asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to ensure the resumption of our export trade to Brazil, bearing in mind the recent United States commercial loan to Brazil.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the anxiety of many textile and other firms about the delay in reaching a settlement with regard to a new basis for Anglo-Brazilian trade; and when he anticipates that he will be in a position to announce some definite progress in this matter.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walton (Mr. K. Thompson) on 30th April. The discussions in Rio de Janeiro will cover future trade between the two countries as well as the question of commercial arrears.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he expects these discussions to be concluded, and will he take into account in the meantime that the United States and Germany are capturing a large proportion of the trade of Brazil, a friendly nation which wants to trade with Britain?

I cannot say when the discussions will be concluded. They are starting very shortly.

Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind the importance of having as one of our representatives a practical businessman who has had dealings with Brazil, as that may be vital to success?

Could the President of the Board of Trade say whether the discussions will cover the possibility of making the same financial arrangements with the Brazilian Government as the ones which America and Germany have made so that the speed with which cruzeiros can be converted into sterling may be expedited?

All possibilities will be borne in mind, but I hope that the House will not press me, before the discussions begin, to outline any proposals that might be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the British motor industry is losing the Brazilian market for cars and lorries, which cannot now be shipped to that country, and that British vehicles already in Brazil cannot be kept on the road as spare parts are not available, and cannot be shipped owing to the shortage of sterling in that country; and if he will make arrangements with Brazil to alleviate this temporary shortage of sterling, as has been done by the United States of America and Germany in respect of their currencies.

I am very much aware of the difficulties which face all exporters to Brazil, including exporters of cars and lorries. I regret that, although the Export Credits Guarantee Department are prepared to give cover for the export of spare parts, the Brazilian Government are not issuing the necessary import licences. On the general question of arrangements with Brazil, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I have just given to him and to my hon. Friend the Member for Heywood and Royton (Sir H. Sutcliffe).

Pending the results of future negotiations, and in order to keep these vehicles serviceable, would it not be appropriate to offer barter trading by accepting bananas and other goods produced in Brazil for spare parts for these vehicles?

On the question of barter trade, I would inform the House that the Brazilian free exchange law forbids the Bank of Brazil to issue licences in connection with barter deals, and so far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned I do not think that barter deals provide a way out of our basic difficulties.

Is not the real answer to these three Questions to make the £ freely convertible?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what specific concessions the Argentine Government have made in the recently-concluded trade agreement which compensate for the omission of British textile exports from the agreement.

The trade agreement provides for substantial supplies of Argentine meat and for the licensing of various United Kingdom exports, including cotton and linen sewing thread and linen yarn. No quotas for other textiles are included, but for the last few years the Argentine Government have issued virtually no licences for the import of such textiles. The Argentine Government were not prepared to enter into any new agreements involving the import of other textiles, and we should have lost more than we gained by refusing to conclude an agreement on that account.

Is my right hon. Friend, therefore, continuing the policy which was the policy of the previous Government with regard to this agreement with Argentine?

It is true to say that there were no quotas for textiles in the agreement for the 12 months from April, 1951, to March, 1952, but the fact is that, quotas or no quotas, the Argentine Government have not been issuing licences for the import of these goods.

Is it not a fact that British manufacturers, including those making engineering products as distinct from exporters of British raw materials, are not getting a fair showing under the Argentine trade agreement compared with the benefits enjoyed by the United States manufacturers, who have insisted on getting a fair share of manufactured goods included in their agreement, and is it not time for us to revise ours?

I think that the circumstances are somewhat different, but in any case this Question refers specifically to the export of textiles. If the hon. Gentleman wants to ask another Question about another export perhaps he would put it down.

Is it not a fact that the export of British textiles to the Argentine is lower today than at any time during the last six years?

As I said, virtually no licences for the import of textiles have been granted during the period since 1951.

Is my right hon. Friend saying that no licences have been granted to any exporters of textiles to the Argentine, or does that apply only to United Kingdom exporters?

Apart from those under an Italian agreement, about which my hon. Friend knows, I understand that the Argentine have issued virtually no licences for the import of textiles from any country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what factors were considered before the decision was made to free nylon stockings from price control;

(2) what steps he will take to prevent increased prices due to decontrol of nylon stockings in scarce supply.

