asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the great educational handicap to children of many members of the Regular Forces when these men are continually being moved from one district to another; whether he is aware that some children go to as many as eight schools; and whether, in view of the handicap to intelligent children who may be undergoing higher education, he will grant special boarding school facilities for them if the parents so desire.

I am well aware of these difficulties. Local education authorities are empowered to assist with boarding education in suitable cases and I have already suggested that these could include children whose parents' occupation involves constant change of home. Any special assistance to Service parents over and above that available under local education authorities' general arrangements would, however, be the concern of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence and his Service colleagues.

Cannot some permanent solution be found to this urgent problem? Is this not just another reason why it is so hard to get Regular troops, who realise what a dog's life their families have to lead in following the drum?

The arrangement that is made between the local authorities could be permanent. The question of whether or not that could be applied to all and sundry is one for the Service Departments.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider consulting with his right hon. Friends the Minister of Defence and the Secretary of State for Scotland with a view to introducing a workable plan for children of Regular soldiers and to letting the people concerned know all about it because, at the moment, they do not?

The possibility of any further help for Service parents is now being studied.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he is aware that a high percentage of gypsy children are unable to read or write; and what action he proposes to take to deal with this problem;

I have no statistics available. I am sure, however, that local education authorities make every endeavour to help these children to obtain an adequate education.

Is this not another example of how little is known about this great human problem? Is not my right hon. Friend aware that local authorities are driving out gypsy families from places where they have been for generations; that they are being hunted from place to place? Has not the Minister some responsibility for providing education for gypsy children?

The responsibility happens to lie with the local authorities, and in many counties they are actually making the provision. One of the difficulties is, of course, that these families do not normally stay very long in any one place.

Will my right hon. Friend meet some missionaries among the gypsies so that he may be acquainted of this problem?

Yes, Sir, I am prepared to meet missionaries from anywhere.

I hope that they will be able to convert my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Education whether the investigations into punishments and rewards of children in schools, under taken by the Foundation for Educational Research, which was announced on 24th April, 1947, have now been completed; whether the report, which he informed the House on 18th May, 1950, would probably be completed in July, 1950, has been issued; whether it will be published in full or summarised; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Yes, Sir, the investigations have been completed. The report to which I referred was the report of the Foundation's investigators, which was not in a form suitable for publication. No report has yet been issued, but I understand that the Foundation will shortly reach a final decision about publication. I do not propose to intervene.

Can my right hon. Friend say what action will be taken when he receives this report?

I will look at it first.

asked the Minister of Education what is the estimated number of trainees for teaching in each of the ensuing five years; how many newly-qualified teachers will be available during that period; and to what extent economy in educational expenditure is likely adversely to affect the necessary supply of teachers during the next five years.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a report recently submitted to me which gives, in the appendix, the best information available on the first two parts of the Question. The report also shows that arrangements have been made for securing a very considerable increase in the number of teachers over the next few years, and I can assure my hon. Friend that progress has not so far been held up by any restriction in educational expenditure.

Does my right hon. Friend anticipate that this financial economy may have an effect next year on the number of teachers required?

No, I do not think so.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that perhaps the only new source of potential teachers will be girls leaving our secondary modern schools? If so, what can he do about that?

I know that that is one source, but it is not the only source. The more mature person might also be brought in.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take, in view of the threatened shortage of teachers, revealed by the Report of the Advisory Council, to attract to teaching mature students from other professions.

The Report mentioned by the hon. Member does not forecast a general shortage of teachers but draws attention to certain special difficulties which have to be overcome if we are to secure an adequate supply. In accordance with the recommendations of the McNair Committee, specially generous grants have been available for some years for students aged 25 and over taking one-year courses at training colleges. I hope that the publicity given to the Report will make this facility more widely known.

Would the Minister agree that it is necessary not merely to make it more widely known—what he says is perfectly true—but that the Report also calls attention to the fact that there is great anxiety as to whether a sufficient supply of these mature teachers will be forthcoming in future? Is it not possible, not only to make the facilities more widely known, but to extend the facilities?

Yes, but anxiety does not mean, of course, that there will be a shortage but that there may be a shortage. We are ready to do anything we can to make these facilities known.

Does my right hon. Friend accept the figure of additional teachers required in the next two years to be something like 20,500? In view of the urgent need of primary and infant schools what action is he taking to encourage people to go into that kind of teaching?

