asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is satisfied that when the programme for new generating stations is completed sufficient coal will be available for the increased number of stations.

Yes, Sir.

Has an estimate been made of the extra coal which will be required by these undertakings, and, if so, how much will it be?

A great deal depends on how quickly the British Electricity Authority can replace old plant with modern plant, but it is calculated that they will need about 1,500,000 tons more in each of the next few years.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether enough coal is available to keep the existing stations going, thereby reducing the necessity for power cuts?

It is not because the present stations have not enough coal that we have power cuts; it is because the demand for current is in excess of the generating capacity of the stations.

Will my right hon. Friend, in view of the acute shortage of man power, appeal to the friends and relatives of hon. Gentlemen opposite to help provide more manpower?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that the necessary co-ordination exists between the electricity and gas authorities in rural areas to ensure that the extensions of either gas o electricity mains are made in the best interests of the district.

The construction of electricity or gas mains for the supply of rural areas is the responsibility of the gas and electricity area boards. If the hon. Member will let me know of any case where unco-ordinated extension has occurred, I will bring the matter to the notice of the area boards concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large expenditure is being incurred in improving existing gas mains in a district of Westmorland, where there is also electricity, while there are many parts of the county which have neither one service nor the other? Is he also aware that when people in the district put forward a plea to the electricity authority to extend their mains they are always told that the capital expenditure would not be allowed?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will let me have the details.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the general policy of advertising by the British Electricity Authority.

While advertisement is in the normal course a matter of commercial management, for which I have no direct responsibility, the hon. Member's Question appears to raise a matter affecting the national interest and the policy of His Majesty's Government and I have, therefore, without creating a precedent inconsistent with the present practice, asked the British Electricity Authority to inform me about their general advertising policy at the present time.

They tell me, first, that, being aware of the loss and inconvenience caused to industry and other users of electricity by the present shortage of generating plant, they wish to assure consumers that they are bringing new plant into commission as quickly as they can. Second, they have accepted responsibility for the widespread national advertising which is required to ensure that householders, office workers and others shall help industry by only using electricity when they must during the hours of peak demand.

Advertising during the winter is concentrated on this problem of peak demand, in order that the frequency and the severity of power cuts may be reduced.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Authority informed him, as they have already refused to inform my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewes (Major Beamish), of the cost of the present poster campaign, and, if so, will he give that information to the House? Will the right hon. Gentleman say, also, whether the portrayal of the erection of large numbers of new power stations is calculated to increase or decrease public demand for electricity?

On the second part of that question, I think it will have neither one effect nor the other. On the first part, that is another question.

Is the Minister aware that vast sums appear to be spent on other kinds of advertisements urging people to use electricity—

By private enterprise?

No; by the nationalised industry—that people object to having their money spent on urging them to use electricity which at times they cannot get and which, when they can get it, is from only one source?

No, Sir. The advertisements are designed to encourage people not to use electricity at the peak hours. At non-peak hours, of course, it is desirable that people should use more electricity in order to keep the price down.

Flow can the Minister give a full and satisfactory answer on the general policy of this advertising campaign without even ascertaining its cost?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the recent official pronouncement that this year's coal target will not be reached, what steps he is taking to ensure that the domestic consumer will not suffer shortages during the winter.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave last Monday to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown), the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Colegate), the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) and the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Cooper-Key).

Does the right hon. Gentleman feel confident that he will be able to avoid this year, in Birmingham, the distressing scenes of the coke queues and also the very bad quality of the coal supplied?

As I said last week, I hope that the quality will be better. As for the total supply, our present domestic stocks are as high as they were last year, and they are better distributed. What happens in the latter part of the winter will depend largely on the rate of current supplies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to ensure that the householders of Sheffield do not get an undue proportion of opencast coal in their allocation this winter.

The House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme and the National Coal Board, in close consultation, decide how the different qualities of coal shall be divided between the regions and then shared out among the different districts in each region. Each merchant is given as wide a choice as may be, having regard to physical conditions, including proximity to the sources of supply. In this way the coal made available to the house coal market is distributed as fairly as practicable throughout the country, and I am confident that these arrangements will ensure that Sheffield does not receive an undue allocation of opencast coal.

If a householder receives unsuitable coal, will he be at liberty to complain to his merchant and have it replaced?

