asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement giving details of the response of producers and manufacturers to his invitation to give their point of view on the recommendation of the Preservatives Sub-Committee of the Food Standards Committee to ban certain colouring substances in foods.

Comments have been received from nearly 30 different interests, including local authority and professional organisations as well as representatives of producers and manufacturers. In general they relate to the criteria for assessing the suitability of colours for use in food, specifications of purity, labelling provisions and the need for additional colours. As I have already informed the hon. Member, there has also been some objection to the principle of a restricted list of colours.

Does not the report of the Sub-Committee indicate that there is far too much arsenic in the coal-tar dyes used in food? Unless the Minister takes some action to eliminate it, we shall soon be pickled in chemicals.

I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that, having given the Food Standards Committee and its Sub-Committee certain responsibilities, I must certainly give them a chance of carrying them out and wait for the Sub-Committee to report to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of bakers who drew a subsidy on flour in 1946, 1950, and 1954.

The number of bakers claiming bread subsidy was 17,760 in 1946, 15,403 in 1950 and some 13,500 in 1954.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this indicates that there has been a great falling off in country bakers and that they are finding it impossible to carry on their business under present conditions?

There have been a good many amalgamations, and, of course, this period has seen a very considerable increase in the practice of central baking.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these large bakeries are now beginning to monopolise bread-baking in this country, that the small baker has been steadily squeezed out, and that he has had a pretty raw deal under the present Government?

I would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the greater part of the decrease shown here took place during the period of the last Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now give the names of those appointed to serve on the Food Hygiene Advisory Council.

The membership is almost complete, and I hope to announce the names next week.

While receiving that information with great pleasure, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he can now announce the name of the Chairman?

I am under the impression that I have already announced the name of the Chairman—Lord Strang.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many abattoirs have been built in the United Kingdom since 1940; where they are situated; and what is the future policy in this respect.

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

Why has the Minister been so long and so complacent about this serious situation? Is it not a fact that the abattoirs built by the Ministry of Food are not known for their economy, hygiene or efficiency, and is it not time that something was done to make this Inter-departmental Committee get out its report, because it is holding up municipalities from building the up-to-date abattoirs that are still needed?

I should like to assure the hon. Member that, very far from being complacent about the present slaughterhouse position, I very much look forward to receiving this report.

The right hon. Gentleman said it would be early in the year.

I had hoped that it would be earlier in the year, but, as I subsequently told the House, the Committee concerned found that the position all over the country, as a result of the operation of the auctions, was changing so rapidly that it had again to reconsider the matter. I am afraid it means that I am unlikely to receive the report for another two months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimated annual financial cost of damage done to crops by pigeons.

I can put no figure to the damage caused by pigeons, but it is clearly very considerable indeed. I am anxious to encourage all practicable measures against them.

Is the Minister aware that at this time of the year only 8,000 pigeons are required to consume every day over a ton of extremely valuable green crops, such as kale and young clover? Can he tell me what investigations may be going on with a view to the control or elimination, if possible, of these pests?

My Department is carrying out research into the movement of pigeons and their distribution over the country. We are also carrying out research into the possible use of narcotics to control them. In the meantime, I would urge every hon. Member in the House to spend any time he can spare in helping to rid us of these pests. Cheap cartridges are available for organised shoots.

What information does the Minister hope to receive about the movement of pigeons?

Actually, it is quite an important matter. There has been a good deal of difference of opinion about how far pigeons go, and it is quite important, when we are devising the right measures to control them, to know what is the density of pigeons spread over the country.

When my right hon. Friend talks about how far pigeons can go, is he not aware that it has been established that a pigeon eats three times its own weight in a day, and would it not be alarming if that also applied to human beings?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to prevent the import of table poultry from all countries where fowl pest is endemic in view of the danger of increasing the spread and the consequent cost of eradicating this disease.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from firms wishing to import table poultry from the United States of America; and whether he will take steps to prevent the importation of poultry meat which might be liable to carry fowl pest disease.