Among the factors taken into account were that home supplies from our own manufacturers and from overseas were increasing and would increase further; that the consumer should enjoy a greater range of choice than was possible under existing controlled prices, and that the manufacturers of the majority of nylon stockings made in this country had informed me of their intention not to increase the home market price of nylons previously sold at controlled prices. I see no reason to suppose that customers will not be able successfully to resist any attempt to raise prices unjustifiably, especially since supplies are steadily increasing.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that these influences were prevalent when he gave the assurance to the House that he would retain price control, and why has he slipped in this respect now? Also, if it is true that the manufacturers can guarantee supplies at no higher prices, could the names of those manufacturers and the prices be placed in the Library?

I am confident that I can never have given any undertaking in such unequivocal terms as that I would not do away with price control. I do away with all price controls when I consider them to be unnecessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what stage has been reached in the negotiations for the Standard Motor Company to build a factory in Liverpool; and if he will make a full statement in regard to this matter.

I have at present nothing to add to my reply of 27th March to a Question on this subject by the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is now understood in Liverpool that this firm will not now build a factory there, and that people are concerned because it was reported recently in the Press that the company were making an arrangement with the Hotchkiss Motor Company in France for their business to be extended there? If that is so, and the business will no longer be in Liverpool, and the proposed factory will probably be erected in France, will the right hon. Gentleman see that no credit is advanced which will enable the factory to be taken from Liverpool to France?

While appreciating the very proper anxiety and interest of the hon. Gentleman in this subject, I am in discussion with the Standard Motor Company on this matter. They have shown every willingness to help, and it would not be at all helpful if I discussed all their production plans while those discussions were going on.

But is the Minister not now aware that the Standard Motor Co. have no intention of going on with the factory project in Liverpool?

I have not accepted in any way any of the implications in the Questions asked by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much interest will now be saved annually by his agreement to pay off the Business Scheme, Part II of the War Damage Act, 1943.

The amount of outstanding claims that are to be paid on 1st October next is about £25 million; and interest would have accrued at the rate of about £625,000 a year on these claims so long as they remained unpaid.

Will my right hon. Friend not agree that the interest was rapidly catching up with the principal, that much money will be saved this country by paying the claims, and that that ought to have been done long ago?

Well, I express my satisfaction that it is now being paid.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what saving of staff he anticipates being able to make by paying off the Business Scheme, Part II of the War Damage Act, 1943.

Twenty-four, Sir.

Although the number is small, I am sure that my hon. Friends on this side of the House will agree that every small decrease in the number of civil servants is to be welcomed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimate of the export loss arising from the recent strike at the Austin Motor Company.

I am unable to make any estimate.

Is it not the case that many tens of millions of pounds worth of exports may have been lost as a result of this strike? Is it not further the case that, whoever was the nominal victor in this strike, the country was the loser, and would the right hon. Gentleman bring this home to the intransigent men who were responsible for the prolongation of the strike and its conversion into a lockout?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not expect me to enter into the merits, on one side or the other, of that strike; it would be inappropriate if I did so. Obviously all stoppages of any kind whatsoever are to be deplored inasmuch as they affect our production and our exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the need for long-term planning of film production and the expiry of the existing Eady levy in August, 1954, he will take special steps to prevent a fall in British film production, pending a decision on the future of the levy.

As the hon. Member is aware, the Government have already decided that support for British film production of the kind provided by the British Film Production Fund should continue after August, 1954. So far as I am aware, film producers have found that decision a sufficient basis on which to continue their production plannings, and there is no sign of any fall in British film production.

But is not the Minister aware that his Parliamentary Secretary indicated last week that he does not contemplate a decision until the next Parliamentary Session, and as no one can safely predict what Parliament will eventually approve, is not this leaving the industry in a state of uncertainty until the last moment when the Eady scheme expires?

I think that the hon. Gentleman is spreading wholly unnecessary gloom in the film industry. The statement I made gave every assurance that the basis of this fund would in principle go on and, on that assurance, the producers are continuing with production. I do not think that these continual attempts to spread uncertainty really help.

But does not the Minister realise that he cannot give that assurance? If it requires legislation, it is a question of what Parliament will approve, and as producers cannot be certain what the legislation will be when it has gone through Parliament, would it not be better to state a definite date when the right hon. Gentleman will introduce legislation, or when the voluntary negotiations must terminate?

