asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking, following consideration with the appropriate committees of the Light Clothing Federation, to deal with the increasing difficulty of obtaining children's utility clothing.

I am meeting two committees of the Light Clothing Federation tomorrow to discuss what action needs to be taken to increase the supply of children's utility clothing.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread worry about children's clothes and the shortage of utility wear, and can he say what are the particular lines which are very scarce?

The lines that are particularly scarce are underwear and light outerwear.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a further embarrassment is the price of children's utility clothing? Is he satisfied that the profit margin will not allow of cuts in its prices?

A comprehensive review has been undertaken of these prices and it will be out in a few days' time.

Does not the Minister agree that the price of children's clothing appears to be relatively greater than the price of adult clothing, and will he look into this very carefully since it is a matter of grave concern to mothers?

Yes, Sir, certainly. One of the disadvantages of negotiating with the trade on this matter is that there is no Purchase Tax in this field.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet decided to approach the Australian Government with regard to the reduction of newsprint exports to that country.

This matter is now under consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is senseless to export so much paper to Australia, which will not be a long-term market for Great Britain? It causes grievous harm to the newspaper industry of this country.

We bear every consideration in mind.

Could the hon. Gentleman describe the difference between the average size of newspapers in Australia and in this country?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the allocation of newsprint to Malaya for 1951.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) on 30th November, 1950.

What is the point of referring to an announcement which was entirely unsatisfactory? Will the hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter in the light of the importance of Malaya, which is struggling against Communism and bandits? Never in its history has Malaya required an adequate supply of newsprint more than now.

I am sorry that the reply last time was considered unsatisfactory, and that because the circumstances are the same, it must be considered equally unsatisfactory today. We consult the Colonial Office on these matters and make every possible concession.

Will the hon. Gentleman look at the large amount of printed propaganda from countries behind the Iron Curtain which reaches Members of Parliament every week and is printed in London? Will he divert the pulp required for those publications to Malaya which is on our side, and not against us?

I am prepared to consider these things, and will certainly look into it.

Is the hon. Member aware that his right hon. Friend undertook to look into this matter again earlier this year? Would he say whether the matter has been reconsidered and, if so, what was the result?

The matter is constantly under consideration.

In view of the importance of the matter, and the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that, when my Adjournment debate next week is out of the way, I will raise this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that the home mills producing newsprint have sufficient raw materials to maintain full output during 1951.

No, Sir. With one exception all the mills concerned have so far succeeded in maintaining full production, but one important producer has been unable to obtain full supplies of raw materials and will have some shortfall in production during the year.

May we have an assurance that the Government will do everything they can to facilitate supplies of raw materials to our newsprint mills?

Yes, certainly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that the present rate of export of rayon and cotton yarns gives the highest con version value; and whether, in the light of the existing circumstances, he is contemplating making any change in policy.

The conversion value of our exports, though an important factor, is not the only consideration which must be taken into account in determining the most advantageous rate of exports of rayon and cotton yarns. Steps have already been taken to reduce exports of these yarns, and we are satisfied that, on balance, these are adequate in present circumstances, but we shall continue to watch the position carefully.

While appreciating that we have to bear in mind the interests of long-term markets may I ask if it is not a fact that the Board of Trade has been very dilatory in this matter? Cannot they become more receptive to changes in this field?

I disagree entirely. We have been very much up to the mark. We have had assurances already from the cotton spinners that our own weavers will not go short.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of raw silk is now in this country.

Figures of stocks of raw silk are given in the Monthly Digest of Statistics issued by the Central Statistical Office. Stocks at the end of February were 505,000 lb.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what this represents in terms of production, and how long it will last the industry?

In terms of 1950 production, nearly four months.

In view of the great importance of the export of fine silk products from this country, is my hon. Friend satisfied that it would be possible to maintain effective supplies of raw silk for our factories?

I am sorry, but I did not get the point of the last part of that question.

If I may repeat it, is my hon. Friend satisfied that it will be possible to maintain effective supplies of raw silk for our factories?

Definitely. Import licences are freely given now for any supplies of raw silk for our industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations of the Plant Report in respect of reducing the present charges levied by film distributors.

