newcastle"?

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of sugar from East Africa has been imported during 1946 and 1947, respectively; and how this compares with 1937 and 1938.

Only negligible quantities of sugar were imported into this country from East Africa in 1946 and none in 1947, but the Ministry purchased 10,200 tons and 14,600 tons in these years respectively which was shipped direct to other Colonial Territories. In 1937 and 1938 the imports of sugar into this country from East Africa were 16,003 and 16,086 tons, respectively.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the general dissatisfaction with the present method of allocation of imported poultry and rabbits, he will now publish the Report of the Bodinnar Committee.

No, Sir. I cannot agree to publish the Report of the Bodinnar Committee because it contains confidential information about illegal trading practices which it would not be in the public interest to disclose.

Surely, the hon. Lady could publish an expurgated edition of the Bodinnar Report, making clear the Committee's views on the control of poultry and rabbits?

My experience of the House of Commons tells me that the House is not fond of expurgated editions.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that none of the imported rabbits handled through the Association of Wholesale Distributors reaches the Beeston and Stapleford district of Nottingham; and, since this area has a population of 50,000, will he take steps to remedy this situation.

I have asked the Association to consider and advise me on the possibility of extending distribution to the Beeston and Stapleford districts. I will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

Since the towns on either side of Beeston and Stapleford have had these allocations, the Beeston and Staple-ford Food Control Committee suggested to the Association that they should stagger the allocation but so far there has been no reply. Could my hon. Friend look into it?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Christmas bonus of tea will be available for old-age pensioners in addition to their present special ration.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking to increase the allocation of imported fruit allotted to the district of Moffat, Dumfriesshire.

Moffat has had as many allocations as any other part of Scotland, and the quantity of imported fruit sent into the area at each allocation has, in fact, been rather more than that to which, on a population basis, the district is strictly entitled.

In view of the fact that the answer to this Question is open to dispute at present, can the hon. Lady say when she is going to make the announcement which was promised some time ago on the whole question of imported fruit?

I am quite prepared to make another review of allocations, and I hope to do it very soon.

asked the Minister of Food whether, when the nearest slaughter house is more than two miles away, he will permit members of a village pig club who are feeding a pig for home consumption for the first time to kill it on their own premises.

No, Sir. Members of pig clubs cannot slaughter on their premises if they have not done so previously. Nevertheless, any club may have their premises authorised as a slaughter-point for the pigs of its members.

Does the hon. Lady realise that this is one of the regulations that is preventing more bacon being produced in this country, and will she reconsider the matter?

The hon. Gentleman is misinformed. This new regulation has been made in order to limit abuses on the part of self-suppliers.

Is the hon. Lady suggesting that pig club members have been guilty of black market practices?

As there has been so much illicit slaughtering, I cannot exclude pig club members.

asked the Minister of Food why Mr. A. F. Garton, Long Lane, Tilehurst, Berkshire, has been refused permission to slaughter on his premises a pig intended for home consumption although it has been his practice in the past to have pigs killed on his own premises; and why it has been necessary for three officials to visit Mr. Garton in connection with his application.

As Mr. Garton had moved from Newbury to Tilehurst since he last killed a pig on his own premises in 1944, inquiries had to be made about his new premises before a licence could be issued to him to kill his pig there. We have now arranged for this to be done.

asked the Minister of Food by what regulation pig keepers for home consumption, who have previously been granted permission to slaughter a pig on their own premises, are now informed that they must take their pigs to a Government slaughterhouse, if they reside within five miles radius of such a house; and what published regulation has cancelled the previous Ministry of Food regulation for issue of licences to slaughter to self-suppliers of pigs, headed L.L.P.

There has been no change in the regulations and domestic pig keepers who obtained a licence to kill pigs for home consumption on their own premises in previous years may do so again this year. I am grateful to the hon. and gallant Member for bringing to my notice the misunderstanding which arose in our local office in Barnstaple, and I have taken steps to see that it is put right.

asked the Minister of Food why the London Divisional Food Office discontinued investigations in May, 1947, into the case of R. Teelings, Limited, who were convicted in October, 1948, at the Old Bailey; and what additional evidence caused his enforcement headquarters to reopen the case.

