asked the Minister of Food if he has yet found any more turkeys for Christmas.

Supply prospects are a little brighter than they were a few weeks ago.

Will the right hon. Gentleman resist temptations to interfere with the law of supply and demand in this matter, lest he should make it impossible for this trade to recover itself for next year?

I am watching the operation of that law with great interest.

asked the Minister of Food what is the financial saving resulting from the import of tins of sardines without keys; and whether the saving is passed on to the consumer.

About 2 per cent. The price of sardines, which is controlled by my Department, is related to total costs over a period and the consumer, therefore, benefits from any saving.

Has the right hon. Gentleman tried opening a sardine tin without a key? Is he aware that it is a considerable inconvenience to the consumer not to have an opener? Would it not be practicable to put on the market some tins of sardines with keys and others without keys at a reduced price?

We have been prudent in our house. We keep our old keys and find them very useful.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the recent alteration in the price schedule for sweets has resulted in lower margins for retailers, many of whom are small shopkeepers; and if he can give an assurance that steps have been taken to ascertain that no hardship will result.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that certain prices of confectionery have recently been lowered in such a way as to cause hardship to small shopkeepers; and what steps he intends to take to remedy this.

The revised price schedule was introduced after a full examination of the position of the trade, and I am satisfied that it gives a fully adequate profit overall. But I obviously cannot guarantee that every individual trader, irrespective of the circumstances, size or efficiency of his business, will make a profit.

Is the Minister aware that the National Union of Retail Confectioners asked for the withdrawal of the schedule? Will he bear in mind that the price schedule affects thousands of small shopkeepers, many of whom are widows, working on their own, and will he take into account the fact that sales are limited because of the points system and because many people do not take up their full quota?

I am aware of the complaint of the trade but, on behalf of the widows who buy the sweets, I found it proper to reject it.

Would not a much bigger burden have been placed on the consumer if private enterprise had been free from Socialist control in this matter?

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the quota of personal points capital available to wholesalers in the confectionery trade is based on a period 12 years ago; and if, in view of the hardship which this imposes on some wholesalers, he will investigate the matter, with a view to an alteration in the qualifying dates.

The hon. Member has been misinformed. Wholesalers' personal points credits were re-assessed in 1949.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in drawing up any plans for the reorganisation of fruit and vegetable distribution, he will bring into consultation the representatives of producers, wholesalers, commission agents, retailers and consumers.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food what changes he proposes to make over the next six months in the allocation of tinplate for the home canning of fruit, vegetables, soups, jams and meat products; and what changes have been made since 1st September, 1950.

I shall not be able to answer the first part of the Question until I know how much tinplate will be at my Department's disposal during the next six months. In reply to the second part of the Question, food canners as a whole are at present getting about 20 per cent. less tinplate than at the same time last year; but it is left to them to decide how to allocate it among the various products they are licensed to pack.

Can the Minister give an assurance that he will confer with the Minister of Agriculture to ensure that food growers are not asked to grow more food than is likely to be needed by the canners and the ordinary public?

That is only one of the many consultations we must have. We are very worried about tinplate. Many Departments are concerned. I shall certainly take into account the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, along with the many other considerations which I have to examine.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the need for an early decision because of the work involved in the growing and processing of the fruit and vegetables?

I am aware of the need for early decision, but we are limited all the time by considerations of supply.

When is the right hon. Gentleman likely to know what the allocation for the next six months will be?

I cannot say off-hand. If a Question were put down, I could give a proper answer.

Does the answer to my supplementary mean that the Minister anticipates a serious shortage of tinned goods in the coming year?

I said that the question of tinplate supplies is causing great anxiety.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of tinplate at British canning factories, and the presence in the shops of quantities of imported tinned peas canned in exported British tinplate, British pea growers are finding it impossible to dispose of their crop to the canners; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this unsatisfactory situation.

