asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made recently with the proposal to set up a development council for the pottery industry; and what further action is proposed.

Details of the proposals referred to in the reply given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend on 22nd February have been worked out by my officials and are now being considered by the industry.

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend take the view that it is time we had a decision on this important matter, especially in view of the information he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ellis Smith) last Thursday when he said there was great expansion of this industry? Is it not a fact that in matters of health, status, and problems relating to exports the workers have a great interest? Ought they not to be considered and would not a development council help in this matter?

I think that implementation of the proposals would be of value in the industry, but it was necessary to consider very carefully how some aspects of these proposals would fit in with the legal framework of the Act.

Is not the real difficulty of the pottery industry the shortage of workers? Is there not a plentiful demand at home for pottery, especially coloured pottery, all of which is being exported?

Yes, but it is important, in view of the difficulties of the industry, that we should find the most efficient and economical methods for increasing its output.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he took to satisfy himself that the allocation by him to Messrs. Hawker Aircraft Limited of the factory at Squires Gate, Blackpool, would not result in redundancy and unemployment arising at this firm's factories in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames; and whether he will give an assurance that no such redundancy and unemployment will in fact result.

The allocation of the Blackpool factory to Messrs. Hawker Aircraft Ltd., was made to enable them to increase their production, and I understand that it is the intention of the Company to continue to use their existing capacity and labour at Kingston-upon-Thames to the fullest extent.

asked the President of the. Board of Trade how many officials of his Department have the right to enter business or private premises without a court order or search warrant.

The number of Board of Trade officials with power to enter business premises without a court order or search warrant is 179. No official of the Board of Trade is authorised to enter private houses used exclusively as such.

How many convictions have been secured during the last year?

I cannot say without notice.

Would not the police have been equally competent to do the work that these 179 officials are doing?

No, Sir. This is largely specialised work which it would be unwise to impose on the police. I have no doubt that the existence of this force of inspectors helps to avoid offences being committed and prosecutions having to take place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects that conversations will be begun with Sweden regarding a new trade agreement.

Before the end of the year, Sir.

Is it not a fact that the present position of trade between the two countries is being badly thrown out of balance by the shortage of deliveries from the United Kingdom, especially of coal? Is the Minister aware that the Swedish Government have recently cancelled the issue of any further export licences for softwoods to the United Kingdom because of this unbalance? Is it not rather urgent that these conversations should take place?

We have the whole position of this agreement in mind. The Swedish Government have maintained their deliveries of timber, pulp, and iron ore at the figures agreed.

Is it not a fact that at present difficulties about granting export licences for timber already contracted for are arising and that orders are being issued that no further contracts will be entered into by Swedish exporters except subject to the issue of an export licence by the Swedish Government? In view of the comparative shortness of the season for bringing timber into this country, does not this indicate the necessity for doing something fairly soon?

No; we have no reason to think that the arrangements that will be made between us and the Swedes between now and the end of the year will seriously affect our interests in these matters. Our difficulties regarding exports of certain raw materials are well understood.

Is not the main difficulty in all these trade agreements our failure to export coal, and will the Minister not impress afresh on his colleagues the necessity of re-organising the Coal Board and putting it on a better basis?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the figures of the total value of United Kingdom exports to Canada given in Table No. 117, supplied by his Department to the current issue of the "Monthly Digest and Statistics," are given in United States instead of Canadian dollars.

We are concerned to expand our exports to the dollar area as a whole and our progress towards this important objective can best be measured in terms of United States dollars when comparisons are being made over a period which includes years before devaluation. The tables in question therefore include a column showing the United States dollar equivalent of our exports to the United States and Canada as well as the sterling figures.

Should not the table also give Canadian dollars? Is it not wrong that trade between this country and one of the Dominions should be given only in United States dollars?

I think it would perhaps cause a little confusion if two different figures for dollars were quoted. The conversion is not very difficult.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the practice of double invoicing between converters of cloth and their customers is growing; that this practice increases the price of clothing to the public and reduces the revenue from Purchase Tax; and if he will introduce legislation to prevent this.

