asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware that it is the policy of the new Rhodesian University College to admit African students either to mixed classes or to parallel classes; and whether he will take action to avoid the segregation on the latter lines.

This will be a matter for decision by the governing body of the college. Neither the college nor its governing body is yet in existence. The Inaugural Board in Rhodesia, however, has already resolved that for admission to the university

"educational attainments and good character alone will be taken into consideration",

and the delegation, which recently visited London for discussions with the Inter-University Council, indicated that this very sound principle will generally govern the administration of the institution.

May I remind the hon. Member, also, of the opinion held by the present Prime Minister of the Federation, about which the House was informed on 6th May, that undergraduates of any race should share the same teachers and undertake the same courses on a basis of academic equality.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that many hon. Members of this House, including the Secretary of State for the Colonies himself, used the multi-racial policy of this new University College as an argument for Federation? Is he aware that on page 2 of "Information for Intending Candidates" to this new college it states:

"Members of staff will be called upon to lecture to African students either in mixed classes or in parallel classes."

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman comment on that?

That document was issued without authority and has been withdrawn. In future, the appointments will be carried out through the Inter-University Council in the United Kingdom.

While recognising with a University with this independence that this must be a matter for them to decide, may I ask whether the Government are taking steps to convey to them the pledges given by the Secretary of State for the Colonies on this matter recently?

There is no need to convey them. They are well aware of them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations to what extent the Governments of Southern Rhodesia and Bechuanaland or the Colonial Development Corporation will be associated with the private financiers who are to build the railway connecting Rhodesia and Bechuanaland with South-West Africa.

I understand that a commercial engineering concern is investigating the possibility of linking the Rhodesian and South-West African railway systems, but I have seen no firm plans. The interest of local Governments in any such project if it matured is obvious, but the question of their association with this particular proposal is premature. In the case of the Colonial Development Corporation it would be for the Corporation's Board to consider the matter in the first instance.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman give an undertaking that, if this plan does come to fruition, public representation of some kind will be provided so that the public interest can be fully safeguarded?

The Government will look after the public interest.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what official information has been given to the African, European or Joint Advisory Councils in Bechuanaland concerning the proposed railway link with South-West Africa.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to her other Question on this subject. No proposals have so far emerged which would justify reference to these Councils.

If they should, can we also be assured that there will be consultation with the inhabitants of Bechuanaland about something which so closely affects their interest?

On all matters which affcet their interest the Councils are consulted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will give particulars of the official visit of chiefs and others from Bechuanaland to study forms of government in other parts of Africa.

Arrangements for a tour by a party of Bechuana to study local government development in other African territories are under consideration. When a programme has been settled, I will gladly let the hon. Member have details.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations have been made to the Australian Government in respect of the housing and treatment of British emigrants; and if present conditions in this respect are now satisfactory.

No such representations have been made and I have no reason to suppose that present conditions are unsatisfactory.

Is the Minister aware that at one time there were many complaints, some of them, apparently, of substance? Do I understand that he has had no consultations with the Australian representatives on this matter? What arrangements are made to see that emigrants from this country have the accommodation and treatment that they require?

That is a large question. The Australian Government instituted an independent inquiry. As the hon. Member is aware, the complaints affected only a small minority of what was itself a small minority—27,000 of the total of 350,000 British migrants under the assisted passages scheme. The Committee's inquiries showed as was accepted by the Australian Government, that, by and large, there was no ground for these complaints. When Mr. Holt was over here I had the opportunity of speaking to him informally about migration and the various arrangements in the various States. I satisfied myself that proper arrangements are made for informing British migrants about the facts in Australia; before they go, a pamphlet is issued to them. There was no ground for these complaints, which, it must be admitted, were fostered by the Communists.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I have recently had letters from Australia from sons of constituents stating that earlier this year a considerable number of British immigrants were evicted from some of the hostels? Will the Minister make further inquiries?

A few have been evicted, but that was on the ground that they refused to pay the tariffs, which the Committee found were fair in comparison with the general run of Australian tariffs. If the hon. Member would like to talk to me about it at any time, I should be pleased to give him other facts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the present policy of Her Majesty's Government with reference to emigration to the Dominions of Canada, Australia and South Africa; and what was the number of emigrants to, and immigrants from, these Dominions in 1951 and 1952, respectively.

I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the statement which I made on 21st April, 1952. This statement still holds good.

As the answer to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's Question involves a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Figures are only available of immigrants going by sea.

I am obliged to the hon. and learned Gentleman. Will he confirm that there is no restriction now on free emigration or on the number of emigrants who want to go to two, at least, of these territories?

