asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that canning factories are closing down owing to the shortage of tinplate; and if he will immediately stop exports to avoid unemployment.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 29th January on this subject.

Since that reply said that exports of tinplate were vital, would the Minister say why they are vital, especially to the Argentine? We exported coal and have brought on a crisis, and we are now exporting tinplate and exactly the same thing happens.

I have already made it clear that exports to the Argentine have been cut. As to the reason why exports are vital, I would remind the hon. Member both of certain imports into this country and the very high priority requirements of the Commonwealth in that connection.

Is the Minister not aware that unemployment is actually being caused in Perthshire and other parts of the country through the closing of canning factories? Has he no interest in that particularly important matter?

Yes, Sir. That question has already been discussed in the House and, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware, we have reduced exports as far as we can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the importance of maintaining food production from the canning factories situated in this country, he will ensure that the supply of tinplate is made adequate for their requirements; and whether he will reduce the tinplate allocation to the Argentine;

(2) whether, in connection with the agreement which has been entered into between the Government and the Argentine Government in connection with the supply of tinplate for five years, steps will be taken to ensure that this agreement is ended by giving two months' notice at 30th June, 1951, so as to supply additional tinplate for canning of food in this country.

As regards the hon. Member's first Question, I would refer him to the reply given on 29th January to the hon. Member for Tonbridge (Mr. G. Williams), and would add that Argentina is certainly one of the countries, exports to which are being restricted. As regards the hon. Member's second Question, the future of the Anglo-Argentine Trade and Payments Agreement could not be determined solely by reference to tinplate.

Why should the home producer of food, whose products are so sorely needed by the country today, be handicapped for the benefit of the foreigner? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the agreement should be terminated? If it is the case that it should be, why not do the right thing now, and not in the unknown future?

I have said that most supplies are not going to what the hon. Gentleman calls "the foreigner" but to the Commonwealth. It would be extremely difficult to interfere with those supplies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I was dealing with Argentina? This is thorough muddle. This is thoroughly unsatisfactory.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the needs of the fishing industry?

The Minister of Food and I are fully aware of the need for the products of the fishing industry, and other industries, and we are doing all we can to meet them in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take in respect of the report made to his Department from the Wholesale Textile Association that during the recent severe weather women's vests were being sold two inches short of the required length.

The minimum lengths for women's utility vests are specified in the Utility Apparel (Women's and Maids' Underwear and Nightwear) (Manufacture and Supply) Order, 1949, and I have no evidence that utility vests are being sold which do not comply with the relevant provisions of this Order. These minima are those laid down by the Lingerie Committee of the British Standards Institution, on which manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers are represented.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the vast majority of women have a vested interest in this problem and are looking to the Minister to take the necessary action to protect the consumers' interest?

I have no detailed information about the views of the vast majority of women on this question, but, as I said, there is a committee of the British Standards Institution on which at least three women are serving. When I get their views I shall consider what action should be taken.

Does this Order provide for any elasticity in the size of women, or is there a utility size for them as well?

I think that is fully looked after.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now announce the result of his further discussions with the United States authorities on the question of securing more adequate supplies of raw cotton.

My hon. Friend will have learnt from the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in reply to Questions by the hon. and gallant Member for the New Forest (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre), and the hon. Member for Dagenham (Mr. Parker), on 13th February that it has now been decided that cotton will be one of the raw materials to come within the purview of the commodity committees now being set up in Washington. In the meantime, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Fort), on 23rd January.

Could not my right hon. Friend add to these rather general replies and statements something which would ameliorate the feeling of uncertainty and disquiet in Lancashire about possible unemployment?

I should very much like to ameliorate that condition of uncertainty and disquiet, but I cannot add to the statement I have already made, that we are disturbed and concerned about the size of the allocation of raw cotton which has been made to us and that we have taken this matter up very strongly—and are still doing so—with the United States Government.

is this not one of the results of Government buying?

I have already given an answer on that point to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers). The right hon. Gentleman should know that the amount of cotton we get in this country is directly the result of the size of the allocation made by the United States Government, and that private buying or centralised buying would make no difference to that.

