asked the Secretary of State for War why Private Geoffrey Boot, 1st Battalion the Green Howards, was reported killed in Malaya and his parents informed by telegram and letter accordingly when, in fact, he was only slightly injured; and if he will take all possible steps to prevent unnecessary suffering to next-of-kin by errors of this kind in his Department.

I very much regret this mistake, which was due to the ambiguity of the signal reporting this accident. A new instruction for the wording of such signals has been circulated to all concerned which will, I think, eliminate chance of recurrence.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he intends to take to ensure that 4691891 War-substantive Staff-Sergeant G. Grimshaw, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, will return to his home in Fife from his training as a Z reservist at Lydd Town in sufficient time to obviate the loss of the bonus shifts payable to miners.

I am arranging that this soldier's time of reporting and return to his home shall not interfere with his bonus shifts in the weeks before and after his training period.

While I thank the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that this man is to take his colliery manager's certificate in November? Is it not ridiculous that this highly skilled man is to go from Fife to Kent—a matter of 600 miles—to engage in about 11 day's training, when in the event of an emergency he would obviously be in a reserved occupation?

This man is exceptionally qualified in so far as he is a radar technician, and the only place where such men are trained is in Kent. As regards his present course of studies, I think that in the event of war his services as a radar technician would be absolutely invaluable to the country.

If he is a very highly skilled man, what advantage will he or the War Office get out of this 11 days' training at Lydd? Is it not a fact that valuable though he might be in an emergency, he would be infinitely more valuable as a colliery manager?

The hon. Member will agree that this man has not yet passed his examination to become a manager; I hope he will do so, but I would point out that there have been great changes in radar equipment and the techniques of radar, which have progressed very considerably since he left the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether leave to presume the death of Gunner J. O'Leary, missing on active service in Malaya since 2nd March, 1951, has now been granted by the Supreme Court at Pahang.

This case was due to be heard last week and I had hoped by to-day to know the outcome. I have, however, just heard that the civil court concerned will not accept the local affidavits and that an affidavit has now been sent for signature by a witness in this country. I much regret this further delay, but there is nothing I can do to avoid it.

If all the facts of this deplorable case were revealed, the public conscience would be outraged. Would the right hon. Gentleman now do his best to honour the undertaking which he gave last November, when he said that he hoped to get this matter cleared up in a week or two?

:I share the hon. and gallant Gentleman's regret about this case. I am not trying to absolve myself, but it is now out of my hands. I have sent a great many telegrams and I was hoping that it would have been finally settled today.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that 916925 Gunner C. D. Yates, Royal Artillery, has been missing for over 10 years from the Netherlands East Indies and that his wife has been unable to claim a widow's pension; on what grounds he assumes that this soldier originally absented himself without leave and is still absent without leave: and if he will now presume his death and pay a widow's pension to Mrs. Yates accordingly.

This man is recorded as being, not missing, but absent without leave. This is because he went absent from his unit on 21st February, 1942, and was seen in Java on several occasions in February and March, 1942. Since then he has not been heard of. I am going to re-examine the case to see whether something cannot be done to help Mrs. Yates, and I will write to the hon. Member.

Is the Secretary of State aware that this man went through France with a machine gun unit and was wounded at Dunkirk, that he possesses all the attributes of a very brave soldier, and is not the sort who would absent himself without leave? In considering this case, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this man had been missing for four years before he was discovered absent without leave, and that since that time—for six years—his wife has had to exist on public assistance? It is most regrettable that the wife of a man who served his country in this way should be in such circumstances. Will the Secretary of State give his personal consideration to this case?

I have informed the hon. Gentleman that I am far from happy about the position of Mrs. Yates. It is difficult for me to say the man is dead since he was seen after he left his unit. I have given the hon. Gentleman the assurance that I will go into the case to see if there is anything that can be done for Mrs. Yates.

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication of what consideration was given to this case by his predecessor?

Regarding the question of a man who is seen after leaving his regiment, what is the position of a number of soldiers whose wives have not seen them for years and whom no one else has seen? The right hon. Gentleman may remember the case that I raised some time ago of a man who had been missing. After a certain time, cannot his death be presumed?

In those circumstances a man is reported missing, or missing believed killed; but this man who was reported absent without leave was seen walking about Java. He may be doing some job in that far off country.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cost of supplying National Service men, holding commissions, with uniform; and what uniforms are provided.

The bulk of those commissioned have had service in the ranks and have, therefore, already some clothing which, when new, cost £18 2s. 9d. The clothing issued free on commissioning costs £7 7s. 6d. and an outfit allowance of £36 10s. is given to meet the remaining needs. The cost of fitting out a National Service man as an officer is, therefore, £43 17s. 6d. Only battle dress is provided.

