asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the final figure of concessionary coal issued during 1948; and what classes of individuals are entitled to receive this concession.

The final figure of concessionary coal issued to miners during 1948 is not yet available, but it is not expected that it will differ substantially from the provisional figure of 4,990,000 tons given in reply to the hon. Member for Northwich (Mr. J. Foster) on 16th May. The classes of individuals who are entitled to concessionary coal under collective wage agreements, by their contract of service or by customary practice, vary from district to district, and even, in some districts, from colliery to colliery. The main class is, of course, the mineworkers, but in some places ancillary workers, colliery officials and staff get it. Generally speaking, the recipient must be the head of a family, or a householder.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the final figure will be available? Can he also either confirm, or deny, that it is the policy of the Government and the National Coal Board to discontinue this practice?

In reply to the first part of the Question, I expect to get the figures about the beginning of August. As to the second part of the Question, I do not think it is our policy to discontinue this method of payment, but the whole question is now under consideration by the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

In some parts of the country clergymen still get coal; are they classified as ancillary workers?

No, but I expect there is a contract under which the Coal Board deliver coal to them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what approaches have been made to him by the Coal Board or the National Union of Mineworkers, with a view to permitting miners who so wish to leave the industry.

The National Coal Board, in agreement with the National Union of Mineworkers, have asked the Government to consider withdrawing the present restrictions on miners taking up work outside the coalmining industry. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I are considering this request, but no decision has yet been reached.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter involves a very important matter of principle, which has affected both sides of this House for a long time? When will a final decision be made?

I am not sure that I could quite agree that it is a matter of principle. It affects only the coal mining industry and the Ministry of Agriculture. At the moment, I cannot say when a decision will be reached.

As the reason formerly given for preserving this restriction is that both sides wanted it, can the right hon. Gentleman say why it could not be dispensed with straight away?

The consequences it would have on the output of coal have to be considered.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for what reason the allowance of petrol for foreign visitors who borrow motor cars free of charge in the United Kingdom can be granted only once in respect of any one motor car during the six-month period, rather than only once in respect of any one visitor; and whether he will revise the present arrangement so that more than one visitor may borrow the same car during the period.

Because it is necessary to minimise the risk of this special allowance for foreign visitors becoming in effect an illicit additional ration for some British motorists. The answer to the last part of the Question is, accordingly, "No, Sir."

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there is no other way of checking on the bona fides of people using the scheme, because it seems a little illogical that the identity of the motor car, but not of the borrower, should determine the amount of petrol granted for six months?

I could not agree that it is illogical. If my hon. Friend's suggestion were adopted we should be running the risk of losing a great deal of petrol through the black market.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that advertisements in the United States, issued on behalf of His Majesty's Government, give the impression that plentiful supplies of petrol are available in this country for visitors?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for what reason the issue of supplementary petrol coupons can only be made to cover two visits a month for the purpose of visiting cases of serious illness in hospital, where no alternative means of transport are available.

There is no automatic restriction on the number of visits to hospital for which supplementary petrol allowances may be granted. Every application is dealt with according to the circumstances; and if the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any case he has in mind I shall be pleased to look into it.

Is the Minister aware that in the case of a constituent of mine, which I will send him, the regional petroleum officer said that the maximum allowance which could be given to my constituent to visit a sick relative was sufficient for two visits a month?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to let me have particulars I will look into the case.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make an up-to-date statement regarding progress in the erection of the new Bankside power station.

I am informed by the British Electricity Authority that part of the foundations are now completed, and that the erection of the steelwork of the main building will start in the autumn.

Can my right hon. Friend say anything about the outcome of the experiments which have been undertaken to eliminate noxious sulphur fumes from this plant?

As I have explained previously, there was never any doubt that such fumes could be eliminated. The purpose of the experiments was to decide by what means they should be eliminated. The experiments are not yet completed.

Have these noxious fumes ever been eliminated from any such plant in this country?

As I have previously pointed out, there is a gas washing plant in operation at Battersea power station.

Does not the Minister recall that in this House 18 months ago he said that the power station:

"will not be completed unless we are satisfied that no sulphur fumes will be produced"?—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th February, 1948; Vol. 446, c. 1879.]

How can the right hon. Gentleman be satisfied if the experiments are not complete?

The experiments confirm that they can be eliminated. There is, however, the question of cost involved—as to which of two methods it is better to adopt.

