asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the result of the review under- taken by him, he is now prepared to allow retail sports dealers to sell certain items of sports clothing coupon free, and on the same basis as is allowed to N.A.A.F.I., to Territorial Army, R.A.F. Training Corps and pre-service cadet forces members.

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 14th December last to similar Questions on this subject.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman come to the conclusion between that date and now that this is a monopoly in favour of the N.A.A.F.I and very hard upon the ordinary retailers?

As was explained in that answer, this is a Measure for getting rid of the surplus stocks which have come back to this country following the more rapid demobilisation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to assess the relative advantages and disadvantages to this country of the tariff changes which took place under the Geneva and Havana Agreements.

The tariff changes have taken place under the Geneva Agreement, not the Havana Charter. As was explained in the Debate in the House on January 29th, 1948, His Majesty's Government consider that there was a fair balance between the concessions obtained for United Kingdom exports and the concessions made by the United Kingdom under the Geneva Agreement. The tariff changes took effect as between the eight original signatories of the Agreement from the beginning of 1948, but the changes made by other countries that have subsequently adhered have been in effect only a short time. It is not possible to relate changes in trade directly to the tariff changes, in particular because in many of the countries concerned (including the United Kingdom but excluding the United States) import restrictions to safeguard the balance of payments have so far prevented tariff concessions from having their full effect. But I may say that United Kingdom exports to the other original participants in the Geneva Agreement have shown an encouraging increase in 1948.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that in view of the fact that further talks along the same lines are due to take place in April, it is of the highest importance that we should be satisfied that the advantages to this country are as great as the advantages which we have handed away?

Yes, Sir. We should not enter into any agreement except on the basis that we were so satisfied.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any greater increase in exports to the United States in those articles on which tariffs have been reduced than in others on which tariffs remain as they were before?

I should want notice of that question.

Do the Government consider that it is a good thing that no new preferences should be given throughout the British Empire as a result of these agreements?

That is an entirely different question which the House debated on 29th January, and I have no doubt that there will be another opportunity for the House to debate it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce the appointment of additional development councils for industry.

Not yet, Sir. In addition to the three industries for which development councils have already been set up (cotton, furniture and jewellery) I am in consultation with six other industries about proposals for development councils. The industries concerned are clothing, cutlery, hosiery, wool, pottery and china clay. My hon. Friend will have noticed that I published on Monday a draft development council Order for the clothing industry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have in mind the undesirability of hastening the establishment of development councils in view of the lack of conviction among many of those concerned as to their value?

No, Sir. I shall have in mind the extreme desirability of hastening on the establishment of these development councils in as many industries as possible.

Is it not the case that Parliament has expressed its clear will in the matter and that the appointment of development councils is essential if the industries concerned are to increase their output and comply with the European Recovery Programme?

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that among the organised workers in the pottery industry there is great disappointment and grave disquiet at the delay in the setting up of a development council for the pottery industry after the promises which have been made?

I recognise that there is disappointment, but I have made it clear to the House before that I am trying as far as possible in these cases to get agreement between both sides of industry on the appointment of development councils.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that without co-operation, these development councils have little chance of success and that it is, therefore, much better to wait a little longer and get agreement than to rush into something on a compulsory basis?

A reasonable amount of delay is justified, but not unnecessary and definite obstruction, in many cases by only a section of the industry concerned, to a council being established.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can yet make a statement on the recent tobacco talks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the recent Anglo-U.S. negotiations on Virginian tobacco supplies.

Yes, Sir. At the request of the United States Government, officials of my Department together with officials of the Treasury last week met officials of the United States State Department, Department of Agriculture and Treasury and of the Economic Cooperation Administration to discuss the future outlook for United Kingdom purchases of United States tobacco. The United States representatives explained the importance of their knowing the probable requirements of the United Kingdom during 1949 in order to ensure so far as possible that an adequate crop was planted this Spring. The United Kingdom representatives said that the imperative need to balance the United Kingdom's dollar payments as soon as possible would continue to impose a strict limit on the sums which could be spared for the purchase of American tobacco. For this reason United Kingdom purchases from the 1947 and 1948 crops had been restricted below the minimum necessary for the present level of consumption which had been maintained only by drawing on stocks; but in order to maintain the present rate of consumption the United Kingdom expected (provided that there was no substantial adverse change in the dollar position) to buy in 1949 more U.S. tobacco than in 1948.

