asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Governments of member States have assumed the responsibility for the activities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Information Service in their respective countries, he will consider the publication of a periodical progress report for Parliament on the measures taken to implement the North Atlantic Treaty in all its aspects, including Article 2.

It is already the practice for Her Majesty's Government to report to the House on the progress of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation after important Ministerial meetings of the North Atlantic Council. A reference document entitled "Britain and the North Atlantic Treaty" is already being produced every two months by the Central Office of Information. I shall be glad to make copies available in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to increase the solidarity of the Atlantic community, he will consider proposing, on a basis of reciprocity, to other member States of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation the mutual abolition of visas.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Belfast, North (Lieut.-Colonel Hyde) on 29th October last, and to my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on 12th November and 17th November last. From these answers, he will see that visa abolition agreements already exist with all North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries except Greece, Portugal and the United States.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that if the Atlantic community is to grow and to expand, a further step, such as the abolition of visas, is necessary?

I entirely agree, and we are doing our best to get visa abolition agreements wherever it lies within our power, that is, between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments of member countries. We are discussing the matter with Greece, though no agreement has yet been concluded. As regards Portugal, the position is as stated in my answer of 12th November. As regards the United States, my hon. Friend will be aware that the American immigration laws do not permit that country to enter into any kind of visa abolition agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Governments of member States have assumed the responsibility for the activities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Information Service in their respective countries, he will consider the preparation by his Department, for publication by Her Majesty's Stationery Office, of a simple folder or pamphlet for wide distribution describing in non-technical terms the objects and character of the North Atlantic Treaty, the necessity for it, and the principal measures taken by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to achieve the purpose of the Treaty.

Yes, Sir. Such a leaflet is being produced for distribution in this country in connection with the fourth anniversary of the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty on 4th April. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this news will receive great attention by all those who believe in the Atlantic community?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how British representatives to the Assembly of the Council of Europe will be elected or appointed this year.

As in previous years, our delegation will be appointed by the Prime Minister, the appointment of Labour and Liberal representatives being made on the basis of nominations by the leaders of those parties.

Is the Minister aware of Article 25, which states that representatives should be elected by the respective Parliaments or appointed in a way decided by those Parliaments? Will he try to arrange in future that the appointments are made in accordance with the Statute?

I see nothing in the present system of British representation at the Council of Europe which is in any way in conflict with the Statute. This system was adopted by the late Government. It seemed to work very well in their time, and it certainly works well now. As regards appointments of Liberal and Labour representatives, these are made on the recommendations of the leaders of those parties.

Is it not absurd that the persons who purport to represent this body should not be chosen by this body? Why cannot they be elected in the same way as members of Select Committees?

Were they elected or appointed by Parliament in accordance with the Statute?

They are appointed by the Prime Minister on the basis of recommendations made to him by the leaders of the Labour and Liberal parties. They are, of course, appointed by the Prime Minister himself in the case of the Conservative Party.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what announcement Her Majesty's Government's representative made at the United Nations Technical Assistance Conference on 27th February last about the financial contribution which this country is to make for technical assistance in the coming year.

The United Kingdom representative announced Her Majesty's Government's intention to increase the British contribution to the Expanded Programme for Technical Assistance to £500,000.

Is it not a fact that this so-called increase is still less than the sum which we were contributing before last year's cut? Ought we not to be increasing the amount we spent last year in view of rising costs throughout the world which are de-valuing money?

I do not agree that our next contribution will be less than the contribution which was made at the time preceding the cut. The hon. Lady will remember that although the contribution at that time was £760,000, it covered a period of 18 months and not 12 months, as does the £500,000.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that, as the work gets gradually into its stride, as we ought to be contributing substantially more per month than we were in the early weeks of the work?

We are already the second largest contributors——

No, the smallest per capita.

We are already the second largest contributors to this organisation, as indeed to all these Specialised Agencies of the United Nations; and, as regards the general aspect of contributions to United Nations Specialised Agencies, we contribute even more per capita than do the United States.

In view of the very great interest we have in the satisfactory development of this work, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that if the work of the Technical Assistance Board develops materially this year, as we think, we should make a further contribution and that the Government should ask for a Supplementary Estimate?

