asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been called to the waste of sugar damaged by damp and rats while stored in dilapidated huts at the disused airfield at Willingale, Essex; how many tons of sugar have been spoiled; when this store was last officially inspected, and what report on its condition was submitted by the inspector; and if he will make a statement.

This sugar was not under my Department's control; I understand that it has been moved.

Is the Minister interested at all if there is a serious waste of sugar? Does he make any representations?

No, Sir. I am not responsible for the management of the British Sugar Corporation, which was, I think, the owner of the sugar. If the hon. Member is interested, perhaps he will apply to that corporation for information.

Is the Minister aware that this sugar is the residue of over 4,000 tons, and that, after 100 tons had been re-processed, only 37 cwts. out of the 4,000 tons were wasted?

I understand that the loss in this case was very small.

Can the Minister say where the sugar was moved to or what happened to it?

No, Sir. I am afraid that I cannot.

asked the Minister of Food when the report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Slaughterhouses will be published.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds) on 25th October.

Is the Minister aware that a plan for the erection of slaughterhouses of all kinds is long overdue? Is he further aware that farmers, in the Midlands at least, are justifiably disturbed and perturbed at what they themselves term the inaction of the Government in this matter?

I do not think that there are any grounds for accusing the Government of inaction. As the hon. Member knows, the interim scheme is in operation now. There is a great deal for this Committee to look into at present, but as I told the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Dodds), I think that we shall receive its report early next year.

Can the Minister speed up this matter? Is he aware that the delay in deciding the sites of slaughterhouses is leading to delay on the part of municipal authorities, because they fear that, after they have built a slaughterhouse, it may not be in the right place and so will cause a great deal of loss? It is hurting the trade in country towns.

We are all very anxious that not a day shall be lost, but the issues involved are quite complicated in detail.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on his present policy with regard to the supply of tea for this country; and what effort was made to purchase tea crops early this year on a long-term bulk-buying contract to forestall the excessive prices now being charged by the growers.

It is the Government's policy to rely upon the efforts of private importers to obtain the tea we want; there is no intention of resuming Government purchase on long-term contracts.

Is it the policy of the Government—no matter what the conditions of supply and demand are—to leave the matter entirely to the law of supply and demand, irrespective of the fact that at present common tea, which used to cost 6d. per lb., now costs 6s. a lb.? Surely that is a doctrinaire and disastrous policy?

I cannot agree. On the contrary, I think that that is the best policy. As the hon. Gentleman says, the price of tea is determined by demand in relation to supply, and no amount of Government control or Government bulk purchase would get away from that fact.

Will the right hon. Gentleman find out whether, by getting back to long-term bulk purchase, he could not get the ordinary business advantages that follow from such purchase? If that is not possible, will the right hon. Gentleman consider once again subsidising the price of tea? Does he not realise that tea is one of the most important factors in the lives of old-age pensioners and low wage earners?

No, Sir. I think that even the last Government found that bulk purchases of tea were not possible after 1950. I think that they would be still less possible today. With regard to the second part of the hon. Lady's question, the answer is, "No, Sir." The Government do not consider that it would be a good plan to resume consumer subsidies on tea.

Is the Minister's statement, that bulk buying would not be welcome under certain conditions, an accurate statement? Have not the Pakistan Government made representations in the matter?

I did not say it might not be welcome. I said it would not lead to a lower price for the consumer in this country.

Has my right hon. Friend considered approaching the tea exporting countries to ask them to reduce the export levy, which is a very important factor?

There is a Question down to me later on that subject.

asked the Minister of Food what representations have been made to his Department regarding the recent depreciation in the quality and flavour of tea and asking him to reimpose price control.

None, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that not only has the price of the ordinary brands of tea increased from 3s. 2d. to 6s. 8d. a lb., but many people complain that the tea is not as good? If he does not intend to reintroduce bulk purchase or to reimpose a subsidy, what does he intend to do to see that people get a decent cup of tea at a fair price?

I have read in the papers reports to that effect, but I cannot quite understand them, because the teas which are in shortest supply are the cheapest and most common brands. The blenders are at present having to use higher qualities of tea for their blendings than would normally be used.