We have only the right hon. Gentleman's word for that, and we do not accept it.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will accept this: in the purchase of cotton by the Raw Cotton Commission outside the United States, the Commission have greatly increased the amount to far above anything which would be bought by private buying.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many officials have been, or will be, involved with work in connection with the Census of Production and the Census of Distribution; how long they have been, or will be, occupied on this work; and what is the estimated annual expenditure of each census.

The number of officials engaged on work in connection with the Census of Production and the Census of Distribution was 1,126 on 1st February, 1951, and approximately this number will be required for the remainder of the year. In the first half of 1952, the number will be gradually reduced to about 750, as work on the present Census of Distribution approaches completion. A Census of Production is taken every year and a Census of Distribution in any year prescribed by order of the Board of Trade. Expenditure on Census of Production work during 1951 will be approximately £175,000; and that on the first Census of Distribution is estimated at £577,000, spread over about three years.

Is the Minister aware that the numbers involved in industry, the time taken and the cost to industry and commerce are even greater than the phenomenal figures he has announced? Is he aware that delay in the compilation of Census of Production returns makes comparison wholly useless? In connection with the Census of Distribution, is he aware that the imposition of an omnibus return of that nature at this time is quite out of accord with the needs of the country?

The hon. Gentleman cannot have it both ways. He cannot complain both that we have too many staff on the Census of Production and that the results of that census are too long delayed. There has been widespread feeling in all parts of the House that we needed the information which will be provided by the Census of Distribution. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that information of this kind is regularly collected in the United States.

Is the President aware that the Central Organisation of Citizens' Advice Bureaux has been asked to lend a hand in the Census of Distribution by giving instruction to small traders? How can he reconcile that request with the cutting of the grant to the Bureaux?

I am sure that the Advice Bureaux will help traders very greatly in this matter. The question of the grant is one to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Is it not the case that the Census of Distribution was decided upon long before the present rearmament programme arose; is it not now wholly out of accord with the present situation; and ought it not to be dropped?

It is utterly unjustifiable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the need for fuel economy, he will extend the provisions of Statutory Instrument No. 39, 1950, which restricts hire-purchase credit facilities for price-controlled goods, to electric fires.

Domestic heating appliances are included in the current review of those price controls over consumer goods which have been withdrawn since the war. If, as a result of that review, statutory price control is reimposed over electric fires, the provisions of the Hire Purchase Order made under the Goods and Services (Price Control) Act, 1941, will again apply to them.

Apart from the question of price control, is the Minister not aware that there are strong reasons, both financial and fuel saving, for curtailing excessive credit facilities for these fuel consuming appliances?

There are many arguments which can be advanced on this subject. As I have said, if we bring back price control, which is at present being considered, this restriction will take effect automatically.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why residents in Southern Ireland who have been British subjects throughout their lives cannot obtain compensation in respect of loss of property while serving in the Burma campaign, although large grants have been made to rehabilitate the civilians of Burma who did not fight in the campaign.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Extended Far Eastern Private Chattels Scheme, which enables payment of limited amounts to be made to United Kingdom British subjects who lost private chattels in British and former British territories in the Far East as a result of the Japanese invasion and have returned to reside permanently in the United Kingdom. These are ex gratia payments made by the United Kingdom Government to enable people to re-establish themselves here and are not payable to persons who settle outside the United Kingdom.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that when these people were taken off their jobs originally they were living in the United Kingdom, as it was then part of the United Kingdom? Does he not therefore think that at least an approach should be made to the Government of Southern Ireland to see whether some action can be taken to help these people, who are really suffering?

The hon. Gentleman is raising a very wide question. He will see from the answer which I have given that there is no payment as of right to any persons affected in this way and that the ex gratia payments are limited to those who have come back to the United Kingdom to live.

The right hon. Gentleman says that the payment is not of right, but it is given to all United Kingdom citizens because they lost their goods in fighting for our side.

It was given to enable those coming back here to settle in this country. In most cases they had lost all their chattels and possessions and these grants were made so that they could reestablish themselves in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that rayon production has been cut recently by 15 per cent. owing to the shortage of sulphuric acid; and since rayon has risen least in price of all fibres used in the manufacture of clothing, what steps he proposes to take to increase supplies of sulphuric acid, and so avoid further unnecessary rise in clothing prices.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown) on 30th January.