I am aware of the practice to which the hon. Member refers. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary discussed the matter with representatives of the converters on Monday last, and is arranging for it to be considered shortly by the cotton and rayon utility scheme committees.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much D.D.T. or chlorine-based insecticide is available for export; how much has been exported in each of the last three years; and to what countries.

I regret that the information asked for is not available from official sources. D.D.T. and chlorine-based insecticide are not separately distinguished in the trade returns.

Has there been an increase or a decrease in the production of these substances? Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there is some danger of a shortage of these extremely important and valuable substances? What is being done to overcome that shortage?

I will look into the point which my hon. Friend has raised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action His Majesty's Government has taken, since 24th November last, to carry out the Resolution of the House of that day, with regard to the supply of paper and paper-making raw materials.

We have continued our declared policy of providing facilities for the import of all the essential paper, board and paper making materials, and we have been ready to encourage any economic project for the further utilisation of domestic raw materials. We have also taken steps to economise on the use of paper in Government Departments and have given full support to the waste paper salvage campaign which is now producing record results. In addition, we have supported the setting up of the Pulp and Paper Committee of the International Materials Conference which is now studying world supplies of newsprint and kraft pulp. It is hoped that the work of this Committee may result in a more equitable distribution of available supplies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only hope of short-term relief is in the maximum utilisation of home-produced straw, and that now is the time to look at this problem so far as this year's crop is concerned? Would he discuss the matter with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture to see what can be done to that end?

Yes, Sir. That possibility has been brought to my notice and is being examined. Another hon. Member has already communicated with me about it.

Has the right hon. and learned Gentleman considered the possibility of using the common nettle, urtica, which was used by the Romans for making paper? There is an abundant supply in this country which could be used as a substitute.

If the hon. Gentleman will provide me with a formula for converting the common nettle into newsprint I should be most grateful to him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the cumulative tonnage of waste paper consigned to the mills during five months ended 31st May, 1951; whether the rate of consignment is now commensurate with the target of 1 million tons for the full year 1951; whether that target is now deemed adequate for all defence, export trade and home trade requirements during 1951; and whether the board manufacturing industry is now working to full capacity.

Statistics of mills receipts of waste paper for the month of May are not yet available. In the 16 weeks ending 28th April, 1951, mills' receipts amounted to approximately 302,000 tons. Although receipts reached the record rate of 1,056,000 tons per annum in the month of April, board mills are still partly idle for the lack of waste paper. Full requirements probably considerably exceed the rate of 1 million tons per annum.

Is this not a case for a considerable enlargement of the salvage plans of the Waste Paper Recovery Association, for is it not clear that we are not yet by any means collecting all this valuable salvage material?

Collection is going reasonably well. Only four councils with populations of over 50,000 have not yet decided to start separate collections, but I am anxious that all local authorities should assist in this most important task.

Is it not a fact that, on the information which the Minister has given us, this is obviously the time for applying compulsion to the local authorities who refuse to do anything in the matter? I am distressed at the amount of paper from my own home which I have seen wasted and which ought to be put to effective use in the salvage drive, but which is not used because my local authority will not do anything about it.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the Waste Paper Recovery Association's statement that the campaign of collection of waste paper is threatened with collapse?

I could not concur in that statement.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that the criterion in this matter is not the number of authorities collecting but the enthusiasm with which each authority collects?

On a point of order. Some of us are alarmed, Sir, at the mysterious disappearance of the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr (Sir T. Moore), in whose name Question No. 10 is on the Order Paper. Could not an arrangement be made for the Question to be asked?

That is not a point of order. The hon. and gallant Gentleman is not here to ask the Question, so it cannot be asked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the damaging effects to the carpet industry in Britain, arising from discriminatory export taxes imposed by the Indian Government upon such raw materials as wool and jute yarn which are indispensable to carpet production in Britain; and what negotiations are in hand by his Department to secure cancellation or abandonment of the taxes by the Indian Government.

