asked the Minister of Food what limits have been imposed on dollar purchases of cereals by private interests; and what arrangements he has made with the grain trade in order to ensure that there shall not be excessive imports of wheat, barley and oats prior to the harvest in this country, and a relaxation of buying with a consequent slump in prices afterwards.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "None, Sir." With regard to the second part of the Question, the grain trade with whom we are in regular contact, is well aware that home-grown cereals will be selling on a free market after July this year in competition with imported cereals and will shape their buying policy accordingly.

Will my hon. Friend give an undertaking that, in examining this question, Her Majesty's Government will give special consideration to the possibility of re-establishing the levy-subsidy, which seems to me to be perhaps the only way of solving a very difficult problem?

I am sure that my hon. Friend would agree that that supplementary question could more appropriately be put to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

What is the point of the Government simultaneously discouraging home cereal production and permitting these extra imports of dollar grain? Why do the Government do this at a time when everybody knows that our dollar balance is extremely precarious?

I am not sure whether the right hon. Gentleman is speaking for the party opposite when, by implication, he advocates a policy of limiting cheaper imports of food.

asked the Minister of Food what representations have been made to his Department for minimum meat content standards for beef and pork sausages.

The representations have been conflicting, some favouring definite standards of meat content and others being against standards.

As there is some concern from district to district about the way in which the price and the content of sausages change, is not the Minister asking for information to check up on these points so that he can come to some conclusion in view of the conflicting evidence?

Yes, Sir. All food and drugs authorities have been asked to send in, by the end of the month, the details of the analyses by their respective public analysts of such sausages over the past year.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that it is far better for the Ministry to lay down some guidance than to leave it to a bench of magistrates to come to a decision without any real information before them?

I am inclined to believe that public taste is even more important than a regulation of the Ministry of Food.

asked the Minister of Food (1) how long his Department have held in their possession the present stocks of evaporated milk, full cream condensed milk and skimmed condensed milk;

(2) what stock, in cases, his Department now hold of evaporated milk, full cream condensed milk and skimmed condensed milk; and

(3) what method he proposes to employ to liquidate his Department's present stocks of evaporated milk, full cream condensed milk and skimmed condensed milk.

As my hon. Friend knows it would be contrary to policy to publish figures of current Ministry stocks. Almost all the tinned milk is of 1953 manufacture. Plans for its disposal are being made in consultation with both sides of the milk industry, so as to ensure the minimum interference with the disposal of this year's manufacturing milk.

Can my hon. Friend give any idea how long it will take to dispose of the stocks, and for how long the stocks of condensed milk have been in existence? Does he not agree that there has been considerable muddle in this matter, and is not it about time that the Ministry faced up to the problem?

I think that my hon. Friend is under a misunderstanding. We do not anticipate difficulty, with the co-operation of the trade, in disposing of these stocks.

Can the hon. Gentleman say after what period of time condensed milk begins to lose its food value?

Not without notice, in dealing with the various kinds of tinned and condensed milk; but, so far as this stock is concerned, it is in good condition and it will be disposed of in good condition.

asked the Minister of Food what effect the decision to increase the freight rates on New Zealand chilled beef will have on the procurement costs of such beef; and what discussions were held between the New Zealand Tonnage Committee and his Department before the announcement of this decision.

The increase represents approximately ⅝ths of a ld. per lb. Discussions were held as usual between the Committee and the Department, but no agreed settlement was reached. The New Zealand Meat Board was represented at these discussions.

As the hon. Gentleman will be aware that this has caused real concern among farmers in New Zealand, will he make renewed representations about this because the New Zealanders believe that otherwise they may be prejudiced on decontrol?

I am aware of the concern, and I dissent from nothing that the hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has now received the Report of the Food Standards Committee on processed cheese and cheese spreads.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that in each report for the past two years the Kent County analyst has called attention to the fact that these products are very much below the standard, many of them not containing enough fat and containing too much water? Will he please do something about it?

I am aware that the Report is long overdue. The difficulty has arisen between home producers and overseas manufacturers on a technical point concerned with water content, but I assure the hon. Member that it is hoped that a report on that matter will go to the Committee in May.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the latest available figures show that 31 per cent, of rationed cheese is not being taken up, he will reduce the price of cheese.

No, Sir. The important fact is that the consumption of cheese is more than a third more than it was before the war.