The importation from the United States and elsewhere of uncooked poultry carcases which might be likely to introduce fowl pest is in general prohibited by an Order under the Diseases of Animals Act. Poultry carcases may be imported under licence from a specified area in France and a part of the Union of South Africa which are free from fowl pest, although the disease exists elsewhere in those countries. These imports are subject to stringent safeguards. There have been no representations apart from ordinary trade inquiries about canned poultry.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the anxiety of poultry producers, in particular, turkey producers, who have had a lot of trouble with closure orders restricting the movement of their birds over the last few months, and will he assure them that there is no possible risk of the disease coming in by this means?

Yes, Sir; I would gladly give that assurance. I am advised that there is no risk whatever of fowl pest arising from fully cooked poultry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what savings in staff and administrative costs have been effected in the past four years by dispensing with State trading in foodstuffs and the rationing system.

The net saving in staff formerly employed on rationing and State trading has, over the past four years, been about 19,300. The net saving in salaries is about £8¼ million per annum, in addition to the savings on the Votes of other Departments in respect of such items as accommodation, printing and telephones.

Could the Minister state the extra amount consumers have had to pay in consequence for their food over this period?

I am quite sure of one thing, and that is that the quality of food which consumers have enjoyed over this period has been steadily improving.

What has the right hon. Gentleman done with all the "bodies"? Where have all these people gone?

A fairly high proportion were temporary officers, and in most of these cases their employment has been terminated. The established officers have been absorbed elsewhere.

That is just what I am after. How many of them were established officers who have been merely transferred to another Department?

I should be glad if the right hon. Gentleman would put that question down.

Is it not a fact, which my right hon. Friend can confirm, that this has meant a saving in his Department which is matched by the savings in the total number of civil servants employed over the past four years?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the estimated investment in new farm machinery equipment and buildings in each of the past three years.

The estimated totals of agricultural investment in Great Britain in 1952, 1953 and 1954 are, for machinery and equipment, £54 million, £53 million and £55 million, for vehicles £6 million, £7 million and £6 million, and for buildings and construction, £18 million, £21 million and £23 million. These figures are for private investment and include purchases for replacement.

Is this satisfactory rate of investment towards mechanisation and improvement of efficiency in agriculture continuing during the present year as far as my right hon. Friend can judge?

As far as I can judge, yes, and I very much hope it is continuing.

Does the Minister regard this amount as an adequate rate of investment in view of the need for food and agricultural production?

I should like to see it still higher.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportions of the food supplies of the United Kingdom were home-produced in 1938, 1951 and 1954.

On a calorie basis the figures are 31 per cent. and 40 per cent. for the pre-war period and 1951, respectively. Figures for 1954 are not yet available. Estimates on a constant value basis are 36 per cent. for the pre-war period and 50 per cent. both for 1950–51 and for 1953–54.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make available full-size X-ray plates for investigation of all foundry workers who may be suffering from pneumoconiosis.

Examination by full-size X-ray plates is available free under the National Health Service for any person thought to be suffering from pneumoconiosis after clinical examination by a doctor or after examination by a mass miniature radiography unit.

Is the right hon Gentleman aware that examination by means of miniature radiography unit has not proved to be satisfactory and that this is causing great distress among foundry workers? Will he say whether his failure to provide such a service is due to the fact that his Ministry cannot provide it after all these years in which he has been in charge, or to the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer refuses to give him the money although he finds money for many other less desirable purposes?

I do not accept any of the statements in that supplementary question.

Is the Minister aware that there are two types of mass miniature machines—one a 30 millimetre machine and the other, the improved new type, of 60 millimetres. Is it not a fact that the 60 millimetre machine is eminently satisfactory, and could we have more of them made available?

As I said in my original Answer, if full X-ray examination is desirable it can be done after clinical examination, or after the need has been shown through a mass miniature radiography unit.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons received orthodontic treatment under the National Health Service in each of the years from 1947 to 1954, inclusive; and what was the total cost of the treatment in each year.

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

Is the Minister quite happy about the figures she intends to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT about the increases which have occurred in 1947–54?

When the hon. Member has read the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will see that they show a steady and very substantial rise.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he will make a statement on the progress that is being made in orthodontics in Britain;

(2) how far he is satisfied that sufficient facilities exist for the treatment of children and others needing orthodontic care; and what is the number of dentists who treated orthodontically, under the National Health Service, more than 100 patients each in the last convenient year.