I will certainly bear that in mind, but I ask the House to recall the enormous commitments this country has to technical assistance under such schemes as the Colombo Plan, which does not figure in United Nations Technical Assistance Agencies, and also for colonial development. The pledges now contemplated by countries may fall short of the target of 25 million dollars voted by the United Nations Assembly, but nevertheless they will be sufficient to enable them to get on with a considerable amount of work in this field.

Is it not unsatisfactory that the contribution for 1953 should only be voted in February of the year concerned? Would it not be a sensible thing for the business-like running of a programme that there should be a longer-term grant, or that the grant should be made further ahead of the need?

The hon. Lady will understand that I do not set the dates for budgeting but am inevitably regulated by a system, followed for centuries in this Parliament, of presenting the Estimates for the following year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what provision of the Charter of the United Nations is regarded by Her Majesty's Government as making it impossible to declare the Chinese seat on the Security Council vacant.

Articles 23 (i) and 28 (i) of the United Nations Charter and Rules 16 and 17 of the Rules of Procedure of the Security Council.

Is it not desirable that if permanent members of the Security Council recognise a different Government in another member State, the place of that State should be declared vacant, and if the Minister's interpretation of the Charter is correct, will the Government consider taking steps under Articles 108 and 109 of the Charter to amend the Charter accordingly?

No, Sir, we do not consider it to be necessary or desirable. So far as the existing Charter is concerned, I would remind the hon. Gentleman that Article 23 (i) provides that the Republic of China shall be a permanent member of the Security Council and Article 28 (i) provides that the Security Council shall function continuously and that each member shall be represented at all times at the seat of the United Nations. Having regard to those limiting factors, I see no opportunity, still less desirability, of raising this matter in the manner suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

Is it not implied in my hon. Friend's question that this whole matter was not considered when the United Nations Charter was drafted, and does it not show that there was some oversight in the drafting of the Charter? Is there not, therefore, some reason for amending the Charter?

No, Sir. I have already said that the Government do not consider it practicable, possible or desirable.

Since numerous bodies of the United Nations have, in the past, rejected the claim of the Chinese Communist Government to be the correct representatives of China in the United Nations, must it not follow that it is legally competent for them also to reject the credentials of any other applicant who claims to represent the Republic of China, and might that not conceivably, on the facts, legally cover an application by the Nationalists?

That might be so, but I would make two points in answer to the right hon. Gentleman. In the first place, nobody, so far as I am aware, has moved that the representative of the Nationalist Government should not sit on the Security Council, and in the second place we are bound by Articles 23 (i) and 28 (i) which provide that China shall be a permanent member of the Security Council. In those circumstances, I see no possibility of amending the Charter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was consulted by the United States Government about the restrictions recently imposed by the Mutual Security Agency on the carriage of goods to Formosa in British ships also carrying goods to China; and if he can give an estimate of what effect this is likely to have on British trade with China.

No, Sir. I am advised that these Mutual Security Agency regulations apply to ships of all flags carrying Mutual Security Agency cargoes to Formosa. Such regulations are entirely within the competence of the United States Government, and there is no reason why Her Majesty's Government or any other Government should have been consulted. I am advised that the effect of this instruction on British trade with China is likely to be slight, since few British ships carry Mutual Security Agency cargoes to Formosa.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this ban does not apply to strategic war materials but applies to any cargoes to China, even such peaceful cargoes as fertilisers or wool tops, and prevents such cargoes from being carried in ships which are carrying goods financed by the Mutual Security Agency? In view of the fact that the Foreign Secretary has just accepted further restrictions on shipping relating to strategic goods, might not a quid pro quo be asked for at the same time with regard to this ban on normal trading?

No, Sir. This is a restriction imposed by the United States on ships carrying cargo——

Of any kind.

—carrying cargo to Formosa of any kind—but cargoes to which the Mutual Security Agency of the United States, in other words the United States taxpayer, has subscribed money. I do not consider it unreasonable that they should make such a demand that the ships carrying these cargoes and earning freight charges from the Mutual Security Agency should be debarred from carrying on trade with Communist China.

In view of the statement issued yesterday on the agreement between the Foreign Secretary and the American Government, has the hon. Gentleman any further information to give to the House? Is he aware that, on the face of it, what it appears we have achieved is the maximum political harm with the minimum strategic gain?