I should like notice of that Question. Complaint could be made to the merchant, but the merchants are now, I think, fairly well satisfied with the arrangements which have been made.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the total sum of capital investment in the mines in 1949; and how much is proposed for the years 1950, 1951 and 1952.

The National Coal Board's investment in their mines in 1949 is shown in Schedule 1 (b) of their published Accounts for that year. Investment in 1950 will be about the same as last year. The sums to be allocated for colliery investment in 1951 and 1952 will, in the normal course of events, be published in the Economic Surveys which the Government issues every year.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the published figures for 1949 and those proposed for 1950 are only about 21 per cent. of the total investment in industry for the country as a whole? Is that—

That is another question. It has nothing to do with this Question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us how much is proposed for this year, instead of referring to a document which is not immediately available.

I was asked how much was spent in 1949.

How much is the proposed expenditure for 1950?

Thirty-three million pounds.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total number of deaths in 1949 among miners from pneumoconiosis and the total number due to accident.

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Insurance that the number of deaths among miners in 1949 from pneumoconiosis is not known. Four hundred and sixty men were killed in 1949 by accidents in coal mines 10 were killed in metalliferous mines.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a death from pneumoconiosis really means that a man has been killed in the pit? Does he not think that there may be excessive shot-firing to produce coal more easily, and might not this cause excessive pneumoconiosis and also be responsible for some of the dirty coal which we get? What can my right hon. Friend do about it?

Every effort is being made to reduce shot-firing, and it is in fact, decreasing. Many other measures are taken to reduce dust in the mines, and great progress has been made.

Is it not rather surprising that towards the end of 1950 the right hon. Gentleman has not got the 1949 figures?

The Registrar-General does not keep a separate record of deaths from pneumoconiosis. I have a figure for those who had successfully made claims for pneumoconiosis and who were still alive in 1949.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many fires in coalmines have been traced to the use of conveyor belts in the separate years 1940 to 1948.

During the years 1940 to 1948, 70 underground fires occurred in coal mines as a result of the use of conveyor belts; 56 of them were detected and extinguished before they became serious; 11 occurred during a weekend or holiday period when no one was at work nearby; in only three of them was the safety of men endangered. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the separate figures for each year in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say what progress is being made both on research and in the provision of conveyor belts which are not subject to friction of this kind and are not, therefore, likely to cause fires? Will alternative escape routes be provided in the new pits?

The Question asked about the number of fires.

Following are the figures:

1940, 4; 1941, 1; 1942, 4; 1943, 6; 1944, 14; 1945, 10; 1946, 8; 1947, 8; 1948, 15; total, 70.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he proposes to restrict his trial borings for opencast coalmining in western Worcestershire to the eight sites at Fartown, Stildon, Empire, Winrick, Trial, Gybhouse, Greenway and Gorsthill, named in a reply to a Parliamentary Question on 29th June, 1950.

No, Sir. If the prospecting on these sites should show that there may be workable coal under nearby land then further borings on that land might be required.

Can the Minister substantiate the statement made on 14th November by a Government spokesman in another place to the general effect that this coal would be worked only in conditions of grave emergency, and then would be restricted to only 100 acres?

My noble Friend meant, of course, that coal in Worcestershire would only be worked if the nation had grave and urgent need of it. He did not mean that land in Worcestershire would be treated differently from similar land elsewhere, and I am sure that the hon. Member would not ask for that.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he intends to hold the public inquiry in relation to the proposals of his Department for opencast coalmining in western Worcestershire.

Before any opencast workings are begun, all the authorities and interests concerned will, as always, have the fullest opportunity to express their views. But no plans for working can be made until the task of prospecting is complete.

Is the Minister aware that more than 50 public and private bodies have now registered the strongest disapproval of these proposals, and would he, therefore, expedite this public inquiry?

There is no point in having any consultations until we know what coal there is and whether we want to work it.

The Minister talks about full inquiries being made and consultations, but that is not the same thing as a public inquiry. Will he, therefore, have a public inquiry?

Under the procedure which has always been followed, and which, I think, has proved very satisfactory, local authorities, the Regional Controller of Town and Country Planning, the Land Commissioner of the Ministry of Agriculture, other Ministries, the Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments, and private societies for the preservation of rural England, have always had an opportunity for discussion and consultation of every kind.

