asked the Minister of Labour how many additional operatives are now required in the spinning, weaving and finishing sections of the Lancashire textile industry; and what steps the Government is taking to fill these requirements.

No substantial increase is expected to be required in the size of the labour force of the Lancashire cotton industry in 1950. The main task will be to recruit sufficient workers to offset wastage. We shall continue to encourage school leavers to enter the industry, to recruit adult British workers and to supplement this so far as necessary by supplying female European volunteer workers. Progress so far this year is satisfactory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many families in Lancashire will not put their children into the textile industry because they are apprehensive about future Japanese competition? Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Foreign Secretary and try to make a statement on this matter?

It is the first I have heard of that particular reason, but the fact is that the entry of children into the industry is increasing considerably. General manpower in the industry increased in January of this year by 2,500.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that such apprehensions as there are are based on the still lively recollection in Lancashire of heavy unemployment, heavy part-time employment and starvation wages and that the best guarantee—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—that the best guarantee to the Lancashire labour for—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] On a point of Order. I would like to ask a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. Is [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech"]—is it in Order that I should be constantly interrupted?

I think that the hon. Member should be allowed to ask his question.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—that the best service he can render to the maintenance of the labour force in Lancashire is—

To build more houses—

to continue with the social policy of the Government?

Yes, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman giving close attention to the possible effect on the future employment of our own people of any further admissions of displaced persons to this industry?

Most decidedly. Considering the total number in the industry, and the number of European voluntary workers, there is no need to be apprehensive on that score at all.

Is the Minister aware that after the First World War a large amount of the textile machinery was sent from Lancashire to Japan, to compete against us?

asked the Minister of Labour how many prosecutions for infringement of the Factory Acts have been instigated by his Department during each of the last five years; and in how many cases in each year; and in how many cases in each year have the prosecutions resulted in convictions.

As the answer comprises a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will institute an inquiry into the causes of the high proportion of industrial disputes in the nationalised industries.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman willing to investigate this matter, having regard to the fact that two-thirds of the strikes taking place are in nationalised industries?

I do not think it necessary to make such an inquiry in view of the fact that the number of disputes in 1949 was considerably less than the average for the previous five years. As there is better stability in industry now, I think we should do no good service by doing as the hon. Gentleman suggests.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why if, there is this increased stability, it does not apply to the nationalised industries, but only applies under private enterprise?

If the right hon. Gentleman will look at the figures relating to the nationalised industries he will find that the situation is as I have indicated.

Can my right hon. Friend say if the Opposition have yet made up their minds whether there are more strikes in the nationalised industries, or whether strikes are impossible in nationalised industries, as my right hon. Friend says?

The Minister cannot answer for the Opposition.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to bring the factory inspectorate in Wales into line with the organisation of the rest of his Department, instead of basing it on the West Midlands and Western divisions, for North and South Wales, respectively.

As at present advised there do not appear to be sufficient grounds for altering the well established arrangement under which, in view of the location of factories and means of communication, the groups of factory inspection districts covering North and South Wales respectively are linked with different divisional offices.

While acknowledging the historical reasons for the present arrangements, may I ask my right hon. Friend to remember that we in Wales prefer to be run by a Welsh office rather than from Wolverhampton and Bristol, estimable as those places may be; and that so far as North Wales is concerned, we do not think that a division which includes Derby and places as far distant as Anglesey and Caernarvon is really a very efficient organisation?

I hope my hon. Friend will notice that I said, "as at present advised." I am not at all antagonistic to the idea which the hon. Lady has in mind.

Can the Minister give an assurance that inspectors carrying out these duties in Wales are conversant with the Welsh language?

No, Sir, and in view of the very severe tests which these inspectors have to pass it would be unreasonable to make it compulsory that they should learn Welsh.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Welsh people are much more concerned with the efficiency of the factory inspector than with the location of the office? Will he insist upon English-speaking Welshmen having equal opportunity with those who speak Welsh?

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the delay in building the Remploy factory for severely disabled persons at the Team Valley Trading Estate; and, in view of the lack of suitable light employment for such men, if he will make a statement on the date when this project will be completed.

I understand that Remploy Ltd. were not able to get possession of the premises until November last. Work of adaptation is proceeding satisfactorily, and it is hoped to have the factory ready very shortly.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will take steps to enable school children to receive their allowance of milk during school holidays.

