asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to stop the diminution of agricultural labour supply which has taken place over the last four years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to halt the continued drift of agricultural workers from the land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how much the number of agricultural workers has fallen during the past three years; and what steps he is taking to remedy the shortage.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, Central (Sir F. Medlicott) on 20th June. The number of regular farm workers in England and Wales fell from 554,000 in June, 1951, to 505,000 in June, 1954.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman regard this as a serious state of affairs, and does he not think that some attention should be given to agriculture north of the Sahara? Should he not bear in mind the necessity for maintaining employment in this vital British industry?

I think it is a most important question, but it is a matter that we must keep in perspective. We must remember that during the time that the total of manpower has been falling—it has been falling over a considerable number of years—net output has been steadily increasing. The whole policy of the present Government is aimed at ensuring a strong and productive agricultural industry capable of holding its own in competition.

Does the Minister not agree that many more men would go on to the land and stay on the land if there were better prospects for them to have farms of their own? Could he say what steps the Government are taking to enable farm workers to have some prospects of obtaining smallholdings or farms of their own?

I agree that that is a most important aspect of the problem, but I am afraid it is not one that I can answer in reply to a Question like this. It is something of which I hope we shall always take account when we have an agricultural debate. The hon. Gentleman knows the provisions that are made already for smallholdings.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that we are heading for disaster unless at some time or other this drift from the land is checked? As an immediate contribution to the solution of this problem, would the right hon. Gentleman press for the complete exemption from National Service of all farm workers, putting them on the same basis as the Merchant Navy?

That last aspect of the matter should be addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour, because that is his responsibility. On the general question of the drift from the land, I would remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the year in which the drift was greatest was 1950–51.

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that it was Socialist legislation which militated so much against the farmer getting his own farm, under the provisions of the 1947 Act?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what complaints he has received from the National Farmers' Union about the importation of foxes into Westmorland; and what action he has taken.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that on 2nd and 9th April the "Westmorland Gazette" reported complaints that had been made to the Kendal branch of the National Farmers' Union that foxes recently shot in the area had punch marks on their ears, and that crates of foxes had been seen on Oxenholme Station? Could the right hon. Gentleman look into the allegations made?

I have no powers to interfere with the import or export of foxes into Westmorland, but I understand that there are a large number of foxes in Westmorland, and if a trade is taking place I should have expected it to be an export and not an import trade.

When an hon. Member wants to hunt foxes with or without holes punched in their ears in the constituency of another hon. Member, or for that matter to look for red herrings, is it not much more in keeping with the customs of this House that he should give the hon. Member concerned notice that he intends to do so?

Are we to gather from the Answer of the Minister that he has no objection if foxes are moved from one part of the country to another, and would it not be much better to concentrate upon extinguishing them as a pest rather than allowing their forcible movement from one part to another?

I am entirely in favour of the number of foxes being kept under strict control, whatever part of the country they are in, and I hope that my remarks will not be taken as being approval of the transferring of foxes from one part of the country to another.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many fat cattle in England and Wales qualified for the collective guarantee for the period 25th April to 22nd May; and on what grounds these payments were made.

Sixty thousand and sixty-five. In accordance with the Fatstock Guarantee Scheme, 1955–56, the rate of the collective guarantee for cattle for the four weeks ended 22nd May, 1955, was determined by the difference between the estimated average return to producers during the fifty-two weeks ended 27th March, 1955, and the guaranteed standard price.

Was not the average price received for the 60,000 cattle during that period well above the guaranteed price, and therefore the subsidy in addition was far above the guarantee; and, coming at that time, did it not attract to the market more and smaller cattle, which were slaughtered? As they will not be available for the store market, will not the result be less beef later this year?

The reply to the first part of the supplementary question is that that may well have been the case over a short period because that is the effect of the way the payment is computed. The method is called "a moving average." I am satisfied, however, that this method of computing has two great advantages: first, that it enables the payment to be made promptly and, secondly, that over a longish period it means more stable prices instead of fluctuating ones.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt in coastal areas against the drainage rate; and if he will review the working of the 1930 Act.

I am not aware that there is any general dissatisfaction about the drainage rates levied by internal drainage boards in coastal areas.