The probable position in later years was touched on but not discussed in detail. It was made clear in the discussions that full allowance was being made for all supplies which could be obtained from other sources. I should emphasise that nothing that took place during these talks affects the need for the United Kingdom to obtain from non-dollar sources as much tobacco of suitable quality and price as possible.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is a prospect in consequence of these talks of a reduction in the price of tobacco and cigarettes in the near future?

My hon. Friend had better put a Question down.

In connection with these negotiations, has my right hon. Friend given full consideration to the possibility of expanding our re-exports of manufactured tobacco, thereby keeping both the local and the national tobacco trade fully employed and encouraging the maintenance of areas in the tobacco belt for the purpose of producing the Virginian tobacco which we like so much?

Yes, Sir. Those considerations are very much in mind, but I would remind my hon. Friend that it would be uneconomical to increase to any substantial extent our re-exports to soft currency areas of tobacco which had been paid for in dollars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind during any further talks on the matter that British Empire tobacco growing interests must not be impeded by any future negotiations with the United States?

That has been very fully kept in mind throughout the discussions. The record of the Government and the tobacco manufacturers of this country in placing contracts for Commonwealth-produced tobacco is an extremely fine one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what compensation for loss of property in Burma during the Japanese invasion is to be paid to civil officers; and when such compensation may be expected to be forthcoming.

I am not at present in a position to add to the answer I gave on 16th December last to the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that civil officers especially and a good many military officers, lost all their possessions including their household goods and have had to replace them where they could replace them at all these days, at post-war prices? Is it not wholly reasonable that these loyal servants of the Crown who have suffered so much in the service of this country and the Empire should be fully compensated at a very early date?

As the hon. and gallant Gentleman will know from a previous answer which I gave on this subject, it is proposed to extend benefits on the lines of the United Kingdom private chattels scheme to British subjects who have sustained losses in these territories.

These losses occurred several years ago. Why should there be any further delay in settling this matter?

The delay is in working out the arrangements which have recently been announced.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that I put down a similar Question some six months ago and got exactly the same answer? Will he remember that a great deal of hardship and discomfort is being suffered by these unfortunate people?

The hon. and gallant Member could not have got the same answer on that occasion.

Does the Minister recall that I put down the same Question two years ago?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the arrangements entered into with the large circuit owners enable any new cinemas to be built and operated by them.

Under Section 5 of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1948, I am empowered to withhold a licence for the operation of any cinema by a circuit of more than 200 theatres unless the cinema was comprised in the circuit before September, 1947.

Does that mean that circuits which already hold sites will not be allowed to develop them or to replace cinemas which have been bombed?

We have not yet had any applications on those lines. The hon. Member had better wait until we get some.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would be much better to allow the blitzed cities to be rebuilt before any more cinemas are put up?

There has not been any question of allowing new cinemas to be built, and no licences have been issued for that purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Token Import Scheme from the dollar area is being continued.

Yes, Sir. The Token Import Scheme is being continued in 1949 on the same basis as in 1948, and for the same countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences for £5 worth of timber per month for use for agricultural purposes were issued to farmers in 1948; how many were refused; why it is necessary for each application to be submitted in triplicate; and whether he is now prepared to authorise the issue of licences that will be valid until the control of timber is abolished, so as to save the time and trouble involved in applying for a new licence every six months.

The number of licences for timber to a monthly value of £5 issued to farmers for agricultural purposes during 1948 was 17,266. So far as is known, no applications from farmers actively engaged in agriculture have been refused, though applicants have not necessarily been granted licences for the full amounts applied for. Applications for timber licences are required in triplicate for administrative and statistical reasons. but I am hoping to simplify the procedure in the near future. As regards the last part of the Question, the issue of new licences at six-monthly periods is necessary in order to check the quantities actually acquired and to ensure that the conditions which justify the issue of the licence remain operative.

Since something like 17,200 or 17,300 licences were asked for during 1948 and none was refused, does it not seem unnecessary to require that these licences should be applied for at intervals of six months? Could there not be a longer period than that?

I have already made it clear to the hon. Member that this procedure is being investigated with a view to simplification, and I should be glad if the hon. Member would leave it until I make a further announcement.

Will the President of the Board of Trade consider the extension of the period for which these licences are granted?

I said we were considering simplifying the procedure, not simplifying the form.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that one of the greatest simplifications would be to abolish the Timber Control altogether, as it is now quite unnecessary?

I have always made it clear to the House that I am trying to simplify the application of the Timber Control, but to abolish it would be a great injury to the national interest, involving the loss, on much less important and comparatively frivolous uses, of timber urgently required for other purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the present limitations to the import of loofahs; how present supplies compare with those obtained in 1938; and what increase is likely during 1949.