If the experiments show that these fumes can be eliminated can there be any doubt as to whether they will be eliminated?

Obviously not.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement as to the instructions he has given or proposes giving to the British Electricity Authority for the laying of underground cables instead of overhead transmission lines in national park areas of exceptional beauty; and whether the additional cost of such work will be met by the British Electricity Authority or by the planning authority concerned.

Since my consent is required before any overhead line can be erected anywhere and since before such consent is given I have to grant the local planning authority and the local authority an opportunity of stating their views, instructions of this kind would not be appropriate. As regards the second part of the Question, if consent to an overhead line is refused, the extra cost involved in laying any underground cables would fall on the electricity board concerned.

Does my right hon. Friend's reply mean that the cost will fall on the British Electricity Authority as a whole or on the area concerned?

It will fall on the board responsible for laying the underground cable.

Can the Minister give any indication of the average difference in cost between overhead and underground installation?

It can certainly amount to about 10 times as much underground compared with the cost of overhead transmission lines.

Can the Minister give the House any assurance that, if overhead transmission is adopted, a mock-Tudor style will not be adopted?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will take steps to ensure that there will be no extra winter-time charges for electricity next year such as operated with great inconvenience and hardship to many small consumers last winter.

Last year the electricity boards introduced, at my request and in accordance with the recommendations of the Clow Committee, a surcharge for electricity during three winter months, together with a rebate during the remaining months of the year. The purpose of this differential tariff between winter and summer was of course to reduce the domestic load during the peak hours of the winter and so diminish the risk of load shedding for industry. There was, in fact, very little load shedding last winter, but it is not possible to prove conclusively that this was due to any material extent to the differential tariff.

I have now been informed by the British Electricity Authority and the area boards that they do not favour the continuance of the differential tariff next winter, and in this they are supported by the majority of the electricity consultative councils and by the Electricity Sub-Committee of the National Joint Advisory Council. In view of this advice, of the fact that the tariff was regarded by many as harsh and unfair in its incidence and of the absence of cogent evidence that it exercised a sufficiently decisive influence on peak demand, I do not propose to ask the electricity boards to continue it next winter. I must, however, warn the House that the gap between generating capacity and peak demand is unlikely to be much less next winter than last; and, as stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour last Tuesday, domestic consumers must therefore limit their demand during peak hours in cold weather if load shedding on a serious scale is to be avoided.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that his reply will give great pleasure and satisfaction to people who wish to help the Government, and that if a proper appeal is made he will get better results than would be obtained from the imposition of any measure similar to that which he proposes to avoid this year?

When will the Electricity Authority be announcing the amount of the rebate which is to be given during the summer readings?

They have already announced the rebate, which is 0.1d. for the remaining nine months of the year. The Authority have also said that if they gain financially over the whole period of the operation of the scheme they will give a further rebate, but they would not be able to do that until the year ends.

Will my right hon. Friend consider refunding charges where they can be proved to have imposed a great deal of hardship to people in all-electric houses?

That would be quite impracticable.

asked the Minister of Food what are the duties of the Establishment staff of his Department; and by what number this staff has decreased in the last 12 months.

The Establishment staff are responsible for the organisation, staffing and general management of the offices of my Department. The number engaged on general establishment duties fell by four during the past 12 months, but 21 more were employed on organisation and methods work, staff inspection duties and office accommodation.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an undertaking that he will not reimpose milk rationing until after the school holidays.

Such a proposal, if adopted, would have meant serious mal-distribution and hardships in many homes. As the House knows, to avoid this the milk allocation scheme was reintroduced with effect from yesterday.

In view of the fact that milk is not supplied to schools in the holidays, is it not obvious that less milk will be consumed by children at home unless they can get that milk? Is the Minister aware that all this maldistribution is alleged by the Milk Marketing Board and the public to be the fault of State control by his Ministry? May I have an answer?

asked the Minister of Food when he hopes to be able to abolish milk rationing.

As soon as we are sure that the demand for liquid milk can be met without endangering essential manufacturing uses, such as baby food.

Will the Minister do something to help old people who are living alone? Three pints of milk a week is very little for them, and in many cases their health is being ruined. Could he do something for old people and for members of small households?