The producers seem to be showing every confidence in the type of legislation that will go through Parliament. They do not seem to have any doubt about it, and they are satisfied that these assurances will enable them to go on producing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has reconsidered the embargo on the bringing into this country by passengers from the Irish Republic of more than 7 1b. of food.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will relax some of the detailed restrictions on the amounts of foodstuffs which passengers and crews arriving in this country by sea and air may bring in their baggage without obtaining an import licence.

I have decided, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food, to abolish the detailed restrictions on the amount of foodstuffs which may be imported as personal effects without an import licence by passengers arriving from all countries by sea and air, and to simplify them for crews arriving by sea and air. The only provisos are now the following. Uncooked meats covered by the Diseases of Animals Act cannot be imported. The Customs officer at the port of arrival must be satisfied that the quantities of foodstuffs are reasonable, and in the case of crews do not exceed 25 1b. in all. He must also be satisfied that the goods are being imported for personal use and not as merchandise or for sale.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that up to now travellers from every country in the world except Ireland have been allowed to bring in 50 1b. of food, and as it is obviously a good thing that travellers should bring into this country as much food as possible, will he allow me to congratulate him on this removal of the differentiation against travellers from Ireland, and on this further step to freedom?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries have been made by the United States Government concerning United Kingdom sodium exports to China in the last few months; and what reply was given.

No such inquiries have been made. The United States Government know that we prohibit the export to China of any goods which have a strategic significance. The exports of sodium compounds in January last, to which there has been a reference in the Press, amounted to some £290,000, and consisted almost entirely of caustic soda with a very small proportion of sodium nitrite. None of these exports has any strategic value.

Is the Minister aware that Senator McCarthy, in his investigating committee, is reported in the "Glasgow Herald" of 5th May as saying that the State Department had been asked to check and

"the British have assured them that the sodium is of a type which has no great value in the war effort. However, there is no check beyond what the ships' captains themselves disclose about their cargoes."

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm or deny that allegation?

I do not think I am called upon to enter a debate with Senator McCarthy. All I am concerned with are the facts of the case and the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

Is not the Minister denying the allegations by Senator McCarthy that representations were made by the State Department to the British representatives?

No inquiries were made.

Will the President of the Board of Trade in any event please convey to our friends in the United States the fact that if this country is to pay its way in the world it has to trade with somebody, and if we cannot trade with them they might reconsider the restrictions which they impose on our trading with other parts of the world?

That question raises somewhat wider issues. On this particular issue I have been asked about the export of two commodities. They are non-strategic and there is nothing to prevent trade in non-strategic articles.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he will take to encourage firms and undertakings who introduce co-partnership, profit-sharing, welfare, and pension schemes for the benefit of their employees.

I have considered this matter but I am not satisfied that there are sufficient grounds for giving further tax reliefs in this connection.

Will the Chancellor agree that there are few better incentives than schemes of this kind, which produce for their beneficiaries physical rewards for effort and faithful service? Will he reconsider the matter?

I have very carefully investigated the various types of concession or relief related to these various types of scheme and, if my hon. Friend wishes, I will endeavour to acquaint him with some of the complexities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what it is estimated would be the cost to the Treasury in the present financial year of abolishing the tax on all cinema seats up to and including the 1s. seats.

The cost is conjectural, depending on the extent to which higher prices were reduced to take advantage of the exemption of the 1s. seat; but it would probably be in the region of £15 to £20 million in a full year and proportionately less in the present financial year, according to the date of operation.

Is the Minister aware that the estimate of the trade is that this figure would be around £3 million, and that that was the sum contributed more or less in respect of this particular class of cinema entertainment last year? If this sum was all that was involved will the Chancellor agree to reconsider the whole matter?

The answer to the last part of the supplementary question is "No, Sir." The answer to the earlier part is that I can only give my own estimate, which is rather adjusted to take account of the probability that higher rates might be reduced to take advantage of the shilling exemption.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there does exist the feeling, which is not confined to one side of the House, that there is tax discrimination against the cinema trade? Will he not try to do something about that?

I have been aware for some years, either from the other side of the House or from this, that there is always a point of view to be put from the cinema trade, and no doubt we shall hear more of it later in the summer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the total amount of money involved in settling all war damage claims other than Part II of the War Damage Act, 1943.

I regret that this information is not available.

Will my right hon. Friend give consideration to closing down the War Damage Commission at the earliest possible date, as that would save the country a lot of money?

If he considers this question at all, will the Chancellor take into consideration that other class of people who want their post-war credits?

