asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the introduction of the Kite mark quality scheme for furniture by the manufacturers.

The British Standards Institution has announced that under the specifications for cabinet goods, dining-type chairs and tables, licences to use the Kite mark have been issued to just over 200 manufacturers, whose output is estimated to represent rather more than two-thirds of the industry's production of cabinet goods, over half that of dining-type chairs and over a quarter that of tables. It is too early to estimate the effect of the specifications recently published for bedstead ends. I understand that specifications for upholstered furniture are well advanced.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep a close watch on this matter? Is not he aware that many of the best furniture manufacturers are afraid that if some persuasion is not used the scheme might collapse and, with it, reasonable minimum standards?

I think that fairly good progress has been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date he will introduce legislation to maintain the British Film Production Fund.

I am glad to be able to inform the House that the four film trade associations have reached agreement to continue the British Film Production Fund for three years from the end of July, 1954. This agreement is in accord with the view I expressed on 10th March, in answer to Questions from the hon. Members for Nottingham, Northwest (Mr. O'Brien) and Cheadle (Mr. Shepherd), that support for British film production of the kind provided by the British Film Production Fund should be achieved, if possible by voluntary agreement within the industry, for at least three years after the present scheme is due to end. In these circumstances, I do not propose to introduce legislation on the matter.

While congratulating the Minister on his narrow escape from the need to legislate on this matter, may I ask him whether he is aware that this voluntary agreement has come about only as a result of the ultimatum he presented to the industry? Does he realise that if he wants the Eady levy paid with good will the Government will have to pay some attention to the question of tax relief for the industry?

I do not know about ultimatums. All I would say is that I am very glad that all this has been achieved by voluntary agreement rather than by having to pass a Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken to assist the City of Stoke-on-Trent in the development of its industrial sites at Longton, Newstead, and Stoke; how many firms have opened on the sites; what action has been taken to encourage firms to open on the sites; and whether he will take steps to see that future pottery production development takes place on or near these industrial sites.

I am always prepared to consider applications for industrial development certificates on their merits; but the siting of industrial developments within the Stoke-on-Trent area is a matter for the local planning authority. There are five factories on the sites mentioned by the hon. Member.

As the Minister knows this area very well, does he not agree that the local authority should have more encouragement from his Ministry than they have had? If he does, will he ask his officials to meet the local authority so that, as this is not a Development Area, action can be taken to deal with the area on the lines indicated?

Industrial development certificates are the responsibility of the Board of Trade, and I am always prepared to consider that. But the actual siting of the factories is a matter for the local authority and it would be wrong for me to try to intervene in that matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will have prepared reports, comparable with that on Government action in Wales and Monmouthshire, Command Paper No. 8959, for North Staffordshire, or for a 50-mile radius around Manchester.

No, Sir.

Although all credit ought to be given to London, Wales and Scotland, has not the time arrived when other large industrial areas should stake their claim? Is the President aware that, while we give all credit to this very fine Report, it covers only 2½ million people, and that we are asking that similar action shall be taken in respect of areas in which 11 million people are living.

My reply showed no disrespect for the area concerned, in which I was born. However, if I start producing reports on every area in the country it will run into a considerable volume of paper.

Would it not be more honest if the right hon. Gentleman assured my hon. Friend that the disproportionate amount of labour involved in the preparation of these documents makes the task hardly worth while, because the Government never implement any recommendations or even take any notice of them?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if all the recommendations made in the Working Party's Report on the Pottery Industry have been carried out; what recent action has been taken; and what future action it is proposed to take.

No action specifically related to these recommendations has been taken by the Board of Trade, nor is any such action contemplated beyond that described in my reply to a Question put to me by the hon. Member on 5th December, 1951. As I then pointed out, the majority of the recommendations are matters for the British Pottery Manufacturers' Federation or for individual pottery manufacturers.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that this industry is making a great contribution to our export trade and that it could make a greater one? In view of that, does not he consider it his duty to get all sections of the industry together with a view to making an even greater contribution?

I certainly agree about the importance of this industry, especially for our export trade, but there are a great number of detailed recommendations here most of which are the responsibility of the industry itself.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has noted the fall in the volume of exports of pottery; and whether he will give an assurance that Japanese and German pottery will not be imported into Britain as a result of further liberalisation of trade.

