asked the Minister of Food on what conditions pieces of wedding or birthday cake can be sent out of the country.

Wedding or birthday cake can be sent out of the country either in gift food parcels, when not more than 2 lb. may be sent, and if the cake is not home-made an equal quantity of rationed food must be included; or by letter post, where the packet must not weigh more than 6 oz. gross and must comply with the postal regulations of the country to which it is addressed.

Is it not rather absurd that people should not be able to send birthday or wedding cake in 2 oz. pieces out of the country without all that extra food; cannot the Minister make it easier to send the usual little packets which people like to send?

The hon. and gallant Member must have misheard me. I said 2 lb., not 2 oz.

Is this system merely to prevent people abroad from knowing that we still have the courage to get married in this country, or what?

These are the postal regulations which cover parcel post and letter post respectively.

Will the Minister discuss the matter with his right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General to see whether it is not possible to send 2 oz. packets of birthday or wedding cake, as they used to be sent before the war?

By letter post it is possible to send up to 6 oz. and by parcel post up to 2 lb.

asked the Minister of Food why two forms for agricultural rations have to be filled in if hoeing and singling are being undertaken at the same time.

Only one form need be filled in if hoeing and singling are being undertaken at the same time. This has been made clear to the local food offices in a recent circular.

asked the Minister of Food whether there is to be any change in the sugar allowance for beekeepers.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now take steps, in view of the recently changed market situation, to decontrol all poultry.

I have given careful consideration to the decontrol of poultry prices, in the light of current and prospective supplies and of the general economic situation of the country, and I am not convinced that there is enough poultry for sales to be made freely within the present maximum prices. In the circumstances, I am not prepared to take the risk of decontrol, and therefore both poultry and rabbits will remain subject to price control this year.

In view of the fact that the number of poultry in the country is growing month by month, can the Minister give us an indication as to when he may be able to meet the point I make in my Question?

There is, of course, nothing to prevent the prices of poultry and rabbits from falling below the maximum price, and I very much hope that they will do so.

Is this not contrary to the advice of the Bodinnar Committee, which was set up to examine this very problem?

That Committee and many others have come to the conclusion that we should get rid of this control at the earliest possible time, and I certainly share that view; but, for the reasons I have given, I do not think that the risk of higher prices can be faced at the present time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that practically no poultry goes through Smithfield or the other great markets in this country, or ever finds its way into the shops in my constituency and in others; but that it goes into a black market which the Minister seems incapable of controlling?

I am glad to say that Smithfield and the other big markets are now handling supplies of poultry.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many confectioners are withholding sweets from the public now in order to make large sales during the first period in respect of which rationing will apply, in the hope that they will thereby become entitled to large supplies in the second rationing period; and what steps he is taking to prevent such action from being effectual.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to secure that sweets will be available to the public during the holiday period, and that manufacturers and shopkeepers do not hoard sweets in anticipation of the reimposition of sweets rationing.

I know that some confectioners are using part of their current supplies to rebuild their working stocks which have been reduced to a very low level. This is essential to help the reintroduction of rationing. Excessive stock-piling would involve retailers in an immediate financial loss from reduced turnover and would, at the same time, cause great dissatisfaction to their customers, so it would not be in their interests to do this.

Will the allocation in the first rationing period be based on present sales, or on sales over a longer period?

It is somewhat complicated, but broadly it will be on the basis of sales before the lapse of the rationing.

While I gave permission for my Question to be answered at the same time as Question No. 5, the Minister has not given me any reply. Will he say what steps he is taking to secure that sweets will be available to the public during the holiday period?

Until rationing is reintroduced on 14th August it is impossible for the Ministry to ensure a supply of sweets to any given individual.

Does the former answer mean that the amount of sweets allocated to small retailers will be decided not by the manufacturers but on the basis of the points held when rationing ceased?

After rationing is reintroduced?

Yes.

Broadly that is the case.

Is the Minister aware that there are many anomalies meantime in the way the points will be allocated over the next rationing period? Will he look into these anomalies if I let him know, because there are many complaints?