There are a number of Questions about post-war credits to be answered later on. Meanwhile, in answer to my hon. and gallant Friend, I would point out that the War Damage Commission are still paying about 1,500 claims a week and the average weekly cost is about £700,000, so it would seem rather a pity to close them down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what notifications have been received to the last convenient date under Section 27 of the Finance Act, 1951, distinguishing those received in respect of Post Office Savings Bank accounts and those from the joint stock banks and others; and how many of them disclose under assessments to tax.

Up to 31st March, 1953, about 1,200,000 notifications have been received. Of this number about 600,000 have been received from the Post Office Savings Bank. Most of the notifications have now been examined, and under-assessment has been discovered or is suspected in about one-quarter of the cases. Of these, about 150,000 have been settled.

I wonder if the Chancellor would agree that the legislation passed in 1951 by the Labour Government was well worth while?

I should like to reserve my opinion upon that, but if that was the case I should say it was a remarkable exception.

Is it not the case that these Post Office Savings accounts are stated on the book to be confidential and secret, and that the legislation of the last Government broke that understanding and exposed them to the tax gatherer?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make available for the convenience of Members the Eighth Schedule to the Finance Act, 1948, as subsequently amended by subsequent Finance Acts and Treasury Orders, thereby showing the effective rate of Purchase Tax application to articles at the various times.

Printed notices, issued from time to time by the Board of Customs and Excise, giving full information on this subject are maintained in the Library. If the hon. Member wants anything further in this respect, perhaps he will communicate with me.

Will the Chancellor bear in mind that it would be very convenient if, before the passing of the Finance Bill, some copies were made available in the Vote Office, as there is only one copy in the Library?

I will see what I can do to make the situation a little easier.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the fact that the Capital Issues Committee has now outlived its usefulness, if he will take steps to wind it up.

No, Sir. And I cannot accept the implication of the Question.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the continuance of this Committee forms a considerable brake on new and progressive undertakings? In view of the difference in the value of money, particularly after five years of Socialist rule, would he agree to increase the limit from £50,000 to £100,000?

The latter point would need to be put on the Order Paper. In regard to the first point, I really do not think that this Committee have held up development or issues of money where it is necessary. I am going by the statistics of what they have accepted and rejected. If they were a holding-up body and were unreasonable, I might revise my opinion, but I do not think that they are.

May we take it that the Chancellor is entirely satisfied with the work of the excellent body of men who form this Committee?

I think that my original answer must have indicated that. They are men of the highest quality and greatest possible knowledge of these matters, and I have the greatest confidence in their activities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the repayment of their post-war credits to disabled ex-Service men between the ages of 60 and 65 years.

I regret that I cannot accept this suggestion.

As the Chancellor will probably remember that in a previous answer he said he is constantly anxious about the question of post-war credits, would he agree that it would be a good thing if we could pay first people like those mentioned in the Question, who really need the money, before we pay those who do not need it? Could not the Treasury, who show themselves on many occasions to be exceedingly ingenious, do something about cases like this?

There is a very real difficulty in picking out those particular, although very deserving, cases in this very broad and difficult problem.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now take steps to ensure that the date of repayment of post-war credits shall not be postponed solely by reason of the death of the holder.

No, Sir. I regret that I cannot go any further in releasing post-war credits at present.

Does the Minister agree that unless something is done to alter the present system some people may not be paid until A.D. 2,000 or A.D. 3,000, or indeed at all? Does he not think that this position is completely absurd, and would he not agree that Conservative and Labour leaders are equally to blame?

This was not a system devised by myself. If the incidence of death were to fall slightly before the age of 60 or 65 the postponement of payment might in some cases be deferred to about the dates to which my hon. Friend has referred. I am fully aware of the whole problem, but I am unable to go further at present.

Could not the Chancellor consider paying post-war credits to the dependants of men or women on the date when they would have become 65 or 60 if they had lived? That is really a good suggestion.

It so happens that the hon. Member's suggestion is about the best of many that I have received.

Then why not put it into operation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what costs to public funds have been incurred to date on the litigation between the Inland Revenue and Messrs. Tate and Lyle Limited.

The company's bills of costs have not yet been received. The Revenue costs are estimated as about £580.

To be sure that public funds are not wasted on the costs of the Crown and costs of the company, will the Chancellor say whether he has decided to embark on further litigation in the hope of further success—in which case we wish him well—or has he decided to introduce legislation which would be cheaper and less uncertain in its effects?