I cannot accept that figure without going further into it. With the entries at present in training colleges and the numbers coming in in the two years we see the possibility of getting through without reducing present standards of staffing, but we need all we can get.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that classes, especially in primary schools, are far too big and that it is not only a question of not reducing standards but of greatly improving educational accommodation?

We realise that to the full, and I think it is gratuitous to point it out to me. I should like to point out to hon. Members generally that we have a million more children to cater for and that those occupy classes as well.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that to cut down classes to 30 children, which most teachers would like, we should need an additional 60,000 teachers?

Yes, and as the Report points out there is no possibility of doing that within the next five or 10 years. We should recognise that impossibility.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what his policy is with regard to the closing of primary schools, which is so much against the interest of many, in view of the shortage of teachers?

I do not know of any primary school that is being closed.

Has my right hon. Friend any information as to how the size of classes in primary schools compares with pre-war?

It is better than it has ever been.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the shortage of paper and the shortage of teachers, he will take urgent steps to reduce the number of forms which have to be filled in by headmasters and headmistresses of Government-controlled schools so that the latter may be enabled to give more time to the task of education.

No, Sir. This matter has recently been under careful review and I am satisfied that the requirements of my Department do not go beyond what is essential. The question of forms required by local education authorities has also been reviewed in connection with the discussions of the Local Government Manpower Committee.

Would not the Minister agree there is considerable concern in the teaching profession today at the amount of time that is taken up in duties not strictly connected with teaching? I have been through all these forms at various schools and it seems to me many of them are unnecessary, except to give employment to officials in Government Departments. Would the Minister therefore use his best endeavours, in the interest of economy and education, to do away with some of these forms?

No, Sir. I have also gone through these forms and I have come to the conclusion that our requirements are absolutely essential. Some of the forms are used for answering Questions in the House.

Would my right hon. Friend resist the implication in this Question that headmasters and headmistresses should cut down administrative duties so that they should engage in more class teaching?

Does the Minister realise that there are forms which show great lack of trust and confidence in people in high positions in the teaching profession? Does he not agree that it is ridiculous that a headmistress should have to certify that she has given leave to one of her staff to go to the funeral of a relative and that she has to give the name of the deceased relative and the date of the funeral?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that some of the things which he has now suggested as not being necessary would be very soon pointed out to be necessary, if we let up on them.

asked the Minister of Education how many teachers applied to go to Europe last year under the Exchange of Teachers Scheme; how many went; and what was the reason for the small number for which firm plans were made.

Forty-seven applications were received. Twelve were appointed of whom three withdrew at a late stage. A number of applicants did not have the appropriate qualifications. These interchange schemes are, moreover, based on an exchange of equal numbers of teachers and a shortage of suitable foreign candidates reduced the number of interchange posts available for English teachers.

Is the Minister aware there was very great disappointment after applicants had been asked to send in their names? Will he try to see there is a more successful scheme during this coming year?

I cannot guarantee there will never be any disappointments because every time there are more applicants than there are places somebody is disappointed.

asked the Minister of Education if he is in a position to make a statement on the negotiations which have been taking place for an extended superannuation scheme for teachers.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement regarding the amendments to or extensions of the Teachers' Superannuation Acts.

Is the Minister aware that, having regard to the fact that civil servants had their arrangements completed some two years ago, teachers are extremely disappointed? Would not action help to encourage recruitment of teachers? Will the right hon. Gentleman please move in this matter?

The positions of the civil servant and of the teacher are on a different footing because one is subject to the Superannuation Acts and a different method applies to the other.

asked the Minister of Education what decisions were taken at the meeting over which he presided between the representatives of the Durham County Council and the National Union of Teachers to discuss matters arising out of the appointment of teachers by the Durham education authority.

The representatives of the County Council assured me once more that they would comply with the directive I had given them both in the letter and in the spirit. On this basis, the representatives of the teachers' organisations offered to intensify their efforts to secure among teachers employed by the Council full membership of their appropriate union or professional organisation. This offer was accepted by the Council's representatives, while the teachers' representatives accepted, on the same basis, a suggestion of the Council's representatives that arrangements should be made for representatives of both sides to meet for the purpose of discussing questions of common interest and of fostering good relations between them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there will be no delay in the appointment of teachers? Does he peruse local Press cuttings and statements that are made from time to time on these matters?