Orthodontic treatment is provided under the hospital and specialist services, the school health service and the general dental services. My right hon. Friend is discussing with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education and the British Dental Association the issue of guidance to hospitals and local authorities to enable the best use to be made of the limited number of orthodontists available. The number of dentists in England and Wales who in 1954 were each given approval to start more than 100 courses of orthodontics under the general dental services was 42. My right hon. Friend regrets that similar information is not available for the other services.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this part of the dental service is perhaps as important as any other dentistry? Is she aware that the number of orthodontists treating more than 100 patients at the last convenient year—42, the number she has given—is not terribly encouraging or terribly satisfactory? Will she say what prospects there are of this service being very much widened in scope in the coming year?

It is not a case of widening the scope of the service but of the number of people available with the required skill to carry out this very difficult treatment. The figures show that there has been a substantial increase year by year in the number of treatments given. I think the hon. Member will find that there has been no limitation on necessary treatment where the skill has been available to carry it out.

In view of the great importance of orthodontic treatment for general health and the avoidance of chest diseases, amongst others, what steps are being taken to train more orthodontists, the number of whom is obviously insufficient to deal with the great need which exists at present?

I agree with the hon. Member's point about the importance of this speciality, and the House will be interested to know that a diploma of orthodontics was recently introduced by the Royal College of Surgeons with a determination to encourage dentists in general practice to undertake this more detailed work in orthodontics.

When the Minister is issuing guidance to local authorities about this treatment, will she also issue guidance to the House on what orthodontists are?

asked the Minister of Health how many general practitioners are engaged in practice under the National Health Service Act, 1946; and how many of these employ assistants.

On 1st July, 1954—the latest date for which figures are available—19,300 general practitioners were practising in the National Health Service. Altogether, 837 doctors, practising single-handed, and 614 partnerships employed assistants, other than trainees.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the exploitation of assistants by general practitioners under the National Health Service Act which has occurred in certain cases, he will take steps to limit the increased number on a list when an assistant is employed to a maximum of 1,500.

No, Sir. The relationship of principals and their assistants cannot readily be regulated by Statute. In any event, my right hon. Friend does not think that reducing by 500 the number of additional patients a principal with an assistant might accept on his list would have the effect the hon. Member seems to anticipate.

Does not the Minister realise that many doctors find very great difficulty in getting the necessary capital to start in practice and that they are therefore liable to be exploited by doctors who employ them as assistants? Does not the number which the Minister gave me in answer to my last Question show that there is some evidence of that danger? What does the Minister intend to do about it?

The number has been decreasing and the number who have been in this position during the period about which the hon. Member asked is not unduly high. The matter is certainly being given consideration by the British Medical Association and the Medical Practitioners' Union, but we have had no decisions or opinions from them on the matter yet.

Does the hon. Lady recollect that it was a definite promise by the medical profession, at the time when the payment of general practitioners was referred to adjudication, that they would seek to reduce the number of assistants and increase the number of principals in practice? Is she satisfied that the medical profession are giving real co-operation in this matter, as they undertook to do?

There has been an increase in partnerships and a reduction in the number who do a long period as assistants. These consultations are going on between the B.M.A. and the Medical Practitioners' Union, and I think the profession are co-operating in this matter where they feel that there is hardship.

Does the hon. Lady know that the British Medical Association's Committee has already reported, that its report has been published in the B.M.A. Journal and that it is by no means entirely happy about the situation?

asked the Minister of Health how many general practitioners or general practitioner partnerships in the National Health Service have employed the same assistant for five or more years.

My right hon. Friend regrets that information is not available in this form, but on 1st July, 1954, 131 assistants were still in posts which they had taken up before 1st July, 1949.

Does not the hon. Lady think that that is a very serious matter? Even the figures which she has given me show that. While it is admitted that docters may derive a good deal of benefit from being assistants for a time, does not she agree that for them to go on year after year in that position, as these figures suggest, is a very dangerous situation?