For balance of payments reasons imports of loofahs are at present confined to the small quantities needed for essential industrial requirements such as filters for the engines of ships. Loofahs are not separately distinguished in the trade returns and I cannot supply figures comparing present imports with those in 1938. I see no prospect of licensing imports on a more liberal basis in 1949.

In view of the large quantities of expensive sponges now available in the shops, would it not be possible for my right hon. Friend to arrange for more loofahs in place of some of these sponges?

No, Sir. In the main, further loofahs would have to come from hard currency countries, whereas sponges in the main come from soft currency areas. Therefore, to concentrate on sponges rather than upon loofahs is in the best national interests.

Would the right hon. Gentleman balance the import of loofahs by the export of loafers?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what need there is for the 30 shortages inspection officers of his Department to be retained in so far as all sections of trade have channels through which they can report shortages to his Department without Government officials being specially appointed for this task.

My Distribution Officers provide regular, comprehensive and reliable information—which I cannot get from any other source—not only about shortages and maldistribution but also on the general state of the consumer market. This work is of considerable value in planning the orderly relaxation and removal of controls.

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that there is need for some overhauling in his Department to keep a check on such officials as do this sort of task, especially in view of his recent announcement of the elimination of some of the controls.

No, Sir. The reports I get from these officers are very valuable, not only in connection with the relaxation of certain controls, but in order to answer the large number of questions which I get from hon. Members on the subject of consumer supplies in different parts of the country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportions of materials available for shirtings and suitings for home consumption was allocated to the production of utility goods in 1947, 1948 and the current year.

The proportions in 1947 and 1948 were: shirtings 85 per cent. and 75 per cent., wool apparel cloths 78 per cent. and 72 per cent. No separate figures for suitings are available. For 1949 I am aiming at 80 per cent. in both cases.

Will the President of the Board of Trade do something to see there are some shirts available for people of ample proportions, who now find it almost impossible to buy a shirt?

The House knows the difficulty about the shirting position in general. The size of the shirts is left to the manufacturer, but we are always putting pressure on manufacturers to meet the demands for these exceptional sizes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has allowed foreign textiles to be imported into Denmark within the British quota under the 1949 Anglo-Danish Trade Agreement.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the fact that the Danish authorities are stated to be using a very small portion of their sterling resources for the purchase in the United Kingdom of textiles of foreign origin. I am considering whether anything can be done to safeguard the interests of United Kingdom manufacturers.

Is the Minister aware that the wool and textile industry is extremely concerned about this situation, and will the Minister use all efforts to see that foreigners are not able to send in goods under British quotas?

I am sure the hon. Member would be the last person who would want to interfere with any development of the entrepôt trade in this country, and I am sure he will realise the difficulties involved for the woollen manufacturers if they have to have their goods stamped with the country of origin.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that a certain amount of cloth of an inferior quality, which was made abroad, is going into Denmark stamped as made in Britain, and doing great harm to the reputation of Yorkshire?

If any cloth is being sent in under false colours, I shall be glad to have the particulars so that I can go into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the excessive distribution of profits recently made by a firm manufacturing and retailing footwear, whether he will reduce the profit margins allowed in this trade.

I have recently undertaken comprehensive inquiries into the costs and profits of footwear manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers. As a result, manufacturers' margins were reduced over a wide range of footwear last November and, as has already been announced, the margins for both wholesalers and retailers will be reduced later this month.

Will my right hon. Friend take into account the action of this particular company in flaunting their profits and deliberately increasing their dividends from 25 to 32½ per cent., which is a great provocation in these days, especially to mothers who find great difficulty in providing their children with footwear?

I have already explained that over a wide range of utility footwear margins have been cut by rates varying from 4d. to 11d. in the.£

Would the right hon. Gentleman take into account the recent change in the situation where a certain number of boot manufacturers are now working short time, owing to the shortage of raw materials?

Owing to high prices.

The raw material position was giving us some anxiety a month or two ago, but it has improved considerably with the recent purchases in the Argentine.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in boots and shoes and hosiery the profit margins devised by his Department are greater than pre-war, and the result has been that additional handlers have come into the market, forcing up the price to the consumer?

I would not deny that the profit margins in this industry, as in a wide range of industries, have been fairly generous, but they are being examined very carefully at the present time.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage of the real capital of this company is represented by profits distributed?

I should want notice of that question.