The first investigation related to a complaint by one retailer in respect of a single transaction and the evidence obtained at that time was considered insufficient to justify proceedings. Further information from a member of the public led to other inquiries.

Was not the offence admitted to the London Divisional Food Office in May, 1947, and, in those circumstances, why was it necessary for considerable pressure to be brought upon headquarters before the prosecution was undertaken?

I agree. I think proceedings should have been initiated in the first case. The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to hear that the enforcement officers concerned have been dealt with in an appropriate manner.

asked the Minister of Food whether, arising out of the talks he is now having with the chocolate manufacturers he will be in a position to make a statement before the coming Recess in respect of the price reductions which have been agreed with the manufacturers and traders; and whether he can now state what steps are being taken to protect the retailers against losses on their existing stocks of chocolate.

The discussions with the industry about new price schedules for chocolate and sweets cannot be completed in time for any statement to be made before the Recess, but I can assure the hon. Member that we shall bear in mind the point he makes about retailers' stocks.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the public have had to pay very high prices for many months, and have been exploited by the Government owing to the prices charged to the chocolate manufacturers for cocoa beans, and will she make certain that, in future, the people will not be expected to pay these high prices, for which there is no justification whatever?

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of barley is stored at Tholthorpe aerodrome, near Easing-wold, Yorkshire; what are the countries of origin of this barley; how long has it been stored there; and what is its present condition.

Of the 5,413 tons of barley in store, 3,423 tons are of Russian origin and 1,990 tons of Australian origin. Some of it has been in store since the end of April, 1948. The bulk is in good condition, but the last 2,100 tons placed in store in November, has been recommended for fumigation.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the fire brigade has been called to this barley more than once? Would she put it into circulation, so that we can have more bacon, instead of hiding it away and leaving it to deteriorate?

I think the fire brigade were probably called because they are experts in fumigation. I understand that this barley is infested with weevil, and that that is not an uncommon condition.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he proposes to take to prevent the waste of garden fruit grown in the expectation that sugar would be available for home-made jam.

With the aid of the increased domestic ration in 1949, and of bonuses on the scale of previous years which will be made if our present estimates of supplies is reached, I see no reason why there should be any waste of garden fruit grown for home-made jam.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the export of tinplate and manufactured cans destined for Soviet salmon, he can give an assurance that the needs of the English canners of fresh fruit will come first and be satisfied before further quantities for export are allocated.

The requirements of tinplate at home are taken fully into account when deciding what can be exported to pack food overseas for supply to this country, but we are bound also to consider the relative importance of the foods to be canned. So far as we know there should be about as many cans for fruit in 1949 as in recent years.

Is the hon. Lady aware that in the Vale of Evesham many of the canners had an inadequate supply for last season's fruit, and will she see that the home canners do not have to waste fruit, by ensuring that there are the necessary cans for next fruit season?

We are going to do our best.

We shall want a bit more than that.

Could the hon. Lady tell the House whether any tinplate was exported to the Soviet Union for last season's strawberry crop?

I could not say that without notice.

Is the hon. Lady aware that she stated in this House that all tinned salmon comes from the dollar areas, and does her statement now mean that the Soviet territories are to be included in the dollar areas?

No. I have said in the past, when I have been challenged, that a great deal of canned salmon came from Canada and the United States, and now we hope to get some from Russia.

Is the hon. Lady aware of the high protein value of the pilchard, and of the tin shortages that have arisen in the canning factories of Looe and Mevagissey, and will she take immediate action to put these right?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that.

When the hon. Lady says that the tinplate supply is going to be as big as last season, is she aware that in the consultations which have taken place with her Ministry some assurance was given to the growers that tinplate next year would be greater than last year?

The hon. and gallant Member wanted to know if it would not be less and I answered him. I am very pleased to hear what he says.

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms of the recent meat contract with Uruguay.

It would not be in the public interest to publish the full text of the meat agreement recently signed with the Uruguayan Government. I may say, however, that Uruguay has undertaken to send us 34,000 tons of meat during the year ending 17th February, 1949, at prices comparable with those which we are paying to Argentina. So far 17,323 tons, including 2,635 tons canned corned meat, have been shipped.