In view of the need for economy in the country, does not the Minister consider it would be just as well to stop the manufacture and issue of these dress uniforms to National Service officers and to put the uniforms in the clothes section of a museum?

No full dress whatever is issued. As I have stated, only battle dress is issued to National Service officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men who have now enrolled in the Home Guard; and how many of these have enrolled east of a line from Flamborough Head to Selsey Bill, and west of that line, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has now been made with recruiting for the Home Guard.

The first monthly return showed that by 15th May 10,704 men had enrolled in the Home Guard. In addition, about 18,000 are now earmarked for expansion of the cadre units. It would not be in the public interest to give the breakdown asked for in the first Question.

Is not this a deliberate attempt to evade the Question because of the foolishness to which it would expose the Secretary of State for War, as a few weeks ago he gave county by county the exact number of men who had registered in the Home Guard? The purpose of my Question, as he knows, is to find out how many people have enrolled out of the 100,000 asked for east of a line from Flamborough Head to Selsey Bill and out of the 25,000 asked for west of that line.

It is not for any such purpose. Registration is a different matter from enrolment. It would be better if the hon. Member concentrated more upon the interests of the defence of the country than upon sniping at the Home Guard.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long it is proposed to continue with the experiment of forming a Home Guard since a sufficient number of volunteers are not forthcoming to make the scheme effective.

The formation of the Home Guard will continue. The figures that I have given cover only two weeks' enrolment and I would suggest to the hon. Member that his conclusion is both premature and unhelpful.

As this scheme, against the advice of the Opposition, was instituted in January, and as the rate of recruiting has only produced, I think, 28,000 of the 165,000 earmarked or allowed for in the Army Estimates, is it not quite clear that we are wasting the time of the country and of the War Office in proceeding with this recruiting scheme?

No, I do not think that is at all clear. Enrolment has only been going on for a fortnight and I have the highest hopes that the hon. Member's own hopes will be disappointed.

Is it not clear that enrolment is not keeping pace even with registration?

Registration ceased some considerable time ago.

asked the Secretary of State for War what expenses have been incurred in connection with publicity and advertising for the Home Guard in Scotland; and how many recruits have been obtained.

A sum of £194 has been spent centrally on advertisements. In addition, an allotment for unit expenditure of this kind in the first quarter of this year of £15 has been made to each battalion, but I do not yet know how much of this allotment has been spent. Up to 15th May, 647 men had enrolled and 1,660 had been earmarked for cadre units.

Is the I.C.I. expert operating north of the Border?

He is ubiquitous.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "earmarked for cadre"? Does he mean that these are people who originally registered but who did not want to enrol?

These men are those who registered and are to be interviewed for the cadre battalions, which cannot go above the cadre strength of 55 men per unit.

When the right hon. Gentleman says that the I.C.I. man is ubiquitous, does not he mean that he is superfluous?

No—the very reverse.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) if he will make a statement about the resignation of Major-General Edgeworth-Johnson as Chief Public Relations Officer at the War Office;

(2) under what conditions of service Mr. Sidney Rogerson has been appointed as publicity adviser to the Army Council.

At the present time Regular recruiting is perhaps the most important question which confronts the Army. Mr. Rogerson is on temporary loan from the Imperial Chemical Industries to advise on public relations policy in the broadest sense and with particular reference to those aspects which concern recruiting. Mr. Rogerson will continue in their payment and I am much indebted to the company for this generous help.

Major-General Edgeworth-Johnstone, who served as Director of Public Relations for some 5½ years, was for the last two holding a temporary civilian appointment. This has been terminated with effect from 1st July in accordance with the agreement under which he was serving.

Does not the Secretary of State think that in principle it is better that these posts should be filled either by serving officers or by properly qualified public relations officers established in the Civil Service? Does he not think it is really undesirable that Government Departments should accept offers of this kind from private firms, especially in the case of a security Department like the War Office accepting help of this kind from the principal manufacturers of explosives?

There are many precedents of individuals on loan from various industries in the Ministry of Supply, in connection with munitions and weapons and so on, and I believe that the question of getting men into the Army is just as important as obtaining good weapons. Therefore, I think that the precedent is entirely justified. Mr. Rogerson's qualifications in this respect stand second to none.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's statement not mean that Mr. Rogerson—and we do not want to say anything about him personally—is now on the pay-roll of I.C.I. and remains on that pay-roll during the whole time that he occupies this extremely important and delicate post in the War Office? Does the Minister not think that an arrangement such as that with a great private firm is highly undesirable?