Fortunately, the milk allocation is increasing year by year. It was only 2½ pints per week at this time last year, and it is now three pints. It depends on the weather, but we hope that we shall be able to maintain the allocation at the higher level.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that certain firms are exploiting the sweet shortage by putting trashy sweet substitutes on the market at exorbitant prices; and what steps he intends to take to protect the public against this profiteering.

A small number of products resembling sweets are being manufactured under licence and sold at agreed prices. They are made of wholesome ingredients, but they are not sweets and should not be sold as such. If my hon. Friend has in mind any sweets which are being made without a licence, I will willingly investigate any particular cases of which she can send me details.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the National Union of Small Shopkeepers is very concerned about this matter? Cannot he take steps to prevent children being exploited by the sale of trash like "Yankee Tit-bits," a sealed packet of which, when opened, is found to contain nothing but a few broken wafers, a locust bean and three nuts?

The enforcement of the law on health grounds is, under the Food and Drugs Act, the responsibility of local authorities, and I cannot interfere in that matter.

For further information on this matter would my right hon. Friend refer to an article on this subject in "Reynolds News" yesterday, and to the suggestion made therein that the Ministry of Food should request local authorities to take certain powers which they already have?

Perhaps my hon. Friend means that they should use them, for they already have them.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the increasing supplies of bacon now becoming available from home production and European countries, he will arrange for an early increase in the bacon ration.

I shall, of course, increase the bacon ration as soon as stocks and supply prospects allow.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now make a statement as to the progress and present condition of the groundnuts scheme in East Africa.

Yes, Sir. During my recent visit to East Africa, I found that the harvesting of groundnuts and sunflower was in progress. About one-half of the groundnut crop, and about one-sixth of the sunflower crop had been harvested. As I informed the House on 9th May, yields at Kongwa will be very low this year, owing to the drought which has affected the whole of East Africa so severely. From the crop so far harvested the yields averaged 245 1b. for groundnuts and 99 1b. for sunflower per acre. Nevertheless, as I have also informed the House, the first small shipments of oilseed to the United Kingdom will be made shortly from this year's crop.

Work is in hand in the three areas of the Scheme, namely, Kongwa, Urambo and the Southern Province, in the preparation of the ground for next year's planting. The initial operation of bush flattening has been completed on the whole of the land which is required for the three units which are being established at Kongwa. The Overseas Food Corporation expect the contractors to complete the clearing of this land, which involves windrowing and rooting, by October next. In this connection, let me repeat that when I use the word "cleared" I mean prepared for cultivation or for roads, camps sites, etc., whatever was the original state of the land, and whether much or little work had to be done on it.

Arrangements have now been made for the transfer of land clearing equipment to Urambo and the Southern Province in order to increase the pace of clearance there. At Urambo some 20,000 acres should, the Corporation advise me, be cleared in time for next year's planting. In the Southern Province 2,000 acres are being cleared for planting this year. This effort is all that can be supported until the new railway has been built. Work on the railway is going ahead steadily, and the rail head should reach the area by the end of this year. Until then clearing operations could not be undertaken in earnest in the Southern Province, which, all the experts on the spot are convinced, is much the most fertile and promising of the three areas in which the scheme is operating.

I have found—

On a point of Order. Is not this the type of answer to a Question which should be given at the end of Questions?

I recognise that my answer is long, but I have been very strongly pressed by the House to give a full and clear exposition of the scheme, and I am endeavouring to comply with the wish of the House in that matter.

I have found that the men and women on the spot possessed a spirit of determination to surmount the very grave difficulties—some expected and some unexpected—which have confronted them. The drought had, of course, been a bitter disappointment to their hopes for this year's crops, but they had rallied from this blow. I should welcome an opportunity, when time is available, to make a fuller statement to the House.

How much of the taxpayers' money has been spent to date on this scheme, and what is the loss to date? Why has the right hon. Gentleman referred to the drought? It is typical of the Socialist Party to blame something else.

The answer to the first part of that question arises on the accounts of the Corporation, but, roughly speaking, between £20 million and £25 million is the capital cost of this scheme to date. The trading accounts will only begin this year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us—we shall want to study his long answer; I have warned him of that—any estimate of what the tonnage of the crop is likely to be this year.

As the harvesting in respect of groundnuts is only one half completed and, in respect of sunflower, only one-sixth completed it would be difficult to give an estimate of the tonnage at this stage; but it will be only a few thousand tons.

If half has been harvested could the Minister say how much has been harvested, so that we could multiply it by two?