Local education authorities know from paragraph 19 of Circular 119, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, that they may organise centres to provide school children with milk during school holidays if there is sufficient demand.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask whether it would be possible now, in view of the de-rationing of milk, to organise the presentation of vouchers to school children which could be exchanged with milkmen for milk during their holidays?

We have looked at this matter, and the difficulties of administering a scheme of that kind far outweigh its importance.

asked the Minister of Education how many British teachers were exchanged with American teachers in 1949; and how many it is proposed to exchange in 1950.

Ninety-seven exchanges were arranged for the year 1949–50; the corresponding number in 1950–51 will be 74.

Can the Minister answer the second part of my Question, which asks for the reason for the reduction?

The reason is not asked for in the Question, but it is that the cost is greater.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will give an estimate of the sum which at today's prices will have to be provided by the Roman Catholic community if the requirements of the development plan submitted by the local education authority for the City of Liverpool are to be fulfilled.

I am considering a suggestion from the Roman Catholic hierarch), that an estimate of this kind should be prepared for the country as a whole. Any such estimate would, naturally, cover Liverpool.

Although my right hon. Friend cannot give a figure at the moment, as I can understand, does he agree that an intolerable burden is being imposed and will he take every step that he can to alleviate it?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the Breconshire County Council have refused to make any payment towards the cost of transporting Roman Catholic children from Crickhowell to the Catholic school at Abergavenny; and whether he will now intervene in order that the Roman Catholic community at Crickhowell should not be penalised by reason of having their children educated at the school of their choice.

I am aware of this refusal by the Breconshire County Council. I have been in communication with the authority on the subject for some considerable time, but I think that it will now soon be settled.

asked the Minister of Education why a party of boys from the Chipping Norton County School were taken to a Labour Party meeting on Wednesday, 1st February, during school hours.

I understand that on this date school games had to be cancelled owing to bad weather and that 11 senior pupils asked for and were given permission to go, instead, to hear an address by the Minister of Education.

Was the Minister's talk solely confined to soccer, which the boys were unable to play elsewhere?

No, Sir. I understand, from the letter I received from the headmaster, that it was not particularly that they wanted to hear the Minister of Education but rather that they wanted to see him.

asked the Minister of Education why increments are not paid to men called up for National Service who, as conscientious objectors, comply with the conditions laid upon them by the Ministry of Labour.

I presume that the Question refers to teachers whose salaries are governed by the Burnham reports. I am not sure whether my hon. Friend has correctly interpreted the existing reports, and if he will let me have particulars of any case which he has in mind I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Education why His Majesty's Government has not yet become a full member of the International Institute of the Hylean Amazon; and whether he will now take the necessary steps to obtain such membership.

His Majesty's Government gave very careful consideration to the possibility of this country becoming a member of the International Institute of the Hylean Amazon, but regretfully decided that the hard currency expenditure which membership would involve should not be incurred in view of the difficulty of arranging such overseas payments. As long as this difficulty persists, it will, I fear, be unlikely that His Majesty's Government will alter its decision.

Is the Minister aware that the French and Dutch Governments, whose interests in the area are similar in kind but less in degree, have become full members of this Institute; and in view of the important long-term interests of British trade in the area will he reconsider this disappointing decision?

When the circumstances that I have outlined change, we will consider the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what this Institute is? Is it a ladies club?

The International Institute of the Hylean Amazon has been formed by the co-operative effort of the interested Latin-American countries, in particular Brazil, to carry out a scientific investigation of the tropical forests of the Amazon basin.

Is the Minister aware that the statement he has just made is misleading, and that many foreign countries are participating fully in this experiment, which concerns our Colonies in the Western Hemisphere?

I think that it is a very good scheme. If we could afford to do all the things we should like to do, this is one of the things we should do. My statement was not misleading at all. I did not say anything other than that certain nations were peculiarly interested in the matter.

asked the Minister of Education if, owing to the dissatisfaction expressed by school teachers and parents since the withdrawal of the grant for school uniforms, under Circular 210, he will now consider restoring this grant.

No, Sir. In the present national situation it is necessary to restrict my Department's expenditure to meeting essential needs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost is not at all high; that school uniform gives a student a pride in his school and ensures good behaviour out of school; and that without school uniforms class distinction will be created between pupils?

