asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of increasing redundancy and underemployment in certain engineering industries; and what action he is taking to absorb into productive employment the labour made available.

No, Sir. The latest information available to me does not suggest that there is any substantial increase of redundancy or short-time in engineering. The demands of engineering firms for labour far exceed the number of workers available. There is no difficulty or delay in finding other employment for the small numbers becoming redundant.

But does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that a large number of vacancies are for unskilled and semi-skilled labour and are not suitable for many of those skilled men who have lately become redundant and whose numbers are increasing? In order to prevent massive unemployment in the engineering industry this winter, will he not use the same techniques of planning and improvisation as were used by the Labour Government to preserve full employment during six difficult years?

I will certainly endeavour to profit by the work of others. I should like to say also that as far as my information goes there is no difficulty at present in placing skilled engineers.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this is causing great concern amongst many workers in Birmingham? May I tell him that this morning I had a telephone message from a firm who are having to stand off men this week owing to shortage of materials? Is this equivalent to the direction of labour?

No, Sir. This is not equivalent to the direction of labour. There are, of course, differences in different areas. I was giving a national conspectus. I am aware of and am watching difficulties in different areas.

When my right hon. and learned Friend says small numbers are temporarily redundant, could he tell the House about how many?

I think that is another question. If my hon. Friend wants information about that perhaps he will put down a Question.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I wish to, give notice, Mr. Speaker, that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered disabled persons unemployed in the county of Anglesey.

There were 66 at 15th October.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in Anglesey.

Five hundred and ninety-seven at 15th October, the latest date for which figures are available.

May I ask whether these figures are not published in the "Ministry of Labour Gazette" and therefore need not be the subject of a Parliamentary Question?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered war-disabled persons unemployed in Scotland.

At 15th October, 3,657 disabled persons who had served in the Forces were registered as unemployed in Scotland. The records do not distinguish between disabilities attributable to war service and those due to other causes.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to prevent a recurrence of the incident in which a State board took into its service a person who, having been a secret agent of a foreign Power, had been deprived of British citizenship at the instance of the Government.

While it is for an employer to take such steps as he feels necessary to avoid employing an unsuitable person, it is the practice of my Department not to submit for vacancies, where security interests are involved, persons who are known to be unsuitable. I understand that the post in question was not one in which any security interests were involved.

I did not make the request which has been refused. Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that this man gave a false name? Should not an applicant who, like this man, was palpably not British, have at least been required to establish who he was?

I believe my Department placed about three million people in the last year. I do not know what proportion of them would have spoken English indifferently, but it would have been an immense addition to the task of my Department to have had to investigate each of those cases.

I referred only to State boards.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest unemployment figures for Ramsgate, Margate and Broadstairs, respectively, at the latest convenient date.

At 15th October, the numbers of persons registered as unemployed at employment exchanges in Ramsgate and Margate were 759 and 868, respectively. There is no employment exchange at Broadstairs, which is in the area of the Ramsgate employment exchange.

Does the Minister not realise that if these figures follow their customary course they will double in January or February, and does he realise furthermore that 5 per cent. of our adult population in the constituency will then be unemployed as opposed to the national average of.9 per cent.? Is it not time that my right hon. and learned Friend looked into this seasonal problem more closely?

It is my task to look into these seasonal changes, and I would remind my hon. Friend that the position, judged by a year ago, has improved.

asked the Minister of Labour why he has relieved Mr. G. Haggen of Leeds of his chairmanship of the National Service hardship committee and local appeal board.

Mr. Haggen's appointments as chairman of a Military Service (Hardship) Committee and local appeal board were for the duration of his appointment as chairman of a court of referees and later of a local tribunal of the Ministry of National Insurance. When he ceased to be chairman of a local tribunal the other two appointments were, in consequence, terminated.

Could the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell me why it was that as recently as 1st March last this gentleman was appointed by the Secretary of State for Air, on the recommendation of the Minister of Labour, and has become the chairman of the R.A.F. Appeal Tribunal? Is he aware that this gentleman is under the impression that he is being victimised by Government Departments?

I was not aware of the information which the hon. Gentleman has added about the other Ministry. I can only say that it has been found desirable that the chairmanships referred to in my answer should be held by the same person.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will now introduce legislation in accordance with the agreement reached between her Department and the voluntary schools representatives.

asked the Minister of Education what progress is being made with the discussions which are proceeding with the Roman Catholic and other denominational religions regarding grants in aid for their respective schools.

asked the Minister of Education what alterations in the financial grant made to voluntary schools are to be made, and when they will operate.