The yields differ very much in the different areas because some areas received very much more rain than others. It would be quite misleading to say that double of what has now been harvested would be the final result.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the yields of sunflower seed on what are regarded as marginal lands in the Eastern counties are ten times as great as the figure he has given? Would he try and develop the growth of sunflower in this country to a much greater extent?

The yield of sunflower seed at Kongwa in this drought year is virtually a failure, and is no comparison with the proper yield of sunflower seed. There is no reason why farmers in this country should not grow sunflower seed.

Would the Minister like to revise by 50 per cent. the estimate he gave during the last Debate on groundnuts?

To what estimate is the hon. Member referring?

The Minister's own estimate of the anticipation of the yield of groundnuts for the whole scheme. Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to say that the statement he has now made means a yield of something like 50 per cent. less?

Oh, no, Sir, certainly not. The original estimate in the White Paper, to which the hon. Member refers, is 750 1b. per acre of the yield of groundnuts over the whole area year by year. I particularly asked my experts on the spot if they had any reason to revise that, and they said, "No."

Dealing with that part of the Minister's statement in which he said he would increase transport to one of the fields in East Africa, would not it be better to use the transport provided for the groundnuts in West Africa, where they are rotting for want of transport?

No, Sir. The areas do not conflict. Railway material is being sent out to West Africa as fast as possible, and the building of the railway in East Africa does not interfere with that.

Can the Minister give us any idea when the result of this scheme is likely to reflect itself in the increase of the fat ration in this country? Will it be next year, or the year after?

We should have a very small contribution this year, a somewhat larger one next year, and it will be gradually increased year by year.

When the right hon. Gentleman talks about a "very small contribution" to the ration can he give us any idea of what it will mean to the individual consumer?

I have already answered the right hon. Gentleman, it will be only a few thousand tons this year.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he is making to obtain a supply of apples during the winter.

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations announced on 9th May, we intend making a limited purchase of apples from Canada. In addition, we shall obtain all we can from non-dollar sources of supply.

Is the Minister aware that the absence of dessert apples last winter was felt more than the absence of any other fruit, and that when the Italian crop arrived many retailers found that no less than one-third of the apples in each case were bad?

Does the Minister realise that a plentiful supply of English apples is being grown this year, and will he take care to issue licences only when the increased supply has been exhausted?

In the winter I think we shall wish to import all the dessert apples we can get from non-dollar sources.

asked the Minister of Food in what circumstances rationed goods are supplied to industrial canteens.

Rationed foods are supplied to industrial canteens to provide meals for the workers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the Austin factory the price of food at the industrial canteen has been put up, despite the fact that the workers are loyally abiding by the Government's wages policy. Further, is he aware that this inflationary process is brought about by caterers who probably belong to the Tory Party and who appear to be allying themselves with the Communist Party in an attempt to bring to ruin the Government's wages policy? Will the Minister do something about it, and indicate that he deprecates this rise in food prices?

I do not think that we could attempt to put price control on industrial canteens, but I would certainly deprecate any increase in prices of industrial canteen meals.

asked the Minister of Food if he will inform the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society that their employees enjoy the same rights as all other citizens to register for rationed and other goods with traders of their own selection, and that threats of economic compulsion must not be used against them in future.

As the Board of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society already allow their employees complete freedom of choice of retailers when registering for rationed foods, I do not feel called upon to take any action.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society wrote to their workers threatening them with dismissal unless they registered with and purchased from them, and that that letter was withdrawn?

As I understand the circumstances the manager of one branch wrote a letter which the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society immediately repudiated.

Is there any reason why there should be any misunderstanding in the mind of the right hon. Gentleman, because I sent him the letter in question? It was signed by the northern area manager and was addressed to all branch managers and concerned all the employees of the Society in that area?

As a matter of fact, it was the manager of the Golspie branch.

On a point of Order. In view of the misrepresentation to the House on this matter, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fatal accident that occurred near the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Virginia Water, on Sunday, 12th June; and what steps he proposes to take to make this dangerous crossing safer for pedestrians.

Yes, Sir. I am arranging for the road to be widened and a pedestrian refuge to be placed at this spot.

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements for expenses are being made in respect of the whole-time and part-time members of the Road Passenger and Road Haulage Executives.

Whole-time and part-time members of the Road Passenger and Road Haulage Executives are reimbursed from the Executives' funds their out-of-pocket travelling and subsistence expenses incurred on the business of their Executive.