I should have thought that the right hon. Gentleman would have been aware that there were numerous precedents for this, both in the War Office and in the Ministry of Supply, to do with the whole question of armaments, with weapons and explosives and so forth. I cannot see the point of drawing a distinction between the vital question of manpower and that of weapons. It is no good having the best weapons if there is no one to fire them.

How long is it hoped to retain the services of this very able man?

I hope for 18 months to two years, subject to discussion with the company.

Obviously, it is desirable that a Department like the War Office should have taken advice on explosives from representatives of this firm, but is the right hon. Gentleman really suggesting that among the very large band of qualified public relations officers in the public service there is none competent to give advice on the kind of publicity that he requires?

It would be invidious to make comparisons, but I went carefully into this matter when I took office and I was satisfied that the Army was not being put over sufficiently well to the general public.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to advertisements from a private source of which he has been told, appealing for funds to send parcels to prisoners of war in Chinese hands; and in view of the fact that the British Red Cross have already large stocks of parcels available for this purpose in Japan, and that there are no means of forwarding them, if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. The British Red Cross Society has large stocks of parcels in Japan but, unfortunately, it is not possible for them to be sent on to our prisoners of war. In the circumstances, although this matter is outside my province, I doubt whether additional parcels are needed at this moment.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask if he will make it quite clear that the British Red Cross will do everything that can possibly be done, and that appeals to charity and pity are quite out of place?

I am well aware of that fact and of the difficulties which are now being experienced by the International Red Cross Society.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman in fact just accepted charity from the I.C.I.?

If the right hon. Gentleman had accepted a little charity I think that our recruiting figures might have been better in the past.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at the War Office, the Ministry of Defence and other Service Departments there are highly qualified officers of a much higher rank than the right hon. Gentleman ever earned or ever will earn?

I can only judge by results.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many permanent barracks, including married quarters, have been built for military personnel in the Suez Canal Zone during the last three years.

None, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, whilst there are two good permanent R.A.F. camps, a lot of our Army men and officers and their wives are living in deplorable conditions in the Canal Zone? Will not the Government make up their minds whether or not, strategically, we are to hold the Canal Zone? If we are to hold it, could not better quarters be constructed for our troops and, if not, should we not evacuate the Zone?

It is not easy at the moment to arrive at a definite policy decision with regard to the Middle East. It was for that reason that no permanent buildings were put up.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he will give the latest figures for the progress of recruiting for the Regular Army and the Territorial Army, respectively, compared with the figures of the corresponding period of a year ago.

During the first four months of this year, 18,306 men undertook Regular engagements with the active Army, compared with 9,981 during the corresponding months of 1951. Of these, 14,821 and 7,613 respectively were recruited direct from civil life.

In the same period this year voluntary enlistments by men into the Territorial Army numbered 11,094 compared with 6,568 in the corresponding months of 1951. Of these, 4,403 and 5,003 respectively were direct from civil life, the remainder being voluntary engagements by National Service men during their part-time service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of the Territorial Army are volunteers and what proportion are National Service men?

I should prefer to have notice of that question.

Is not that the crux of the matter? Why does the right hon. Gentleman boast about these figures when he well knows that a large intake to the Territorial Army comes from the Reservists—the men who have undergone their National Service and now undertake Territorial Service liability? Is not he also aware that of the 18,000 men who have been voluntarily recruited, a large number have been recruited under the short service engagement, which was not in operation last year?

I am not boasting about these figures. I am surprised that the right hon. Gentleman is not more pleased to hear them. They would have been even more satisfactory to the British Army had the short service engagement been brought in a year or so before. With regard to the Territorial Army, I would point out to the right hon. Gentleman that I stated that the total numbers in round figures were 11,000 compared with 6,000 before and, of those, 5,000 in 1951 and 4,000 in this year were from civil life, the remainder being voluntary engagements by National Service men during their part-time service. I think that answers the right hon. Gentleman's comment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures are likely to go up still further, because the wives are finding the cost of feeding their men an unmanageable problem and the only way that men can be fed is by going into the Army?

That is not a stimulation of recruiting which I favour.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what influence the unemployment figures have had on recruiting in the last few months?

So far as I know, none whatever.

Would my right hon. Friend ask the hon. Lady the Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann) if she is aware that the cost of nylons has fallen heavily during the past few weeks?

asked the Secretary of State for War what sums have been paid to those foreigners on the Continent of Europe who helped our airmen and others to escape back to England during the war and who were out of pocket as a result; and what steps have been taken to find out the amount of these expenses.

Just under £2 million has been paid to those who gave such valuable help to our Service men in this way. There are no cases now outstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for War why his Department rejected an offer by Mr. Donald Peers to spend three weeks in Korea giving concerts for the troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War to make a statement on Mr. Donald Peer's offer to entertain British troops in Korea; and whether this offer has been accepted.