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer given on 15th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, South (Mr. Maude).

Does that reply mean that the Minister fully concurs in the all-party agreement that was reached by her predecessor, and is legislation going to be forthcoming?

I have looked into this matter. No agreement, to which the hon. Member refers in his Question, was reached between the Department and the voluntary schools representatives. Discussions took place and they were being carried on. It is my intention to go on with those discussions, and I hope to find an agreement which will be satisfactory to all.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while we all wish her well in working out such legislative proposals as may seem necessary, at the same time this problem is also largely a matter of administration, and will she do all she possibly can to preserve the happy relationship between local education authorities and the different denominations which exist over the greater part of the country, upon which the successful solution to this problem depends?

That will certainly be my aim.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that her predecessor did conduct discussions with all interested parties and that a solution had been arrived at? Will she not say at the earliest possible moment whether she intends to apply this solution and ask this House to pass the necessary Measures?

I gather that a complete solution had not been found, but I shall certainly look into this matter with the greatest possible speed, and I am entirely in favour of making an announcement to this House as soon as possible.

Would my right hon. Friend be likely to make an announcement early in the New Year?

I think it would be best if I said that I want to do this as quickly as possible and that I shall make an announcement as soon as it can possibly be made.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will make a statement on the anticipated effect of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposals on school building planned by Welsh education authorities and approved by her Department.

asked the Minister of Education what cuts are proposed in the school building programme for 1952.

asked the Minister of Education what effect the building cuts will have on the building of new schools in the county of Durham for the years 1952 and 1953.

Until the Government have completed the review of capital expenditure in 1952, which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 7th November, no decision will be taken to alter the educational building programme.

Does that answer mean the welcome assurance that the building plans for Wales will be allowed to go on unimpeded?

I think it means exactly what I said—that no change will be made until we have the decision of the inquiry which was announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Can the right hon. Lady say when that announcement is expected?

As soon as the review has taken place.

Will the right hon. Lady give an assurance that when these proposals are discussed at the Cabinet meeting she will do all in her power to be there?

I am glad to be able to tell the hon. Gentleman that it will need no effort on my part to be at the Cabinet meeting when these things are discussed, as I have already been informed that I may attend Cabinet meetings at any time that anything touching education is discussed.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will ensure that all His Majesty's inspectors of schools have had adequate teaching experience in the types of schools they are called upon to inspect.

No, Sir, it would impose an undesirable rigidity on the service to make such a requirement. His Majesty's inspectors are drawn from all parts of the teaching profession and may be called upon to inspect any type of school in which their advice is likely to be useful.

Does not the right hon. Lady agree that since different types of school have different methods and pupils of different ages it is very unfair to the school teachers and everybody concerned that an inspector should be called upon to inspect a type of school of which he has no experience, especially in view of the fact that he will be inspecting the work of experienced teachers and their future professional prospects may well depend upon the reports given?

No, Sir, I think it would make for too much rigidity. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree if someone who had perhaps been teaching art, but not in a primary school, was asked to give advice it would be very useful. If the hon. Gentleman's suggestion was adopted as a rule, we should not profit by it; it would be better to leave the matter as it is.

Do the right hon. Lady's observations apply to specialised branches of teaching, such as the special schools branch for blind, deaf, epileptics and so on?

I think it is better not to lay down a hard and fast rule but to try and see that His Majesty's inspectors can bring varied experience to their work; I think this would be of help to the teachers and to the schools.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, as there is a desperate shortage of teachers in every grade of teaching, if we take teachers and make inspectors of them it will only lessen the number of teachers?

asked the Minister of Education whether she will cause an inquiry to be made into the inadequate remuneration of graduate teachers.

No, Sir. The current salary scales for teachers are those recommended by the Burnham Committee, and came into force as recently as 1st April last.

Is the Minister aware that graduates are coming into the teaching profession in ever-decreasing numbers, partly because the salaries in other professions are greater and partly because the existing graduate teacher salaries are now lower than they were before the war, if we take into account the decrease in the value of the £, and would she call the attention of the Burnham Committee to this matter?

I am aware of many of those facts, but I think my hon. Friend will agree that it is better for the discussions to take place within the Burnham Committee.