Does not the Minister realise that that is not a public inquiry and is not as effective as far as the public are concerned?

I am not at all afraid of public inquiries. We have never needed one hitherto, and I hope we shall not need one in this case.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many trial bore holes have been put down since 1st August, 1950, in connection with opencast coal-mining prospecting in western Worcestershire; and when the results of these trial borings will be made known.

Nearly 200 holes have been put down. The results cannot be assessed until the full programme of boring has been completed; this will probably be about the end of 1951.

Does the Minister realise that where boring has taken place on good farmland, farmers are gravely perturbed about their prospects for 1951 and 1952 in planning food production? If he does not intend to work their land for opencast coal during the coming years will he tell the farmers, so that they can get ahead in planning future food supplies?

I will certainly consider the hon. Member's proposal, but I hope that farmers will follow the advice of their representative organisations to carry on with their plans in any event until a definite decision has been made.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the holes for bores in Westminster are a greater nuisance than they are in Worcestershire?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total amount of distributed stocks of coal, colliery stocks, and opencast coal stocks on sites or in central stocking grounds; and the comparable total for the same date in 1949.

The total distributed stocks of coal at the end of the first week of winter were 15·4 million tons in 1949 they were 16·7 million tons. The undistributed stocks were 1·58 million tons; in 1949 they were 2·78 million tons.

Does the Minister appreciate that the total supply of coal is now just over two million tons less than at this time last year—that is to say, practically 10 per cent. less—and that in addition, consumption has gone up by 3 per cent., so that we are starting the winter 13 per cent. worse off?

The hon. and gallant Member is giving information and not asking a question.

In view of the increasing consumption which is expected, is the Minister satisfied that we shall not run into a fuel crisis in the spring of next year unless further action is taken?

I think that further action is required, as I said last week.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the restoration of the land at the opencast site at Higham, near Burnley, will start.

Restoration was started last spring, on part of the West Close site at Higham. When the topsoil can be replaced will depend upon the weather; but I hope that 20 acres will be handed over by next summer to the county agricultural executive committee for the "agricultural treatment" and "farm management" which are required.

Why has it not been possible to restore land progressively at Higham, as has been done at other opencast sites, so that farm work can start within 12 months of the first stripping operations?

Restoration would have proceeded much more quickly this year but for the weather. The contractor was afraid that if he put back the topsoil during the persistent and very heavy rain it might have been bad for the land in the long run.

Is it not encouraging to hear the Minister's acknowledgment that there are some things, such as the weather, which even the Government cannot control?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when farmers and tenants on land adjoining the opencast site at Higham, near Burnley, will be compensated for damage caused by flooding and pollution of the water courses with oil and silt.

If any damage is caused by flooding or oil pollution, compensation is a question to be settled by the contractors and those who make the claim. I understand that some discussions have taken place about alleged damage of this kind at the Higham site, but, so far as I am aware, they have not been followed by any specific claim.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what basis the contractors working the opencast site at Higham, near Burnley, are paid for their operations.

The contract provides for a flat rate payment for each ton of coal delivered to my Ministry. The rate includes a payment for the screening of the coal; for crushing it, when that is required; and for the erection of the screening and crushing plants.

As there is no inclusion in the contract for payment for coal which has not been won, am I right in assuming that payment is only for coal which has been handed over to the Ministry?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how far it is anticipated that the contribution of the National Coal Board to the export drive will fall short this year of the contribution which it made last year.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave last Monday to Questions by the hon. Member for Burton (Mr. Colegate), the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) and the hon. Member for Hastings (Mr. Cooper-Key).

How does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make good this short-fall? Is it to be left to private enterprise?

The hon. Member's Question asked about the contribution of coal to the export drive. In a very real sense, the whole of our export drive is founded on coal. This year we are exporting more coal in the form of finished manufactured goods.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why only seven days has been given to the Stone Rural District Council for lodging objections against an opencast project at Handchurch, Staffordshire; and whether he will take steps to ensure that adequate time is given to local authorities to prepare their objections to any such project.

Only proposals for prospecting for coal are now in contemplation at the Osier Bed site at Hand-church. The Stone Rural District Council will, of course, have ample time and opportunity to lodge their complaints, if and when a proposal to work the coal is made.