I think we should keep this matter in proportion. On 1st July, 1954, there were 1,504 assistants, and of that number 131 had been in their posts since 1949, as I told the hon. Member. But, on the other side, 320 assistants were taken into partnership during last year and there is a steady increase in the trend towards partnerships.

Would it not be possible to make an inquiry into this comparatively small number of cases to see what the reason is for this long period of assistantship?

We will certainly consider that point.

Is the number of patients allocated to the assistant laid down by the local committee or by the principal doctor? Is the salary laid down by the local committee or by the doctor who employs the assistants?

That is laid down in the general terms of contract under the Health Service.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the successful experiments in the United States of America with a vaccine for combating poliomyelitis, if he will make a statement giving details of his proposals to introduce it into this country on a long and short-term basis.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the use of the Salk anti-poliomyelitis vaccine in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Health what liaison exists between his Department and research organisations in the United States of America; and what steps have been taken to make the Salk anti-poliomyelitis treatment available in this country.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements he is making for the purchase of the Salk vaccine against poliomyelitis.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the Salk anti-poliomyelitis vaccine will be produced and used in this country; and under what conditions.

With permission, I shall make a statement at the end of Questions.

asked the Minister of Health to give an estimate of the cost of acquiring land required for the major new hospital building projects to be undertaken in 1956–57 and 1957–58; and what proportion of the announced expenditure for those years of £7½ million and £.10 million, respectively, represents the probable cost of land acquisition.

The full list of major new hospital building projects to be started in 1956–57 and 1957–58 is not yet settled and no complete estimate can therefore be given of the cost of the land to be acquired. The land required for the projects already selected—that is, those I mentioned in my Statement—is expected, on present information, to cost about £20,000. The figures of £ 7½ million and £10 million, which relate to the total value of projects to be started in 1956–57 and 1957–58, do not include expenditure on land.

The Minister will agree that £20,000 does not in any way represent the cost of the land. If these projects are to go on in 1956–57 and 1957–58, what is holding up an estimate of what the land will cost? Surely the Minister's Department must have some idea, or is it so bad that it does not dare to tell us?

Silly.

Who says I am silly?

I did not. The answer is, of course, that in most of the cases which are sufficiently far forward to have been announced in the list I gave to the House, we already have the land and the cost does not therefore arise. I cannot give an exact estimate, beyond that £20,000, until I have finalised the list of projects for the future.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet approved the plans for the new wards, new out-patient clinics, kitchens, etc., for the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital; on what date those plans were deposited with his Department; and what was the date on

asked the Minister of Health how much of the £80,000 allocated by him in March, 1954, for phase three rebuilding at the Coventry and

As this project consists of seven separate contracts, the answer is in tabular form and I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that this evasion really is not good enough? Is he aware, furthermore, that I have been informed that these plans were sent to his Department last May and that we have as yet got no further with the spending of the £80,000 which he gave us and that we regard this as a betrayal of the offer he made last March?

Those are very strong words. Perhaps the hon. Lady would like to look at what I shall circulate and then comment, particularly perhaps on the adaptations to the out-patients department for which I have not yet received the working drawings.

Approximately £12,000 has been spent on site clearance, which has been completed, £1,500 on reinstatement of war-damaged wards which is still in progress, and £1,600 on professional fees for planning a new kitchen, dining and clinical services block.

Is the Minister aware what a disappointment this is to Coventry? Does he know that in March, 1954, he gave us £80,000 to be spent in the past financial year, but that somebody has so held up matters that only this miserable amount he has just mentioned has been spent? Would he tell us what he proposes to do to expedite the matter?

It is just as big a disappointment to me that this money has not been spent as it is to Coventry. The estimate of £80,000 was Coventry's estimate, and it is now clear that it was an unrealistic one. I am sorry that that should be so. But of course the money is not lost. The expenditure is pushed forward into the present financial year.

Are we to understand from the Minister's reply to Question No. 26 that, in the absence of any enlightened information from himself, we must assess that the average delay is always more than 12 months?

No, of course not.

As the Minister's answers to my Questions have been so unsatisfactory, I wish to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first available opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health the average period of time elapsing between the depositing of plans with his Department by a regional hospital board and their acceptance by his officers.