I have noted the fall in our exports of pottery with concern, but am glad to see some improvement in the last few months of this year as compared with the corresponding months of 1952.

With regard to the second part of the Question, imports of all types of domestic pottery from Western Germany are now free from quantitative restrictions as a result of the relaxation of restrictions on imports from Western Europe which I announced on 12th November in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cheadle (Mr. Shepherd). These measures do not, however, extend to Eastern Germany or Japan.

Has the President been made aware that many medium-sized potteries manufacturing in Stoke-on-Trent and exporting to Canada and the United States find that the trade has practically disappeared? In view of that, will he particularly note that it is due to competition from Japanese pottery? May we have an assurance that Japanese pottery will not be brought into the home market?

That raises a rather different question. I was asked to state the situation today, and that is what I have done.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether Japanese and German pottery carries an import duty, and if so, what percentage it is?

There is a specific rate of duty at present, but the main obstacle to Japanese pottery is the quota restriction rather than the tariff. If the pottery industry wishes to make application for a higher tariff—I am not suggesting that it should do so—it is free to do so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what orders have been placed with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for manganese; and if he will give the tonnage of manganese imports from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for each year since 1946.

There were no imports of manganese ore or metal from Russia from 1st January, 1946, to 30th September, 1953, and no import licences have been issued for manganese metal this year. Manganese ore can be imported freely under open general licence and no application to my Department for permission to import is required.

I thank the Minister for that reply, but does he realise that he has not directly answered whether we are importing manganese or not? My information is that we are importing 100,000 tons from Russia. Am I correct?

I believe that an order has been placed, but imports will appear in the Trade Returns. So far as my responsibility is concerned, no import licence is required, because it is on open general licence.

While thanking the Minister for that second answer, may I ask him whether, in view of the fact that we are importing this highly strategic material from Russia now, it would not be wise for his Department to make every endeavour to relax embargoes and support British business men who are losing trade to their Japanese, American and German rivals in Eastern Europe and Asia?

That is a rather wider question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that from 1946 to 1951 we tried to buy manganese from Russia, but without success? Russia is now prepared to sell manganese and many other commodities, and is anxious to buy consumer goods and other commodities from us. Is it not in this country's interest to develop more active trade between the two countries?

The Question deals only with manganese ore. It would not be right for me to deal here with the whole question of trade relations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he considers it will be possible to increase the export of antibiotics to China.

We are now considering this matter in consultation with the other Governments who, like us, restrict the supply of certain pharmaceuticals to China.

Is the President aware, that, while these considerations are going on, no doubt actively, orders are going to other countries, particularly France? Does he not agree that if we do not quickly take action about these drugs, which are surely not strategic material, we shall never get the orders in the future?

With reference to orders going to other countries, we are acting together with our allies in Western Europe on this matter. France is in the same position as we are in that respect. I am not out of sympathy with what the hon. Gentleman has in mind, which is the desire to expand trade in non-strategic goods, and that is under active consideration at present.

Is it not rather illogical that now that we have allowed to be exported to China passenger motor cars, which might be considered rather more strategical than antibiotics, we should hesitate about antibiotics?

We are discussing this item with our friends at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the enormous potential market for these drugs which exists in China, and also that great economy in their production can be achieved by producing them in large quantities?

The trade prospects in this matter and other matters are not absent from my mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities and values of wires and cables, steel plates, fertilisers, and sulpha drugs, respectively, have been exported from the United Kingdom to China in 1953 to the latest date for which figures are available.

Since the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I suspect that the answer does not contain very many figures. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the goods mentioned in this Question have been exported this year in increasing quantities to China by Germany, France and Japan? Can he give an undertaking that he will endeavour to obtain a relaxation of the embargo and not impose further restrictions to prevent these goods being exported by manufacturers in this country?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will study the figures when he reads the answer. In reply to the second part of his supplementary, I would point out that he has constantly made the allegation that we are, so to speak, exporting less than are other countries. I do not think there is any foundation or any real substance in that allegation at all. We are working in consultation with our allies. It is true that the Japanese reduced some of their restrictions the other day, but as they started with a much higher level of restriction than we did, it has now really only brought them down to the level of the Paris group.