Would it not be simpler to give them, initially, more time in which to make preparations rather than to give them only seven days in which to lodge an objection?

It gives them ample time, because it will take a very long time before the prospecting is finished.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish the report of the scientific inquiry, conducted by the National Coal Board and forwarded to him, into the reasons why men are leaving the pits; and what steps he proposes to take arising therefrom to maintain manpower in the industry.

The National Coal Board are conducting special inquiries by interviews and other means to ascertain the various reasons which are causing men to leave the mines. These inquiries are still going on, and it would, therefore, be premature for me to say anything about the conclusions to which they may lead.

Is the Minister aware that some Socialist miners have admitted to me that the reason why they left the pits was because they could not stand nationalisation at any price, and will he—[Interruption.]

This is quite out of order.

If I may reply to the hon. Member, the General Election figures seemed to show that they were very few in number.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the annual consumption of paper in his Department.

Six hundred and fifty tons of paper were used by my Ministry in 1949. Since then, the consumption has been reduced by the de-rationing of petrol, but I regret that I have no figure for the total amount that will be used this year.

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to eliminate waste by duplication, examples of which I have brought to his notice?

I am much obliged to the hon. and gallant Gentleman for having called my attention to the duplicated circulation of a paper about economy in laundries. I have taken steps to see that it shall not be repeated.

asked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied that the existing law against treason is adequate in situations in which the British Government is waging war not as a separate unit but as part of the forces of the United Nations Organisation, as in the case of the Korean war; if he is aware that collective war of this kind is now the only sort of war in which this country is likely to be engaged; and if he will amend the law against treason accordingly.

Yes, Sir. In the existing state of international law as laid down by the Pact of Paris, 1928, and the Charter of the United Nations, if armed conflicts occur in the future they are likely, as in the present Korean conflict, to take the form of an attack by one or more States in breach of the Charter of the United Nations and of collective action by other States on behalf of the United Nations with the object of restoring peace and enforcing the rule of international law. In my opinion, the law of treason is as applicable to such a conflict as it was to an ordinary war between State and State.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether the fact that he did not take any action against the "Daily Worker" for appointing a correspondent to the headquarters of our enemies in Korea was not because he lacked power, but because he had no desire to do so?

No, Sir. I have expressed the view on previous occasions that the law of treason applies during the present conflict, but, of course, one has to exercise discretion as to whether or not, in a particular case, to use what is a rather formidable weapon.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the whole law of treason is out of date and that at present offences are being committed which, although technically treason, do not merit the death sentence? Is it not desirable that the law of treason should be changed so that prosecutions could take place with a view to exacting some other penalty which is less than death?

That is a different question, but it is certainly a matter for consideration.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the correspondent to whom reference has been made accused British troops of savagery and American troops of cowardice? Surely there is no question of discretion there.

The correspondent is at present not within my jurisdiction.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware of any definition of treason which would make it unlawful to publish in this country accounts of such atrocities as were, in fact, committed by Syngman Rhee and some of his assassins?

That is another question.

asked the Attorney-General why the 1940 regulations for the depository of wills by living persons have been superseded by the reenactment of the 1914 regulations; and whether he will cause the regulations now in force to be examined and simplified on the basis of the 1940 regulations.

The 1940 regulations for the deposit of wills by living persons were made as a temporary expedient because of the transfer of the Principal Probate Registry to Llandudno during the war. On the return of the Registry to London the peace-time procedure was restored. There is no reason why people wishing to deposit wills should not be allowed to do so by post as well as by the methods which are now permitted; the regulations are being amended accordingly, and I am obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for the suggestion.

asked the Attorney-General when Mr. D. J. Corcoran will be released from Winchester Gaol.

It is for the court to decide when this prisoner can be released, but I understand that he is making an application which will be heard next Thursday, 23rd November.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say why this Question was transferred to him from the Home Secretary and will he answer future Questions on this case, if they become necessary?

I think that is a matter for the Table, but it concerns the administration of His 'Majesty's courts of justice and I answer on behalf of my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor in regard to such matters.

asked the Attorney-General what legislation will be necessary, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government has signed the Charter of Human Rights.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the Convention of Human Rights, recently signed at Rome. It is not contemplated that any legislation will be necessary in order to give effect to the terms of this Convention.

Are we to understand that the Charter has made really no difference as far as this country is concerned?