The principle embodied in the Land Drainage Act, 1930, that land which derives benefit or avoids danger as a result of drainage operations should be subject to a drainage rate has been an integral part of land drainage legislation for centuries past. I see no justification for reviewing the working of this part of the Act.

If I send my right hon. Friend evidence of dissatisfaction from my constituents who feel that the Act is operating unfairly to them, will he investigate it?

Yes, I shall be glad to do so.

Whatever may be the case in coastal areas, is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread dissatisfaction with the rate in internal areas—for instance, where there is a row of houses and where one half of the road pays at a certain rate and the other half at another rate? Will he not give us any hope that these matters can be gone into?

The effect to which the hon. Gentleman calls attention is inevitable where there are boundaries: there is always a difference. The reply to the first part of the supplementary question is that I have always been dissatisfied with any rate that I have had to pay.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made during the past twelve months in the release of properties held under requisition or otherwise by or on behalf of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Land held under requisition for farming purposes fell from about 24,000 to 15,000 acres, and premises used as depots or hostels from 123 to 68 in the year ended 1st July, 1955. Land held for temporary allotments by local authorities on my behalf fell from 4,400 to 3,000 acres in the year ended September, 1954.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that, rightly or wrongly, there still appears to be apprehension in the minds of many people that land and properties are held by his Department, or by other bodies acting on his behalf, without good public reason? Can he give us an assurance that each case has been, or will be, re-examined in the light of that test?

Yes, I have had a review made of all land and properties held under requisition. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind in which he thinks there is no good reason, on public grounds, for retaining requisitioning, I shall be glad to look at it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many farmers were under supervision in Wales and in England, respectively, at the latest convenient date; and how these figures compare with the respective figures three years ago.

On 31st May, 1955, sixty-seven farmers in Wales and 365 in England were under supervision for failing to comply with the rules of good husbandry. The comparable figures for 1952 are, Wales 324 and England 1,194.

In view of the difficulties of farming in many parts of Wales, does my right hon. Friend not think that the figure for Wales seems rather high in comparison with the figure for England?

If my hon. Friend looks at those figures, he will see that the figures for Wales are proportionately low.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will take steps to have an abridged edition of Her Majesty's Stationery Office booklet, "The Advertising, Labelling and Composition of Food," published so that housewives can understand it.

So much of this booklet is now out of date that the issue of an abridged edition would not be helpful. I am, however, considering whether information helpful to consumers could be given in some other form.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to detect noncompliance with the standards described in Her Majesty's Stationery Office booklet, "The Advertising, Labelling and Composition of Food," in cases where the standards are enforceable.

Enforcement in these cases is a matter for the local food and drugs authorities, which have adequate powers under existing legislation.

I understand that there are adequate powers, but I am told that the staffs have been greatly cut down through recent changes at the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry. Is that so?

No, enforcement depends on the work of the staffs of the local authorities concerned, for which I have no responsibility.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up an independent consumer research organisation to guide and advise housewives in respect of the advertising, labelling, composition, and prices of food.

No, Sir. I am anxious to encourage an informed public opinion on these matters, and under recent legislation further provision has been made for protecting housewives against abuse of advertising, labelling and composition of foodstuffs. But if any organisation of the kind suggested by the hon. Lady were to be contemplated, it would seem more appropriate for it to be set up by voluntary action.

But the local authorities cannot have sufficient staff, apart from the weights and measures inspector, who protects the housewife to some extent, so would it not be possible to advise local authorities to have someone else additional to the inspector for this type of work, if the right hon. Gentleman does not consider setting up a research council?

My feeling is that work of the kind which the hon. Lady has in mind is not work which is best done directly by the Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will undertake the bulk purchase of bananas from Jamaica.

No, Sir; State trading in bananas was given up on 31st March, 1953, and I have no intention of putting the clock back.

Will the Minister agree that unless Jamaica has economic stability, it is likely that political and even social instability will follow? Does this answer mean that his mind is harking back to the bad old days, and does the right hon. Gentleman not think that there is a danger of Jamaica not being able to sell her banana harvest, with consequent economic instability?