Has the Minister seen the figures published recently in "The Economist" showing that the profits of the tea companies have risen from less than£1¾ million in 1952–53 to over £7 million in the past year? Is this not a very strong argument for reimposing price control?

Profits are high at one moment and low at another.

asked the Minister of Food which of the antibiotic drugs are being used as preservatives in the food industry; and whether he will take steps to prohibit this practice.

I am not aware that any antibiotic drugs are being so used but if the hon. Member has any information and would send it to me, I will inquire further.

Is not the Minister aware that reports have been published of the use of antibiotics in order to reduce heat sterilisation time and temperature? Will he at least tell us that he is resolute in stating that they should not be used in our food because it would be against the best interests of public health?

Yes. Their use for preservative purposes would be against the law at present.

asked the Minister of Food the total loss which has so far been incurred by the running of civic restaurants.

Local authorities are only required to submit accounts to me when their restaurants have made losses in each of three consecutive years, and then only if they seek permission to continue to trade. I regret therefore that the information asked for is not available to my Department.

Can it be taken that the loss is considerable and is a good deal more than local authorities can afford?

Is the Minister aware that Birmingham has run civic restaurants since the end of the war—Birmingham took over the wartime restaurants—and has made a profit every year, and that these restaurants have cost the taxpayers nothing?

A good Tory council.

That is a separate question from that on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Food what progress has been made by the Food Standards Committee in its investigation into the problems connected with the using of colouring matters in food.

The Food Standards Committee has submitted a report on this subject. I hope to publish it early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, in sparsely populated country districts, consumers are unable to get a delivery of fresh milk, and in many instances have to rely on dried or tinned milk; and what steps he proposes to take to assist the provision of a retail delivery service to all districts.

My Department cannot accept responsibility for the daily supply of fresh milk to any particular household, but if my hon. Friend will let me have details of any area where there is no retail supply of fresh milk, I shall be glad to have inquiries made into the position.

asked the Minister of Food (1) why a stock of Californian raisins, offered to British traders by his Department at a minimum price of £85 per ton, has been sold in Holland for £41 per ton on terms advantageous to the buyers; and

This fruit was old stock and, in accordance with sound commercial practice, was sold in bulk for the best price obtainable.

Will the Minister answer two questions: first, was it offered to British traders at a price comparable with that at which it was eventually sold; and secondly, what was the total loss?

It was known in the trade that offers would be received for these stocks. I understand, however, that no offers for bulk quantities were received from traders in this country. In this case, it was important to clear the stock, and my Department was therefore anxious to sell it in bulk as quickly as possible. I am afraid I have no figure of the total loss, but if the hon. Member puts down a Question, I will try to obtain it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen Press references to these transactions in which it was alleged that no offer was made to British merchants at these prices? Will the Minister explain how this has happened? If the Ministry is to make a loss, why should it make it in favour of foreigners and not in favour of our own people?

No offer was made by the Ministry at the particular prices, but the Department made it clear that bids would be received; but in fact no bids for bulk quantities were received from traders in this country. This method of disposing of the stock was chosen in the best interests of the taxpayer and of the consumer, bearing in mind certain obligations which the taxpayer had incurred for the fresh supplies coming along for the current year.

Why do the Government oppose bulk purchase when they are prepared to sell in bulk to the disadvantage of the taxpayer?

Unfortunately, these stocks were bought in bulk.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of foodstuffs imported on his Department's account were found to be unfit for consumption as a result of the recent strike at the docks.

None so far, but inquiries are not yet complete.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply refer only to food within his Department's control, or has he any information about all food at the docks?

Only the food for which my Department was responsible. I am not in a position to say whether there was any loss—although there may well have been—in food which was not under the control of my Department.

asked the Minister of Food what functions are still being carried out by his Department.

The functions are still the same as those set out by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 14th April last.

In view of the substantial increase in food prices since October, 1951, and the substantial increase in the number of persons poisoned as a result of eating food nowadays, is there not a very clear case for continuing the Ministry of Food in the vital interest of protecting the consumers? Will he ask the Prime Minister to reconsider this foolish idea of abolishing the Ministry of Food?

I am afraid the answer is "No" to both parts of the question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, although his original answer, to which he referred in his reply today, was satisfactory, his double negative today is very much more satisfactory?

Does the Minister recognise that he now has any responsibility for the welfare of the consumer?

Certainly I have, within the functions that remain to my Department.

Can the Minister tell us what would happen to these responsibilities if the Ministry of Food were abolished?

I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to wait until our plans have matured for the transfer of responsibility to the new Department.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give facilities for hon. Members to visit the Bacteriological Research Station at Porton similar to those which were given to hon. Members to visit the Atomic Research Station at Harwell.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that in recent diplomatic documents, including those signed in Paris and in London, there were frequent references to biological weapons, including toxic substances and insects, and does he not think that Members of the House of Commons have a right to know something about these weapons?

I do not think the work carried out at this establishment is such that it could very easily be demonstrated to Members of Parliament.

Is it possible at this station to deposit bees in bonnets?

Could the Minister say whether his answer includes Members with scientific qualifications?

I think that is a hypothetical question.

asked the Minister of Supply, in view of the undertaking given by Dr. Adenauer that the manufacture of biological weapons, and the research into the use of harmful insects, or other living or dead organisms or their toxic products for war purposes will not be allowed in Germany, if he will give a similar undertaking that these biological weapons will not be manufactured or purchased by his Department.

No, Sir.

Does not the Minister think that this reticence is hiding something? [Laughter.] If hon. Members think that spreading typhus and cholera is funny, other people do not. In view of Dr. Adenauer's statement at the Paris Conference, does the Minister not think that this Government should be as civilised as Dr. Adenaeur?

I think the position in this matter was well stated by Mr. A. V. Alexander, as he then was, in 1948:

"The possibility that bacteria may be used in a future war is not being overlooked. Researches are being conducted so that we may be ready to meet any situation which may arise."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 9th June, 1948, Vol. 451, c. 2166.]

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that, among all the great nations in the world, the only one which has not ratified the Geneva Convention prohibiting the use of these weapons is the United States? Are we to infer from his answer that he is afraid——

Order. The Minister cannot be responsible for the action of the United States.

I hope that by the time I have finished my Question, Mr. Speaker, you and the Minister will appreciate its purpose. In view of the fact which I have stated, are we to take it from the Minister's previous answer that we are maintaining the research station in case of an attack from that quarter?

The hon. Member knows the answer to that question quite well.

Where is it from?

asked the Minister of Supply what restrictions, allocations or rationing arrangements are still maintained by his Department on steel, steel products and tinplate; what these arrangements cost per annum; and whether he will end them at an early date.

Tinplate is the only iron and steel product the distribution of which is still under statutory control by my Department. The cost of the control is less than £6,000 a year. It will be removed as soon as the supply position justifies it.

In view of the continuing high level of demand from all over the world for tinplate, will my right hon. and learned Friend have special regard to the position of the old hand-mills in South Wales, many of which are destined to be scrapped shortly, and in view of that high level of demand, will he not keep these in operation so far as possible within the course of the next two or three years?

The answer is "Yes." We shall have to rely on the production of the hand-mills for at least a year or two to meet current needs.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the lengthening deliveries to industry of steel and rolled and re-rolled steel products, in view of substantially Increased and increasing industrial output; whether he will state the estimated output of the British steel industry for each of the years 1954 and 1955; and whether he has formed an estimate as to whether total steel production in those years will match the needs of continuously expanding industrial output, without appreciable lengthening further of steel delivery times or increased imports.

I am aware that difficulties have been experienced recently in meeting fully the demands for certain types of finished steel. The matter is receiving the constant attention of the Iron and Steel Board. The production of steel by the British steel industry in 1953 was equivalent to 17·61 million ingot tons. The board informs me that production in 1954 is expected to be approximately 18½ million ingot tons and, in 1955, 19¼ million ingot tons, or possibly more. On present indications, it seems likely that certain types of finished steel will have to be imported in 1955, but the quantities should only be marginal.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend have special regard to the very substantial expansion plans recently announced by many major engineering companies in this country, notably branches of the motor industry, all of which will cause a very large increase in demand for certain steel products, notably sheet steel, and can he assure the House that in the passage of the next two or three years the expansion of sheet steel production facilities will approximately be commensurate with the increased demands from expanding enginering works, notably in the motor industry?

We are having regard to the expanding demands. The total production of sheet steel in 1954 will be about 2 million tons, which is 11 per cent. higher than in 1953. We hope that production will continue to increase.

Is the Minister aware that firms using rolled steel sections are having to import Belgian steel on which there is a duty of 25 per cent., and will he consider relieving steel imports of this duty temporarily, as I understand was done in 1951–52?

I think that it is the case that the import duty on steel sheet is at present suspended. I will certainly examine the hon. Member's request.

Does not this steadily rising level of production in this industry show with what contempt managers and workers alike treat the threat of re-nationalisation?

Will the Minister not agree that it was the policy of my right hon. Friend which enabled the 18 million tons production to be reached?

I think that it is better on the whole that we should regard this expanding production as not related to party politics.

asked the Minister of Supply what parts of the country are affected by claims made for damage to property arising from supersonic flights.

The counties of Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex each account for about one-quarter of the claims received. The remaining quarter come from 15 counties, mainly in Southern England.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make available statistical evidence comparing the incidence of lung cancer in urban areas and rural areas, respectively, and his conclusions showing what connection exists between smoke, fog and lung cancer.

Statistics of mortality from cancer of the lung in aggregates of urban areas and rural areas are published each year in the Registrar General's Annual Reviews. While these show a definite increase in mortality in the more built-up areas, I am advised that they do not justify any firm conclusion on the question of a connection between smoke, fog and lung cancer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether any intensive research is being undertaken into the detailed figures of particular areas which are highly susceptible to fog and smoke, and if there is not much being done in that way, will he recognise the urgency of doing something about it?

There is a good deal of research going on with regard to this particular point, both by the Medical Research Council and the British Empire Cancer Campaign.

Has the Minister any further information, as smoke includes cigarette smoke, whether the incidence therefrom is now proven?

I am trying to make it a rule in this difficult matter not to speculate, because there are many theories and I think that it would not be wise to do so.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement giving the results of his circular requesting hospitals to do everything possible to achieve the registration of all cases of cancer.

I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 19th October.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the answer again? Does he recollect that on 18th March he told me that he expected a registration of 58,000 for 1953, but he did not give any of that information in his answer in October? I am asking for the results.

I answered this question on 19th October, and I really cannot ask all hospital authorities for a report every week or two on a matter like this. I am quite certain that they are carrying out the different instructions, as I have asked them to do, and when I have any information of value to give to the House I will certainly give it.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the possibility of hospitals, wherever the relatives do not object, obtaining details of the case history and the dietary habits of persons who die of cancer? Is he aware that two relations of mine have died of it in the last few years and, as far as I know, no questions were asked of me or of any of my relations about the history of these people, how they lived, what habits they had and what they ate, which I think would have been most helpful?

It might be helpful, but it is a very different question from the one on the Order Paper.

Does not the Minister recollect that on 18th March he said he has asked for reports by 30th June and that he expected the number would be 58,000? Does that mean that he has not got one report?

No, I have given the reports that I have already referred to in response to Questions in the House, including in particular the Question by the hon. Member on 19th October.

asked the Minister of Health the circumstances which preclude a local authority from providing chiropody treatment, especially for old people, while a voluntary body may do this from funds provided for meals for old people and get a grant from the local authority to make up their funds.

A local authority requires my right hon. Friend's approval to provide a chiropody service under the National Health Service Act as part of its arrangements for the prevention of illness, care and after care; for financial reasons it has not been possible ao approve extensions of this service.

Is the hon. Lady aware that between 25 and 70 per cent. of old people need chiropody treatment and that most of these should have the treatment in their own homes in order to keep them on their feet and relieve the strain of ill-health on the other medical services; and as the provision of meals is really a service which touches only a very small proportion of the people in the large industrial areas, will she not ask her right hon. Friend to look at this matter again?

My right hon. Friend fully appreciates the help to old people which this service would be, but there are other priorities confronting the National Health Service at the present time and it has not been found possible to enable other authorities to provide this treatment.

In Scotland, apparently, there is plenty of money available, because local authorities there are providing this treatment. Is the hon. Lady satisfied that England and Wales should lag behind Scotland in this matter?

Certainly not.

asked the Minister of Health how many local health authorities have made representations to him with a view to the provision by him of chiropody services, particularly for old people: and whether he will give an estimate of the cost of such provision to the whole of the country.

Sixteen authorities have approached my right hon. Friend. The national cost would be about a £1 million annually.

In view of the fact that perhaps much more money might be spent than this £1 million if people who are thereby unable to get about have to use the hospital service for long stays in hospital beds, does not the hon. Lady and her right hon. Friend think that this might have sufficient priority to be given immediate consideration?

I am afraid I cannot add any more to the comment I made to the hon. Lady the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Mrs. Slater), who asked me a similar question. Whilst we realise the value of this service, we feel there are higher and more urgent priorities at the present time, and we are not able to provide this further £1 million.

Would not the cost of this service represent £500,000 to the local authorities and only £500,000 to the Exchequer?

Owing to the fact that the answer is not satisfactory, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Health the terms and conditions under which dental nurses are employed in clinics administered by local authorities and dental hospitals; and how these compare with terms and conditions applicable to ordinary nurses and clerks in the Health Service.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind dental attendants, whose duties consist in the main of general attendance on the dentist in his clinical work. Their work is not comparable with that of nurses. The scale for dental attendants rises from £160 a year at the age of 16 to a maximum of £320 a year. The normal working week is 39 hours. The women's scale for the basic clerical grade is £165 a year at the age of 16 rising to a maximum of £335 a year where duties are wholly simple routine, or otherwise to a maximum of £380 a year. The normal working week is 38 hours.

Will my right hon. Friend look into this matter at his convenience and bear in mind that there is a good deal of discontent among this limited number of people who seem to be neither nurses nor clerks and get paid worse than both?

I will certainly look into any problem, but the questions which my hon. Friend raises of allocation to a particular grade and payment in that grade are for the Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Health the average cost per person of pharmaceutical medicines prescribed under the National Health Service during the past financial year, after allowing for the prescription charge; what is the estimated number of private patients; and what is the estimated cost of extending to private patients the right for which they pay of obtaining medicine on the same basis as National Health Service patients.

The answer to the first part of the Question is about 19s. Precise estimates as requested in the second and third part of the Question are not available. Nor is my right hon. Friend clear what the hon. Member has in mind when he refers to the right for which private patients pay.

Would the hon. Lady agree that, whatever the cost may be to the State, it would have to be met if all private patients became registered with National Health doctors, and whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to discourage private patients by imposing this additional penalty?

I would not accept the hon. Member's assumption at all. The fact remains that there are higher priorities to be met when additional funds are available in the Health Service than this particular concession. The Health Service is not denied anybody. It is their own choosing if they do not take it.

asked the Minister of Health what was the evidence referred to in the report of the Committee on General Practice in the National Health Service which led the Committee to the conclusion that many doctors who wish to use the National Health Service to prescribe for private patients are unwilling to enter into any contract with or to submit to any conditions within the Service.

The proceedings of the Committee were confidential and my right hon. Friend is not in a position to supply any information on this point.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the British Medical Association informed the Cohen Committee that private practitioners would be quite willing to accept similar conditions to those which are at the moment imposed under the National Health Service? In those circumstances, why could they not be considered?

That is another question. The fact remains that in an investigation to which many authorities presented evidence, some of which have published it and others have not, the Committee, without any disclaimers, recorded a unanimous decision, which my right hon. Friend accepted.

Would the hon. Lady not agree that to accept the hon. Member's proposition would undermine the structure of the National Health Service and would be calculated to encourage extravagant prescribing?

I do not wholly accept all that the right hon. Lady says.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now amend the National Health Service Act, 1946, so as to allow those who elect to become private patients to utilise the other facilities provided by the Act.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to prescribing for private patients, and on this question I am not in a position to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 22nd July.

Have the Government abandoned the policy which the Conservative Party announced in "The Right Road for Britain" in 1949, that private patients should be allowed drugs on the same basis as all other contributors to the Health Service?

When my hon. Friend refers to contributors to the Health Service, I must emphasise that the greater part of the cost of the Health Service is paid for by taxation and not by insurance contributions. I can only repeat that that proposal is a concession which would cost a substantial amount and that at the moment there are higher priorities.

Would the hon. Lady agree that to allow this concession would make it necessary for her right hon. Friend to exercise control over the doctors who practise privately?

Certainly, I would agree with that.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons were examined under mass radiography schemes in England and Wales during the years 1951, 1953 and the first nine months of 1954.

About 2¼ million and 2¾ million persons were examined in 1951 and 1953, respectively. Figures for the third quarter of 1954 are not yet available, but the estimated number of persons examined in the first six months of the year is 1,768,000.

Can my right hon. Friend assure us that there is no shortage of equipment for this purpose and that reasonable progress is being made?

The figures indicate that reasonable progress is being made, because they show a steady climb. The figure is up by at least half, and this year looks very good indeed. I should not like to say that we could not use more equipment. We can always do that.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to overcome the existing shortage of sanitary inspectors.

My right hon. Friend is consulting with the bodies principally concerned regarding the recommendations of the working party on the recruitment, training and qualification of sanitary inspectors, which include suggestions for improving recruitment.

asked the Minister of Health how many babies have been registered as blind for each year since 1945.

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

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the certification of a constituent of the hon. Member for Coventry, North took place in accordance with the Lunacy Act, in view of the particulars which have been sent to him; why he has refused to give the wife of the constituent sight of the documents of certification; and whether he will inquire into the matter in order to ascertain whether the constituent referred to was, in fact, legally committed.

I have no reason to think that the correct procedure was not followed in this case. The documents relating to certification are confidential, but the patient has been informed of his statutory right to free copies of the documents, if he considers himself to have been unjustly detained. As the hon. Member is aware, I have already inquired fully into this case and satisfied myself that the procedure followed was in conformity with the law.

Is the Minister aware that the wife of my constituent denies absolutely the statements attributed to her in the documents of certification, and that her husband was whisked away from home at only one hour's notice? In view of the circumstances, will the Minister not look into this matter and, if necessary, open a formal inquiry, in the light of the very clouded circumstances which surround this case?

The hon. Member knows perfectly well about these events, which occupied only a week or two in 1951. I have already looked into them with the greatest care. The hon. Member knows perfectly well from my answer that the patient has been told that, if he wants them, he can have a copy of the documents. The lunacy laws are extremely difficult and complicated, but if there is a matter of interpretation which the hon. Member would like to discuss with me, perhaps he will come and see me.

asked the Minister of Health what dental facilities are available in Birmingham for children who are suffering pain and require emergency treatment.

Treatment may be obtained from dental practitioners under the general dental services, or in school clinics or in hospitals with dental departments.

Does not the Minister think it disgraceful that one child in my constituency should have to go to eight dentists, each of whom declined to extract the tooth, and that even the dental hospital would not take it out, so that the child remained six days in pain? Will he not take some action to see that this does not occur again?

I know the case to which the hon. Member refers, and I am looking into it. It was not regarded by the hospital as a true emergency, whether rightly or wrongly, but the difficulty is that whereas doctors have lists and there is the tradition of the family doctor, dentists do not have people on their lists and, therefore, there is not the same link between their patients which I should like to see.

But does the Minister not consider that, in the case of a dental hospital, there should be an opportunity for children who are really suffering pain—particularly when parents take a child on two occasions—to have real emergency treatment?

I should like to see rotas of dentists for emergency cases. I have suggested that in all areas. I suggested it in Birmingham, but the Birmingham dentists refused to undertake it. I cannot go further at this particular moment.

asked the Minister of Health how many dental patients are awaiting treatment at the Birmingham Dental Hospital; and how long it will be before the present waiting list is dealt with.

The total number waiting is 2,595 and the waiting periods vary according to the department from one day to 18 months.

Does the Minister not realise that the position here is much worse than it was when I raised the matter about six months ago? What opportunity is there in Birmingham, with a population of over one million, of dealing with this long waiting list? Cannot something be done? Is it not possible to have more accommodation instead of this overcrowded "barber's shop" in Birmingham?

As a matter of fact, in the last few weeks, actually on the 5th of this month, I authorised further work to be carried out which will help the Birmingham Dental Hospital, although not in some of the worst cases; and it hopes to have this work in operation by the end of this financial year.

If the Minister is encountering a certain amount of opposition on the part of the Birmingham dentists, could he not make use of the Army Dental Service to supplement the local dental services during this emergency period?

asked the Minister of Health the intake of students for the last three terms in the dental schools of England and Wales.

The intake of students in the academic year 1953–54 was, my right hon. Friend understands, of the order of 400.

Can my hon. Friend tell me how this compares with the number that the Teviot Committee hoped would be forthcoming in order to secure a proper dental service in this country?

It is, I am afraid, substantially less, and my right hon. Friend has the matter under very close consideration.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of total expenditure on the National Health Service is accounted for by the cost of administration.

Of the total expenditure on the National Health Service, other than expenditure incurred by local health authorities, in 1952–53, administration costs of my Department and services rendered by other Departments represented about ½ per cent. and those of executive councils and certain other statutory bodies and of hospital authorities at central offices about 2¼ per cent. It is estimated that the addition of administration costs incurred by hospital authorities inside the hospitals, for which separate details are not available, might bring the total figure for administration costs to a little over 4 per cent.

asked the Minister of Health, to what extent the drug Serpasil is being used in this country for the treatment of mental disorders; whether clinical trials have yet taken place, and with what result; and if he has any further information on the matter.

This drug is not in general use as it is still in the experimental stage. Clinical trials are in progress in two centres, but no results are yet available.

Is the Minister aware that there have been rather sweeping claims for the American equivalent of this drug, and does he not agree that before raising hopes too high we should go very thoroughly into the possibilities?

I always like to do that in connection with any drug, particularly in view of certain unhappy experiences of late.

What is the effect of this drug?

It is supposed to exert a calming effect on the central nervous system. I am thinking of prescribing it for the Labour Party Executive.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern at the increase of food poisoning cases, from 3,519 in 1952 to 5,277 in 1953; and what action he proposes to take to deal with the matter.

Yes, Sir. Where these incidents occur they usually indicate poor food hygiene or faulty practice in food factories and kitchens. The Minister of Food and I will continue to encourage local authorities in their efforts to ensure by publicity and education that high standards of food hygiene are practised by the food industry, the catering industry and food handlers generally, and as soon as the Food and Drugs Amendment Bill comes into operation we shall jointly make food hygiene regulations to strengthen the hands of the local authorities in this matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that this matter underlines the folly of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Food in surrendering to the pressure groups, resulting in the abandonment of the registration of catering establishments?

We discussed that matter very fully in the Bill, and I am afraid I could not accept the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that we shall never make Great Britain clean by Act of Parliament, but only by the weight of public opinion?

As the right hon. Gentleman has already said that many of these cases can be attributed to dirty kitchens and restaurants, could he not agree that registration of these places would be the right approach?

We have debated the matter many times, as the right hon. Lady knows perfectly well. She takes one point of view. I frankly disagree. I think the present Bill will be workable. I do not think that some of the suggestions which the Opposition would have liked adopted would work.

Will my right hon. Friend believe me when I tell him that hundreds of small boardinghouse keepers in Morecambe and other seaside resorts are delighted that he has removed this interference with their very good behaviour?

asked the Minister of Health whether it is upon his instructions that the Liverpool Board of Governors, Teaching Hospitals, has decided to issue margarine to all patients instead of butter.

No, Sir.

Will the Minister ask the board to look at this position again? It has caused great concern among patients in teaching hospitals that this arbitrary decision has been taken. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, although I am a member of the board and I tried desperately to get one of the other members to second my proposal for a reconsideration of the position, not one of the eminent doctors upon the board was prepared to take any responsibility in having the matter reconsidered? Will the Minister ask the board to reconsider the whole position?

I was informed of the hon. Lady's difficulties in obtaining a seconder for her proposal. I do not propose to second it myself.

I asked whether the Minister was prepared to ask the board to reconsider the decision in view of the fact that this is not a decision which he has decided should be put into operation.

I am sorry; my answer was meant to cover that. The answer is, "No." This is a matter entirely within the competence of the regional board.

It is not a regional board. It is a board of governors.

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has to report on the provision of adequate accommodation for patients in mental hospitals.

About 5,000 additional beds in mental and mental deficiency hospitals have been provided since 1948. Capital works authorised but not yet completed will provide another 7,000.

In view of the reports of overcrowding, particularly since the recent publication of the Hospitals Year Book, can the Minister say how widespread is the overcrowding and whether the main problem is lack of accommodation or lack of staff?

It is probably both. If the hon. Member would like details about different regions, perhaps he will put a Question down, but he will see from the answer I have given that the position is getting a good deal better. Although we have provided only 5,000 beds in the last six years, we now have no less than 7,000 in the pipeline

Is the Minister aware that in many hospitals overcrowding has occasioned a waiting list of voluntary patients? Does he not think it most unfortunate that now that we have persuaded the public to accept the principle of voluntary admission, we now have to ask patients to wait to be admitted?

I entirely agree. That is by far the most distressing part of overcrowding in mental hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that, within the limits of their capital resources and having regard to the needs of other branches of the hospital service, regional hospital boards are making a sufficient proportionate allocation of capital to mental deficiency hospitals.

I have no reason to think that boards are failing to do this.

Is the Minister aware that in many of the older mentally deficient institutions there are arrears of maintenance from before 1948 with which it is impossible to catch up, and when he is considering future possible special allocations, will he have regard not merely to the need to provide additional accommodation, but for something special to meet this need for extra maintenance which, in the long run, will result in the saving of money?

I will take that matter into account when I make my calculations.

Would my right hon. Friend ask the hon. Gentleman to rewrite his Question in the hope that it may be put down next time in better English?

Is the Minister satisfied that the facilities offered by such organisations as the Marlborough Day Hospital in London are well known to regional hospital boards, since these facilities can provide great economy and a great alleviation of unhappiness among patients and their relatives?

That and other interesting experiments, I am quite certain, are well known to psychiatrists and others who have this particular responsibility in the region.

asked the Minister of Health if he will estimate how much money will be available within the Mental Million Scheme for 1955–56 for new capital developments not yet authorised; and how much will be needed to finance the carry-over of developments already authorised and started in the current financial year.

About £1·3 million will be required in 1955–56 for schemes authorised under the "Mental Million" programme in 1954–55. It will not be possible to start any new projects under these arrangements in 1955–56.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very disappointing answer, in view of the fact that the implication of the reply that he gave in July was that there would be another £1 million available for new schemes in the current year? Cannot he look into this unhappy position again, and possibly consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

As my answer indicates, we are going to spend more than £1 million next year, just as we are spending almost £1 million this year on these schemes. Quite apart from that, there are the normal allocations from the regional hospital boards, and in addition there are large schemes like those at Greaves Hall, Southport, and Balderton which are being financed centrally by myself.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in Birmingham, where the figures of the work being done and authorised are well below the target set, he can do anything to get the whole matter speeded up?

The fact—whether it be the fault of my Department or of Birmingham—that the Birmingham expenditure at the moment is below this allocation does not mean that Birmingham will lose any of it. It merely means that it is going to be extended into next year.

asked the Minister of Health the present accommodation for mentally deficient children in Warwickshire; what are the numbers awaiting entry into institutions at the latest convenient date; and what are his plans for increasing the present accommodation.