The hon. Member is asking a rather wider supplementary question, but he will recall that on 18th May, 1951, the United Nations General Assembly, by a resolution, applied an embargo on the export of goods of direct strategic value to the Chinese war effort. The agreement now reached between the Foreign Secretary and the United States Government is designed to tighten the measures taken to apply that United Nations embargo and to carry out the spirit as well as the letter of the United Nations Resolution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in completing arrangements for elections in the Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress the Electoral Commission has made in the Sudan; and when he expects that the elections will be held.

I understand that the Sudan Government are proceeding with arrangements for the elections in accordance with the self-government statute as amended by the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement of 12th February with the intention of holding them at the earliest possible moment. Under the terms of the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement, these arrangements are subject to the approval of the Electoral Commission. Nominations of the three Sudanese members of this Commission have not yet been made, as their appointment is dependent upon the approval of the Governor-General's Commission, which has not yet been set up, pending the appointment of its own Sudanese members. Nominations for the other members of the Electoral Commission have already been made by Her Majesty's Government, and by the Egyptian and Indian Governments, and all three members are already in Khartoum. We hope that nomination of the United States member will be made in the immediate future, and that the remaining nominations to both of these Commissions will be made as soon as possible.

Could my hon. Friend say more specifically exactly where the delay arose in appointing the remaining members of the Governor-General's Commission?

The main delay is in the appointment of the Pakistan chairman, but we are in discussion with the Governments concerned and hope that the appointment will be made shortly.

Are the Government aware that this delay is most serious and that the elections cannot be held with any sense of fairness if another month goes by, owing to the fact that these nomadic tribes will be leaving the Nile? Is he aware that the elections will be a farce unless they take place within the next three weeks?

I am perfectly well aware of the hon. Gentleman's point and I see no reason to quarrel with any of it. Because of the factors mentioned by the hon. Gentleman, Her Majesty's Government are doing all within their power to get this Commission set up and the elections held. As the hon. Gentleman will have noticed from my answer, there has been no delay on the part of Her Majesty's Government. The delay is on the part of other Governments, and we are doing our best to resolve it.

What is the latest date on which my hon. Friend thinks the elections must take place if, for the reasons mentioned, they are not to be postponed until October?

I understand that the latest date is the end of May, owing to the beginning of the rainy season early in the month of June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied with the screening arrangements made in connection with the refugees from Eastern Germany; and how many such refugees have failed to satisfy the screening personnel in the last two months.

The activities of the Commission screening refugees from Eastern Germany are entirely the responsibility of the German authorities. It would, therefore, be improper for me to comment upon the arrangements made or the results achieved.

Does that answer mean that our Government have no control whatever over the people who are now coming into the Western zone? Can the hon. Gentleman indicate whether there has been any increase at all in the screening personnel to deal with the increased numbers of refugees who are now coming across?

My answer means that the responsibility for the admission of refugees to the Federal Republic was handed over by the High Commission to the Federal Government on 2nd December, 1949. The High Commission can, of course, intervene if necessary and if they consider that the arrangements are not sufficient to safeguard the security of Her Majesty's Forces.

How many refugees have failed to satisfy the screening authorities?

While making it perfectly plain that it is not a British responsibility, I understand that in January about 5,500 refugees failed to satisfy the screening out of about 17,000 who applied. Comparable figures for February were roughly 5,000 out of 21,600.

What happens to those who fail to satisfy the screening authorities?

They remain in Berlin.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement about the speech of Sir John Sterndale Bennett at the Economic Co-operation, Asia and Far East, Conference at Bandung, in view of the fact that the full text of his speech shows that he did warn South-East Asian countries that they might have to make cuts in their development programmes, and that they should cut out those items not likely to increase production within the next few years, and that they should try to finance remaining items out of restriction in consumption.

The hon. Baronet's summary of this speech is slightly misleading. Sir John Sterndale Bennett suggested that the reduction of some programmes might be necessary, but he did not suggest that all development should be financed by restriction in consumption. Such a measure was advocated as a preferable alternative to deficit financing, or, in other words, inflation.