The object which the hon. Gentleman clearly has in mind, economic stability in Jamaica, is one with which we should all agree. It is a question of the method suggested, and State trading by us is not one which I feel would be conducive to that end.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average collective guarantee per lb. for fat sheep for the six months ended 31st March; and the collective guarantee per lb. for the current six months.

The average collective guarantee for the six months ended 31st March was a fraction under 4¼d. per lb dressed carcase weight: the rate has not yet been announced for the whole of the current six months, but the average for the three months April to June was very slightly over 4d. per lb.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the average market realisation price per lb. for fat sheep during the six months ended 31st March and the average price at the present time.

For the six months ended 31st March the average market price including individual guarantee payments was slightly under 2s. 11½d. per lb. estimated dressed carcase weight. For the week ended 26th June, 1955, the price was 2s. 6¼d.

As there has been a fall of 5d. per lb. in the price of fat sheep, will the collective guaranteed payment increase according to the reduction in the price, or is it likely to decrease while the price of fat sheep is decreasing?

The answer to the right hon. Gentleman is the answer that I attempted to give to an earlier Question. The actual payment for the periods depends on the figure of the moving average for the fifty-two weeks ended four weeks before the period in question.

I know that a big effort has been made to obtain the right method and procedure. However, in the light of the figures over the previous six months and the present six months, is it not possible that the collective guaranteed payment may be fairly high while the price is high but now that the price is falling the collective guaranteed payment may fall at the same time?

That could be the result over a short period. I can only say that if the right hon. Gentleman knows a better way of dealing with the situation I should be delighted to receive his suggestions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will appoint a board of arbitrators from which an appointment can be made to settle disputes which arise between farmers and the agricultural executive committee in the cases of grants under the Livestock Rearing Act, 1951, and the Hill Cow Subsidy, 1953.

I should not be justified in parting in this way with responsibilities laid on me by Parliament.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction among farmers at the decisions which are being taken these days? Is he aware that the farmer has no chance to put his case in front of the deciding authority, and that in many cases no one visits the farms to ascertain whether the farmers are entitled to the grant or not? Is it not time the farmer had a chance to put his case before the deciding authority?

I cannot agree with what my hon. Friend says. The administration of the grants is a difficult matter. The county committees take endless pains, as do the headquarters officials of my Department. Many cases come to Ministers for decision. I can only say that we do our best. The whole time we are looking for still better ways of administering the grants. If any hon. Member has a case in which he thinks injustice has been done, I hope he will raise it with me personally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will alter the present system of wheat deficiency payments from a tonnage basis to an acreage basis similar to the deficiency payment for oats and barley.

No, Sir. Most of the oats and a considerable amount of barley are normally retained on the farms whereas wheat is primarily a cash crop.

Will my right hon. Friend give the matter further consideration? Is he aware that if the system were on an acreage basis rather than a tonnage basis it would prevent any allegations being made that farmers are "fiddling" their wheat—as were made in the debate a few days ago? Would it not also assist farmers who want to consume their own wheat and at present have to send it twenty or thirty miles to be certified, which is unnecessarily costing farmers between £1 million and £2 million a year? Would not a third reason in favour of it be that it would average up the acreage payments as between good farms and marginal farms?

I agree that it might have the merit of greater simplicity, but our present method of basing the deficiency payment on tonnage was the method which was practised with some success under the Wheat Act in the eight years prior to the war. It has the additional advantage that we can have seasonable variations in the standard price.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will appoint an independent arbitrator or tribunal to investigate the claim of the tenant of Holborn Farm, Brilley Kington, to a grant under a water supply scheme and also a marginal production scheme, such investigation to give the tenant an opportunity for stating his case.

No, Sir. Grants in aid of approved water supply and marginal production schemes are payable at the discretion of the Minister and a reference to an independent arbitrator or tribunal would be inappropriate.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in this case the decision of the Minister was based upon a report by a very minor official of the A.E.C., and that no opportunity was given to the farmer to refute the allegation which was made in the Adjournment Debate that he had produced a receipt which was not valid and that he was trying to get money under false pretences? Should the man not be given an opportunity to prove that the receipt was a just one?