Leave to appeal to the House of Lords has been given, and I can say no more at this stage.

Is advantage to be taken of the leave to appeal?

I do not think we can discuss this matter further.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the sum of money he is prepared to issue to the Service Departments for the purpose of increasing the pensions and retired pay of the officers of the Regular Forces.

No, Sir. My hon. and learned Friend should address any general Question about Forces' pensions and retired pay to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have been addressing questions to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence on this matter for some time, that I have got no satisfaction whatever, and that he always replies that he is entirely dependent upon what the Treasury will give him? I have, therefore, devised this Question for the Treasury. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I do not like this passing the buck? Will he pay attention to the fact that there is on the Order Paper an all-party Motion bearing the names of 210 Members of this House? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless the Government give early consideration to it there will be trouble from all quarters of the House?

If the hon. and learned Member occupied my position he would know that I am always in trouble, and that I very frequently have remarks made to me like that which the hon. and learned Member has made, but it does not deflect me from the answer that I have already given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will seek to make an arrangement with the Canadian Government for the purposes of making subsidiaries of British companies operating in Canada pay Excess Profits Levy on profits made in Canada.

I do not see my way to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion, which would involve an amendment of the Excess Profits Levy law affecting overseas companies.

Is the Chancellor aware that he is losing a lot of money by not adopting my suggestion? Is he aware that Mr. Sopwith, the Chairman of the Hawker-Siddeley Aircraft Company, stated at the company's annual meeting that the company was paying only £25,000 Excess Profits Levy, and that one of the reasons was that much of their profits was made in Canada and was not taxed? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it worth while looking into that matter?

This Levy is eventually to come to an end. It is not proposed by the Government to make amendments beyond the pledges given in last year's debates, and that governs my answer to this Question.

asked the Chancellor if he will consider increasing the statutory repairs allowance in Schedule A assessments to meet the increased cost of repairs.

I think this is a matter on which I should await the report of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax which is considering, among other tax matters, the law relating to Schedule A.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that although it is possible for householders to get increased allowances by producing bills and detailed accounts of their repairs, it is very expensive for them to do this and they often have to employ accountants to do it? Would he consider increasing the repairs allowance at least for the smaller assessed properties?

I am well aware of the difficulty, about which I have extensive notes here with me, but I would rather await the decision of the Royal Commission on this matter, as this is one of the matters which has been referred to it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can yet say when the Report of the Purchase Tax (Valuation) Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. Frederick Grant, Q.C., will be published.

The Report is published today, and copies are available in the Vote Office.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he is yet in a position to make any statement, or whether the Government accept the recommendations in the Report?

I am at present considering this Report, which is not unanimous. The subject, as the House knows, is a complicated one and the views of traders may well differ. I shall, therefore, be ready to consider any representations that those concerned may wish to make to me in the near future.

So far as this Report may recommend changes in the law, will the Chancellor not exclude the possibility of including them in the later stages of the Finance Bill?

The whole question of this Report came before me at the time when I had to decide to publish it, and when I could not take any action on any draft of the Finance Bill. The question of future legislation must be left for the moment, but I have noted what the right hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent, to assist in the closer watch that is now being kept on the operation of the paid sick leave scheme in Government establishments, central records are now being kept, so that the total annual cost to the taxpayer can be calculated.

None, Sir. The administrative and clerical cost to the taxpayer could not be justified. But the management of each industrial establishment is aware of the need to watch, in the light of local circumstances, the incidence of sick absence in that establishment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in which medical journals he now advertises the vacancies for appointment of registered medical practitioners in the Civil Service.

None, Sir. Since no recruitment is taking place, vacancies are not at present being advertised at all.

Can the hon. Gentleman state in terms which are more easy to understand why there have been no advertisements of civil servant medical officer posts in the medical journals recently? Is it possible that the Financial Secretary is in disgrace with the medical profession, and that the British Medical Association has imposed a ban upon the publication of advertisements of this sort? If that is so, would he inform the House what the trouble is about?

Those issues, particularly the one relating to myself, are of an intriguing character, but they are wholly different from the point raised in the Question. The hon. Gentleman asked in which medical journals vacancies are advertised and the answer that I have already given him is "None."

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will amend current practice so that hon. Members requiring, for their Parliamentary duties, Government Papers printed before the present Session may obtain them free of charge.

