asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will take steps to ensure that a separate electricity board is set up for Wales and Monmouthshire in place of the existing two electricity boards which now serve the area.

As at present advised I am not contemplating changes in the existing organisation.

Does my right hon. Friend agree with the views widely held in Wales that a separate Welsh board will give the Principality a better and cheaper supply of electricity? Has he noted that there is in Wales a predilection for an organisation such as that of the gas industry, which has provided Wales with an extremely efficient board of its own, largely organised and manned by Welsh people?

Yes, but the problems of gas and electricity are considerably different. Technical considerations leading to cheapness and efficiency resulted, at the time, in the setting up of this organisation with a division under two boards.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the obligation placed by Parliament upon the nationalised electricity supply industry to balance its outgoings by its revenue, he will relax his restriction upon promotional advertising by the industry.

I am at present discussing future publicity arrangements with the gas and electricity industries.

Would the Minister not agree that it is most unfair that the electricity supply industry, which is in practical commercial competition with the other fuel and power industries, and has certainly very strong technical competition, should have a restriction placed upon its advertising policy while the solid fuel industry should be entirely free?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many domestic coal consumers' councils are now in existence.

One, Sir.

Is the Minister aware of the very considerable number of complaints in Leicester and district and elsewhere not only about the quantity and quality but also about the price of coal? Does he not think it necessary to have local consumers' councils so that people have the opportunity of making their complaints and having them dealt with on the spot?

At present, my view is the same as that of my predecessor in thinking that it is not necessary.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the reason for the shortage of coal for householders in Birmingham; and what steps he proposes to take to make it possible for the household ration to be allotted at the correct time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the shortage of coal stocks in the Macclesfield area; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation.

Stocks are always low at this time of the year, but I am not aware of any special difficulties. I am, however, making further inquiries and will write to the hon. Members.

Since the Minister and I both have an interest in Birmingham, is he not aware that, for some time past, many domestic coal users have been waiting for weeks for their ration to be honoured and that the only firm that has been honouring the ration consistently is the Co-operative Society?

I will make further inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

Is the Minister aware that this also applies in other areas, especially where coal is being mined? Will he ask his regional officers to pay special attention to this matter?

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that coal merchants in Birmingham have stated that people were not receiving their proper allocation of coal during the winter, despite the arrangements for summer stocking? Is he aware that thousands live in rooms in Birmingham and are unable to stock coal? Would it not be better to stock the coal in coal-yards, from which deliveries could be made in those cases?

Yes, Sir. I hope that that will be done.

Is not the best safeguard against difficulties at this time of the year, summer stocking by householders who have accommodation for coal? Does not that enable merchants to honour the pledge which they have given that they will supply first those who have no space for stocking?

Yes, Sir. I entirely agree with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he expects to conclude his review of the prices of petroleum products; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has now completed his review of the price of pool petrol; and what his decision is.

Petroleum products are now in ample supply and I have decided that there is no longer any need to control their prices. I understand that reductions in prices will be announced by the companies within the next two days.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the last part of that reply was inaudible to me, at any rate?

It was that I understand that reductions in prices will be announced by the companies within the next two days.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the announcement that he has made—that there will be a reduction in prices within the next two days —will be particularly welcome because so many people believe that artificially high tanker rates, which have virtually settled the price of petrol, have been pushed up by the big companies who themselves own the majority of the world's tankerage?

I think it is a fact that competition is the best safeguard.

Is it not the case that there is ample free tankerage capacity to keep prices down?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken by his Department to develop atomic power for industrial uses; and if he will make a statement.

My Department collaborates in all appropriate ways with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, who is the Minister responsible for all kinds of development of nuclear power.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will ensure that, in carrying out the recommendations of the Ridley Report on National Fuel Policy, the principle of free consumer choice is maintained between gas, electricity and solid fuel for domestic use.

Yes, sir.

Is the Minister aware that that answer will give great satisfaction to the electricity supply industry?

Does my right hon. Friend recall that the Ridley Report, while supporting competition between these industries, pointed out that such competition would be possible only where price was properly related to costs? What is being done in that connection, particularly in regard to the electricity supply industry?

I appreciate my hon. Friend's point and I am in touch with the nationalised industries on it.