All of the suggested economies that I have made in education are small. If we are to be governed by the smallness or otherwise of the economy, and not by the educational efficiency, there is no end to what could not be done in this direction.

asked the Minister of Education what is the total complement of His Majesty's inspectors engaged upon the inspection of primary and modern schools in England and Wales; how many of these have actual teaching experience in these types of school; and how many have had more than five years' teaching experience in these types of school.

Any one of His Majesty's inspectors may be called upon to inspect in primary or modern schools and few inspect exclusively in them. Approximately 330 cover most of the inspections in these schools; 187 have had teaching experience in elementary, primary or modern schools, 130 of them for more than five years.

asked the Minister of Education, when appointing His Majesty's inspectors of schools, what consultation takes place between his Department and the local education authority.

None, Sir, except by way of reference to an employer or to a referee nominated by a candidate.

What steps are taken, before appointing His Majesty's inspectors of schools, to see that they do not belong to the Communist Party?

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the Government's policy towards Form 18, which lays down the conditions upon which aided status may be given to voluntary schools.

No, Sir. My discussions on this matter are not yet completed.

Is the Minister aware of the great anxiety among denominations and many voluntary managers on this matter? They have to give undertakings at this stage about an uncertain future when it is not clear when some of the schools are to be built. While realising that it is clearly important to work within the framework of the 1944 Act, will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that, at the earliest possible date, he will alleviate some of the anxieties felt by the denominations and managers, and announce a plan which enables them to accept these obligations in an honourable and effective manner?

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for putting his question in that form. We are now pursuing the matter about which he has spoken. If we can get agreement on certain proposals which have been made with that object in view I shall be happy to announce it to the House.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the fact that the age limit for taking the School Certificate is to be waived for certain pupils in 1950, he will also waive it in 1951, for such pupils whose education would receive advantage from this freedom.

No, Sir. This year's concession is confined to a limited and non-recurring class of candidate.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain a little more? Will this not still be so in 1951, when there will be a certain class of candidates who want to complete their qualification, though not so many as in 1950?

No, Sir. The circumstances are such that that could not arise. The people who have been given permission are those who obtained a Certificate last year but need to add one additional subject to it in 1950. The age limit does apply this year. Therefore, any who come in this category next year would automatically qualify.

asked the Minister of Education the actual or estimated percentage of young people between the ages of 15 and 20 years who are attached to organisations recognised by the Youth Service in England and Wales, respectively; and if the figures represent an increase or decrease during the past few years.

I regret that the figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not available, nor could they be obtained with any accuracy without an undue expenditure of labour. According to the returns of the national voluntary youth organisations the numbers of young people belonging to these organisations have increased substantially since 1945.

asked the Minister of Education in what respects grants for teachers in training differ from those for students in universities.

I am sending my hon. Friend documents explaining the grants available for State scholars at universities, and for students at training colleges. There is no rigid uniformity in the arrangements made by local authorities for university awards, but they have been recommended to follow the principles adopted for State scholarships.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many student teachers in training feel that they are subjected to a most unfortunate means test in the matter of grants?

As my hon. Friend knows, the whole question of awards for higher education is under review. I am well aware of the differences between university awards and those available for teachers in training, and I agree that some changes will have to be made.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the big reduction in the number of meals partaken of by the school children in Merthyr Tydfil because of the increased charge recently imposed by his Department; and if he will therefore reconsider this increase.

The decision to raise the charge for school dinners to 6d. was taken by the Government in order to effect necessary economies in national expenditure. The answer to the second part of the Question is, therefore, "No, Sir."

Has my right hon. Friend now had sufficient evidence to appreciate the disastrous consequences of this decrease in the numbers of school meals? Is he not aware that in my own constituency the reduction in the number of meals taken by the children amounts, some weeks, to 25 per cent.?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the effect in my hon. Friend's constituency, and I am very sorry that a number of Merthyr Tydfil parents have withdrawn their children from school dinner service since the price went up to 6d. But I would remind my hon. Friend that this charge is within the daily average expenditure on food, and that the gross cost of the meal is nearer 1s. 2d. than 6d.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the free meals service for schools was an integral part of the family allowances scheme, and that the decision of the Ministry to increase this charge is a reversal of a decision of Parliament? Will he instruct the Lord President of the Council to inform the public that it is the intention of the Labour Government to reduce the social services?

In view of the unsatisfactory reply given by my right hon. Friend, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent the big reduction in the number of meals now taken by the children in the schools of Merthyr Tydfil has affected the unit cost per meal.