The present practice has worked to the general satisfaction of hon. Members since 1924. I am not aware of any changed circumstance or of any such feeling among hon. Members as to justify the change suggested by the hon. Member. But my right hon. Friend is always ready to consider any views which hon. Members may hold.

While nobody would wish to secure for hon. Members the right to obtain all Government publications free, would the Minister not agree that if a Member needs a Government publication for work that he is doing in the House, he should be able to obtain it free, provided he satisfies some Department that he does so need it?

I think there must be some limit, and the present limits which were announced by the late Mr. William Graham from this Box in 1924 have, I think, worked pretty satisfactorily since them. If the hon. Gentleman has any aspect of the matter that he would like to raise, over and above that to which he has already drawn my attention in his letter, I will very gladly look into it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is now able to relax the restrictions upon private street works imposed in 1951 and 1952; and whether he will consider the procedure laid down by his Department for obtaining sanction for private street work expenditure, with a view to simplifying it and giving more discretion to local authorities.

What can be allowed is conditioned by the resources available for this class of work. Subject to this, I am anxious to see the procedure made as simple as possible.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how soon it is anticipated that approval will be given for the drainage and sewerage scheme for the Reepham area in the county of Norfolk.

I am sorry I cannot give a definite date yet. In any case, the most urgent need seems to be for a scheme for piped water supply. Tests are going on now.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the provision of the drainage scheme is now considerably overdue, and that this amenity would be of great help to the general housing plans for this district?

I am well aware of that, but we must get a sufficient supply of water first before the drainage scheme is introduced.

What is the right hon. Gentleman going to do when he gets the piped water but has not got any drainage?

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will arrange to have the annual accounts of each new town available, separately, for sale to the public.

I am examining the possibility of doing this in respect of the reports and accounts for the year just ended.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it would add to the interest taken in the accounts of new towns if the inhabitants did not have to pay 9s. for a booklet of which no more than 10 per cent. is of any interest to them?

I have never been responsible for the publishing operations of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, and I am not jealous of them.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many county councils have taken steps to ensure effective signposting of public footpaths.

I regret that I have not the information necessary to answer the hon. Member's Question.

Does the Minister appreciate that the system of signposting of footpaths before the war, particularly in Essex and near counties, was a great advantage to numbers of people who sought the countryside? Can he do something to expedite the vision of the counties which are taking action in this way?

I can only do it by exhortation. I have no power to require or control the erection of these signs.

Was there no record of any kind regarding these footpaths?

Since I have no legal power to require them, I have no legal power to require any information on the subject.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what instructions he has issued to his regional officers since 1st January, 1953 regarding future housing allocations for local authorities.

There are no longer yearly housing allocations for local authorities. In view of the tremendous impetus of the housing drive, I have instructed my regional officers to take the necessary steps to see that the rate of building is not prejudiced by an excessive expansion of the programme having regard to the labour and materials available. I estimate that we are now running at practically full speed with our present resources.

In those instructions which the right hon. Gentleman has given are there any instructions of any kind which would reduce the local authority's own housing allocations for local authority building as opposed to the building of private enterprise houses?

I have already explained that the allocation system is obsolete. We are trying to get a properly phased and timed programme. Last year we built 33,000 more houses to let than the year before. We have at the moment 247,000 houses to let under construction, which is 40,000 more than this time last year and 64,000 more than this time two years ago, so I think I have carried out my pledges.

Is it not a fact that the manufacturers of building materials are giving splendid support to the building programme? Can my right hon. Friend say by how much cement production has risen in this country since 1950?

It goes on rising all the time but broadly speaking I think it rose about 10 per cent. last year and I should think that from three years ago it has risen by about 20 per cent.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that he is in a false position when he claims credit for the number of houses under construction, and at the same time he is telling people that the lack of homes is because building materials are not available?

Those are very good reasons why the programme should be brought to maximum productivity. It is as bad to overload it as it is to underload it.

Will my right hon. Friend do all he can to secure the maximum production of building materials?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) how many local authorities have notified him of a shortage of housing sites; in how many cases this is caused, wholly or partly, by mining subsidence; and what steps he is taking to assist in the provision of sites for the future in these areas;

(2) how many local authorities have applied for permission to acquire agricultural land for housing purposes since 1st January, 1953; what has been the decision in each case; and what is the average duration of inquiries before a decision is taken.