Is the hon. Lady aware that only one person, namely, the Minister of Food, is able to gamble with the taxpayers' money in this way and render no account of it? Is the hon. Lady also aware that the Ministry of Food is being fooled over this meat contract as it was over the Argentine contract, and will the Government return to private- enterprise buying and do away with bulk purchasing which necessitates bulk selling?

When the hon. Lady says that the price is comparable with that of the Argentine, can she say what is the percentage increase on the last contract, and would she confirm or deny the statement made in the Uruguayan Press that the prices have been raised by one-third?

I would require notice of the first part of the supplementary question.

What about the second part?

Can the hon. Lady say why it would not be in the public interest to give this information?

I have explained time after time, as has my right hon. Friend, that if there are negotiations with different countries for meat, as, in fact, we are having, it is not wise and it is not good business to reveal to the world what we are paying.

If the hon. Lady says that negotiations are going on, I quite agree, but these negotiations to which I refer are complete. The Uruguayan Press state that the prices are one-third higher than they were the last time. Can she say whether that is true or not?

I am sure the hon. and gallant Gentleman would agree that the housewives of this country would like an increase in the meat ration. Therefore, if we are looking elsewhere for meat, as we are, it would be unwise to reveal these prices.

Could the hon. Lady say whether this agreement covers more than one year's purchase, as she has referred to one year, and, if so, how many?

Yes, Sir, it covers a year up to February, 1949.

asked the Minister of Food if he will arrange for milk cards to be issued to day-school children to enable them to obtain extra milk' from the family retailer during school holidays, when the school milk scheme is in abeyance, in the same way that blue milk cards are issued to children coming home for the holidays from boarding schools.

The cards issued to boarding school children do not entitle them to receive extra milk in place of the school milk that they receive in term time, but merely serve to ensure that they receive their normal priority allowance of milk when home on holiday. I am afraid that the demand on manpower and administrative difficulties that would arise preclude the delivery of school milk to the children's homes during the holidays.

As it is desirable for children to have this extra milk during the holidays as well as during term, and as, in fact, under present arrangements they are not getting it, may I ask my hon. Friend not to allow herself to be daunted by the admittedly great administrative difficulties, but to have "another go" and try to devise some scheme which will get the milk into the children?

I am always prepared to have "another go." I have had a good many goes at this already. My hon. Friend must remember, however, that there are 30,000 schools receiving milk from 8,000 retailers, and that, to carry out his suggestion, we should have to switch that milk during the holidays to 100,000 retailers who serve four million homes.

Can the hon. Lady tell us what happens to the milk during the holidays, because cows are no respecters of holiday times?

The hon. Gentleman is quite right, biologically. The answer is that it goes into dried milk for babies.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the dearth of Christmas puddings in West Sussex; what arrangements he has made for distribution of the necessary ingredients between different areas of the country; and if he will ensure adequate supplies in the Chichester area in time for them to be bought before Christmas Eve.

My Department does not control the distribution of Christmas puddings. We have, however, asked manufacturers to hold a reserve which has now been sent to food divisions where the tonnage delivered was below the average for the rest of the country. Sussex is receiving a share of this reserve. I am afraid I cannot make arrangements for deliveries of puddings to individual towns within food divisions.

Can the hon. Lady arrange for the distribution from her reserves to arrive in Sussex in time for people to make Christmas puddings before Christmas?

If the hon. Gentleman is talking about ingredients, he should know that ingredients are tied to registrations.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the uneven distribution of biscuits, that some shops have none whilst others have good stocks; and what system of allocation of biscuits does he adopt.

The distribution of biscuits is managed by the trade. We have reviewed it with them recently and I hope that a rather wider spread of supplies will be effected.

Could my hon. Friend say what are the possibilities of increasing the overall supply?

My hon. Friend will remember that we gave increased sugar to manufacturers, and, therefore, there might be a slight increase next year.