I am aware of the existence of export taxes imposed by the Government of India on a number of Indian products including wool and jute yarn. These duties are not discriminatory but apply to all exports irrespective of destination. We have made known to the Indian authorities our concern at the effect which the present high level of certain duties is having on the cost of materials to the United Kingdom industry, but we have not so far been able to persuade the Indian Government to alter the duties.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that my use of the word "discriminatory" means that two products have been selected from a whole range of products to which to apply these duties? Is he aware that this is particularly damaging to the textile industry in Britain?

I see no reason to think that these items were selected with a view to discrimination against British trade or industry. It is the policy of some Governments to select particular articles of their own production or manufacture for the imposition of duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why carpets and rugs of Indian and Pakistani origin are admitted into the United Kingdom duty free, whereas carpets and rugs of British manufacture are subject to ad valorem import duties of up to 45 per cent. entering India and Pakistan; and what steps he is taking to secure reciprocity in this regard.

Carpets which are manufactured in Commonwealth countries are entitled to free entry into the United Kingdom under the provisions of the Ottawa Agreements Act, 1932. These Agreements are of great mutual benefit and confer valuable tariff advantages to United Kingdom exporters. They do not, however, contain any obligation on the part of India or Pakistan to accord free entry to carpets and rugs of British manufacture although, in the case of India, our exports of carpets enjoy a guaranteed preference of 10 per cent. and an actual preference of 12½ per cent. It is impossible to negotiate trade agreements on the basis of reciprocity of treatment for individual commodities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the present balance as between our purchases from Denmark and what they buy from us; and under what circumstances are our farmers able to purchase Danish pigs for breeding purposes.

In the 12 months ended April, 1951, imports from Denmark were £108.3 million c.i.f., according to the Trade Accounts, and total exports, including re-exports, were £63.9 million f.o.b. The export of breeding-stock pigs to the United Kingdom is prohibited by the Danish Government.

Does not the Minister think it is very desirable to see the great differential between the amount we buy and the amount Denmark buys from us? Should we not ask the Danish Government to reconsider this matter, because the breakfast table of England generally prefers Danish bacon to British bacon, unfortunately, and we want to get more pigs over here for that purpose.

I am sorry that the lion. Gentleman is disparaging the British agricultural industry in this respect.

On the contrary, I am quoting the National Farmers' Union, as the right hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware if he looks into the matter.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that British pigs are sought after all over the world for crossing with native pigs for the production of bacon? Will he do everything he can to uphold that honourable position which we now hold?

Yes, Sir. I will even invite the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) to breakfast with me from a British pig.

I will accept that offer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many complaints his Department has received since 1st January, 1951, that utility merchandise has not complied with minimum requirements laid down as utility specifications; and in how many of these cases his Department has instituted prosecutions.

The time and labour involved in extracting this information from the correspondence which my Department receives about utility goods would not, in my opinion, be justified, but if the hon. Member has any particular case or class of merchandise in mind I will gladly look into it further. I can say, however, that the total volume of complaint is relatively small. No proceedings have yet been instituted as a result of complaints received since 1st January, 1951.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is growing disquiet at the fact that the utility specifications are not in many cases being kept, and will he assure the House that his Department is keeping a very close eye on this in the interests of the public?

Yes, Sir. I certainly think that it is of the utmost importance that the utility specifications should be fully maintained, and I rely on the support of the various sections of British industry concerned to see that they are maintained. I do not think that this support is always best obtained by prosecution, but I shall certainly take adequate steps to ensure that, as I hope, they play the game.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the overwhelming majority of British manufacturers who produce utility goods have played the game with him, and have kept to the specification requirements?

Yes, Sir. I think that the utility scheme in general has been a great success. There have been a few exceptional cases where specifications have been departed from, but I would certainly pay tribute to the way in which, in general, the scheme has been operated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement concerning the provision of manila cordage for the fishing industry.