I do not think such an average would be significant enough to justify the labour required to calculate it.

Is the Minister aware that I have been given an average of five months in delay? Would he be prepared to comment on that?

I do not see how it is possible to calculate an average between proposals that may be, on the one hand, for a 1,000-bed hospital and, on the other hand, for a small out-patients department. I have recently had an overhaul of the system in order to make sure, as far as we can, that matters are in train for the increased capital investment programme that is now contemplated.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this delay, which is generally excessive, is made worse toy the large number of schemes which have to be submitted to the Treasury as well as to his own Department? Will the right hon. Gentleman have a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether he can lessen this far too detailed control of the work of his Department by the Treasury?

Yes, we have been going into that subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to approve the plan to install radio-telephone equipment in the ambulances of the Staffordshire health authority.

I shall consider the revised plan as soon as it is submitted.

Cannot the Minister do something to speed up this process? Is he aware that this plan has been on the agenda for many months and that the North Staffordshire health committee is fed up with this very long delay? Can he do something to get agreement with the Staffordshire authority?

I will deal with the plan as soon as it is submitted to me. I understand that it is going before the health committee of the Staffordshire authority, and I hope that there will be no delay in sending it to me.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the need to appoint a clinical psychiatrist to be attached to the general hospitals in North Staffordshire; and if he will state the reasons for the delay in making this appointment.

The post has been advertised, and the closing date for applications is 2nd May. I have written to the hon. Member explaining why some delay was inevitable in this case.

While thanking the Minister for the letter which he has sent explaining the reason for the period of months that we have been without any psychiatrist, will he give an assurance that the new system which is now proposed will mean no less a service at the City General Hospital than we have had hitherto during the past few years?

I understand that that will be so, but perhaps I can go into the exact point that the hon. Member has raised with the regional board and the management committees concerned.

Will the Minister bear in mind that the former psychiatrist, who unfortunately died, was very highly trained and skilled and did very excellent work in this hospital which is not only in my constituency but serves the whole of North Staffordshire? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the assurance for which we are really asking is that someone of similar qualifications shall succeed him?

I take note of those remarks. In fact—and I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows this—the vacancy is for a consultant psychiatrist.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to stop the drift of pharmaceutical staff from the hospital service to private industry; and what action he has taken to put into operation the recommendations of the Linstead Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that the supply of pharmacists for the National Health Service is adequate; and if he will review their rates of pay.

A general agreement on increased salaries for hospital pharmacists was reached by the appropriate Whitley Council on 20th April. Details are now being worked out. On 3rd March I issued a circular to hospital authorities giving guidance on the action to be taken to implement the recommendations of the Linstead Committee, apart from one or two reserved for further consideration. I have also sent a letter to hospital authorities on measures for securing economies in the prescribing of drugs in hospitals. I will send copies of these documents to my hon. Friend and to the hon. Member.

I am sure everybody will be pleased to learn what the Minister has said, but is he aware that there is a great deal of concern about this matter and that the greatest loss in this service appears to occur among the most highly skilled men? I am informed that some 28 chief men on the pharmaceutical staff have left the service and have gone into industry within the last two years. Can the Minister say whether the new proposals do anything to remedy the situation, which seems very unsatisfactory?

I hope they will. That, of course, is one of their objects. The drift to which the hon. Member refers shows itself more in the basic than in the more senior grades. If the hon. Gentleman would like exact details of the proposals, perhaps he will put down a written Question and then I can show them in HANSARD.

Would the Minister state the difference between the salary that is now proposed for senior pharmacists and that being paid in chemists' shops adjacent to hospitals? Will he also indicate the difference between the number of people dispensed for in both the private and the hospital sectors?

I will give the details of the agreement that has been reached. If any comparatve information of the kind that the hon. Lady suggests can usefully be included, I will consider it.

Would my right hon. Friend take into account that the young men in the lower ranges of the pharmaceutical service are concerned that their rate of progress to higher-paid jobs is very often so slow as to be unnoticeable, and that they fear that those who go into commercial practice and industry are passing them in the salary race very quickly?

