asked the Minister of Transport how many appeals have been made to him in connection with public service or road service licences under Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, since he assumed office; how many of such appeals were from the refusal or failure of the licensing authority to grant such licences; how many were appeals from the grant of such licences by the licensing authority; and how many orders, respectively, confirming or revoking the decision of the licensing authority, be has made.

As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the number of appeals indicate whether the parties concerned are on the whole dissatisfied with the decisions of the licensing authority, or whether some variation of the system set up in 1930 by right hon. Gentlemen opposite might be considered?

It is rather difficult to generalise about the results of these appeals. Appeals come in from various interested parties—from the railways, from nationalised bus companies and from a large number of privately-owned bus companies—and to generalise about whether or not they are satisfied with the results would clearly be very difficult. I would emphasise that this appeal is there for the protection of all these interests and not for any one of them.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many cases of appeal from the grant of licences by the licensing authority in connection with public service or road service licences under Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, Orders were made revoking the decision of the licensing authority; and what was the average interval between the making of the Order and the revocation of the licences for each of the years 1938, 1949 and 1950.

I regret that the information desired could not be made available without an excessive amount of research.

I appreciate that the Minister of Transport has answered this Question. May I ask him whether it is not a fact that the average time between the issue of an Order in these cases and the revocation of the licence is generally a matter of a month or less, and in the case of Northern Roadways it has been extended over the summer period; and what explanation can he give for that?

The latter part of the supplementary question was not on the Order Paper. I have not got the average time, but, unfortunately, some of the average times are rather long. In the case of Northern Roadways there was certainly a very long delay in getting a decision.

Would the Minister not agree that he is frustrating the purpose of the 1930 Act in allowing Northern Roadways to continue to operate over the summer simply because they had taken a number of bookings while the appeal was pending?

It has always been left to the licensing authority to determine what was a reasonable time in which to suspend operations after a decision had been made. On this occasion, as I stated in my statement to the House, the time allowed was abnormally long, and that was done solely to avoid enormous inconvenience to a very large number of people.

Is it not a fact that the decision to extend the time was not taken by the licensing authority but by the Minister of Transport himself?

No, certainly not.

Is this not a case where the hon. Gentleman's decision was overriden by the Prime Minister?

Most certainly not. There was no decision of mine nor of the Prime Minister involved in the Northern Roadways case.

We seem to be making very slow progress today.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take the necessary steps to amend the Transport Act, 1947, in such a way as to permit of the reference of such fare increases as those recently made by certain private omnibus companies to the appropriate Transport Users Consultative Committee, as was done in the case of the recent London Transport Executive's fare stage alterations and fare increases.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered a resolution from the Merton and Morden Urban District Council calling attention to the hardships caused to disabled persons and old age pensioners by the recent increase in transport fares; and whether he will now make a statement as to the Government's intentions regarding transport.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the action he has taken on the report on London Transport fares and fare stages made to him by the Central Transport Consultative Committee;

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has now decided to amend the Transport Act, 1947, to make himself responsible for fares;

asked the Minister of Transport (1) in view of his direction to the Transport Commission not to implement the proposed increase in fares outside the London area, what action he intends to take to ensure fair and equal treatment for the travel-ling public in London, where fares have already been increased;

asked the Minister of Transport what steps Her Majesty's Government will take to enable the British Transport Commission to meet their financial obligations.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he proposes to take to modify the recent increases of fares in the London area.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of his directive with regard to proposed provincial fare increases, what action he proposes to take with regard to the recent London area fare increases.

I would ask the hon. Members to await the statement which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is to make this afternoon at the end of Questions.

Why is it now discovered possible for the Prime Minister to make a statement on this matter when Conservative propaganda has always previously been that neither the Minister nor Parliament had any power to interfere with the actions of the Transport Commission?

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the statement which the Prime Minister is to make.

Can the hon. Gentleman at least tell us why it is the Prime Minister and not he himself who is making this statement? Can we be sure that he takes responsibility for what the Prime Minister says?

We had better await the statement. It is very difficult to argue this matter intelligently without the statement.

On a point of order. While I fully realise what you say, Mr. Speaker, there was a great list of Questions which the Minister read out and I was not sure which were included. For example, is Question No. 7 included? Is the Minister not answering that? Is that being left to the Prime Minister as well?

No, Sir, No. 7 is not included in that list.

I am sure the House really has not got the list of Questions which fall to the Minister and those which fall to the Prime Minister. With your permission, Mr. Speaker, can we ask the Minister which Questions he is now taking responsibility for and which Questions are now to fall to the Prime Minister?