Despite the general shortage of tinplate for canning, pea canning this year will be well up to last year's production, which itself was substantially heavier than in any post-war year. I think that any difficulties arise more from the fact that public demand for dried peas is limited than from the tinplate position. I do not think that the comparatively small quantities of canned peas which are imported affect the position substantially one way or the other.

Is the Minister aware that one of the largest firms of canners of peas is now refusing to take up peas, for the very reason that they cannot get sufficient tinplate in which to put them, and that one firm has been compelled to use glass jars?

I discussed this problem only last week with representatives of the canning industry, and they themselves are, on the whole, inclined to agree that we cannot escape from the obligation to send some tinplate to countries from which we get other food, and that we cannot dictate to them what use they make of it for sending food back to this country.

What steps is the Minister taking to force the tinplate issue, in view of the fact that, although the plant in South Wales has come into operation, in two or three year's time we shall be back where we are now?

Only by being as articulate as I can in the appropriate places.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the large quantities of pig meat now coming into bacon factories, he will permit the diversion of pigs from bacon into pork.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Black) on 22nd November.

Can the Minister give a guarantee that there will be adequate facilities in the factories to deal with the meat that is sent to them?

That is a matter on which I have been in recent contact with the industry. We are doing our best to solve their problems.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the difficulties which retail butchers are still experiencing in obtaining pork for the manufacture of pork sausages; and if he will arrange for supplies to be made available to them at manufacturing prices as they are to the meat manufacturers, ie makers and pork butchers.

I know of these difficulties. But our stocks do not enable us to distribute manufacturing pork to general butchers at present.

is not one of the troubles that the Ministry's regulations permit pork sides of up to 110 lbs. to be passed to retail butchers, that these sides very often require considerable trimming, and that these trimmings can only go for manufacturing purposes so that butchers are put at an unfair disadvantage compared with the manufacturers?

The trouble is the shortage of pork. We have, in fact, been producing pigs primarily for bacon and not for pork, which, I think, is understood, and it would not be practicable at present to distribute the small amount of pork between 45,000 to 50,000 small butchers It simply would not work.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement with regard to recent negotiations with Denmark regarding bacon supplies from that country.

These negotiations were adjourned on 24th November and will be resumed later this month.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what progress, if any, has been made? Can he assure us that the prices have taken fully into account the increased price of foodstuffs to farmers as a result of devaluation?

Yes, we have taken all these things into account. We have made an offer to them, which they found unacceptable. They want us to pay 7½ per cent. on existing prices, and we have offered something about 3½ per cent. If we leave it at that, we may be able to solve the difficulty when they come over here again.

asked the Minister of Food what is the actual financial saving to date in the 14 Norfolk schools when the pupils have been without a supply of school milk this term; and what would have been the cost if the suppliers had continued their supplies with an extra charge for long distance delivery.

Since 16th November, when my hon. Friend was given information in this House about the supply of milk to these schools, arrangements have been made to supply five of them; and officers of my Department and the local education authority are still pursuing every possible means of arranging for a suitable supply to the others. The incidental saving to the Exchequer has been about £350. I cannot say how much an extra charge for delivery would have cost, since the same charge would not necessarily be appropriate in every case.

Does not the Minister think that it is an awful thing that, for the sake of £350, children's milk at school should be stopped when their fathers are producing the milk? [Laughter.] I mean when the local industry has been producing plenty of milk? Is it only a question of the price which can be paid, since there is plenty of milk available there?

I suppose that, if the only factor involved was the £350, it would seem rather awful, but there are other factors. I have called for a special report on the whole situation, and if anything further can be done, it will be done.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present stock of olive oil , and how much of this was in store prior to 1st January, 1950.

Private imports of olive oils have been permitted on open general licence since 5th September last. No stocks are held by my Department, and I have no information about stocks in the hands of private traders.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present stock of fats and dripping.

Stocks of margarine and cooking fat amount to about three weeks' supply. In addition, substantial stocks of oils and fats are maintained for processing into margarine and cooking fat. Stocks of dripping are owned and held by the trade, and average about 2,000 tons.

