asked the Minister of Health whether the inquiries into the claims of Mr. Rees Evans for curing cancer have been concluded; and when a report may be expected.

I understand that the Committee have not quite completed their investigation and are unable to say how soon they will be able to report.

Are not the Committee taking a rather long time to prepare this report? Could anything be done to ask them to expedite it?

No, Sir. I think they are more anxious than anybody else to get the report out, but it requires a good deal of investigation.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Government Advisory Council on Scientific Policy for a closer check on the use of chemicals as food improvers some of which have a poisonous effect even in small does if taken over long periods.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consult with the Minister of Food as to the desirability of creating in Britain an organisation similar to the food and drug administration of the United States of America, so that the public may be protected from the harmful effects of chemical substances added to food, which have not been adequately and fully tested.

It is true that a report on these matters was prepared for the previous Government by the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, but I am not in a position to state what action, if any, can be taken on it until the extent of the problem and the cost involved in manpower and money has been fully investigated.

Would the Minister not agree, however, that many substances formerly used have had to be forbidden because they were discovered to be dangerous, and does not this imply that the public, in the past and today, are used as guinea pigs for some of these new substances? Will the right hon. Gentleman not do whatever is possible as soon as he can?

I could not accept without further consideration all the statements that the hon. Member has made, but I cannot make any statement now about it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will propose to amend the Anatomy Acts so as to make it easier for persons to bequeath their eyes to be used for the benefit of blind people.

I will consider this and write to the hon. Member.

In view of the almost miraculous restoration by cornea grafting of sight to those whose blindness is due to cornea disease, and in view of the necessity of obtaining eyes within a few hours after the death of one who has bequeathed them for this purpose, will the right hon. Gentleman consult the eye surgeons and give very serious consideration to this matter?

I would rather have a conversation with the hon. Member first.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that in France a law has recently been introduced to overcome this difficulty? There are very many willing donors, but they cannot give their eyes after a post mortem, and the law in France has been altered to get over this difficulty. Will my right hon. Friend therefore give serious consideration to these aspects for this country?

asked the Minister of Health what research work or clinical work is being done with a view to curing or alleviating haemophilia.

Research into the treatment of haemophilia is in progress at various hospitals including special studies in London, Oxford and Manchester, particularly into the use of products derived from human serum. Treatment is available at hospitals in the ordinary way.

In view of the fact that this rather rare, but very grave disease, has not been much studied, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Medical Research Council to make a special study of it?

I am very happy to say that the Medical Research Council is, in fact, actively encouraging further study into this problem.

When did the Medical Research Council start its investigations into haemophilia? Is it not the case that there are no investigations whatever in Scotland and that patients there who are suffering from this disease are not regarded at all by the medical profession?

I am not responsible for Scotland, but I should have thought that in matters of special study into particular ailments even an English investigation might be of some use.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present production of aureomycin in this country; and what percentage is being exported.

The manufacture of aureomycin is completed in South Wales from bulk aureomycin imported at considerable dollar cost. A proportion of the output is being exported without prejudicing present needs in this country. In fairness to the makers, I think that the precise figures should not be disclosed.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that this export, such as it is, is justified when the home demand has not yet been fully met?

Yes, Sir, at present.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of existing disquiet and confusion among public health authorities and pregnant women, he will take steps to enable pregnant mothers to change their doctors for religious reasons.

There is nothing in the existing arrangements to prevent an expectant mother from changing her general practitioner on religious grounds.

That may be so, but is the Minister aware that notice has to be given and that this matter may be of urgency? In the interests of both Catholic and Protestant mothers will he not reconsider this matter with a view to giving some guidance to local authorities and to mothers, both Catholic and Protestant, who at present are in a state of considerable disquiet?

I answered the Question on the Paper, which dealt with public health authorities and pregnant women. On that my answer stands. I would prefer to have any further issues set out on the Order Paper.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of strongly urging would-be mothers to take advantage of the ante-natal clinics, when this great controversy will very greatly resolve itself?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind another aspect of the matter, namely, that in such cases there may also be severe conflict of loyalties between duty to their religion and duty to their patient among doctors and nurses themselves?

In view of the inadequate nature of the reply, and in view of the necessity for greater clarity, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the first opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to a case which occurred in October, in which a woman's body was cremated at Pontypridd in place of a man's; and what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of such an incident.