I can find no recommendation in the Plant Report in the terms suggested by the hon. Member. I assume that he has in mind the various recommendations in paragraphs 137–150 of the report, which were designed to give the producer certain safeguards in his dealings with the distributor—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speak slowly."] The trade members of the Cinematograph Films Council made some useful comments on these recommendations in their report of 24th May, 1950, which we have commended to all the trade organisations concerned. We shall continue to press on all sections of the industry the need for greater flexibility in all these matters, but my right hon. Friend does not consider that they are suitable for legislative provision.

While I did not grasp all that was contained in that "quickie," may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will bear in mind that here is a source of income which the producers ought to have, and that if the Department is putting money into film production they should ensure that the distributors do not take 25 to 30 per cent. out of revenue.

I apologise if I read the answer too quickly, but it seemed to me to be a boring one and I wanted to get it over.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that travelling salesmen with motor cars, vans and travelling shops, who do a considerable trade in the country, are not required to complete the Census of Distribution; and what steps he is taking to obtain the relevant information regarding this substantial section of the trade.

The Census of Distribution covers all kinds of retail distribution, including travelling salesmen with motor cars, vans and travelling shops. Traders of these kinds known to the Census Office have been sent forms for completion, and any who have been missed have been asked, through Press announcements, to apply to the Census of Distribution Office at Osterley for forms.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the case of at least two persons in the limited area of the kingdom of East Fife who have no knowledge of this matter at all?

Perhaps the hon. Member will help us by bringing this knowledge to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why this country has ordered 20,000 tins of water for Defence purposes from the United States of America; and in what way this water is more useful for such purposes than the water of our own islands.

So far as I am aware, no such order has been placed but if the hon. Member will let me have fuller details, I will make further inquiries.

In view of the categorical statement by Mr. Freudenthal, President of the Chemical Service of Baltimore, that he has fulfilled such an order, and the fact that from the answer, Mr. Freudenthal would appear not to know the details of his own business, will the hon. Gentleman see that adequate publicity is given to this answer, as a considerable amount of ridicule has been cast upon the policy of His Majesty's Government by this story?

Inquiries have failed to trace any authenticity in this statement. I will see that publicity is given to the reply.

Is not the explanation of this mystery that the American admiral is bringing over his own water?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the commodity classifications on which is based the distribution of circulars by the Special Register Service of Information.

The present classification on which is based the distribution of circulars for the Special Register Service of Information covers 192 groups of commodities and 23 geographical areas. Arrangements have, however, been made by His Majesty's Stationery Office to instal a new machine capable of dealing with a greater number of subjects and a revised classification covering 491 commodity groups and 29 geographical areas is now being introduced. As the schedules are lengthy I am sending the hon. Member a copy of each.

As this reclassification was spoken of in Board of Trade letters last October, can the hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before it is put into effect?

We hope to put it into effect soon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many addressees receive circulars of the Special Register Service of Information; and what was the total number of postal packets dispatched by this service in 1950.

The total number of firms and organisations enrolled on the Special Register Service of Information is 7,007. The total number of postal packets despatched during 1950 by His Majesty's Stationery Office, which carries out the work of producing and despatching the circulars, was 3,017,726.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that these circulars are sent out in sealed envelopes, apparently at full rate, at a cost of, I suppose, about £10,000 per million? Does he appreciate that one firm, to my knowledge, received 23 postal packets in ten working days, and is this not a most extraordinary example of gross extravagance? Cannot he cut down the number of dispatches of these circulars, good as they may be?

The firm concerned is in consultation with us and arrangements are being made with the Stationery Office to improve the method of dispatch.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of the various committees that act as a link between his Department and industry.

The list of committees, etc., which act as a link between the Board of Trade and industry is too long to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, and I am sending it to the hon. Member.

Is this list as long as that of the Ministry of Supply, which has over 250 committees?

I should not think that ours is as long, but it is lengthy.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to review these arrangements with a view to making the organisation smaller and more efficient in its work?

No, Sir. This organisation is very efficient.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the precentage of increase he permits between the buying and selling price of raw wool, or is this unlimited.

The Board of Trade do not control either the buying price or the selling price of raw wool.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the serious reflection that this has on the cost of all clothing and, without attempting to control it, will he give some guidance to help in this situation?

May I ask, for my own guidance, whether the hon. Gentleman is referring to home-grown. Australian or other overseas wool?

Will my hon. Friend consider introducing the bulk buying of wool, because bulk buying has proved so effective in keeping prices down?