Is the Minister satisfied that these stocks are not being kept back? Can he tell the House that they are not too large for the purposes for which he intends to use them later?

I am never surprised at anything done by private traders.

But is not the Minister aware that the private trader cannot distribute these stocks without the permission of the Minister?

asked the Minister of Food what is the difference in the controlled price per gallon of cooking oil sold to potato crisp firms which were in business before 1939, and to those which started after 1945, respectively.

There is no difference. Potato crisp manufacturers all pay the same price for controlled oils allocated to them by my Department, irrespective of the date on which they entered the trade.

asked the Minister of Food if he will itemise the weekly expenditure on basic subsidised foods on which he bases the calculation that out of the average weekly expenditure of 15s. on food 8s. 3d. is spent on such subsidised foods.

With permission, I will circulate the details of this calculation in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent the supply of bananas available for the home market is increasing; and when he anticipates that it will be sufficient to meet the demand.

There was a gradual increase in supply from 1946 to 1949, but, mainly as a result of damage by storms in some of the producing countries, the increase has, unfortunately, not been maintained this year. We are at present only getting almost one half of our prewar supplies, but I hope we shall do rather better than this next year. I cannot forecast when demand is likely to be fully met.

Can the Minister say why there are so many more bananas all over the Continent than there are here?

There are more—not so many more as all that—because the price is quite beyond our capacity to pay.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to announce an increase in the tea ration.

Supplies are not yet sufficient for me to do this, I am afraid.

asked the Minister of Food what steps it is proposed to take to assist fishermen to get a better price; and how far it is proposed to give any assistance over the freight charges.

It has already been announced that legislation will be introduced in the present Session giving powers to the White Fish Authority to regulate, reorganise and develop the white fish industry and the matters mentioned by the hon. Member will, no doubt, be considered by that Authority; but I must say frankly that my main concern at present is the price which consumers are having to pay.

When the Minister talks of the high prices which consumers have to pay, will he bear in mind the fact that only a small proportion of that price actually reaches the fishermen who catch the fish?

That is one of the considerations which I was very careful to point out a few days ago.

asked the Minister of Food what additional rationed foodstuffs he proposes to make available to compensate for the decline in protein consumption arising from the reduction of the meat ration, and the inadequacy of shell eggs available, during the winter months.

My latest estimates show that the amount of protein available for civilian consumption in the United Kingdom this year has, in fact, been greater than at any time since 1940 or, indeed, in the immediate pre-war years; but I shall continue to watch the position closely.

Is it not a fact that this so-called increase in protein is due in large measure to the milk which is available? Is it the policy of the Government to turn this nation from a meat-eating nation into a nation of milksops?

Whatever it is due to, it is a fact, and I think we can all rejoice in it.

asked the Minister of Food why he will not increase the existing shell-egg ration.

Mainly, I fear, because of the habits of the hen. Home production of eggs is always lowest at this time of year and so are imports, since most of them come from countries in the Northern Hemisphere. If the hon. Member has any ingenious idea for overcoming this unfortunate tendency in hens, I—and the poultry industry—would be delighted to hear about it.

Is the Minister aware that many Western European soft currency countries have a considerable exportable surplus of shell eggs, and what is he doing to avail himself of it? In particular, what is he doing about the Irish, who promised to drench us with eggs?

We are doing a great deal more than the hon. Member thinks.

Is it not a fact that, despite or because of the provocation of the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro), the hen populations of this and other countries of the Northern Hemisphere are, at the moment, showing considerable restraint?

That is so.

Is the Minister aware that the egg-laying habits of hens are formed mainly by man, and that he, among all men, is more responsible for those habits than any other man in this country?

I think we are plumbing dangerous depths here. All I can say is that I would not take any responsibility for what any hen does.

asked the Minister of Food what special steps he is taking to make available to housewives for laying down, during the spring-flush season of 1951, any surplus of shell-eggs; and whether he will assure that no such surplus is allowed to go bad in the course of distribution, as took place during the spring-flush of 1950.