As I have not that reply with me, may I ask the Minister whether the shortage is due partly to the lack of dollars which the Treasury would not supply or whether it is due to a physical shortage which could not be foreseen?

It is not to the slightest extent due to the lack of dollars. Dollars were allocated for the full amount we were able to get last year, but we were notified some months ago by the sulphur producers of the United States that they were not able to maintain the rate of supply to us. Since then, when a small cut was made, the American Government have imposed strict export licensing and our allocation is again radically insufficient to meet the needs of the rayon industry and other industries.

Could the President assure the House that this question of sulphur shortage will receive high priority in the forthcoming talks which, we understand, he is to have soon in America?

If and when I am able to go there, naturally there would be a number of questions of common interest, on economic affairs to discuss. The question of sulphur and other raw materials is, of course, very important, but I would inform the hon. and gallant Gentleman that in the very near future the Commodity Committee, which deals with sulphur, will be meeting.

When is the Sulphur Committee to meet? Is even the composition of the Committee known at the moment? What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to secure sulphur from sources other than the United States?

I understand that the Committee will meet in the next few days, although I am not sure of the exact date. We have given every encouragement to the purchases of sulphur in any form wherever it may be found, but there are very few supplies, available outside the United States. We are, of course, encouraging the maximum use of pyrites and other alternatives, but it takes a very long time to convert the plants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange, in conjunction with authorities responsible for the Festival of Britain, a demonstration for overseas visitors of modern equipment for food storage which would include refrigerated storage capacity, road and railway vehicles and containers, and also demonstrate full and small scale models.

It is not practicable at the Festival of Britain to stage comprehensive displays of all branches of British industry or of any special industry as indicated in the Question. The British Industries Fair, which runs from 30th April to 11th May, and is open to all overseas visitors, coincides with the opening of the Festival of Britain; and at the Birmingham section there will be a display of domestic refrigerating appliances and equipment. I consider that a special annual trade fair of this kind is one of the best methods of promoting exports since it provides an adequate meeting place for the overseas buyer and the fully qualified representative of the exhibiting firm.

Is the President aware that there are many visitors, other than professional buyers, who come to the British Industries Fair and who would find value in such a display, in view of the prime importance of the transport and storage of foodstuffs in the world today?

It would not be possible, under the Festival of Britain arrangements, to include representation of all important industries, but I hope that as many of these visitors as possible, whether they are trade buyers or not, will visit the British Industries Fair.

rose—

Hon. Members seem a little surprised, but I have been rather strict today on supplementaries. I "let things rip" yesterday and, with luck, we only just got to Question No. 45. I am hoping that we shall do better today, and that is why I am stirring things up a bit

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that, when it is next possible to consider the derequisitioning of any London hotels, he will arrange for formal discussions with the owners' agents and make it quite clear that de-requisitioning is in fact contemplated.

It is not always possible to consult owners of requisitioned premises at an early stage when we are considering whether it is possible to relinquish them, but owners are always advised as soon as it is clear that their premises can, in fact, be given up.

If I put another Question down in a few weeks' time could the Minister then give us some details of his plan for next year, so that there may be the earliest possible publicity?

I hope that will be possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade with reference to paragraph 29 of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report on Trading Accounts and Balance Sheets, what stocks of raw materials are expected to show a loss of £1,089,918 where the selling price value is less than cost; and what other stocks are expected to show a loss of £1,267,778 in repect of deterioration.

Stocks held at the close of an accouuting year are valued for Trading Account purposes at cost or at market value, whichever is the lower. At the close of the 1949–50 accounting year, the selling prices then current of certain stocks of various materials, mainly timber, wallboard, fertiliser materials, hides and skins, flax and silk, were less than cost, and accounting provision was made accordingly. In certain cases, mainly hardwood and plywood, paper making materials, fertiliser materials, flax and rubber, provision was also made, as is customary, for possible physical deterioration of stocks. It does not follow, of course, that these losses will be incurred, and, to the extent to which the provisions are not required, they will be credited in future Accounts.