Does the right hon. Lady agree that it would be dangerous to differentiate between graduate teachers and non-graduate teachers in this connection?

Could my right hon. Friend not approach the Burnham Committee in this matter? Is it not monstrous that graduate teachers with 25 years' service should still be receiving an income of about only £650 a year? Surely that is a matter for the Burnham Committee to consider?

Is the right hon. Lady aware that there is a great shortage of graduate science teachers because they have been offered greater remuneration in other employment outside the teaching profession? Will the right hon. Lady give earnest and serious attention to the problem of graduate teachers' salaries?

I will certainly give attention to this matter, but we must realise that these scales were decided by the Burnham Committee in April. While watching the result, we should realise that the Committee had responsibility at that time.

asked the Minister of Education how many dentists are required by the school dental service to complete its establishment.

For a complete service of dental inspection and treatment, in which every child is seen annually and all children who require treatment accept and receive it, I estimate that a ratio of at least one dentist to 3,000 children would be required, and for this purpose the equivalent of an additional 1,150 full-time dentists would be needed. To get the service back to its 1948 level some 200 additional school dentists would be needed in England and Wales.

Will my right hon. Friend take an early opportunity of consulting the British Dental Association as to the best means of overcoming these shortages?

I will certainly consult with various associations on means of overcoming the shortages, which are well known to all of us in the House.

asked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to improve the school dental service.

I intend to review the whole problem of the school dental service. In the meantime, I hope that the salary scales fixed earlier this year by the Dental Whitley Council may attract more dentists to the school dental service.

Could the right hon. Lady say how many dentists have already been attracted by these new scales?

I am afraid I cannot give that information. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman would put down a Question?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the shortage of dentists is partly due to the fact that there are not sufficient training facilities for those who want to become dentists? Will she consult with the appropriate Department to see whether training facilities can be expanded?

I am fully aware that there are not enough trained dentists in this country. There are not enough dentists in training because there are not enough teachers for dentistry or opportunities for people to learn.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent the proposed economies in education will affect the future of divisional executives.

I am considering the need to secure economy in the education service without reducing its efficiency. Until I have completed my review I am not in a position to make any statement.

Is the Minister aware that when in Opposition the Chancellor of the Exchequer expressed some disquieting views on this matter and that we are not very happy to hear her answer today?

I am sorry that the hon. Gentleman is not happy. I hope the information I shall be giving later will show that any disquieting views he holds are without foundation.

When the hon. Lady considers the future of the divisional executives, will she also consider the need for the democratic control of a local education service reasonably near to the children in the schools and not remotely situated in some far-away county town?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I shall do that. I have always been against too much centralisation and in favour of as much local opinion and local authority as possible.

asked the Minister of Education the percentage of pupils who passed the examination for the General Certificate of Education in 1951.

The information about the numbers of entries and passes in the different subjects at the ordinary and advanced levels of the General Certificate of Education will not be available until early in the New Year.

Is the Minister aware that the National Union of Teachers are holding divisional meetings upon this very question and that specialist teachers have been expressing the view that the standards are high and that the examination is leading to undue specialisation in a few subjects, the very opposite to what we hoped to achieve through this new examination?

I am aware that that is being said, and I am sorry that the hopes of a great many people have been dashed. We must certainly look into the whole subject.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the "Daily Herald" greeted this examination with the slogan that it was an examination which no one could fail? In the event of anyone failing, does she not agree that this will gravely shake the confidence of youth in the promises of the late Government?

asked the Minister of Education if she will amend the Regulations so as to enable children to sit for the General Certificate of Education before reaching the age of 16 years; and if she will reintroduce a distinction mark for this examination.

I have not yet had time to consider this problem in all its aspects, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that it is my intention to do so.

Will the right hon. Lady also keep in mind the serious danger of pressing children at too early an age?

Most certainly. I think the whole matter has got to be reviewed. We do not want to press the children at too early an age. Nor do we want to keep them back.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent the standstill in school building will affect any comprehensive schools.

Most of the comprehensive schools due to start building soon are in London, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary gave to the hon. Member for Peckham (Mrs. Corbet) last Thursday.

I am very happy to hear that because, when in opposition, her colleagues saw this matter in a partisan and political light, and I am very pleased—

Is the hon. Gentleman asking a question?

I was asking the hon. Lady whether she was aware of the pleasure of hon. Members on this side of the House at the attitude of her colleagues on that side of the House.