I am aware of this tragic mistake, and greatly regret the distress it has caused. Instructions have been given for an additional check to be made, which should prevent any similar occurrence in the future.

Although I think that the conditions under which a person is cremated are more stringent than those under which a person is buried, would the right hon. Gentleman consider arranging for an investigation at the crematoriums immediately before the final operation, in order to prevent an occurrence of this kind?

I do not think that that is necessary. We have now arranged that there should be a double check, instead of a single check as previously, and I do not think that this could possibly recur.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will speed up the provision of hearing-aids for deaf people in Southampton.

The allocation of hearing aids to the Southampton distribution centre has recently been substantially increased. I hope that the improved supplies will enable the centre steadily to reduce the waiting list.

As the waiting list is increasing each month by more than the supply each month, will the right hon. Gentleman look into the statement that some of the essential parts of hearing aids are now not being made because the factories are being taken over for rearmament?

That is another question, but the fact is that greatly increased supplies have been sent to the Southampton centre in the last few months.

May we look forward to the next step? There is a great deal of delay at the moment. Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the supplies will be speeded up?

Yes, it is our object to try to get these aids to whoever requires them as soon as possible.

Does my right hon. Friend think that the chances of the re-election of the hon. Member for Southampton, Test (Dr. King), would be increased if all his constituents heard him?

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is no provision under the National Health Service for providing transport or guides for children who are considered suitable to attend occupational centres but who, owing to their ill health or physical disabilities, are not able to attend these centres without this assistance; and if he will consider giving transport assistance where the medical authorities consider it in the interests of the child.

I am advised that local health authorities have adequate powers to provide these services where necessary.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that this unfortunate section of the community will have enough difficulties with which to battle through life without the added one of being uneducated? Will he see if something can be done, because my information is that there is not much being done?

It is a question for local health authorities. They have all the powers; it is up to them to provide the service.

Would my right hon. Friend look into a case if I send him particulars of a local authority which has failed to do anything?

:I will look into any case which comes within my province.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consult with the British Transport Commission on the possibility of authorising cheap fares to relatives visiting immediate relations in hospital in cases where the patient is transferred on medical instructions some distance away from the patients home or residence.

Arrangements have already been made for cheap fares for visits to most hospitals where patients are expected to remain for a long time: I am not prepared at this stage to ask the Commission to extend the scope of the arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in certain hospitals visiting hours for parents to the children's ward is restricted to once a week whereas in others visiting is permitted once a day; and if he will examine the evidence regarding the effect on the children of the daily visit with a view to standardising the practice throughout the country.

The attention of hospital authorities has been drawn to this question in a circular of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy; but I doubt whether any standardisation of practice is desirable or possible.

While not wishing to imply for one moment that the Minister should give directions in this matter, I feel very strongly, and would he not agree, that the available evidence from those hospitals which have experimented with this over a period of 18 months proves that it is not only not detrimental but beneficial, and should it not be made available to those hospitals that have not yet tried it?

That may be so, but I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will look at the circular that I am sending him.

Is the Minister aware that many hospital authorities, sisters and doctors, deprecate the visiting of young children on the grounds that it has a very disturbing effect upon them?

Would the Minister put that circular in the Library so that we may all see what has been sent out?

Certainly, there is no objection, provided that that is the normal course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will provide a travelling allowance for patients who have to make frequent and long journeys to hospital.

Patients' travelling expenses are paid where the National Assistance Board consider that otherwise hardship would be caused.

Is the Minister not aware that in many cases in which National Assistance cannot be invoked, and in which, if it is invoked, it is done reluctantly, many men, especially in North Staffordshire and similar areas, particularly miners, have to spend a very considerable sum of money each week in travelling as out-patients to and from hospitals? In view of the fact that the total sum saved has been £1 million or less, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the whole problem?

No I can hold out no hopes of doing that in the present financial circumstances, apart from the, circumstances dealt with in my reply.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement about the employment as a clerk in the National Health executive council for Middlesex of a man who, having been a secret agent of the Czechoslovak Government, had been deprived of his British citizenship earlier in the year at the instance of the Attorney-General.

I understand that he was employed for a short time as a temporary clerk by the Middlesex Executive Council.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether any steps have been taken to prevent this sort of thing happening again?