In the spring of 1950 we authorised retailers to sell eggs freely to domestic consumers and we propose to do the same thing in the spring of 1951. Many people bought eggs for preserving last spring and no doubt will do so again next spring. In reply to the last part of the Question, I can only invite the hon. Member once more to produce evidence in support of his charge—and if he cannot to have the goodness to cease repeating it.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that many branches of the National Farmers' Union and innumerable other bodies have complained about the long delays between the date of collection of eggs and the date of their delivery to the consumer? Will he consult these people, and establish the truth?

asked the Minister of Food whether he is in a position to make a statement on the increased slaughterhouse facilities that he hopes to provide for next year's peak production of livestock.

I hope that the two experimental slaughterhouses at Fareham and Guildford will be completed by next autumn. As I have already said, we are encouraging local authorities to build slaughterhouses at places where existing facilities are seriously are inadequate and where there seems to be a permanent need for new slaughterhouses, but I cannot at present say whether any of these will be completed in time for the next peak season.

Will the local authorities be able to proceed with these plans and the building of new slaughterhouses during next year, ready for the peak period in the autumn?

That is my hope, and if all goes well I think that will take place—in some cases.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the Labour Party's policy of centralised slaughterhouses is the cause of all this trouble? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Certainly.

asked the Minister of Food what use was made of the 1,325,330 tons of non-Empire sugar which was imported into the United Kingdom in the year ended August, 1950.

The total quantity was, in fact, rather less than 1,200,000 tons. This raw sugar was needed to replace Empire sugar diverted to Canada, and to replace refined sugar exported from this country in order to earn hard currency or to save dollar expenditure in sterling area countries.

How can the Minister reconcile that with his statement of 16th November that all sugar imported for consumption in the United Kingdom comes from Commonwealth and preferential sources?

There is no confusion there. We entered into an arrangement—a very good arrangement—with the Colonies and Dominions to use part of our sterling sugar in order to save dollar expenditure. If the hon. Gentleman does not believe me, I shall be pleased to talk to him outside when, perhaps, I can convince him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that one of the films referred to in paragraph 5 of the Second Annual Report of the Transport Commission for the year 1949, and entitled Transport, deals with matters of a controversial political character; and whether he will take steps to secure that this film is withdrawn from circulation.

I understand this film was sponsored by the British Transport Commission and was shown some time ago to Members of the House. I have heard no general complaint, although some Members would perhaps regard as political any film dealing with the activities of a nationalised undertaking. Similar films are being produced in the same series dealing with the activities of large private enterprises. In any case this is entirely a matter for the British Transport Commission and I have no powers to give them any instructions concerning it.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider it very improper for public funds to be used for the production of a film which at least half the Members of the House of Commons would regard as intensely controversial political propaganda?

I do not accept that implication. It was shown to Members of the House, and, as far as I know, if other Members wish to see it arrangements will be made for it to be shown again. I have seen this film, and in my view there are no political implications in it.

Is not the Minister aware that the authority responsible for this film is not shown when the film is being exhibited, so that one cannot see who is responsible for it?

I do not suppose that that applies to the other films in this series. I am sure that when hon. Members have all the facts before them they will find that their suggestions are unfounded.

Is the Minister aware that the Chairman of the British Transport Commission is himself the principal star of one of these films? [HON. MEMBERS: "Why not?"] Is he further aware that this gentleman is not a very good film actor, and will he kindly advise him to stick to the transport job which he is supposed to be doing?

Cheap.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent a check is placed upon the amount of money spent by the British Transport Commission on the production of films for the general public, as referred to in paragraph 36 of the Second Annual Report of the Transport Commission.

This, as I indicated in a reply given to the hon. Member for Toxteth (Mr. Bevins) on 27th November last, is a matter for the British Transport Commission.

Are we to understand that, as this is a matter of day-to-day administration, in the opinion of the Minister, he exercises no control over how many films they produce and at what cost?

Answer.