Certainly, but reintroducing rationing is a very complex business.

asked the Minister of Food what is the percentage of maximum control price realised by the sale of white fish landed at British ports in the month of June.

The information for which the hon. Member asks will take some time to prepare, and I will write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food if he has considered the practicability of relating the retail price of white fish to the first price to stimulate demand when landings are excessive; and what steps he proposes to take.

If the fall in prices at the ports were general and sustained we could adjust the maximum retail prices; but my Department has never been able to find a practicable way of ensuring that occasional local reductions in prices are passed on to the consumer.

If it is not practicable to relate the landing price to the selling price, why is it that the fishermen have to stand the loss through the landing price dropping so low? Cannot they have a standard minimum to ensure that they get a good catch?

Is the Minister aware that during the last six weeks thousands of tons of fresh fish have been sold as manure and yet the prices in the shops have remained the same? Why should the fishermen receive such a poor return when the middleman is getting all the profits?

I am far from suggesting that the distribution of fish is perfect, but there is a price maximum fixed by the Ministry and there is nothing to prevent prices to the householder from dropping below that maximum.

If the prices cannot be lowered, why cannot the existing minimum to the fishermen be increased instead of allowing the middleman to earn so much money?

I could not agree that the margin between the two is excessive today.

Is not the middleman's profit part of the Conservative policy?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that on 16th May an old age pensioner, a member of the Balsall Common Pigkeepers' Club, sold to his Department a pig weighing over 11 score, but was only paid for 6 score 19 lb.; that the auctioneers in charge of the Hampton-in-Arden Collecting Centre agreed that this was a mistake and referred the claim to the area livestock officer; and why no redress was offered for over two months.

An additional payment was made on 20th July on the basis that this pig weighed over 11 score deadweight. I am making further inquiries on the reasons for the error in the identification of this pig and also for the regrettable delay in settling the claim for payment.

Is not the Minister aware that I gave notice of this Question some days ago, but yet he has not been able to give information about the unconscionable time which has elapsed?

We have corrected the matter, but unfortunately I cannot tell the hon. Member whose responsibility it was that it took such a long time to correct the error. Perhaps I can write to him.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the unsatisfactory conditions for public and staff which prevail at the County of West Lothian food office at Bathgate; and, in view of the fact that these conditions will not be remedied before July, 1950, whether he will take immediate steps to improve the position, more especially to protect callers at the office from having to queue outside the office in inclement weather.

I am aware of the unsatisfactory accommodation at the Bathgate food office. I have approached the Ministry of Works on the provision of protection for callers until the new food office is ready for use.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this office brings his own Department into disrepute? Will he not help, through his right hon. Friend the Minister of Works, to expedite the new office and so remove these bad conditions?

We shall do our best, but there is a limit to what I can ask my right hon. Friend to do in this respect. As the new office will be ready next summer we are not justified in spending too much on the old office.

Is my right hon. Friend correct in saying that the new office will be ready for next summer?

I was given the date of July.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the 40s. per ton surcharge on Royal Kidney seed potatoes exported from the Wisbech area to Spain is resulting in Spanish buyers seeking their seed potatoes from France, Eire, Holland and Denmark; and if he will make a statement.

Consultation on the question of retaining the Seed Potatoes (Charges) Order in the coming season are still taking place, and when a decision is reached I will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not recall that I raised this matter with him on 14th February, when he said he would be glad to discuss it with the Chancellor of the Exchequer? Can he say why the delay has been so long, and what prospects there are of a successful outcome of the deliberations?

These discussions are going on. As the hon. and gallant Mem- ber realises, there is a case for this order which merely takes back the subsidy payment on acreages which otherwise could be held to constitute a subsidy on exports.

Surely it would not be in the interests of this country to allow the growers or the merchants to lose this market with Spain, which was quite a valuable one before the war?

I think there is force in the hon. and gallant Member's contention.

asked the Minister of Food what experiments he has made to discover the comparative values, respectively, as a delicacy and nutritionally of the various parts of the whale suitable for human consumption; and what conclusions he has reached.