Yes, Sir. As the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. D. Marshall) was informed on 12th April, the importation of an additional 4,000 tons of manila hemp has been allowed specially for making into fishing gear for our fishermen at the rate of 1,000 tons per quarter. I understand that adequate purchases have been made by manufacturers, that the manila is arriving in regular quantities, and that ropes and twine made from it will be available for purchase by our fishermen after 1st July for early delivery. As the 4,000 tons may not be sufficient to meet all the fishermen's demands, arrangements are being made to ensure a fair distribution among users to whom the manila will be most valuable on the basis of certificates issued by local fishery officers.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman inform the House and the fishing industry how the price of this manila compares with the price of sisal? Can he give an assurance that there will be continuity of supply after the present purchase has been exhausted?

I cannot include myself among the prophets as to the future, but the prices of manila ropes and manila seine ropes are at present £271 5s. and £283 15s. per ton as compared with sisal ropes at £279 10s. and £292.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman give us an assurance that these increased supplies will not be available to foreign fishermen?

Yes, I said in my answer that these supplies are being provided on the certificates of local fishery officers so as to ensure a fair distribution.

Will some preference be given to the clamant needs of the inshore fishing industry as against the deep sea fishing industry, particularly in Scotland? I should like an assurance about that.

That, I think, is a question that would more properly be addressed to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, but I have no doubt that the local fishery officers are paying due regard to those considerations in issuing the certificates.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that while these supplies of manila rope are very welcome to the industry, and especially to the inshore industry—if they are available for that part of the industry—the continuing high cost of gear is a very serious matter indeed to all fishermen? Is he in touch with the White Fish Authority on this subject with a view to carrying out experiments in the use of other materials and other methods to reduce the cost of gear?

That is a question of which I should want notice.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman clarify the matter a little by saying whether the distribution of this material comes under his Department or under the Ministry of Agriculture? I do not quite see how it will be worked out.

Distribution to the fisherman is made on certificates by the local fishery officers of the Ministry of Agriculture. The actual distribution is in the hands of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to introduce a Bill of Indemnity, rendered necessary by the failure to lay properly Statutory Instrument No. 413.

As the hon. Member for Gillingham (Mr. Burden) was informed on 29th May, it is hoped to introduce a Bill this month.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of Orb-mark stamped Harris tweed was produced in each of the years 1948, 1949 and 1950; and how much unstamped Harris tweed in 1950.

I understand that 4,463 thousand yards were stamped in 1948, 4,101 thousand yards in 1949, and 3,780 thousand yards in 1950. As regards the last part of the Question, I regret that the information is not available.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that it is agreed by almost all responsible quarters knowing anything about this industry that the 66⅔ per cent. rate of Purchase Tax is too heavy an incidence upon this industry? Is he also aware that it is one of the factors in the drop in production—the very serious drop in production—that is causing under employment and unemployment? Will he consult with the Treasury and others about this matter?

I understand that the annual rate of stamping so far this year is very little different from the actual total during 1950.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details of the agreement reached recently with Canada for supplies of timber.

An agreement has been reached between Timber Control and softwood exporters in British Columbia, which provides for about 340,000 standards of softwood for shipment to this country up to the end of June, 1952.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman give an assurance that everything possible is being done to increase imports of timber from Canada, and to get them back on a pre-war footing?

Yes, Sir, we are anxious to obtain all the timber that we can acquire, and it is believed that the amount that we are obtaining under this and other contracts is the total capacity available at present.

Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, while that news is very welcome, the softwood supplies are still by no means sufficient for the country's requirements? Will he therefore bear in mind a Question we had earlier today, and hurry up the conversations with Sweden?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give separately the 34 Orders which since 1st March, 1951, raised manufacturers' maximum prices or distributors' prices, giving also the percentage increase on each item.

With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the 34 orders, with a rough estimate of the percentage increase in maximum prices in respect of the classes of goods covered by each order. As these orders cover many thousands of items, it is not practicable to give figures in respect of each item.