Are there to be no fixed expenses allowances granted in respect of any of the members, either whole or part-time?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to put into operation those parts of the recommendations of the Committee on Ferries which can be dealt with by administrative as apart from legislative action.

None, Sir, as yet. My right hon. Friend is reviewing the Committee's recommendations as a whole in consultation with his colleagues. He will announce their conclusions as soon as possible.

How soon does "as soon as possible" mean? Might I point out that this Report has been in the hands of the Minister's Department for about a year, and that on the last three occasions when I have put down a Question I have been told that it is under consideration, How soon can we expect to get a decision?

In this case, I think it means in the near future.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that owing to the delay in delivery of motor vans to distributors in the Ledbury area, Herefordshire, food distribution is becoming increasingly difficult; and what steps he proposes to overcome these shortages.

I am aware that there is a general shortage of light vans in the home market, but supply could only be increased at the expense of exports and the economic situation makes this undesirable.

Is it not false economy to keep these old vehicles on the road? They consume unnecessary quantities of oil and petrol, and cause a great deal of delay because of repairs.

Yes, Sir. We have to strike a balance. A very substantial number of new vans have to be exported.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the monopoly which exists in the industry supplying certain types of motor equipment and the consequent inflation of motor manufacturing costs, he will refer the matter for consideration to the National Advisory Council for the Motor Industry.

No, Sir. I do not consider that the course proposed would serve any useful purpose.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the price of these monopoly products is as much as three times higher than the price of comparable American equipment? In view of the great handicap caused to motor exporters, particularly in the dollar market, will he not intervene in order to bring the price down?

I understand that some little time ago there was a considerable disparity in price, but I am informed that it has now largely disappeared.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that this industry is one which might properly have been referred to the Monopolies Commission, and that had it not been for the fact that the Commission is already overworked, it might have been referred to them? Could not a useful inquiry be made by the National Advisory Council?

It certainly could be investigated, but the Monopolies Commission does not propose to add to the list of industries whose affairs are to be investigated by that Commission. We have no complaints by the motor industry on this matter. If serious inconvenience was caused to the motor industry we can be certain that they would complain to us.

asked the Minister of Supply if, in view of the fact that the Lemon Committee on engineering standardisation is concerning itself with rationalisation proposals he will so amend its terms of reference as to exclude this subject from its purview and ensure that it confines itself to its terms of reference.

The Committee has considered the possible effect of increasing standardisation upon the structure of the engineering industry, but I am not aware that they have made, or are likely to make, proposals for the rationalisation of the industry, or any part of it.

asked the Minister of Supply what business with the British Motor Racing Research Trust required a senior official of his Department, accompanied by his wife, to visit the Shelsley Walsh hill-climb on 11th June in an official car; where did the journey begin and end and what mileage was covered; and why he authorised this.

My Department takes an active interest in the work of the Trust, one of whose objects is to enhance the prestige of the United Kingdom motor and engineering industries by the construction of new racing cars. The performance of certain car units was under examination at the hill-climb, and it was appropriate that my Department should be represented. The journey began and ended at Nottingham, where the official is stationed, and covered 192 miles.

If the journey was really necessary, which I doubt, could it not have been performed less expensively by train and taxi?

It is a most inconvenient cross-country journey. It would have taken very much longer, and the official is very busy.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will now allow the London Metal Exchange to re-open.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has now concluded his consideration of the desirability of reopening the London Metal Exchange.

I have carefully considered commercial and industrial representations on the advantages of reopening the London Metal Exchange, in particular the hedging facilities which this would provide. It is, however, generally accepted that a free market in non-ferrous metals would have to be severely restricted to prevent a loss of our dollar resources and I am convinced that these limitations, if they are to be effective, would so restrict the freedom of the market as largely to nullify the benefits which its advocates desire to bring about. Even more important, the abandonment of bulk buying of these commodities from Commonwealth countries would seriously endanger our supplies from these sources and make us more dependent on dollar purchases. For these reasons I am at present unable to agree to the re-opening of the Metal Exchange for the purchase and sale of copper, lead and zinc. Other considerations apply to tin, which is now the subject of international discussion. I have not, therefore, reached any conclusion about the future marketing of this metal.

In view of the announcement made at Chequers during the week-end, and the urge for more multilateral free trade, will the Minister please re-open the Exchange now and free metal from all controls? Will he cease to allow political bias to interfere with economic recovery?