If by "this sort of thing" my hon. Friend means the employment of a particular individual, I think that is a matter for the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Ministry of Health Circular (RHB(51)101), dated 9th October. 1951, recommends that when redundant hospital staff is discharged the relative efficiency of one individual as compared with another shall not be considered, but only the length of service; and, as this recommendation is not commensurate with an efficient and economically-run hospital service, if he will withdraw the circular.

The circular says that the principle of "last in first out" is subject to the over-riding consideration of the efficiency of the hospital. This is met by paying regard to the work that the individual is doing rather than by a comparison between individuals and I do not propose to withdraw the circular.

Does not the circular say, after it refers to the efficiency of the hospitals:

"the employee to be discharged is subject to the over-riding consideration of the efficiency of the hospital. This latter proviso does not refer to the relative efficiency of one individual as compared with another."

Is not the keeping of the oldest employees likely to lead to lack of efficiency?

I think both cases are provided for, and in any case the procedure was discussed by the Health Service Whitley Council and the circular reflects the views of that Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will do nothing to weaken the authority of the Whitley Council, in spite of the pressure from the benches behind him.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many of the 191 rooms in the Queen's Hotel, Harrogate, were being used by the Leeds Regional Hospital Board on 1st November; how many occupied as a nurses home, and how many are in use as a preliminary nurses training school; and for what purpose the rest of the accommodation is to be used; and

(2) if the Leeds Regional Hospital Board have yet sold any of the £30,000 worth of carpets and hotel furnishings which they bought on removing their office from Leeds to the Queen's Hotel, Harrogate.

The Regional Hospital Board use 73 rooms. The principal sister tutor is using two rooms earmarked for the Preliminary Nurses Training School. No other rooms are at present used for the purposes of the school or the nurses home, but 99 are earmarked for these purposes. The remainder are not considered suitable for use as living accommodation and will serve as stores. Carpets and furniture have not been sold, until it is known what will be surplus.

If there is a ceiling on the health services and, therefore, the money spent on administration cannot be spent on hospital services, would the Minister see that this Board, who have more than 100 rooms in excess of those they require and are paying rent for them, are moved to accommodation which is suitable to them and which they can entirely use, instead of paying rent for accommodation they cannot use?

I fully realise the interest my hon. and gallant Friend takes in this matter and will be very glad to discuss it with him.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement regarding the availability and supply of cortisone or its chemical equivalent for the patients of British doctors.

Cortisone has not yet been made in this country. The maximum quantities which can be made available by the American manufacturers are imported by my Department and distributed for continuing clinical research and for hospital treatment of cases which, on medical grounds, most need it. Fifty-five hospitals in England and Wales are receiving cortisone for use on this basis. No chemical substitute for cortisone has yet been developed for clinical use.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that research is going on at present into chemical substitutes from coal and also from a certain plant? Could he say whether we are taking any part in that research?

If it has to do with research in coal the hon. Lady should ask my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power. All I know at present is that no chemical substitute has yet been developed.

asked the, Minister of Health if he will make an inquiry into the non-use of gas and air machines at childbirth in Monmouthshire; and why this analgesia, so freely available there, is not in use at confinements.

No, Sir; my information is that gas and air analgesia is given in the majority of domiciliary confinements in Monmouthshire.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that more than 1,000 mothers in Monmouthshire did not have this analgesia? Will he inquire why they did not have it, as it was available and, if it is unpopular as an analgesic, would the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it is wise to recommend other local authorities to adopt its use?

I think the hon. Lady's figure is wrong. That is not the number of those who did not get this last year. The number using it was 64 per cent.

Would my right hon. Friend consider whether it might be for the convenience of the House if this long-standing dispute between the hon. Lady and the President of the Board of Trade were now referred to the conciliation machinery of the Minister of Labour?

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again.

asked the Minister of Health the number, on a local authority basis, of confinements relating to England and Wales at which a doctor was present or engaged.

I will send the hon. Lady a statement setting out the information she requires.

asked the Minister of Health what cuts are planned in the hospital building programme.

asked the Minister of Health the estimated cuts planned in the hospital building programme in Wales.