Could the President say, roughly, how many of these 34 items are reflected in the cost-of-living index, and will he see, since they really affect to a considerable degree the ordinary working-class budget, that they are reflected in that index?

I should have to have notice of that question. I cannot attempt to answer, in respect of all the thousands of items concerned, how many are included in the cost-of-living index. Most of the significant ones I believe to be so included.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say in how many of these 34 cases an attempt was made to prevent manufacturers from receiving the higher prices by the Opposition's praying against the orders?

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman assure his hon. Friends that price increases were permitted only after careful consideration of the increases in the costs of raw materials, and that they do not mean much larger profits to the manufacturers?

It may indeed be asked why, in those circumstances, hon. Members prayed against the orders, but I am most anxious to ensure, whether by Prayers from the other side of the House or by any other method, that maximum prices are not increased unless there is the most complete justification for their being increased after costing examination of the manufacturers' accounts.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise—after a little more experience in his office he will realise—that Prayers provide excellent opportunities of assuring the House of the correctness of his statements?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken to give instructions to officers of the Metropolitan Police in the care and treatment of animals, in view of the heavy duties which fall on them in this connection.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that Metropolitan police officers are instructed in the general law relating to animals and the steps they should take to get the best and quickest expert treatment for injured or sick animals in public places.

While appreciating the excellent work they are doing, might I ask my right hon. Friend to allow representatives of organisations such as the R.S.P.C.A. to give occasional talks to these officers on both the legal and humanitarian aspects?

The officers are given appropriate training in this when they go to training centres on recruitment. The very closest liaison and co-operation exists between the police and the R.S.P.C.A., and I am quite sure that anything that can be done for their mutual benefit will always be welcomed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the proposal to erect a new police station at Ledbury, Herefordshire, entailing considerable capital expenditure, is strongly opposed by the local authority and the inhabitants; and whether, in view of this opposition, he will reconsider the proposal.

This proposal is the responsibility of the county police authority. I may say, however, that I am advised that a new police station is badly needed at Ledbury and I should not be justified in discouraging the police authority from providing it.

In view of the necessity for keeping down capital expenditure at this time and the fact that there is a long waiting list of people who want houses at Ledbury, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this proposal might wait until these people have houses to live in?

I am advised that this work is urgently needed for the public service.

Could not my right hon. Friend persuade the Conservative Party to persuade the Conservative members on the council concerned to deal with the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on the grant of recognition for long service in the police.

Yes, Sir. His Majesty has approved proposals for the institution of a Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. A short White Paper on the subject is available in the Vote Office.

While welcoming the answer that the Prime Minister has just made, may I ask if he would consider consulting with his right hon. Friends as to whether special arrangements could not be made for rehousing members of the force at the end of their service when they leave their married quarters? At the moment they can give years notice of their leaving, but they do not receive any special consideration until they are actually evicted. Is he aware that there is a member of the staff of the House, well-known to hon. Members, who, today, is in this very position?

That question ought to have been put to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

I hope he is taking a note of it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that anxiety is felt that the building operations taking place at the Fire Service College, Wotton House, is destroying the architectural and aesthetic merits of John Evelyn's Elizabethan mansion; and if he will consider consulting the Fine Art Commission or some other appropriate body on this matter.

I am not aware of any general anxiety about the building work at Wotton House. The property was largely re-built about 1860 and only a very small part of the interior, and none of the exterior, dates from the 16th century. The work has been carried out in full consultation with the Ancient Monuments Inspectorate of the Ministry of Works and with the planning authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authority fire brigades there were in England and Wales on 1st January, 1939, and 1951 respectively.

About 1,000 and 135 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the views of the Prison Officers' Association expressed at their recent conference, an account of which has been sent to him, about the small amount of work being done by prisoners; and whether he will review the position to enable prisoners to make a more useful contribution to production needs.