I am not certain, but I believe that to be the case.

Have the Government yet decided to join the inter-governmental committee on European migration, to which Australia and Canada belong and in which they take a great interest?

I am not in a position to say that.

In advising those who are proposing to emigrate to any of these territories, will the Minister provide full information about the policy of apartheid, which, it is stated, is being put forward by responsible or irresponsible political leaders in the Central African Federation?

That is nothing to do with the Question. Information is given to migrants about conditions in the country and the offices of the Ministry of Labour and of the High Commissioner are at the disposal of emigrants.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what representations he received from the Government of the Dominion of Australia with reference to the recent arrangements for atom bomb experiments within the territory of the Dominion; and what action has been taken.

None, Sir. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.

Is it not rather remarkable, in these circumstances, that when Ministers of the Australian Government make public complaints about the arrangements, they do not even waste time to send them to the hon. and learned Gentleman? Will he explain why, when Questions are put down to his Department, they are passed to the Minister of Supply? Is not the cause of this trouble not that it is fostered by the Communists but that some things are being communised by the Fosters?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on recent events in the area of the Central African Federation including the emergence of a party committed to a policy of apartheid.

For a reply to the general part of his Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on progress in establishing the Federation which I made on 22nd October. It would not be proper for me to comment on the policies of any of the parties contesting the forthcoming elections.

Would it not? Will the Under-Secretary bear in mind that it is the policy of the Government, apparently, to take political action where extremist parties of one kind arise, and is there not just as much menace from Fascism as from Communism? Is not a situation arising, from the speeches made yesterday, when a serious position is developing in Northern Rhodesia and one of a kind which would have prevented us giving Federation had it arisen 12 months ago?

The parallel does not obtain.

In view of the fact that the policy now being advocated by the Confederate Party is a complete breach of all the pledges made in the House when we discussed Federation, are the Government considering what action they will take in the event of that party winning power?

No, Sir.

Is it not a fact that all parties in this country agree that Central African Federation would only be justified if the policy of racial partnership became a reality?

Yes, Sir.

Is it, then, the view of the Government that although it was pledged and agreed here that the only policy we would support in Central Africa was one of partnership, the Government do not propose to say anything about the policies now being advocated by this party?

No, Sir. The election programme of a party in an independent country must be for that country, and not for Her Majesty's Government, to comment upon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions have been made by his Department under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1953, for violations of the Wool Glossary.

None, Sir. I should, I think, explain that the definitions in the Wool Glossary are not statutory; but, if they are wrongly applied, that may constitute an infringement of the Merchandise Marks Acts.

While I appreciate that the resignation of the Government is imminent, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, before he surrenders his seal of office, he can say what advice should be given to housewives so that they can enforce the correct descriptions of wool content cloth given in the Glossary?

The advice that should be given is that the interpretation of the law is a matter for the courts and not for me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with marking rayon cloths which satisfy tests of shrink resistance and colour fastness, as promised in his speech to the House of 13th March, 1952.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the British Standards Institution have refused to give their quality mark to the rayon standards recently published; and if, in view of his statement to the House that, following tests, such cloths would be marked, he will re-examine the position.

The British Standards Institution published in September a group of three standards dealing with finishing properties—colour fastness and shrink resistance—of woven rayon dress and lingerie fabrics. These standards provide for identification of fabrics complying with the specifications by means of a prescribed statement on accompanying invoices or other similar documents. The industry made no request for the use of the Institution certification mark and no question of refusal by the Institution therefore arises.

Will the right hon. Gentleman again advise housewives how these standards can be enforced and what redress they have if they are not enforced?

They can, of course, ask for them; but on the interpretation of the Merchandise Marks Acts I do not think it is proper for me to advise. That is a matter for the courts.

Will my right hon. Friend consider advising the Opposition on the subject of colour fastness?

Is it not the fact that in his speech to the House on 13th March, 1952, the right hon. Gentleman said that these goods would be marked, whereas now, 18 months later, we are told that no marking of these cloths is necessary, but that it will be done on the invoice? What use does the right hon. Gentleman think an invoice will be to the housewife who goes into a shop?

It is true that in March, 1952, I repeated the assurance given to me by the rayon industry that the cloths would be marked. The arrangements they have made have gone a long way to meet what they said then, but it does not include this marking.

Does the President not agree that the only thing that would be useful to the housewife is that the goods themselves in the shops should carry this marking? Is he prepared to look at the matter again? The invoice is not of the slightest use to the housewife.

I must make it absolutely plain that I am not prepared to introduce compulsory marking in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made with the establishment of a range of British Standards (Utility Series) specifications for cotton cloths and household textiles as promised in his speech to the House of 13th March, 1952.