Can we have an assurance that this does not interfere with the right of working men, in the teaching profession or any other, to strike against anybody in the profession who refuses to join their organisation?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many standards of pit prop timber were consumed by the mining industry in Britain during 1950; what is the estimated consumption during each of the years 1951 and 1952; whether supplies of such pit prop timber from imported and indigenous sources will be adequate for the period forward to 31st December, 1952; and whether strategic stockpiles of such timber are to be established.

It is not the practice to disclose the National Coal Board's consumption of pit prop timber, and I am not in a position to forecast what relation supplies of pit props will bear to demand over the next two years. Our requirements of pit props certainly include a prudent strategic reserve.

While I recognise the need for reticence on the right hon. and learned Gentleman's part, would the right hon. and learned Gentleman at least give the House an assurance that in view of our unhappy experiences in the last war, when our Baltic sources of supply for pit prop timber were closed to us, he will bear strategic stockpiling very closely in mind?

The National Coal Board, like any other commercial undertaking, is entitled to preserve some reticence about its position, but I am certainly very much concerned to see that our imports of timber from different sources enable us to have proper regard for the considerations which the hon. Member naturally has in mind.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that the shortage of pit props caused us the greatest anxiety during the last war and placed a great strain upon our shipping resources in bringing them over longer lines of supply? Having regard to the great inroads made into our domestic resources, will he make a survey to see how far these have been replenished?

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. I am, of course, keeping that matter under—

Active consideration.

No; that is a phrase I never use. I am keeping the matter under constant attention and I appreciate very fully the necessity of building up our stocks for this and other essential purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of softwood and hardwood, respectively, were exported from the United Kingdom in 1950; and what proportion of these woods were suitable for use in the building trade.

A total of 2,825 tons of United Kingdom timber were exported in 1950, 1,067 tons being sawn hardwood and 236 tons sawn softwood. During the same period 1,800 tons of imported hardwood and 343 tons of imported softwood were re-exported. I do not know whether any of the hardwood was suitable for use in the building trade but there is, of course, no shortage of hardwood for housing in this country. I presume that some of the softwood could have been used for building; but the quantity exported was insignificant and the bulk of it went to the Channel Islands and other Commonwealth countries.

Does the Minister not agree that this is a most extraordinary statement, in view of the fact that hon. Members opposite have consistently maintained that one of the bottlenecks in the building industry is a shortage of timber? In view of that, will the Minister give an undertaking that no wood suitable for building houses in this country will be exported until the houses have been provided here?

We have certain responsibilities towards the Channel Islands and, indeed towards other Commonwealth countries which the hon. Member appears to have forgotten. But, in spite of that fact, the tonnage of softwood exported to those areas was quite insignificant in relation to the total building programme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the consumption of wool by Yorkshire mills fell during March for the seventh month in succession; and what effect this trend will have on the production and price of utility clothing.

I am aware that consumption of raw wool by the United Kingdom industry has been falling in recent months, but this decline has been to a large extent offset by increased use of other fibres, particularly recovered wool. As a result, the total consumption of fibres by the wool industry in the first quarter of this year was only some 5 per cent. less than the rate in the corresponding period of 1950. I think it unlikely that a reduction of this order will of itself have any marked effect on the production or prices of utility clothing.

In view of this trend and the fact that raw wool prices are falling in Australia, will my right hon. and learned Friend give very close scrutiny to any demand which may be made for increased prices of utility goods?

That is certainly a matter which I have under constant attention and which I am watching, particularly in the case of wool.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend tell us what steps are being taken to ensure that manufacturers get utility cloth at the present time?

That is really another matter, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the question of maintaining supplies of utility cloth to the manufacturers is one the importance of which I do not for a moment overlook, and I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal about these problems.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of electrical generating equipment of all classes exported from the United Kingdom during the year 1950; the value of such exports during the first four months of 1951; and the value pro rata for the full year 1951.

United Kingdom exports of electrical generating sets and generators (including parts) during the year 1950 amounted to £16,357,000, and during the first four months of 1951 to £4,075,000; the value pro rata for the full year 1951 of these exports is £12,226,000.

In view of the devastating effect of power cuts upon our industrial production at present, arising primarily from a shortage of generating equipment, is the time not now propitious to reconsider the whole of our export policy of this vital type of equipment?

The question of our export policy of electrical and other equipment is, of course, constantly under review—both from the point of view of economic and of strategic considerations, but I certainly would not commit myself to the view that these exports have not gained greater advantage than disadvantage.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that in the last few weeks power cuts in the most essential industrial area of the country—in the Midlands—have been far worse than ever before, arising simply from this cause?