I am, of course, well aware of the desirability of making the most effective use of prison labour. As regards work in prison workshops, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) on 14th December and 22nd February last. I am glad to be able to inform the House that there has been an appreciable improvement in the position this year as compared with last year and the year before. It is unfortunately true that in many prisons the workshop hours do not exceed 25 a week, but that is due not to the shortage of work but to the continued shortage of staff.

Would it not be possible for my right hon. Friend to institute a Departmental inquiry into the prospect of putting these people to proper work in the prisons, so that they could rehabilitate themselves as worthy citizens, earn some money which would enable them to pay their National Insurance contributions, and, at the same time, perhaps make a useful contribution to our rearmament needs?

The employment position has improved considerably. I do all I can to increase amounts, and I do not think that a further inquiry would be helpful, because the fullest efforts are made now to do what my hon. Friend wishes.

While I am sure that what the right hon. Gentleman says is right, and that there has been a considerable improvement, will he keep at this case because I am quite certain that there is much more that can still be done?

This matter is continually under my personal attention in an effort to ensure that these men have a chance to have their hands and minds usefully occupied.

Does the Home Secretary not agree that the hours of work which he imposes upon the occupants of His Majesty's prisons compare unfavourably with the hours of work which he imposes upon hon. Members of this House?

Unfortunately, hon. Members impose their own hours of work here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date the Prison Commissioners decided to acquire Mr. Fegan's Homes, Goudhurst, Kent, for use as a detention centre for young men; and on what date the Cranbrook Rural District Council were first officially consulted about this proposal.

On 4th April I authorised the Prison Commissioners to acquire this property, subject to the concurrence of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Local Government and Planning. I understand that my right hon. Friend has consulted the local planning authority, the Kent County Council, and that the County Council notified the Commissioners' proposals to the Cranbrook Rural District Council on 23rd May, 1951.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain why the correspondence about this proposal was marked "Private and confidential" for the six months between January and the end of May; whether he is aware that there is very strong local opposition to this scheme in view of the fact that there are four big schools in the area; and will he now receive a deputation from the Cranbrook Rural District Council to discuss the matter in view of the fact that it has been kept secret for so long?

I have already agreed to receive a deputation from the Cranbrook Rural District Council on 21st June. As to the other matters raised in that supplementary, when the public desire to obtain possession of property for a purpose such as this, it is generally in the public interest that the negotiations should be kept secret, at any rate at the beginning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what regions of England and Wales is the number of Civil Defence recruits below the average per thousand for the country as a whole.

The North Eastern, North Western, Midland, North Midland and London Civil Defence Regions and Wales.

Can my hon. Friend say why the North-Eastern Region and the London Region in particular are so far below the average in this respect, and what he is doing to bring them up to the average established by the North Region?

I cannot say definitely what the reason is. We are paying special attention to these two regions. They were slow off the mark, and I think that they will be coming along well. The figure refers to the average, and if regions do well there will always be some below the average if there are others above it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have notified the Home Office that before undertaking the second stage of the air-raid shelter survey called for in Civil Defence Circular No. 48/1950 they desire to be assured that the whole cost of the survey and the provision of shelters will be borne by the Exchequer.

Three, Sir. Two have withdrawn their objections, and we are having discussions with the third.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when local authorities will be informed that they may engage additional staff necessary to complete the second stage of the shelter survey called for in Civil Defence Circular No. 48/1950; and whether he is now prepared to authorise a 100 per cent. grant for this purpose.

Local authorities do not need Home Office approval for this but I hope they will not find it necessary to take on additional staff. As to the second part, the answer is "No, Sir."

Has the Home Office not considered the view that it is wrong for local authorities in vulnerable areas to bear this expense while other local authorities elsewhere may not have to incur any expense at all; and should not the whole cost of these defence works be borne by the Exchequer?

Discussions are going on at present with the local authorities' associations about the rate of the Exchequer grant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about the plans for the organisation of Civil Defence in industrial and commercial premises.