No cuts are planned at present, beyond what may result from the decision announced on 7th November by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to delay the granting of starting dates. This matter is, of course, one of those which the Government are reviewing in considering how to make the best use of the available building resources.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when these cuts will be made, and whether they will be announced before the Recess?

No, Sir, I could not say.

Could the right hon. Gentleman give an estimate of the effect of these cuts on the proposed building programme in the Principality?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total estimated saving envisaged by the instruction issued to regional hospital boards prior to 25th October to cut their estimated capital expenditure designed to provide the necessary services for which they are responsible under the National Health Service.

Owing to the demands of the defence programme on building resources, the value of the hospital capital works to be undertaken in 1951 had by 25th October been reduced by about £1½ million below what had originally been proposed, though the reduced figure remained higher than the value of the works actually carried out in 1950.

asked the Minister of Health if he will obtain the details of the schemes which have been postponed by the regional hospital boards as a result of the instructions issued prior to 25th October to cut their estimates on capital expenditure.

I do not think that the value of this detailed information would be commensurate with the labour involved in obtaining it.

Could my right hon. Friend say whether the elimination by the Regional Hospital Board of a nurses training school in Tynemouth, which is fully equipped and ready to open, is a help to the defence programme? Does my right hon. Friend think that the Conservative pledge to give better service for money expended would be forwarded by a failure to be fully informed of the situation in the regions?

I should like to see that question on the paper. All that I have been asked for now is a long list of details about a lot of schemes. I should like to have notice of any particular scheme in which my hon. Friend is so rightly interested.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that when some hospitals under the National Health Service send in requests for a small number of items of equipment, they are now required to take in certain instances no fewer than six dozen of the same article where three only would have been sufficient; and if he will see that this procedure is ended.

The minimum quantities in which goods are delivered to hospitals under the Government contracts to which my hon. Friend refers are fixed at levels likely to effect the maxi- mum savings. I am aware that, in some cases, these quantities may be too large for small hospitals and I hope shortly to meet this difficulty.

Is the Minister aware that in the case I itemise here they asked for three items and were compelled to take six dozen, which they will not be using for 10 years?

asked the Minister of Health what is the present shortage of male and female nurses in mental hospitals; and, in view of increasing difficulties of recruitment, what action is being taken to meet the increasing gravity of the deficiency in this type of nursing.

About 3,000 men and 8,000 women. Hospital management committees are being encouraged and assisted to conduct their own recruiting campaigns. My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour is continuing his predecessor's efforts to stimulate recruitment and is in consultation with his National Advisory Council on the whole problem.

Is the Minister catching up on the deficiency, or is the shortage greater now than it was some months ago? Is it likely to become still greater next year?

I should like to see questions such as that, about figures, on the Order Paper.

asked the Minister of Health when he anticipates that the system of personal identity cards will be abolished.

This is not a matter on which I have any statement to make at the present time.

Would I be right in supposing that that does not in any way detract from the Home Secretary's undertaking yesterday that the matter would be very carefully reviewed in the months ahead?

Yes, Sir. The Home Secretary was, of course, speaking for the Government.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that the proposed ban on new building will not affect the construction of a new old people's hostel at Kenton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, approval for which has already been given in principle.

No starting date had been allocated to this project before my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement,' and it is at present impossible for me to say when building is likely to start.

Are we to understand that provided that the necessary detailed plans, which, I understand, have been submitted to the right hon. Gentleman's Department, are accepted, there will be no delay in proceeding with this scheme?

It all depends what is meant by delay. The Chancellor of the Exchequer stated that no new starting dates for building work will be granted during the next three months except for specially urgent schemes.

Does the Minister agree that this is or could be regarded as a housing scheme, and provides housing accommodation for old people? In view of the pledge given in the Gracious Speech that special consideration will be given to the needs of elderly people surely some special consideration will be given to this scheme.

I have just stated that no new starting dates will be granted during the next three months. I am not certain that the plans have reached the stage at which one could even give a starting date.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that under the direction of the ex-Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health part of the accommodation for the chronic sick at Scaffold Hill was not proceeded with, and what is the difference between that and this scheme? Both provide accommodation.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the difficulty experienced by men and women over 45 years of age in obtaining suitable employment; and what steps he proposed to take to ensure that the contribution which they can make to solving the manpower problem is not lost to the country.