No, Sir. The power cuts have not arisen at all as a result of exports of electrical generating equipment. In the main, this has consisted of small or medium-type generators, and the total capacity of the generators exported is very small, in comparison with the production of a single power station in this country, as I shall hope to show in connection with a subsequent Question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of electrical generating equipment exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the 16 months ended 30th April, 1951, or nearest convenient period; and whether, in view of the stringency of the fuel and power supply position in the United Kingdom, he will place any restriction upon future exports of such generating equipment to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Exports to the Soviet Union of electrical generating sets and generators (including parts) amounted in 1950 to £6,078,159 and to £389,685 in the current year up till 30th April. As regards the second part of the Question, these exports to Russia have been for the most part small portable and medium size generating sets. As I informed the hon. Member for Hitchin (Mr. Fisher) on 7th May, Russian orders for the portable sets, which constituted a large proportion of these exports in 1950, were completed before the end of the year. There has been adequate capacity to meet home demands for these types of equipment but we shall, naturally, continue to watch the situation.

Is it not suicidal to continue to export to Russia any type of generating equipment which is being used to provide power and lighting in factories which are making armaments to send to the Chinese to shoot down our own troops in Korea?

I understand that the vast majority of the small generators which we have been supplying to Russia are used in forests in connection with the felling of timber, and I would remind the hon. Member that last year one-fifth of our total imports of timber came from the Soviet Union. We attempt to consider this matter in a proper way in the Board of Trade, and we consider that the basic and underlying problem in all this—and I apologise for the length of this answer, but there are other Questions directed to the same point—is whether, looked at either from the economic or from the strategic point of view, the advantages we get in return for these exports are at least as great as those which the Communist Powers obtain from receiving them. In our view the economic and strategic advantages which we have obtained because of the returns which we get from exporting goods of this kind are greater than those which have been obtained by the Communist countries from receiving them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement of the quantities of rubber exported since the beginning of this year to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of rubber has been exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Roumania since 1st January last; and on what dates the major consignments were authorised.

In the period January-April, 1951, 4,061 tons of imported raw rubber were exported from the United Kingdom to the Soviet Union, 109 tons to Czechoslovakia and 84 tons to Hungary. There were no exports of raw rubber to Poland or Roumania during this period. Between 9th April (when authorisation became necessary with the introduction of export licensing) and the 30th April, export licences were issued for 2,400 tons to the U.S.S.R. and 115 tons to Czechoslovakia. Not all of this was exported before the end of April. Exports of rubber during January-April this year from Malaya to the Soviet Union were 14,425 tons, and to the other countries of the Soviet bloc were 4,917 tons.

While recognising the difficulty and complexity of this subject and of these figures, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether his attention has been called to statements in the Press that there has been a very substantial increase in this type of export to the Soviet Union and to her satellite countries, and whether he would very carefully watch this position to ensure that we do not get into the same kind of trouble we did over other forms of exports some time ago?

The hon. Member may be assured that I am keeping a very careful watch on it. Our average exports to those countries are not increasing; they are being maintained at a level corresponding to that which existed last year. The hon. Member realises very well the complexity and the difficulty of this problem. It is a fact, as I have already said, that a fifth of our total imports of timber come from the Soviet Union, and a third of our total imports of coarse grain come from that area; and these are matters that one cannot disregard in considering what action to take.

Is it not a fact that although some of these countries may be Communist countries they are none the less friendly Powers? [Laughter.] Yes, up to now. There is nobody at war. What would the Tories prefer—trade with Communist countries, or war? Let us know.

I do not propose to take it upon myself to answer for hon. Members on the opposite side of the House. There are various degrees of friendship, but we are certainly not at war with the Communist countries, and I have indicated the economic reasons which lead to the necessity of continuing trade relations with them.

On a point of order. Are you aware, Mr. Speaker, that only 27 Questions have been answered? Is it not possible to ask the Government Front Bench to co-operate by giving less extensive answers?

I am only too well aware of that fact. I have been watching it carefully.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many oil engine driven electrical generating units were exported from this country to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the years 1949 and 1950; and what was the aggregate capacity thereof in kilo watts or horse-power.

Oil engine driven electrical generating units are not specified in the United Kingdom trade returns by number or capacity, but I am informed that about 4,000 sets of a total capacity of some 225,000 kilowatts were produced for export to the U.S.S.R. during the two years 1949 and 1950. The majority of these sets were of 50 kw. capacity.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that in the United Kingdom people who want these generating sets are now being quoted a 12 month delivery date and that every set used here abates the pressure on the electricity load?