I would remind my hon. Friend of what I said, that I have to decide whether or not the grants are in accordance with the Acts. I know of no case which has been more fully considered than this one by both one of the Joint Parliamentary Secretaries and myself. However, if my hon. Friend has any new facts, I shall be glad to reconsider the matter.

Would it not be the case that the right hon. Gentleman acted upon the recommendation of the county agricultural executive committee?

That was, indeed, the starting point.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that there is a shortage of spare parts for agricultural machinery; and if he will take steps in the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the disquiet amongst farmers owing to the shortage of spare parts for farm machinery; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

My inquiries do not suggest any general shortage. I will investigate any particular cases brought to my notice.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in certain agricultural circles there has been a fear that there would be a shortage of spare parts at the time of the hay and corn harvest, and that his answer will now remove any misapprehension there might have been in certain quarters?

I hope it will. If my hon. Friend has any evidence of shortage, I hope that he will bring it to my notice as quickly as possible.

Has my right hon. Friend any evidence of difficulties caused by multiplicity of design and lack of standardisation in agricultural machinery?

I have a tremendously strong personal bias towards standardisation in machinery. I think we have not yet gone as far as we ought in the direction of standardisation in the design of agricultural machinery.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the problem most affecting farmers in respect of agricultural machinery is its increasing cost? Is he aware that the inflationary tendency in that field is having effects?

That is a rather different question, but the hon. Gentleman will find that the increase in the price of agricultural machinery has been very small during the last two or three years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of outbreaks of fowl pest during the past three months; and the number of birds destroyed.

In the three months to 30th June 105 outbreaks of fowl pest were confirmed, involving the slaughter of about 89,000 poultry.

Have the outbreaks been confined to one area, and is research still being carried out to try to find a means of preventing outbreaks?

The outbreaks have not been confined to one area, but almost all of them have been outside the clean areas. Research is most certainly going forward to try to find ways of dealing with this terrible scourge.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken by his Department to encourage the scientific examination of the possibilities of the cultivation of seaweed as a crop for animal or human consumption or as an agricultural fertiliser.

This problem has been studied by the Institute of Seaweed Research, with which my Department has kept in contact. I understand that examination has shown that the cultivation of seaweed for the purposes mentioned by my hon. Friend is unlikely to be feasible.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that, as at least seventy varieties are commonly eaten in the Far East, that the Japanese cultivate seaweed on a large scale, and that there are precedents for using seaweed for animal and human consumption in the British Isles, it would be a good thing to have a scientific investigation to ascertain whether, with an improvement in species, a variety could be obtained which would be suitable for cultivation here?

I should be very glad to follow the results of any experiments that my hon. Friend may carry out in the direction that he has indicated.

asked the Minister of Labour the average earnings in industry in June, 1951, when the £2 limit on the earnings of retired pensioners was fixed; and the most recent comparable figure.

The average weekly earnings of manual workers in manufacturing and a number of the principal non-manufacturing industries in April, 1951, the nearest date to June, 1951, for which figures are available, were £6 16s. 2d. The most recent comparable figure is £8 11s. 9d. in respect of October, 1954.

Has the Minister available the figures for rates for the same period, as opposed to earnings, the figures for which he has quoted?

If my hon. Friend will table a Question I will see whether I can supply the answer.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will hold an inquiry, inviting trade union participation, into the effects on employment in this country of a spread of automation, automatic processes, and automatic factories.

A good deal of study is already being devoted to the various aspects of this subject and I do not think that there is need for me to hold a special inquiry into the effects on employment.

Is the Minister aware of the widespread fears among industrial workers that automation will bring serious unemployment unless their hours are cut and their purchasing power increased? Does not he think that the time to investigate this problem is now, when we have full employment, rather than to wait until distress arises?

I hoped that I had made it clear that we are considering this subject and observing what has been said by important leaders of various trade unions and industrialists. But I do not think that it is necessary to have a special inquiry at present. On the technical side, inquiries are going on under the D.S.I.R.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date he expects that statistics of co-partnership, profit-sharing and pension schemes in industry will be published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette; and if he will arrange for these statistics to be as comprehensive as possible.