On a point of order. We have tried, Mr. Speaker, for many months, to put down Questions about the film policy of the Commission. Those Questions have been ruled out by the Table, I am sure quite properly, on the ground that the Minister says they are a matter for the Commission. Then the Lord President comes to the House and says we can ask Questions arising out of the Commission's Report. We put them down and they are accepted by the Table, whereupon we are told by the Minister that it is a matter for the Commission. Does not this make it quite impossible to exercise any control whatsoever?

There is no point of order there for me. It is entirely a matter of ministerial responsibility.

On a point of order. Does the right hon. Gentleman remember the quotation from Kipling, that

"A servant when he reigneth

Is more than ever slave"?

To ask a question of the Minister of Transport is not a point of order.

Can I have a reply to my supplementary question? As a point of order intervened, I will repeat the question. If it is true that, as the Minister says, he has no responsibility in this matter and that it is a question of day-to-day administration for the Transport Commission, are we to understand they can produce as many films as they like, costing as much as they like, and that he cannot do anything about it?

I rise to ask for a little guidance from the Treasury Bench on this matter. If we have been instructed, by the Lord President, as I understand we have, to put down Questions on this matter to the Minister so that we can get a reply, would the Minister be kind enough to reply?

I have stated already that this is a matter for the Transport Commission. I understand that this comes strictly within the understanding which the Lord President read out to the House, and if I said in my original reply that this is a matter for the Transport Commission it would not be proper for me to be drawn into discussion of the matter through supplementary questions.

Exactly what did the Lord President mean if he instructed us, as I thought he did, to ask the Minister Questions on this subject? It is slightly bewildering, with the best intentions, to know what to do next.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will give some evidence that I said that. I do not recall it.

The point the Lord President raised is within the recollection of the House. He produced an analytical list of the Questions which could properly be addressed to the Minister, and some of us thought it rather widened the previous position. Quite apart from that, this is a Question arising out of the Annual Report of the Transport Commission. It is a matter of very great importance, which was previously ruled out of order, and which, we thought, very properly came within the Lord President's ruling. Now the Minister comes along and says that it is a matter for the Commission. It is useless to give undertakings like that.

I suggest that the hon. Gentleman, who is well known as a propagandist on this matter—and not a very good one—puts a Question down referring to my specific statement on this matter and then we can consider it.

If the Minister of Transport asserts, and continues to assert, that this is a matter for the Transport Commission, will he undertake to give directions to the Commission, as provided under Section 4 of the Act, stressing the interest of the House in this matter?

Certainly not.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the grounds of national policy referred to in paragraph 46 of the Second Annual Report of the Transport Commission for 1949, which preclude the Commission from introducing a pension scheme for their staff.

In the discharge of my responsibilities for pensions under the Transport Act, I must take account of all the relevant circumstances, including the economic position of the industry and the general economic background of the country. At the time referred to in the Report, the Government did not consider that it would be in the national interest that there should be any large scale extension of supplementary pensions schemes, and we thought it right to make this view known to the boards of the socialised industries. Without being committed in any way as to the decision in the event of such schemes being put forward, we have now made it clear that the boards are entirely free to negotiate with the unions on the matter. Any proposals which resulted would, of course, have to he considered on their merits in the light of the circumstances at the time.

Am I to understand that the original objection put up to the Transport Commission that, quite apart from the financial consideration, a pension scheme could not be introduced because it was against the Government's policy, has now been abandoned?

If the hon. Gentleman will read the reply I have given to him he will find it perfectly clear. He is not entitled to put his own construction on the answer I have given.

Why not?

Arising out of the Minister's remark that it was contrary to Government policy to encourage supplementary schemes of this kind, will he say since when it has become so contrary, because when his right hon. Friend the then Minister of National Insurance, who is now Secretary of State for the Colonies, introduced the National Insurance Bill, he said that supplementary schemes should be encouraged.

I see no particular departure here from general Government policy. In many directions, the Government have indicated the need not to increase the cost of production if it can be avoided—we know the references with regard to wages—and in this case it was felt that the attention of the Commission should be drawn to the matter. It is perfectly right and proper for the Commission to discuss with the unions, but the Minister must eventually reserve the responsibility for deciding on the merits of any proposal put forward.