Not while the market is acting as it is.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the large increases in the price of wool and of woollen garments over the past 12 months, he will enable expectant mothers to be issued with vouchers entitling them to buy small quantities of baby wool at specially controlled prices.

No, Sir. Prices of all kinds of knitting wool, including baby wool, are already tightly controlled.

If the prices of woollen garments do not come down, or if the price of wool goes up again, will my hon. Friend look at the matter once more, particularly as it has been the policy of the Government to see that there are fair shares of children's essential clothing and other things, so that our children are the finest in the world?

In some varieties the price has already come down by some 30 per cent. since it reached its peak in March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the export of superphosphates from this country is at present taking place.

United Kingdom exports of superphosphates of lime were 3,186 tons in 1950, and in the first two months of 1951 only one ton—to the Channel Islands—has been exported. Exports will remain negligible.

Though that reply is reasonably satisfactory, can the hon. Gentleman tell us since what date, and under what powers, the export has stopped, because on 22nd March when the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Eccles) asked the President of the Board of Trade about this matter, the right hon. Gentleman was not aware what the situation was? Under what precise powers has the export now stopped, and what guarantee is there about the length of time for which it will stop?

We consult the Ministry of Agriculture. They advise us and it is on that advice that we take action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in future, he will publish a list of items concerning the import and export of which it is proposed to hold commercial negotiations with foreign Powers, so that those who are interested may make representations before the commencement of such negotiations.

Arrangements already exist for consultation with industries likely to be affected by commercial negotiations with other countries before those negotiations begin. I am always glad to consider suggestions for improving the machinery of consultation, but, since it is by no means certain in advance what items will come up for consideration, it would not be practicable to publish lists, even if the procedure were acceptable to the other country concerned.

Is it not a fact that the usual practice in the United States, in advance of such negotiations, is for a list of the items upon which the negotiations will take place to be made widely known in trade circles? Why cannot that be done here in advance of the negotiations?

I am not aware of what happens in the case of the United States, but I do know that the machinery that we have operates satisfactorily.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any garments described in Part I of Women's and Maids' Outerwear (other than Knitted Apparel and Gloves) Related Schedule No. 3J contains short staple rayon and/or cotton.

Yes, Sir.

Will the hon. Gentleman in future ensure that, when wool clothes do include rayon and cotton, the same principle will be carried out in relation to them as has been done here?

I have already met the wishes of the hon. and gallant Gentleman in the way that we are making our definitions in our orders.

I am much obliged to the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the action taken to produce, on a substantial scale, monkey nut wool suitings at a fraction of the cost of Australian wool suitings.

Production of textile fibre from groundnut meal has just been started in a new plant in this country. I understand that, for technical reasons, only a proportion of this material will, for the time being, go into the production of suitings. There is unlikely to be any appreciable quantity of such suitings produced this year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that when the President of the Board of Trade recently walked down the Paris boulevards smart Parisian women were seen to stop and gaze with envy and admiration at his monkey nut wool suit, and would my hon. Friend ask the President if, when next he speaks at that Box, he will wear the suit so that we can see it?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether his right hon. Friend wore the suit when he recently went to see the Prime Minister?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the future of raw cotton supplies from the United States of America, with special reference to the quality of cotton that is to be supplied.

No, Sir. We are well aware of the importance of the quality consideration involved, but are not yet able to make a further statement.

In view of the great importance of this question to the whole of the Lancashire cotton industry, could the hon. Gentleman consider giving some idea of how the allocation scheme is made, and also say whether there is to be an improvement in quality?

I would not like to say anything about the quality, but I can give the hon. Gentleman an idea how the allocation scheme was made. I believe it was based on consumption for the year, plus three months, less stocks and less likely supplies from outside sources.

Is it not a fact that the allocation is appalling and that the Government are entirely responsible for this state of affairs?

The Government have done all they can in acquainting the authorities in America with the position.

Will not the allocation scheme, as briefly outlined by the hon. Gentleman, work very much against this country and in favour of other countries which increased their consumption the year before?

We have never been satisfied with the basis of the allocation, and have said so on many occasions.

Does not that indicate that it is time that private enterprise should be given a chance?

Nothing of the sort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the price of timber used in municipal houses in Scotland has increased during the last three months; to what extent this increase is due to decontrol of timber; and to what extent it is due to other causes.