Will my right bon. Friend take into account that, whatever the real capital of the company is, it has been contributed to by the workers in the shape of lower wages and by the consumers in the shape of higher prices? No additional money is being found by the shareholders.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will establish a Domestic Coal Consumers' Council for Scotland.

In their Annual Report for the year ended 30th June, 1948, the Domestic Coal Consumers' Council advised against the establishment of Regional Coal Consumers' Councils, but they also stated that they would watch for any indication of need in this direction and I will bring the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member to the notice of the Council.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many farms and what acreage have been taken over for opencast coal mining.; and what compensation has been paid to farmers whose land has been taken over for opencast coal mining.

I regret that information as to the number of farms affected is not readily available. The total acreage of agricultural land requisitioned from the start of opencast operations to the end of December, 1948, was 41,641 acres, of which 9,746 acres have been derequisitioned. The payment of compensation is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, but I understand that the figures are not available and could not be obtained without an unjustifiable amount of labour.

Is there any compensation for the sale of a pedigree herd or for a milk round or for machinery which may have been installed, or even for the house, which is rendered useless because there is no longer a livelihood there?

The details of the compensation arrangements are rather complicated. I think the hon. Member had better put a question down to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, when he says that the number of farms taken over is not known, he is aware that in many cases one farm has been attacked three times in different parts, and that this makes planning completely impossible for the farmer? Will he avoid such practices in the future?

I am aware that in some cases it has been necessary to go back again to the same farm. We always do our best to make things as easy as possible for the farmer provided we can get the coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will relax the restrictions on the delivery of paraffin in bulk to householders in country districts who have storage tanks but who are compelled at present to collect their supplies in drums.

No restrictions are imposed by my Ministry on the method of delivering paraffin to householders.

Does that mean that if I have a 50-gallon tank and my ration of paraffin is 20 gallons, I can have the whole 20 gallons in the tank at my house?

So far as the Ministry is concerned, there is no objection, but I understand the oil companies have always been difficult about supplying large quantities in bulk direct to the consumer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the fact that the total quantity of petrol required to meet the standard ration is only 50,000 tons yearly and as the introduction of red petrol yields an approximate saving of 360,000 tons yearly, whether he will now double the standard ration without qualification as to usage.

I am afraid the hon. and gallant Member must have misunderstood the answer which I gave to his Question on 18th November. The cost of the standard ration, when it is made available from May onwards to all motorists including those who hold supplementary allowances, is estimated to be about 360,000 tons a year, and not 50,000 tons as the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

As the right hon. Gentleman suggests, this was no doubt due to the somewhat misleading reply he gave me on 18th November, but is he aware that the principle remains the same, and that this mishandling and indiscriminate handling of our petrol supplies does more harm and damage to the Government themselves, and creates more resentment amongst the people than any other single factor? Will he not reconsider the whole principle?

There was no question of misleading the hon. and gallant Member. The Question was answered perfectly correctly. The 50,000 tons related to the amount consumed in half a year by those persons not receiving supplementary allowances, and it is not a question of principle but of quantities which is involved here.

Is it not a fact that of the total savings as the result of the curtailment of the black market, only a small proportion has been returned to the standard ration consumers, and will not the right hon. Gentleman consider enlarging the ration?

No, Sir. A part of the saving at the beginning did go to increase our stocks for defence purposes, but from 1st May onwards the full saving will be going to the standard ration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the change-over from the issue of red petrol to white petrol involves cutting down the supply to certain traders by about 50 per cent. as in the case of which particulars have been sent to him, thus restricting their trading activities: and if he will review this matter.

On the general question raised by the hon. Member I would refer him to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 27th January. The applicants in the two cases which the hon. Member has sent me both received allowances from the Regional Petroleum Officer up to last year. They then converted their cars, and obtained C licences and allowances from the District Transport Officer of the Ministry of Transport on the higher scale applicable to goods vehicles. Now that the definition of private cars has been altered so as to include dual purpose vehicles and thus prevent their obtaining red petrol, the applicants are naturally being granted the same allowance as they originally received from the Regional Petroleum Officer.

In view of the fact that the Government are crying out for increased production for export, does not the Minister realise that the mobility of the traders of this country is raw material for the export trade, and will he facilitate their mobility by granting as much more petrol as possible?

If it were a question of assisting the export trade, we should be glad to look into it, but this is a question of stopping a racket.

Has the Minister instructed his regional petroleum officers on the lines of the pledge he gave on the wireless and in this House?

Without further information as to the exact details of the pledge, I am not prepared to answer.

