asked the Minister of Agriculture what reports he has received from county agricultural committees regarding the damage that has been done to winter feed for stock by pigeons; and whether he will, in consultation with the Ministry of Supply, consider the possibility of providing cartridges for farmers through the agricultural committees at a reduced price, as was done during the war, in order that the number of pigeons can be reduced.

Some county agricultural executive committees have reported appreciable damage to crops, particularly clover, by wood pigeons. Cartridges were not supplied to farmers at a reduced price during the war, but my hon. Friend's suggestion will receive consideration with other proposals for more effectively controlling birds which destroy crops.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on his plans for assisting in the rehabilitation of the agricultural industry in the areas affected by the recent flood disaster.

As already announced, the Government are meeting the cost of gypsum where it is needed to counteract the effect of salt water flooding of agricultural land. Soil analyses to determine the salt content of soil are being carried out without charge to the farmer. The cost of clearing watercourses of silt will usually be borne by the Government. Other steps to assist in the rehabilitation of certain classes of flooded land are under active consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on his negotiations with the Iceland Government about the fisheries dispute.

I regret that I am not yet able to make a statement, since the Icelandic Government's reply of 18th February is still under consideration. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 23rd February, the House will be informed of the position at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement about the signature of the German Debt Agreement.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that an international Agreement on German External Debts was signed in London this morning between Her Majesty's Government, the Governments of France, the United States and other creditor countries and the Government of the German Federal Republic. This Agreement is designed to give effect and international authority to the recommendations for the settlement of German pre-war external debts agreed between creditor and debtor representatives during the German Debt Conference, which took place in London last year. The report of the Conference, embodying these recommendations, was adopted on 8th August last and was laid before the House as a White Paper. This Report also set out the amounts and the terms of payment which Her Majesty's Government and the French and United States Governments were prepared to accept in full settlement of their claims in respect of post-war economic assistance to Germany, on condition that a satisfactory and equitable settlement of Germany's pre-war debts was achieved. In the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, such a settlement, has now been achieved by the Agreement on German External Debts. Her Majesty's Government have therefore also signed this morning a bilateral Agreement with the German Federal Government confirming the settlement terms for the United Kingdom claim in respect of post-war economic assistance to Germany. Under this settlement, the United Kingdom will receive a total amount of £150 million, payable over 20 years, without interest, in equal annuities of £7½ million. Similar bilateral agreements with the German Federal Government were also signed by the representatives of the French and United States Governments. The Agreement on German External Debts will enter into force when it has been ratified by the Three Governments and by the German Federal Government. The texts of this Agreement and of the United Kingdom-German bilateral Agreement on the post-war debt are therefore being laid before Parliament immediately. Her Majesty's Government wish to place on record their appreciation of the work of the Tripartite Commission on German Debts, the United Kingdom member of which, Sir George Rendel, has signed these two Agreements on behalf of Her Majesty's Government. The Commission has represented the Three Governments throughout the preparation and negotiation of this vast and complex debt settlement and is to be congratulated on the successful conclusion of its task.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the supply of aureomycin available to hospitals is sufficient.

Yes. There is no restriction on the quantities supplied to hospitals although there was recently some delay in delivery of bulk aureomycin which is imported for packaging in this country.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons were in receipt of unemployment benefit through the Walsall Employment Exchange at the end of January, 1953; and what were the comparable figures in January, 1951, and January, 1952, respectively.

On 19th January, 1953, there were 511 persons receiving unemployment benefit at Walsall Employment Exchange. In January, 1951, there were 108 and in January, 1952. the number was 97.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what consultations he has had, and with what organisations or persons regarding the future control of electricity supply in Scotland; (2) if he can now make a statement on the Government's proposals referred to in the Gracious Speech from the Throne for the generation, distribution and administration of electricity supply in Scotland, or when he expects to make such a statement.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power and I have had consultations, on technical matters, with representatives of the existing electricity authorities, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is yet in a position to make an announcement about an interim payment to claimants where claims have been established in respect of the distribution of German enemy property.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made on 22nd January in reply to a Question by my hon and gallant Friend the Member for Macclesfield (Air Commodore Harvey) to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the actual saving to the Treasury for the year ended December, 1952, by the five Members of Parliament not claiming their salaries, taking into account the normal Income Tax deductions from these salaries after allowing for expenses normally claimed in each instance.

The amounts of salary unclaimed totalled £2,098 6s. for the year in question. It would be contrary to established practice to give information based on the liability to tax of individual taxpayers.