As the world prices of all these commodities have risen in 12 months, surely the fall in the set-off against possible loss must be due to real deterioration in the stocks. Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is no negligence in looking after them?

The hon. Gentleman will be aware, of course, that these figures relate to 31st March, 1950, and that a number of prices had fallen before 31st March, 1950. Since then, of course, as he knows, prices have taken an upward turn, and it is very probable that this paper loss may not be incurred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his accounts for fertilisers are not such as to enable the examiners to satisfy themselves of their accuracy for 1948–49; and what steps he is taking to produce the evidence required by the examiners.

The Trading Accounts of the Fertilisers Directorate for 1948–49 related to the trading year ended 30th June, 1948. The examiners' qualification of their report was due to difficulties in applying all the checks they considered necessary in dealing with an account, which, by reason of the system of subsidies in force, is particularly complicated. The accounting system has since been revised and special measures taken to brink the work up to date. The examiners' work on the accounts for the year ended 30th June, 1949, was satisfactorily completed.

Since the Comptroller and Auditor-General's Report is nearly 12 months after the end of the year with which he is dealing, is the right hon. Gentleman, satisfied that it does not represent censure on some people in his Department for not doing properly the work they should have done?

The year to which I think the hon. Gentleman refers was a year in which there were tremendous complications, mainly arising out of the war, because of subsidies. It would take, in my view, an unwarrantable number of staff to try to track down all those figures and subsidies for a past period. The figures for the following year were quite satisfactory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to secure the chartering of sufficient tonnage to bring softwood timber purchased overseas to this country, in view of the continuous reduction of stocks.

Tonnage has already been chartered for nearly all the North American softwood available for shipment to arrive in this country by the end of June. A considerable amount of chartering has also been done for later shipments. Chartering for privately imported softwood is the responsibility of the shippers or importers concerned.

Could my right hon. Friend say how many standards of softwood timber there are still abroad, unshipped?

Not without notice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the report of the Chamber of Shipping about the chaos caused to the freight market by the action of his bulk buying department?

Yes, Sir, and in the case of a number of those reports, we do not always accept them at their face value.

Will my right hon. Friend do what he can to see that freight charges for softwood timber are kept at a reasonably low level?

Stop buying in bulk.

Is it not a fact that much urgently needed timber has not been shipped because the Government have commandeered shipping space, which would have been available for the carriage of timber, and which is now being used for freighting coal instead?

As I made clear a week ago, timber was delayed by a number of calls upon the freight market, of which one, undoubtedly, was coal, and another Russian grain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the volume and price of mining timber imported into this country in the second half of 1950 compares with the volume and price of similar timber imported in the second half of 1949.

One million, one hundred and five thousand tons of mining timber valued at £8.1 million were imported in the second half of 1949, compared with 721,000 tons valued at £4.9 million in the same period of 1950. The average value per ton for imports as recorded in the Trade Accounts was £7.3 in July—December, 1949, and £6.8 in the last half of 1950.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken during the last 12 months to encourage the development of new industries in Inverness.

The attention of several firms wishing to establish new factories has been drawn to the facilities available in Inverness. During the last 12 months two small factory extensions and one small factory re-building have been approved for Inverness. Work on the latter started at the end of 1950.

While I am grateful for that answer, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that the Longman airfield site was earmarked several years ago for industrial development, and that none so far has been made? Is he aware that an access road is badly needed and that the tweed industry is being badly handicapped by the 66⅔ Purchase Tax? Would he remind the Minister of Transport that transport costs are crippling new development in the Highlands?

I have made clear that we are doing what we can to encourage firms to go there. We have no powers to force them to go there. I do not suppose that the noble Lord wants us to force firms to go there. I should, however, like to make clear to him that although we are trying to deal with the Inverness problem, we inherited a number of development problems much more serious than that, which are now being cleared up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the text of the resolutions passed by the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade at their meeting at Torquay last autumn.