Does this mean that the right hon. Gentleman, if he does not propose to re-open the Metal Exchange, at least will make these metals available to industrial consumers at parity with world prices?

Yes, Sir. New prices are being fixed today for copper, lead and zinc. That will bring them on a par with prices in the United States.

The Minister has just said that new prices are being fixed. By whom—by the Government, or by the law of supply and demand?

asked the Minister of Supply what are the functions of the Patent Division of his Department; and how many persons are employed in it.

The number of staff employed in the Patents Branch of the Ministry of Supply on 1st July, 1949, was 130. Their functions are to deal with claims arising out of the use of inventions in equipment manufactured for Crown purposes to the order of the Ministry of Supply and certain other Government Departments; and to protect inventions made in the establishments of the Ministry and of certain other Government Departments, and to exploit these inventions.

Is the size of this Department due to arrears of work which arose from war developments, or is it envisaged that this Department should be retained permanently at its present size?

This is still a very busy Department. About 600 claims come before it every year, and we find that it saves the Government substantial sums of money. It has been calculated that over £2 million has been saved since the end of the war.

asked the Minister of Works for what purposes his Department is occupying buildings on Ludham airfield, Norfolk; and for how long such occupation is likely to continue.

The buildings are used by the Home Office for the storage of fire fighting equipment. I am not yet able to say when the accommodation will be released.

If, as is possible, there is some agricultural activity on this airfield in the near future, would the Minister then try to find other accommodation?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Minister of Works what is the current rate of brick production; and if he is satisfied that this is sufficient for current requirements.

Production of bricks of all types during May, the last month for which returns have been received, was over 451 million. There are indications that the improvement in output which has taken place this year is being maintained. I am not aware of any failure to meet requirements in the country generally.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the names and positions of ex-Nazis who have been appointed members of the I. G. Farben disposal panel or in the management of the steel industry.

One of the six members of the I. G. Farben dispersal panel, Freiherr Von Ritter, and three of the 12 persons to whom invitations have been sent to accept appointments to the German Steel Trustee Association, Messrs. Deist, Dinkelbach and Von Valkenhausen, were members of the Nazi Party. All four have, however, been cleared by de-Nazification panels, as have all other members and prospective members of these bodies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an estimate of the number of Germans who were Nazi leaders and members of Hitler's General Staff and who have gone underground; and what steps are being taken to trace them.

One hundred and twenty-eight prominent members of criminal organisations declared illegal at the Nuremberg Trials are still being sought in Germany. The German authorities are responsible for tracing them. All leading members of Hitler's general staff were found after the collapse of Germany.

Is my hon. Friend aware that only about 40 out of 150 of the permanent guard of Buchenwald concentration camp had been apprehended? Is it not a menace to security that these and many others like them, who have changed their names, should be at large in Germany today?

Yes, I would agree with that, but from time to time arrests are made; we have had one or two recently.

Can my hon. Friend say how many Nazi leaders and European Quislings are still being given asylum in Franco Spain?

Not without notice.

Can my hon. Friend say when we shall have an Act of Indemnity and stop chasing these men?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why decisions of the Lubeck panel for de-Nazification have been quashed and applicants advised to seek de-Nazification before a board in the French or American zones; and what is the British, American and French Military Governments' policy on the interchangeability of de-Nazification decisions.

The Schleswig-Holstein de-Nazification law provides that cases shall be heard in the locality in which the person concerned was best known during the Nazi régime. In a few cases heard by the Lubeck panel this provision was infringed, and the Land Committee for de-Nazification therefore quashed the decisions. In addition, two decisions of this panel have been quashed by Military Government. Mutual recognition of deNazification decisions between the three Western zones is complete but for recognition of British decisions in the French zone. Discussions are now taking place with the object of obtaining this.

In view of the new arrangement which has been made whereby the Allied High Commissioners will consider these matters in future, will the Under-Secretary ask his right hon. Friend to consider the advisability of submitting this matter to the Allied Commission with a view to an investigation being made into it?