Why not take sugar off the ration altogether?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered a statement signed by a large number of hon. Members of this House and by other persons calling for the initiation through the United Nations of a mediation commission in Greece; and whether he intends to take any action.

I have studied this statement and understand that a reply has been sent to the sponsoring organisation by the Foreign Office. His Majesty's Government do not intend to act upon this suggestion. The Charter of the United Nations expressly precludes interference in matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State. His Majesty's Government cannot, therefore, propose to the United Nations mediation between the Greek Government and the rebels. Moreover, the General Assembly has already made certain recommendations designed to promote conciliation between Greece on the one side and her northern neighbours on the other, and to prevent that continued interference by Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia in the internal affairs of Greece which is at the root of that country's trouble.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is sound evidence of the existence of a body of moderate and responsible opinion in Greece, which would welcome mediation and that this might lead to the formation of the sort of Greek Government which could be trusted by all Greeks? Will my right hon. Friend look into this matter personally, study these facts, and try to do something to dispel the bad impression that the British Government are only ready to intervene in support of a reactionary Government?

That, of course, can be corrected at once. Anyone who knows the history of Greece, knows the efforts that have been made to get a thoroughly representative Government in Greece and an election was held which elected the Government.

Is the Prime Minister aware that this Government was elected under a guarantee by all the Allied Powers, and has there ever been a Government in the Balkans elected under such careful precautions to see that it represented the views of the people?

What the right hon. Gentleman says is quite right.

Whoever may have sponsored the election, is my right hon. Friend aware that the regime now is conducting such a policy that there is no member of the party supporting the Government in this House who, if he were a Greek citizen, would not be against it?

I am not aware of that, and I do not suppose my hon. Friend is aware of it.

Is it not the case that before the elections, to which the right hon. Gentleman referred, took place, the Foreign Secretary declared in this House that when the elections took place and the Government was formed British troops would be withdrawn from Greece? Why are they not withdrawn?

That is a long way from this Question, which only asks for a mediation commission and not about the state of the Greek Government.

Would the right hon. Gentleman, in considering the possibility of mediation, bear in mind, with reference to the oft repeated assurance that the trouble comes from the northern neighbours of Greece, first, that the evidence brought before the United Nations Commission shows that any such interference is simply laughable in its incongruity and smallness; and, secondly, the rebels are very busy and strong in the Peloponnesus, which is 100 miles from the front?

I do not think that that last observation affects the matter. I entirely disagree with the hon. and learned Member as to his first point.

asked the Attorney-General what consideration is being given to the desirability of legislation concerning the effect upon the Divorce Law of problems consequent upon artificial insemination.

I have been asked to reply. Consideration is being given to this matter, and my right hon. and learned Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the Imperial Bureau of Dairy Science, Reading, has changed its name to the Commonwealth Bureau of Dairy Science, and that it is using notepaper and envelopes on which the word "Imperial" has been struck out and the word "Commonwealth" written above; and what is the reason for this change.

The change resulted from the decision taken a year ago by the Executive Council of the Imperial Agricultural Bureaux that, as from the beginning of 1948, "Commonwealth" should replace "Imperial" in its own title and in those of the organisations which it controls, including the Bureau of Dairy Science. The Council stated at the time that they felt the use of the word "Commonwealth" rather than "Imperial" was more in keeping with modern trends.

Is the hon. Gentleman ashamed of the word "Imperial"?

I think the hon. and gallant Member has completely failed to understand my reply. He is following the bad example which is sometimes set by his own Front Bench in this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any statement to make regarding the preliminary report of the Exmoor Survey by the University of Bristol, a copy of which was forwarded to him.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend prefers to await the final report. This preliminary report is of much interest but deals with only one of several aspects of farming conditions on Exmoor.

Is my hon. Friend aware that although, on the whole, agriculture is very prosperous, at the same time areas similar to this are depressed areas, and need urgent treatment? Cannot he give any information concerning recommendations arising out of the interim report?

No, Sir. I do not think it would be wise to do that. There will be a final report which will include much wider technical and social data than that which is in the rather limited interim report, and my right hon. Friend prefers to wait for that report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what function will be performed by the advisory committee of 15 persons appointed by the Agricultural Land Commission in connection with the Glanllyn estate in Merionethshire; which of them have practical experience of estate management and farming; what fees they will be paid; and what scale of expenses they will be allowed.