I appreciate that in the early part of his speech Sir John paid tribute to the importance of development, but surely the Minister will agree that in the operative part of his speech, which was reported with dead accuracy in the "Observer," and not misreported, as I was told a fortnight ago, he was in fact suggesting a combined policy of reducing the development programmes and paying in part by a cut in consumption, which in fact means abandoning the objective of the Colombo Plan?

I do not agree with the hon. Baronet that Sir John Sterndale Bennett merely paid tribute to the importance of continuing with the development programmes. What he said at the beginning of his speech was:

"My delegation feels that the really important thing for each country is to make every effort to carry out its development programme."

That is a statement of Her Majesty's Government policy and in my view it goes a lot further than merely paying tribute to the importance of development.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations have taken place between the British and United States Governments regarding the future use of British Forces in Indo-China.

None, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there were rumours to the contrary two weeks ago? Would he give an assurance that such use of British Forces has never been contemplated on any occasion?

I think my answer was sufficiently comprehensive and comprehensible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has regarding the result of the appeal lodged before the Greek Council of State by the British-owned Lake Copais Company against the validity of the Greek Government's expropriation decree in respect of the property.

The Greek Council of State, in a decision given on 1st March, has upheld the validity of the Greek Government's decree expropriating the Lake Copais Company's property in Greece.

Would my hon. Friend agree that the original land reclamation and the subsequent food production was a remarkable example of British enterprise and that the whole layout of the estate is totally unfitted to small-scale holding, which I understand is the reason the Greek Government propose to expropriate the property?

I would agree broadly with my hon. Friend's supplementary question, but it is not for me to comment on the actions of a friendly Govern- ment. What we are now concerned with, now that the Greek Council of State has given its decision, is to ensure that satisfactory negotiations take place to settle the figure for compensation. Those negotions are going on, and I hope that a satisfactory solution will shortly emerge.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Swiss diplomatic or consular representative in charge of British interests in Persia has yet been allowed to visit Captain Navarra, a British subject arrested by the Persian authorities on 12th November, 1952, and arrange for such legal assistance as he may require when brought before a Persian court.

No Swiss representative has so far been allowed to visit Mr. Navarra, the Persian authorities having continued to refuse permission on the ground that the preliminary investigation has not yet been completed. Her Majesty's Government have requested the Swiss Legation at Tehran to provide Mr. Navarra with legal assistance. This is being done.

Do I understand that there is no date yet fixed for Captain Navarra to be brought to trial?

No date has yet been fixed.

asked the Minister of Food the increased cost per person, per week, for rationed and other subsidised foods since 10th March, 1952, to the latest convenient date; and whether he will name any foods rationed or subsidised on the first-named date which are not included in the final estimate of increase.

About 1s. 31½d., excluding tea and gammon, on ration levels at 22nd February, 1953.

If those two exceptions were added to the estimate, would they not bring the estimated increase above 1s. 6d. per person per week? Secondly, does not the Minister's answer make absolute rubbish of the statement by the Government that the cost of living has remained stable for the past few months?

The cost-of-living indices, including the increases in the cost of food, have been announced publicly. If the tea and gammon which were on ration on that date were added, the figure would come to just over 1s. 5d.

Can the Minister give the increase per person consequent on the withdrawal of the subsidies, apart from rationed goods?

I have answered the Question on the Order Paper. If the hon. Lady wants further information, I shall be very glad to let her have it.

asked the Minister of Food how far butchers in the Birmingham area have responded to his scheme for voluntary display of price labels on meat.

asked the Minister of Food what results were obtained in the Midlands and, in particular, in Coventry from the survey covering the proposal that butchers should use price tickets.

In the Midland area as a whole, price tickets were displayed on meat in some 38 per cent. of the butchers' shops visited. For Birmingham and Coventry the figures were about 33 per cent. and 54 per cent., respectively.

Is the Minister satisfied with that response to the voluntary scheme, and what is he going to do about the butchers who virtually refuse to carry it out?

There has been a remarkable improvement in the period of a month. The first survey was taken in December, 1952, and at that time the figures were 20 per cent. for Birmingham and 30 per cent. for Coventry. A second survey took place a month later, and I think the hon. Gentleman will agree that the increase in Coventry from 30 per cent. to 54 per cent. is remarkable.