Has my right hon. Friend taken steps to stop this most reactionary proposal of comprehensive schools?

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the high price of history books; and what steps she is taking to ensure that pupils in secondary schools may get books recommended for study at a reasonable price.

I am aware of the rise in the cost of books and I hope that local education authorities, who are responsible for the supply of books, will find means of ensuring that the essential needs of the schools are met.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that there is an opinion in the country that the price of history books is scandalously high and that there is gross profiteering in this industry? I have here a history book published at 25s. If I give her the name of the author and the publisher, will she submit it to the Monopolies Commission?

Perhaps it would be better if the hon. Gentleman himself took any steps that he thinks wise on the subject of the price of books. I thought he was perhaps going to present the book to me.

is my right hon. Friend aware that she will be doing a great service to the community if she gives the hon. Gentleman the book free of charge?

Is the Minister not aware that this applies not only to history books but to practically all the equipment which the schools have to provide, and that it is largely due to Purchase Tax? Will she make representations to her colleagues for a reduction for schools?

I have already pointed out that this is a matter for the local education authority. The decision as to which books are obtained is not made by the Ministry. I have already said that I agree that the high and rising cost of books is something which must have very careful attention.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the restrictive practices of compositors and other employees in the printing trade contribute very largely to this price?

Is the right hon. Lady aware that the book I have offered, for a consideration, was written by the Prime Minister?

Then I think it was certainly worth any price asked.

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

asked the Minister of Education on what date it is proposed to commence the erection of the Erith Mixed Grammar School.

I understand that the local education authority expect to be ready to start building next April.

If the Minister is faced with any situation demanding a deferment in this case, will she remember that there have been continual disppointments in the building of this school since 1919 and that it has been the first victim in its county of every economy ramp?

I will certainly remember that. Where there have been disappointments in the past, we hope that those who were disappointed will find that they are now getting a better share of things.

asked the Minister of Education what statistics are now kept showing what facilities exist for the teaching of swimming to pupils of State schools; what proportion of these pupils can and cannot swim, respectively, and at what ages; and how the numbers of such pupils able to swim at such respective ages now compare with those in each of the previous 20 years.

My Department does not keep statistics about the teaching of swimming.

In view of the importance of this topic from every point of view, will the Minister take steps to keep such statistics in future and do everything she can to promote swimming lessons, which are educationally important?

I certainly approve of as much education in swimming as possible, but, as to the keeping of statistics, I am reluctant to add to statistics that may not add to the amount of swimming lessons.

Could the question of statistics not be referred to Lord Cherwell?

asked the Minister of Education what steps she proposes to take to ensure that technical education will be available for those pupils in North Wales schools not within daily travelling distance to Wrexham and Flint.

For children of school age technical education is provided within the secondary schools of North Wales. As regards technical education for those who have left school, local education authorities have been asked to submit their proposals for the further education building programme for 1953–57. I understand that these will involve some joint day provision amongst local education authorities in North-West Wales, together with boarding provision for the whole area in North-East Wales, but I cannot say at this stage what priority may be given to these projects.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the recent official discussions with a delegation from Basutoland and as to the nature of the undertakings given with reference to the future of the Protectorate.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to questions on this subject put by the hon. Members for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams), and Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes), on 15th November.

Yes, but will the hon. and learned Gentleman stop using this word "consult" and make a forthright and unequivocal declaration that the sovereignty of this land will not be transferred without the full consent and agreement of the inhabitants?

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to await the answer to Question No. 45, to be put to the Prime Minister.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action he proposes taking with regard to the banishment of Seretse Khama and Tshekedi Khama from the Bamangwato Reserve of the Bechuanaland Protectorate; whether a full judicial inquiry will be instituted; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is carefully studying the complicated problem which Bamangwato affairs present. Until he has made himself conversant with it, I can make no statement on his behalf.

Are we to understand from that reply that the statement made by the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs in the summer that it was monstrous that an exclusion order should operate without judicial inquiry represents the policy of the Government?

I cannot anticipate the action which my noble Friend may take while he is studying these affairs.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give an assurance that the present Government will adhere to the pledges given by His Majesty's Government during the passage of the South African Bill through this House in 1909, namely, that no transfer of Bechuanaland shall take place until the inhabitants of that territory shall have been consulted and until this House shall have an opportunity of expressing its views.