I do not think that these resolutions are of sufficient general interest to justify publication as a Command Paper, but copies are being placed in the Library. I am also sending copies to the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much it costs this country to pass a resolution of not sufficient value to be printed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the proposal to set up a development council in the pottery industry.

At a meeting with both sides of the industry on 12th December, 1950, I suggested the general lines of a new approach to this problem. The details are now being worked out within my Department, and officials will discuss them with the industry as soon as possible.

Could my right hon. Friend say when he hopes to be able to give us a decision on this matter?

As soon as the details are a little further worked out. It is a question of how long the discussions will take with the two sides of the industry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make quite sure that both sides of the industry are carried forward together in this matter?

I met both sides of the industry together, and I indicated the general lines of what I thought would be a possible solution. Our intention is to discuss these arrangements with both sides.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to salvage glass bottles.

The Government appealed in 1948 to the public for their help in salvaging glass containers. Since that date, supplies of new bottles have improved considerably, and in some cases reconditioned bottles cost as much, or more than, new ones. The hon. Member is, of course, aware that many traders are themselves organising the salvage of glass bottles used for their own products.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many types of bottles are not being salvaged in that way at all? Does he not think that the great shortage of bottles that occurred in the last war makes it advisable to maintain glass stocks?

I understand that the prospects of future supplies of new, ordinary glass bottles are very good indeed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether rubber is listed as a munition of war.

If, as I assume, the hon. Member is referring to Group 17 of the Export Control Order, the answer is "No, Sir."

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the importance of rubber as a munition of war has increased? If he is, why does he allow so much to go into China as is going there now?

There is a large number of items of strategic importance, which are not on the list referred to in the Question and which are rigidly controlled at the present time. As far as rubber is concerned, we are watching the purchases of Eastern European countries and of China. If necessary, controls could be imposed, but there has been no question of that yet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken, as a result of the recent inter-Departmental discussions, to make more efficient use of prison labour.

As a result of the inter-Departmental discussions, a directive was issued to the purchasing Departments which should ensure that the prisons, together with other non-profit making institutions, receive a due proportion of Government orders, and that they are given the opportunity to manufacture the widest possible range of the requirements of the Departments. The Prison Commissioners are now in touch with a number of those Departments in the hope of obtaining orders, which will result in an increased use of the existing prison workshops and possibly also in the opening of workshops for new industries, but it is too early to assess the results of these discussions.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the concern caused by the information that it takes an able-bodied resident two days to sew one mail bag? Could not this be speeded up?

I do not know where the hon. Gentleman got that information, but it is quite untrue.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain a report on this subject from Soviet Russia, whose experience in this regard is so much wider than ours?

Does this mean that inmates of prisons may in future be paid such wages as will enable them to keep up their National Insurance contributions?

No. Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many rewards of 30s. free of tax have been claimed for the introduction of recruits for the Metropolitan Police in accordance with the offer made in August last by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that 160 claims were received and that rewards have been paid in the 36 cases in which recruits were accepted and joined the force. The scheme ended on 31st December, 1950.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this kind of scheme is very harmful to the dignity of the police force; and is he aware that it is greatly resented by quite a number of the men concerned?

No, Sir. I think that a quite wrong attitude was adopted, but the scheme has been withdrawn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the maximum age for enlistment in the police.

The police regulations provide that a male candidate for appointment to a police force must be under 30 years of age and a woman candidate not over 35 years of age, but I have power, which I exercise in all suitable cases, to approve the appointment of candidates over these ages in special circumstances on the recommendation of the appointing authority.

In view of the present shortage does the Home Secretary not consider that the age limit might well be raised slightly?

Where an appointing authority wishes to appoint a man slightly above the age I give my careful consideration to the matter, but it is, of course, desirable that the average age of the police force should not be too high.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present deficiency in the numbers of the Metropolitan Police Force.

Three thousand, eight hundred and eighty-three men and three women.

What action does the Home Secretary propose to take to meet this deficiency? Will he further consider raising the age limit, even if only by a few years?

I have already been asked a question today about the age limit, and what I said in reply to that applies to this force as well as to the provincial forces. There has been a steady improvement in the numbers of the force, and I hope that that will continue. We take steps by advertisement, and in other ways, to bring the conditions of employment in this force to the notice of suitable people. I am also glad to say that we are making some advance in the provision of housing, which has been one of the great difficulties in the past.