The numbers of the Questions which will be answered in the general statement of the Prime Minister are Nos. 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.

I was not raising any question on the merits of the statement which we have not yet had. I was merely asking whether it is now the Minister of Transport or the Prime Minister who takes responsibility for the Government's transport policy. Cannot we have an answer to that?

Answer.

Order. Surely that is covered by the general doctrine of joint responsibility.

On a point of order. Might we have a Ruling on this matter? We are in some difficulty because we do not know to whom to address our Questions in future. We have put down to the Minister of Transport a number of Questions concerning matters for which we understood he was responsible. Now we are denied an answer from him today, and we are told that the Prime Minister will deal with this matter. Might we have guidance as to what action we should take in future?

It is common practice in this House for one Minister to answer for another. I am not concerned in the least with the merits of whether that is always a wise thing to do, but it is quite in order for that procedure to be followed.

On a point of order. The Minister of Transport told us on 17th March that he had no authority to do certain things which the Prime Minister stated on Saturday are now to be done. We wish, with respect, Mr. Speaker, to follow up this point with the Minister of Transport. It would be no use our asking the Prime Minister why the Minister of Transport told the House he had no authority, if the Prime Minister has the authority. That is the difficulty which the Minister of Transport is putting us into by not being willing to answer his own Questions.

I think that these comments should come later, when we have had the statement.

Our difficulty, Mr. Speaker, is this: According to the Act of Parliament it is the Minister of Transport and he alone who has statutory authority to do certain things, and surely it is up to him, as he alone has the authority and the Prime Minister has not, to answer for certain acts which he does or does not do according to the Act which empowers these acts; and, therefore, we want to know why he is not answering for himself in this discharge of duties put upon him alone by the Transport Act?

We cannot pursue this.

On a point of order. I must give notice that we intend to pursue this matter. It is surely without precedent for a Minister to come to the House, and on a whole series of Questions, at least eight or nine—[An HON. MEMBER: "Eleven."]—to tell us that he is not going to answer them, and is going to pass the matter on to the Prime Minister. This is really a complete derogation of his own responsibilities, and if he cannot carry out his duties better than this, he should resign.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that Scottish Omnibuses Limited made application to the licensing authority on 4th February, 1952, to duplicate existing services on their London routes during the summer season; and when the result of an appeal to him from the decision of the licensing authority can be expected.

No such appeal is before me. I am informed that the application in question is to be heard by the licensing authority on the 25th April.

Is the Minister aware that a very large number of individuals have notified their names to Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., for the purpose of travelling on this route and that this undertaking runs a service 15s. cheaper than the company which has had permission from the Minister, and which was referred to in his reply to Question No. 5, and that Scottish Omnibuses have a considerable number of vehicles and sufficient personnel to give a duplication of this service?

These are all points which would be put to the licensing authority when the case is heard.

Did the Minister know that these people had made an application when he extended Northern Roadways' service for six months?

No, I did not.

If the Minister did not know that this application was being made, what right had he to get the licensing authority to extend the Northern Roadways' service for six months, if there was an appeal already under way by the bus company which is already running this service? Is not that just giving way to his friends?

The decision was not made by the Minister in any way at all. It was a question of what was reasonable and convenient for the passengers.

asked the Minister of Transport how many times during 1952 the Widnes-Runcorn transporter bridge has been closed; how many hours of carrying time have been lost; and what steps he takes to warn traffic to take alternative routes across the River Mersey.

I am informed that this bridge has been closed four times this year for a total of 37 hours. I understand that on such occasions the bridge authority notifies the principal regular users, the police authorities and the motoring organisations and that alternative routes are signposted.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it was most unfortunate for this vital transporter bridge to be closed as frequently as this in the course of only a few months, and will he take steps for the completion of the building of the new bridge, and prevent this hold up?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am very conscious of the problems in connection with this bridge, but the great difficulty is to get the materials at a time of acute shortage. As I hope he realises, I am watching the position as closely as possible, and as soon as anything can be done it will be done, but, unfortunately, I can hold out no immediate hopes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has had an opportunity of considering the reports he has received on road safety; and if he will make a statement on this subject.

I have not yet fully considered the two reports recently submitted to me by the Committee on Road Safety.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that while the Government are dithering over this matter a large number of deaths are taking place, and will he give an idea of when he will be able to make a statement on this very important issue?