A standard for tickings for domestic bedding was published on 6th October. Apart from this, the cotton industry has not found it possible to devise agreed standards based on utility specifications as originally proposed. A statement was issued by the British Standards Institution in July last reviewing progress to that date over the whole field of textiles.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a scandalous betrayal of a promise he most specifically made in this House on 13th March, 1952, when he stated:

"In particular, the cotton industry have told me that they propose within a few weeks to deal in this way with the most popular specifications, which cover a wide range of cotton cloths and household textiles up to about 75 per cent. of the trade in those particular types."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th March, 1952; Vol. 497, c. 1584.]

Is he aware that it was on that assurance that the House agreed to the withdrawal of the Utility Scheme? Is it not scandalous that the cotton industry and the right hon. Gentleman should in this way betray both the House and the country?

It was, of course, on that assurance by the industry that I made that statement. I quite agree with the hon. Lady that the cotton industry have fallen far short of what they said on that occasion, and I am making representations to them to that effect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, as from 5th September, 1953, textile and apparel imports into Australia containing less than 95 per cent. but more than 5 per cent. wool, must be labelled so that the percentage of wool is shown together with the names of other fibres in order of dominance; and, in view of the fact that this information is demanded also by the United States of America and South Africa, and has to be supplied by exporters in this country, whether he will recommend similar information being available for British shoppers.

As the hon. Lady was told in reply to her Question on 14th July last, I am aware of the regulations to which she refers. As regards the second part of the Question, the British Standards Institution has recently issued a glossary of terms, indicating the composition of cloths containing wool. This has been prepared by all the trade interests concerned and the Women's Advisory Committee of the B.S.I., and is likely to be widely adopted. I believe it will prove useful to consumers, and in the circumstances I see no reason for recommending any other system.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that by the next time his turn comes for Oral Questions, I shall have several examples to give him showing that this glossary is not detailed enough? Would he not agree—presumably, he goes shopping sometimes—that it makes a difference whether a material is 90 per cent. wool or 50 per cent., since the glossary does not cover the gap in between? Furthermore, does it make no difference to him whether the material is 15 per cent. or 49 per cent. wool, because that gap also is not covered? Does he not think that it might with advantage be more detailed?

The Question addressed to me was whether I will introduce compulsory marking schemes comparable with those adopted in some other countries, and the answer to that must be "No."

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these new markings will come into the shops when the new wool deliveries are made? Is he also aware that the measures taken by this Government are a considerable improvement upon those of the last Government, when cloth was described as wool if it contained only 15 per cent. of wool?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of productions that can now be protected without putting tariffs up to Commonwealth countries.

I regret that it is not practicable to list all the products on which we can, in proved cases of need and subject to the conditions of the waiver of the no-new-preference rule, increase the duty without imposing a corresponding duty on the Commonwealth. This waiver and its conditions cover goods on which we have not bound the tariffs, and which have been traditionally admitted free of import duty when imported from the Commonwealth.

If the President is unable to give us a complete list, could he not help me by stating whether flower bulbs would be included?

If my hon. Friend wishes to ask me about specific items, perhaps he would do so either by putting down a Question or privately, when I will try to help him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is reported that the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations said in Australia today that the best way of affording protection to Australian goods was by a constant shortage of dollars? Is that the considered view of H.M. Government?

That raises an entirely different question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, after his successful agreement at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, he will now state what his proposals are to protect British horticulture.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement as to the steps he contemplates taking in the near future for the further protection and assistance of British horticulturists following on his successful negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

I have nothing to add at this stage to the statement which I made after Questions on 27th October and the reply which I then gave to a supplementary question from my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Angus (Captain Duncan). We are, at present, dealing with a number of horticultural items under the procedures which were agreed recently at Geneva.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that British horticulturists fully accept the necessity of imports from overseas, but that it is the timing of these imports that is of importance? Will he continue to use his best endeavours to ensure that the home producers are given a fair run in the home market before imports come in?

Could the President let us know how long it will take to increase the tariffs, if it is found necessary, and how long it will take to take them off, if that course should be found necessary? Will he continue the system of quotas so long as he can do so under the E.P.U. arrangements?

I have already explained to the House what were the procedures arranged at Geneva. There is a 30-day period during which objections can be taken to certain goods, and we must certainly wait for the expiration of that time before I can make any further statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that employers and trade unions engaged in the making of furniture are desirous that the name of the manufacturer shall be placed on the articles made; and if he will consider their recommendation, with a view to legislative action.