All undertakings believed to have any profit-sharing or co-partnership schemes in operation are being asked to supply full details of their schemes. There will be no avoidable delay in collecting and summarising all the necessary information, but I am anxious that the statistics should be as comprehensive as possible and I cannot say on what date the information will be ready for publication. The possibility of collecting statistics about pension schemes is still under consideration.

When preparing these figures, will my right hon. and learned Friend avail himself fully of the services of the Industrial Co-Partnership Association and, indeed, all industrial and trade organisations up and down the country?

I shall be very glad to get any help I can from such associations to be sure that what is published is correct and comprehensive.

May I ask the Minister whether that will include the Co-operative Partnership Federation, and whether an indication will be given of the difference between the co-partnership schemes to which this Question obviously applies and to those already undertaken by the Co-operative movement?

I shall not overlook any of these schemes, but I do not know what statistics will come out until the facts have been analysed.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to find alternative employment for 175 women now redundant at the Elswick Works, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to which his attention has been called by the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Central.

I understand that the discharge of the redundant workers is being spread over a period of two months. The services of my local officers are available to help those affected to find other employment.

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable apprehension in these big works in Newcastle about redundancy? In view of the avowed policy of the Government to preserve full employment, will not he do what I asked him, and consult his colleagues at the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Supply to ensure that redundancy is dealt with as soon as it appears?

In this case, there were fifty-six women who had left by the end of June last of whom twenty-three registered, and ten have already found employment. The rate of female unemployment in Newcastle last month was 1.3 per cent. That puts the matter in its proper perspective, but, of course, I will consult my right hon. Friend to see what he can do.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women on his employment register in Dorset; the number of each sex unemployed; and the number of each employed in the various trades and occupations recognised by his Department.

As the reply includes a table of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend how the figures of employment bear comparison with the rest of the country; and can he give an indication of which trade or occupation most people in the country are engaged in?

I think that it would be preferable for my hon. Friend to look at the substantial table of figures. I should not like to make a comparison.

Following is the reply:

Estimates of the total number of employees in local areas are available only for the end of May of each year, but statistics of unem-

asked the Minister of Labour the approximate weekly earnings of the stevedores for the twelve months prior to their going on strike.

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

Has my right hon. and learned Friend any means of discovering the extent of the P.A.Y.E. that was repaid to the men on strike during that period?

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne), those figures would not be available in my Department.

That is a different Question.

asked the Minister of Labour how many National Service men discharged from the Royal Air Force

ployment are obtained every month. The latest figures for Dorsetshire are given in the following table:

have been subsequently recalled in each of the last three years as a result of an improvement in the physical disability which led to the original discharge.

None, Sir, for the reason given in the reply to the hon. Member's similar Question on 30th June.

Would the Minister consider introducing minor legislation as early as possible to avoid this obvious injustice? If he will look at last evening's "Star" he will see that the editorial indicated that there was great unrest and disquiet in the country about the fact that such an injustice is being perpetrated. Will he also look at T.V. today to see one of these rejects?

I cannot promise to look at T.V. today, but I did read the "Star," and I paid attention to the matters put to me by the hon. Member last week. As I said then, the practice which we are following is the one introduced by the late Mr. Ernest Bevin when he was Minister of Labour, and I should not like lightly to alter it because of one case which strikes the hon. Member as unfortunate.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will remove from the list of merchant seamen exempt from National Service all those employed as waiters or catering staff.

Catering ratings, like other merchant seamen, while not exempt from National Service, will continue to have their call-up deferred so long as they remain satisfactorily employed in that occupation, for the reasons stated in the reply given by my hon. Friend the Joint Parliamentary Secretary to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 28th June.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether he is aware that many people find it rather strange that waiters in what are virtually floating hotels are exempt from National Service if they remain in that employment while those employed in hotels on land are not so exempted? Will he therefore say what training in seamanship, if any, is given to waiters and catering staff?