The normal arrangement is that the selection of housing sites is carried out by the local authorities concerned, who undertake any necessary consultations with the Ministry of Agriculture and consider the risk of subsidence where this arises. It is usually unnecessary for me to intervene unless some special difficulty arises. The hon. Member will appreciate, therefore, that the information for which he asks is not available in my Department.

Does that mean that only one local authority has notified the Minister of a shortage of housing sites —I know there is one—on account of the land being sterilised owing to mining subsidence? If that is so, would the right hon. Gentleman give very special attention to the needs of that local authority, because of the danger of its housebuilding programme breaking down?

I do not think there is any risk of the programme breaking down. If there were I should, of course, give special attention to it.

Is the Minister aware that I am referring to the Newcastle-under-Lyme authority, who have notified him that there is danger of the housebuilding programme breaking down in 1954, because there are no housing sites left in the borough owing to the sterilisation of land by mining subsidence? Does the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that this is the only local authority which has notified him of a shortage of housing sites for this reason?

No. The answer states that I would have given the hon. Member the information if I had the precise information for which he asks. He will remember he has asked one or two Questions on the special position of New-castle-under-Lyme. That matter is receiving our attention and I hope to reach some settlement of it. But both the House and the hon. Member will recognise that this balance between the claims of housing sites and agricultural land is one of the main problems which we have been trying to overcome, either by new towns or town development or all kinds of things. It is not an easy problem to solve, and I try to keep the balance as fairly as I can, having regard to the general national interest.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what power his regulations give a local authority that has served notice on an owner of property to carry out repairs necessary to be done to bring houses under his control into a sanitary condition and made fit for human habitation, to ensure that, in the interest of public health, the necessary work is executed in compliance with the legal notice; and if he will make a statement.

Local authorities have power to require repairs under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1936, and under Section 93 of the Public Health Act, 1936, both of which authorise them, if necessary, to carry out the work themselves and to recover the cost from the owner or the person responsible.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how this will apply in the case of an owner of property in many parts of London who may shortly become a guest in one of Her Majesty's institutions? What can the council do if this man is not in a position to give orders about repairs by which hundreds of houses could be put into good repair?

They have other powers to deal with that question. They can take over property in certain cases. I have tried to give an answer on the particular point raised by the right hon. Gentleman, but there are other powers which may be used in other circumstances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will consider giving permission to owners of post-war privately-built houses to sell at the district valuer's valuation based on current prices, where the owner-occupier has to move for the purpose of his employment.

I am considering this question, but am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that, despite the increase in building which is lessening the gap, it is a hardship for a man who has to move to have to pay the vacant possession price in the area to which he is going and receive the limited price in the area which he is leaving?

Yes, Sir, I am considering that.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what steps have been taken to rehouse, at Basildon and elsewhere, families driven out of their homes by the floods and unable to return, either because the property is totally destroyed or rendered uninhabitable or for some other reason.

Families unable to find accommodation themselves have been helped by the housing authorities of both the flooded and other districts. In letting council houses, Canvey Island Urban District Council are giving these families first preference. Southampton Town Council, Hatfield Rural District Council, and Basildon New Town Corporation, among others, have also let houses to these families.

While my constituents are grateful to those local authorities who came to their assistance, nevertheless there still remains a "rump" of families for whom no accommodation has been found. I wonder whether my right hon. Friend can pursue the matter, particularly with regard to my corporation?

If my hon. Friend will tell me of individual cases, I will see what I can do.

asked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take, in view of the fact that the Solicitor-General for Scotland is not a Member of the House of Commons, to ensure that Her Majesty's Government and the House are adequately advised on legal matters affecting Scotland.

The advice of both the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor-General is, of course, fully available to Her Majesty's Government; and the Lord Advocate is a Member of this House.

Can the Prime Minister tell us who is the Solicitor-General for Scotland?

I am proceeding upon very solid precedents, and I may perhaps be permitted to give to the House some of the precedents on which I have relied in this matter. In 1924, from February to November, Mr. Fenton; in 1929, May to June, Mr. Normand; 1929–31, Mr. Watson; 1936–37, Mr. Reid; 1941-43, Sir David Murray; 1945–47, Mr. D. P. Blades; 1947—this is where you come in—March to October, Mr. Wheatley; 1947–48, Mr. D. H. Johnston. All these are precedents for a Solicitor-General—[Hon. Members: "Who is he now?"]—not sitting in the House of Commons. I think that should satisfy everyone.