This Question relates to some other country, not the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and output capacity of boilers and alternators for power stations exported from Britain to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the years 1948, 1949 and 1950.

Complete figures of the number and output capacity of boilers and alternators for power stations exported to the U.S.S.R. during 1948, 1949 and 1950 are not available, but it is known that 52 alternators of various types, with a total rate of output of approximately 250,000 kW in 1948 and 1949 and one turbo alternator set of 25,000 kW in 1950, were delivered under the war-time Civil Supplies Agreement. In addition, 24 500 kW steam driven generating sets with boilers and 30 240 kW steam driven generating sets without boilers were delivered to the U.S.S.R. during 1949 and 1950.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of all electrical machinery exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for each of the years 1948, 1949 and 1950.

The total value of United Kingdom exports of electrical machinery to the Soviet Union during each of the years 1948, 1949 and 1950 was £2,186,000, £4,975,000 and £6,822,000 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the large numbers of accidents resulting from the use of unprotected electric fires, he will introduce legislation to make compulsory the provision of safety guards on all such fires or radiators offered for sale to the public.

The introduction of legislation confined to the object suggested by my hon. Friend is not a matter for which I should be responsible, but I understand that an inter-Departmental Committee is at present considering the whole question of safety guards on electric fires and radiators.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are his intentions regarding the extent of the future activities of the National Film Finance Corporation.

I am not yet able to make a statement, but I hope to be in a position to do so shortly.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the whole of the limited production now in British film studios depends upon the marginal money supplied by the Corporation, and that, as these studios see ahead only to about October, unless an announcement is made very shortly there will be further unemployment in the industry?

Yes, I am aware of the difficulties in the present situation. I have not yet had a great deal of time to consider it personally, but I hope to be able to make a statement about it before very long.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend try to restrain the Corporation from financing films, such as one now in production under the title "I Spy Strangers," which tend to cast discredit on this House by representing Members of Parliament as spies and saboteurs?

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the title of that film has already been changed?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the statement in the annual Report of the National Film Finance Corporation to the effect that Association of Cinematograph Technicians insisted upon four members of a sound crew being sent overseas with a unit, and insisted upon a settlement of £500 out of funds supplied by the Corporation being paid to the union benevolent fund if a threatened strike were to be averted; and if he will state what steps he proposes to take to prevent a repetition of such action.

I understand that the payment referred to was made by a film company in settlement of a dispute which arose between them and the Association of Cinematograph and Allied Technicians about the terms of an agreement between employers and employed in the film industry. I have no jurisdiction in matters of this kind; I understand, however, that the British Film Producers' Association have since advised their member companies not to arrive at settlements of disputes in this way without prior consultation with the Association.

Ought not the right hon. and learned Gentleman express disapproval of this arrangement, since there was no work for the four men concerned and the sum of £500 really amounts to blackmail? Is he not aware that this, in an industry where costs are already inflated, is very regrettable indeed?

Is it not a fact that the Association of Cinematograph and Allied Technicians contest the claims made in this paragraph of the Corporation's Report, and have asked for an independent inquiry into the whole matter, for which they are quite prepared? Will my right hon. and learned Friend consider whether that course should not be followed?

I certainly understand that in this question, as in most others, there are two sides. It is not my policy to interfere in the day to day operations of the Corporation, who, I am satisfied, exercise proper care and control over the expenditure of the public funds which are placed at their disposal.

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend—

Twenty-eight Questions in 41 minutes is very slow progress. I think we ought to get on.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the Report of the Torquay tariff negotiations.

I did not intend to make any further statement. If the hon. Member has any particular question he would like to put to me, I will of course answer it, or if he would care to talk or write to me about the whole matter I will be glad to see him.

Is it not a fact that, as a result of these negotiations, we have tied our hands for another three years not to introduce any new tariff preferences or to increase any existing ones? In view of the declining enthusiasm for this policy all over the world, does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think it a monstrous decision to have to come to?

No, Sir, on the whole I think the advantages that we have got from the regulation of the position under the Tariff Agreement are greater than the disadvantages which the hon. Member has in mind.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the important part tariffs and preferences have played in the past in stimulating Empire economic development? Would it not have been more in accord with the interests of this country and of the rest of the Commonwealth to have denounced this Agreement?