I am informed that it is too early yet to estimate the effect of increased timber prices on municipal houses in Scotland. With regard to the rest of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Nottingham, East (Mr. Harrison), on Tuesday, 10th April.

Why does the hon. Gentleman say that it is too early, when, in my constituency, the price of timber has gone up by 50 per cent. and the cost of the timber used in a municipal house has increased by £70?

Let us be fair about this. We must give time for the market to settle down, and it is too early yet to be able to say.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the President of the Board of Trade, at the Timber Federation dinner before decontrol, said that he was advancing prices then and that they would go on advancing, whether decontrol was effected or not? Is he aware that import prices have advanced very much more in the last three months than prices to the consumers?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, in view of the re-armament programme, material will be in short supply for fishermen's nets; and if he will give an assurance that sufficient material will be set aside for the necessary replacements.

We have no evidence that the demands of the re-armament programme are likely to jeopardise the supplies of raw material required for making fishermen's nets, but if any shortage appears likely to develop we will consider taking any steps practicable to ensure adequate supplies.

I am obliged to the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply. Has he any information about manila supplies?

There is an additional quantity available for fishermen amounting to 4,000 tons per annum, to be allocated at 1,000 tons per quarter, starting in July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to arrest the decline which has taken place in the last few years in the pro portion of imports of raw materials and manufactured goods which come from Empire countries as compared with foreign countries.

The proportion, by value, of imports from the Commonwealth of raw materials and manufactured goods together was higher in 1949 and 1950 than in any of the previous eight years except 1946.

Is the hon. Gentleman quite certain that it was higher in 1949–50 than in the previous years? Surely it has gone down steadily since 1945?

No, Sir. In 1945 it was exceptional, but although it has gone down a little in percentage it has gone up in volume.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what control is exercised by his Department in regard to the volume of imports, the resale price and quality, other than ceiling price, for carpets, rugs and felts of Indian origin; how such ceiling prices are calculated; and what are the rate and basis of computation for purchase tax.

Indian carpets, rugs and felts are admitted into this country under Open General Import Licence. There is thus no restriction on the quantity of such imports, apart from the indirect effects of the relevant price control order, which includes a requirement that the price per square yard must in no case be greater than the maximum price for the most expensive type of price-control-group carpet made here. For the hand-knotted carpets and rugs (which account for most of these Indian imports), the highest maximum prices apply only to the better qualities, inasmuch as the maximum prices on resale depend on the number of knots and on whether the yarn is hand-spun or mill-spun. For example, to qualify for the top price of 83s. per square ward, there must be not fewer than 577 knots per 6-inch square. For the carpets and rugs (including felts) which are not hand-knotted, the importer's and the wholesaler's maximum price for a sale otherwise than by retail is the landed cost plus 12½ per cent. I am informed that the rate of purchase tax is 33⅓ per cent. of the wholesale valuation.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that whereas British carpets are closely controlled in regard to both price and quality there is only a ceiling price for Indian carpets, which means, in many cases, that inferior Indian carpets are being sold at excessive prices? This redounds to the discredit of British manufacturers. Cannot the hon. Gentleman help our manufacturers in this matter?

I am sure that purchasers will ascertain the quality and choose accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value and the square yardage of Indian carpets, including rugs and felts, imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1950; the percentage increase of such imports over the year 1949; the import duty charged upon Indian carpets entering the United Kingdom; and the import duty charged upon entry of British manufactured carpets, rugs and felts, respectively, into India and Pakistan.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise—I am sure he does—that whereas Indian carpets enter the United Kingdom without import duty, British carpets entering India are subject to an ad valorem duty of 30 per cent? Further, is he aware that the Indians have now, in addition imposed export duties on wool, jute and jute yarn affecting British manufacturers very adversely? Will he look into the question of reciprocity of tariffs?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what allocation of sulphur he is proposing to make this year to the manufacturers of the fruit preservative known as S.O.2 to enable them to meet the requirements of preserving the soft fruit crop in Scotland which is expected largely to exceed last year's production.

We cannot forecast now what the level of sulphur supplies to manufacturers of sulphur dioxide (S.O.2) might be at the time the soft fruit crop in Scotland will be ready for gathering. The need for sulphur dioxide for the preservation of fruit will be borne in mind and related to the other uses of that chemical in considering at the appropriate time the supply of sulphur for its manufacture.