I am very glad that there is an increase in the number of price tickets shown in Coventry, but could the Minister go further in securing that the remainder of the butchers show them, because many housewives complain about this? With regard to the last part of his answer, is it not true that, when the Government cited the cost of living as remaining steady, they excepted food prices from that statement?

We have made it perfectly plain. We have given the figures as they are with regard to the cost of living, and the all-items index includes the cost of food.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will be able to increase the cheese ration during this year.

It is too early to say.

Would it not, however, be helpful if the Minister could give an assurance to New Zealand in connection with their request that we should take up all their dairy produce for the next 15 years? If he could do that, it would help.

As a matter of fact, under the existing agreement with New Zealand we do undertake to take all the exportable surplus of their dairy products, with the exception of certain specified exports to other countries.

In view of the fact that liquid milk sales to the public have declined considerably, what will happen to the millions of gallons of milk not now being sold? Cannot they be transferred to the manufacture of cheese?

We are making more cheese than we did last year.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman considered giving a reply to the Prime Minister of New Zealand in connection with his complaint about the lack of assurances on the part of the Government?

There is a Question later on about that.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will forbid the use of albumen manufactured from fish or slaughterhouse blood in the preparation of cakes and any foodstuffs for human use, unless the foodstuff is so labelled that the source of the albumen is clearly apparent.

No, Sir. I do not think it would be appropriate to try to impose any special restrictions on the use of such harmless and useful supplement to our supplies of egg albumen.

Has the Minister not considered the fact that the use of albumen made out of blood may be nauseating to certain sections of the public, including vegetarians, Hindus, Mohammedans and Jews? Is the only advice he can give them that they must never eat any confections made with albumen from blood? If that is the view he takes, will he bear in mind that the next stage will be to produce albumen from the excretions of diseased cattle and human beings?

I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman made that last observation. With regard to albumen itself, it is virtually indistinguishable as between animal and egg. I shall do what I can to help anybody with religious opposition to this product. I do not think it would be impossible for them to obtain their egg albumen if they made inquiries.

Is not this a case where ignorance is bliss and it is folly to be wise?

asked the Minister of Food whether he now intends to allow the production of branded margarine; and if he will make a statement.

I cannot add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 27th January.

Is the Minister aware that, whilst there is a good deal to be said for encouraging the improved quality of margarine, we do not want him to use this as a smoke-screen in removing the subsidy and putting up the price.

I do not use a smoke-screen as a rule.

asked the Minister of Food what offer he has made to purchase any of the large surplus supplies of butter now being accumulated in the United States of America.

None, Sir.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman seen the report that the United States Administration is storing surplus butter now at the rate of 1 million pounds a week? We might point out that we would like butter as well as guns.

There are lots of other things we could buy, such as cheese. As a matter of fact, much of the United States butter normally exceeds the 16 per cent. allowed over here.

asked the Minister of Food the current annual rate of the food subsidies at the latest available date.

For the year 1952–53, as stated in the recent Supplementary Estimate for my Department, £331·6 million.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that that is not the question I put? I asked him the current annual rate. He gave it on the wireless in a very misleading broadcast. Can he now repeat it for the benefit of the House?

That is the cost of the subsidies this year. I cannot add to what my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said, that the aim was to adjust the subsidy to the rate of £250 million at the end of the financial year.

That is the question I asked—whether it is at that rate.

asked the Minister of Food (1) the present approximate total cost of all food subsidies; and what are the various items, together with their approximate cost;

(2) what items, with approximate values, are included in the Agricultural Vote, but whose cost falls on the food subsidies.

As indicated in my Department's Supplementary Estimate for 1952–53, food subsidies will cost in total £331·6 million this year. As the reply to the remaining parts of the Questions contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am grateful to the Minister for the figures which he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Could I ask him if he agrees that the provision of milk to school children and expectant mothers, provided for under the subsidies, has been largely contributory to the good health of the children?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the offer made to him by the New Zealand Government to supply butter and cheese for the next 15 years; and what was his reply.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make a statement regarding the request by New Zealand for an assurance that no quantitative restriction will be placed upon imports of dairy produce from that Dominion for 15 years.

After careful consideration, I decided that in view of the recent discussions between Commonwealth Prime Ministers and of the further discussions which we shall be having with other countries, this would not be an opportune moment to commit ourselves for so long ahead. Meanwhile, our present contract with New Zealand to take practically all her exportable surplus of butter and cheese continues until 1955.

Has the Minister seen the statement by the New Zealand Prime Minister, making a strong complaint of the attitude of Her Majesty's Government in connection with this matter? Can he say why the Government are afraid to assist both New Zealand and this country by giving the assurance that New Zealand wants?

Of course we are not afraid to assist, and we have an agreement now which runs until 1955. At any time, under that agreement, it is open to either party to open discussions as to the future. I do not accept the fact that Mr Holland complained. We made it perfectly plain that we were sympathetic; we simply said that the time was not opportune.

Have the Government, in view of Question No. 31, now completely removed from their minds their antagonism towards bulk buying?

asked the Minister of Food what commodity markets which dealt in foodstuffs in pre-war years are still closed; what are the prospects of their being re-opened; and if he will give an estimate of the foreign exchange earned annually by these markets before the war.

The re-opening of terminal or futures markets has to be considered for each commodity in relation to the balance of payments position. Cocoa is at present the only foodstuff for which these specialised trading facilities have been fully restored. In general, progress towards the fuller restoration of commodity markets in foodstuffs must depend on developments following the return of imports to private trade. As to the last part of the Question, I am not aware of any reliable estimate.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say roughly how many markets that were operating before the war are still closed?

I should like to have notice of that.

asked the Minister of Food what foodstuffs are being offered by the Turkish Trade Mission at present in this country; and what he is arranging to buy.

Following negotiations with the Trade Mission, I have bought a further 2,000 tons of Turkish sultanas. My Department has also had discussions with the Mission about wheat, oils and oilseeds, and animal feedingstuffs, and I understand they are interested in selling pulses and hazel nuts which are imported by private traders.

Has the Minister any information about the statement that has been issued that they are offering us foodstuffs cheaper than many of their competitors, while his Department is hesitating somewhat in concluding a purchase?

We are awaiting a firm offer at the moment.

asked the Minister of Food when he proposes to increase the sugar ration.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. Hamilton) on 23rd February.

Does not the Minister realise that the housewives are getting rather tired of being given bonuses like a lot of children and that what they want is an increase in the ration? Does not the Minister feel that the world sugar situation will now allow a general increase in the basic ration?

I do not know what the hon. and gallant Gentleman means about bonuses. He had better communicate with some of his hon. Friends. The sugar ration has been higher for a longer time than at any time since 1940. I have made it perfectly plain more than once in the House that the question of buying sugar is purely a question of the availability of dollars.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman forgotten that we had 108,000 tons of sugar less for the domestic consumer last year than in the previous year, according to his own figures?

I repeat that for this period this year the sugar ration has been at a higher level for a longer period than at any time since 1940.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the controlled price of the 1 lb. loaf is 4¼., he will consult with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ask if more farthings may be minted so that bakers may give their customers the correct change.

I am advised by my right hon. Friend that farthings will be issued by the Mint to the Banks in response to demand. He hopes that the public will do their best to keep farthings in circulation. The demands on the Mint over the past few years suggest that many of them are lost or hoarded.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is a shortage of farthings in some areas in the country? Could he have another look at this question? Could he tell us what it would cost if the price were rounded off?

I will certainly look at the question of a shortage in certain parts of the country. If the farthing were rounded up—[HON. MEMBERS: "Down."]—it would cost the consumer about £11 million.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a farthing costs about a halfpenny to make? Would it not be better a find a rather cheaper farthing?

I am not sure about that, but of course the £ does not cost £1, either.

Would it not be possible to overcome all these numismatic difficulties by taking steps to induce bakers to produce a loaf costing 4d. and weighing 15·058 oz.?

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman would have a nice time trying to get bakers to alter the whole of their equipment to do that.

asked the Minister of Food what imported foods, on which a subsidy was subsequently paid, bore import duties during the 12 months ended December, 1952; and if he will give the amount of duty paid on each type of food.

I will, with permission, circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as it can be made available.

asked the Minister of Food how many items of food were removed from points rationing during 1950, including the different kinds of jams, syrup, tinned fruit, tinned fish, biscuits and cereals.