As the hon. Member was informed on 12th February and 3rd March last, Her Majesty's Government have decided not to provide for such marking by legislation. The views of all sections of the trade were fully taken into account before this decision was reached.

Though none of us on this side imagines that a Minister would give wrong information, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he may not have been misled? Is he aware that both the trade unions and the employers in the furniture industry are desirous of this change, and will he say which side of the industry it was, if it was not the employers or the trade unions, which outweighed the views of these two bodies?

The retailers were against it. There is no prohibition on the part of the Government, and we do nothing to prevent anybody putting names on furniture.

Does the President attach more weight, then, to the views of retailers than those of either the manufacturers or the trade unions?

I take into account all views, and form my own judgment on them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further progress has been made in re-opening the market in Argentina for British goods.

As my hon. Friend knows, Argentina gave us an undertaking in the Trade Protocol of last December to give all facilities possible in 1953 for the continuance of traditional trade between our two countries. There have, however, been prolonged delays in the issue of import licences for United Kingdom goods, although in the case of "less essential" goods the Argentine authorities have issued import licences for about half of the £3 million's worth provided for in the trade agreement, and are taking the necessary steps for the import of the remainder. Her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires in Buenos Aires has made strong representations to the Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs about the delays in issuing licences for most British goods.

Is my right hon. Friend hopeful that we shall soon see the benefits of the undertaking which President Peron has given twice recently, that all the sterling earned here by Argentina will be spent on sterling goods and services?

I am hopeful that, with the increased sterling which Argentina now holds, it will be possible to achieve an inceased flow of trade between the two countries, for that will be of mutual benefit all round.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to the latest figures, there was a short fall of 100,000 tons of meat from Argentina? What are the Government doing to help to get the meat out of Argentina?

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if, having regard to his adherence to the policies of the Consultative Group Cooperation Committee on East-West Trade, he will state to what extent the ban on the United Kingdom export of steel and chemical products to China has been relaxed since the Korean armistice;

(2) how many applications for licences for the export of steel and chemical products to China he has received in the last three months; what types and quantities of goods were involved; and how many licences, and for what quantities and values of goods, were granted.

There has been no relaxation of the embargo on the export from the United Kingdom to China of strategic types of steel and chemical products. I regret that it would not be possible, without an unjustifiable amount of research, to give the particulars asked for about applications for export licences.

Will the Minister say why he is operating an embargo so much more stringent than that of any other country represented on the international committee? Has his attention been drawn to the recent Japanese-Chinese agreement for £30 million worth of trade, which provides for the export of steel plates and copper from Japan to China, while he refuses to British manufacturers licences for goods so that orders are going to France, Germany and Japan whose policies are supposed to be co-ordinated by this committee?

If the hon. Gentleman will look into the matter, he will find that we do co-ordinate our policies with other countries. They may vary from time to time, but, on the steel issue, they have been brought more closely into line more recently.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen that the American Government have removed no fewer than 28 categories from the Japanese banned list, and does he intend to do nothing to prevent British manufacturers being beaten to the post by the Japanese?

I certainly will look into the question which the hon. Gentleman raises, but I think he will find that, by and large, we keep very closely in line on these items with all the countries concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the constitution and composition of the International Consultative Group Co-operation Committee, of which the United Kingdom is a member-State; and the extent to which its decisions on trade with the East are binding on Her Majesty's Government.

The Consultative Group consists of representatives of the Governments of the United States, Canada, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Western Germany, Norway, Greece, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The Group is essentially an informal consultative body without executive authority, and the Co-ordinating Committee and the China Committee are component parts of it.

On the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Board of Trade, on 28th October.

Is the Minister aware that I have already sent him several examples of hundreds of goods being exported to China and other Eastern countries while, at the same time, he is forbidding British manufacturers to make similar exports, and that if he so desires I will send him several more examples? Will the right hon. Gentleman make an urgent inquiry into this situation, because it is quite clear that both Germany and Japan are exporting steel and chemical products on a large scale?

I am willing to receive any examples which the hon. Member or anybody else wishes to send me. The fact is that this Committee is specially designed to see that we all coordinate our policy in this respect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the Government will maintain its powers to limit imports of cereals by the system of quotas; and that these powers will be used to prevent foreign dumping of cereals to the prejudice of the home-grown crops.

Cereals and feedingstuffs may at present be imported freely under open individual licence, and it would not be in accordance with the general policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the use of quantitative restriction of imports to modify these arrangements unless this were to become necessary for balance of payments reasons. The Board of Trade's powers to prohibit or regulate the import of goods derive from the Import, Export and Customs (Defence) Act, 1939.