Is not the hon. Gentleman disappointed that for all practical purposes we remain on a 2 oz. ration, and does he not agree that it would be far better, as the cheese is available, to have an effective 3 oz. ration, which he might do by altering his price policy?

The consumption of cheese at its present high level is bound to be considered in relation to the increased availability of other foods. The hon. Gentleman must take that into account.

Is my hon. Friend aware that at lunch today neither my wife nor myself took cheese, though it was available, because we had had a good fill of meat pie?

asked the Minister of Food (1) to what extent in the contracts he has with Kent farmers for the storage of cheese piece rates are laid down to be paid to the men who handle the cheese on arrival and dispatch, and turn the cheese at specified intervals: and

(2) whether he will state the terms of the contracts he has entered into with Kent farmers for the storage of cheese.

There are no formal contracts. Payment is at rates agreed with the National Cold Stores Committee who in turn have agreed minimum wage rates with the trades unions concerned.

Is not it a fact that farmers are being paid ld. per crate per day, which means that a farmer with a storage capacity of 10,000 bushels of apples could store 4,000 crates of cheese and thus earn about £116 a week? Will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that what I am anxious about is that the men who do the actual work should receive adequate payment for the work they do?

I appreciate the point. These are stores normally used for fruit and occasionally used for cheese. The rates are agreed between the National Cold Stores Committee and the farmers concerned. If the hon. Gentleman has any special cases in mind, I will bring them to the notice of the Committee.

asked the Minister of Food if he will increase the minimum fruit content of strawberry jam to not less than 50 per cent.

The present minimum was settled as recently as last September and it is too soon to make a further change.

Is the Minister aware that some samples of jam offered for sale in Kent have been found to contain as little as 32 per cent, fruit, and that members of women's institutes and country housewives generally know that the only really good jam is that which contains fruit and sugar only? Will the hon. Gentleman, to meet the position that is generally complained of, do something about increasing the fruit standard to at least 50 per cent.?

Breaches of the present requirement of a 38 per cent, minimum are matters for the food and drugs authorities. The hon. Gentleman will recall that the Food Standards Committee recommended that for the present the standard should be 38 per cent, and that later it should be 42 per cent.; but I would add that if it became 50 per cent, it is calculated that that would mean an increased cost of 2½d. per lb. of jam.

Can my hon. Friend say what the balance consists of after allowing for fruit and sugar?

There is, alas, water in this as in every other article of food.

asked the Minister of Food the total quantity of pure lard sold to the public from 1st January, 1954, to the latest convenient date; and how this compares with a similar period in 1950 and 1951.

About 900 tons in the first nine weeks of 1954. The comparable figures for 1950 and 1951 were 4,800 tons and 500 tons.

asked the Minister of Food (1) the items of food for which his Department is responsible which were on 16th March, 1954, more expensive than on 1st October, 1951; what were the relative price increases between these two dates; and what action he has taken or intends to take to reduce the price of these foodstuffs;

(2) the items of food, for which his Department is responsible, that are now obtainable at a cheaper price than on 1st October, 1951; and what action his Department has taken to bring about these price reductions.

The only satisfactory measure of such changes is the Interim Index of Retail Prices, which is no higher than it was 12 months ago.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say where the Tory Party get their propaganda material, because they have, in fact, given a whole list of articles which they allege to have come down in price but which we know have not done so? Can he also tell us whether or not the policy of this Government in bringing down prices has, in fact, affected the lower-paid sections of the population, who are most concerned?

The hon. Gentleman really must face the facts. As has been said many times, this Index is accepted by both sides of the House as a fair expression of the position, and it really is no good trying to escape from the position which it represents.

asked the Minister of food whether he will consult with the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance for the purpose of initiating a scheme whereby old-age pensioners will be able to obtain their basic rations at 1st October, 1951, prices on production of their old-age pension book or a suitable voucher issued by his Department.

No, Sir.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that I am disappointed and dismayed that he should give that reply? Will he tell his hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, East (Sir H. Williams) that old-age pensioners can afford neither his meat pudding nor his cheese?

asked the Minister of Food why 111,600,000 eggs were broken out for sale in liquid form between the date egg prices were decontrolled and the end of January.

Eggs in this form are needed by bakers and other manufacturers.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware it is widely alleged that these included first quality eggs, that this operation contained a concealed subsidy, and that the whole operation, for many reasons, ought to be inquired into?