I have assumed that the hon. Member was referring to the report on the Highway Code and the report on motor cycle accidents. There are other possibilities, but I take it that those were the two to which he was referring. These reports require very close technical study and examination of all the implications that are raised, and until that has been done it would not be right to come to conclusions.

Will the Minister tell us what, in addition to these reports, he is doing about lighting the zebra crossings and steps of that description, which are very urgently needed?

That is another question. So far as the lighting of zebra crossings is concerned, the technical recommendations are being studied and as soon as a decision is made it will be announced.

asked the Minister of Transport when his consultations began with the Home Office about holding the Lord Mayor's Show on Saturdays; and why those consultations have been so prolonged.

This matter has been under consideration ever since I assumed office and, I believe, for some time before, but my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and I will try to reach a conclusion as soon as practicable.

While I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for answering this Question at all, even if the answer is unsatisfactory, may I ask him to come to an early decision on the matter, otherwise we shall have to press for a statement on the subject from No. 10, Downing Street?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman stresses this point regularly and effectively, but he knows very well that there are a great many interests involved in a decision like this, and a great many considerations.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the co-ordinator co-ordinates these things at all? There does not seem much of it.

Will my hon. Friend give us an assurance that no consideration of alleged urgency will prevent his giving every aspect of the problem the most detailed and prolonged study?

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that the hon. Member for Coventry, South, submitted to him, some time ago, detailed evidence concerning the non-return of car deposits upon request; and, as such refusal is contrary to his announced policy, what action he proposes to take.

Yes, Sir. The action I took, and of which the hon. Lady has been informed, is to send on to the British Motor Trade Association the particulars contained in her letter. The results of their inquiries, so far as they have gone, are being forwarded to the hon. Member.

While, as the right hon. Gentleman is probably aware, the public are glad of the result achieved in the matter of deposits, does he not think that the information which I sent to him as long ago as this was sent should by now have produced a reply from the people concerned?

It is really not my responsibility to make all these detailed inquiries. The hon. Lady sent me certain particulars of individual cases about which she had complaints to make, and I forwarded them, as an act of courtesy, to the British Motor Trade Association; but it is not part of my business to look into these questions.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that he informed me in the House that he would be glad to receive any such details concerning irregularities?

And, having received them, I forwarded them to the proper quarter.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, as the Government have approved the suggestion made by the retail side of the motor industry that deposits paid shall be returned at the customer's request unless delivery is expected in the near future, he will take steps to make illegal those contracts refusing such return when prolonged delay is admitted by the firm itself.

No, Sir. As I have already told the hon. Lady more than once, I am not prepared to seek powers to control the arrangements for the sale of motor cars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the action taken by the motor trade last week is proof that everything that I and my hon. Friends have said about deposits is correct? Will he also agree that all deposits should be returned? Will he now turn his attention to the allocation of cars to car-hire firms and ask the trade for a report on the numbers?

The hon. Lady evidently believes in the maxim, "Never take 'No' for an answer."

May I, in Leap Year, ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that six times I have accepted his suggestion that we should go together to St. Martin's Lane and look at the prices of secondhand cars?

I am sorry if I have not understood the position. I thought it was a joke. I hope the hon. Lady will not sue me for breach of promise.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the super-priority given to the production of fighter aircraft will affect the delivery dates of civil air transport machines now in production.

The grant of super-priority for the production of fighter aircraft should have no significant effect on the delivery dates of civil air transport types.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, whereas a few military aircraft more or less are unlikely to make all the difference between war and peace, 20 or 30 modern civil aircraft types might make all the difference, if delivered in time, to the commercial aviation future of this country?

I fully recognise the importance of the production of civil types. We are doing everything we can to help firms develop the civil side of their business. All I was trying to make clear to the hon. Gentleman was that there is at present no conflict in factories between the production of civil types and the production of fighter aircraft.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the real difficulty is not in factories but in drawing offices? Does he know that one of our leading manufacturers has said that he cannot put a single fresh project on the drawing board for two years because of the pressure in regard to military types? How does the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that with his answer to my hon. Friend?

So far as civil types are concerned, the urgent problem is to get into production the very admirable types which are already fully developed and in which we have a substantial lead over other countries.

asked the Minister of Supply what quantities of steel have been received to the latest convenient date against the American purchase of 1,000,000 tons; and what is the anticipated date of completion of shipments.