Is the Minister aware that I am disappointed that I did not receive an assurance from him in reply to my previous supplementary asking for first place in the home market for the home producer? Is he further aware that the position is equally serious with regard to cereals, and that, in East Anglia in particular, farmers have had the greatest difficulty in disposing of their barley this autumn because of the untimely arrival of large quantities from overseas?

The Government have already indicated, in their recent White Paper, the importance they attach to a stable and efficient agricultural industry, and have made provisions for deficiency payments in respect of cereals.

Will not the President reassure his Liberal colleague that he fully understands the great dangers to British agriculture of this free import policy?

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his very helpful intervention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what efforts he made to reduce the dollar cost to this country of the recently-concluded Anglo-American Film Agreement.

Her Majesty's Government took their first available opportunity in September, 1952, to review the terms of the Anglo-American Agreement negotiated by the previous Government. The terms agreed on that occasion, and continued in the latest Agreement, set a lower limit on the amount which may be converted into dollars.

In this connection, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 27th October, when I explained the scope of the Agreement.

While commiserating with the President on the failure of his efforts to secure a reduction in the dollar cost to this country under the film agreement, may I ask him whether he will take every opportunity of saving dollars in this connection, because we can well do without some of the Hollywood rubbish which is now coming in and which is costing us millions of dollars?

We have already reduced the bill by 5 million dollars a year compared with what was paid under the previous Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulties confronting British manufacturers in maintaining their export trade, due to the high and heavy costs of manufactured articles, especially when being confronted with growing competition from Germany and Japan, who are able to produce the same or similar articles more cheaply and with speedier delivery dates; and what action he proposes to take to assist our export trade.

I am fully aware that United Kingdom exporters are being faced with increasingly severe competition, especially in respect of price and delivery dates, from Germany and Japan as well as other countries. To meet this competition calls for the greatest efforts from all concerned. The Government's policy is to keep the national economy in the healthy condition necessary to enable these efforts to be effective; but the major responsibility rests on everyone in industry to keep down costs and to improve production.

I am particularly interested in the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's reply. Is he not aware that one of the main causes of the rise in the price of these articles is that the trade unions are being compelled to ask for wage increases owing to the rapid rise in the cost of food? Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to restoring the food subsidies, and thus assist in bringing down the price of these articles?

I thought that that matter was disposed of by my right hon. and gallant Friend the other day.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that both sides of this House should realise that this is not the time for making party political capital out of the situation, but the time when both sides should preach wage restraint and greater production?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what decisions he has arrived at on the need for new industry in Fife consequent on his recent visit to that county, with particular reference to the new town of Glenrothes.

During my visit to Scotland I had the opportunity of hearing the views of several bodies about the industrial needs of Fife. I recognise the importance of encouraging complementary industrial development as and when needed in the expanding Fife coalfield, including Glenrothes, and I will do what I can to help, subject to my responsibilities elsewhere.

Is the Minister satisfied as to the immediate need for new industry in this now rapidly developing town? I hope he will not say, like the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that he is keeping his eye on the problem, but will make some positive proposals. Will he compare the position of Glenrothes in this matter with that of East Kilbride, the other new town in Scotland?

On a recent visit to Scotland, I had a very full opportunity of comparing conditions in these places, and I shall give full consideration to the point put forward by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much unrationed cheese has been imported, under licence, during each of the last three years; and what was its declared importation value.

Since the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the crop of home-grown onions is adequate to satisfy the needs of British consumers for many weeks to come; and what steps he is taking to ensure that this crop is not prevented from being sold owing to imports of foreign onions.

I am advised that this year's crop is expected to be larger than last year's, but that stocks of imported onions are lower than at this time last year. Under the arrangements announced at the beginning of this year, the open general licence for imports of onions was suspended on 1st August, and imports are subject to total prohibition as from 16th August until 30th November.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great glut of homegrown onions, and does his reply mean that from 1st December onwards the difficulties of home producers in selling their crops are to be increased by unlimited imports of foreign onions?

I am not prepared to give any undertaking as to what will happen after 30th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many of the coal mines in the Halt-whistle area of Northumberland are threatened with closure; and whether he will take steps to encourage the development of light industries in this area so as to maintain employment there.

I realise that the workable reserves of many of the coal mines in this area are gradually being worked out over the years, though I understand that, as pits close, miners will, where possible, be offered coalmining employment elsewhere. I shall certainly do what I can to help with alternative industry as and when a problem of unemployment occurs.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, strategically, this area is very well sited for factories engaged on defence projects? Will he call the attention of the Ministry of Supply and that of the Service Departments to that fact?

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the shortage of coal, he will try to keep these pits open as long as possible?