Both the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and my Department have been interested for some time in developing the potentially large supplies of meat from whales caught by the whaling expeditions. In the past three seasons Government research workers have accompanied expeditions to the Antarctic. Many palatability tests have been made both in the laboratories of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and in the experimental kitchens of my Department. The results indicate that whale meat frozen or processed soon after the whale is killed can be of excellent quality. In the major nutrients and vitamins whale meat is approximately equivalent to beef.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the whale goes to manure?

I could not say without notice.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether either the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research or his own Department have been able to discover from which part of the mammal a steak is taken?

Who conducts these palatability tests, and do they have a "whale of a time?"

I have conducted one myself with considerable pleasure.

How about a "Minister for Whales?"

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now consider changing the policy of milling flour at 85 per cent. extraction, and substituting a 72 per cent. extraction so as to enable a greater quantity of feedingstuffs to be available to the pig and poultry producers throughout the country.

I am afraid I cannot add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for West Aberdeen (Mr. Thornton-Kemsley) on 4th May.

Does not the Minister realise how absolutely urgent and vital it is to increase livestock throughout the country, including pigs and poultry? Why not abandon the idea of importing the finished article and import wheat to prevent the reduction in feedingstuffs for animals? Surely the Government must have some sense of awareness. The situation is absolutely critical and yet there is a broad grin on the faces of the right hon. Gentlemen on the Government Front Bench?

I am well aware of the importance of importing feedstuffs, but it is not by any means certain that it is better to import them in the form of wheat and for us to process that wheat, than to import increased barley, oats and other grains.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what proportion of home-killed meat was allocated to the Lleyn area of Caernarvonshire during the week commencing 10th July; and if he will give comparable figures for Liverpool;

(2) on what basis home-killed meat is allocated to producing areas; and how the percentage so allocated compares with that for non-producing areas.

Livestock is allocated so as to give, as nearly as possible, an equal distribution of home-killed meat throughout the country, with due regard to the distances over which Livestock can be humanely transported, and to economy in transport. Comparisons between producing and non-producing areas vary in different parts of the country, at different times of the year, and to some extent from week to week. The proportions respectively to the Lleyn area and Liverpool in the week commencing 10th July were approximately 59 per cent. and 69 per cent. In the four weeks of June they were 31 per cent. and 30 per cent. respectively.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether due regard is paid to the fact that there is a lack of refrigerators in rural producing areas, and whether this is borne in mind when allocations of home-produced and foreign imported meat are made?

Yes, Sir, but refrigerating plant may be necessary in butchers' shops for the retention of either kind of meat.

Is the Minister aware that prime Scottish beef is sent to England and Wales, while Scottish people have to make do with poor quality imported beef? Cannot we get better quality beef in Scotland? I would not know a steak if I saw one.

asked the Minister of Food why his Department refused to grant extra rations for the purpose of the tea provided at Salton, near Pickering, on 20th July to the touring Australian farmers.

I am inquiring into the circumstances and will write to the hon. Member very shortly, but on the facts available I regret that a special allocation was refused in this case.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Department refused this request and that, in consequence, 50 Australian farmers could not be properly and hospitably entertained?

Although the refusal was in accordance with the strict letter of the regulations, I think it was a mistake.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in setting up consultative transport committees as provided for under Section 6 of the Transport Act, 1947; and how many of them are functioning.

The Central Transport Consultative Committee has been working for six months. I have now appointed the Committees for Scotland and Wales and, with permission, I will circulate in HANSARD a list of the members of these two Committees. With regard to the London committee, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 4th July. Area committees will be appointed subsequent to the coming into effect of the area road passenger transport schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking to ensure that where the name of a firm of road hauliers has changed by reason of the death of a member of the firm, such a firm does not lose the original permit to which it would otherwise have been entitled.

I have no power to vary the provisions of the Transport Act on this point, but I understand that the Road Haulage Executive have stated that, while they are bound by the Act, they will, without entering into any commitment, be prepared to look at cases of hardship and decide whether there is any way in which the hardship can properly be alleviated.

Is not this obvious error in the Transport Act, which the right hon. Gentleman himself apparently regrets, yet another indication of how undesirable it is to push these Measures through under the Guillotine, without any discussion?