Yes, I am sure that that point was in the mind of the Whitley Council when it drew up this new scale.

asked the Minister of Health how many male pharmacists have been recruited to the permanent hospital staff in the past three years; and how many have resigned other than on retirement pensions during the same period.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of vacancies for pharmacists in the hospital service and the number of such posts filled by locums.

The number of vacancies reported in response to a special inquiry last autumn was 367. I regret that figures of the number of posts filled by locums are not available.

Is the Minister aware that the pharmacists inside the hospital service claim that there is difficulty in recruiting pharmacists for the service? While they will be very glad of the termination of the negotiations and the agreement which has been reached, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it is wrong for qualified men inside the hospitals to get less than the same kind of men outside the hospitals?

asked the Minister of Health the estimated requirements of the South-West Regional Hospital Board for 1955–56; what reductions he has made in these estimates; what were the reasons for these reductions; and what proportion of them applies to the Bristol area.

The board's forecast of its requirements for 1955–56 totalled £17,216,990. The amount allocated to the board is £16,791,000, including £193,000 to cover expenditure arising subsequent to the submission of the forecast, and represented what seemed to me to be the board's fair share of the total available for the hospital services. The proportion to be allocated to the Bristol area is a matter within the board's own discretion.

Is it not a fact that the local committees are asked to estimate before they are fully conversant with the circumstances? Is it not also a fact that the right hon. Gentleman's Department always cut down the estimates made by local authorities? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the practice of his Department in cutting down is only inviting local authorities to ask for more than they require?

From the beginning of the service it has probably been true that the estimates submitted have been reduced by the different Ministers who have been responsible. But, as I am sure the hon. Gentleman knows, the amount available for the National Health Service this year is no less than £25 million more than the amount given for last year.

asked the Minister of Health how the total number of places which will be available for mental defectives in the East Anglian region, when schemes now in progress have been completed, will compare with the number available at the start of the National Health Service and at the end of 1951, respectively.

There were 1,149 places for mental defectives in East Anglia when the service began and 1,249 at the end of 1951. When building schemes now in progress have been completed, the figure will be 1,591 and there will be a further increase to 1,739 if current negotiations for the purchase of an existing property are successful.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this will be very good news to many parents who are extremely anxious? In the meantime, until this splendid work is completed, will my right hon. Friend see if there is anything that can be done to alleviate the financial burden placed on some parents who, in sheer desperation, are often put to expense they can ill afford in order to get private treatment for their children?

I am afraid I could not give my hon. and gallant Friend any guarantee on that.

While these figures will give some satisfaction to some people in East Anglia, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this problem is about the most acute in the whole area? Will he agree that, in comparison with other regional areas, the service is barely up to the standard required?

Yes, it is not only acute in East Anglia but is one of the major worries for us all over the country. It has had very high priority in the capital investment programme for some years, and that policy will be continued.

asked the Minister of Health how many homes for mentally defective children are included in his building programme; and if he will give an assurance that they will have sufficient priority to eliminate the long waiting list as the present delay in getting these children into homes is having a bad effect on the other children in the house and is a great strain on the parents.

Separate homes for mentally defective children are not normally provided, but building schemes approved for 1953–54 and subsequently include some 7,000 hospital beds for mental defectives generally. In formulating further building programmes, full regard will continue to be had to the needs to which my hon. Friend refers.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask if he will give special consideration to those mentally defective children who, on the death of their parents, have nowhere to go? I believe that at present very few homes, even on payment, will accept those unfortunate children without very long delay.

Yes, I will consider whether any more guidance can usefully be given there. One would expect in any case that normally the children to whom my hon. Friend refers in his Question would be found in the highest priority group for admission.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Northern Region the waiting list has hardly been reduced over the last few years? What steps are being taken to reduce it?

It has been reduced over the country from December, 1953, when it was 8,440, to December, 1954, when it was 7,000. As I have announced, 7,000 hospital beds are being built. We have, in fact, plans to cover the waiting list over the whole country, although I do not say that at the end of the period there will not still be places in which there is considerable difficulty.