The unit costs for Merthyr Tydfil's school dinners, which were based on estimates made by the local education authority in October, were fixed in December last. If the authority find that the amount of dinner grant due to them, on the basis of those costs, falls short of their expenditure, it is open to them to submit for consideration under the grant regulations that this situation arises from the drop in the number of meals caused by the increased charge compared with the number on which they based their October estimate.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that 75 qualified male teachers at Sefton Park Training College, Liverpool, out of 180, are unable to get posts; and, in view of the need for teachers, what action he proposes to take to make the best use of these men.

I am aware that 61 of these men have still not obtained posts. I have urged local education authorities in the Merseyside area to do all they can to absorb as many as possible of the Sefton Park Emergency Training College men. Steps have also been taken to ensure that the men are fully informed about the availability of posts in the country as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now allow newpapers to display printed placards.

Newspapers may display printed posters indicating permanent, regular or recurring features appearing in a series of issues, but printed posters indicating current or topical matter appearing in one particular issue would require more paper than can at present be afforded.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate the bad psychological effect of the present untidy and sometimes illegible and misleading daubs that we have today, and the down-and-sometimes illegible and misleading daubs that we have today, and the down-and-out impression which is given to foreign visitors? Will he not take a chance and give the evening and morning newapapers a moderate ration?

As it happens, the evening and morning papers do not want it, because the appropriate trading body is against the use of newsprint for this purpose. It would mean, by their estimate, reducing the average size of newspapers by one page in every period of three months..

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider just an occasional special issue after 10 o'clock at night?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the use made of headlines in most newspapers does not encourage many of us to offer them facilities for placards?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make on the showing of the film "Chance of a Life-time" after its viewing by a Board of Trade Tribunal.

An application in respect of this film was made to the Film Selection Committee appointed under Section 5 (2) of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1948. After viewing the film, the Committee recommended that it was suitable by reason of its entertainment value for exhibition as a first feature film by one of the three major circuits. We have accepted the Committee's recommendation and the necessary direction under the Act will very shortly be issued to the owners of the Odeon circuit, which has been chosen by lot to exhibit the film.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Rank organisation is doing everything it can to evade the spirit of the Act by proclaiming to the public that it believes that this film will make a loss, and that it proposes to publish this loss and demand that the Board of Trade should do something to compensate for it?

I am aware of a statement attributed to Mr. Rank in a Sunday newspaper on this subject. I have told the Rank organisation that criticism of this kind about this film is hardly likely to induce the public to go to see it. I hope that the same efforts will be made in advertising and popularising this film as would apply to any films produced by the Rank organisation itself, in order that the purpose of the Act may not be frustrated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the price of binder twine has increased from £143 per ton to £162 since last November; whether this is being taken into consideration in the review of agricultural prices now being undertaken; and what steps he is taking to reduce the price of this commodity which is now five times the pre-war price.

After discussions between the Central Price Regulation Committee and the manufacturers, the price of binder twine for the current season has been fixed at £162 a ton, £19 higher than last season's price. I understand that this increase was not taken into account in the recent review of agricultural prices because the data for that review had been assembled before the decision on binder twine had been reached. The increase is due to the rise of over £30 a ton in the world price of sisal since last September. I am afraid that no reduction in the price of binder twine will be possible until there is a fall in the price of sisal, which is now seven times the 1938 price.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a typical instance of rising prices which affect agriculture and fisheries, and which, in turn, will adversely affect the cost of living, which is steadily rising? Will he take steps to control this increased cost?

I am delighted to hear an hon. Member of an Opposition ask me to control prices of goods which are available in a free market—[An HON. MEMBER: "No."] Really, hon. Members of the Opposition should not try to believe their own propaganda on this. The plain fact is that since sisal was returned to the free market there has been a very big increase in price, but if hon. Members opposite now press me to reimpose control I will consider it.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman forgotten that the rise in price of sisal brings in an enormous dollar crop as compensation, and is he not drawing a most unfair picture of the situation?

I am aware of that fact; dollar earnings from sisal are very important, and I suggest that the hon. Member should bring that fact to the notice of his hon. and gallant Friend below the Gangway.

Will my right hon. Friend ascertain what proportion of the tremendous increase in the price of sisal is going to the producer in Africa?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the percentage increase by volume of exports to dollar areas since devaluation; and how the nett receipts in dollars for such exports compare with the equivalent period in 1948–49.