Will the Minister bend his efforts to ensuring that gas, electricity and solid fuel are each used for the purpose for which they are most efficient? Will he recognise that there is a great deal to be done?

asked the Minister of Materials to what extent his Department is assisting by stockpiling or in other ways, in the disposal of homegrown timber blown down in the recent gales.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to a Question from the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 20th April as to the special licensing measures designed to assist the disposal of home-grown timber and to the statement made on 19th February by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland as to stockpiling. The purchases by the Railway Executive will substantially affect the problem of blown timber for the stockpile. I propose, therefore, to make a statement on this question in the autumn.

asked the Minister of Materials the Government's policy regarding a national stockpile of timber and the level at which the present stock is to be maintained.

It is the policy of the Government to hold a reserve of timber, well distributed over the country, which would be available, in addition to stocks held by the trade, in any emergency in order to save shipping space, on which timber imports make heavy demands. In the national interest the level of strategic reserves is not disclosed.

Is my right hon. Friend taking note of the amount of timber now available and becoming available in Scotland? Will he do what he can to sustain the market for homegrown timber by using the resources at his disposal to stockpile some of this Scottish timber?

Yes, Sir. I am looking at the situation carefully, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise from my answer to the previous Question that the purchases now being made by the Railway Executive have a very great influence on the whole of the problem to which he refers.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's former reply, that he proposed to make a statement in the autumn, may we take it that his Ministry will be permitted to continue until that date?

asked the Attorney-General whether he will introduce legislation to remove the powers to license barristers to practise from the benchers of their respective Inns of Court.

No, Sir.

Is the Attorney-General aware that a practising barrister has been suspended from practising at the Bar because of a political speech he made, in which he commented on certain aspects of the Lord Chief Justice's work? Is this not an extremely undesirable precedent and a restriction of political freedom of speech?

As the gentleman in question has still the right of appeal to a special legal tribunal, consisting of the Lord Chancellor and a committee of judges, I am most anxious not to express any opinion on the matter. But in order to answer that question, I think that I am entitled to say that the suggestion that the offence in question was a political offence was entirely unjustified. In the comments which have been made in the Press I think that there has been a considerable degree of misunderstanding, largely due to the fact that the remarks which were made by the barrister on the occasion in question were, perhaps not unwisely, not reported in full by any except a very few newspapers, and certainly by none of the London papers. Therefore, it may be that the honourable Gentleman and others have a wrong impression of the offence that was found to have been committed. Beyond that I do not think that I ought to say anything at this stage.

Was not the comment by this barrister—on the Lord Chief Justice—one that had a political implication? If so, why should this process be permitted? May I ask the Attorney-General whether, in view of the fact that hon. Members on his own side of the House are very much opposed to the "closed shop," he could make a beginning by abolishing it in this particular instance?

According to the report certain comments of the nature referred to by the right hon. Gentleman were made, but in the newspaper report which I have before me reference was also made to another matter, in these words:

"Unfortunately I am precluded from expressing in public the universal concensus of opinion in the legal profession about the manner in which he now conducts criminal trials."

I should not have thought that that was a political utterance.

My hon. and learned Friend having gone so far, would he now be in a position to say upon what basis the charge against this barrister was actually framed?

I am not at liberty to make a statement. That is a matter for the benchers of Grays Inn, and I have no control over them whatever.

Now that the hon. and learned Gentleman has gone so far, it is surely but a step to let us know what the actual charge was. Cannot we have that?

What I should be prepared to do to assist the House—as the report which was published in the Press of the decision of the benchers of Grays Inn was of a very truncated character and I do not know whether they published everything that was issued—would be to make a request that the entire decision be published.

Would the hon. and learned Gentleman say what conceivable objection there is or may be to an expression of an opinion—on a public platform, at a public meeting, as part of a political campaign—by a barrister or any other free citizen about the conduct of criminal trials by the Lord Chief Justice or anybody else?

I certainly should not agree that it would be desirable that anyone, above all a member of the Bar, should make a suggestion that the universal concensus of opinion in the legal profession was that the Lord Chief Justice conducts criminal trials improperly.

asked the Attorney-General how many persons not of British birth have been assisted in litigation under the legal aid scheme; and at what estimated total expense to the British taxpayer.