In view of the fact that those new hospital beds will not be available for at least 18 months in some areas, will the right hon. Gentleman look at the position to see whether he can give local authorities temporary power to deal with very special cases where great difficulty is being encountered in the homes of mentally defective children? Local authorities might like to take some action in relation to the problem if authority could be given to act in a temporary capacity while waiting for the provision of new beds.

I am not quite sure what temporary provision the hon. Lady has in mind. Perhaps she will let me know, and I will look into the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is not only new building that is required but additional nursing staff, of which the present acute shortage appears to be getting even worse? Will the right hon. Gentleman say what his Department is doing about that?

I am afraid that is another question. It would take too long to reply to it in a supplementary answer.

asked the Minister of Health the percentage increase in the maintenance allocation to the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board for the current year over the estimated expenditure by the Board in 1954–55; and how this increase compares with those granted to other provincial boards.

68 per cent., compared with an average of 56 per cent. for other provincial boards. No other provincial board has received as high a percentage increase.

Whilst thanking my right hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask whether he is satisfied that the capacity of the hospitals is not being impaired by not granting the board exactly what it wants? Would he give an assurance that he is fully aware of the old-fashioned nature of many of the hospitals in the East Anglian Region?

Yes, those are exactly the sort of matters we take into account. One of the reasons why the percentage increase is higher is the old buildings. Therefore they have been given a high allocation for arrears of building maintenance.

Has it now been decided to utilise the magnificent building of St. Luke's Hospital, Lowestoft, which has been lying fallow for 10 years?

I was asked that question some time ago by the hon. Member. There has been no change in the position.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress achieved in the organisation of high-level talks.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the consultations taking place between the Western Powers regarding a collective policy to achieve German unification.

On 27th April a meeting of British, American and French officials will begin in London in order to prepare plans, for consideration by Ministers, for holding a four-Power conference with the Soviet Government. West German officials will be invited to attend the meetings to discuss questions affecting Germany.

The British instruments ratifying the Paris Agreements will be deposited on 5th May. I understand that other Governments will be acting similarly at the same time so that the Agreements will enter into force on that day.

I myself shall be going to Paris on 7th May for the meeting of the North Atlantic Council which opens on 9th May. The question of a four-Power conference with the Soviet Government will then be one of the subjects for discussion. In addition, I shall hope to have separate talks during this period with the French and American Foreign Ministers and with the German Federal Chancellor.

I am confident that these consultations will lead to agreement about an early approach to the Soviet Government. As the House knows, it is the earnest desire of Her Majesty's Government that a four-Power conference should meet as soon as possible.

Her Majesty's Government will be glad to take part in talks at any level, whether Heads of Government or Foreign Ministers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a growing opinion among all parties in Germany in favour of a settlement with Russia which would reunify Germany on the understanding that she remained neutral? Will he give the House an assurance, if he really wants the talks to succeed and not to be abortive, as they were in Berlin, that the Government will not close their mind to this solution and thus risk alienating the support of the German people and leading to a failure of the talks?

I am afraid I could not give any such undertaking. I think I should be wise in getting my advice as to the view of the German Government from the German Federal Chancellor.

Have any steps been taken by the British envoy in Moscow to find out what the Russians meant by free elections?

We of course will do all we can, but I think this programme is a pretty rapid programme considering that the condition prior to any talks has been the ratification of the London-Paris Agreements, which we are hoping will be completed by 5th May.

Has the right hon. Gentleman done anything about it already?

No, Sir, because it is quite understood that until the ratification there is no question of invitation to talks.

As the right hon. Gentleman has referred to the willingness of the Government to engage in high-level or other talks, does that mean that the definite proposal of the former Prime Minister last year of high-level talks has been wholly or partially abandoned by Her Majesty's Government?

No, Sir. It means that it has been confirmed, as indeed it was by my right hon. Friend speaking on 28th March as Foreign Secretary and repeated by him on 19th April as Prime Minister, when he made it quite clear that we had excluded nothing in the way of machinery from our minds so long as we could bring about the results for which we all hoped.

The right hon. Gentleman referred in his answer to having West German officials in the conference with the Foreign Ministers—

indicated dissent.