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to issue regulations requiring all bicycles to be equipped with a bell and two efficient brakes.

I am informed that for some years manufacturers have been equipping bicycles with a brake or brakes as recommended by the Committee on Road Safety. When I am satisfied that supplies of brakes and bells are available to equip any bicycles still without them, I will consider making regulations on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a town like Cambridge, where the number of bicycles is very great owing to the presence of the University, the problem of accidents is becoming more acute every day?

On the other hand, I would like to say that, from my experience of travelling through Cambridge, I think they have an excellent road safety committee which draws the attention of the public to this danger.

Can the Minister arrange for similar regulations to be applied to the Minister of Defence before he makes any further week-end speeches?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet appointed a permanent member of the Transport Commission to replace the vacancy created by the death of the late Lord Ashfield.

No, Sir. But I hope to be able to fill it shortly.

Could the Minister say why there has been this long delay?

One can easily make an appointment, but it is very desirable to acquire a proper balance in these instances. It is not always easy to get persons to leave their other activities for a short period.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "a short period"? Can we hope that the activities of this body might be wound up quite soon?

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the refreshment rooms referred to in paragraph 467 of the Second Annual Report of the Transport Commission are operated by the Hotels Executive; and how many of them are let out to private enterprise.

This information is given on page 318 of the Commission's Report.

Can the Minister say whether the nationalised refreshment rooms now pay their way?

As the hon. Member knows, I cannot answer on every detail of the accounts of the Transport Commission.

Before it was decided to close some of the refreshment rooms, can the Minister say what efforts were made to find lessees?

That appears to be another question. I was asked a Question about a specific matter, and I said that the information sought was already available on page 318 of the Commission's Report.

Would the right hon. Gentleman pay a visit to the refreshment rooms at East Dereham, where he will find that the Hotels Executive were making a substantial loss and that since the rooms have been handed over to private enterprise they are running very well al a profit?

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the £2,618 allocated to office expenses in the accounts of the Road Passenger Executive are represented by the rent of the headquarters of this Executive in London.

This is a matter for the British Transport Commission.

Are there any questions to which the Minister does give an answer?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, speaking generally, the public will recognise the wisdom of his refusing to allow the Transport Commission to be tied as suggested in these Questions?

Is the Minister aware that under the Transport Act he has power to seek information from the Commission? Will he tell the House whether this is not a matter on which he should have sought information, bearing in mind that the public are entitled to know how their money is spent and their assets dispersed?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the whole of the information is in the Annual Report. If he wants any further information he can get it and, within the proper arrangements, I should certainly see that any hon. Member who requires information should have it. As I have pointed out repeatedly, I do not intend to duplicate unnecessary staff and expenditure in my Department on simple machinery which the Transport Commission is charged to operate.

Does not the Minister of Transport appear, this afternoon, to be batting on a Brisbane wicket?

May I ask in which part of the Report is the information relating to this Question to be found? [HON. MEMBERS: "Answer."] I suspect that I shall not have an answer, so I will go on to ask the next Question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the transfer to rail from road of the container loads referred to in sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph 26, on page 21, of the Second Annual Report of the Transport Commission was effected with or without the consent of the customer concerned.

This is a matter of day-to-day administration for the British Transport Commission.

The next time that the Minister of Transport answers Questions would it be possible for us to have a gramophone record?

May I ask the Minister not to rate too highly the synthetic indignation of the Opposition on these questions? Is he aware that all they are asking in connection with film expenditure or anything else is for more controls, which they tell the country they want to remove?

Has not the Minister made it quite clear, in reply to this and previous Questions, that the idea of nationalisation conferring public control over industry is a myth and a delusion? There is no public control whatsoever.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will publish the summary and analysis and the conclusions drawn from the test of a week's traffic carried by rail referred to in paragraph 28 of the Second Annual Report of the Transport Commission.