I think we are entitled to say that the law of this country has always been in advance of the laws of most other countries in regard to human rights.

Do the Government now intend to withdraw Defence Regulation 58A?

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the conditions in which cattle await slaughter in the Birkenhead district, where in one case 500 cattle were penned in a war-time Army ordnance depot without food and water, in a quagmire of mud six inches deep; and if he will take steps to avoid such unnecessary cruelty in future.

I think the hon. Member refers to land at Leigh, which was used as an ordnance depot during the war but has since been recultivated and returned to agricultural use. Cattle purchased by my Department and awaiting slaughter were kept on this land for some days, but my inquiries show that they were well cared for and properly fed and watered. There was no cruelty. But, if the hon. and gallant Member has evidence to the contrary, perhaps he will get in touch with me.

As there is another side of this story, if I send the right hon. Gentleman details, will he examine them?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food what is the total quantity of apples imported into this country since 16th August last.

None, Sir, but, as I told the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 25th October we are expecting shipments of Canadian dessert apples for the Christmas trade shortly.

Will the Minister give us some idea of the quantity of these apples, because at present the prospect of a large importation of apples in the New Year is having a depressing effect on the sale of apples by the British farmer?

These apples were grown in the Empire, and should be good.

asked the Minister of Food what extras in rationed goods will be given for Christmas week.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the announcement I made on 13th November.

Having read the welcome announcement of my right hon. Friend, which came long after this Question was put down, may I ask whether he can hold out hopes for extra meat and other goods, in view of the fact that the price of poultry will be very high?

I dealt with that question at the time.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will permit old age pensioners, at their option, to exchange their personal points for an equivalent ration of domestic sugar.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, North (Mr. Llewellyn), on 13th November.

In view of this much needed concession, will the right hon. Gentleman consider decreasing the quantity of sugar which his Ministry exports?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the supplies of potatoes available during the winter and in the coming spring.

Production is greater this year than last; there should be plenty throughout the winter and, unless there are exceptional losses from disease, we should have enough until the end of the season.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to safeguard the position in case there is disease?

Not until I have evidence that there is disease.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now appoint to all grading panels representatives of the retail butchers' buying committees.

District meat agents, who are practical butchers, already have the right to take part with the slaughterhouse manager and the wholesale depot manager in the grading of home-killed meat. All these men are impartial, and I do not think that anything would be gained by adding a representative of the buying committees.

Does the Minister realise that the district meat agent is, by the Ministry's rules, not allowed to take part in a retail butcher's business? Does he not think it right that the retail butcher, who has the somewhat invidious job of selling the meat to the public, should have a say in the matter of sale to the public?

I do not like to add to bureaucracy. I think the machinery is quite adequate and that the addition to the committee would be most unfortunate.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make supplies of dried eggs available for domestic use.

I should like to be able to do this, but there are serious difficulties. Available supplies are bulk-packed in a form suitable only for allocation to trade users, and in any case the amount is only sufficient for them to receive a proportion of the quantities they used before the war.

Will my right hon. Friend see that further quantities are imported, broken down into small packages, and given priority to the domestic consumer, rather than to caterers and traders?

Only if we get extra dollars for this purpose. The Chancellor has been able to allow some dollars for the amount of dried egg we are getting which goes to caterers directly, but indirectly, in the end, to consumers.

Will the right hon. Gentleman concentrate attention on increasing the supply and improving the freshness of shell eggs, instead of increasing the supply of dried eggs?

Will my right hon. Friend look into the question of getting the same quantity of dried eggs, but in smaller quantities, rather than in bulk, which should not cost more dollars?

asked the Minister of Food which items of food have increased in price after removal of price controls. during this year.

As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 17th November, it will take some time to collect and assemble this information, but as soon as it has been prepared I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the importance of selling clean food to the public, he will take steps to prevent the entrance of dogs into shops which sell food.

I agree that dogs should not be allowed in food shops. It is a most unhygienic practice. But I cannot feel that I would have any great success if I tried to stop it by a prohibitive regulation. Here is a problem more likely to be solved by voluntary action and I appeal to the public and the food trade to co-operate in keeping dogs out of their shops.

If the Minister can find some means, in view of the fact that the Government have 20,000 snoopers, will he also prohibit two-legged dogs as well as four-legged dogs?