I regret that the information is not available in the form requested. The recorded sterling value of United Kingdom exports to the dollar area in the five months following devaluation was 41 per cent. above the average for the third quarter of last year and 19 per cent. above the average for the corresponding five months of 1948–49. While figures are not available to show the volume of exports to the dollar area, it is clear that there has been a considerable increase in volume since devaluation.

In answer to the second part of the Question, in terms of United States dollars, recorded exports to the dollar area averaged 48.2 million dollars in the five months October, 1949, to February, 1950, compared with 58.2 million dollars in the corresponding period of 1948–49.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the result, which appears to me to indicate we are exporting a far greater volume for a far less return?

I am not yet satisfied. It is clear that, following devaluation, the great slump that was occurring in British exports to the United States has been held, but we want to see a very much larger increase than we are getting at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why an invitation dated 17th March, of which he has been sent the original, was forwarded by his Department to the Coalisland Weaving Company of Coalisland, County Tyrone, marked Eire and in an envelope bearing the address Coalisland, County Tyrone, Irish Republic; and what steps he proposes to take in future to prevent this confusion between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic by his Department.

The invitation to visit the British Industries Fair was sent to the company as part of a distribution of 250,000 invitations to buyers in the United Kingdom and overseas. The names and addresses of those invited are supplied in the main by exhibitors at the Fair. In the present instance the incorrect address was given in an exhibitors' list and the error was overlooked in my Department. This is an isolated case but most regrettable. I can assure the hon. Member that effective steps are being taken to prevent a repetition. A suitable letter of apology is being addressed to the firm concerned.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that one cannot wound more deeply the feelings of these loyal people than by confounding them with the Republicans—Republicans who, during the war, maintained German and Italian legations on their soil as centres of espionage?

We cannot fight those battles now.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects that the increased supply of cloth for overall coats, caps and udder cloths is likely to reflect itself in greater supplies in dealers' hands.

The improving supplies of overall cloths should reach dealers in the very near future. As regards udder cloths, the supplies of towelling from which they are made are not sufficient to meet every home and export demand, but here, also, all practicable steps are being taken to improve output.

In view of the importance of these articles in the production of clean milk can the right hon. Gentleman give a reasonable assurance that there is not likely to be any shortage in future?

As far as the first categories are concerned supplies should be increased, but I am much more worried about the supplies of udder cloths.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will announce the names of those who have been invited to serve on the British Travel and Holidays Association; giving, in addition, the interest each person represents.

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister satisfied that all those interested in tourism are represented adequately?

No, I think it will be very difficult for all those who are interested in tourism to be represented on a Board of only 20 members, the more so as seven of the members elected by the Travel Association can hardly be regarded as fully representative of the interests principally concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange to include in future reports on Overseas Trade a table showing the distribution of trade as between the United Kingdom on the one hand, and Empire and foreign countries, respectively, on the other hand.

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now take steps to establish a consumer advice centre.

My Department is now working on the details of a proposal to set up a consumer advice centre. I shall not be in a position to make a further statement on this subject until that work has been carried further.

May I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that answer, and say what satisfaction it will give both to housewives and to manufacturers of good goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Japanese-produced grey cloth of American yarns, between 30's and 36's, is being sold in this country at prices lower than this country pays America for the yarns of which it is made; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the Lancashire cotton industry from unfair Japanese competition and unfair American discrimination.

Our imports of cotton yarn from the United States are negligible, and accordingly a comparison of the kind suggested cannot be made. The low price of Japanese grey cloth is due to lower production costs in Japan and not to American discrimination in the price of raw cotton. As regards the last part of the Question, His Majesty's Government are giving full attention to the possibility that the Lancashire cotton industry may need help against abnormal competition.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to recent statements in the "Manchester Guardian" along the lines on which this Question is posed, and does he deny that the price at which Japanese-produced grey cloth is sold in this country is, in fact, below the price we have to pay for the raw material, however little we buy?

I have read the statement referred to by my hon. Friend, but he will realise that no Japanese cloth is being imported in this country today except in an unfinished state for finishing and re-export and that, in view of the shortage of the type of cloth involved, we are only too glad to get it at the moment.

Is the Minister aware that we are very glad indeed to have the support of the hon. Gentleman the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) in this matter?

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us the comparative costs of the imported American fibre and of the imported Japanese grey cloth?

Not without notice.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that finished piece goods and cotton cloth are being exported to this country from Japan via Hong Kong?