This is a matter for the British Transport Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the arrangements referred to in paragraph 187 of the Second Annual Report of the Transport Commission whereby certain coal traffics, rail conveyed for relatively short distances, are carried at rates below those applicable to land sale tonnage.

The traffic referred to was export coal moved to ports over distances less than the average for landsale traffic. The rates were less than the average for landsale traffic because the distances were less and, possibly, because of the existence of exceptional rates, the granting of which is a matter for the British Transport Commission, subject to the approval of the Transport Tribunal in certain cases.

Is this a case of one nationalised industry being subsidised at the expense of another?

No, Sir, I do not think so. The hon. Member is quite well aware of the general circumstances that prevail in dealing with traffics of this kind.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that export coal traffic is one of the most valuable traffics that British Railways have, and that preferential rates are very often granted because of long-distance haulage?

In view of the recent statement by the Minister of Fuel and Power, are we to understand that this form of traffic will in future cease?

Not at all.

asked the Prime Minister if he has considered the erection of a public monument to the memory of George Bernard Shaw; and with what result.

I have been asked to reply. I think that a public monument to the memory of Bernard Shaw might well be erected, but the question is not really one on which it is for His Majesty's Government to take the initiative.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this is probably one of the few subjects in the world on which the Prime Minister would see eye to eye with Marshal Stalin?

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to take any further steps to prevent the Durham County Council enforcing membership of an association or union on doctors and teachers in Durham county.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will undertake an immediate inquiry into the action of the Durham County Council's action in regard to its employees with a view to protecting their contracts of service.

I have been asked to reply.

Parliament has left the choice of officers and their conditions of service to the county council except for very limited classes where ministerial approval is needed for appointment or termination of appointment. The county council have already been informed that the Government strongly deprecate the council's proposal to make membership of an association or union a condition of service. The Government or individual Ministers have no authority to take further action unless and until approval, where such approval is necessary, is sought to the termination of some appointment, or there is a breakdown, or threat of breakdown, in services for which the council have statutory responsibility, in which event Ministers concerned have powers to intervene in order to secure the proper maintenance of the service, and will, if necessary, do so.

In view of the strong disapproval which has been expressed by the Government of the action of the Durham County Council, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to introduce legislation to prevent public bodies enforcing a closed shop in that particular form on their employees?

I think that there are possibly peaceful ways of resolving this difficulty, and I do not think we had better make declarations about legislation at this point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that if the county council does not respond to the representations of His Majesty's Government, action will be taken in accordance with the promise which was given by the Minister of Education when a similar Question was addressed to him last week relating to the teaching profession? Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer this afternoon that the policy of His Majesty's Government has changed from the policy which was announced last week?

No, Sir. The Government adhere to the statement which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education made last week, but there are various ways of promoting wisdom, and we think that the method we are pursuing is better than engaging in threats and coercion at this stage.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that members of the National Union of Teachers will appreciate the fact that His Majesty's Government have deprecated the action of the Durham County Council, since we believe that the record of the National Union of Teachers will ensure membership without any compulsion on the part of employers?

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend I entirely agree with what he has said.

Does the reply mean that in the event of an officer of the Durham County Council being dismissed because he refuses to produce the necessary information—

This Question has nothing to do with the London County Council. Mr. Eden.

With great respect, Sir, I said "Durham County Council," not "London County Council."

Are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's earlier reply that some forms of discussion are proceeding between the Government and the Durham County Council? May we expect a further statement on the matter before the House rises for the Christmas Recess?

I think that is possible, but I think the House would be wise to leave it to the Government—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] If I may say so, I know something about the psychology of County Durham. If the House wants to head for a first-class row, that is one thing. I do not think it is wise. It is far better to settle this matter by kindness and persuasion rather than otherwise. If necessary, however, another statement will be made.

In view of the fact that the Durham County Council has reiterated its decision, despite the advice of His Majesty's Government, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's original reply means that in the event of a dismissal of any officer the Government will vigorously intervene?