I thought that was what he said; he mentioned West German officials. How soon will it be before West German Federal Ministers are consulted in these matters and brought in fully with the Western Powers, since West Germany is supposed to be recovering sovereignty in some form or another?

I regret any misunderstanding. What I said—the right hon. Gentleman will see it in the OFFICIAL REPORT—was that on 27th April we are to have the first stage of the meeting of the officials, to which we are inviting the West German officials to come. Then there will be the second stage, after ratification on 5th May, when we all meet in Paris; and at that we hope to have in our consultations the benefit of Dr. Adenauer with us.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement regarding the situation in the Formosa area as it affects world peace.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a further statement on his efforts to secure a cessation of hostilities in the Formosa area in view of the threat to world peace.

As the House knows, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has sought continually for means whereby this difficult problem might be settled by negotiation rather than by force. This has been the prime purpose of all his efforts during recent weeks and was fully set out in a statement to this House on 8th March. This remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have now seen reports of a statement by Mr. Chou En-lai, which suggests a readiness to enter into negotiation. Her Majesty's Government welcome any genuine effort to find a peaceful solution to the Formosa question. There are, of course, a number of difficulties to be overcome in any such negotiation, including the question of how the parties most directly concerned are to be brought together. Her Majesty's Government will continue to use all their influence to bring about a cease-fire and to promote an atmosphere within which a peaceful settlement could be approached.

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that an essential first step is to get clarification, through our representative in Peking, of what Mr. Chou En-lai's offer means? Will he give an undertaking that this will be done?

Yes, Sir; I will certainly consider that. That is a very useful suggestion.

Would the Foreign Secretary agree to urge upon the United States Government the vital importance of entering into this conference, and will he also at the same time urge upon the Chinese Government the importance of their making their contribution to the holding of the conference by agreeing to release the American prisoners?

Yes, Sir, all those matters are relevant. Of course, we have not quite got to the stage of a conference yet. What we must do is to get everybody's state of mind favourable to negotiation rather than to force.

I asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would agree to urge upon the United States Government the importance of their agreeing to enter into this conference.

All these matters will be considered and we are in continual touch with them. What we have tried to do is to carry on the policy of bringing all the parties together for negotiation.

Has the Foreign Secretary also seen reports of conditions stipulated by the State Department of the United States, among which is the stipulation that Chiang Kai-shek and the Nationalist Government should be brought into the discussions? Does he not agree that that condition might retard the possibility of a solution? What is the opinion of Her Majesty's Government on that matter?

I saw a number of statements, including a second statement by Mr. Chou En-lai and the statement issued by the State Department. All those show the difficulties which lie in our path and I think that it would best serve our purpose if I left the matter at this stage, thanking the right hon. Gentlemen for the suggestions they have made.

But if there is in this matter the possibility of a solution, which everybody in the House desires, presumably on both sides, would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that if in the opinion of the majority of nations throughout the world Chiang Kai-shek is regarded as discredited, it would be a pity if that stood in the way of a solution?

Yes, Sir; but I do not see how a solution can be brought about without all the parties concerned having some part in it and their interests taken care of.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the circumstances in which the British Embassy in Tokio issued an attack which was at variance with his officially announced policy on the Bandoeng Conference; and what action he is taking.

If the hon. Member will read the full text of this article, copies of which I have placed in the Library of the House, I think he will agree that it does not constitute an attack on the Bandoeng Conference. On the contrary, the article rightly says that the British people wish the conference well.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the publication in the official bulletin issued by the British Embassy in Tokio of an attack on the policy of the Chinese People's Republic was made with his approval.

I was naturally not specifically consulted on this routine publication in a fortnightly bulletin intended to present the British point of view on topics of interest in Japan. Its appearance on the opening day of the Bandoeng Conference has occasioned disproportionate publicity for certain phrases quoted out of their context.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that this was a particularly ill-mannered outburst and an attack on general Chinese policy which was very unfortunate at a time when Mr. Chou En-lai was making a number of significant and conciliatory gestures at the Bandoeng Conference? Will the right hon. Gentleman not do something to assist our friendly relations with China by dissociating himself emphatically from this article?