I am not aware that I have expressed any regret. Licences have never been transferable, but I think that in the circumstances the Road Executive are taking what I think would be the general course.

Does the intention to allow special consideration to be given to hardship mean that the original rights will not be lost when hardship is proved and that there will be no question, if hardship is proved, of merely giving a discretion to the Commission?

I would not like to go into details of that kind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered correspondence from the hon. Member for Colchester on the subject of the resurfacing of High Street, Colchester; whether he is aware that an undertaking was given by officers of his Department that this work would be carried out by the end of 1948; and whether he will make any statement giving hope of an early improvement in the condition of the road.

I have considered the correspondence and made some inquiries, but I can find nothing to confirm that the alleged undertaking was given by any of my officers. In fact, this is a matter entirely within the discretion of the county council, whose responsibility it is to select the particular works to be carried out with the funds available to them. I understand that the council have provided in their current year's estimates for the resurfacing of a length of the High Street, but have not seen their way to include the part which is the subject of the correspondence.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in the large majority of cases of compulsory acquisition of road haulage businesses which had taken place up to 30th June, 1949, no provisional amount of compensation had been agreed, outstanding amounts of cash have not been paid and Transport Stock has not been issued; and what directions of a general character he will give to the Commission in order to obviate the resultant and widespread hardship thereby caused.

I do not consider it necessary for me to give any direction to the Commission on this matter. My reasons involve a rather long statement which I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate in HANSARD.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is disgraceful that these men's businesses are being taken from them and they are not being paid the compensation to which Parliament said they were entitled?

I do not agree with anything of the kind and I suggest that the hon. Member looks at my statement, in which the reasons are fully set out.

Is the Minister aware that not only big road hauliers but men in a small way of business have had their businesses taken over from 1st April and have not yet received either the 90 per cent. compensation they were supposed then to get, or even been able to make effective arrangements with the Ministry for valuation of their assets? Does he think that is satisfactory?

Are we to understand that the statement which the Minister proposes to circulate in HANSARD is more than a mere apology for inaction on the part of the Government, and contains some positive proposals for dealing with these cases of hardship? Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer include provisions of that kind?

In view of the great importance of the matter would the Minister consider making his statement at the end of Questions, instead of publishing it in HANSARD tomorrow?

On a point of Order. The right hon. Gentleman asked my permission and the permission of the House, Mr. Speaker, to circulate his answer in HANSARD. So far as I am concerned, I do not feel that I can grant permission.

Mr. Carmichael.

Further to my point of Order. If the permission of the House is not granted—

The right hon. Gentleman merely said that he proposed to circulate his answer; I did not think he asked permission.

With great respect, Sir, I distinctly heard the right hon. Gentleman say what I think is common form in this matter—that with the permission of the House he proposed to circulate his answer in HANSARD. Surely that is a matter for the House, and not for the Minister.

It is for the Minister to decide how he chooses to answer. I cannot direct him how he should answer.

When the Minister says, "With the permission of the hon. Member, I propose to circulate the answer in HANSARD," surely it is up to the hon. Member concerned either to give or refuse permission, as he thinks fit. If permission is refused, could not the Minister read the answer now?

I disagree. I did not think the Minister asked for permission. He merely said that he would circulate his statement.

I did say, Mr. Speaker, "With the permission of the hon. Member."

May I draw your attention, Sir, to the fact that three supplementary questions have been addressed to the Minister, and that not one has been answered. Could we not have the reply at the end of Questions?

I do not wish to detain the House, but the right hon. Gentleman has fairly admitted that he asked for my permission. That permission not being granted, I feel, knowing the right hon. Gentleman's courtesy, that he will make his statement either now or at the end of Questions. There are hundreds of cases of hardship.

I cannot direct the Minister. If he chooses to read the answer, he can.

The following is the statement to which I referred.