But is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that I supplied figures to his Department and that a few days ago his right hon. Friend admitted that Germany and Japan were exporting goods for which British manufacturers were being denied licences?

I do not say that there are not marginal differences, but, broadly speaking, we are keeping them as closely in line as we can.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a further statement on the Anglo-Spanish trade negotiations.

These negotiations entered what I hope will be their final phase last Monday, when a delegation of United Kingdom officials arrived in Madrid to conclude the discussions about trade and payments arrangements for the remainder of this year and to make corresponding arrangements for 1954.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a White Paper about the negotiations when they are concluded?

We had better wait until they are concluded before deciding about that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that, under the Anglo-Argentine Trade Treaty Agreement, the United Kingdom can export to the Argentine an equal number of vehicles as Germany under equal conditions, but that discrimination is taking place in favour of Germany as against the United Kingdom in the granting of import licences; and what steps he is proposing to take;

(2) if he is aware that 21 passenger cars, 609 tractors and 212 other vehicles were imported into the Argentine from the United Kingdom in the six months ended August, 1953, whereas in the same period 1,708 vehicles and 2,380 tractors were imported into the Argentine from Germany; and what steps he is taking to rectify the position.

I cannot confirm the figures contained in Question No. 27; but imports from Germany of vehicles, and particularly of cars, have been substantially larger than those from the United Kingdom despite the undertaking by the Argentine Government to which my hon. Friend refers. We have, accordingly, taken this matter up with the Argentine Government, and the Argentine Foreign Minister has promised to consider it urgently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now direct the Monopolies Commission to examine some of the larger industries, such as those engaged in the production and distribution of oil and soap, in which monopolistic practices may exist.

Several large industries have already come under review by the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission. In making further references I will bear in mind the points made by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will present a White Paper on the Development Areas.

As the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) was informed on 27th October, I will certainly consider the desirability of publishing from time to time a White Paper on progress in the Development Areas, but in view of the full discussions which have taken place in the House during the last year I doubt whether a White Paper is called for at present.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that his doubts are misplaced? Did he not, more than a year ago, express himself as sympathetic about the issue of a White Paper? The Development Areas would very much appreciate such a White Paper now for the purpose of reviewing the progress made in recent years.

I will certainly consider the matter. We have had very full discussions on the subject.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that such a White Paper may well reveal that progress in the Development Areas has been such that it might be time to deschedule some of them?

There is nothing in the question about descheduling.

Do we understand from the right hon. Gentleman that he is not considering removing any of the areas from the schedule at the present time?

That would be rather too broad a deduction to make from my answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many claims have been received from firms moving into development areas for grants under Section 3 (i) of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1950, in respect of expenditure or loss arising in connection with the transfer of industrial undertakings to such areas; how many such claims have been admitted; and what has been the amount of the grants made.

Thirteen applications for grants have been made, two of which the applicants did not proceed with. Two grants have been approved in principle, but the detailed examination on which payment would be based has not yet been completed in either case.

Can my right hon. Friend indicate, for the guidance of industrialists generally, what would be considered exceptional circumstances for the payment of a grant for moving into an industrial area?

I should like to help my hon. Friend, but circumstances differ so widely between one case and another that I would find it very difficult to define "exceptional circumstances."

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what plans he has made and settled for dealing with the matter?

Not without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new factories have been licensed and commenced since 1st November, 1952, in the North-Eastern Development Area.

According to the latest available information, 12 new factories and 38 extensions to existing factories, all exceeding 5,000 sq. feet have been licensed since 1st November, 1952. Of these, work has commenced on four new factories and 26 extensions.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that though this seems to be a considerable improvement on last year, it is still inadequate for our needs in the North-East? This is another reason why we should have a White Paper so that we can see what progress the Government's policy has made.

I had hoped that the answer showed such a substantial improvement on last year that the hon. Gentleman would not press me further.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the corresponding figures for the latest addition to the development areas, namely, the one in North-East Lancashire, or shall we have to wait for the publication of the White Paper which he does not yet wish to publish?

If the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question, I will try to give him the information he wants, but I think it is true to say that something substantial has already been done in that area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress he has to report upon the reduction in tariffs and other impediments to international trade as between Great Britain and other members of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation and other European nations.