One must first consider the difference between waiters in hotels and stewards on ships—the latter go to sea. Our experience is that cooks would be required however the ships were used in time of war, and stewards are trained as deck ratings so that when occasion requires they can man lifeboats, and so forth.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman keep in mind the contribution made by the Merchant Navy in the darkest days of this country's history? Will he also realise that any discrimination made now between the engine room department, the deck department, and the catering department would be contrary to the traditions of that great Service?

I yield to no man in the respect that I pay to that Service.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent exemption from National Service granted to merchant seamen applies equally to deck hands on sea-going fishing vessels.

Men who were bona fide sea fishermen at the date they were due to register under the National Service Acts have their call-up deferred if they are enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve (Patrol Service). If such men give up fishing, or for any reason cease to be members of that Reserve before their National Service liability expires, they are available for call-up,

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that there may be some hard cases of men whose eyesight is not sufficiently good? Can he give an assurance that in these cases sea-going fishermen will receive no less favourable treatment than merchant seamen?

I think that I have explained what the position is for these sea-going fishermen. There are some 1,482 of them who were, in fact, deferred under this arrangement at the latest available date.

asked the Minister of Labour the circumstances which resulted in his Department calling upon Mr. G. J. Conquest to report for service in the Army consequent upon his discharge by the Royal Air Force, details of which have been supplied.

Mr. Conquest was medically examined on 6th May, 1954, and placed in Grade I. He volunteered for a Regular engagement in the Royal Air Force but was not accepted. He was re-examined on 23rd June, 1954, by a different National Service medical board, placed in Grade I and posted to the Royal Artillery.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman appreciate that this young man, having been graded by his Department Grade I, and the only proviso for the Royal Air Force being the question of his physical fitness, was rejected on the grounds that he was medically unfit? Having lost his job and been unemployed, this man found another job and was then called up again and found to be Grade I. I have here the papers from the Royal Air Force, according to which he is rejected solely as being unfit.

The distinction should always be borne in mind that there may be people who are properly passed fit for National Service standards, but who may not be accepted when they offer themselves for a regular engagement in the Royal Air Force. One reason for that, as anyone with experience of flying will appreciate, is that if a person has any disposition to sinus trouble, he is not likely to be accepted in a Service where he may be flying for considerable periods.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will cancel his instructions to Malcolm Harris to report to the Royal Air Force on Monday next in connection with National Service so that a thorough investigation can be held into his case, because he is suffering from a spinal injury requiring his attendance at the local hospital three times a week for treatment, needs to wear a corset with steel supports, has been measured for another corset, is often in pain, and because his condition requires that he sleeps on a board bed.

Mr. Malcolm Harris was medically examined on 28th February, 1955, and after reference to an orthopaedic consultant was placed in Grade III. His medical records do not reveal any evidence that he wore a spinal support at the time of medical examination, but the medical board was aware that he was undergoing treatment. In all the circumstances, I am arranging for this man to be re-examined by a different medical board and the enlistment notice requiring him to report for service on 11th July has been withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers, students and others have been granted indefinite deferment from National Service; and the numbers for each of the main industrial groups, separately.

The number of workers granted indefinite deferment at 4th April, 1955, the latest date for which figures are available was 171,337. The numbers in the principal industrial groups were:

No students are granted indefinite deferment.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether he will consider afresh the groups entitled to deferment and view more sympathetically the electronic engineers and research workers who have such an important part to play in our future?

I have that constantly in mind. I did not give the figures for the smaller groups. The scientists and engineers engaged on certain priority projects and fundamental research number 1,930, and we have not yet had all the applications for the quota of fundamental research workers for which I have provided.

In view of the number of Questions on the Order Paper which seem to disclose anomalies in the operation of the National Service Acts, and, in particular, in view of the speech of Lord Cherwell in another place, may I ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman whether he thinks the time has arrived when the Government might institute an inquiry into this matter?

Frankly, I do not think the time has arrived for that. I am constantly watching these applications for deferment, and it is an extremely difficult matter to deal with. It was pointed out to Lord Cherwell in another place that he was asking for more fundamental research workers when the quota we had allowed for had not yet been filled.

asked the Minister of Labour if Her Majesty's Government will consider taking the necessary powers to withhold calling-up notices to men in exempted occupations who are engaged in an industrial dispute, pending an inquiry into the circumstances of each case.