I think that is a question which ought to be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards are in operation to ensure that goods covered by the strategical embargo for Iron Curtain countries, and initially consigned to countries to whom the embargo does not apply, do not subsequently have their designations altered in transit.

Licensing control is not applied to exports to the Commonwealth (except to Hong Kong), nor to the Irish Republic nor the United States of America; but it is applied to exports to all other countries. Careful checks are made about the intended use of strategic goods before licences are granted and later to verify that the goods have entered the country for which they were licensed. Exporters are liable to penalties if they are concerned in any diversion of their goods to an unauthorised destination.

As the Socialist Government informed me that there was no problem when I raised the matter with them when they were in office, will my right hon. Friend tell me whether there is, in fact, a problem, and, if there is, what is its real size?

I think there has always been a problem, but I believe that our strategic controls operate, and have operated, as effectively as any of the strategic controls imposed by any other country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that American cars are apparently in plentiful supply in China, whereas it was only a few days ago that we lifted the embargo on the export of British cars to Japan?

I have seen a statement on that subject, but I am not at the moment in a position to verify it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a further statement about the difficulties which our exporters are experiencing in the East African trade.

I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind, but if he is referring to the difficulties at the port of Mombasa I would refer him to the reply that I gave on 22nd October to my hon. Friend the Member for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay) when I explained that the port was being enlarged and that the full benefit should be felt next year. If the hon. Member has some other difficulty in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

Does the President not agree that it should be a matter of great concern to his Department that the time lag between applications for and the allocation of shipping space should be from nine to 12 months in this country compared with two to three weeks on the Continent? Further, does he not agree, since a large proportion of the exports from this country are concerned with materials for the construction of the Port of Mombasa that that fact should have been taken into account by the placing committee?

I believe it is important to everyone concerned with trade in that area, but I do not accept it as a fact that the system works in favour of the Continent in respect of all items. The port is being increased in size from a capacity of 100,000 tons per month in 1952 to 150,000 tons per month in 1956, and we should all see the benefit of this in the fairly near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement about the use of the Sunderland Trading Estates Factory at present occupied by Messrs. Prices, Tailors, Limited.

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his Question on 22nd October, the Board of Trade are giving Messrs. Prices, Tailors, Limited, every assistance in their task of finding a firm to take over the factory from them. I have nothing to add to that statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware in view of the fact that the date for Prices clearing out of this factory is very near now, that there is a great deal of anxiety because nothing has been done about this factory? It will be a disaster if the factory is unused.

I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's very proper anxiety about this case. Prices are doing everything they can to find a successor and we are doing all that we can to help them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the nature of the proposal made by the Finnish Government for a triangular trade agreement between Finland, the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; whether a similar approach has been made by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what reply he has given to the Finnish proposal.

The Finnish Government recently proposed that the United Kingdom might undertake to increase her imports from Russia, the sterling so earned being used by Russia to meet part of her trading deficit with Finland, who would in turn purchase more goods with that sterling from the United Kingdom.

There is at present no payments obstacle to such triangular trade, since sterling can already be freely transferred between Finland and Russia for current transactions. We have told the Finnish Government that, but have said that we will examine any concrete proposals they put forward, and have asked the Soviet Trade Delegation to let us know of any way in which we can assist.

While appreciating the difficulties of Finland, may I ask my right hon. Friend to give the House an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will not be distracted in any way from pursuing the very desirable end of reestablishing multilateral trade rather than bilateral or even tri-lateral agreements?

Certainly. In point of fact, the payment arrangements between these countries already allows them to transfer sterling to finance such trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of our exports of military material and aircraft for 1952, and to the latest date in 1953 for which details are available.

Exact figures of the exports of military equipment are not available. Exports of arms and ammunition, which include sporting arms and ammunition and some other non-military material, and certain military and naval stores, were valued at £33 million in 1952, and £37 million during January to September this year. Exports of aeroplanes and parts, including civil aircraft, were valued at £43 million in 1952, and £49 million during January to September this year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is rather dangerous to look only at the short-term policy in this matter and that the more we concentrate upon the export of military material the more danger there is to our traditional exports, as they are leaving the field quite open to our competitors, especially Germany and Japan?

The hon. Gentleman's Question was purely statistical. Policy with regard to the export of arms always must raise very important and very wide considerations. If the hon. Gentleman wants to ask a Question about that perhaps he will put it down.

How much of these figures of exports reflected civil and how much military aircraft? Further, how much of that was due to off-shore purchases by the United States?

I cannot say without notice, but if the right hon. Gentleman puts a Question down I shall be happy to give him a breakdown of the figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume of imports and exports between the United Kingdom and other members of the Commonwealth for the years 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952.