I regret that these figures are not available

Can my hon. and learned Friend say whether any other countries have given reciprocal rights to British subjects abroad?

There are about 20 legal aid conventions with foreign countries, under which each party agrees to give subjects of the other country the same facilities for legal aid as are available to its own nationals.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the anxiety felt in the legal profession and amongst the general public at the emphasis upon litigation which has resulted from the introduction of the legal aid scheme in advance of the legal advice scheme; and if he will now initiate the introduction of the legal advice scheme and thus encourage the settlement of disputes by discussion rather than by litigation.

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and I are aware of these views. The question of bringing into force the provisions relating to legal advice is one of the matters we are considering with a view to improving the scheme as a whole; but I am afraid that I cannot give any undertaking at present.

Is the learned Attorney-General aware that many people are of the opinion that the legal advice section of the scheme should have been brought into operation before the section which enables people to go to litigation, if only for the reason that nine times out of 10 the best legal advice is to keep out of litigation?

I am well aware of that fact.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman also bear in mind that there are two difficulties about this scheme at the moment? The first is the difficulty which Members of Parliament have in knowing who is responsible for each particular Department of the Administration—the Attorney-General, the Assistance Board, local law societies, and so on? The second is the fact that there have been an increasing number of complaints about the high levies for costs which are being made upon individual contributors of very small means. Would the hon. and learned Gentleman give the House an opportunity, at some time, of having a general debate on this otherwise excellent scheme?

I shall certainly see that those matters are considered. I should also like to say that whoever else is responsible it is news to me that the Attorney-General is responsible for the administration of the scheme.

On a point of explanation. I was referring to the difficulties of Members of Parliament, and the Attorney-General is the only person of whom we can ask questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will provide facilities for passports to be obtained at Cardiff, Swansea and at a convenient centre in North Wales.

No, Sir. I am advised that there would not be enough local passport work to justify the expense.

Does not the Minister agree that this is very unfair to Wales? Similar facilities are obtainable in many English provincial centres. Will not my right hon. and learned Friend do something in this matter?

I do not think it is true to say that such facilities are available in many English provincial centres. So far as I know there is only one in England and one in Scotland. I think that the question is a technical one of whether the expense can be justified.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to call a meeting of the deputies to consider further the Austrian Treaty.

Her Majesty's Government are in consultation with the French and American Governments with a view to calling an early meeting of the deputies. On Saturday last I discussed this question with Mr. Dulles and M. Bidault. I hope shortly to be able to give the House more definite information.

Is the Minister of State aware that an early meeting of the deputies would be very welcome, especially in view of the statement contained in an article in "Pravda" at the week-end that it should be possible to reach agreement on the basis of existing agreements?

I have studied carefully that portion of the statement in "Pravda." I quite agree that it is a matter which affects this decision and, as I said, I hope quite soon to be able to give the House more information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British authorities in Germany restrict the dissemination of news to the Press through official channels to a limited circle of correspondents; and what steps he is taking to bring this practice to an end.

It is not the practice of the British authorities in Germany to restrict the dissemination of news through official channels to a limited circle of Press correspondents. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

If I send my right hon. and learned Friend particulars of a case where this is alleged, will he be good enough to look into it?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what grounds Wilhelm Bergmann, a Nazi war criminal, was released from the prison at Werl after having served less than half his 15 years' sentence.

Bergmann, whose sentence was fixed at 10 years by the confirming officer, was released on expiry of sentence, full remission for good conduct having been earned and pre-trial custody taken into account.

Can the Minister say exactly what the position is in regard to these men when they are released? Is an assurance sought from the West German authorities that these men will not in future obtain any kind of political or military leadership within Germany?

That is an entirely different question from the one on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has sent to the Note from the Hungarian Government, in regard to Her Majesty's Government's statement on the continued imprisonment of Mr. Edgar Sanders.

Her Majesty's Minister at Budapest has been instructed to reject the Hungarian Government's protest and to point out that they could not expect Her Majesty's Government to hold views less strong than those which my hon. Friend expressed in this House on 14th April.

While I am sure that the House will welcome that statement, may I ask the Minister whether it would not be possible for Her Majesty's Government to point out to the Hungarian Government that the best evidence that the accusations made in this House were unjustifiable would be for the Hungarian Government to permit a representative of Her Majesty's mission in Budapest to visit Mr. Sanders in prison?