The British Transport Commission cannot make payments on account of compensation until the properties affected by the notice of acquisition have been identified and agreed and a provisional ascertainment made. The position at 30th June, 1949, was that 469 road haulage undertakings had been transferred, of which 123 were taken over only in June and 131 in May. Of the total of 469 there were 35 cases in which the extent of the transfer had not been agreed and 148 cases in which the Commission were awaiting accounts and other information from the transferors. Provisional ascertainments in 130 cases had been calculated, or were in hand, and payment on account will be made as soon as legal title is verified and other essential formalities are completed. The remaining cases were awaiting valuers' reports and other information.

I am satisfied that the intention of the Commission is that all acquired undertakings shall receive a payment on account at the earliest possible moment, and that there is no need for me to issue directions: Machinery has been set up to expedite settlements, and I am informed that undertakings which might otherwise suffer hardship are being offered an immediate payment in respect of their cash option. Speedy progress in respect both of acquired undertakings and of those yet to be acquired will depend largely on the co-operation of the transferors in quickly supplying the necessary information.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these men have had their businesses expropriated, and that they have perhaps been offered jobs as drivers, or perhaps no job at all? The result is that a lot of these men have hardly any money to live on, and certainly are quite unable to make any plans for the future arrangement of their lives, having lost the business on which they have depended for many years. Cannot the Minister do something to speed up this matter?

I do not consider that there is any substance in that accusation because, up to 30th June, advances up to £2,000 in cash had been made in 81 cases—this applies to the small type of haulier to which the supplementary question obviously refers—and I venture to suggest that if these figures are analysed, and one takes into account the great variety of businesses, it will be found that the Commission have rapidly established considerable machinery to deal with this problem.

In addition, I would say that while I am satisfied that the vast majority of cases are being dealt with in a businesslike and expeditious way, if by any chance there should be some individual cases that have not been dealt with as rapidly as possible, I am confident that the British Transport Commission will look into them, because they are exceedingly desirous that in no case should unnecessary hardship be involved. However, as I stated earlier, in 81 cases advances have been made up to 30th June and, further, the British Transport Commission have now made arrangements to issue British Transport Stock on a monthly basis instead of a half-yearly basis.

Is the Minister satisfied, first, that he has enough valuing staff to get the valuing process completed within a reasonable time, and, secondly, is he satisfied that the valuing staff knows anything about the Transport Act? I have cases which suggest that he has not enough valuers, because they have not even begun, and in some cases they do not appear to know the Act.

It is quite easy for an hon. Member to make statements of that kind on the Floor of the House with that inference behind them.

It is not an inference, it is a charge.

If it is a charge, I would suggest that the hon. Member brings that charge down to details and submits them to the British Transport Commission—

What about the Minister?

Well, either to myself or to the British Transport Commission. It is the British Transport Commission who engage their valuers, and I do not think the hon. Member is entitled to make a public charge that when they appoint a professional person, they do not know whom they are appointing.

May I see the Minister at the end of Questions and I will then produce the two cases upon which I base the charge?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many hauliers who are anxious to get these formalities completed have been unable to find the representatives of the Commission with whom they could deal, and will he kindly see to it that that matter is dealt with? Will he also tell the House how many more months he expects to elapse before acquisition is completed in the 400-odd cases which he mentioned?

If the hon. Gentleman will study the details of the reply I have given, he will see that one of the biggest difficulties the Commission are up against here is that the requisite information is not submitted speedily and efficiently enough for them to come to their decision.

Is the Minister aware that many small hauliers are being compelled to accept prices that really amount to little more than scrap value, and will he tell the House what redress he proposes to offer to men who are being put in this position?

That is a political statement, incorrect in character, and not justified by the facts. This House established the conditions under which these businesses would be acquired.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all we are concerned to see is that the minimum amount of really grave hardship is caused until we can get into power and reverse the whole of this position?

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement regarding the prospects of a general inquiry into the transport service of Glasgow and neighbouring districts with particular reference to the possibility of the electrification of some sections of the existing railway system.