No, Sir, I do not think it would be to the advantage of this country to denounce this Agreement. I am particularly concerned to stimulate as far as I possibly can trade between the different parts of the Commonwealth; but our trading interests do extend, as do those of the other parts of the Commonwealth, beyond the Commonwealth itself, and it is important to have regard to them as well.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total exports of oil and lubricating grease from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong during the periods January to April, 1950, and January to April, 1951.

In the period January to April, 1950, 61,000 gallons of refined petroleum and lubricating oil and 170 tons of lubricating greases were exported from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong. For January—April, 1951, the corresponding figures were 260,000 gallons and 310 tons respectively. There were no exports of motor spirit, gas oil, fuel oil or diesel oil. It is necessary to add that the United States placed an embargo on all exports to Hong Kong on 3rd December, 1950, and it was therefore necessary for the United Kingdom to send additional supplies of oil and lubricating greases to Hong Kong for local consumption.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what part of those exports this year went by way of Hong Kong to China; and whether we still continue to export those articles?

I have answered that question at least four times before. I have said that from a date in August, 1950—which I forget off-hand—there have been no exports of any of these things to China.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a British ship of the Moller Line on charter has sailed from Rotterdam via Aden and Hong Kong for Tientsin with a cargo of scientific instruments, cameras and microscopes; and what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take in this matter.

I was not aware of the shipment to which the hon. Member refers, but as at present advised I should not propose to interfere with cargoes lawfully exported by a friendly State to China merely because they are being carried in a British ship. Nor have I any reason to believe that any exports consigned from the Netherlands to China would include strategic materials.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that this ship, the "Alpha Orient," which passed Colombo on 24th May, does not contain any air photographic cameras or photographic material suitable for use in military aircraft?

I am not in a position to give the details of a cargo which was not loaded in a British port, but I have no reason whatever to think that cargoes loaded from the Netherlands would include strategic materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, as a percentage of our total world trade, the United Kingdom's exports to and imports from the Commonwealth declined in all the main categories in 1950 as compared with 1949; and if this trend has now been reversed.

When the right hon. and learned Gentleman says—

We have now done 29 Questions in 42 minutes. Let us get at any rate a few more in.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of mining machinery have been sent and will be sent to Czechoslovakia and other East European States under existing commercial agreements.

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. We have no commitments to supply mining machinery under any trade agreement with countries in Eastern Europe. Export is not permitted of any type to which there is objection on security grounds or on grounds of essential home needs.

The decline in 1950 in the Commonwealth share of United Kingdom trade was mainly due to the recovery, from its low post-war level, of our trade with Western Europe. The marked increase in the sterling value of our exports to the United States of America, and reduced imports of grain from Canada, also contributed. The Commonwealth share of both imports and exports in 1950 was, however, larger than in any year from 1930–38.

While glad that this trend has to some extent been corrected, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether he will assure the House that it is his policy to defend the implementation of, and indeed to increase, a system of strong Imperial Preference?

His Majesty's Government certainly continue to regard Imperial Preference as of great importance in their policy of maximising trade with the Commonwealth. I certainly desire in all ways to increase trade with different parts of the Commonwealth and Empire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to ensure that no cargoes essential to British industry and the re-armament drive are being held up as a result of the Manchester dock strike.

The position is being closely watched. Although some important cargoes are being delayed, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply and I are satisfied that so far essential production has not been held up.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement on supplies of newsprint from Canada and other sources; and to what extent the home mills are now required to export newsprint.

Supplies of newsprint from home and overseas include 100,000 tons from Canada in 1950–51 and should be sufficient to maintain a six-page newspaper in 1951. We also hope to maintain exports at the rate of 100,000 tons per annum, entirely to Commonwealth markets; but we may not be able to make up for the short shipments in April and May resulting from reduced output on the part of one of our principal producers.

In the further arrangement which I think the Newsprint Supply Company are making for future supplies from Canada, have the Government been able to give an assurance that the Company will be allowed to proceed, and will not be forced to break any future contracts?

I believe it is a cardinal rule, which all Governments have to observe, that they cannot bind the future executive action of His Majesty's Government of the time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government will take steps to discontinue the export of steel, which is badly needed in this country, for the construction of railways in northern Persia.

I have given this matter careful consideration, but I do not think that in the present circumstances the action which the hon. Member suggests would be appropriate.

Does not one of the railways under construction actually link up with the Russian railway system; and is it not rather regrettable that our own steel, of which we stand in very great need for re-armament, may be used for conveying our own oil to our only potential enemy?

I am, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, keeping a close watch on the position.