I entirely agree. That might be a very good thing, and that suggestion has repeatedly been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many nations have now ratified the United Nations Convention relating to genocide; which of our Dominions are included in this number; and what reasons now impel him to refrain from ratifying the Convention.

Forty-one States have now become parties to the United Nations Convention on Genocide, including Australia, Canada and Ceylon. Accession by Her Majesty's Government to this Convention requires the introduction of legislation; and I am not yet able to say whether and if so when this can be done.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this Convention was actually passed in 1948, at the instigation of our own representatives at the United Nations? I have asked Questions time after time and, on 30th January, 1952, the Foreign Secretary said:

"His Majesty's Government hope shortly to reach a decision on this question."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th January, 1952; Vol. 495, c. 169.]

This is a very important matter, which deals with a horrible crime. Is the Minister prepared to deal with it and, if so, when?

I agree with the hon. Member that this is an important matter, in respect of which this country, by its example, has done very well in the past. There are certain technical difficulties relating to the nature of the legislation required, but I can assure the hon. Member, as I have done before, that I am doing the best I can to see that this legislation is prepared and that an opportunity may be found for a discussion in the House.

Do I understand that the reply to the last part of my hon. Friend's Question is that there is no reason against ratifying except technical difficulties?

We take the view—it may be old-fashioned—that we should not ratify a convention unless we are prepared to carry it out in the spirit and the letter. Carrying this Convention out in the letter means that legislation will have to be introduced. That legislation is, of course, rather complicated; we are doing our best to see that it is prepared, and when it is prepared it will be brought before the House.

This is a really important matter, otherwise I would not pursue it. It is now five years or more since this legislation was first considered. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman tell us when it is likely to be introduced?

As soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the resolution forwarded to him urging that the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees should be brought into force without delay; and what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the near future in regard to the ratification of this Convention.

Full consideration has been given to the resolution in question and Her Majesty's Government agree that the Convention is an excellent instrument for the establishment of the legal and social rights of refugees in those countries which have signed it.

Subject to certain reservations as provided for in Article 42, Her Majesty's Government propose to present an Instrument of Ratification to Parliament in due course. Consultations for this purpose are still in progress with the Governments of overseas territories for the conduct of whose international relations Her Majesty's Government are responsible.

Does that mean that ratification will depend upon other circumstances? If so, can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what those are? Will he do all in his power to persuade other Governments to agree to ratification so that this matter can be settled at an early date?

I would not admit that the inference the hon. Gentleman has drawn in the first part of his supplementary question is correct. So far as the second part is concerned, we certainly think that this is a good instrument.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement regarding Sir Gladwyn Jebb's representations at the United Nations about the presence of Chinese Nationalist forces on Burmese territory.

As the House will now be aware, Sir Gladwyn Jebb made a statement to the First Committee in which he expressed the utmost sympathy for Burma and proposed that these troops should either leave Burma or submit to internment.

I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government at the constructive attitude adopted by the General Assembly, which has passed unanimously, with only one abstention, a resolution which, I hope, will help to facilitate a settlement of this problem.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that Her Majesty's Government's action in this respect is a very welcome initiative indeed? Can he tell us what is to happen to these people now? What is the next step in getting them away from Burma?

We have played some part in having passed a resolution, which I think is a helpful resolution. I do not think that it would be right for me to anticipate any action which may be taken on that.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend give an assurance that British National Service men will not be sent to Burma to chuck some Chinese out of Burma, as that is the responsibility of the Burmese Government?

I certainly do not think that that consequence flows from the resolution to which I have referred.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, despite the statement of Sir Gladwyn Jebb only this week-end, about 350 miles south of the Mawchi mines in Burma another contingent of the Chinese Nationalist troops has opened up an action with rebel Karens some 75 miles from the sea, which seems to indicate that, far from the position being settled, they are apparently trying a drive to the sea to get supplies from Formosa via the sea? Will he be able at some time to investigate this situation to see whether it is as reported?

Her Majesty's Government always take up the attitude that this is not a desirable situation. We want to have it cleared up, and we think that the United Nations' resolution, passed by 59 countries, provides a basis upon which it may be settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further action has been taken directly and through the United Nations to ensure economic reconstruction and social rehabilitation in Korea, particularly in the event of an armistice.