Will the right hon. Gentleman elaborate that answer because I understood that he was responsible only for the Metropolitan Police Force? Does he accept responsibility for the provincial forces as well?

No, Sir. The Question is directed to the Metropolitan Police Force.

The right hon. Gentleman's answer referred to provincial forces.

I hope I can remove any misapprehension. I was asked by an hon. Member a Question about police forces generally, and I gave an answer. I wanted to apply that answer to the circumstances of the Metropolitan Police Force without repeating it in detail.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what instructions he has given to the Metropolitan Police to require that citizens must produce their identity cards on demand.

Section 6 (4) of the National Registration Act, 1939, requires the holder of an identity card to produce it on the demand of a police constable in uniform. It is not for me to instruct the police as to the circumstances in which this power should be used: it must be left to their reasonable discretion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a gentleman recently refused to produce his card on the grounds that he was a member of what he called "The Liberal Party and all that."? Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Act of 1950 has made no difference to the obligation under the Act of 1939?

This applies quite irrespective of political allegiance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what "all that" means?

It was not my phrase.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many volunteers have been enrolled to the nearest convenient date for the Civil Defence services; and how many more volunteers are needed to bring these services up to strength.

At the end of January the number of volunteers in England and Wales was, in round figures: 110,000 in the Civil Defence Corps, 9,000 in the Auxiliary Fire Service, and 12,000 in the National Hospital Service Reserve, making a total of about 131,000. To bring the services up to their provisional peace-time establishment we require 360,000 more in the Civil Defence Corps, 51,000 more in the Auxiliary Fire Service, and 18,000 more in the National Hospital Service Reserve.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied with the present rate of recruiting; and, on the basis of the present rate of recruiting, is it possible to form any estimate of when the service will reach full strength?

The present rate is at about 12,000 a month, and I am certainly not satisfied with it. I hope it will increase, and I therefore should not like to make an estimate because any estimate would be based on the present figures.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many prospective volunteers gave full-time service during the war and are discouraged by the knowledge that they would have to go through a whole series of elementary classes in Civil Defence? It is having a very deleterious effect on recruitment.

That point has been noted, and I hope to make a statement on that aspect of it in a couple of weeks' time.

Will the hon. Gentleman also inquire into what happens when these people enlist, as there is a great deal of complaint about the way in which they are treated? Is he aware that they do nothing, that their time is wasted, and will he go into that aspect?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the strength of the Civil Defence Corps and the Auxiliary Fire Service on 31st January, 1951; and how many recruits joined the Corps and Fire Service, respectively, during the month of January.

In England and Wales during January 11,300 recruits joined the Civil Defence Corps, bringing the strength at the end of the month to 110,200; and 900 recruits joined the Auxiliary Fire Service, bringing the strength at the end of the month to 8,800. I will circulate the detailed figures for the Civil Defence Corps in HANSARD.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far cases of cruelty to children and animals have increased in recent months; and whether he is satisfied that adequate penalties are being imposed to bring home to those concerned the serious character of this class of offence.

The average monthly number of persons found guilty in magistrates' courts of cruelty to or neglect of children was 74 in 1949 and 78 in the first 11 months of 1950, and of cruelty to animals 65 and 69. I have no reason to doubt that the maximum penalties prescribed by the law are adequate, but it is not within my province to express an opinion on the adequacy of the penalties imposed by the courts in particular cases.

Bearing in mind the very grave concern that exists on matters of this kind, can the Home Secretary assure the House that he is keeping this matter under continual observation, and that if

In view of the grave difficulty to date in getting recruits for the Civil Defence Corps, would the Home Office urgently consider formulating plans for recruiting industrial Civil Defence officers and men?

The question of industrial Civil Defence is being considered at present, and I expect to make a statement on the matter within a few weeks.