No, Sir.

Does not the Minister agree that the action of his Department establishes a precedent and that there is very deep resentment at the fact that the machinery of State should be, or should appear to be, used either to intimidate or to victimise strikers, whether official or otherwise?

There has been no change in the practice. If we thought that a change was desirable, I should not require further powers to bring it into force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to introduce legislation to implement the recommendations contained in the Report of the Departmental Committee on the Adoption of Children, Command Paper No. 9248.

I cannot yet say when it will be possible to introduce legislation on this subject.

As the Report is a unanimous one, and as the legislation is not likely to be very controversial, will my right hon. and gallant Friend try to bring it forward at as early a date as possible?

Practically all the recommendations involve legislation, and I do not think we can say that it is a matter of tremendous urgency. I can hold out no hope of legislation in this Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that residents in Fountain Street, Sowerby Bridge, have repeatedly asked for the removal of brick air raid shelters from the street on the ground that they are deteriorating, are unsightly, and are an obstruction and that the Sowerby Bridge Urban District Council wishes to have them demolished, he will now authorise their removal.

I am informed that these shelters have not deteriorated seriously and that they do not obstruct the road to any extent. Whilst I appreciate that they must be an eyesore, I cannot regard this as a sufficient justification for demolition at the present time.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think of any conceivable use for these decaying and unsightly shelters of the last war? How much longer are my constituents to contemplate the futility of this form of Civil Defence in atomic warfare?

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's view that this is futile, nor do I accept that the shelters are not in a fit state at the moment. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the whole policy of Civil Defence is under review, and this matter of shelters is among those being reviewed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a space, approximately 72 yards long, has been marked off on the south side of Piccadilly, extending westwards from opposite No. 119, to accommodate fourteen taxicabs, when it is very rare that more than six taxicabs use this space; and if he will have this space reduced.

The responsibility for fixing stands rests with the Commissioner of Police, under Section 4 of the London Hackney Carriage Act, 1850. I am informed that in fixing the length of this stand regard was paid to the very heavy demand for cabs in this area at certain times.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that for a very long period of the day, for example, from eight to half-past ten this morning, no taxicab was in that rank? What possible point can there be in marking out spaces for taxicabs which are never used and which could very conveniently be used by private motorists?

I would point out that under Statute this is a responsibility which rests upon the Commissioner. I am informed that at certain times of the day there is a very heavy demand for these spaces, and, of course, it is for the time of the heavy demand that one has to make facilities available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is taken against private motorists who park their cars in parts of streets marked "Taxi Rank" in the Metropolitan Police area; and by what authority.

The Metropolitan Police, as part of their responsibility for the control of road traffic, endeavour to keep authorised cab ranks free from parking by other vehicles. Where such parking is persistent, special police signs bearing the words "Cab rank only" are temporarily displayed, with the consent of the highway authority. Offending drivers are dealt with, according to the circumstances, by way of oral warning or written caution, or where the facts warrant it proceedings are taken for causing unnecessary obstruction.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say on how many occasions during the past twelve months action has been taken against private motorists for this offence in the Metropolitan area?

I could not say, without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet considered the statement made by Mr. Friend-Smith to the police before his death and not produced in the trial of James Weaver for murder in 1928; whether he will make a statement concerning it; and why it was not made available at the time of the trial.

The statement to which my hon. Friend refers was not in the form of a dying declaration and was not admissible in evidence, but it was before the then Home Secretary, and was taken into consideration by him, together with other relevant material, when he decided to recommend the reprieve of the three men concerned. It does not afford grounds on which I should be justified in re-opening the case.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend not consider it strange that when a man is reprieved for murder he still has to serve a sentence, even though he is reprieved because of some doubt as to whether he ever committed the murder? In view of the fact that the defending lawyer said, when he was shown this document one year after the case, that had he been shown it at the time of the trial he would have got the man off, does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that the Home Office should work in with the man who has served his sentence to see if he cannot be completely cleared? Would my right hon. and gallant Friend consider allowing the man's Member of Parliament—myself —and a legal adviser, to see this document, if it is still in existence?