Relief continues to be chiefly the concern of the United Nations Civil Affairs Command in Korea. Reconstruction is going ahead under the 1952–53 United Nations Reconstruction Agency's 70 million dollar programme, to which Her Majesty's Government are contributing £2.8 million. Vehicles, machinery, equipment, fertilisers and grain are being procured and shipped to Korea from a number of countries including the United Kingdom. An armistice would permit wider rehabilitation and reconstruction activities, and these are being studied by the Agency and a special group of consultants.

Is the Minister satisfied that the necessary financial provision can be made, in view of the possibility of an armistice in Korea, the very great damage that has been done and the very great demand which therefore exists?

I agree that very great damage has been done, but I think we shall derive a great deal of information from the development of the 70 million dollar programme. That is being pushed ahead with all vigour, and after we have reached June of this year I think that we shall have a good deal of practical information upon which we can base our future attitude.

Could my right hon. and learned Friend say how much money is being put up by Russia and China towards the reconstruction of this devastated area?

As far as my information goes, none.

In the event of an armistice, will this reconstruction and rehabilitation programme be extended to North Korea?

That is a matter about which I should require an opportunity for consideration. My impression is that no territorial limitation has been imposed upon this reconstruction programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has as to the numbers of British sick and wounded prisoners in North Korea who have not been freed in the recent release of sick and wounded prisoners.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement regarding the exchange of sick and wounded prisoners of war in Korea.

So far the exchange of sick and wounded has proceeded smoothly. Thirty-two British prisoners of war have been returned. We do not know whether there are other British sick and wounded still held prisoner, and, if so, how many. I shall not be able to give the House further information until we have completed our inquiries.

As the prisoners already released are, presumably, the best available source of information as to any wounded prisoners that may have been left behind, can we have an assurance that every step is being taken to collect and study the information they can give?

I quite agree, and that is the reason for the last sentence of my reply. I can certainly assure the House that we shall prosecute those inquiries as diligently as possible.

In view of the atrocity stories which are being circulated on both sides, would the right hon. and learned Gentleman not agree that it is very important at this moment for as little as possible to be said, and for nothing to be said which will exacerbate the situation in the general sense when truce talks are taking place?

I quite agree that our purpose at the present time is to get as many of our sick and wounded prisoners back as we can. In the circumstances, I do not disagree with the hon. Gentleman's contention, that the least said the better.

Would we be wrong to assume that because no officers have been repatriated so far there are no officers who are either sick or wounded?

That, again, is a matter about which I should like to have inquiries made of those who have come back before I can give an answer.

Is the House to understand from the right hon. and learned Gentleman's reply to the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Donnelly) that he would, therefore, deprecate the continuance of the articles in the "Sunday Observer" by Mr. Deane, their correspondent, whose articles, to say the least, are very revealing?

I think that that would draw me into an area of controversy from which I had much better stay away.

asked the Minister of Food what assurances he obtained from chocolate manufacturers before derationing that adequate supplies would be available to the public after derationing.

None, Sir.

Will the Minister make it clear that in view of the widespread shortage of chocolate he is prepared to consider any evidence that may be supplied to him by members of the public and small shopkeepers, and will he invite them to submit such evidence to him?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman knows that my offices are open to all members of the public at any time. So far, no one has taken advantage of this to make any complaint in this case.

asked the Minister of Food why the extra food allowances issued to farm workers during periods when they are working overtime in the evenings have been limited to 24 days' allowances in the four-months period from 1st August to 30th November when many farm workers will be engaged continuously for eight weeks or longer on corn harvest and potato lifting; and whether the National Farmers' Union and the National Union of Agricultural Workers were consulted.

The arrangements for individual in place of collective allowances were framed in consultation and agreement with the organisations mentioned by my hon. Friend. The new scheme will on the average give farm workers as much extra food as before.

While we welcome the arrangements which my right hon. and gallant Friend has made for the farm workers to draw their allowances direct, may I ask him if he will make sure that he has the division of the year correctly, and when the amounts will really be needed, and whether he will have further consultations with representatives of the industry?

I am prepared to look into the matter, but I would point out that these periods were arranged at the suggestion of the National Farmers' Union and of the workers union.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is very widespread concern about this matter, and that many, particularly those in the arable areas, will actually have their rations cut down? I am sure that that was not intended. Will my right hon. and gallant Friend look at it again?

I am willing to look into it at any time, but I must repeat that the particular periods mentioned were arranged at the suggestion of the organisations concerned.

asked the Minister of Food why the consumption of full price fresh milk for the last three months of this year was 10 million gallons fewer than the corresponding period last year.

Allowing for the fact that there was one day more in the first quarter of 1952 the decline in consumption was fewer that seven million gallons, or 1.9 per cent. It is too small to be attributed to any particular cause.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it was his Department who refused to make an allowance for Leap Year last year? Is he further aware that this latest drop is over 3 per cent compared with the 1951 figures, and that most of us in the country, and the Parliamentary Secretary, I am sure, regard this as a serious decline in the consumption of milk?

There has also been a decline in the quantity of the welfare milk taken up. It cannot be a question of the price of milk, because there has been no increase of price since last July. It may well be—I am fairly sure it is—that it is due to the greater availability of other foods.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Parliamentary Secretary said, in December, that there was a decline in milk for schools, but when we got the figures for the year they showed an increase in milk for schools?

To encourage the consumption of milk would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider a welfare scheme for the old people, who are finding it increasingly difficult to afford it?

It is just as well to realise that the subsidy on milk is costing the country £90 million at present.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to ensure that his reductions in the prices of oils and fats will reflect themselves in reductions in prices to the domestic consumer.

None. Sir. The reductions are in the prices of inedible oils and fats used for soap making and other industrial purposes for which the market is highly competitive.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that what I had in mind was that the Ministry used to control soap, and that the Ministry have all the particulars? Will the Minister make sure that these price decreases are passed on to the consumer?

The operative part of the supplementary question was "used to control." I do not do so any longer. The hon. Gentleman may recollect what appeared in the newspapers within the last week or so, that it is expected that there will be a price reduction very shortly.

asked the Minister of Food the percentage reduction in the consumption of butter in 1952 compared with 1951; and whether he anticipates that consumption this year will correspond to that in 1951.

Twenty-five per cent. I hope for some improvement this year over 1952, but it is too early for a precise forecast. In 1951, consumption was maintained at the expense of running down stocks, which I had to restore to a working level.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the less he says about stocks the better? In view of this melancholy record will he make a bid for the enormous butter surpluses in the United States which are still accumulating?

We are, of course, prepared to get as much butter as we possibly can, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that it was his right hon. Friend and he who did with butter, when they were in the late Government, what they did with meat—distribute several thousand tons more than they received.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken to import protein feedingstuffs to balance the expected increase in cereal feedingstuffs.

The importation of all animal feedingstuffs is reverting to the trade. I have no reason to expect that protein feedingstuffs will be out of balance with supplies of cereals.

asked the Minister of Food what reply he has given to the request of the London Meat Traders' Association to sell pork off the ration; and, in view of the fact that restriction of consumption restricts production, if he will deration food as soon as possible.

The Association has been told that this suggestion is not practicable, but I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall get rid of all food rationing as soon as circumstances allow.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that controls are the cause of shortages and that we shall not have a substantial increase of food supplies until rationing is removed? Will he stop this foolish policy as soon as possible?

asked the Minister of Food the annual rate of payment now being made to the Meat Importers' National (Defence) Association; and what services are rendered to his Department by this Association in return for these payments.

The amount paid depends on the tonnage handled in any year and on the approved expenses. For the year 1951 to 1952 it was £465,987. The services performed by the Association include all those appropriate to the landing, storage, and first hand distribution of imported meat.

Is the Minister satisfied with the return for this payment, which has been going on for many years now, and that the Ministry and the country are getting value for money? Why pay these importers for not importing?

Importing is not the only job. After the meat has arrived here it has to be distributed. I am satisfied that this Association, which has been in operation for many years, and supported by every Government since it was formed, is rendering a service cheaper probably than we could do it ourselves.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman divide the figure he has given between the amount absorbed for services and the amount disbursed to members as compensation?