The offer made to my Department was for Mr. Peers to go not to Korea but to Malaya for three weeks. This was not rejected, but it was suggested that, in view of the cost of the journey, it might be better if Mr. Peers went for five weeks. His agent said this might be possible in the autumn; however, it was later found impossible. Mr. Peers is now going to Malaya from 15th June to 11th July.

While welcoming that last assurance, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there has, in fact, been a misunderstanding between his Department and Mr. Peers, who stated in a Press interview that he was willing to go to Korea but that the Department had said that it was too expensive for only three weeks? Is not the need in Korea even greater than in Malaya, and would it not still be possible to divert Mr. Peers to Korea?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the original offer was to go to Malaya. We have arranged for a considerably increased number of artists to go to Korea, but I will readily consider any other offers, including that of Mr. Peers, should he wish to change.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that the comparatively trivial cost of flying them to Korea—trivial in comparison with the pleasure and entertainment which these artists give the troops—will not weigh with his Department?

Our only object is to see that the flying out of anybody for that distance is justified by a reasonably long stay in the area.

With a view to clearing away whatever misunderstandings and difficulties might have arisen in the past, will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to receive the deputation of representatives of the acting profession and hon. Members of this House at the earliest possible moment, as a result of which I am quite sure that some improvement can be effected?

I have not yet received the invitation, and I am in the middle of discussions to ensure that a body exists to which all the artists will be welcome to come to offer their services. I do not want to get crossed lines, but I should never object to having a talk with the hon. and gallant Member about this.

Could this be done in collaboration with the Secretary of State for Air, in the hope that these artists could be flown to Malaya and Korea free?

The C.S.E.—Combined Services Entertainment—is run in conjunction with the Royal Air Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War the cost of the new weapon of Swedish design which is intended to replace the Bofors gun.

The cost of this new gun is about £11,000.

Can the Minister give the total cost that is likely to be involved? Who is getting the money? Where do the Swedes come in?

It has been settled that we should re-equip with this gun, and it has been ordered in the normal way.

How does it compare with the previous gun that it replaces?

It is much better than the previous one.

Will my right hon. Friend make sure in connection with the new gun that the mistake will not be made as happened with the old Bofors gun, in that we do not have adequate drawings? Will he ensure that there are adequate drawings from Sweden before we go into production?

Yes, that has been ensured.

asked the Secretary of State for War what further economies he intends making at the War Office in response to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's circular on the need for reduced expenditure.

It is my aim constantly to seek the maximum economy possible without reducing the fighting efficiency of the Army.

How does that aim correspond with the right hon. Gentleman's achievements?

I leave that to the hon. Gentleman, who is always generous to me in such matters.

Will my right hon. Friend point out to the hon. Gentleman the cost which is involved in answering Questions put down purely as vehicles for his shafts of wit?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a full statement of the grounds on which compassionate leave is granted in the Army.

Compassionate leave may be granted on the death, imminent death or dangerous illness of a wife, husband, child, parent or other next of kin. It may also be granted for urgent and exceptional reasons in order to mitigate domestic hardship.

The right hon. Gentleman made that statement last Thursday. Will he make perfectly clear that he himself has discretionary power in dealing with applications, and that he is not in any way attempting—I say this in order to correct any wrong impression that may have been given last Thursday—to narrow the use of the discretionary power which the Secretary of State possesses?

Of course, I have discretionary power, but what I should point out again is that there is a scheme which lays down definitely in respect of whom, as relatives, men can apply for compassionate leave. They apply within that scheme, and within the scheme I have discretionary powers. The point that I made last week was that if I widened that scheme immensely, I should be increasing very considerably the liability, which already is running at about the rate of over 20 cases a day of compassionate leave throughout the Army.

In connection with the scheme and the Minister's discretionary powers, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it applies equally to all ranks and whether the discretionary powers are allowed to go outwith the scheme on occasion when circumstances of individual cases are such as to warrant doing so?

The scheme applies to all ranks. My point is that if I were to go outside the general principles as regards relationship which are laid down for the scheme, I should have to apply those powers to other similar cases of a similar kind of relationship, which would open up a very much larger and wider field of applications.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet had the opportunity of considering, as he promised to do, the possibility of widening the scheme very slightly to use any surplus air space that there might be on aircraft returning from the Middle East?

Yes, I am making inquiries into that.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made with the claim for increased pay made on 3rd August, 1951, on behalf of the War Department Constabulary; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot yet make a statement, but I hope that I will shortly be able to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers, including National Service men are employed as officers' servants or batmen.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 5th February to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg).