Yes, Sir. I gladly give that assurance.

Thank you very much.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action his Department proposes to take to regain European markets for British cycles and motor cycles.

The number of motor cycles exported from the United Kingdom to Europe in the first nine months of this year was greater than the number exported in the whole of 1950 and more than twice the annual average from 1936 to 1938. The number of pedal cycles exported to Europe shows a similar increase. The question of regaining these markets in Europe as a whole does not arise, but I am, of course, alive to the need for further expansion, and this need will be kept in mind in our trade negotiations.

Can we have an assurance that the recent drastic cut in imports will not affect this very important export trade?

That question, of course, could hardly be addressed to me. It would have to be addressed to the countries concerned. However, I certainly hope not, and I would pay a tribute to the men and managements in the industry for their magnificent effort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industries are at present under the review of the Monopolies Commission; how many reports may be expected before the end of this year; and whether he will make a general statement on progress made.

Seven, Sir. As my hon. Friend knows, the Commission has already reported this year on the supply of cast iron rainwater goods and on the supply of electric lamps. I understand that a further report is not likely to be made this year.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there are any other matters besides these specific industries that the Commission has to have under review? Are there not a large number of questions that have been referred to it which are now awaiting decision?

Yes, Sir; there are certain practices which can be referred to the Commission, but the scope of the Commission's inquiries is a matter which will fall to be decided when the Bill is put before the House of Commons.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman at some future date bring the question of electrical equipment for the motor industry under review, and will he, in that connection, assure the House that he will make the fullest use of the invaluable experience of monopolies possessed by some of his Ministerial colleagues?

I should not hesitate to refer any appropriate matter to the Commission, but the difficulty at the moment is that with the Commission as at present constituted there is clearly a limit to the number of matters which it can consider. One of the first things we have to see to is how to strengthen the Commission and widen the scope of their inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a decision has yet been reached as to the classification of gummed paper in reels and sheets; and how far the importation of this article is o be permitted from the continent of Europe under licence.

The open general licence for gummed paper in reels and sheets has been revoked as from 8th November, 1951, for those countries to which it formerly applied, other than the Scheduled Territories.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him if it is not the fact that gummed paper was classified as coated paper and that this represents a different classification? Furthermore, is he aware that this is an essential element in packaging, and that already firms are being held up in their finishing departments in the export trade as well as the home trade, and that there is a shortage? Will he assure us that no further delay will arise in promoting imports under contracts that have already been made?

Gummed paper is, of course, included in this respect within the general definition of paper and board, and it is not possible to isolate it. On the second part of the supplementary question, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will draw my attention to specific cases he has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that no potential war materials will be exported from this country to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or her satellites while our troops are fighting in Korea.

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that it is our policy to prevent the export to these countries of goods which are of any significant strategic importance. We are watching this matter most carefully.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that his answer will give great satisfaction to the relatives of our men who are fighting in Korea?

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that there is at present no change in the policy pursued by the previous Government?

It depends over what period the right hon. Gentleman is referring to, but the immediate situation has not changed in recent weeks.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that materials have been sent to China which have been urgently required by the Royal Navy in the last 12 months, in spite of representations to his predecessor?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take action to ensure that proxy forms sent out by companies are so framed that they give the shareholder the opportunity of indicating which way he wishes to vote; and, when there is more than one resolution, that the shareholder can vote for one resolution and against another.

A form of two-way proxy is set out in paragraph 71 of Table A of the Companies Act, 1948, but its use is optional and we have no power to insist on its adoption. The Cohen Committee, on whose recommendations the Act is based, thought it advisable not to deal with this matter by legislation but to leave it to be regulated by the Stock Exchange.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he intends taking to stop the practice of double invoicing between some converters of cloth and their customers, in view of the fact that this practice is detrimental to the public and reduces the revenue from purchase tax.

Steps are being taken to prohibit this practice in the near future.

Will my right hon. Friend take into account the widespread satisfaction which will be felt by the rapid steps which he has taken to bring an end to this abuse?

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, if he will take steps to permit the private importation of raw cotton as a preliminary to the reopening of the Liverpool Cotton Exchange.

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and my noble Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster have invited the organisations on both sides of the industry concerned with the importation and use of raw cotton to appoint representatives to a small committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Richard Hopkins for the purpose of working out the best practicable scheme for the importation of raw cotton. This invitation has been accepted and the Committee is about to start work. The Government hope that in this way an enduring solution acceptable to all concerned will be found. I think all the interests concerned agree that the work of the Raw Cotton Commission must continue in order that supplies may be assured.