Does my right hon. Friend's prohibition apply to "hot dogs"?

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to keep all vermin out of shops?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the valuable work done by the Institute of Traffic Officers in the United States; and whether he will consider the establishment of such an institute in this country.

I am aware of the work of the Institute of Traffic Engineers in the United States. In this country existing professional institutions include in their activities work of the same kind. It would be for the interested members of the engineering profession to decide whether they wished to establish an institution to deal especially with traffic engineering matters.

If this were decided, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his Ministry would view it with sympathy?

We always encourage any professional organisation or institute that studies traffic matters. As I have indicated, this is primarily for the profession themselves to decide.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider introducing legislation to make it a penal offence for a motorist to use a horn.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the use of the motor horn in built-up areas in Sweden has been banned since 1936 with most beneficial results since, obviously, both motorists and pedestrian become extremely cautious?

I am not aware of that, but I see no reason to depart from our own practice of barring it during certain hours of the night. I am not satisfied that it would add to safety generally if we were to bar the use of the horn altogether.

Would my right hon. Friend consider legislation of a more limited nature to cover a very common practice—the use of the horn as a signal by a motorist when the car is at rest?

While I agree with the right hon. Gentleman's original answer because I think the proposal in the Question goes too far, may I ask if he will keep himself informed of the practice in foreign countries, where a prohibition or limitation of the use of the horn has, in fact, been followed by a diminution in the number of accidents?

Yes, I think we should always be prepared to study objectively any arrangements that may be made in other countries, always bearing in mind, of course, that sometimes the conditions here are different.

asked the Minister of Transport what representations have been made to him by the Essex county constabulary for reducing the high rate of accidents on the London Road between Pitsea and Vange; and what action does he propose taking.

None, Sir, but, as a result of discussions between technical officers of my Department and the Essex County Council, a scheme is being prepared for the provision of pedestrian crossings with central refuges in the shopping area at Pitsea Broadway. In addition, a footpath will be constructed near the railway bridge at Pitsea.

I am somewhat surprised at the answer, since I understood that representations had been made by the chief constable on this subject, but as obviously they have not, and there were 82 accidents last year—

The hon. Member has not yet asked a question. He has merely said that he was astonished; that is not a question.

I humbly beg your pardon, Sir. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in view of the number of accidents on this short stretch of road, he would treat this matter as one of utmost urgency?

indicated assent.

asked the Prime Minister if he will arrange that when delegates are next appointed to the Council of Europe the action shall be taken not by announcement but by Motion, as in the case of a Select Committee.

The Consultative Assembly will not meet again until August next year. There is, therefore, ample time to consider this question. When the next delegation is selected the suggestion of the hon. Member will be borne in mind.

Having regard to the fact that these delegates were supposed to represent this Chamber, ought not this Chamber to take some part in their appointment, instead of the announcement being made by the Prime Minister?

The hon. Gentleman is only putting the same Question in another way.

asked the Lord President of the Council if, in view of the several limitations on the revenue-raising aspect of the Festival of Britain and the desirability of getting back as much of the taxpayers' money as possible, consideration will be given to continuing the Exhibition at least in 1952.

I am ready to consider any reasonable suggestion, but I cannot break faith with those whom I persuaded to lend sites for the Exhibitions and Pleasure Gardens for the Festival of Britain in 1951. No doubt the net burden on taxpayers might be reduced by spreading over a second year of operation the capital costs which have been incurred. On the other hand, we cannot gauge such factors as traffic congestion or the extent of public demand at this stage. I think, therefore, that we must wait and see how things go and how public opinion feels about it.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that, owing to severe space limitations, many people will be prevented from seeing the South Bank Exhibition in 1951; and can he, in view of what he has said, give a really sensible reason as to why it should not be continued in 1952?

I think there is force in what my hon. Friend says, and I will bear it in mind.

If the right hon. Gentleman should consider extending the Exhibition to 1952, will he consult the House before doing so?

asked the Lord President of the Council for what types of fun-fair equipment has the expenditure of 30,000 dollars been sanctioned.

I would refer the hon. Member to a reply made on my behalf on 14th October last in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Teeling).

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give exact details now? Is he not aware that it is a disgraceful thing that money should be spent on fun-fair equipment and not upon timber for the homes of the people?