My Department has been considering with the National Joint Advisory Council, which represents both employers and workers, the practical steps to be taken to remove hindrances to the retention and engagement of older workers, and I am assured of their full co-operation.

Does the Minister agree that the problem of those who are seeking employment when over 45 years of age is probably greater than the present statistics show and—

Do not read it.

Order. It is not customary for hon. Members to read supplementary questions.

On a point of personal explanation, Sir, I have not read a single word.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman was merely consulting a very full note.

I have nothing whatever written on this paper, Sir.

I am sorry. I must have misconstrued the appearance of the hon. Gentleman.

I was about to ask the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the extent and nature of this problem, and the fact that a number of categories are not immediately concerned or available for manual work, or connected with it, he would especially look into the problem of that particular class of unemployed?

I will certainly take particular care to look into this question. It is one of sufficient importance to have been raised with the National Joint Advisory Council, and they have assured me of their help in regard to it as a special matter.

Is the Minister aware that the action which he is proposing has already been taken by his predecessors; and although it is probably the best that could be done at the time and can be done now, it has not so far been effective? Will he try to adopt further and stronger measures?

I am aware that the steps I have taken in consultation were also taken by my predecessors, but I have various particular matters about which I want the National Joint Advisory Council to assist me, and they do, I hope, introduce one or two new ideas.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to attract more men into the coalmining industry.

Employment exchanges, in collaboration with the National Coal Board, will continue to offer employment in the mines to all suitable applicants, and the advertising campaign which was started last August will be continued. The alternative of entering or re-entering the coalmining industry instead of the Armed Forces is being brought more prominently to the notice of young men registering for National Service. It is hoped that it will be possible to secure the acceptance by the miners' lodges of an increased weekly inflow of Italians.

Is the Minister aware that this is the most vital question which faces his Department at present? Does he appreciate that the idea that the most important industry of the country can be maintained only by the perpetual recruitment of foreigners will never inspire the mine workers? Will he consult with the miners' leaders and provide ways and means for more people to enter this industry?

I shall certainly consult with the miners' leaders with that object in view. I was not suggesting to the House that the only way of dealing with this matter was by recruiting more Italians; I quite appreciate that that is not so.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that the work which is being done by foreign miners is very useful and acceptable?

Certainly, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he proposes to take to fill the vacancies in the labour force required by re-armament plans.

Various steps to this end were agreed by my predecessors with representatives of industry. These included first, the development of schemes of training and up-grading; second, collaboration with employers and trade unions in the quick re-deployment of redundant labour; third, more employment of older workers; fourth, development of the part-time employment of women who are not available full-time.

I am examining the whole position, and after consultation with representatives of industry on any further measures that may be necessary, I will inform the House of any additional measures proposed. I am happy to say that I have been assured of the co-operation of all sides of industry in helping to solve the problem.

While thanking the Minister for that very full reply, may I ask if he will give a categorical assurance that he is not considering the introduction of powers of direction?

No, Sir, there is no question of the introduction of powers of direction, except in the case of grave emergency.

As a counterpart to the reply of the right hon. and learned Gentleman, will he say what emergency action he is taking to find work for the numerous men recently made redundant through shortages of raw materials?

That is one of the problems which we are endeavouring to consider with the National Joint Advisory Council. They are very well aware of that point, and so am I.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the waste of manpower involved by the present system of monthly visits by no fewer than four men to the lesser factories engaged on Government work, to inspect their books or interview their employees; and if he will see that this practice is stopped.

I am, of course, in sympathy with the purpose of my hon. Friend's Question, but my inquiries into the individual instance of which he sent me particulars do not substantiate his complaint of waste of manpower.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend realise that this same firm has been doing Government work for its entire existence for probably 20 or 30 years, and that it never had such inspection in the past? Now it is getting them at the rate of four a month.

I inquired whether there was a duplication of any necessary inspection and I was unable to satisfy myself that it had taken place.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has yet been notified of the dispute between the Port of London Authority and their employees over new grain elevators installed in London docks; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir. I understand, however, that following the installation of a new elevator by the Port of London Authority certain questions have arisen regarding the terms and conditions of employment of the corn porters concerned. These questions are being considered by the joint negotiating machinery in the Port of London in accordance with the established procedure.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the operation of the Catering Wages Act, and the constitution and operation of the various wages boards.

Five wages boards have been established under the Catering Wages Act, 1943, in accordance with recommendation made by the Catering Wages Commission some years ago. Wages Regulation Orders have been made to give effect to proposals submitted by four of these boards.

As regards the two boards for residential establishments, the Catering Wages Commission made certain suggestions of a long-term character in the report of their inquiry which they submitted in July, 1950, and they still have under consideration certain questions arising out of that report. I am waiting to hear further from the Commission and will then review the matters involved.

As the working of these boards at the present time finds favour with neither employers nor employees, would the Minister say that he is prepared to tackle this as a matter of great urgency?

I shall have the advantage of meeting the Chairman of the Commission in the next few days and that may help me further on my way.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say how many of these boards are operating for Scotland, and in Scotland?

I have not the figure, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will ask me I will let him know in due course.

Is the Minister aware that the trade unions interested in the catering industry are strongly in favour of maintaining this organisation?

I shall not overlook the fact that there are two sides represented in this matter, and when I review it I will consider both.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he intends taking to check the stockpiling of labour by firms, not necessarily on the most essential work, who fear that there may be a scarcity of labour in the near future.

I hope to make a statement on this matter as soon as I can.

In making that statement, can the Minister assure us that he will consult the trade unions movement on this question before any action is taken?

I have already raised this matter and intimated to the National Joint Advisory Council on which, of course, the trade unions are represented that I require their help.

If, as has been reported in the Press, the Minister is considering again using labour supply inspectors, as was the case during the war, will he see that when they go about their work they will apply more accurate and more scientific principles than they did in those days?

I should prefer not to say what the suggestions will be until I have had the consultations with the National Joint Advisory Council.

Does this mean that there is a good deal of camouflaged unemployment?

The point which I understood to be raised was that there might be cases in which labour was being retained in employment where it ought not to be. I do not want to say how much of that there is until I have had the opportunity of making these investigations.

Is not this the kind of thing which has been going on to a considerable extent in the Royal Dockyards during the last five years?

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the Work Saving Week to be organised from 19th-23rd November, particulars of which have been sent to him, with the view of attracting interest in better methods of production; and whether his Department will give publicity to the need for greater productivity during this week.

I have been interested to see the programme for this week and the Government are, of course, in entire sympathy with the objective of increasing productivity.

asked the Minister of Education how many places were left unfilled this year in the women's two-year training colleges.

About 7,750 women students are being admitted to two-year training colleges this year, compared with 8,000 available places and 7,620 admissions in 1950. A few more students may be admitted to courses at two colleges beginning next January.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what steps his right hon. Friend proposes to take to increase the supply of women teachers and the number of applications for acceptance in the training colleges?

No, not at present. I think that that question will have to be put on the Order Paper. I do not think I can say any more at present than I have indicated, that is, that there are two new courses opening in January.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take to reduce the volume of delegated legislation.

We may expect that as the war-time controls prolonged by the Socialist Governments are progressively removed or relaxed, the volume of delegated legislation will also dwindle.

I appreciate that the cuts in hospital building and in public building announced recently may involve less immediate delegated legislation, but cannot the right hon. Gentleman, having said so much on this subject, now tell us that the matter is under active consideration, that every avenue is being explored, that no stone will be left unturned and that something will be done within a measurable period of time?

I will gladly repeat the famous utterance of the party opposite, that every avenue is being explored and no stone is being left unturned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the first Bill promoted by His Majesty's Government—the Home Guard Bill—provides for delegated legislation?

Yes, Sir. We had to start from the point where we began.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make representations to the United Nations Commander in Korea to refrain from committing troops of the Commonwealth Brigade in offensive action while the Armistice Commission is in session.

No, Sir. I would not in any event consider making such representations without first consulting the other Commonwealth Governments concerned. I do not, however, propose to approach these Governments as His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have complete confidence in the United Nations Commander in his conduct of operations in Korea.

While thanking the Prime Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he agrees that operations other than those of a purely defensive nature create an atmosphere in which it is impracticable to carry on successful negotiations to an armistice? Further, does not the Prime Minister agree that casualties at such a time are particularly distressing and, in view of these circumstances, will he reconsider this suggestion?

I do not wish to add to what I have said on this matter, which concerns so many countries besides our own.