Since the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the right hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the figures are substantially better than the pre-war figures and are due to bulk buying and long-term trade agreements? What authority was there for saying to Australia at this moment that this system is to end forthwith?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will look at the figures before he starts basing an argument upon them.

Since the already published figures of his Department show a very big increase in exports to and imports from the Commonwealth in 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949 as compared with 1938, surely the right hon. Gentleman can answer my right hon. Friend's Question now.

The right hon. Gentleman simply asked for figures, which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT. If he puts down a Question of this sort I shall be very happy to answer it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a further statement on his policy regarding a revised method of announcing and implementing Purchase Tax changes which will reduce the danger of a trade recession in the weeks before the 1954 Budget.

My right hon. Friend has been asked by a number of trade interests to make any necessary Purchase Tax changes next year in January rather than in April; and, as he said in reply to a recent Question, he will certainly bear those representations carefully in mind in coming to a decision on this matter.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that the confident anticipation that there will be reduction or even abolition of this particular form of taxation may have a very bad effect upon trade in general in the weeks before the Budget? Will he look at the matter again to see whether it is not possible to devise a system which will enable this matter to be dealt with this year?

I agree that this is an important problem. That is why my right hon. Friend is studying it.

When does the Chancellor expect to be able to make a decision on this matter, because it is of vital interest to many trading concerns?

While recognising that much of the trouble in this matter has been caused by the Chancellor of the Exchequer's rash statements and half promises made at the time of last year's Budget, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he will reply to my hon. Friend's question when a decision is likely to take place? Is he aware that on this side of the House we are much concerned with the danger created by the right hon. Gentleman's conversations in these matters and think that this matter should be seriously investigated?

The right hon. Gentleman should be well aware that my right hon. Friend made no rash promises or half statements. If the right hon. Gentleman would be good enough to examine what my right hon. Friend said during the Finance Bill debates he would see that no grounds were given for any expectations of the kind to which he has referred. In reply to the hon. Member for Rossendale (Mr. Anthony Greenwood), I cannot say anything more today.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what aggregate sums of money are due in respect of post-war credits to persons over 60 years of age and to persons between 40 and 60 years of age, respectively; and what is the total sum due to the personal representatives or beneficiaries of persons who have died before reaching the specified age for repayment.

Statistics of actual ages of post-war credit holders are not available, but on the basis of the age distribution of the working population when the credits were created and of repayments in recent years, it is estimated that credits outstanding total about £73 million in respect of holders aged 60 and over. These will, of course, practically all be men, as women are entitled to repayment at 60.

On a similar basis, the best figures I can give in reply to the second and third parts of the Question are: about £370 million, and about £70 million respectively.

The third figure being comparatively small, would my hon. Friend look at it again, because it seems extremely unlikely that these families have been prevented from having payment solely by the death of the breadwinner?

As my right hon. Friend has indicated, this and other proposals will be considered in connection with his Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set up tribunals to consider conditions of hardship which would justify the repayment of post-war credits, and lay down principles to assist such tribunals in assessing degrees of hardship.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot accept this suggestion.

While recognising the undoubted difficulties in setting up such tribunals, may I ask my hon. Friend if he is not aware that many people, now that we have, at last, a Chancellor in whose ability they have confidence, are looking to him to mitigate undoubted hardships?

As I have already indicated, my right hon. Friend will consider this matter when considering his Budget arrangements.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will abolish Purchase Tax on motor cycle crash helmets.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot single out this particular form of protective clothing for a special tax exemption.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling which is belatedly arising over motor cycle deaths, and that it is a very heavy responsibility for his right hon. Friend and himself to take on their shoulders. Young men will undoubtedly be deterred from buying this headgear by the extra 7s., 10s. or 15s. Purchase Tax. Would it not be wise to remove it?

I hope that the hon. Baronet will preserve a sense of proportion in this matter. It is not very probable that those who go to the expense of running a motor cycle, on which itself the tax falls, will be deterred by a matter of a few shillings from taking this sensible precaution.

Is this not rather a silly and stuffy attitude to take? Various people are encouraging young motor cyclists to wear crash helmets. Surely it is desirable to make this modest and relatively cheap concession in order to encourage them to do the very thing that the advocates of road safety want to promote.

The right hon. Gentleman will be well aware that this is not a new problem, and that the attitude which he has characterised by some discourteous adjectives is precisely the same as that which was adopted by his own Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is yet in a position to make the changes in the Purchase Tax D levels requested by the hon. Member for Down, South on behalf of the Irish Linen Guild and the Irish Linen Merchants' Association.