The reduction of tariffs has, of course, been pursued under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and on that I would refer the hon. Member to the statement after Questions which I made on 27th October about the Eighth Session of the Contracting Parties.

As regards quota restrictions, over 70 per cent. of the trade on private account between the member countries of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation is now free from such restrictions.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no unilateral action will be taken by Her Majesty's Government which might lead other European nations to increase, rather than decrease, their restrictions on international trade?

Nothing which Her Majesty's Government is doing could in any way justify other countries in increasing their restrictions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the official statement, details of which have been sent to him, agreed between the President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister of Canada at the President's recent state visit, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to removing barriers to trade as quickly as possible.

Her Majesty's Government are in agreement with the joint Canadian-United States communiqué on the importance to the free world of healthy national economies and of the expansion of world trade.

As Great Britain is the one country in the world which cannot become self-supporting, would not my right hon. Friend agree that the only hope for a permanent recovery is to remove all trade barriers so that we can buy in the cheapest markets and sell in the dearest? Has my right hon. Friend seen the speech of Sir Roger Makins, as reported in "The Times" today?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made by Her Majesty's Government towards reaching agreement with member Governments of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation and with Governments of other European countries on the subject of subsidies to exporters, designed to give such exporters an advantage in competing in world markets.

Her Majesty's Government have taken a lead in efforts to get rid of export incentives of various kinds which amount to concealed subsidies. This matter is at present being studied by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation; and the Council of European Industrial Federations has, on the initiative of the Federation of British Industries, unanimously condemned the race between countries to grant such export incentives.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that these subsidies to exporters, which are designed to capture overseas markets, may have the effect of bringing about that form of economic warfare which did so much harm to international trade before the war? Can he say when he will have anything further to report on the conversations which, I understand, have been taking place in Paris?

I agree that these forms of subsidies are thoroughly undesirable. We have already made some considerable progress, and Germany, France and the Netherlands, for example, have already dispensed with or modified their arrangements for currency retention. If the hon. Gentleman puts down a Question, I will certainly inform him on how things go.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to remove tariffs and other trade barriers altogether?

This Question refers to export subsidies, which was what I was dealing with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the Government are prepared to accept offers of surplus United States produce that carries an export subsidy in one form or another; and how far these offers are subject to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

We are ready to consider offers by the United States of surplus products we require. Any purchases of such produce would, of course, be the subject of prior negotiation between the two Governments, and we for our part would take due account of all relevant considerations including price and the availability of home supplies.

As regards the second part of the Question, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade does not prohibit export subsidies, but if any member of the General Agreement subsidises exports in such a way as to cause serious prejudice to the interests of any other member, it is open to the latter under the General Agreement to seek redress.

May I take it that the President will be very ready to seek that redress if the occasion arises?

Yes, but that would be more likely in the case of imports into a third country than into this country.

Will the Minister tell us why we, as an importing country, should refuse the free present to us represented by the subsidies?

It would depend upon what the present was.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take powers by Statutory Instrument to enforce a minimum standard for materials of fastness to light; and whether, in framing such standards, consideration will be given to the necessary minimum fastness to light of different fabrics such as lingerie dresses, suitings and furnishings.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proposed minimum standards of fastness to light of the British Standards Institution for blouses and lingerie should, in the opinion of the trade, be twice as good as they are? Can he also tell me whether I am correct in stating that these standards are not based on tests made of the materials in actual use? Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is important that curtains should not fade immediately they are put up?

The Question asks me whether I will take statutory powers to enforce minimum standards. As I made clear to the hon Lady, of whose interest in the matter I am fully aware, I am not prepared to take such powers to enforce these standards.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will grant a licence for the import from the United States of America of blab-off switches into this country.

I have not yet received any application for a licence to import blab-off switches from the United States. If one were submitted, the Board of Trade would consider whether the expenditure of dollars was justified.

Is the Minister aware that this popular device, which enables American viewers to switch off television advertisers' announcements, may soon become indispensable in this country? Is it fair that the Government should import the bad features of American television and prohibit the rest of us from importing the good ones?

Without expressing any view upon the hypothesis which the hon. Gentleman puts forward, I would not have thought that the manufacture of blab-off switches was beyond the wit of British engineers.