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements he is making with regard to the apportionment of responsibility between the Paymaster-General and the Lord President of the Council for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and for the Medical and Agricultural Research Councils, and between both those Ministers and the Minister of Supply in respect of atomic energy.

My right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council will be responsible for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Agricultural Research Council and the Medical Research Council. My noble Friend the Paymaster-General will be responsible for advising me on atomic energy questions. I am now considering what adjustments should be made in the existing statutory responsibilities of the Minister of Supply for these subjects.

May I take it that the Paymaster-General will have no right of supervision over the work of the Lord President of the Council in connection with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and other Departments which are under him?

The arrangements are as I have set out in my answer.

Will the Prime Minister say who will answer Questions on these subjects in the House of Commons?

I think I am to be asked a question on this point a little later in the week.

When?

As the Minister of Supply at present has direct Parliamentary responsibility for the whole of the atomic energy work, military and peaceful, can I take it that he will continue that responsibility until a formal change takes place?

Yes, Sir, unless there is an amending Act. The responsibility formally rests with the Minister of Supply. There will be no difficulty, I think, in making an arrangement pending legislation.

On a point of order. Owing to the inadequate and wholly unsatisfactory nature of the reply to Question No. 46, I should like to give notice—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too late."] No, I am not—that I will take an early opportunity of raising the matter on the Adjournment

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he proposes to take regarding the Ryan Report.

A number of the Ryan Committee's recommendations affecting the internal organisation of the Department were accepted by my predecessor and have been or are being carried out. My predecessor invited the various interested bodies to give him their views on the Report, and I shall need time to study them—and, indeed, the whole question —before I can come to any decision on the main recommendations.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable uncertainty among the staff of many of the agricultural committees, and will he do all in his power to remove this uncertainty as quickly as possible?

I appreciate that point.

Will the Minister bear in mind that, with regard to the major recommendations of the Report, there is a very great deal of strong feeling against them in the agricultural community?

I will look at every aspect of the position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will modify the instruction to county councils which at present prevents the establishment of part-time smallholdings.

I am looking carefully into this matter, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement.

In considering the matter, will the Minister have regard to the unanimous view of the very representative Committee which considered this matter and reported against this form of holding?

Yes, Sir. The views of that Committee will be given very careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will introduce legislation to enable a rating authority to spread the drainage rate, as recommended in paragraph 94 of the Report of the Land Drainage Legislation Sub-Committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee.

Consultations are proceeding with the various interests affected by the recommendations in this report. When these consultations are completed, I shall be able to decide whether or not legislation should be introduced.

Is the Minister aware of the very great hardship which is suffered under the present rating system in drainage areas, and will he do everything he can to speed up the consideration of this Report?

I must wait until I receive recommendations from the people who are to be consulted about the Report.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind, in view of that last supplementary question, that many of these matters concern many associations engaged in the administration of water channels in the country, that they are very complicated and will take some considerable time? May I therefore ask him not to press the matter too hard?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, while the cost of feeding-stuffs has more than doubled since January, 1949, and wages and overheads have also risen, the price of eggs has only risen about 5 per cent.; and what action he is taking to prevent a decline in home egg production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what steps he is taking to arrest the decline in our cattle population;

(2) what steps he is taking to increase sheep breeding in Great Britain to the pre-war figure of over 26,000,000 sheep and lambs.

I am well aware of the importance of those various aspects of home food production. The percentages quoted by my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Macpherson) are approximately correct. I am studying with care the whole problem of prospective agricultural production, in consultation with my colleagues responsible for agriculture in Scotland and Northern Ireland, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject, either in regard to particular commodities or in general.

Can the Minister say when he will be able to make such a statement? Will it be before the House rises?

I very much doubt it.

Can the Minister tell us why he made no reference in his reply to consulting his co-ordinator?

It does not arise out of this Question.

Is the Minister aware of the widespread concern in the agricultural community at the increase in feedingstuff prices over the last three years, and will he do all he can to try to arrest that increase?

I am very well aware of the point which my hon. and gallant Friend has brought to my attention.

Is the Minister aware of the widespread concern among the agricultural community arising from the return of the Tory Government, and will he, as soon as possible, make a statement to allay the fears of a change of policy by the present Government?