The British Transport Commission has informed me that it proposes to set up a committee of experts under the chairmanship of Sir Robert Inglis, to report to the Commission on the transport requirements of Glasgow and adjacent areas and to make recommendations. The committee will work in close co-operation with the Corporation of Glasgow. The membership of the committee and its terms of reference will shortly be announced by the Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport what consultations have taken place between his department and the Staffordshire County Council regarding the limited use of the Manifold Valley Road for vehicular traffic; and when the road is now likely to be opened for this limited use.

This matter has been thoroughly investigated in consultation with the Staffordshire County Council and I am satisfied that no relaxation of the restrictions on the use of this track is practicable without considerable road improvement works, the cost of which would not be justified by the traffic likely to use it.

asked the Minister of Transport when the Report of the committee under the chairmanship of Lord Waleran, which was set up to inquire into the design, location and distribution of petrol filling stations, will be published; and what action he proposes to take with regard to the Report.

The Report will be published in the course of the next few days. Before taking any action on it I propose to seek the views of the local authorities' associations and of the commercial, motoring and other interests concerned.

Would my right hon. Friend consider setting some sort of time-limit for these consultations and discussions so that they do not go on indefinitely before some action is taken?

I certainly should not allow them to go on indefinitely, but there is no frightful hurry about this particular proposal or Report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that he will not encourage the construction of half-timbered mock-Tudor petrol stations?

This Report deals with all problems of that character.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of "C" licences issued during the first six months of 1949 or to the latest available date; the comparable figures for 1948; the total number of operators of "C" licences; and the number of vehicles operated by them.

The net number of additional vehicles for which "C" licences were issued during the first six months of 1949 was 44,253 as compared with 51,572 during the same period of 1948. The total number of "C" licensed operators at 30th June, 1949, was 335,846 with 634,769 vehicles.

In view of the fact that the issue of "C" licences continues at the rate of approximately 7,000 a month and in view of the fact that during the passage of the Transport Bill the Minister gave an undertaking, which he has repeated since, to keep his eye upon the situation and to take any action which he thought necessary, may I ask him whether he has done so and whether he has made up his mind what action he proposes to take?

I have stated on more than one occasion that I have taken the precaution to get all the details in regard to these "C" licences and I have made a further statement that the vast majority of them are confined to relatively small traders.

Is it not a fact that these "C" licences are increasing because traders find the service rendered by the nationalised railways unsatisfactory and costly for their purpose?

No. As a matter of fact, that is just nonsense because, as I have said, they are mainly confined to small retailers.

Is not the Minister convinced that a case has been made out by the figures he has given that proof of need should be established before there is an automatic issue of "C" licences? This is going to prejudice the revenue of his nationalised concern.

No, Sir; I am not convinced.

In so far as the increase consists of an increase of large vehicles and not of small vehicles, is it not a somewhat limited increase and does it not correspond roughly with the somewhat limited increase which there has been during the period in industrial activities?

I do not know whether I gather what the hon. Gentleman says correctly, but I understood him to say that the greater part of the increase has been in large vehicles. I deny that.

I said, in so far as it is an increase in large vehicles.

Would my right hon. Friend consider publishing details of the issue of these "C" licences, showing how many are as regards retail trade and how many as regards general trade?

I am circulating these figures, but publication of those details is another matter. I have no desire to withhold this information, but whether it justifies general publication is another matter. I will look into it.

Is it not pretty obvious from the questions addressed to the Minister from behind him that if the Socialist Party are returned for another term of office, no one will have a chance of carrying his own goods in his own vehicles on the roads?

My general impression is that the questions I receive from behind are more acceptable than those I receive from the other side of the House.

asked the Minister of Transport what staff and other facilities he has placed at the disposal of the Docks Emergency Committee for their duties.

The Emergency Committee were provided with the necessary secretarial staff. In addition, the services of officers of the Ministry and, in particular, those of the Docks and Canals Division, were made available to the Committee. Accommodation for the Committee was provided at the Ministry Headquarters and at the Ministry's Mercantile Marine Office near the Port of London Authority building. Direct telephone lines were provided from the Ministry's Headquarters to the Mercantile Marine Office and from the latter to the Port of London Authority.

Is this organisation still engaged in settling in?

asked the Minister of Transport what recommendations he has received from the Docks Emergency Committee; and what action he has taken upon them.