Will my right hon. Friend acknowledge the public-spirited action of the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew) who recognises that there will be a very large number of viewers who would prefer to see his handsome features silent rather than vocal?

Does not the Minister think that we should find these switches very useful in this House?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the increase of the imports of barley from Canada, from 559,180 cwts. in the first nine months of 1952, to 8,861,750 cwts. in the same period of 1953; and how much of this was paid for in sterling.

Yes, Sir. Payment for these imports would be in dollars.

While welcoming the extension of inter-Imperial trade, does not my right hon. Friend realise that there is a possibility of endangering our balance of payments as between dollars and sterling if this sort of increase goes on? Will he put a ceiling on it?

As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, this trade is now on private account, and I think it is necessary to take a rather broader view over a longer period before drawing any particular assumption.

If I put down a Question, will the right hon. Gentleman tell me how much of this barley went into the manufacture of whisky?

If the right hon. Gentleman puts down any Question I shall try to answer it.

If we are to allow private enterprise to spend dollars freely shall we not be in great economic trouble once again through the failure of the Government to do their job?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the work done by the British Standards Institution is suffering because of the lack of funds available for a suitable publicity campaign; and if he will consider the possibility of a larger grant for this purpose.

We are at present considering the future grant-in-aid to the Institution and this review will cover the question of publicity.

Is the Minister aware that I am very glad to have a chance to pay my tribute to the Institution? It is their terms of reference to which I object, not their working. Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that their work would be much better publicised if they had a little more money available?

If this means that the larger part of the Institution's income will come from the grant-in-aid, is it not right that their finances should come under the purview of this House?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the consumer research, essential for quality control of textiles, is not being carried out at the present time; and if he will, therefore, consider remitting this problem to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Consumer research is continuously undertaken by manufacturers and distributors as part of their normal business. The problem does not fall within the province of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that in so far as the rayon industry is concerned this quality research is not being carried out? Is he aware that he gave the House an assurance about 18 months ago that the rayon industry would mark their cloth, and that only last week he said that that undertaking was not being carried out? Is he going to break faith both with this House and the shopping public?

I am not at all sure that the research is not being carried out by the rayon industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken, following the annulment of Statutory Instrument, 1953, No. 1078.

I have today made a new revocation Order.

What does the Minister intend to do to meet the very formidable case put forward by the Glass Manufacturers' Federation, which persuaded this House last week to help them?

That raises a different question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the proposed entertainments tax rebate scheme recently submitted by the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association to the Board of Trade and passed to him; and if he will make a statement.

I have seen the proposals to which the hon. Member refers. As they would involve changes in taxation the hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake to approach the proposal with sympathy and audacity? Is he aware that these proposals provide for the combined reduction of Entertainments Duty and a stimulus to British film production? If the hon. Gentleman is told that it might be contrary to G.A.T.T., will be bear in mind that if the Italians are already doing it, and if it is contrary, there is something wrong with G.A.T.T. and not with the proposal?

We approached the problem with both the qualities to which the hon. Gentleman referred, and a good many others.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the net revenue from wireless and television licences is to be retained by the Treasury for the year 1953–54; what sum is expected to be received by the Treasury in respect thereof; and how much Exchequer grant-in-aid for overseas services is to be provided during the same period.

The answers to the three parts of the Question are, respectively: 14 per cent.; £2,050,000; and £4,950,000.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that this raid on the licence revenue, like the raid on the Road Fund, is difficult to justify in principle and is a really unsatisfactory method of raising general revenue? Can he give us an assurance that this cut will be discontinued?

I do not think that word "raid" is appropriate, though I appreciate that the interests concerned would always like more money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ensure that fresh instructions are issued in respect of orders for printing and stationery placed by grant-aided bodies to make certain that where such a body can obtain as competitive or more competitive a quotation from outside sources it will not be instructed to purchase from Her Majesty's Stationery Office and be involved in the 12½ per cent. service charge.

There is no hard-and-fast rule that all grant-aided bodies must obtain all their stationery and printing requirements through the Stationery Office, but it is generally to their advantage to do so, as the benefits of large-scale purchase normally outweigh the charge for departmental expenses. It would, however, be both wasteful and undesirable for the Stationery Office to quote prices for particular jobs in direct competition with private traders, and I could not agree that they should be expected to do so.