This is a case of liquid eggs being needed by the manufacturers, and, in fact, the number broken out represents no more than 2 per cent, of the total egg supplies.

Can my hon. Friend say what is the subtle difference between a broken egg and a "broken out" egg?

A broken egg is something which my hon. and gallant Friend could achieve in the kitchen, and a broken out egg is the result of a deliberate operation designed to produce the liquid ingredients.

asked the Minister of Food what representations he has received upon the subject of carbonated drinks.

None, Sir, apart from those of the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stress), who raised the matter on the Adjournment on 4th February last.

Is it not a fact that drinks of this kind, particularly Coca-Cola, contain a very high percentage of acids, and would he not remove many apprehensions if the Minister arranged for a further investigation?

I suggest that my hon. Friend should read the Adjournment debate to which I refer. It really is most undesirable that, on the most slender and scanty evidence, general allegations of the unfitness of teetotal drinks should be spread throughout the country.

Is it not a fact that carbonated drinks give rise to indigestion, both internal and audible?

asked the Minister of Food (1) for what reasons the official statistics of the average weekly consumption of eggs have recently been amended to reduce the figures for 1950 and increase the figures for 1953;

(2) to what extent the official statistics relating to the consumption of foodstuffs in 1950 and previous years are in course of being revised to show reductions or increases in the hitherto accepted figures.

The changes in the statistics about eggs were due to revised estimates of home production. The delay in carrying the revised 1950 figures into the Digest was due to an oversight. No other revision of the figures for 1950 or earlier years is contemplated.

Will the Minister now confirm that, despite this somewhat belated adjustment, the final outcome is that 14 million fewer eggs were consumed each week in 1953 than in 1950, and that a similar reduction is to be noted in the case of cheese, butter, milk, jam and potatoes?

I cannot at short notice check the hon. and gallant Gentleman's arithmetic, but it is true that the rate of consumption was less in 1953 than in 1950. In relation to the other commodities he mentioned, he will no doubt recall that that year was the year of heavy raiding of stocks for most of the basic commodities.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Digest of Statistics remains unaltered, and the source of the figures is attributed to the Ministry of Food?

The appropriate adjustment of the figures in the Digest will be made.

asked the Minister of Food what steps are being taken to increase the storage space for meat in this country, including, chilling plant and cold-storage capacity.

In view of the possibility after decontrol of increasing shipments of chilled meat, my right hon. and gallant Friend has no reason to think that existing cold-storage facilities will not prove adequate.

Would not the Minister agree that it is fundamental to any proper meat policy in this country that the facilities for storage of home-killed meat and also cold storage facilities should be increased so that we may have a proper slaughtering and marketing scheme for carcass meat? Can he not give some indication what the Government are doing about this matter?

I pointed out in my answer that we hope that the amount of chilled meat coming to this country will substantially increase, and, if it does, it will mean a corresponding substantial increase in the amount of storage space available.

asked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made in the production of the jet-propelled helicopter, "The Rotodyne."

Since the reply given to the hon. Member on 14th December, the manufacturers have completed a small research helicopter embodying the principles of forward propulsion by propellers combined with vertical lift by rotors powered by jet engines at the tips. This machine made its first flight in January.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that very interesting information, may I ask him to bear in mind that the Sabena Belgian Airlines are contemplating introducing a passenger helicopter service between London and Brussels with American helicopters? Does he not think that it would be very much better if we could supply the helicopters for any flights from Britain, and will he press on with this good work?

Of course, the helicopter service to which the hon. Gentleman refers is of a normal type—

A 30-seater.

Yes, but of the normal type. The hon. Gentleman in his Question refers to the "Rotodyne," and the development of this entirely novel idea has still a long way to go. It raises a number of new technical problems, among them that of how to reduce the noise to an extent sufficient to make it acceptable for inter-city services.

While accepting all the difficulties which this design has thrown up, would not the Minister agree that we have slipped behind very badly in helicopter research? In view of the fact that this could put us right in front again, will he assure us that money is not the limiting factor in development?

I am just as keen on this matter as the hon. Gentleman himself, and I can assure him that we are giving every assistance and encouragement we can to the manufacturers to speed up this development.

asked the Minister of Supply the approximate annual production of steel in Wales in 1947 and 1953, respectively.