That nobody should lose by the changeover.

I never gave any such pledge.

Oh!

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the continuance of a high rate of criminal assaults on individuals arising from the unsocial actions of men who depend for a livelihood on the possession of fake identity cards and stolen ration units; and if he will introduce such legislation as would enable him the more certainly to locate and deal with these culprits.

My information does not confirm the suggestion contained in my hon. Friend's Question that there is any close connection between crimes of violence on the one hand and offences such as the improper possession of identity cards or ration documents on the other. I am satisfied, however, that sufficient statutory powers are available to deal with both classes of offence

Could not the Minister find a partial remedy in endeavouring to induce the Government to grant an amnesty to deserters who have suffered so much already and now, through sheer desperation, are inflicting their vengeance on the public?

That question has been put before. I am bound to say that the amount of crime due to deserters is not as high as has been alleged.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether his attention has been drawn to a meeting held at West Green Road on 19th December, 1948, at which obscene attacks were made on the Jewish community by alleged references to the Talmud; and whether he will consider the initiation of proceedings against the speakers concerned for making seditious and slanderous statements, likely to cause a breach of the peace;

(2) if his attention has been drawn to the meeting of the Union Movement held at Trehovia Road on 1st December. 1948, at which the speaker made obscene accusations against the Jewish community, threatened that the Union Movement would start a bloody revolution and boasted that he would not be brought before a court because of what he could say in defence; and whether he will consider the initiation of proceedings against the speaker for making seditious and slanderous statements likely to lead to a breach of the peace;

(3) whether his attention has been drawn to a meeting held at West Green Road, Tottenham, on 5th December. 1948, at which the speaker, after being warned by a police inspector to mind his tongue indulged in incitement against the Jewish community and praised the extermination by the Hitler regime of the Jews; and whether he will consider the initiation of proceedings against the speaker for making seditious and slanderous statements likely to cause a breach of the peace.

The Home Secretary is not a prosecuting authority and does not initiate criminal proceedings. I have however caused inquiry to be made and am informed that the police who attended these meetings heard nothing to justify the institution of proceedings.

Will my right hon. Friend look further into the question of the meeting where the speaker was actually warned by a police inspector to mind his tongue, and then proceeded to go on making these allegations and no proceedings were taken?

I have already looked into that case, and I am informed that the effect of the warning was to have a sobering effect on the tone previously adopted by the speaker.

But is not my right hon. Friend aware that disgraceful and unfair attacks on the Jewish community are being made by many speakers at this time? Will he consult with the Council of Christians and Jews, and also with the Jewish Board of Deputies, to see if any means can be found by which these disgraceful proceedings—which all decent men must condemn—can be brought to an end?

I am in fairly constant touch with the two bodies which the hon. Gentleman has mentioned. From time to time I send reports on the speeches which reach me to the Director of Public Prosecutions for his consideration. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that, as far as I am concerned, I would welcome the opportunity of the Director bringing a prosecution if the facts warranted it.

Would the Home Secretary reconsider the question of the police protection afforded to these speakers, as it is felt by many people that many of these statements would not be made if the speakers were not afforded such a large measure of police protection?

There is no more police protection for these people than for any other persons holding a meeting. It is the duty of the police to prevent a breach of the peace, whether it is incited by the speaker or by the listener.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his willingness to prosecute in suitable cases, and his desire to protect everybody against breaches of the peace, will be widely welcomed in all quarters of the House?

Would my right hon. Friend say what authority a police officer has to caution a speaker with a view to producing a sobering effect, unless the speaker has infringed the law; and if he has infringed the law, what right has the police inspector not to bring the prosecution?

It is the duty of the police where possible to prevent a breach of the peace. After all, we all listen to a great number of speeches in this House, and it is quite possible sometimes to realise that what the speaker is about to say may lead to trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a committee to consider a reduced standard of entry into the Police Force for traffic and clerical duties in order to release appropriate personnel for criminal detection and other similar duties.

No, Sir. I do not think it would make for efficiency to create this degree of specialisation inside the police force or to recruit as police officers persons who would be unfit for the full range of police duties. It is desirable in order to retain the active interest of police officers in their duties that their work should be as varied as possible.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in these days when our Police Force is tremendously depleted, many police officers are engaged in clerical or traffic duties who could otherwise be engaged in crime prevention and detection, and will he now consider some reduced standard of entry for people who can do such work?

No, Sir. I have discussed this matter with a good many senior police officers and with men of lower ranks. It is very desirable that it should be possible to give a wide change of duty to all police officers and the introduction of a specialist class militates against that course.