Am I to understand that the Minister is still unable to get the figures—that was the sense of his answer—and that he is incapable of counting the number of officers, or does this mean that some officers have no batmen, some have one, and others have a retinue of batmen, including nursemaids, housemaids and gardeners? We ought to know how these men are utilised, and whether they are really teeth or tail.

The reason I cannot give the answer to the hon. Gentleman's question is that although an establishment is laid down, the actual number employed is well under that establishment, which is not filled up. If I want the exact number, I have to circulate every unit in the British Army for a special return, and I do not feel justified in taking that course.

asked the Secretary of State for War what extra remuneration is received by officers' servants or batmen; and to what extent their employment in this capacity is governed by Queen's Regulations

A soldier employed as an officer's batman receives an extra 2s. 6d. a week: or, where he is serving more than one officer, 15s. a month in total. This employment is sanctioned by Queen's Regulations, paragraph 1617, and the remuneration is governed by paragraph 1623. The number of batmen allowed is laid down by Army Council Instructions.

Will the Secretary of State tell the House whether anyone other than an officer can give orders to an officer's batman—an officer's wife, for instance—and if so, and if the batman refuses to obey the orders of someone, not holding Her Majesty's commission, is he liable to punishment under Queen's Regulations? Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the abolition of this mediaeval retainer system which is so alien to our modernised Army? Would the right hon. Gentleman consider whether it would be appropriate, for instance, for Len Hutton to be butler to Freddie Brown?.

The first part of the question is somewhat hypothetical. I think the only basis is that there should be good relations between the individuals concerned. As regards abolishing batmen, I would remind the hon. Gentleman that batmen today number something like one or two to four officers, and that they also carry out the job of mess waiters. As to abolishing them, I think the hon. Gentleman will agree with me that we have a slight mote in our own eyes regarding the use of mess waiters in this House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who supplies the figures to enable him to compile the total amounts of broccoli imported under the quota system.

The figures are compiled from returns sent to the Ministry of Food by importers.

Is it not a very unsatisfactory state of affairs that the very people who are allowed to flood in these imported cauliflowers and broccoli are supplying their own figures? Does it not show that the only efficient method is a tariff?

My hon. Friend was informed by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that he is considering what improvements can be made in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Food. The matter was also the subject of a recent Adjournment debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the vital need for the United Kingdom and Western Europe to balance their trading accounts by selling more goods in the North American markets, he will call a conference of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation nations with a view to approaching the United States of America for substantial reductions in the present high tariffs.

No, Sir.

Does not my hon. and learned Friend realise that it is quite impossible for the Eastern Hemisphere to balance its account with the Western Hemisphere unless some substantial steps are taken to secure a demand for goods from this country and Western Europe in the United States?.

I am not differing as to the importance of the object my hon. Friend has in mind, but this method would not be, in our opinion, the most effective means of achieving that object.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to offset the effects of the proposed increase in American tariffs against British products.

The applications to the United States Tariff Commission for increases in certain duties which are of particular interest to the United Kingdom are still being investigated by the Commission. No recommendation has yet been made to the United States Government. The question of taking steps to offset the effects of increases in the duties, therefore, does not at present arise.

Can my hon. and learned Friend say whether his Department has yet received any reply to the recent representations to Washington in connection with the proposed increase in American tariffs on British goods?

Yes, there was a reply, and it has been published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain firms in the British Isles who are making woodflour at the moment are having to shut down owing to the continued importation of foreign woodflour; and whether he will take steps to prevent the importation of this product so long as there are supplies undisposed of in this country, thereby helping the balance of payments problem.

I am aware that certain firms in this country which produce wood-flour have recently had to close, but I do not think that this is attributable to imports. The foreign woodflour is of a quality essential for the manufacture of certain exports, and it would not be to the public interest to restrict our imports.

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that we are spending over a third of £1 million a year on importing this material, which is really waste material, that this waste material is available in this country, and that the trade would be prepared to make it suitable for such uses as he mentions? Will he look into this matter and see whether we can get some help here to the solution of our dollar problem?

I will certainly consider what my hon. Friend says, but these imports are at present considered absolutely necessary for certain exports we are making.

is flour now the same thing as sawdust?

The industry making the most use of these imports is the plastics industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he intends to take to protect purchasers of television and radio sets who take advantage of systems of deferred payments.

I assume that what the hon. Member has in mind is protection against abuses in hire-purchase and credit sale. Protection is given by the Hire-Purchase Act, 1938, which amended the law on the subject. Similar legislation is in force in Scotland and Northern Ireland. We have received no representations that the law is inadequate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that hire-purchase agreements for the sale of television and radio sets are now being abandoned in favour of rental agreements which can be more onerous; and what steps he is taking to protect the public interest in the matter.