In view of the fact that statements have been issued by the Stationery Office and the Treasury, giving the impression that these grant-aided bodies cannot go outside to get a better quotation, as they can in many cases, is it not better for the country that they should do it?

If my hon. Friend will draw the particular case he has in mind to my attention I can, no doubt, clear up any misunderstanding that exists in the particular quarter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to how many ex-Lord Chancellors pensions are now being paid; and the present total cost per year.

Pensions are now being paid to three former Lord Chancellors. The total cost is £13,750 a year.

Is there any qualifying period for this pension, as in the case of Prime Ministers?

As I understand, No, Sir.

Is that the gross figure, or has taxation been taken into account?

That is the gross figure. I could not give the net cost for a limited number of individuals without entering into their personal affairs.

Is it not a fact that ex-Lord Chancellors give continuous service in the House of Lords and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council?

It is certainly a fact that, subject to other public duties which they have, the noble and learned Lords have rendered that assistance from time to time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans Her Majesty's Government have for bringing about a reduction in the cost of living.

The level of the cost of living depends on many factors, some of which are outside the Government's control. The first task of the Government in this field is to prevent inflation from forcing up prices. Here we have already achieved much, and shall continue with our policy. Further, the restoration of competitive trading in many fields will help to keep prices down. But one of the most important ways of reducing prices is by reducing costs and raising productivity. The Government can help, but this is primarily the task of both sides of industry.

Is the Minister not aware that, because of falling world prices of raw materials, there has been a small reduction in the prices of some consumer goods in this country, and equally because world food prices have fallen, whereas we are finding that food prices are going up? Is it not about time that the Government did something to implement their promise to reduce food prices?

For the facts as to the trend of food prices I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the speech made by my right hon. and gallant Friend in the recent debate, and I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the prices of raw materials are only one of the factors in the final cost.

Is the Minister aware that prices have been stabilised roof high and that our manufacturers are at their wits' end to quote for exports in the spring? Does he not think it is time that this stabilisation at roof height should be brought down to the basement?

The Government are very anxious to bring prices down as soon as possible, but at any rate the stabilisation precedes prices coming down and follows very considerable rises in prices which we inherited.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that the relevant factor is public expenditure and that the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis), who put this Question, could contribute to its reduction by not asking for increases in the salaries of Members of Parliament?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the demand for United Steel stock at the higher than normal interest rates offered, he will instruct the Iron and Steel Realisation Agency to offer more normal rates of interest in future issues.

As there have until this week been no dealings in ordinary shares in steel companies since they were nationalised, there is no such thing yet as normal interest rates in relation to such shares. I am confident that the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency proposed terms for the United Steel offer that were the most reasonable in the light of all the circumstances at the time, and I have full confidence in their judgment for the future.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the exceptionally high yield in the terms offered by the Realisation Agency was such as to produce over-demand? Is he not aware that that was, in effect, a bribe to investors to invest in this industry? Why should not the normal laws of supply and demand operate, and the price be increased or the yield be reduced for further issues of steel shares?

Unless it is contended that any successful issue is a bribe to somebody, I cannot follow the hon. Gentleman's reasoning.

Is not the Financial Secretary aware that according to the whole of the financial Press the yield on the shares exceeded that of comparable industrial shares? Why should the Government sell these shares at below the market price?

As my original answer made clear, there are not, at the moment, any comparable industrial shares and so, with great respect to the right hon. Gentleman, that question does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the terms on which shares in the United Steel Company have been sold to private investors; and if he is satisfied that the public interest is adequately safeguarded.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the reasons for the change in procedure, made on 2nd November, 1953, regarding the export by parcel post of articles, such as linen handkerchiefs and sheets, normally subject to Purchase Tax when sold at home, in view of the fact that this change involves a multiplicity of forms, notes and labels which adds considerably to the cost.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. R. Harris) on 12th November.