As the Glanllyn Estate comprises some 30,000 acres of beautiful country, including Bala Lake, in the heart of rural Wales, my right hon. Friend appointed the committee to advise the Welsh Land Sub-Commission on matters relating to amenity or rural life which may arise in connection with the management of the estate. The members were appointed for their knowledge of such matters and not for their practical experience of estate management and farming, with which they will not be concerned. They will be paid no fees but will receive the normal Government rates for travelling expenses and subsistence.

Will the activities of this amenities committee over-ride the ordinary functions of estate management? If so, who will bear the loss?

From what I have said and from the terms of reference which were included in the Press notice relating to the appointment of this committee, it is obvious that that cannot arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why he has advised farmers and market gardeners not to increase further the acreage of vegetables; and if it is the Government's intention simultaneously to restrict the importation of competing supplies from the Continent.

The acreage under vegetables is now. 80 per cent. greater than in 1939, and except in the case of early frame-grown vegetables, no further expansion is considered to be necessary. With regard to the last part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food has stated on several occasions that the fresh fruit and vegetable import programme is designed to supplement home production with a view to giving the consumer a full supply at reasonable prices while avoiding the creation of glut conditions.

Does the Minister intend to advise growers here to reduce the acreage of onions in 1949 so as to make room for more inported onions?

That point does not arise.

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that this country is now self-supporting in fresh vegetables?

Is the present vegetable acreage regarded as the proper maximum, or is a lower figure contemplated?

All that the advice referred to says is that, having regard to the increase since 1939, we feel, that further expansion in the acreage of vegetables would not be advisable.

Will the Minister simultaneously restrict the importation of competing supplies from the Continent, as that is very important?

Among other factors, consultations take place about the level of imports having regard to home production.

Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind and tell the Ministry of Food that at the moment there are hundreds of thousands of tons of home-produced onions rotting in my constituency and in others, and that the growers themselves are only too anxious for the price to be reduced to the consumer if the Ministry will help them to get them on to the market?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what reports he has received from his Fisheries Officer with regard to the strike of fishermen at the Barbican, Plymouth, resulting from a dispute between fishermen and buyers about wholesale prices of pilchards.

Several reports have been received summarising the negotiations between the fishermen and the buyers. I am informed that on 3rd December the fishermen agreed under protest to accept an offer of 3s. per stone for canning and 2s. 6d. per stone for curing.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the men have gone back under protest and with a sense of grievance? Is he further aware that the price of equipment has gone up? For example, pilchard nets which were £3 to £4 each before the war are now costing between £20 and £24. Will my hon. Friend see that these men get a reasonable return for their perilous labours?

I said in my reply that the agreement had been come to under protest by the fishermen. The hon. Lady must remember, however, that this is a purely commercial dispute over a matter which is not one of price control. My Department has certainly kept in close contact with the various people concerned all the way through. As to the agreement, the best thing is to let it work itself out.

Is the Minister aware that one of the great difficulties in the pilchard industry is the shortage of tins? Will he have "another go" at the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, who is sitting next to him, with a view to improving the tin position?

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking to avoid the decline in supplies of fish being brought about by the strike of fishermen at the Barbican, Plymouth, and at some Cornish fishing ports.

I am glad to say that the pilchard fishermen have agreed to go to sea again, and the differences between them and the curers have been settled.

Is my hon. Friend aware that while the fishermen have had their prices cut to 2s. 6d. a stone, pilchards were selling on the open-air market at Plymouth on Saturday at 7d. a lb.? Will the Ministry of Food deal with this question of middlemen's profits with margins, which are bringing down the price to the producer and increasing the price to the consumer?

We do not control pilchards, so this matter is entirely outside our province.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to introduce legislation to implement recommendations of the Report of the Committee on Ferries in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps have been taken to give effect to the recommendations of Part III of the Ferries Report.

asked the Minister of Transport how soon it is anticipated that it will be possible to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Committee on Ferries in Great Britain.