I kept myself fully informed from day to day as to the proceedings of the Committee and there was full consultation by the Committee with me and with my officers. The Committee have been responsible to the Government for the working of the Port of London during the emergency. The statements issued to the Press as to the build up of Service labour, the ships worked and the tonnage of cargo handled have already shown the success with which they have discharged this responsibility.

The right hon. Gentleman refers to their having "discharged this responsibility." Does that mean that they have concluded their labours?

That is a matter for subsequent decision because the scheme is not finally ended until the Government deals with the question of the Proclamation. I should, however, like to take this opportunity of saying that this Emergency Committee have done a very fine job. I think they will also wish me to say that they could not have carried out their duties so well without the full co-operation of the Port of London Authority and everyone concerned.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Emergency Committee were consulted by the Government before they issued their midnight communique criticising the Dock Labour Board?

I think that is not a matter which arises from this Question. It can be better dealt with when this is more fully discussed.

asked the Minister of Supply how many motor vehicles have been purchased by his Department in the years 1946, 1947 and 1948, respectively.

A total of 13,138, 6,787 and 5,134 vehicles were bought for all Government Departments by my Ministry in 1946, 1947 and 1948, respectively.

The right hon. Gentleman told me last week that these vehicles cost £27 million. In those circumstances, and in view of the very large sum involved, would he consider issuing a fuller statement of the type of vehicles which are purchased, saying how long they remain in service and what price is paid for each?

If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question I can break down these figures easily. I am afraid I cannot give the price, but I can give the type. Most of them go to the Services.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether that includes the Service Departments?

Yes, Sir.

Are any vehicles bought for Government Departments except through the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry? Are they all bought through his Ministry?

Practically all, with hardly any exception.

Is the Minister aware that this abnormal demand on the limited supply of vehicles available in this country means that food distributors have to wait for over three years for vans to carry on their business?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of supply how many persons are employed at the Eastriggs dump in Dumfriesshire: and on what they are engaged.

One hundred and forty-five persons are employed at the Ministry of Supply Storage Depot, Eastriggs. They are engaged on the reception, storage and re-issue of explosives, propellants and ammunition components.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this overstaffing causes considerable comment in the district? There is not very much for them to do, and if I send my right hon. Friend further particulars will he look into them?

I shall be happy to look into any further particulars which my hon. Friend sends me.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the total number of staff employed by his Department in Delhi; what is the annual total of salaries paid to them; how many are recruited from the United Kingdom; how many are engaged locally; and what work they execute.

The answer to all five parts of the Question is "None."

Is not this most gratifying for once?

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that the world output of steel will soon outstrip demand, he will undertake a re-examination of the capital development programme for the British steel manufacturing industry in the light of these forecasts.

The matter is continually under review.

Are not the Government doing their best to check steel production by their nationalisation policy?

No, Sir. The hon. Member is doubtless aware that steel production has gone up considerably since the nationalisation of this industry was proposed.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has heard of the long delays in obtaining licences for the repair or improvement of hotels; and whether, in view of their dollar-earning importance and other services to the community, he will modify the £100 limit and will put those with a certain minimum number of bedrooms on the same footing as businesses with a certain floor area, schools and agricultural buildings, which can spend £1,000 per annum without licence.

I cannot undertake to change the present licensing limit for all hotels of a given size, but in the issue of building licences instructions have been given to ensure special attention for hotels catering for foreign visitors. There should not ordinarily be any delay in dealing with these cases.

How does the Minister account for the delays of which I have sent him full particulars? Why does he not put hotels on the same level as other businesses?

There was a little delay in the cases which the hon. Member mentioned, but all five cases have been adequately and properly dealt with. I see no reason for including hotels with the ordinary sort of business.

Does the Minister realise that what may be termed the buyers' market has reached the seaside resorts and that people providing accommodation are realising that unless they can improve the amenities of their hotels, either by repair or replacement, they will be unable to cater for the requirements of overseas visitors? May I also ask him whether he realises that in many seaside resorts the building industry is a secondary trade and that very great hardship will be caused this winter unless sufficient licences of the kind mentioned in my question are granted?