I have asked the Iron and Steel Board to be good enough to send my hon. Friend the information he requires.

While thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask him to bear in mind the fact that the information hitherto published has not included the figures for North Wales, and that, if possible, it is desirable to include them?

As far as I know, the figures for Flintshire and Denbighshire have been included previously in those for an area which also embraces Lancashire and Cheshire.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) the nature of the bacteriological warfare trials recently carried out off the West Coast of Scotland; what was the cost; and if he will make a full statement justifying the expenditure of public funds on these activities;

(2) if he will make a statement on the proposed biological warfare tests to be undertaken by the British Government in Bahaman waters.

The purpose of these trials is to assist us in devising methods of protecting our population against the dangers of attack by bacteriological weapons. It would not be in the public interest to give details.

Could the Minister explain, in view of the defence of the civilian population, why these experiments are not conducted under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, and why it is against the public interest that we should be given some indication of the cost? How could it help any enemy to know the cost, when the Minister is not hiding it from the enemy but only from the House of Commons?

In reply to the hon. Gentleman's first question, as I explained, this is a defence matter and not a public health matter. As to the cost, it is a well-established practice, and a sound one, in my opinion, that we do not publish figures of the cost of individual parts of our defence research programme. It is of great value to other Governments to know what proportion of our total effort, which is shown in the Estimates, is devoted to particular aspects of defence. From that, they can see where the emphasis is being placed, which is a matter of immense military importance.

Do the Government still adhere to the proposal which this country has frequently put forward for the total abolition of bacteriological warfare as a weapon of mass destruction; and has the right hon. Gentleman any scientists working in connection with the international control required to make the abolition effective?

I think I have given the right hon. Gentleman this assurance on more than one occasion when he has raised this subject. I can assure him that there has been no change in Government policy, which remains the same as the policy of the late Government. Our policy, like that of the late Government, is to make ourselves so well prepared against germ warfare that no aggressor would think it worth while to attack us by these revolting methods, and I am sure—and here I turn to the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes)—that we are better serving humanity by facing up squarely to these dangers than by hiding our heads like ostriches, in company with the hon. Member for South Ayrshire.

Are the Government also preparing for effective abolition by international agreement?

I think the right hon. Gentleman can be assured, though I am speaking without consultation with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary but without any hesitation, that we shall be only too glad to find any means which will ensure the abolition of these methods—I have already described them as "revolting"—of conducting war.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the thing is already covered in international law by a Geneva Convention against bacteriological or biological warfare, which Convention this country has ratified, together with a great many other countries? Does the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that pressure or representations are still being made to the United States, who, so far, have not ratified the Convention?

I do not know how the hon. Gentleman can read that into my answer.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, and in order to decide who is the ostrich, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the concern of householders on the North-East Essex coast due to damage which has been caused by explosions which have taken place at Foulness, under the authority of his Department; and what steps he is taking to reduce these explosions as far as possible.

I much regret the disturbance caused by these explosions, which have lately, I am afraid, been somewhat louder than previously.

I thank my right hon. Friend very much for his reply and ask him if he is aware how anxious the people of this area are at the proposed new range at Potton Island where a thousand acres are to be taken under control. I hope that he will be able to assure us that he will keep these experiments down as far as possible.

As far as possible, yes; and I only wish I could give my hon. Friend a more reassuring and helpful answer. As he knows, Foulness has been used for testing explosives for more than 100 years. There are, unfortunately, no facilities available for this important defence work in any other part of the country.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is aware that the average duration of life of men is shorter than the average duration of life of women; that women get old-age pensions at an age earlier in life than men; and if he will take steps to remove this anomaly by providing aid-age pensions for men at the same age as that at which women now receive them.

No, Sir.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is a real anomaly here and that the high cost of living presses on old men just as hardly and just as early in life as it does on old women? Will he not do something to remove this anomaly?

It would be unwise for me to make any statement while the whole subject is in front of the Phillips Committee. I would remind the hon. and learned Gentleman that his proposals would involve a substantial increase in the contributions payable by men.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the approximate number of female old-age pensioners who are between the ages of 60 and 65 years; the number of male and female old-age pensioners between the ages of 65 and 70 years, between 70 and 75 years, between 75 and 80 years, and those who are more than 80 years at the latest convenient date; and if he will set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT the comparable figures as they ware in 1948.