I am not sure that the assumption in the first part of the Question is correct, and I should like notice of it.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I have here Command Paper 7727, on pages 4 and 5 of which it is laid down clearly that these matters can be submitted to them?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give the names and pre-war positions of the persons who served on the panel that considered the case of Privy Councillor Gustav Breacht of Cologne, confirmed according to a notice which appeared on 27th January, 1949, in the British Licensed paper, "Die Welt"; why was he give a certificate and placed in category V by the panel at Miesbach on 3rd April, 1948; why is he to be a trustee of I. G. Farben; and is he to be considered as a candidate for trusteeship in the German Coal Industry.

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

Is my hon. Friend aware that whatever may be the merits of the present attitude to de-Nazification there is grave concern about the military resurgence which is beginning to re-appear in Germany? Is he satisfied that his Department are watching the matter with all care and attention which it deserves?

Yes, Sir, we are watching it, but if there are any particular cases which my hon. Friend knows about I would be glad if he would draw my attention to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French and American occupied zones of Germany are now open to ordinary visitors as a result of the negotiations between the three Western Powers.

Yes, Sir, and similar arrangements now extend to the British and United States sectors of Berlin.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date the Military Government of the British Zone of Germany authorised the grant of a licence for repair work to oil-from-coal plants; what was the nature of the repair work authorised; whether the Military Government was aware at the time that the plant was to be dismantled; and if an estimate of the cost of such repairs was submitted and considered before this expenditure was authorised.

Eleven such licences were issued at different times between 1945 and 1948 to six of the 10 synthetic oil plants in Western Germany. Eight licences were in respect of plants now to be dismantled. In the case of five of the plants the licences were for partial re-activation, and in the other case the licence was for maintenance work only. Military Government was always aware that these plants were liable to be dismantled and this was made clear to the Germans whenever licences were issued.

In one case only, that of the Krupp Treibstoffewerke, which plant belonged to a group of colleries, an estimate which amounted to RM. 3 million was submitted and approved.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain in non-technical language why this expenditure was allowed to be incurred on plant which was scheduled for demolition?

The expenditure was not sanctioned for the production of oil from coal; it was for partial re-activisation for other products, and the Germans knew all the time that these plants were scheduled for dismantling.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the respective financial totals contributed by the United Kingdom and the United States of America Governments to the Joint Export-Import Agency.

The sum contributed by the two Governments to the capital of the Agency amounts to approximately £15,750,000 each. In addition, His Majesty's Government have, since 1st January, 1948, when the agreement of 17th December, 1947, came into operation, spent about £25 million from appropriated funds on goods and services for the German economy, and during the same period the United States Government have spent from appropriated funds about £250 million as well as providing aid under the Economic Co-operation Act to the Bizone of about £100 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Iraq with regard to the re-opening of the pipe line to Haifa.

His Majesty's Ambassador at Bagdad has made representations to the Iraqi Government on more than one occasion during the last six months with regard to the resumption of supplies of crude oil through the pipeline to Haifa.

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that his right hon. Friend will continue to press the Governments of Iraq and Israel to enable this pipeline to be re-opened, in view of its enormous importance to this country and to both those Governments?

We appreciate that, and the representations we made to the Iraqi Government are continuing now.

Can my hon. Friend confirm that the Government of Israel are quite prepared to use that line, and say what were the results of the inquiries to Iraq?

Since the representations are still continuing, I would rather not disclose what is going on.

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that the important staff engaged on the pipeline have been withdrawn, so that it cannot be reopened for another two years?

What are the representations that are being made to the Government of Israel? While we understand that representations are being made to Iraq, is it not the case that there is no difficulty in regard to the other Government?

There was no suggestion of that. The Question dealt with representations to Iraq, and I have referred to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the date on which negotiations will be opened with the Argentine Government concerning the payment of compensation to British shareholders in Buenos Aires Transport Corporation, and Primitiva Holdings.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28th June, to which I have nothing to add.

As a fortnight has elapsed since the signature of the Agreement, do I understand that nothing has happened since then? What has the Embassy done in the last fortnight?

Representations were made to the Foreign Minister, the latest of them on 24th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the detailed text of the Anglo-Argentine Agreement has been issued to London newspapers before the White Paper has been presented to this House.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The text of the Anglo-Argentine Agreement was not released in London until the publication of the White Paper presented to the House of Commons on 6th July.

Surely the hon. Gentleman must have read the text which was published in the "Financial Times" and other papers on Monday of last week? The White Paper was not issued until Thursday.

A statement which summarised the main headings of the Agreement was issued on 27th June, because we learned that the Spanish text had been released immediately after signature. That was merely a summary.