I am aware that there has been an increase in the number of rental agreements for television and radio sets. If any cases brought to notice prove on investigation to involve a breach of the Hire-Purchase and Credit Sale Agreements (Control) Order, action will be taken.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that under these rental agreements certain firms selling, for example, a Columbia television set at £69 guineas, are accepting an initial payment of £5 instead of the 23 guineas imposed under his Order of January this year, and that the total cost under the rental agreements, spread over two and a half years, is £124 5s. 6d. as compared with the cost under the hire-purchase agreement of £76 1s.? What steps does he propose to take to protect people against these extortionate charges?

The question is, is there or is there not a breach of the Order? If the hon. Gentleman has evidence of any practices which appear to be a breach, I should be most willing and anxious to investigate them with a view to taking action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far, after the winding up of the activities of the Anglo-American Productivity Council, the continuing body will facilitate the study of the best production methods in British factories, by those who are less well placed.

I understand that the promoters of the British Productivity Council intend to include in the Council's activities the method of help to which my hon. Friend refers.

Will my hon. and learned Friend give an assurance that, if some official assistance is needed, his Department will look favourably on this, since the real problem for British industry is to raise the lowest to the highest level at present existing?

I agree that the work of this body is very important. Since the supplementary question which my hon. Friend has asked is quite different from the Question on the Order Paper, perhaps he will put it down.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the cancellation of equipment contracts for the proposed factory at East Kilbride, if he has inquired of Messrs. John Deere and Company what were their reasons for not proceeding with this project meantime; what was their reply; and what are the future prospects of this company undertaking production in Scotland.

I understand from the John Deere Company that their decision to suspend for the present their plans for manufacturing outside North America was made in the light of their commitments in the United States and that they cannot foretell when they might wish to reverse that decision.

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us, if he thinks this firm is in difficulties, whether that is due to the vacillation and lack of cooperation of his own Department, and if he thinks that has any part in influencing the decision of this American firm?

I do not admit any of the allegations implied in the right hon. Gentleman's statement. The Question asks, "What are the reasons?" All the reasons are, of course, known only to the company, but I have given in my answer to the right hon. Member the reasons as we understand them.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman deny that his Department had correspondence with this firm following on the vacillations of his Department? Does he deny further that he had representations from various Scottish interests stressing the need in terms of the distressed areas to give facilities to this firm, which his Department found either undesirable or incapable of giving?

If the suggestion is that there has been a great deal of delay in this matter, I can tell him that the delay did not take place entirely in the lifetime of the present Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date he anticipates being able to pay compensation under the War Damage Act, 1943 (Part II Business Scheme), with further reference to the case of Mr. John Price which has been submitted to him separately.

The general settlement of these claims must await the fixing of a date by the Treasury under Section 85 (1) of the War Damage Act, 1943. In the meantime claims are being paid in whole or in part where the Board of Trade are satisfied either that the replacement or repair of the goods is expedient in the public interest or that it is expedient to make payment in order to avoid undue hardship. I am writing to my hon. and gallant Friend about the claim of Mr. John Price.

Does my hon. and learned Friend appreciate that his answer will cause great pleasure, provided he gives the money to this gentleman?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps, apart from Government contracts for cotton textiles, have so far been taken to reduce unemployment in Lancashire.

Unemployment in Lancashire arises mainly from the worldwide recession in demand for cotton and rayon textiles, and it is on a revival of this demand that a reduction in unemployment and short-time working must mainly depend. Meanwhile, in addition to accelerating Government contracts for textiles, Her Majesty's Government in their trade and fiscal policies have sought to help the industry to take full advantage of a recovery in demand when it comes and, where possible, to encourage new industries to come into those areas which are heavily dependent on the industry and are Most affected by the recession.

Is the Minister aware that this type of reply to Lancashire people will, I think, be most depressing? It certainly does not offer any hope to the people of Lancashire. Will he, with the President of the Board of Trade, look at this question again, in order to avoid the heavy leakage of the most skilled and conscientious workers from the Lancashire cotton textile trade?

Is the Minister aware that he is quite wrong when he says that improvement depends on reviving the export trade? Is he aware that three-quarters of the trade is for the home market, and it is the home market which is being depressed by the Government's policy of increasing food prices and other matters?

My hon. and learned Friend has mentioned the conditions with regard to new industries, but will he, together with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, do everything in his power to attract new industries to this area and find suitable accommodation for them?

The hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) said that I referred to the export trade. I did not. I referred to the world-wide recession in demand, which includes demand at home as well as abroad. There is a world-wide recession in the demand for textile goods.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman say whether the recession in the export trade may not be quite speedily overcome by a measure of lease-lend within the Commonwealth?

That is another question.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that unemployment in Lancashire is steadily rising, and are we to take it from his reply that he and the President of the Board of Trade have now become the Micawbers of Millbank, waiting for something to turn up.

How has it come about that at the present time large quantities of American made frocks imported from the U.S.A. are being sold in London? Is that the way in which the Government's fiscal policy is helping the textile trade?

That is quite a different question, and I think that the hon. and gallant Member will get the answer if he consults any of his hon. Friends who are familiar with the trade.

Can the Minister give some assurance on the point I raised?

The possibility of persuading industries that are free to do so to enter some of these districts was explained by my right hon. Friend in a recent Adjournment debate. Certainly the Government have the object which my hon. Friend has mentioned well in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state his estimates of the numbers of first-feature and supporting British films which must be produced in the current year for the fulfilment of the present quota; and of the actual productive capacity of the British film industry at present.

Since the answer is lengthy, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied that a sufficient number of films are being produced to fulfil the quota, and, if he is satisfied, why is he taking no action to enforce the quota, and what action is he taking to encourage the maximum production of films at the present time?

The question of the quota is the subject of some later Questions on the Order Paper today. Perhaps the hon. Member will study the answer to his Question which will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Films produced in the current year will generally be available for the next exhibitors' quota year beginning on 1st October, 1952, when the statutory quotas will again be 30 per cent. for first features and 25 per cent. for supporting programmes.

The number of films required for these quotas varies in different cinemas. The lowest estimates are generally based on the weekly releases by the three major circuits which require for a 30 per cent. quota between 48 and 57 British first feature films a year (the number depend- ing on the allowance for Sunday showings). The supporting programme varies considerably in its composition and the quota is calculated in terms of the length of the films shown and not of the number of films. The annual requirement for a 25 per cent. quota is roughly 250,000 feet.

The productive capacity of the British film industry cannot be stated precisely since it depends not only on studio space but on finance and on the resources of technical and artistic talent capable of making successful films.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the result of his consultations with the Service Departments on the possibility of including more rayon in their textile orders.

The Board of Trade maintain close touch with the Service and Supply Departments on this matter. I would refer the hon. Member to the replies on this subject which my right hon. Friends the Minister of Supply, the Secretary of State for War, the First Lord of the Admiralty and my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for Air gave to the hon. Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White) on the 19th, 20th and 21st May respectively.

As it is a little difficult for me to carry all these replies at once in my head, would the hon. and learned Gentleman be good enough to give a straightforward answer, and say whether any progress has been made, seriously, in this matter?

I have referred the hon. Member to the answers which I thought would interest him, and which gave the information for which he asked. I must ask him to study those answers.

Is the Minister aware that certain Government Departments do not specify rayon, as rayon was not commercially developed when these specifications were originally drafted; and, in those circumstances, will he have the specifications amended in order to include rayon particularly in connection with the National Health Service?

I appreciate what is in the mind of the hon. Member on this subject. He fears that certain goods are still ordered on particular specifications which are no longer valid. That is the reason why the matter is now being investigated by the Departments which place the contracts. I think that the hon. Member will agree that these Departments must be satisfied that the goods concerned will satisfy their requirements.

In view of the fact that this matter seems to be receiving the attention of a number of Ministries, would it not be advantageous to have a co-ordinating overlord to deal with it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the cost in sterling of fondant, sweetened fats and piping jelly imported into the United Kingdom from foreign countries during the last 12 months.

Imports of fondant have been separately recorded in the trade returns only since 1st January this year. In the three months January to March, 1952, imports from foreign countries were valued at £1,091,000. The corresponding figure for the year 1951 is estimated at just over £8 million. Imports of sugar-fat mixtures from foreign countries in the 12 months April, 1951, to March, 1952 were £7,598,000. No figures are available for piping jelly.

The figures which are available are very large indeed. Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that the cost of 100 tons of sugar substitute in this form is in the nature of £15,600, whereas the cost of 100 tons of real sugar is only about £6,000? Will he not cut down still further on the importation of these substitutes and use the money which is thereby saved so that the Ministry of Food can buy some real sugar?

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that imports of all these commodities from foreign sources are now subject to stringent import licensing control.

I am well aware of that. I am asking my hon. and learned Friend whether he will consider cutting down still further, because we could save a great deal of money if we went out into the Empire and bought real sugar instead. Could I have an answer?

What is the piping jelly carried in—bagpipes or drainpipes or what?

Would my hon. and learned Friend consider giving me an assurance that this matter will be reconsidered, in view of the obvious saving which could be made?