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

Are the numbers in each category such as to lead my right hon. Friend to hope that extra assistance may be rendered to the older pensioners at reasonable cost?

The numbers in the older age groups, are, of course, increasing with the growing age of the population.

Following are the figures:

The approximate numbers of retirement and contributory and non-contributory old-age pensioners are as follows:

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many married couples, at the latest available date, had only one child; how many families there are with more than one child who receive no family allowance for the eldest child; and what is the total number of children, including those who receive family allowance.

Taking as children those within the age limits laid down by the Family Allowances Act, it is estimated that the numbers for the three categories mentioned in the question are about 3 million; 3,200,000, and 11 million.

Is the Minister aware that the 3 million mentioned who have only one child are half the married couples in the country who have children? Is he further aware that within the first and second categories in the range of income there are 1¼ million families with one child who are below the Income Tax level and therefore are in a bad economic position? Is he further aware that there are 1¼ million families getting 8s., 16s., and 24s. per week who are far beyond the Income Tax level? Can nothing be done to achieve a fairer share of family allowances?

All that seems well worthy of study and consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the maximum war disability pension payable to an ex-Service man for loss of sight and both hands as a result of war wounds; the maximum combined pensions payable, under the Royal Warrants and the Industrial Injuries Act, to an ex-Service man who lost his sight in battle and subsequently lost both hands as the result of industrial accident; and whether he will take steps to amend the Royal Warrants to allow the separate assessments for multiple severe war disabilities to be paid in full where the aggregate is more than 100 per cent.

The answer to the first two parts of the Question is, for an ex-private with a wife and two children, and including various allowances, £9 12s. 6d. and £12 4s. 6d. a week, respectively. The answer to the remaining part is: "No, Sir." I do not think the fact that in certain circumstances a man may qualify for compensation or pension under two separate schemes affords any ground for suggesting that a man who suffers multiple war injuries should get a higher pension than a man who suffers as great or may be greater disablement as the result of a single injury.

Is it not a fact that a man who loses both his hands in industry or in action gets a lower rate of pension than the man who loses one hand in industry and one in action? Is that a desirable state of affairs?

That is, of course, so, but duplication of basic payments under different schemes has always been accepted. For example, two separate motor accidents may give rise to two cumulative claims.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he is now able to make a further statement on the subject of an increase in the basic amount of disabled ex-Service men's pensions.

No, Sir. There is nothing I can usefully add to what the Parliamentary Secretary said on this subject in the debate on the Adjournment on 8tb February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that amongst many competing claims this one has exceptional merit, and that although it may not be possible to increase the basic rate, there is a great deal to be said for the most generous supplementation in cases of need?

I cannot add to what the Joint Parliamentary Secretary said on 8th February, except to draw attention to what my hon. Friend the other Joint Parliamentary Secretary said when he confirmed that statement in the debate on Friday.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many workers were drawing extended benefit on 3rd July, 1953; how many of them have since obtained employment; how many are still registering for employment; how many are receiving National Assistance; and how many are now receiving a retirement pension.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will institute a public inquiry into the proposal of the British Electricity Authority to carry a line of 136 high super grid pylons through the village of Egerton, Lancashire, and up the Belmont valley.

The British Electricity Authority has as yet made no application to my right hon. Friend in this case, so the question of his instituting a public inquiry has not arisen.

Will my hon. Friend bear in hind, if and when application is made, that the inhabitants of this valley, and indeed of the surrounding industrial towns, are extremely disturbed at the thought that one of the few places of rest and recreation for the industrial workers of Lancashire may be spoiled by something which may no doubt be a very necessary industrial development but which has to be very carefully planned if it is not to spoil this valley?

Those considerations will certainly be taken into account.

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

Following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage increase in the price of coal since the industry was nationalised.

The wholesale index for the price of coal shows an increase of about 60 per cent.

Will the hon. Gentleman say what the wholesale index shows as the increase in the price of bulk products for industry produced by private enterprise?

I am afraid I cannot do that.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary look it up? He will find that it is a good deal higher than is the rise in the price of coal.

Was not one of the objectives of the nationalisation of coal supposed to be to give a more economic price for the consumer?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the greatest extent to which the price of coal varies in different localities.