I recognise the state of public opinion in the matter, and my observation leads me to the conclusion that it has had some effect on the magistrates' courts. If further action were, in my opinion, called for I would take it. I would remind the hon. Gentleman, who is a magistrate of long experience, that the foundation of liberty in this country is that magistrates are completely free from supervision and dictation by the Executive, and while I remain Home Secretary I shall bear that in mind.

Will my right hon. Friend also consider the importance of the prevention of these two evils by early recognition of any suggestion in that direction, and by help and encouragement?

I would far sooner see cruelty to children prevented than punish it after it has occurred, and I have, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, enabled that body to start a home in Plymouth at which feckless mothers, while still living with their families, can get advice and help on the proper way to live in family life.

Is it possible for the Home Office, without interfering with the magistrates' discretion, to give them guidance on the principles involved in these cases?

I think that they are sufficiently informed on that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of existing uncertainty as to the duty to include in the return of election expenses at a Parliamentary Election expenditure incurred prior to the Dissolution of Parliament, and calculated to advance the interests of a particular candidate, he will introduce legislation to clarify the law on this subject.

No, Sir. I am not aware that any amendment of the law in this respect is called for.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to a series of articles that have been written by the Lord President of the Council recommending particular Socialist candidates in the area of London in words such as these:

"Trevor Williams Is Your Man.

By the Right Honourable Herbert Morrison, M.P.

I have known Trevor Williams for some years now, and I can promise that if you send him to Parliament you will have a first-class M.P. representing you."

I congratulate Mr. Trevor Williams on the advertisement the hon. Gentleman has given him.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the main occupations of the 131 citizens of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics who are registered with the police in this country.

With a few exceptions the citizens of the U.S.S.R. registered with the police in this country are members of the Soviet Trade Delegation or of Soviet agencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for each year between 1946 and 1950 up to the most convenient date, how many aliens including those who have ben naturalised since the war have been reported to his Department as being undesirable; in how many cases after investigation by the police have they been allowed to remain in this country; and how many deportation orders have been made.

Figures showing the number of aliens against whom complaints were made and what number of these complaints were investigated by the police are not available. During the years 1946 to 1950 the courts recommended deportation in 1,036 cases and in 617 of these deportation orders were made. In addition, 1,469 deportation orders were made in cases where there was no recommendation for deportation from a court. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the number of deportation orders made in each year. There is no power to deport a naturalised citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

Is the Home Secretary aware of the growing concern at the number of investigations made by officials and police, and is he satisfied with the methods used by his Department in dealing with these cases?

I suppose that everything human is capable of improvement, but, so far as I know, the utmost care is being used in these cases, and I am satisfied that substantial justice is done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if consideration will be given to changing the name of Borstal institutions to "corrective training centres" or some other more suitable name.

This point has often been considered, but no alternative name that would be generally acceptable has yet been suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people certified under the Mental Deficiency Act are on the registers of voters.

The information asked for is not available.

Resisting the temptation to ask a frivolous supplementary question, may I ask whether, as certification under the Mental Deficiency Act is not a bar to a vote, the Home Secretary does not think that something ought to be done to debar people like that?

As I have informed the House on previous occasions, this is one of the matters that is marked for consideration when fresh legislation is considered.

When the Home Secretary does get this information will he add as a footnote: "A number of Members of His Majesty's Government are included"?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent telepathy is used for the purpose of detecting crimes.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that from time to time persons professing to possess telepathic powers have offered to help the police in the detection of crime, and that the information given by such persons has been examined in the same way as that of any other person giving information to the police.

Will my right hon. Friend give us some information about the visit of a Dutchman to Scotland Yard, who volunteered to help the police in discovering the Stone of Destiny? Will he tell us if the Dutchman was met by the police, if the jemmy which was used to break open the door of Westminster Abbey was inspected by the Dutchman, and what are the results to date?

The gentleman in question, whose activities in connection with the Stone were given publicity, not by the police, was one of a number of selected persons who were given facilities to visit Westminster Abbey and examine clues. He was not invited to this country by the police, his expenses have not been met from public funds, and no results have accrued.

Does the Question mean that the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) accepts the taking away of the Stone of Destiny as a crime?

Would my right hon. Friend tell us to what extent telepathy is used by Ministers in foreseeing and anticipating supplementary questions?