Is my hon. Friend aware that under the new system a linen exporter seeking to send a parcel to Italy has to fill in a label addressed to the consignees, three non-adhesive Customs forms, one dispatch note, one Purchase Tax form P.T. 43, one Purchase Tax label P.T. 44, pages 1 and 2 of the Exchange Control form and about three other forms equally unnecessary? Does my hon. Friend not think that it is time this procedure were altered?

The Government, as I explained in the answer to which I have referred, are endeavouring to secure that the completion of these forms shall be as closely similar as possible to that of forms demanded by the foreign Customs authorities, so as to minimise trouble as far as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, under the new arrangements regarding export by parcel post, brought in on 2nd November, 1953, an exporter who sends numbers of parcels at the same time to a single overseas customer is now required to give a separate receipt for each parcel instead of one for the whole batch as before; and whether, in view of the difficulties thus involved to exporters, he will revert to the former simpler procedure.

No, Sir; a single certificate of posting is accepted for any group of parcels for which a single Customs declaration is accepted in the country of destination; and in the case envisaged in the Question a single Customs declaration is usually accepted for a number of parcels for the same addressee.

For the reasons I gave in reply to the Question on this subject by the hon. Member for Heston and Isleworth (Mr. R. Harris) on 12th November, I am afraid we could not continue the former procedure.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates being able to abolish the Capital Issues Committee.

The Committee performs an essential function in advising my right hon. Friend on individual applications for consent to raise money for capital purposes. He has no intention of dispensing with their services, which he values highly.

Would the Minister tell us how many have been considered during the last year and how many have been rejected? Surely he realises that this uncertainty in not knowing whether people are to get it or not is operating to the detriment of trade and enterprise.

I could not quote the exact figure without notice, but the number of rejections is very small indeed in relation to the total number of applications. I would not accept the suggestion that any widespread uncertainty is caused by the present arrangements.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Capital Issues Committee is the only device of Government which is not subject to any democratic procedure? Does he not think that the time is now ripe to bring their deliberations before Parliament so that we can all see what principles guide their actions?

My noble Friend misunderstands the position. The Capital Issues Committee is an advisory body, and responsibility to this Houses rests upon my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give favourable consideration to the proposal put forward by the Retail Distributors' Association that any changes in the rate of Purchase Tax should take effect in January instead of at Budget time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange that when changes in purchase tax are made this is done in January, or at such other date appropriate to the trade concerned, when retailers' stocks are expected to be at their lowest, instead of at the time of the Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when making alterations to Purchase Tax, he will arrange for this to be done on 1st January, when stocks in retailers' hands are normally at their lowest, instead of at Budget time.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. John Hall) on 12th November.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that we are drawing near to the end of the year, that this matter is one of very great concern to the traders affected, and that it would be of vital assistance if an early decision could be made?

I appreciate that, and we certainly do not underrate the importance of this matter.

The hon. Gentleman said that a week ago. Can he say whether the Chancellor has now stopped shuffling along from week to week and will really try to help trade and industry?

I do not know whether a question expressed in those not very courteous terms is serious or not, but I have nothing to add to the statement I have made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the financial problems which face former Ministers of the Crown who have no private means and who, during many years of public service, have been unable to save for the time of their retirement owing to the high level of taxation; and if he will examine the problem with a view to initiating a suitable and adequate pension scheme for retired Ministers.

Successive Governments have concluded that no special measures on these lines could be justified, and, while I have every sympathy with former Ministers who are faced with such difficulties, I regret that I do not feel able to take a different view.

As, very often, acceptance of office involves a major financial sacrifice is it not normally desirable that those holding high office under the Crown should not be under any anxiety?

I would not necessarily wish to traverse my hon. and gallant Friend's views, but, as he will appreciate, this is not a new problem, nor an easy one.

While not disagreeing with the legitimacy of the statements contained in the Question, may I ask the Minister whether he is not aware that this also affects back bench Members? Notwithstanding the vicious and unworthy remarks of the hon. and learned Member for Hove (Mr. Marlowe), is he aware that many working men on this side of the House cannot go out and earn big fees in the Law Courts?

This question, as I understand it, relates solely to former Ministers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the valuable results obtained by the investigation by Treasury officials into the organisation and methods of Coventry Corporation, he will entertain requests for a similar inquiry from the corporations of other cities.