Except for a few abnormal places, the widest variation in the maximum prices of Group 4 house coal in different parts of the country is between 89s. 1d. and 147s. 11d. per ton.

In view of the fact that the bulk of private commodities are of uniform price throughout the country, could not the same principle be extended to coal?

I do not think so. There are very considerable economic and practical objections to such a course.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much he expects to save by amalgamating the fuel offices of Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.

£2,000 in a full year.

While thanking my hon. Friend for the letter which he wrote to me on this subject, may I ask if he will look into the matter again in view of the great inconvenience that is being caused?

I have been into this case very carefully indeed, but I am afraid that I am unable to agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that there will be any appreciable increase of inconvenience as a result of this amalgamation.

asked the Attorney-General (1) what would be the cost of bringing into operation the provisions of the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, relative to the giving of free legal advice;

(2) what would be the approximate cost of implementing the remainder of the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949.

I am afraid I cannot give anything in the nature of precise figures. The cost of bringing into force those parts of the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, not now in operation has been estimated very approximately as between £1 million and £1,250,000 annually. The cost of bringing into force Sections 5 and 7 might be of the order of £500,000 annually.

Can my right hon. and learned Friend say whether there is any reason other than expense for not implementing the rest of this Act? Is he aware that it is in the county court rather than in the High Court that the larger number of cases are arising in which the assistance of this Act would be very helpful?

I will see that the point the hon. and gallant Member has raised is considered.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman keep in mind that there will be many more cases going to the county court as a result of the Housing Repairs and Rents Bill that is now passing through the House? Will he try to get legal aid extended to the county courts in time?

I will do my best.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Mrs. Avril Luke has been dismissed from her post as cashier at the Government Communications Club, Cheltenham Spa.

I understand that the Committee of this Club, which is an entirely non-official body, decided some time ago to dispense with Mrs. Luke's services for purely domestic reasons. Recently, however, it was learnt by G.C.H.Q. that Mrs. Luke's husband had Communist affiliations and it was therefore suggested to the Club Committee that Mrs. Luke should leave as soon as a suitable replacement could be found. She was accordingly given notice on Friday, 5th March.

Send for McCarthy.

Is the Minister aware that in the letter which informed her that she was sacked this British citizen was thanked for conscientiously carrying out her duties and that the reason why she was dismissed was not because of anything that the Club Committee had found wrong with her but because the Committee was forced to dismiss her? Does the hon. Gentleman think it right that a woman whose only crime was to be the wife of a young Communist should be punished in a free country where Communism is not an offence under the law?

The Government Communications Club is situated in the premises of the Communications Headquarters. This is a confidential organisation which deals with Government telecommunications, and I do not consider it suitable that an employee of the Club should be the wife of a member, former or present, of the Young Communist League.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the answer, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the resolution contained in the Second Committee Report A2590, adopted by the Assembly of the United Nations on 7th December, 1953, Her Majesty's Government have yet sent their detailed comments to the Secretary General on the proposal to establish a special United Nations Fund for Economic Development; and whether they have given that proposal their support.

Yes, Sir. In their comments, Her Majesty's Government reiterate the attitude which they have adopted on this question in the United Nations and which was recorded in the White Paper on the Eighth Session of the General Assembly. Briefly, this is that they accept and support the principle of an international fund within the framework of the United Nations, but do not consider that it is practicable to take any immediate steps toward the establishment of such a fund.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the resolution A123, adopted unanimously by the Assembly of the United Nations on 23rd October, 1953, Her Majesty's Government are now prepared to pledge financial support for the technical assistance administration for three years in advance.

No, Sir. Her Majesty's Government have reconsidered this question but have decided that they prefer to continue to deal with the financial commitment on an annual basis. I do not believe that this decision by Her Majesty's Government will hamper the forward planning of the programmes.

Has it not been made plain in the discussions on this matter at the Assembly that it is hampering the programme very much? Will the hon. Gentleman not consider what was said in a recent debate on this subject by his hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth, East and Christchurch (Mr. N. Nicolson)?

I will consider anything relevant to this matter. I do not agree that the reluctance of the Governments concerned to place their contributions on a forward basis will, as suggested by the right hon. Gentleman, hamper the programme. Incidentally, I understand that the only Government that is prepared to do this is the Government of Indonesia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was able to discuss the evacuation of Chinese Nationalist troops from Burmese soil with the Burmese Minister of Foreign Affairs during the Minister's recent visit to this country.