In view of the importance of this question, and in fairness to the public interest, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will investigate the position arising from police prosecutions of street traders in the Metropolitan area.

In the London County Council area, and in other parts of the Metropolitan Police District, it is an offence for a street trader to trade from a stationary position unless he is licensed to do so by the appropriate local authority. If the hon. and gallant Member has the Lambeth area particularly in mind, I understand that by far the majority of the prosecutions of street traders occurring in that area have been undertaken by the Lambeth Borough Council and not by the police.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the situation now existing at Lambeth Magistrate's Court, where the fines accumulate until they total about £50, a short period of imprisonment is served which wipes out the fine, and then the whole procedure starts all over again?

I do not think that has anything to do with the Question on the Order Paper. The magistrate inflicts the appropriate penalty and the result mentioned by the hon. and gallant Gentleman occurs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many War Reserve constables have been demobilised during the year ended 31st December, 1948.

During the course of the year, the more highly qualified war reserves were absorbed in the forces as regular policemen and by the end of the year only 686 had to be discharged when the War Reserve was disbanded.

In view of the present prevalence of crime and the lack of regular police officers would it not have been possible to persuade the remainder of these War Reserve constables to remain on duty or to ask them now to re-enrol?

All those who are suitable for continuation in the Force and desired to remain have been retained.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of drunkenness in the Churchill Club were received by the police before the decision to raid and close the club was taken.

No specific complaints of drunkenness were received, but drunkenness was reported by the police before the Commissioner decided to authorise a search of the premises under Defence Regulation 42C and again .when the search was made.

May we have the right hon. Gentleman's assurance that what has occurred in this case does not represent a change of policy on the part of the Home Office in dealing with such institutions?

It is not a question of the policy of the Home Office. It is a question of the action of the police. No change of policy has taken place and I should not care to comment further on this case as I understand it may be the subject of an appeal to the magistrates.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions the police receive for dealing with traffic during serious fog.

Additional police are sent, if necessary, to places of special traffic difficulty such as difficult road junctions or traffic roundabouts, and although the provisions of flares and fog lighting is a matter for the local authorities, in some areas where special fog lighting is provided police put it on if the need arises.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that on Friday last there was a traffic block that lasted for at least two and a half hours, and probably much longer—I had experience of it myself for two and a half hours—in the Seven Sisters Road area; that distracted drivers had their vehicles at all angles on the road, and that absolutely no attention was being paid by anyone to those conditions?

I had some unfortunate experiences myself last Friday. I am quite certain that the police did what was possible in the circumstances, but a London fog is beyond human control.

Having been in the same traffic block, although not with the hon. Lady, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that there was widespread comment on the absence of police and that boy scouts and other citizens played the part which, I felt, the police ought to have been playing?

Does my right hon. Friend really believe that this matter of control, not of the fog itself but of conditions under it, is really beyond the power of the Government, who can find methods of controlling almost everything?

In dealing with the forces of nature, this Government is no more powerful than was King Canute.

Owing to the very unfortunate reply I have just received from my right hon. Friend, and that which I received from his hon. Friend when I raised this matter about a fortnight ago, I propose to raise the whole question on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if, in cases, similar to the one of which particulars have been sent to him, in which a citizen is stopped by the police to have his bags examined and inquiries made as to the contents, he will take steps as far as the Metropolitan Area is concerned, to see that these duties are carried out by uniformed police.

Under Section 66 of the Metropolitan Police Act, 1839 a constable has power within the Metropolitan Police District to stop, search and detain a person reasonably suspected of having or conveying anything stolen, or unlawfully obtained. This power, which is a valuable aid to the detection of crime in London, is not limited to constables in uniform, and I should not feel justified in suggesting any alteration in present practice.

In view of the wave of crime, how is a foot passenger, or anyone in a motor car, to know that these people in civilian clothes are not footpads? Is the detection of crime helped by allowing policemen in plain clothes to do this work? Should it not be reserved for police officers in uniform?

The person can demand to see the card of authority of the gentleman claiming to be a police officer.

It is too late then.

May I ask whether it would not facilitate the job of these officers if the right hon. Gentleman would encourage the wearing of the kilt?

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the tens of thousands of such inquiries the police make each year, that the inquiries are taken in good part by law-abiding citizens, but are resented only by the criminal classes?

I can understand the resentment of a person stopped in this way, but I would ask good citizens to realise that assistance to the police in this matter is of the utmost value in preventing crime.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now state when he expects to receive the report of the Oaksey Committee on police pay and conditions; and if, in view of the considerable time that has passed since this Committee was set up to investigate matters then considered urgent, and of the continuing need for police recruitment, he will consider awarding an interim increase of pay.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Bartlett) on 20th January. As regards the second part, it must not be overlooked that the local authorities outside the Metropolitan Police District employ the police and pay half their cost. It would not be proper for me to award an increase in pay in anticipation of the recommendations of the Oaksey Committee.

Bearing in mind that the Committee will certainly not recommend reductions in pay, is there any reason why my right hon. Friend could not allow this slight incentive to recruiting. especially in the Metropolitan Area?

It must not be forgotten that the rate of recruiting now is higher than it was in pre-war days. Our difficulty is to overtake the lag which occurred during the six years when recruiting was suspended and, in my opinion, it would be quite wrong for me, without consulting them, to impose on local authorities new rates of pay for the police when this Committee are to report shortly.

In view of the Debate which I initiated about a year ago, in which there was universal support from all sides of the House for the suggestion that there should be increased police pay, and the fact that the right hon. Gentleman then agreed, as I understood, that the low rates of pay, compared with other professions, was one of the causes of the lack of recruitment, does he now tell us that that is not one of the causes?

No, Sir, I do not say anything of the sort, but I do not think an increase of pay alone is going to alter the rate of recruiting I am certain that a number of other conditions in the force are as much a hindrance to the obtaining of recruits as the rate of pay.

Although an increase in pay alone may not result in a rapid increase in the Police Force throughout the country, will he bear in mind that if he does not increase the pay, there will not be an increase in the force?

If the right hon. Gentleman cannot award an interim increase in pay, cannot he take steps to expedite the production of the Report of the Oaksey Committee, which has now been sitting for nine months?

As I told the House last Thursday, or the Thursday before, I have had an interview with the Chairman of the Committee and he is fully seized of the importance of making an early report.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, owing to the fact that there is a 5 per cent. reduction for pension and, since 5th July last, a deduction of 4s. 7d. for National Insurance payments, a recruit's wages are often reduced to £4 10s., and this is having an effect on recruiting for the force?

I am aware of those factors, but those are things which affect the ordinary citizen of the country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the lack of adequate housing accommodation is a very important matter in this connection?

While fully accepting all that my right hon. Friend says about other conditions being more important than pay alone, may I ask if he will bear in mind that a small increase in pay is one of the things which he could grant without having an elaborate inquiry into conditions generally?

No, the employment of police forces outside the Metropolitan police district is the responsibility of local authorities and they have to pay them.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that newspapers have reported that police officers about to retire are to have their service extended and can he say whether he agrees with the Oaksey Report on that?

No, I have not seen the Oaksey Report. I have seen the Chairman about the date when it will be available, but I do not know the recommendations and neither do those who write for the newspapers.

Will my right hon. Friend consider appointing a committee which will report in a shorter time than nine months?

No. If I dissolved that Committee and set up another committee, I should be delaying a permanent solution.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the terms of reference of the Committee allow them to recommend that any increase should be retrospective?

As it has been suggested that the policeman receives £4 10s. net, is it not a fact that they also receive a rent allowance, a food allowance and a clothing allowance, and are there not many workers today who receive only £4 10s. without any of those allowances?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that four children have been born in Winson Green Prison during the past year; and if he will take steps to see that children are not in future born in prison.

The number of children born in Winson Green Prison during the last year was eleven. Under powers given by a provision of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, which came into force on 27th December, in future, if any woman asks to be allowed to have her confinement outside the prison, and if it is possible to make suitable arrangements for her to do so, her removal to a hospital or maternity home will be authorised. It is not possible to take steps to see that no children are born in prison, because there are cases where expectant mothers who have come to trust the prison doctors and nurses do not wish to be transferred to an institution outside, and it may not always be possible, in the present over-crowded state of the hospitals, to find suitable accommodation in every case. There may also be cases in which the condition of the woman's health precludes removal from prison.

How many cases are there on record, since that order was made, where a woman has asked to have her confinement outside the prison but suitable arrangements were not found possible?

The order was made only on 27th December and I have not yet had any returns dealing with it. If my hon. Friend would like that information and will put a Question down I will give him as much information as I can obtain.

Whilst I appreciate the action of my right hon. Friend, will he also bear in mind the opinion of the children who are born in prison, for there are cases from this particular prison where the facts did not come to the knowledge of the children until many years later, causing not only anxiety but complications; and, while I appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's action in regard to the opinion of the parent, will he also, in considering this matter, give consideration to the feelings of the child?