Most of the supplementaries are fairly obvious when one studies the Questions.

is not the Home Secretary's answer to my first supplementary question a final proof of the failure of private enterprise?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in the public interest he will publish a list of the names of organisations known by his Department to be ancillaries of the Communist Party, or used by the Communist Party as channels for revolutionary activity.

No, Sir. I do not think that this would be in the public interest.

Does not the Home Secretary consider that it is in the interests of the public to know the names of these bodies which are attempting to entrap and deceive them into thinking that they are non-Communist bodies?

Yes, Sir. But if persons looked at the list and did not find the name of a body on it, they would assume that it was all right when it might be all wrong.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give authority for the number of taxi-cabs to be increased in the London area during the Festival of Britain.

I am advised that there is no statutory limit to the number of taxicabs which may be licensed by the Commissioner to ply for hire in the Metropolitan Police district.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the suggestions made by the hon. Member for Peterborough for improving the school crossing patrols have yet been considered; and if so with what results.

As the hon. Member is aware, his suggestions concern the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Transport and the Home Office and they have been carefully examined by all three Departments and the Commissioner of Police. The Commissioner of Police is responsible for the employment of school crossing patrols in the Metropolitan Police area and I have authorised him to increase the number from 500 to 1,050.

As regards the dress and equipment of these patrols, those in London wear a white coat and a black cap and I understand that somewhat similar dress is worn by some patrols outside London, where the local education authority is responsible for them. This dress is considered suitable for the purpose. In addition an authorised sign must be carried. The question of dispensing with the sign has been considered, but it is thought desirable to retain this, as it constitutes the legal authority for stopping traffic on the road. The Minister of Transport proposes, however, to authorise the experimental use of a smaller sign.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the thought given to this suggestion, may I ask him to consider still further standardising the uniform throughout the country, so that we can be sure that all will wear the same sort of uniform?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been emigrated without their parents since the war.

I regret that the information is not available, since the existing statistics do not distinguish children travelling without their parents from those travelling with them.

Does not the Minister feel that his Department should have information on this rather important matter?

I am reluctant to collect statistics merely for the sake of collecting them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give a complete list of the societies engaged in the emigration of children without their parents.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of those voluntary societies in England known to my Department to be engaged directly in the emigration of children without their parents. Some of these societies act also as agents for other societies.

Following is the list:

The Australian Catholic Immigration Committee, Dr. Barnardo's Homes, The Big Brother Movement, The Church of England Advisory Council of Empire Settlement, The Fairbridge Society, The National Children's Home and Orphanage, The New Zealand Sheepowners' Acknowledgement of Debt to British Seamen Fund, The Northcote Children's Emigration Fund for Australia, The Overseas League, The Rhodesia Fairbridge Memorial College, The Salvation Army, The Young Christian Workers' Movement and the Young Men's Christian Association.

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement by the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia, on 23rd January, concerning the desirability of closer association between the three Central African territories represents Government policy.

The reports which I have of the statement made by the Secretary of State at his Press conference at Salisbury on 22nd January indicate that he said that the United Kingdom Government would be happy if the forthcoming conference of officials produced unanimous recommendations; there could, however, be no question of the United Kingdom Government forcing a decision on reluctant people. As was stated in the House on 8th November, the work of the conference will be purely exploratory and will not commit any of the participating Governments to the adoption of any of the proposals formulated by it.

Is the Prime Minister aware that at least one influential organ of opinion circulating in those parts has taken the statement made in Salisbury as a whittling away of the statement of the Secretary of State for Colonies on 8th November, particularly in relation to public discussion and consultation with African opinion? Can he assure the House that there is no such whittling away or any such intention by the Government?

There is no change in Government policy in this matter. I cannot be responsible for Press comments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has now received the report of the Ryan Committee which inquired into the organisation of his Department in relation to the county agricultural executive committees; and when this will be published.

I have received the report and am arranging for it to be published as soon as practicable. I am glad to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to Mr. Ryan and his colleagues on the Committee, particularly the members from outside the Government service, for undertaking this inquiry and for giving so much of their time and attention to it.