Yes, Sir, in general terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the results of the conference in Bangkok, in which the United Kingdom has participated, designed to lead to the evacuation of Chinese Nationalist troops from Burma.

I presume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Committee established at Bangkok comprising representatives of Burma, the United States, Siam and the Chinese Nationalists. Although Her Majesty's Government have closely followed the work of this Committee, we have not participated directly. The Committee's work has resulted in the evacuation from Burma of 4,566 persons (including 603 non-combatant dependents) up to 11th March, the latest date for which figures are available.

Whilst that information is partly encouraging, is it not a fact that there are some 9,000 of these Nationalist troops still remaining there? Would it not be a good thing if Her Majesty's Government were to point out to our American allies that the best way to convince South-East Asia that they are not supporting any attempt by Chiang Kaishek to invade the mainland of China is by persuading him to take his troops out of Burma?

The United States Government have co-operated consistently in this Committee, and have done a considerable amount of work to get the results which have been achieved so far, and for which I should have thought the House would wish to express gratification. As to the future, we hope that 150 people will be evacuated every other day until 31st March when the cease fire is due to end. We hope thereafter that the cease fire may be prolonged and further progress made.

As Burma pushed herself out of the British Empire with the assistance of the party opposite, why should we worry about her troubles?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the negotiations with the Egyptian Government have now been renewed; or whether he will propose a date for their renewal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the progress of negotiations with the Egyptian Government with regard to the Suez Canal base.

I regret to inform the House that the condition of order and security in the Canal Zone deteriorated very seriously in the past week. There was a number of incidents in which four British officers and men have lost their lives, several others have been wounded and two have disappeared.

An officer of the Egyptian Police Force was shot on 11th March, and it has been suggested that this was responsible for the attacks on our troops. Two British Service men have been placed under arrest by our military authorities and investigations are proceeding. Since this matter is sub judice I can make no further comment. Her Majesty's Ambassador has, however, on my instructions repudiated the suggestion that the death of this officer in any way justified the attacks which have taken place on our troops.

Her Majesty's Ambassador has seen General Neguib and the Egyptian Foreign Minister, and has demanded that the persons responsible should be removed from the Canal Zone. Those found to have been involved in the murders must be tried and adequate measures to prevent the carriage of arms by civilians must be taken immediately.

Her Majesty's Ambassador has on my instructions further made it clear to the Egyptian Government that in the present conditions, which are due to their failure to take the necessary steps to maintain order, a resumption of discussions on the future of the Canal Zone Base is not possible.

I should like to add this. The Egyptian Government have repeatedly asked us to have confidence in them. It is for the Egyptian Government to show by their actions that they are prepared to create the necessary conditions for such confidence.

While all of us on this side of the House fully share the concern which the Foreign Secretary has expressed at these outrages against our troops in the Canal Zone, and we of course recognise that they must constitute obstacles to continued negotiations, may I ask whether it is not unfortunate that no apparent efforts have been made to break the deadlock which has now endured for more than three months? In view of the fact that differences which prevent an agreement appear not to be fundamental, will the Foreign Secretary not seek to resume the negotiations as soon as possible and conduct them himself as he did during the negotiations which led to the 1936 Treaty?

I am obliged to the right hon. and learned Member for the earlier part of his supplementary question. As to delay in reaching agreement, I could not agree. I think that on reflection the the right hon. and learned Member would not wish to make the point that the issues outstanding were not fundamental. That in particular in respect of the availability of the base is fundamental to the whole agreement. I cannot accept that Her Majesty's Government are to blame for failure to reach agreement. There has been quite a lot of "Box and Cox" going on in Cairo which has had an effect on the course of the negotiations, quite apart from tragic events such as these. What I have made plain is that if we are to reach agreement there must be conditions of confidence, and actions must be taken by the Egyptian Government to create those conditions.

Is it not clear that the Foreign Secretary is using these unfortunate incidents to announce and declare a complete change of policy in regard to the Canal Zone negotiations? Is it not the case that all the time, even while negotiations have been in progress, incidents of this kind have been occurring? Although they are sad and tragic, there is nothing new about them and all that is new is the announcement of Her Majesty's Government that they are not going on with the negotiations.