I cannot give any consideration to the opinion of the unborn child. I do, however, bear in mind the fact that this may have a harmful effect in later life, although every effort is made to conceal the fact that the child was born in prison. I hope that, as a result of this order, which I made as soon as was possible after the passing of the Act, a good deal of the difficulty will be removed.

Will my right hon. Friend undertake to see that in all cases except those where the mother has expressed a desire to have her child whilst in prison, every step will be taken to see that the child is born outside?

I have already said so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of recent attempts by Communist loud-speakers to interrupt military displays for encouraging Territorial Army recruiting; and whether he will introduce legislation to make any such attempts an offence.

My attention has been drawn to one such attempt which, I am informed, was quite unsuccessful. I have no evidence to suggest that special legislation on this subject is necessary.

But, Communist methods being what they are, is it not likely that if this thing goes on unchecked it will spread?

asked the Minister of Health why the Oldham lady, whose name has been supplied to him, and who is working at heavy work in the cotton mill, is not allowed to obtain surgical corsets through the National Health Service after having been able to obtain them previously for some considerable time.

I have written to my hon. Friend explaining that this patient was not given a surgical corset because, in the opinion of the specialist who examined her, none is necessary.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he is under a misapprehension? I did not want him to tell me why the lady could not have a corset, but how she could have a corset. Is he saying that there is no right of appeal from a medical practitioner under the National Health Act?

This is not a medical practitioner, but a specialist who has decided, according to my information, that no medical corset is necessary and, therefore, none is provided. If my hon. Friend wishes to know how to get a medical corset, it must be got from a specialist in the hospital service.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what schemes to provide and improve homes for the aged and infirm, under the National Assistance Act, have been submitted to him for approval from the Lancashire County Council;

(2) the number of persons in the following categories: aged, physically and mentally infirm, blind and partially sighted, deaf and dumb, epileptics and cripples in the Lancashire county council area who require accommodation.

I understand that a scheme has been prepared and is being considered by the county council this week. I cannot furnish the desired information until the scheme has been submitted to me for approval.

Mr. Thomas.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that immediate treatment will be given to this scheme in order that such cases as have already been brought to his notice, where mental defectives and old people are living in the same building, will be brought to an end?

I will give this scheme immediate consideration when I receive it.

You did call my name, Mr. Speaker. Do you think that the Minister could answer my Question?

I did not notice the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Randall) rise, and I am afraid that the time for asking Questions has now gone. I am sorry, but there it is.

—To ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Prime Minister of Eire has taken steps to interfere with the elections for the Parliament of Northern Ireland; and if he will protest against such interference with elections in a part of the United Kingdom by the Government of a country outside the British Commonwealth.

—TO ask the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Prime Minister of Eire has taken steps to give active support to Republican candidates at the general election now being held in Northern Ireland; and whether he has protested to the Government of Eire, which is now a foreign country, against such interference in elections being held in a part of the United Kingdom.

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. You will have noticed that on this occasion even the Questions to the Prime Minister were not reached. Would it be possible to do, what I know you, Sir, are very anxious to do, and curtail in any way some of the very large number of supplementary questions put to many of these Questions?

On a point of Order. May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, in view of the fact that Question No. 45 is not being taken here today, if there is any way in our Parliamentary procedure by which I could raise the position of Northern Ireland?

No, I am afraid not. The question of whether Questions No. 45 or No. 48 were not reached has nothing to do with me. It has to do with the number of supplementaries which hon. Members choose to ask and I cannot control that. I do my best but one cannot raise the matter of Northern Ireland, merely because these Questions have not been reached.

Is there any way in Parliamentary procedure by which I could induce this House to listen to what is now operating in Northern Ireland?

No. Northern Ireland is responsible for its own procedure and we are not entitled to criticise that. Things which are done in Northern Ireland under powers conferred by this House on Northern Ireland, really are not matters for us to deal with and the hon. Member cannot transfer disputes from there on to the Floor of this House.

May I ask, Mr. Speaker, if it is not within the rights of a Member of this House whose life is threatened, wherever it may be, and in whatever country it may be, to raise the matter in a Private Notice Question as to the desirability of providing protection?

It must be a responsibility of this Government. The responsibility of another Government is not a matter for us. Questions put at the Table must always refer to the responsibility of some Minister of the Government on this Front Bench and not of another Dominion Parliament or any other Parliament. That is a fundamental rule.