As I have already said, special attention is given to hotels catering for foreign visitors. In the normal course, the regional committees under my Department keep in touch with the state of employment in each area and they vary their licences according to the unemployment.

What did the delay amount to in the cases referred to?

I have not that information.

Is not the Minister aware that the poor condition of some British hotels is driving many people, both British and American, over to the Continent?

No, Sir, I do not think that is true.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will arrange for the model, now in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's rooms, showing the relation of the proposed new Colonial Office to Westminster Abbey and the proposed new layout of Parliament Square, to be publicly exhibited; and if he will send the Press the proposed elevations of the new Colonial Office.

The model is not suitable for public exhibition. [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] Because there are specific reasons in my Department. I will make available photographs of the elevation of the proposed new Colonial Office.

Does the Minister realise that similar models have been exhibited in the Tate Gallery? What is the objection to this model being exhibited?

This is a model which was not done for exhibition purposes. It is merely used in the office for purposes in which the Department are concerned and it contains things which are not yet in existence in other parts of the area.

I hope we are not to understand from that reply that what hon. Members of this House are allowed to see, is not suitable for other people to see?

The point is that hon. Members wanted the model for a specific purpose and I put it into the room for that purpose. The general public can get all the information which is necessary from the photographs which we propose to distribute.

Has the elevation of the new Colonial Office been submitted to the Royal Fine Art Commission?

Yes, Sir.

Would the Minister consider having a larger-scale model made showing only the juxtaposition of the new Colonial Office with the Abbey, as this is the most important site in London?

I do not think that expenditure would be justified.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the announcement that a new food office for the County of West Lothian decided upon last December will not be made available until July, 1950; and whether he will make arrangements to ensure that callers at the present office will be adequately protected from inclement weather and the erection of the new office speeded up.

I am fully aware of the need for improved accommodation for the food office in West Lothian and I regret that it will not be possible for the new building to be ready before July, 1950. As the present food office is on a main thoroughfare it will be difficult to provide outside protection for callers. My Department is, however, consulting with the local authority and the Ministry of Food to see what can be done.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the principal objection is to the fact that there is a suggestion that a start cannot be made before November this year? The matter has been in hand for a long time, and that seems an inordinate delay.

We cannot start building new offices until we have a site on which the offices are to be erected.

Is the Minister aware that in West Lothian, as elsewhere in Scotland, there is a lively hope that no new food offices will be built in the future?

asked the Minister of Works why he is advertising for applicants for the post of senior architectural assistant in Delhi at a salary and allowances of £1,250 per annum; and what work, on behalf of his Department, will this individual be called upon to execute.

The advertisement is necessary because the post cannot be filled from existing staff within my Department. The senior architectural assistant in Delhi is responsible for the architectural drawings required in connection with buildings for which my Ministry is responsible in India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Burma, Afghanistan and Nepal.

In view of the fact that the British Government have left all these territories, is it necessary to indulge in a large amount of new building?

The Government have not left these territories, in the sense that they must have representatives there as in other parts of the Commonwealth.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the total quantities of petrol consumed by Government Departments during the years 1945, 1946, 1947, and 1948; and what were the principal reasons for any considerable changes in these totals.

As the answer to the first part of the Question contains a number of figures, I will circulate the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The amount of petrol consumed by Government Departments in private cars between 1945 and 1948 decreased by over 5,000 tons a year as a result of various measures of economy. On the other hand, the amount of petrol used by Government Departments in commercial and similar vehicles increased during the same period by 27,000 tons. This was due chiefly to the restoration of their pre-war services by the Post Office, and to special building operations undertaken by the Ministry of Works.

In view of the announcement made by the Minister a few months ago that there was to be a special economy drive in the consumption of petrol by Government Departments, may I ask how he explains the considerable increase that has taken place?

So far as I remember, it was never suggested that the postal services should be cut.

Where did the right hon. Gentleman get this extraordinary idea that the pre-war postal services have been restored?

In comparison with the postal services prevailing in 1945, there has been a very considerable improvement.