No, Sir. But I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that this matter is being carefully examined and will be borne in mind when the D scheme is reviewed.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this matter has been closely examined since the last Finance Bill and that the industry is becoming very impatient?

I appreciate the interest of the industry in Northern Ireland in the matter, but one of the issues in question is the competitive position of these fabrics as against other fabrics. Obviously, one has to weigh one against the other rather carefully.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate, on the basis of the dividend proposed to shareholders in the prospectus issued by the Iron and Steel Holding Realisation Agency in respect of the United Steel companies; and, on the basis of the present cost of Government borrowing, of how much additional money will be paid out annually by these companies to their shareholders, compared to the interest which would have been paid out by the companies in interest, if they had remained nationally owned.

As the right hon. Gentleman will be aware, the capital of these companies has been increased as the result of their reorganisation. But the actual amount which will be paid out in future years will depend, among other things, on the amount of new capital raised in future, the efficiency of the way in which the companies are managed, the distribution policy adopted, the level of steel prices, and general trade conditions. No accurate estimate of the figure asked for is therefore possible.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that I did not ask for an accurate estimate, which, I agree, is impossible, but is it not possible to give a rough estimate? Would he disagree if I said that the figure must amount to between £5 million and £10 million a year, which, in future, will be paid out to shareholders in the steel industry who contribute nothing whatsoever to the welfare of the industry?

In the first place the right hon. Gentleman asked for an estimate. Estimates given from this Bench are accurate estimates. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Perhaps that is a change from the practice of two years ago, with which right hon. Gentlemen are familiar. I am afraid that as I cannot give anything like an accurate estimate, I really cannot give the right hon. Gentleman an estimate at all; except to say that his own figures are fantastically wide of the mark.

Would the Financial Secretary agree that, as the difference in the rate is something between 3½ and 7¼ per cent. on a substantial proportion of the capital involved, the difference must amount to many millions?

The right hon. Gentleman is begging the question. As to the future distribution which it is thought possible and appropriate for these companies to undertake, his calculations have to be based on certain assumptions, which rest, of course, on wholly unsubstantiated guesses.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the underwriting and other charges arising from the flotation of the United Steel Companies stock.

The total expenses payable by the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency in this connection are provisionally estimated at about £460,000. Of this, £350,000 is commission to the consortium of issuing houses who have taken part in the arangements.

Does the Financial Secretary agree, in this case at any rate, that if the rest of the publicly-owned iron and steel companies are sold off in a similar way many millions of pounds will have to be paid out of the resources of the iron and steel companies for wholly unproductive purposes?

No, Sir. This is part of a process of implementing the decision of the electorate that the steel industry should be denationalised. I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the money to which he refers will play a very useful part in carrying out that social process.

Does the Financial Secretary realise that, in addition to that rake-off, this transaction was carried out on terms which gave the private investor a yield of at least 1 per cent. more than he would get on comparable shares? Does he feel, in these circumstances, that his right hon. Friend has carried out his duty to protect the public interest?

I assume that the right hon. Gentleman is aware of the different rates of interest on Government securities and on industrials.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the £ sterling in October, 1951, 1952, and 1953, respectively, as compared with 20s. in 1945.

Taking the internal purchasing power of the £ as 20s. in 1945, the corresponding figure for October, 1951, is estimated to have been 14s. 3d., for October, 1952, 13s. 8d., and for September, 1953, the latest available date, 13s. 5d. These estimates are based on the price index for all consumer goods and services, calculated annually for national income purposes, from 1945 to 1952, and the Interim Index of Retail Prices since then.

Do I understand from those figures that, during the two years of Conservative Government, the value of the £, internally, has fallen by only 10d., whereas, during six years of Socialist government, the internal purchasing power of the £ fell by 5s. 3d.? Perhaps I could correct that figure and say 5s. 9d. Will my hon. Friend see that these figures are made known to the electorate?

My hon. Friend's amended mathematics are quite accurate. It is also a fact that the Ministry of Labour index has now been practically stationary for well over a year, compared with a rise of 15 points in the comparable period before October, 1951.

Is it suggested that these figures represent the implementation of the promise which the Tory Party made during the Election, when they flooded the country with posters bearing the picture of a torn £1 note and the slogan "Mend the hole in the £"?

I think the contrast between the figures for the last two years and the figures for the preceding years vindicates my right hon. Friend's policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will indicate the nature of the subjects he is proposing to be discussed at the conference of heads of principal States, including the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I have at the present time nothing to add to the statement regarding the decision to hold a three-Power Conference at Bermuda which I made in the House on Tuesday in reply to questions by the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis).