asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is aware that a number of cases have recently been brought to the courts of cat stealing on a large scale and that several people have been convicted for this offence; that these cats have been stolen for sale to medical research laboratories, as admitted in court; that the cost of the defence and the fines have in some cases been paid by the Medical Research Council and that they have employed the same counsel, details about whom have been sent to him, in most of the cases; what authority exists for the payment of such expenses out of public funds; how much has been spent on each of these cases in the last six months; and what action he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

I am glad to have the opportunity of stating, quite unequivocally, that there is no truth whatever in the hon. Member's allegations against the Medical Research Council.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary make further inquiries, in view of the fact that counsel who defended these cases is known to have made a voluntary statement that the fines and costs have been paid either by the Medical Research Council or one of its members; and this is further confirmed by a Mr. Taylor, of 13, Rectory Square, London, E.1, who supplies over 100 cats a week, most of which have been stolen, to the Medical Research Council? Also, that the same counsel was employed to defend Mr. Taylor, and has been employed by him on repeated occasions—

The hon. Member is asking a very long supplementary question.

It is a very important Question.

No doubt it is, but there are other hon. Members who have equally important Questions they wish to ask.

If I might conclude, some brothers named Bailey were recently ordered to pay £170 in fines and costs, and they have admitted that in that case the cats stolen were sent direct to the Medical Research Council. In view of this, will the hon. Gentleman make further inquiries?

On a point of order. Might I ask, you, Mr. Speaker, to protect the value of Question Time by restraining the hon. Member from giving information rather than seeking it?

My noble Friend has been into the matter with the most meticulous care, and he is satisfied that none of the suggestions contained in the Question is based on evidence. The barrister whose name was supplied to my noble Friend by the hon. Member has had no contacts of any sort with the Medical Research Council. As for the statements made in court by defendants, defendants sometimes tell the truth and sometimes they do not.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment on the earliest possible moment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made in the investigations concerning the genetic effects of increased radioactivity due to the explosion of nuclear weapons; and when he expects that it will be possible to begin research on measures designed to counteract these effects.

Research on the genetic effects of radioactivity is necessarily of a long-term nature, but a certain amount of progress has been made and results are published in the scientific Press as they become available. The Medical Research Council's programme has, for the past eight years, included work on means of protection against the effects of radiation.

While I appreciate that, does the Minister realise that the public are becoming increasingly concerned to know what British scientists feel about the precise effect on the future of the human race of these nuclear explosions, are anxious to have full information in a convenient form and are also anxious that the Minister's Department should be able to assure them that some research is being conducted into what countermeasures can be investigated and taken?

The urgency of the work is well appreciated, and it is, of course. going forward on an expanding scale. However, I am bound to say that none of the radioprotectors or regenerators that have so far been discovered have any effect on genetic damage to animals or human beings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, on what evidence his estimate that there was no significant increase in the radioactive content of London's atmosphere during recent years was based.

The estimate was based on measurements made in London periodically since 1947.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that hon. Members from both sides of the House who, as ordinary members of the Parliamentary and Scientific Association, went to the Chester Beatty Research Institute, were informed that the radioactive contamination of the atmosphere of London—measurements have been taken at Fulham for many years—is 10 times as high now as when the measurements first commenced, and was 300 times the normal during the great fog of 1952? In view of that, will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether that was taken into account and whether he will check it for us, and would he not think that that is significant?

I have checked the statement that appeared in the hon. Member's pamphlet that radioactivity in London had increased 10 times. I am afraid that there must have been a misunderstanding when the hon. Member and other hon. Members visited the Institute, because I am assured that the increase in radioactivity since 1947 has been negligible. It is true that the measurements that are taken are very limited, and have been limited in the past, and the evidence is not conclusive in its present form. Nevertheless, I should like to refute the statement that there has been a very large increase in radioactivity.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary check that point with the Chester Beatty Research Institute, where I checked it, and make certain that the facts given to those of us who were present were as I have quoted? If he finds them confirmed, it may be he will find it is because measurements have been taken there for 25 years.

I have checked with the Institute through my noble Friend. The Institute denies that the statement was made, and says that, if such a statement was made, there has been a misunderstanding on one side or the other.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make arrangements, after the Easter Recess, for the Medical Director of the Radiobiological Research Unit at Harwell to address Members of both Houses of Parliament on the research he is conducting on the effects upon the reproductive cells of mice exposed to radiation; and whether the work done has yet reached the stage at which publication would now be helpful.

No, Sir. The proper channel for the transmission of information of this character to Parliament is through the responsible Minister.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary tell me who is the responsible Minister in this case? Is there any reason why this gentleman should not come and speak to Members of the House of Commons, to Members of both Houses of Parliament, so that we can get all the facts established? Is he not further aware that there is a growing suspicion that the Government are rather anxious to suggest that there is no specific possible danger of any kind, whatever is going on, and that that really cannot be the truth at all?

I can assure the hon. Member that there is no intention on the part of the Government to conceal information from the House, but perhaps he would be good enough to await the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is giving to a relevant Question later today.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that the fact that there is much conflict of evidence, as he suggests, on this matter is an overwhelming case for a much more comprehensive inquiry?

I am not suggesting that there is any conflict of evidence at all. I suggested that there has been a misunderstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he expects to be able to answer the letter dated 4th November, 1954, written to him by the hon. Member for Birmingham, Yardley, regarding the treatment of Private Trevor Floyd at Castle Bromwich.

My hon. Friend has written several times to the hon. Member about this case, his final letter being on 25th February, 1955.

Does the Secretary of State realise that that letter was not received until after I had put my Question on the Order Paper; and that, secondly, the information in it is totally incorrect? Is he not aware that the letter to me says that Trevor Floyd, the man in question, was posted to light duties as a sick man. In fact, I have in my hand a letter from the commanding officer saying that for five weeks he, the commanding officer, did not know that Floyd was a sick man at all, and that he was in fact on ordinary duties for all those five weeks. When the C.O. eventually learnt of Floyd's condition, he wrote:

" You can be assured however that light duties will now be given him."

Order. I must protest against hon. Members trying to make Question Time the same sort of occasion as Motions for the Adjournment, and dealing with cases at that length. It is not fair to other hon. Members.

If the hon. Member will send me that letter, I will look into it. This happened in 1950, and it is going a long way back, but I should like to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War when Dartford Heath is to be cleared of the remaining evidence of a former anti-aircraft strong point; and on what date it is contemplated that all of the Heath will be restored to the public by his Department in its natural state.

The anti-aircraft site was returned to its owner, the local authority, on 8th March. It was advised that it could seek financial assistance towards the cost of removing the anti-aircraft structures.

Is my hon. Friend aware of a similar structure situated in my constituency, about which I have communicated with him, and in the case of which he has consistently refused any assistance?

This Question is about Dartford Heath.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement about the future of Waring-field Military Hospital, County Down.

We hope to lease the site of Waringfield Military Hospital until a new military hospital at Lisburn is completed. Waringfield Military Hospital will then be closed.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that it is high time that a permanent military hospital was built, and this collection of obsolete shacks and the ground upon which it stands handed back to the original owner?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War what establishments in Northern Ireland he has included in his plan for spending f15 million over the next three years in building and modernising barracks and military hospitals.

We plan to begin modernising Palace Barracks, Holywood, and the Infantry Depots at Omagh and Armagh, to complete Thiepval Barracks, Lisburn, and to start work on a new military hospital, also at Lisburn.

Would my right hon. Friend care to comment on the recent statement made by Lieut.-General Cantlie, former Director of the R.A.M.C., who said that there had not been a hospital built at home for 50 years, and that there was a scandalously bad one in Northern Ireland?

My answer is a comment that we are building a new hospital in Northern Ireland.

I am sorry; I did not clearly hear what was said in the main answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the urgency of giving up premises in Gibraltar formerly used by the services to enable the earliest possible commencement to be made in providing houses for civilian use; and what action is being taken to cut out avoidable delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made at Gibraltar in vacating premises, until recently occupied by the Service Departments inside the town area, in order to provide additional space for civilian housing.

The Army is mainly concerned. One large site in the town area has already been vacated and sold for civil development. Other sites will shortly be offered for sale and the remainder sold as soon as the building of alternative accommodation has been completed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this is to do with the building of alternative accommodation? Does he not appreciate that there is a desperate shortage of housing in Gibraltar? It is one of the greatest needs of these intensely loyal people, who should be given every assistance to be able properly to settle down in that strategic part of the world.

I am all in favour of it. We are trying to build alternative accommodation, but that has to be cleared by the Gibraltar Government.

Can my right hon. Friend give some rough estimate of when the alternative barracks are likely to be completed?

Negotiations have been going on between the Colonial Office and the Government of Gibraltar, and we cannot make a start until they are concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will locate the regimental headquarters of 645 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (Buckinghamshire), Territorial Army, at High Wycombe.

This regiment is to be amalgamated with two others to form a new light anti-aircraft regiment. The new unit must be suitably represented in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, and Surrey, as well as in Buckinghamshire. Buckinghamshire will have two batteries, but I am afraid that the regimental headquarters must be situated centrally at Reading, where suitable accommodation and staff already exist.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he has taken in respect of Company Sergeant-Major Walker and Corporal Shaw of the Infantry Boys' Battalion, Plymouth, consequent on the death of Private Peter Foden on 28th October, 1954.

Following a court of inquiry a summary of evidence was taken, which included evidence from the boys at present in prison. A most careful examination of this did not reveal grounds for taking disciplinary action.

Does my right hon. Friend not recall that at the assizes these two non-commissioned officers were accused of inciting the offence for which these 10 boys are now serving terms of imprisonment? Should it not have been made clear some time ago that these N.C.Os. would be punished, or removed from the Army, or cleared of the charges?

I think that my hon. Friend is wrong in saying that they were " accused " of this. We went into the question extremely carefully by a summary of evidence and the court of inquiry itself, and I am quite satisfied that there was not sufficient evidence to take disciplinary action.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken in respect of the administration, supervision and disciplinary arrangements of the Infantry Boys' Battalion at Plymouth, following the death of Private Peter Foden and the criticisms made by Mr. Justice Byrne at the Hampshire Assizes.

Following the death of Boy Foden I took immediate steps regarding supervision and daily routine at the Infantry Boys' Battalion. The battalion has been reorganised; there has been an increase in supervisory staff; evening activities, games and competitions have been increased, and special steps have been taken to ensure a high standard of entry to the battalion.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall that the judge at the assizes said that the military authorities had failed in their duty to look after these boys, and asked for an assurance that such an appalling episode would never occur again? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that beyond any doubt whatever he has taken the steps necessary to meet those criticisms?

I have just told the hon. Gentleman the immediate steps. I have had this special report prepared and I intend to lay it before the House, together with details of the action I am taking.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that incidents like this cast unpleasant reflections on the officers of the units concerned? Therefore, what steps is he taking in respect of the incident in relation to the commanding and other officers who were responsible for discipline there?

There is a new commanding officer at this boys' battalion, and the staff has been both reorganised and increased. I am only too well aware of the responsibility that we owe to parents of those in boys' units. I have had this special report made. It is a most valuable report, and I am grateful to the experts who made it. I am determined that we shall get things running on the lines we owe to the parents.

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite sure that he is being frank with the House? Earlier he said that he had put forward two N.C.Os., or one officer and one N.C.O., for a summary of evidence. Does this mean that charges were preferred against them and then dropped?

No, Sir. I stated that a court of inquiry was held, followed by a summary of evidence, to see whether there was evidence for further disciplinary action. It was found that there was not. That does not arise on this Question.

Can the Secretary of State assure us that the previous commanding officer of the unit has not been transferred to a similar unit, but that he is in fact doing different work?

Certainly he has not been transferred to a similar unit. There is not another unit like this.

asked the Secretary of State for War what changes were made in the medical arrangements at Wellington Barracks, Bury, after the inquest on the late Fusilier Donald Hope.

The orderly concerned in the case of Fusilier Hope was, in his own interest, moved to other duties.

Has any more staff been appointed there since the orderly concerned in that case was moved elsewhere? If so, how many?

No additional staff has been appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for War what consultations he had with outside professional bodies before issuing his advertisement in " The Times " for a nutrition adviser for the Army.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he did not consult Dr. D. P. Cuthbertson, the Director of the Rowett Institute, and why he did not consult the British Dietetic Association before issuing his advertisement in " The Times " for a nutrition adviser forthe Army.

This position was not considered of sufficient importance to justify consultation with the British Dietetic Association.

Do not the right hon. Gentleman's replies to this and the previous Question gloss over a piece of gross maladministration by his Department, in that the Army has no nutrition policy and yet published an advertisement in " The Times " for a nutrition adviser who could not possibly have the requested qualifications?

We have a policy in this respect. Apparently the words " nutrition " and " dietetic " have different meanings, and the way we used the expression attached undue importance to a post which was only a minor post.

When did the right hon. Gentleman decide to have a nutrition adviser? Are not the best nutrition advisers the men themselves when they get the food placed before them?

If I may say so, the right hon. Gentleman is talking a lot of sense. But it was considered that this particular post, which was just a minor one, was necessary for analysis of different types of rations.

Is it not a fact that Dr. Cuthbertson is Honorary Nutrition Adviser to the Army, and that the Army published the advertisement without consulting him?

We published an advertisement for a minor post.

Why have a nutrition expert when soldiers get what we used to get-brown stew and steak-and-kidney pie?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make public the proceedings of the court of inquiry and the Report on the running of boys' units in the Army which he set up as a result of the death of Private Peter Foden.

I have now had time to consider the Report on the running of boys' units and the action which we should take to meet its recommendations. I am having this Report, together with our proposals for action, printed, and will very shortly make them available to the House. The court of inquiry proceedings are privileged documents and we cannot, therefore, publish them.

Pending the examination of this Report, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether commanding officers of units of this kind are informed of the previous record of the boys who arrive in their battalions?

Yes, Sir. We have made arrangements for a much more careful inquiry in the future.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. Member for Kirkdale will get replies to his complaints sent by letters on 28th February, 1955, 2nd March, 1955, and 12th March, 1955, about the sentences passed on three National Service men whose homes are in Kirkdale, and the stoppage of allotments to their mothers; and why it takes many weeks, or longer, for replies to be sent to Members of Parliament about Army matters.

My hon. Friend replied to the hon. Member's first two letters on 16th and 24th March respectively and I acknowledged the last on 14th March. We have had to make special and detailed inquiries in the Canal Zone. I will let the hon. Member have the final answer very shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the harsh sentences that are passed in the Zone-in these cases, six, seven and nine months-for offences which in " civvy street " would probably be met by a 40s. fine? I wanted to put the words " harsh sentences " in my Question but they were refused at the Table. I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will consider, in the cases of these young soldiers: who are very often boys, suspending the sentences and giving them a chance, rather than penalising them when they are away from home. Further, can the right hon. Gentleman give a reply to the last part of the Question, and tell me why it takes the Army so long to reply to inquiries? I have had only half a reply to the three questions I asked.

These sentences are different from those in civil life. These men were charged with striking a superior officer. That is a very much more serious charge than one of common assault.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the case reported recently of the death of Bandsman George Fletcher on whom an inquest was held, and the failure of those in charge at the barracks concerned to secure early medical treatment; and what action he is taking to assure parents that their boys in the Army are living under reasonable conditions.

I am waiting for the proceedings of a court of inquiry set up to investigate this sad case, and am not yet in a position to make any comments.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to go very carefully into this matter, especially in view of the complaints there have been of similar incidents concerning young soldiers in different units? Is he aware that this kind of report-and we do not get all the reports of bad cases like this-disturbs the parents of National Service men? Unless the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to do something better, and to regulate the conduct of N.C.O.s and some officers, he will have difficulty with parents of boys who are away from home.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Regular Service men who are now discharged on medical grounds subsequently called up for National Service and then given tasks unaffected by their disability are not given that facility in the Regular Forces; and whether he will arrange for those so affected to continue to fulfil their Regular engagement but have their service curtailed to no more than the two years that they would spend in National Service.

Regular soldiers who fall below the physical standard for their own arm but remain fit for employment as Regulars elsewhere are invited to transfer to complete their engagement. They are not, however, compelled to do so, and may elect to take their discharge instead. In that case they may be called upon to fulfil their National Service liability.

Is the Secretary of State aware that there are examples of those who have been found unable to perform certain duties in the Regular Army having been discharged and then called up for National Service? Surely, it follows that if they can perform tasks as National Service men, similar tasks could be performed by them in the Regular Army?

No, Sir. They can voluntarily transfer to another arm as Regulars and complete their Regular engagements, or they can terminate their Regular service and do the remainder of their service as National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War the effect in saving of manpower on the British Army of the Australian and New Zealand participation in the defence of Malaya and the South-East Asia area.

So far as Australia is concerned, the matter is now being considered by their Government. New Zealand will send a Special Air Service Squadron to Malaya which will meet an existing commitment.

Can the Secretary of State say whether that is all that New Zealand is going to do? Are not they making arrangements for a division, in certain circumstances, for the defence of the South-East Asia area? Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the British Army will benefit, as far as individual postings are concerned in that area, by the saving of journeys of British soldiers to the area for defence purposes?

I understood the right hon. Gentleman's Question to refer to the contribution now, in peace. If he is referring to possible contributions in war, I do not think that that has an immediate effect on our manpower problem in peace.

Does this mean that there will be no saving whatever of British Army manpower under the new arrangement?

Until the size and nature of the Australian contribution is decided. I cannot answer that question.

Is not it likely that the contributions from both Australia and New Zealand will be very small, in view of the fact that the total size of the New Zealand Army is about 2,000 and that of the Australian Army about 40,000?

Yes, Sir. I should like to say that this contribution from New Zealand is a most welcome and important one, but it will not have a major effect on our manpower commitments.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Army continues to use out-of-date cleaning material, such as blanco; and when he is introducing more labour-saving personal equipment in order to economise in manpower.

Blanco has been replaced by a new cleaner called " Web Equipment Renovator." This is already being used at home and I hope that enough will soon be available for the Army overseas as well. We have also introduced untarnishable metal fittings on web equipment and untarnishable buttons, and this will save time but not manpower.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has had, as I have, personal experience of this renovator, as he calls it? Does he realise that even today, with this new web equipment cleaner, there is a tremendous amount of time wasted, apart from the necessary time spent on smartness? Cannot he save manpower in the same way as housewives have saved it by not blackleading their grates?

I have seen this stuff, and I think it is much quicker and easier to use than blanco. I also think that the untarnishable buttons will save a lot of time.

Will my right hon. Friend see that a tin of blanco is put in the Imperial War Museum?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that those now using this new web equipment cleaning material say that it is much too expensive? What has he to say about that?

I do not know the comparative price, but I am told that it lasts longer than blanco.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that he is not oblivious of the moral advantages of a little spit and polish?

This stuff does not in any way diminish smartness. The new buttons shine, and the new web equipment renovator makes a belt look just as good as did blanco.

The name of this new material seems to be very long. Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the soldiers call it?

asked the Secretary of State for War the size of Anti-Aircraft Command immediately before the announcement to disband that force was made.

We do not disclose this.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he does not disclose this information for security reasons, or to save himself embarrassment?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman will realise that were we to disclose the complete number of units and order of battle of Anti-Aircraft Command, even though it is abolished, it would be an invaluable check on sources of information for other intelligence services.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to encourage the United States Tariff Commission to reduce the tariff status of cutlery, knives and similar articles made in this country and exported to the United States of America, in view of our need for dollars.

Under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the United States Government have already made the maximum reductions in tariff rates at present permitted by United States law in favour of cutlery of the kinds we export to the United States.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we are now discussing the question of classification of various kinds, and that the United States tariff on pen knives, for instance, is as much as 264 per cent.? Has not the time come when my right hon. Friend may be able to help on the question of reclassification?

I will certainly look at the point, but my hon. Friend's Question relates, I think, to duties.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the results of this meeting with the Cotton Board on the question of imports of Indian cloth.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recently-announced Australian import restrictions, he has any policy statement to make with respect to the Lancashire textile industry.

I would refer the hon. Members to the answers just given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the President of the Board of Trade and the Prime Minister saw the Cotton Board, 70 workers at one cotton mill in my constituency have been thrown out of work, another mill is going on a four-day week from 1st April, and yet a third mill employing 500 workers is closing down for an extended stoppage over Easter? In view of the fact that every extension of short time and every stoppage of work causes human hardship, ought we not to treat this matter with greater urgency?

We are certainly treating the matter as my right hon. Friend treated it, with proper concern. I am grateful to the hon. Lady for what she has said.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the survey by his Department of the unemployment problems of North-West Wales has yet been completed: and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. Since the answer is long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While thanking the Minister for instituting this inquiry into what is a very grave and important problem, may I ask him whether he can now say if it is proposed to schedule these counties as a Development Area or to give them some comparable status?

It is not proposed to make a Development Area, but, for the rest, I would ask the hon. Gentleman to be good enough to study the answer.

If it is not proposed to schedule this area as a Development Area, may I ask the Minister, in view of the continuing decline of its major industry, the slate industry, what other steps and under what other provision and Statute do the Government propose to deal with this situation.

That is dealt with in the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the damaging effect which the new Australian restrictions on imports will have on the British motor industry; and what action he is taking to deal with this situation.

The effect of the restrictions on the motor industry's exports to Australia is not expected to be severe, and I am glad to note that the industry is confident that it will be able to offset loss of trade in Australia by gains in other markets.

Although the Minister says that the effect is not expected to be so bad, is he aware that it is anticipated that the total loss of exports will amount to the value of £3 million; and will he and his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply consult directly with the motor industry in order to try to find alternative markets?

We are, of course, always in touch with the motor industry on this and other important matters. The industry has recently stated that, despite the checks in shipments to Australia, it is still confident that it will be able to raise its world exports above the 1954 level. More will be sent to other markets, especially to South Africa.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the import restrictions recently announced by Australia are likely to affect exports of cast-iron goods from this country.

The Australian quotas for rain-water pipes and certain types of stoves are to be cut by 15 per cent. The category B quotas covering most other cast-iron goods are to be cut by one-third. But importers are free to use the category B quotas on a wide range of alternative goods from a wide range of countries, and it is, therefore, impossible to forecast the effect of the recent restrictions on particular United Kingdom exports.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall the very severe effect which the previous Australian import cuts had on the light castings export trade, and does he realise that in the last week or two short-time working has begun again in this industry? Will he take steps to see that as few as possible of our markets in Australia are lost?

As the hon. Gentleman is probably aware, the present cuts are much less severe than those in 1952. He is also probably aware of the inter-Departmental inquiry that took place following the 1952 cuts, and of the subsequent report which tended to show that the difficulties in 1952 were not solely due to Australian import cuts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will examine the possibility of bringing the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes within the purview of the Monopolies Commission.

No, Sir.

After that rather unsatisfactory reply, would my hon. and learned Friend please look at the Manual of Catering Services, 1954, page 13, paragraph (c), which I think will be informative to him?