The system of computing this sum has been in operation for many years, and the previous Administration dealt with it in exactly the same way as we do. The figures have been gone into very carefully. The Administration decide what the amount should be. The distribution of the amount is in the hands of the Association.

That is not an answer to my question. Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman please tell the House how that £470,000 was divided between services and compensation?

So far as the Ministry is concerned, there is no question of compensation. These are purely services and the global sum is distributed by the Association, as it always has been distributed before.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us exactly what distribution it is for which this body is responsible? Is it not a fact that the Association distribute supplies them selves?

No. The amount of meat varies from year to year. The latest figure is about 460,000 tons.

Is not the best method of dealing with this to remove meat from control as soon as possible and allow this organisation to carry out its proper function of buying and selling meat in this country?

I agree, but the question of supply has to be considered beforehand.

asked the Minister of Food what amount was paid for the 81,000,000 home-produced eggs purchased by his Department since eggs were decontrolled; how many of these eggs have been sold; how much was received for them; and what was the profit or loss to his Department.

The information will take a little time to get together. I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us the date on which he hopes to dispose of these eggs, because it is important that the consumer should know that the eggs, by the time they reach him, will not be newly laid?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman need not worry about that. The storage of eggs has been a practice for many years now. There is no difference in this case. It will probably be reassuring to the consumer to know that the eggs are available for distribution.

Is not the question of the disposal of eggs putting ideas into the minds of the politically minded public?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the congestion of traffic in Jermyn Street, W.1, frequently caused by vehicles parked on both sides of the street, both before and after the no waiting regulations came into force, and by traffic travelling in both directions along this narrow street; and what steps he proposes to improve the flow of traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the obstruction and delay to traffic which is caused by the parking of cars in Jermyn Street, London; and if he will now take steps to limit all waiting and parking in this street.

The police, in the ordinary course of their duty, enforce the no waiting regulations now in operation in Jermyn Street. We will, however, consider, in consultation with the other authorities concerned, whether any further measures can be taken to improve traffic conditions in this street.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this congestion could be removed immediately either by having unilateral waiting or by having one-way traffic, or both? Would he examine that suggestion carefully?

My hon. Friend may recall that in 1934 unilateral waiting was introduced as an experiment and proved unsatisfactory.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of capital expenditure sanctioned by him for road improvements in the London County Council area for the years 1951, 1952 and 1953, giving the figures for each year.

The figures are £840,000 in 1951, £1,630,000 in 1952 and £850,000 in the first quarter of 1953.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the letter which was sent by the Ross-shire County Council to the Divisional Road Engineer, Ministry of Transport, 21, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, relating to road grants; and whether he will make a statement.

We have considered this letter with sympathy. I much regret that the urgent need for economy in Government expenditure has meant a reduction in the total amount available in 1953–54 for assisting the maintenance and minor improvement of classified roads. My right hon. Friend has no power to make grants for the maintenance of unclassified roads. We have done our best to give Ross-shire its fair share of the money available.

May I make an appeal to the Minister to have more than a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer over this, because it will be many more years before the leeway is made up if this disastrous policy of cutting road grants is continued? Is he aware that there is increasing wastage of labour and materials, particularly in the Highlands, and that local authorities are becoming very perturbed about it?

I fully appreciate my hon. Friend's anxiety and, indeed, disappointment in this matter, but he will appreciate, I know, that the county council's own expenditure on road maintenance receives considerable assistance from central funds by virtue of the Exchequer equalisation grants under the Local Government Act.

asked the Minister of Transport how many prosecutions took place during the last period of 12 months for which figures are available in respect of offences against Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and Section 16 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.

During the 12 months ended 30th September, 1952, the licensing authorities for goods vehicles, or the police, in co-operation with them, under took 2,600 prosecutions under Section 19 of the Road Traffi;c Act, 1930, and 4,530 under Section 16 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. During the 12 months ended 31st March, 1952, the licensing authorities for public service vehicles or the police, in co-operation with them, undertook 110 prosecutions under Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

Will my hon. Friend assure the House that the Government are determined to see that these important provisions of the law are obeyed?

Yes, Sir.

What is the number of prosecutions in respect of Road Haulage Executive vehicles and the number for private enterprise vehicles?