About 90. I am sending the hon. Member a list, but it does not include jams, as these were removed from points rationing in 1948.

Does the list which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman intends to send me reveal that the Labour Government took almost 90 items outside the ration book? Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that was a remarkable achievement by the Labour Government?

I would say that was one of the rather bright spots in a rather gloomy picture.

Were not these 90 items removed entirely as a result of Conservative pressure?

asked the Minister of Food why he allowed 25,000 tons of New Zealand beef, sold to Britain, to be diverted to Ohio, United States of America; and how much Canadian beef was imported into the United Kingdom.

Because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Saskatchewan a year ago, the movement of Canadian livestock and meat to their usual market in the United States of America was stopped. To help Canada we agreed to take the resulting surplus in place of an equivalent quantity of beef from New Zealand to be shipped to the United States. Up to the end of February, 1953, we have received about 30,000 tons of Canadian beef.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this New York paper states that when Canadian meat was barred because of foot-and-mouth disease, it was taken by Britain? Is not that rather astonishing? Is that the kind of "red meat" we have been promised?

I am surprised that the hon. Lady does not know the regulations about foot-and-mouth disease, which are the same in Canada as in this country. We can take meat in this country from non-affected areas. All the meat we got from Canada came from non-affected areas.

Why was it refused by other countries?

It was refused in the United States because they have different regulations. If there is foot-and-mouth disease, no cattle can cross into the United States from any part of a country in which the disease exists.

asked the Minister of Food what dried fruits, apart from currants, raisins and sultanas, have been imported to Britain in 1952; and what dried fruits, apart from currants, raisins and sultanas, will be available for 1953.

Apart from about 40,000 tons of dates and figs imported on private account, my Department imported about 9,000 tons of muscatels, prunes, dried apricots and dried peaches during 1952. Dates and figs can be freely imported this year. Some dried apricots have already been purchased by my Department, but I cannot yet say what other fruit will be available.

To whom did the right hon. and gallant Gentleman distribute the dried prunes and dried apricots? There is a strong feeling among housewives that the caterers got them. Is he aware that we have not seen any dried prunes or apricots for over a year?

I could not, without notice, tell the hon. Lady where the dried fruits went, but I can say that the distribution of dried fruits was much greater last year than it had been for a very long time. I hope that this year it will be greater still.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the anomalies which exist in the omnibus fares in the environs of Glasgow and which operate to the disadvantage of the residents of Kirkintilloch; and, when considering the application made to him by the Glasgow Corporation to adjust these omnibus fares, if he will ensure that such anomalies are eliminated.

I explained the position in regard to the fares on omnibuses serving Kirkintilloch in the letter which I sent to the hon. Member on 8th January. The passenger transport services operated by the Glasgow Corporation do not serve Kirkintilloch, and no fares to or from that burgh were included in the corporation's recent application to me for authority to increase their scale of maximum fares.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Kirkintilloch area, where these anomalies have existed for many years and where, having spent considerable sums of money in making appeals—after a tribunal had decided—the people are convinced that it is very much like two brothers who quarrelled over a cow which, while the solicitors tried to solve the problem, was killed——

Speech.

Mr. Vane.

On a point of order. This is a very serious matter for the people of Kirkintilloch, and I wanted to come to this point——

Order. The hon. Gentleman is going on much too long If he wants to address these considerations to the Minister, he should do so on the Adjournment or some other occasion, not at Question time.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ensure that his representatives at the forthcoming conference about the better co-ordination of European transport under the auspices of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation will be supplied with the latest technical information about the feasibility of linking British and European road and rail systems by means of a Channel tunnel.

The purpose of the conference is to study the organisation and regulation of international inland transport. The feasibility of a Channel tunnel is not likely to be discussed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the project has been discussed quite recently in Paris, that the French Government are extremely interested in it, that in the last Parliament no fewer than 200 M.P.s put down a Motion to discuss it and that the last time a vote was taken upon it the present Prime Minister voted in favour of it?

While I have every sympathy with the intentions of my hon. Friend and other hon. Members, if there is a sufficient sum of money available even to contemplate this project, I can think of more worthwhile projects on British roads to which I should like to devote it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give a direction to the British Transport Commission under Section 4 of the Transport Act, 1947, to introduce a flat rate for the carriage of timber in Scotland as an emergency measure for one year.