At the end of the first quarter of this year, about 172,000 long tons of steel, pig iron and scrap for Britain had been delivered at works in the United States or at other sources of supply. Of this 85,000 tons has reached the United Kingdom. It is expected that deliveries at the source of supply will be completed by the end of 1952 in accordance with the agreement.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the one million tons of American steel added to the home production of approximately 16 million tons will be adequate to the needs of the defence programme, essential export requirements and other domestic needs?

That is a pretty big question, and it is quite different from the one on the Order Paper. I should like to have notice of it.

In view of the uncertainty that exists in the American steel industry and the effect that this might have on deliveries of steel to this country, will the right hon. Gentleman re-open negotiations with the United States authorities to allow us to purchase ore and scrap direct from Germany and Sweden instead of indirectly through the United States?

That really is the position. So far as we are getting additional ore, for example, from these countries as a result of this agreement we are receiving it direct and not getting it through the United States. What is happening is that the United States buyers are holding off, and so making more ore available in those countries for purchase by us.

Will my right hon. Friend continue to impress on the Americans the great difficulties of our steel industry at the present time and the benefits of any steps to mitigate those difficulties, such as, in particular, the Americans continuing to make available to us the supplies of raw materials due to them under previous agreements with other European countries?

I think the United States are very well aware of our needs. They have gone a long way to help us in the way suggested by my hon. Friend.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the most interesting transactions recently completed at Moscow was the sale for immediate delivery by the Soviet Union to Pakistan of 100,000 tons of steel? Will he consider whether this might reveal a possible alternative source of supply?

Steel from any quarter is very acceptable.

asked the Minister of Supply on what basis defence contracts for textiles are being allocated by his Department.

Defence contracts for textiles are normally allocated by competitive tender, subject to the special preference given to Development Areas.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of those contracts will be going to wool and cotton respectively, and over how long a period the placing of the orders will occur, and can he give us an assurance that the interests of the smaller towns and smaller firms will not be overlooked in favour of their larger rivals?

We certainly will not overlook the interests of the smaller towns and firms. I cannot give the hon. Gentleman at once the proportions for which he asks. We are placing the contracts as quickly as possible and have already placed some since the House rose for the Easter Recess.

asked the Minister of Supply what advice he has received from the National Advisory Council for the motor manufacturing industry concerning the desirable proportion of motor car allocations to the home and export markets, respectively.

asked the Minister of Supply if, in view of the need to speed up business and save time, money and material in patching up very old motor cars, he will raise the present quota of motor cars allowed to the home market.

The size of the home quota is governed by our pressing need to expand exports. The motor manufacturers have recently suggested that the home quota should not be a fixed figure, but should be calculated as a proportion of the industry's export trade. I am at present examining the implications of this proposal with them.

In the meantime, provided the motor industry fulfils its annual export quota, will the right hon. Gentleman give the industry greater flexibility, particularly during its present difficulties, in order to make, if possible, earlier allocations to the home market?

It was with the object of getting greater flexibility that the motor manufacturers put forward this proposal which, as I have told the House, I am at present examining with them.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the cancellation of the Lagonda contract with Messrs. Motor Panels (Coventry), Limited, details of which were supplied to him on 24th March last; and, in view of the impact of such cancellations on the production of specialist high-priced cars, if he will adjust the quota of these cars for the home market.

The hon. Lady's Question appears to be based on a misapprehension. I am informed that the contract referred to has not been cancelled.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware how happy I shall be if his statement is correct—and I have no reason to think otherwise—and how glad the people of Coventry will be to learn that the contract has not been terminated?

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to survey and collect scrap-iron and steel from closed-down and disused railway branch lines, particularly rails not capable of reuse as such.

I went into this matter some months ago with my hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, and he has asked the Railway Executive to hasten the dismantling of disused track and buildings so as to increase the volume of ferrous scrap recovered during the present period of shortage.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why the National Assistance Board maintain at Clent, Worcestershire, an establishment for dealing with persons who have lost the habit of work; what is the curriculum of this establishment; how many inmates there are; what is the cost per annum to his Department for maintaining the establishment; how long inmates are kept in residence; and why public funds should be expended for this purpose.

The Board have established this centre under the provisions of Section 16 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, with the object of restoring habits of work which these men have lost; the men cultivate the land or carry out such indoor work as needs to be done; the number in the centre at present is about 20; the men ordinarily stay for a few weeks only before being placed in regular employment; and the gross cost is about £4,000 a year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a certain amount of public misapprehension arises from the curious description given to this establishment—a place for training men who have lost the habit of work? Would my hon. Friend consider giving it a more appropriate name, thereby restoring confidence amongst the general public that it is a legitimate item of public expenditure?