That is an imputation which is quite out of order.

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the total quantity of hard and soft wood so far allocated for use in the Festival of Britain exhibitions in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and on the sea.

No controlled hardwoods have been allocated. Up to 31st December, 1950, 750 standards of softwood and 343,000 sq. ft. of plywood will have been allocated to cover all Festival of Britain requirements, other than those in Northern Ireland which are not the responsibility of the Festival of Britain Office. Plywood is now freely available and is no longer subject to allocation.

How many houses could have been built with that wood?

That is a typical propagandist question.

But people want houses now.

asked the Lord President of the Council why the travelling exhibitions connected with the Festival of Britain are scheduled to visit no important centre north of Dundee.

I have already dealt in some detail with the facts which govern the choice of the ports to be visited by the "Campania" in answers given on 19th and 25th April and 1st May. The tour of the land travelling exhibition is limited by the physical difficulties and the high cost of moving an exhibition of this sort over land. It was always essential that the tour should be limited to a compact area, and as a result of the economies imposed earlier this year that area has been made more limited still. A visit to centres north of Dundee is, therefore, completely impracticable.

Is the Lord President aware that the pamphlet issued by the Festival of Britain office states that the task of the Festival of Britain is to display the British contribution to civilisation, both to her own people and to the world, and if that is so why should the whole of the north of Scotland be denied that privilege?

I always admire an hon. Member who speaks up for his constituency, but the last words of that supplementary question are a great exaggeration.

Will the Minister point out to the Minister of Transport. who is sitting next to him, all the physical difficulties he talks about, and see that they are improved, so that future travelling exhibitions will be able to cover the Highlands?

As my right hon. Friend is sitting next to me, it is hardly necessary for me to point it out to him.

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to a certain constituency. Is he aware that this decision misses out two-thirds of Scotland?

I am very sorry about it, but there are physical difficulties. If, however, the House, having impressed upon me not to spend more money than I can help, now insists upon my spending more money, I shall be much obliged if the House will take a clear line upon it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make about the situation in Tibet.

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have no representative in Tibet and, therefore, no direct source of information about the situation there. We have, however, been informed by the Government of India that they have received reports from their agent in Lhasa which show that the Chinese invasion has not made as much progress as was at first believed. There have been rumours that the Chinese had entered Lhasa, that resistance had ceased and that peace negotiations were in progress. These rumours are quite without foundation.

Will the hon. Member give an undertaking that, while this unprovoked and naked aggression is continuing against Tibet, we shall not enter into negotiations with the Chinese Communist Government, which is responsible for that invasion?

No. Sir; I cannot give an assurance to that effect.

Does the Government contemplate seeking any further information or any joint action or representation with the Government of India, or anything of the kind?

We are in consultation with the Government of India on this matter and, as no doubt the right hon. Gentleman is aware, a member of the United Nations is endeavouring to put it on the agenda of the General Assembly. Discussions on the matter are taking place in New York at the present time.

Will the Foreign Office try to give us further information as soon as they can, because this is a matter of great gravity even if we have not a representative in Lhasa?

Certainly.

Is the reason why we have no representative in Tibet the fact that we have never recognised Tibet as an independent sovereign country?

Tibet is considered by us an autonomous country under Chinese suzerainty.

That does not really answer the question. There are a great many autonomous territories which are not sovereign States. Is this one of them?

In view of the grave and urgent issue involved here, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the destruction of the autonomy of Tibet and the subordination of Tibetan foreign policy to that of Peking, following the collapse of Tibetan resistance to Chinese invasion, His Majesty's Government will now declare their opposition to the inclusion of Communist China on the Security Council of the United Nations.

No, Sir.

Is it proposed to continue to put up with this violation and to encourage Communism everywhere?

No, Sir, but we consider that the Chinese Government is the actual Government of China at the present time and all our actions are governed by that.

Will not the hon. Gentleman take every opportunity of impressing upon the Chinese Government that acts of naked aggression of this character cannot but influence the opinion and attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the participation of the Chinese Government in the future activities of the Security Council?

The attitude of the free world towards naked aggression is well-known, and has been demonstrated recently in the United Nations.

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

—To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what suggestion he proposes to submit to the Security Council of the United Nations to deal with the invasion of Tibet by the Chinese Communist forces.