Will the hon. Gentleman and his Department bear in mind that the increased production and preserving of soft fruits in Scotland was on the encouragement of the Ministry of Food and that there is likely to be a very much increased crop this year? Can we have an assurance that every effort is being made to ensure that this material, which is necessary for preservation, will be in reasonable supply to meet the increased crop?

I will make special inquiry about that.

Is there any improvement in the sulphur import position?

I cannot report any improvement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the anticipated total imports of softwoods, excluding plywood and pitwood, during the calendar year 1951; the percentage and quantity of such imports which will be imported on public account by the Timber Control Department of the Board of Trade; the percentage and quantity of softwood imports on private account; and whether he is satisfied that total softwood imports for 1951 will be adequate for commercial and domestic consumption needs, and the requirements of stockpiling.

I cannot give an exact forecast of imports in 1951. Imports by Timber Control and by private trade in 1951 will probably represent about two-thirds and one-third respectively of our total imports, though the actual proportion will, of course, depend on contracts that may yet be made and the fulfilment of contracts already made both by Timber Control and private traders. The rate of licensing of softwood in the latter part of the year has not yet been determined, but supplies should suffice to meet essential requirements for current consumption.

Can the hon. Gentleman add to that reply by telling us something about the stockpiling position? Does he realise that, in 1939, before the outbreak of the last war, our stocks were one million standards of softwood? Can he hold out any hope that stocks by the end of 1951, to meet an emergency, will equal that figure?

I can certainly say that in 1951 our timber position will be better than in 1950 if private traders will buy all they can in Scandinavia. The Government are buying all they can in North America at reasonable prices and we are not losing sight of the fact that we can get additional supplies in Russia.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many overcoats and battledresses he has issued, or proposes to issue, for the members of the Civil Defence Force; what is the cost of each outfit; and what is the total cost.

Thirty-two thousand five hundred uniforms, including an overcoat and battledress, have been issued at an average cost of about eight guineas. The total cost is therefore about £275,000. The policy of supplying uniforms is being reconsidered. Meanwhile, no more uniforms are being issued.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a young farm worker in a small village told me the other day that he and his five friends were each issued with a battledress and overcoat and that his reaction was that it was a gross waste of money in view of the present shortage of clothing, under a Socialist Government?

The shortage of raw materials and the increasing cost was a factor which influenced us in stopping this issue.

Would the hon. Gentleman explain exactly what is happening? In reply to a Question of mine before Easter he informed me that uniforms would be issued to the Civil Defence by November last. Has that policy been changed?

This is not the first time that the suspension of the issue has been announced in the House. Thirty-two thousand uniforms had been issued up to the time of the suspension and we are considering whether there should be some further issue on some other basis, geographical, functional, and so on.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will, in view of the serious effect on the recruitment of volunteers for the Civil Defence Corps caused by the absence of any declaration of policy on Civil Defence in industry, make an announcement of his intentions on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government in relation to Civil Defence arrangements in industry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement regarding the plans of His Majesty's Government for Civil Defence in industry.

As a result of the discussions which have been held between the Civil Defence Joint Planning Staff and both sides of industry and commerce, substantial agreement has been reached about the way in which industrial Civil Defence should be organised. Some further consultations, notably with the local authority associations, must be held before the plans can be published, but it can be expected that these will be circulated through the employers' organisations and the trade unions and to local authorities next month.

Is my hon. Friend aware that employers are urging their employees not to volunteer for Civil Defence until the Government decide on their policy on industry, and that this is having a detrimental effect on voluntary recruitment to the Corps?

I am not aware of that, and if it is so it is certainly contrary to public policy. These men and women should now be trained and the training can be undertaken by their local Civil Defence units.

But is my hon. Friend aware that employers are anxious to know what is the Government's policy for protection of works and factories, and what employees will be expected to do?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been causing great anxiety in the City of Bristol among people of all political opinions? While I am glad to hear that the matter is now going forward, may I ask whether he is aware that recruiting is likely to be handicapped until a decision is reached about the Home Guard?

That is another matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the absence of the necessary training manuals is holding up specialised sectional training courses in many civil defence centres; and when these manuals are likely to be available.

A provisional syllabus and notes on section training were issued last November. Detailed pamphlets are being completed as quickly as possible. The ambulance section pamphlet has already been issued, and those on the welfare and warden sections will be available soon.

Can the Minister say what he means by "soon"?

I should not like to say precisely. I hope this will be out within the next month.