Does it require any training at all?

The word used in the Act was "re-establishment." Actually this is a very valuable social experiment, which is building up the muscles of men which have gone slack, and giving to other men, who have no longer the will to maintain themselves, the will to do so. We are getting very encouraging results.

Would the hon. Gentleman inform the Board that they should not take too much notice of this criticism? Does not the Act ensure valuable human rehabilitation work?

Is my hon. Friend aware that this Question was not motivated by criticism, but to allay public misapprehension about the expenditure of funds on a legitimate social experiment?

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will consider giving insured persons the choice between contributing to the National Insurance schemes in one life payment as an alternative to the normal weekly contributions.

No, Sir.

Would my hon. Friend look into this matter again not only in order to save a good deal of administrative work, but also to give a number of men and women who were under 65 and 60 when the scheme came into force a chance of obtaining the security which they have not at present got, but could get through the payment of a lump sum?

My hon. Friend must remember that men and women pass through different insurance classifications in the course of their lives. Sometimes they are employed, sometimes they are self-employed and sometimes they are non-employed. Therefore, a single payment to cover all these classifications, we think, would be an impracticable proposition.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that serious hardship is being caused to claimants who, owing to illness or otherwise, are prevented from appearing before the local National Insurance tribunal, and are not allowed to be represented there even by a near relative such as a son if he is a barrister or solicitor; and if he will amend Regulation 13 of the National Insurance (Determination of Claims and Questions) Regulations, 1948, to remedy this position.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if his attention has been drawn to the case where the local National Insurance appeal tribunal at Skipton refused to allow a man to represent his mother at the hearing of an appeal in respect of her pension, on the ground that he was a solicitor; and if he will take steps to correct this anomalous interpretation of Regulation 13 of the National Insurance (Determination of Claims and Questions) Regulations, 1948.

Claimants who are ill can ask for the hearing of their cases to be postponed. The rule, which prohibits legal representation before local tribunals, has existed for over 30 years and has been reviewed on three occasions by independent committees, none of which has recommended its abolition. My right hon. Friend is not aware that hardship is being caused and does not think it necessary to propose any amendment of the Regulation.

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the fact that at a local appeals tribunal at Skipton a solicitor, who was looking after the affairs of his mother, who had been bedridden for three months, was not allowed to represent her at the hearing? Does not that create a ridiculous position, and will the hon. Gentleman not go into the matter again?

It would be very improper for me to comment upon the finding of a tribunal when that matter might be the subject of an appeal to a commissioner. That is a matter in which no Minister could properly interfere.

Is the Minister aware that the right of a citizen to be represented by an advocate has, in fact, existed from time immemorial and the modern tendency to interfere with this right is a great deprivation to those who are not blessed with the gift of fluent speech? Will the hon. Gentleman look at the whole Regulation again?

My hon. Friend must realise that this has been a Regulation for the last 30 years. Committees have been appointed to go into it and they have all come to the conclusion that it is the fairest way of expediting business and of securing justice for the claimant. Therefore, I cannot look into it again.

But has not this case to which I have referred been drawn to the attention of the Minister, and does he not think it a ludicrous position to find that a son, who happens to be a solicitor, is not allowed to appear before a tribunal in order to plead his mother's case? Will he please look into the matter and see what can be done about it?

I repeat it would be quite improper for me to comment upon a matter which may be the subject of an appeal.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of persons in the county borough of West Ham in receipt of National Assistance in October, 1951, and at the latest stated date.

The comparative figures are 6,229 in October, 1951, and 6.492 in March, 1952.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of persons in receipt of standard or additional days' benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Scheme in October, 1951, and at the latest stated date, for persons in the county borough of West Ham.

At the offices of the Ministry of Labour and National Service situated in the area the number of persons in receipt of standard unemployment benefit and additional days of that benefit on 22nd October, 1951, were 855 and 20 respectively, and on 24th March, 1952, were 946 and 29 respectively.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the annual cost for the last 12 months for which figures are available of imports into Great Britain of oil and fuel from the dollar area and what percentage does this represent of the total annual cost of dollar imports for the same period.

A sum of £92 million, f.o.b., or 12½ per cent. of our total visible imports from the dollar area.

Will my right hon. Friend make a public announcement to cover the specific point raised in this Question, and in all industries, that this country has got to produce the goods and services at world competitive prices or starve, and that has to be done at whatever sacrifice and whatever effort? Will he do that?