There have been a lot of allegations about goods coming to this country and marked as of Hong Kong origin, which are alleged to be Japanese. We are making the most stringent inquiries, but I have not had, so far, any evidence that anything that comes from Hong Kong is manufactured in Japan. If it did we should take strict action.

Has the Minister formulated any plan to meet any dangers that may easily arise from serious Japanese competition?

I think that is in the answer I have already given.

In view of the widespread anxiety on this question, Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I intend to raise the matter at an early opportunity on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure continuity of employment at the factory shortly to be vacated by Messrs. Courtaulds at Clayton-le-Moors.

I understand that this firm will be continuing in production until early next year, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we are losing no opportunity of bringing to the notice of suitable industrialists the fact that this factory space will be available.

Is the Minister aware of the great anxiety felt by the 1,700 workers involved and by shopkeepers and others in the district? Will he try to relieve their anxiety by an early decision?

I am well aware of the anxiety, though I am sure my hon. Friend will have realised this is not a question of a decision by me. It is a question of finding an alternative tenant capable of making use of so large a factory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman making plans to cope with the situation or not?

Yes, Sir, we are bringing the existence of this factory to the attention of any suitable industrialist who might be able to make use of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the percentage increase in the price of hardwood since decontrol.

The wide variations in quality and wastage in the different types of timber included under the general heading of hardwood make impossible any precise comparison between present prices and the statutory prices in force before 16th January. In general, prices, particularly of better grades, appear to show an upward tendency; but they have not yet had time to settle at a realistic level.

Can the Minister discriminate between home-grown and imported hardwood? Is he aware that in the case of the former there has been an extortionate increase in prices recently?

I am aware of the speech my hon. Friend made on this subject recently. The plain fact is that the controlled prices could not make a proper allowance for differences in quality in really exceptional types of home-grown timber. It is certainly possible, and I am not surprised, that a small amount of such timber is now fetching a higher price than the maximum controlled price.

In view of the satisfactory results which have attended the recent decontrol of both imported and native hardwoods will the Minister consider extending these arrangements to include imported and native softwoods at an early date?

The fact that I have said that it will take time to see whether prices will settle down is hardly to be taken as evidence of an unqualified success. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that it is no guide to softwood, which involves a very high dollar expenditure. In the case of softwood the merchants concerned would not agree to my offer to revert to private purchase provided ceiling price control was retained.

Is it not a fact that in certain categories the price is considerably lower than it was when control was in force?

No doubt that is so.

Can the Minister justify the increase in the price of hardwood as sold by timber control—I refer to the national stock being sold.

The prices of national stock were brought into line with what we regarded as the estimated market values.

Will the Minister bear in mind that any temporary, undue, fluctuation is largely due to his Department's too long retention of unreal control of prices at a level below the cost of production and only 25 per cent. above the 1939 level?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far he has progressed with his plans for housing the police.

The responsibility for providing accommodation to meet the needs of the Force, which differ in different areas, rests on individual police authorities. The degree of progress made varies from one police district to another. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is about to issue a circular to housing authorities asking them to give sympathetic consideration to the special needs of the police, to which attention was drawn in the Report of the Oaksey Committee.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that he will not get any of the good men he wants for the Police Force until he is able to provide far more tied houses for them?

We are at the moment dealing, I think, reasonably satisfactorily with this matter, having regard to the natural limitations. Local authorities throughout the country are letting out tenders for police houses at about the rate of 1,500 a year.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the difficulties that will face local authorities when they get a circular asking them to give special priority to the police, in view of the many other claims from other priority persons?

If certain districts want extra policemen, which they continually ask me to provide, they must face up to the responsibility of providing houses for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the crime wave which this country is experiencing, he will consider creating a first police reserve, similar to the arrangements made during the war, under which retired members of the Police Force can return for one or five years to assist the understaffed Force, with a view to relieving strain on them.

Although the great majority of the first police reserves who served during the war have now retired, there are still a few serving in some county and borough forces, and the question of rebuilding this reserve is at present under consideration. The most urgent need at present is, however, to bring the regular police up to full establishment.

Is not the Home Secretary aware that the prime cause of the failure to check the present crime wave is due to the shortage of police; and, further, does he not realise that it is vital and urgent that something should be done to secure better policing throughout the country? We realise, of course, that the present Police Force is excellent, but it is too small.

There are many things which need to be done, and recruitment to the Police Force is among the most important.

Then speed it up without further delay.