We want to help in this way and believe that this approach has valuable possibilities. The best way in which we can help is by giving such guidance as they need, for example, to groups of local authorities to set up organisation and methods machinery of their own. This was done with our help by the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee last year.

We have not got the trained staff to conduct these investigations at all widely, and, while we will do our best to try to meet any such request as my right hon. and gallant Friend mentions, I can make no promise that it will necessarily be possible to do so in view of the other calls on the limited trained staff available.

Would not the Minister agree that tribute should be paid to the open-minded attitude of the Coventry Corporation in making the investigation?

I have already paid that tribute, as the hon. Lady may be aware, within the boundaries of the City of Coventry, and I will happily repeat it this afternoon.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a second annual report of the Consultative Committee on the Colombo Plan following its recent meeting in Delhi; whether he will make it comparable in scope to Command Paper No. 8529; and when its publication may be expected.

My right hon. Friend hopes to present this Report on or about 15th December. In scope it will be similar to last year's Report.

When the Report is published will it show how much outside financial assistance has been received from which countries, and to which countries and in what conditions; and will it also set out the achievements in terms of acres irrigated and kilowatts generated, so that we may know clearly whether the scheme is going at the rate set out at the beginning?

I could not guarantee that all those details will be contained in it, but the Report will contain a great deal of factual and statistical information, both about kilowatts generated, areas irrigated, work done and so forth.

Can my hon. Friend say how much money is being spent by this Government under the Colombo Plan, as compared with that spent by the American Government under Point Four of their programme?

Not without notice.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that the widest possible information on the Colombo Plan is one of the greatest factors in promoting world peace, and will he say whether the Government accept that point of view?

Her Majesty's Govern-certainly accept the view that the success of the Colombo Plan will be of very great importance for the future of the world.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount spent on official trips abroad by Ministers and junior Ministers during the recent Recess; and the amount spent on similar trips in the equivalent recess of 1950.

About £16,000 in 1953 and £25,000 in 1950. In both years, rather more than half is for accompanying officials.

Can the Minister say whether this covers the cost of sending to Kenya, during the Summer Recess, the hon. Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. H. Fraser), who appears to have gone in a quasi-Ministerial capacity?

I cannot answer, without notice, Questions about individual items, but if the hon. Gentleman will agree to put that Question down to the appropriate Minister no doubt an appropriate answer will be given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the conditions laid down, respectively, by the United States Government and the British Government, under which 20 million dollars worth of American tobacco is to be imported against payment in sterling; and whether payment of freight and insurance is also to be in sterling.

Reference should be made to the full text of Section 550 of the United States Mutual Security Act, 1953, of which these are the main conditions:

(i) The purchases under the Section should not displace usual marketings of the United States or friendly countries.

(ii) Private trade channels must be used to the maximum extent practicable.

(iii) Purchases must not be resold or transhipped to other countries.

In addition, the effect of other provisions of the Mutual Security Acts is that at least 50 per cent. of the purchases must be carried in United States ships. I understand arrangements can be made for payment of freight in sterling; some dollar payments may be involved for insurance.

Can the hon. Gentleman say, first, that there is no possibility whatever of a reduction in the purchase of Commonwealth tobacco as a result of this purchase, and, secondly, whether the arrangement as to 50 per cent. of the freight being carried in American bottoms, which applied in the case of aid, is really applicable to this kind of transaction? Will he not press to make certain there is equal competition for the carrying in this transaction?

It is specifically provided that the movement of these commodities should be, and must be, additional to what would otherwise have been purchased. I can give an assurance on that. On the second point, I think my hon. Friend must have regard to what is laid down by the United States Acts. When the movement of these commodities is in effect, in this case, a gift of our economy, I do not think we can press too much on the matter of the ships in which they are carried.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what will be done with the sterling which is received by the Americans?

I think I have already informed my hon. Friend that the sterling is to be applied to meet the defence costs of the United Kingdom.

To obtain greater clarification of this matter, I wish to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any proposals to make to minimise the loss likely to be suffered by retailers on tax-paid stocks, as a result of future reductions in Purchase Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he proposes to take to mitigate the burden which is likely to fall on retailers holding tax-paid stocks resulting from future reductions in Purchase Tax.

I regret that I cannot add to what I said on this subject on 22nd June during the Finance Bill debates.