Is the Prime Minister aware that he has given the full team except the one we are interested in? Is he aware that in the Scottish Grand Committee last week we had no legal adviser, and that the Government were defeated on an Amendment moved by the right hon. and gallant Member for Kelvingrove (Lieut.-Colonel Elliot)? Is it not time he did something about this appointment?

If the hon. Member supposes that I do not know the name of the Scottish Solicitor-General, it is Mr. Milligan.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Solicitor-General for Scotland was in the Scottish Grand Committee this morning, and that the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) was also there, saw him and, therefore, knows his name without assistance?

Is it possible that the Prime Minister cannot find a winable Tory seat in Scotland for the Solicitor-General?

We have not done so badly in Scotland. At the 1945 General Election they held their own.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the hon. Member who asked this Question comes from a country where few are solicitors but all are lawyers?

asked the Minister of Works the number of places for the Coronation which will be reserved for and allotted to the Scottish Standing Conference of National Voluntary Youth Organisations; where these places will be situated; and what arrangements are being made for the convenience and comfort of those who will occupy them.

The Scottish Standing Conference will have places on a pavement in Parliament Square. Drinking water, lavatory and first-aid facilities will be available.

I do not think it would be in the general interest to publish the number of seats or reserved standing places which have been offered to any organisation.

Can the Minister say on what principle these seats are allotted? Is it on a geographical basis? If so, how many are being allotted to North-East Scotland, where can the tickets be obtained, and how?

The sub-allocation of the seats is done by the Standing Conference, and I have every confidence that they have done their work well as between one part of Scotland and another.

Why cannot the public be given an opportunity of making their arrangements and knowing where they can get the seats and when they will get them?

I think the Standing Conference have done their work fairly rapidly. As a matter of fact, I happen to know that they were more than satisfied with the number of seats offered. The details are kept secret because if we published the numbers going to all the different organisations we should dissatisfy more people than we satisfied.

asked the Minister of Works the conditions of the contracts for erecting the Coronation stands with regard to the purchase price to be paid for the acquisition of timber and the selling price for its disposal.

The contracts are on the basis of lump sum prices for the provision, erection and dismantling of the stands after taking into account the value of the materials recovered by the contractors on demolition. No provision is made as to the prices at which the timber shall be acquired or sold.

Is the Minister quite satisfied that he has taken full account of the prices which will be obtained by contractors on demolition?

I think so. Of course, it is a fact that timber is cheaper now than it was when the contractors bought it for the stands, but this method, which really amounts to hiring the timber and the steel, shows, I think, the best results.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that there is a shortage of bricks and cement in Brmingham and district which, if allowed to continue, will mean a slowing down in the rate of house, school and factory building; and if he will take action at once to remedy this situation.

I am aware that there are shortages of bricks and cement in Birmingham and district but supplies, already at a higher rate than in 1952, are increasing. Provided due economy is exercised in the use of these materials, I do not expect the rate of building to be seriously affected.

Is the Minister aware that some firms are quoting as long a period as eight months for the delivery of bricks? Is he aware that one contractor has not had a delivery of cement since February and that he is having to move cement from site to site? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this morning I had news that unskilled and some skilled workers are out of work in the building trade in Birmingham because of lack of materials? Is that the way to go on with building?

I think the hon. Member can congratulate his constituents, because the deliveries of cement in the first 17 weeks of this year were 17 per cent. above those of the corresponding period last year, which is a very remarkable achievement. I should say the comparative figure for bricks was about 9 per cent. The fact is that these are the growing pains of a successful building programme. We have also been blessed with remarkably dry weather.

asked the Minister of Works how many bricks have been manufactured during the last three months for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding output for 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952.

The output of bricks during the months of January, February and March, 1953, compared with the output for the corresponding months of the previous four years, was as follows:

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these figures will be very much welcomed in the country, and will help towards answering the charge that there is a shortage of bricks? Of course there is a shortage of bricks when we are building two houses for every one built under the previous Administration.

asked the Minister of Works what quantity of cement has been manufactured during the last three months for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding output for 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952.

The output of Portland cement during the months of January, February and March, 1953, compared with the output for the corresponding months of the previous four years was as follows:

million tons
1949	…	…	…	…	2.06
1950	…	…	…	…	2.17
1951	…	…	…	…	2.33
1952	…	…	…	…	2.53
1953	…	…	…	…	2.55

The output this year would have been higher but for the floods.

Will my right hon. Friend continue this good work, and do everything he can to increase the output?