If the figures are available, I shall be pleased to obtain them for the hon. Member, if he will put down a Question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of fire disasters to modern ships, he will consider the appointment of a committee to study methods of ship design which will reduce the risk of such disasters in future.

This matter was exhaustively considered at the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea, 1948, when much higher international standards were agreed upon. These were embodied in the Safety Convention, which came into operation on 19th November last.

These higher standards apply to new ships, but British ships have, for some years, come up to them and have a very high degree of protection against fire.

Is it not a fact that there have been two recent major disasters through fires on ships? Is it not time that further action was taken?

I imagine that my hon. Friend has in mind the "Empress of Canada" and the "Queen Elizabeth" fires. In the case of the first, this was a very old ship, not fitted with sprinklers, but in the case of the "Queen Elizabeth," the fact that the fire was dealt with immediately and effectively and did not become serious was emphatic evidence of the improvements which have now been introduced.

What about the Danish ship?

The Danes are in vestigating that.

Is it not a fact that these standards are not obligatory?

Under the Convention, yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will outline the type of contribution which the Government is prepared to make to the campaign against poverty suggested by the President of the United States of America and welcomed by the Prime Minister.

Sir, Her Majesty's Govern ment view with keen sympathy President Eisenhower's objective. Great Britain is already making considerable contributions to the campaign against poverty, for example, under the Colombo Plan and by way of grants for colonial development. If a substantial measure of disarmament can be achieved, Her Majesty's Government will, of course, review the measure of overseas assistance which can be given by this country. But I cannot be more precise at the moment about action to be taken in political and economic circumstances which are still, unfortunately, hypothetical.

May I ask the Prime Minister a supplementary question and also take this opportunity of congratulating him on the honour which has been bestowed upon him? The supplementary question I should like to ask is whether, as I understand that there is to be a debate on foreign affairs next week, he would take the opportunity of perhaps enlarging on the subject matter of this discussion?

Let me thank the right hon. Gentleman for the very kind words he has spoken and let me also express what is the evident feeling of everyone in the House that he has made such a swift and effective recovery from the severe operation he had to undergo. Taking a general view from here, I must say that he looks very much the better for it.

We have agreed that there should be a debate on foreign affairs on Monday and Tuesday of next week. I had wondered whether it might perhaps not be better to put it off for another week, but I should like to discuss that through the usual channels. Things are so very indeterminate at the present moment that it might be difficult. I am entirely in the hands of the House and, in this matter, of the Opposition, to whom we have given promises, but may I say that, naturally, I shall bring this matter into account, but it must be remembered that we are 50 million in this island and we have to keep alive first.

May I ask the Prime Minister, more in sorrow than in anger, whether he will give an assurance that he is not on the slippery slope to another place and whether his title is to be Sir Winston I or Sir Winston II?

Provided the term "another place" is used in its strictly Parliamentary sense, I will gladly give the assurance required.

While apologising for bringing the House back to the Question, may I ask the Prime Minister whether he would agree that in the event of the present peace hopes becoming more concrete it would be necessary for the Government to have plans laid on well in advance of the rearmament programme having to be scaled down? Would he not therefore agree that we must go ahead immediately with alternative in dustrial projects rather than await the time when the rearmament programme will be rapidly scaled down?

I think one should always look ahead, but things are so very obscure at the present time that I think it would be unnecessary to begin specific studies of the kind suggested.

Arising out of the last words used by the Prime Minister in answer to the Leader of the Opposition, will he always bear in mind that it is a major interest of this country that supplies of raw materials and food grown in the under-developed parts of the world should be rapidly increased?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that improvements in jet aircraft carried out in British factories are known and applied in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with in a month and, in a very little longer time, are also applied on the engines of M.I.G. fighters in Korea; and whether he will institute an inquiry.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the statements in this Question were made at a conference of the Conservative Party and, as a result, a resolution was passed unanimously, in the presence of the Prime Minister, severely attacking the liberties of the subject? If so, what is he going to do about it?

The hon. Member was good enough to send me a Press cutting of this speech which was made by a borough councillor in the hon. Member's constituency. It referred in particular to the sale of Nene engines to Russia by the late Government. In my opinion, the sale of these engines undoubtedly had the effect of reducing by about two years the technical lead in the development of these engines which we then had over the Russians.