I do not think that I can add anything to the answer which I have just given. My hon. Friend raised this subject some time ago, when we had an opportunity to debate it. I told him at the time that if he was in possession of any further evidence, then, of course, it would be looked at, but the actual document to which he has referred does not afford grounds for reopening the case.

Although this case was a long time ago, can the Minister explain why this document, if it was in the possession of the prosecution at the time, was not made available to the defence? If the prosecution was not proposing to avail itself of it, why should not the defence have been given the opportunity of deciding what, if any, use it could make of it? Why was it withheld?

As I said in answer to the Question, it was not admissible in evidence. It was available to the then Home Secretary, who took upon himself the decision to reprieve the three men concerned. Although it is now nearly thirty years ago, I have stated that if fresh evidence can be brought forward it will be looked at.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of the committee, appointed by him, to study the problems of homosexuality and prostitution.

I cannot yet say when the Committee will be able to report. I understand that it is likely to be occupied for some time to cone in hearing oral evidence.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend recollect that it is rather more than a year now since this Committee was appointed. In view of the importance of the subject there should be some expedition in the matter, and it should not be lost sight of.

I agree, but in view of the importance of the matter I should have thought that too much expedition might be a bad thing. The Committee was appointed just a year ago; it did not start sitting until September, and people were invited to bring forward all the evidence they had by June—but one or two very important witnesses have asked to be allowed a little more time, as their evidence is not ready.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider the recommendation of the Working Committee on Hackney Carriages regarding privileged taxi ranks at railway stations separately from, and earlier than, the major recommendations which require longer consideration.

No, Sir. I have no reason to think that this is a matter of such urgent importance that I should be justified in asking Parliament to deal with it separately.

Is not this recommendation the simple proposal that, where there is a nearby rank, the men, in rotation, should fill the places on the privileged ranks which are now limited to a few? Is it not the case that the Transport and General Workers' Union and the taxicab men's association support this proposal? Why should it be held up for months while major matters are considered?

I think that the hon. Member will appreciate that when a Report deals with a great many other things—this is by no means the most urgent matter—we must wait until we can look at the Report as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what activities the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire is at present engaged upon.

It is for the Council, within its terms of reference, to determine its programme of work. I understand that its main subjects of inquiry at present include Government administration in Wales, the Welsh National Service man, the Welsh ports, Welsh agriculture, and the Welsh tourist industry.

Is it not the case that the Council is now considering the advisability, or the necessity, of setting up a Royal Commission to inquire into questions of Welsh administrative and legislative devolution? Can the Home Secretary say when it is likely to make its report on that matter?

I could not tell the hon. Gentleman when the Council is likely to make its report, but, as I said in my Answer, it is at present, and has been for some time, looking at the question of administration in Wales.

asked the Prime Minister which Ministers will accompany him to the Four-Power Conference at Geneva.

asked the Prime Minister the size of the delegation that is to accompany him to the Geneva Conference.

The delegation which is to accompany me to the Geneva Conference will consist of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, our Private Secretaries and such advisers as we consider necessary.

Would it not strengthen the British delegation and please many people in many lands if the Prime Minister were to invite the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir Winston Churchill) to join him?

Of course, that is a wider question. I did not realise that the hon. and gallant Gentleman had that kind of level in mind. What I thought he was asking for was the composition of the official aides I would have.

If the Prime Minister is going to Geneva to negotiate from strength, why is he taking the Foreign Secretary? Is he satisfied that the Foreign Secretary is strong enough to wrestle with Mr. Foster Dulles? Will he not consider approaching the right hon. Member for Woodford to attend the Conference, if only to censor the official communiqué and cut out the platitudes and clichés?

The hon. Member has carried this matter through very rapidly to the conclusion of the Conference. If we reach agreement I think that we shall all be content to put up even with platitudes and clichés in which to express it.

asked the Prime Minister if it has yet been decided whether the electronics industry shall remain under the responsibility of the Minister of Supply or pass to the President of the Board of Trade.

Yes, Sir. The decision is that this responsibility will remain for the time being with the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Education how many new schools there were under construction on 1st March, 1954; and if he will give the respective figure for the same date in 1955.