I think that is well known.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make regulations to enable the various Consultative Councils of the Gas Industry to publicise their own existence, and in particular to ensure that full details of the composition and powers of the councils should be exhibited at all gas showrooms and any other suitable and available premises.

The hon. Member's suggestion does not require any new regulations.

In that case will the Minister see that steps are taken to publicise the composition and the powers of these councils? Although it has been done in the North Thames area, thanks to the vigilance of my constituents, will he see that similar steps are taken elsewhere in this matter?

Yes, but I think the circumstances of the councils vary. They are taking various steps suited to their districts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the fact that British miners increased production of deep mined coal by 2,500,000 tons in the first 14 weeks of 1952 he will give his continued encouragement to all concerned in the industry with the object of raising 230,000,000 tons this year.

Every effort is being made to increase production this year as much as possible. But I must point out that last year the first 14 weeks included the Easter holidays whereas this year they did not, and, therefore, the output figures for the two years are not comparable.

asked the Minister of Food what is his estimate of the loss of food value when shell eggs are respectively frozen, changed to liquid eggs, or dried.

There is no loss of food value when shell eggs are broken out to form liquid egg, nor when liquid egg is frozen and stored in the frozen state. Up to 30 per cent. of the Vitamin B content of eggs may be lost during drying. Further losses of Vitamin B and also of Vitamin A may occur during storage of dried egg, the extent being dependent on the conditions of storage.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on his recent negotiations with the Master Bakers' Association; what increase in profit margins has been granted; and what the effect of this increase will be on the price of the 2lb. loaf.

My discussions with the Association covered a wide range of matters of particular concern to small bakers. No increase in the profit margin has been granted but, as I announced in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Dudley Williams) on 10th April, I have arranged for more speedy adjustment of the rate of bread subsidy in order to help the industry.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in spite of what he said, great publicity is being given in the national Press in the direction of suggesting that concessions are being granted to certain sections of the baking industry? Does he not agree that the present price of bread is one of the most damning in dictments, above all others, against this Government?

With regard to the point about publicity, I answered a Question on 10th April in regard to more speedy adjustment of the subsidy and that is the question to which some publicity has been given.

asked the Minister of Food what were the dates of the last two allocations of dried fruits; and when the next can be expected.

The last two allocations were made on 4th November, 1951, and 23rd March, 1952, respectively. The next will be on 18th May.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of abundant supplies of sultanas and raisins available from non-dollar areas, all present control by bulk purchase can be lifted so that growers may have the opportunity of supplying to British housewives the quality of fruit formerly available.

I have under continuous review the possibility of changes in our methods of importing a number of commodities at present bought by my Department, including dried vine fruits. But our general balance of payments position has created special difficulties by making it necessary for us to control strictly our imports not only from dollar sources but also from other non-sterling sources. My information is that non-dollar supplies of dried vine fruits are far from abundant.

asked the Minister of Food what was the cost to his Department of the dried fruits section for packaging, reconditioning, storage and port services for 1950–51.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what gifts or loans have been given by Britain to Burma since the end of the war; and if he will make a statement regarding the terms of repayment of the loans.

Since the war Her Majesty's Government have cancelled debts due by Burma and forgone claims in respect of such things as military administration expenditure amounting in all to £36 million. A debt of £27.8 million is still outstanding which is due to be repaid in accordance with Article 6 of the Treaty of 17th October, 1947, between the two Governments in 20 equal annual instalments beginning not later than 1st April, 1952. As the hon. Member will be aware, the Burma Government have recently requested Her Majesty's Government to agree to the postponement of the repayments due this month.

Have Her Majesty's Government agreed to defer repayment?

No, Sir. I think there is a Question later in the week in regard to that matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that these loans have assisted in combating the spread of Communist Imperialism in Asia?

I will not dispute that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the receipts from Purchase Tax on textiles, giving, if possible, the different categories for the three months January, February and March, 1951; and for the same months of 1952.

Purchase Tax is payable quarterly and estimates are available of receipts of tax from the various categories of textiles in the quarter ended 31st March, 1951. I regret that similar information for the quarter ended 31st March, 1952, is not yet available.

Am I right in thinking that these figures are only estimates, and that, owing to the peculiar method of collection of Purchase Tax, it is impossible to get an accurate figure?

The figures are substantially accurate, although, as my right hon. Friend is aware, there are certain limitations on the degree of precision which is obtainable.