I think that if it gets to the point of operative action in that direction, the hon. Member is entitled to assume that the Government will take serious notice of that situation.

asked the Lord President of the Council how many standards of wood have been used for the Festival of Britain.

I assume that the Question refers to the Festival of Britain Exhibition, and would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Astor), on 20th November.

Whatever the amounts are, in view of the fact that the official allocation for one house is 1·6 standards, will the right hon. Gentleman oblige by dividing the number by 1.6, and thus find out how many houses have been prevented from being built to satisfy the vanity of the Lord President of the Council?

I understand that, surprising as it may seem, the hon. Gentleman had a better education than I had. I cannot do the sum. No doubt, he can.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the 750 standards of softwoods to which he referred in his reply on 20th November is the amount of timber required to build no fewer than 500 houses?

The hon. Gentleman is wrong in his figures, and, in any case, 25 per cent. of this timber will be recoverable.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will now introduce legislation to give to the Brighton festival and the other provincial festivals under the auspices of the Festival Council and the Arts Council of Great Britain the same benefits and immunities as are envisaged in the Festival of Britain (Sunday Opening) Bill.

No, Sir.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his reputation in the provinces needs a little redemption, and would he, therefore, this afternoon move an Amendment to the Bill on these lines?

We are not in Committee now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further reports the United Nations have received in respect of allegations of brutal behaviour and atrocities attributed to both North and South Korean forces; and what effective action in respect of this has been taken by the United Nations authorities in the areas now controlled by its Forces.

No recent reports have been issued. The United Nations Commission has now arrived in Korea, and I hope that regular reports from them will be available shortly.

Are we to take it from my hon. Friend's reply that no intervening action has taken place to try to pre- vent this atrocious behaviour, the evidence of which is now overwhelming?

I have informed the House that His Majesty's Government have made representations to the Government of the Republic of Korea on this issue.

Could my hon. Friend say what reply he has had to those representations?

Yes. They also take a serious view of the situation, and are trying to prevent any vindictiveness occurring.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further information he has received from the United Nations organisation as to the instructions which have been given to General MacArthur by the United Nations concerning the conduct of the campaign in Korea.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions have been given to General MacArthur as to bombing Chinese aerodromes, guns or other military concentrations from or by which the Forces of the United Nations are being attacked.

As my right hon. Friend said in the foreign affairs debate, the objectives of General MacArthur are no more and no less than the objectives of the United Nations.

Is my hon. Friend aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence, speaking yesterday, said that General MacArthur went beyond the objectives which we understood to be the objectives at the beginning of the affair? In that event, could my hon. Friend say what were those objectives to which the Minister of Defence refers? Who laid down those objectives and, if those objectives were changed, who changed them? If they were changed, were they changed with the approval of His Majesty's Government?

It is not for me to comment on the speeches of right hon. colleagues of mine—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—but in reply to the questions which have been put by my hon. Friend—

On a point of order. May I make it clear, Sir, that I am not seeking to inveigle my hon. Friend into any difficulties with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence.

I hasten to reassure my hon. Friend that I was not taking offence in this matter in any way and that I was just about to reply to the questions he has put to me. I was going to say that the directives under which General MacArthur was operating in Korea are those which have been laid down by the United Nations. The actions he took in the first instance were under the Security Council Resolution of 7th July. On 7th October a Resolution was passed by the General Assembly and, subsequently, he has been acting in accordance with that Resolution.

In view of these questions I want only to make this clear—and it is of some importance. Am I right in thinking that the hon. Gentleman has confirmed the statement which the Foreign Secretary made, that all General MacArthur's actions have been in accordance with directives issued by the United Nations? Is that correct?

Yes, Sir. I give that complete assurance to the House.

Does the Under-Secretary agree with "The Times" of today that everything depends on whether we can hold a line in Korea? Does he also agree that no troops can be expected to hold a line if they are required to submit to Chinese attack without being allowed to hit back at Chinese bases?

No, Sir. I cannot possibly comment in this House on the military situation in Korea.