While this committee is deliberating—and committees take a long time to deliberate—cannot a start be made in breaking down the monopoly in the importation of raw cotton?

No, Sir. I do not think we would wish to do anything to prejudice the issues before the committee.

Will the Secretary for Overseas Trade make any estimate of the increase in cost of world cotton if we were to put into the world market, under the present arrangement, private buyers in competition with the Cotton Commission?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to increase the amount of coarse grain for pigs and poultry without reducing the allocation to other forms of livestock.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he has taken to ensure an adequate supply of animal feedingstuffs for West Wales and Cornwall during the coming winter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied that the supplies of coarse grain are sufficient for our livestock this winter.

I have nothing to add at present to the statement my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food made about supplies of animal feeding-stuffs in the Debate on the Address on 9th November. I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly about ration scales for the period January to April, 1952.

May I ask my right hon. and gallant Friend if he is aware of the difficulties of our pig and poultry keepers to maintain stock at the present time, and that an increase can be brought about only by increasing the quantity of feeding-stuffs?

I am very well aware of what the hon. Gentleman has said, and I should like to inform the House that the Ministry's Advisory Committee on the Rationing of Animal Feedingstuffs has been consulted, as is the usual practice, and their advice will be taken into account before a decision is reached and announced.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman have a word with the President of the Board of Trade in order to see that no difficulties are placed in the way of our continuing to get coarse grains from the Soviet Union?

In view of the firm declaration which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman himself made in July in this House, that it would be safer to rely on Canadian supplies than on sterling area supplies, will he tell the House what steps he has taken to obtain these dollar supplies?

I think that question should be directed to the Minister of Food.

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman himself made the statement. He is now responsible; and the farmers are expecting an answer.

I am very well aware of that statement. I am also co-operating very closely with the Minister of Food, and the relationship is most cordial at the moment.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take into consideration in the allocation of these feedingstuffs the great difficulties which face these farmers, especially the small farmers in the West country, which is wetter than the Eastern counties?

Yes, Sir. The rationing arrangements apply to West Wales and Cornwall in common with the remainder of Great Britain.

Could there not be a considerable diversion of feeding-stuffs for animals from the amount of barley to which reference was made yesterday in a reply to a Question from me?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the large number of rabbits that reach the markets with their legs lacerated by traps; and whether he will institute an inquiry as to the extent of such cruelty and the means by which it can be abated.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes, Sir". In reply to the second part I would refer the hon. Member to the report of the inquiry recently conducted by the Committee on Cruelty to Wild Animals, whose report is being considered by the Government.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give careful consideration to the desirability of introducing legislation to prohibit the use of gin traps, which do much of the damage that I have described?

This question has been given very careful consideration, and experiments are now taking place to ascertain the suitability of an alternative trap.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that these experiments have been going on for many years and that the results have been insufficient? Will he accelerate the experiments in which he is now engaged?

Yes, Sir, the experiments have not been proved entirely satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he has taken to initiate a special price review for agricultural produce.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to Questions on this subject last Thursday. I am hoping to make a further statement in the near future.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the very great uncertainty which is facing these small farmers, especially the small milk producer farmers, and will he be able to make his statement before the Christmas Recess?

Yes, Sir; I hope very much that that will be possible.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman assure the House that he will take no steps to increase the cost of living?

I will certainly take notice of what the hon. Lady says, but I cannot give the assurance that she would like to hear.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many farms and rural households have been first supplied with piped water during the past year; and to how many it is proposed to extend the supply during the coming year.

I regret that the precise information for which the hon. Member asks is not available.

Would the Minister bear in mind the importance of continuing the supply of piped water to farmers in view of the necessity for increasing our farm output?

Yes, Sir. Perhaps I might give the hon. Gentleman the reason why I cannot give the precise figures for which he asked. It is because he used the words "first supplied," but I should like to inform the House that in the 12 months ending 31st October, grants amounting to £837,670 were paid by my Department to farm and agricultural holdings in respect of 7,819 completed water supply schemes in England and Wales.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend review the workings of the 1945 Water Act in view of the failure of the last Government to implement effectively its provisions?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to compel the disinfection of egg boxes by fumigation as a means of preventing the spread of fowl pest.