I will look into any question which my hon. Friend raises, but I do not propose possibly to mislead the House by adding, at the moment, to the reply which I have given.

On a point of order. Technical terms are used in Questions which the House does not understand, and piping jelly is a new one to us. Could we know what it is?

That is not a point of order. There are always dictionaries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make concerning the Anglo-Argentine trade negotiations.

Not yet, Sir.

Could my hon. Friend give any idea of when we are likely to know?

No. I cannot give any indication, but I think that progress is, possibly, not very likely until the Argentine Presidential inauguration is over.

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman give some indication of what is holding up the progress of the negotiations?

The right hon. Gentleman himself has had great experience of these negotiations. They have started, and they are being conducted by Her Majesty's Ambassador there, but I do not think we can expect very rapid progress until after the inauguration to which I referred.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now further extend the scope of the tax relief scheme administered since 1948 by the Crafts Centre of Great Britain, to include pottery figurines.

No, Sir. The number of crafts which can be covered by the Assistance to Craftsmen Scheme is inevitably limited by the amount of funds available.

Does my hon. and learned Friend recognise that, in its nature, this scheme applies only to very few craftsmen of outstanding merit, and that the loss to the Exchequer is therefore negligible? Will he accompany me to Wolverhampton to see very able work of this sort being done by craftsmen there?

I thank my hon. Friend for that offer. He may like to observe that this is not necessarily the only relief which can be obtained. There may be some relief under Section 23 of the Finance Act (No. 2) of 1940.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total area of floor space available to exhibitors at the British Industries Fair; and how much was taken up.

It is estimated that the total space available at this year's British Industries Fair was about 1,050,000 square feet. The total space let to exhibitors was 921,500 square feet.

Could the Minister tell us how this compares with the position in the previous year? Are not these figures very different from the answer given by the hon. and learned Gentleman in reply to a Question last week?

I will deal with the second part of the question first. My impression is that in my answer last week I said I should like to have notice of the question. On the main supplementary, it is true that the figures are down on last year. As the hon. Gentleman may be aware, one of the main causes of that is that certain industries make their main effort in alternate years. This is one of the chief reasons for the fluctuation.

Since the figures are somewhat different from those which the Minister gave us last week, and in view of the fact that his right hon. Friend also misled the House over the number of people employed within the Board of Trade, could we have an assurance that the Board of Trade will be a little more clear and specific about the answers they are giving?

I think the hon. Gentleman is, contrary to his usual custom, being unfair in this. I gave no figures at all in my own answer to which he referred, but in response to his right hon. Friend I said that, while I should need notice of the question, I thought the space had substantially all been taken. I gave no inaccurate figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the position as regards the purchase of raw cotton in Brazil; and what steps he is taking to arrange for a greater export of cotton goods to that market.

In answer to the first part of the Question, it is for the Raw Cotton Commission and for those spinners who decide to buy independently to determine, on commercial grounds and within the limits imposed on their expenditure of non-dollar currency, how much cotton they take from Brazil. In answer to the second part, we will naturally do all we can to facilitate entry of our textiles into overseas markets, but Brazil prohibits almost completely the importation of cotton piece goods from all countries.

Could my hon. and learned Friend say whether the opportunity has been taken to meet the business representatives from Brazil who are now visiting Europe? Further, is there any opportunity of going back to barter trading, which came to an end last year?

I should like notice of the first part of the supplementary. I do not think it is proposed to go back to barter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will call an international conference to ensure a greater co-operative effort to establish more satisfactory and fairer trading relations between all nations.

No, Sir. While Her Majesty's Government constantly seek to improve trading relations with other countries, my right hon. Friend does not think that the calling of such a conference at present would promote this object effectively.

May I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether anything has been done since we interviewed him, together with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, on 13th March? It is now 27th May, and it appears that nothing has been done since that date in March to encourage trade in the Lancashire textile industry.

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman did not hear the answers I gave to previous Questions. I assure him that what he says is not the case.

But the answers to previous Questions did not indicate that anything had been done.

As a primary measure, would it not be very useful to have a Commonwealth Conference in order to overcome some of the difficulties which exist between the different Commonwealth countries?

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the tendency at present for country after country to restrict imports is having a most damaging effect upon our own exports and world trade generally? Are the Government taking any steps whatever on an international basis to put this matter right?

There is no basis for the right hon. Gentleman's deductions from my answer. This Question proposes the calling of an international conference now for this purpose. In the view of the Government, that would not be advantageous at the moment. That, of course, is not in conflict with any object which the right hon. Gentleman may have in mind.

Then perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman will tell us what Her Majesty's Government are doing to deal with this matter.