I regard this as a matter for the British Transport Commission and not one in which I should exercise any compulsory powers which I may have under the Transport Act. Discussions are going on between the Commission and other interested parties, and I have asked the Chairman of the Commission to inform my hon. Friend of the results.

Does the Minister not agree that in the light of the disaster which Scotland has suffered over this blown timber, the question of a flat rate is one for discussion at Cabinet level? Has he had discussions with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland on this matter?

I certainly had discussions with him, as a result of which my right hon. Friend made his statement in the House on 19th February.

Would the Minister recognise that this proposed flat rate would, in the main, help the middle man in the timber industry in Scotland? I have every reason to believe that profits are already very good indeed. If a flat rate is to be considered in Scotland, should it not be introduced for the transport of food and feedingstuffs to the Highlands and not for timber?

Does the Minister realise that it is the grower who would benefit from the flat rate, since the main desire is to ship timber in the bulk to the saw mills of the South of Scotland.

That may well be, and there is no reason why a flat rate should not be considered, but it is also my duty and the duty of the Commission to see that the whole financial burden is not placed on the railways. This matter is being profitably discussed between the Forestry Commission and the British Transport Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the recent transport by road of a 30-ton tank-landing craft for 440 miles from Ayr to Chatham at 2 m.p.h. until it collided with a double-decker omnibus in Railway Street, Chatham; and what action he proposes to take to prevent obstruction of traffic and danger to other road users by loads of this sort.

I understand that the craft concerned was despatched to meet an urgent request for rescue work in the Thames and Medway areas during the recent floods. The movement of specially bulky or heavy loads is governed by the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order, 1952, which, in the interests of road safety, requires notice to be given to highway and police authorities and other safeguards. I consider that the requirements of the Order, which were complied with in this instance provide reasonable safeguards for other road users.

Will my hon. Friend look again into his "reasonable safeguards," because seven people were injured when this vehicle collided with the double-decker bus? Will he look again at the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order to see whether it is really wise, at a time when our roads are rapidly deteriorating, to allow ever increasing numbers of heavier and heavier vehicles?

This craft was required for rescue work, and it was important to get her through as soon as possible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the last recorded 13-week period five people were killed and 207 injured in the Medway towns? Does this not emphasise the need for the Rochester by-pass road?

That is an entirely different question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an assurance that the far-reaching plan of building a new road up the Lune Valley, and damaging some of the best food-producing land from more than 100 farms, has now been dropped.

The proposal has not been dropped, but when the statutory draft scheme is published, which I hope will be in the course of this year, there will be ample opportunity for consideration of any representations, if necessary at a public inquiry. Any interference with agriculture will certainly be reduced to a minimum.

Is there any reason to publish this draft scheme at all? It is planned on the most unnecessarily extravagant use of agricultural land, and, in addition, as long as the proposal remains alive it is very discouraging to the farmers all along this line who have just been asked to increase their production?

My hon. Friend may not be aware that the line of the proposed road has been agreed after consultation between my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Housing and Local Government. It has already been amended to avoid some of the better agricultural land. A lot of the road is over fell country which is of no value except for grazing purposes.

Will my hon. Friend look into this question again, in spite of the agreement to which he refers? Will he not see whether he cannot improve the existing road at a figure of £150,000 or so and no loss of good agricultural land, instead of this absurdly extravagant project involving millions?

Does the Minister not agree that the project to build an alternative road via the Lune Valley is ultimately for strategic reasons, because if the A.6 road to Scotland were blocked at either Preston or Lancaster there would be no alternative road available to the North? This project is to meet that difficulty.

Certainly the road is desirable, but we are anxious to interfere as little is possible with agriculture.

Is my hon. Friend aware that successive Ministers have said that the needs of agriculture would be fully considered, but that the result has been that 50,000 acres per year of good agricultural land have "gone west" for a large number of years?

My hon. and gallant Friend will find that that has not happened in this case.

asked the Minister of Transport when his decision as to the route to be followed by the proposed new road between Lossiemouth and Hopeman will be announced.

My right hon. Friend has received the inspector's report of the inquiry held on 2nd February and hopes soon to be able to announce the action he will take upon it.