I think the hon. Member is not clearly interpreting what I have just said. On more than one previous occasion negotiations have been interrupted by incidents of this kind. One such case occurred while I was in Berlin and my right hon. and learned Friend made it plain that if that went on conditions for negotiation would be impossible. There was then an improvement. What I have said is clear: While these actions take place against British troops conditions for negotiation are impossible. It is for the Egyptian Government to deal with the local situation and to make negotiations possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will call a conference of all countries concerned in the passing and implementation of the United Nations Resolution restricting trade with China, with a view to reinterpreting this Resolution in the light of the changed circumstances.

We hope that the Geneva Conference will open the way for a reconsideration of the strategic embargo on trade with China. Meanwhile it would not be appropriate to open discussions on the United Nations Resolution.

Does the Minister mean by that that it is proposed actually to discuss the strategic embargo on China at the Geneva Conference?

No, Sir. What I said was that we hoped it will open the way for a reconsideration at some other date of the strategic embargo on trade. As the hon. Member knows, Korea and Indo-China are the two subjects for discussion at Geneva.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent official speech by Mr. Molotov, Her Majesty's Government will give further consideration to the Soviet proposals for a European security system.

No, Sir. These Soviet proposals were fully considered in Berlin. I have now examined Mr. Molotov's speech of 11th March and his declaration of 5th March. These clearly confirm what I told the House on 24th February, namely that the aim of the Soviet draft Treaty was to break the links between North America and Western Europe, destroy the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and with it our whole Western defensive security system.

In view of the reference in Mr. Molotov's speech to the European security system, would not the Foreign Secretary make it clear that Her Majesty's Government would support the idea of a collective security system for Europe, but, because both the United States of America and Canada played vital parts in defeating aggression in both world wars, Her Majesty's Government could not agree to any such concept which did not provide for the full participation of the United States of America and Canada?

Our position is that we could not agree to anything which resulted in the abolition of N.A.T.O. Mr. Molotov said in his declaration that N.A.T.O. was like the anti-Comintern Pact and would share the same fate. If that is his view, clearly we are not going to share a security system based on that thought.

As the Foreign Secretary will recall that Mr. Molotov undertook at the Berlin Conference to make a study of the question of mutual compatibility of N.A.T.O. and his European security system, would not the right hon. Gentleman take steps through the usual diplomatic channels to find out whether Mr. Molotov has made further progress with his study and what comments he has now?

I am sure that when Mr. Molotov has made further progress with his study he will be kind enough to tell us. It would be a mistake on my part to try to anticipate the result of his study.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my supplementary question? I did not ask that he should necessarily express support of the Russian proposal, but if Her Majesty's Government support the idea of a collective security system for Europe on the lines suggested.

As the right hon. and learned Member, with his experience, well understands, I must be careful that I do not indicate support of a proposal when I know that the object of the proposal is clearly stated to disrupt N.A.T.O. A European collective security system, in principle, might be a very good thing, but, if it means breaking up Western defence, that is a very bad thing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the seasons during which the grapefruit from the United States of America, supplied under Article 550 of the Mutual Security Act, will be imported into the United Kingdom.

:Shipments are expected to start next month and will end by 30th September next.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married couples there were in 1951-52 with one child receiving the second range of income which averages £7 4s. per week; and how many families, in the same range of income during the same period, had two children and how many in the same category had three children.

I would refer the hon. Member to Table 57 of the 96th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Cmd. 9030) which gives such estimates as are available of the numbers of families of various sizes in each income range.

Is the Minister aware that under the present family allowance system payments were made in 1952 only in respect of 4,789,000 children and were not paid in respect of 6,216,000? Does it not seem a very unbalanced system of payment? Should it not be revised so that the majority are paid?

None of that appears to arise out of the answer to this Question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the dispute that has arisen at London Airport in regard to the disposal of Hermes aircraft by the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the declared intention of the workers concerned to refuse to prepare them for handing over.

I understand that this matter was discussed at a meeting of B.O.A.C. and representatives of the unions on 19th March and that the meeting was adjourned until next Thursday.

Would not the Minister of Labour agree that the cause of this dispute is the civil aviation policy pursued by his right hon. Friend? Would not the surest way of settling this matter be for him to consult with his right hon. Friend with a view to changing the policy and preventing the hand-over so that these men can be usefully employed on this national service?