asked the Minister of Works what price has been asked from the Egyptian Government for the surrender of the Nile frontage of the British Embassy at Cairo to enable the embankment road to be built.

The agreed compensation paid for the surrender of the land was £308,000.

May I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman?

Upon what?

Is this not a rather large figure?

No.

Is it not the fact that nothing was paid for this land when the British Embassy took possession of it? Would it not be better to try to create good relations with the Egyptian Government, which might have an effect on wider matters, by being more just on this occasion?

The fact is that this was not considered too large a figure for compensation. After all, we must remember that the frontage is of value, and apart from that, very expensive buildings have been erected on the site. Only last year additional buildings were erected by the British Government costing nearly £200,000. The negotiations with the Egyptian Government have been entirely amicable, and that was the figure they offered.

asked the Minister of Works whether the cause of the fire at the Admiralty has now been investigated; and what improved precautions in Government offices have been put into effect.

Investigations have been carried out by the London Fire Brigade and my Department's fire officers. The cause cannot be determined with certainty, but is likely to have been due to a match or a cigarette end.

I believe that the existing precautions in occupied Government offices are adequate. Instructions have, however, now been given that buildings such as the Admiralty old building, which are empty and in which building work is being carried out, are to be patrolled at night in order to reduce the risk of accidental fire.

While welcoming the improved precautions now being adopted to ensure that no buildings in Whitehall are left unattended, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can say why the member of the public who first reported this fire was detained for ten hours at Cannon Row Police Station? That does not seem to be very encouraging to members of the public who are trying to make up for the negligence of the Government in these matters.

That is nothing to do with me. But I can say that the police are satisfied that the young man in question had nothing to do with the cause of the fire.

asked the Minister of Works the new duties undertaken by his Department which at present require the employment of 13,100 civil servants compared with 6,300 in April, 1939; and if he will give the increased number employed under each category and the reduction he expects to make in the coming year.

The main increase is due to the increase in the amount of work undertaken by my Department. In 1939 my Department had 7,850 buildings to maintain: now it has 16,663, while the complexity of much of the design and construction work, for example on large Government research stations, is much greater. The number of staff has been reduced from just over 21,000 in 1947 to about 13,000 at present, and the possibility of a further reduction is constantly under review.

Can the Minister say whether he has yet had time to examine this aspect of his Department in detail, and also whether we can expect any substantial reductions in personnel in the near future?

I have said that this matter is constantly under review. That means that it is under my review.

I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his appointment. In view of the very large number of people he employs, will he look into the matter of providing one more custodian for the ancient monument of Avebury?

The hon. Gentleman and I have been in correspondence upon that matter, and he knows that I am sympathetic towards the idea, if it can be done.

Is the Minister aware that in so far as the size of his Department is due to the need for ensuring a supply of essential building materials and in order to protect these monuments, in which this country is so rich, there will certainly be no public criticism?

asked the Minister of Works the annual consumption of coal, coke and similar solid fuels for heating in Government offices; and what steps are being taken to reduce it by changing over to oil.

The annual consumption of solid fuel in those Government buildings—including offices—where my Department is responsible for providing heating is approximately 410,000 tons. Oil burning equipment is being installed in most new buildings and in replacement of worn-out solid fuel burning equipment in existing buildings. Twenty-three conversions from solid fuel to oil have been carried out in the past year and five more are now in hand. I am considering whether it is practicable to extend this programme.

May I take it that it is the policy of the Ministry eventually to change over entirely to oil-burning equipment?

Yes, I think that will be the case—certainly in the major buildings.

asked the Minister of Works when the road entrances to Hyde Park are to be improved.

The experimental roundabout inside the Park near the Victoria Gate is now in operation, and traffic conditions there are being carefully observed. Proposals which affect other road entrances to Hyde Park are under detailed examination.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will reconsider his decision not to release the Repeater Station, Bungay Road, Halesworth, for the purpose of providing factory accommodation in that town, in view of the fact that the place is only partly used and that alternative accommodation for the purposes of stockpiling is available in the vicinity.

I have already explained to the hon. Member why I am not at present prepared to sell this building. If it should prove possible in the future to dispense with this store without having to build a replacement I shall certainly do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the extreme disappointment of residents and the local authority at his refusal to release this building, if only on lease? In view of the reported statement that the Government propose to do away with stockpiling, and the fact that the store is only one-third occupied, will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter, which is one of extreme local importance.

I quite understand and sympathise with the hon. Gentleman's feeling in this matter, but I cannot go further than what I said in the second part of my reply. If it proves possible in future to dispense with this store I shall certainly take steps to see that it is dispensed with.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if, in the interests of improving technical education and research in this country, he will double the number of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research students now being awarded, and will increase the number of senior research awards.

The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research awards about 400 new maintenance allowances each year to young graduates in science and technology. It is doubtful whether this figure could be substantially increased without lowering standards or aggravating the shortage of new graduates for industry and teaching. The average number of senior research awards is only about five and could be increased if suitable candidates applied.

Is not the Minister aware that a very large number of suitable students are anxious to take up these awards? Does not he agree that unless they are encouraged to do so the Government will never be able to make progress in improving our technological education?

What the hon. Member says is perfectly true. There are about a thousand applicants for these awards every year, and nearly half the number are granted awards; but the hon. Member must bear in mind that, the greater the number of awards made, the greater is the reduction in the availability of science graduates for teaching and industry.

When considering these technical improvements, will the Minister pay particular regard to the development of marine and fishery research, on the lines of the research which is carried on so excellently at the Torry Research Station, near Aberdeen, the work of which is extremely necessary in order to preserve the fishing in the North Sea?

I shall bring that suggestion to the notice of my noble Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council (1) if he will call a conference of representatives of Her Majesty's Government, the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy Committee on Scientific Manpower, the Manchester College of Technology, and representatives of the appropriate educational institutions within a forty miles radius of Manchester to consider what co-ordinated action shall be taken on the Report on the Recruitment of Scientists and Engineers by the engineering industry, a copy of which is in his possession, and to consider recommendations to be made by the Principal of the Manchester College of Technology on the urgency of the need for action;

(2) if he has yet considered the Report on the Recruitment of Scientists and Engineers by the Engineering Industry prepared by the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy; if he will make a full statement on the Report; and what action it is intended to take;

(3) what consultations he has had with the nationalised industries on the subject of the Report on the Recruitment of Scientists and Engineers by the Engineering Industry; what consideration he has given to the evidence submitted to the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy including the letters sent in on the problems raised in this Report; and what action it is intended to take.

My noble Friend has considered this important Report, and the Government are, of course, well aware of the urgent need for producing more highly qualified scientists and engineers. As the hon. Member knows, the Prime Minister recently announced that the Government hope to issue a White Paper very soon setting out their plans for the development of technical education, and I would ask the hon. Member to await the White Paper.

That is all right to be going on with, but will the Minister inform his noble Friend of the statement made by one of the greatest authorities in the country today, namely, that the Soviet Union is turning out twice as many engineers per year as the whole of the Western world? In view of that and other statements, and the desire of industry itself to get a move on in order that we may keep in the forefront of world development, will the Minister endeavour to see that this matter is treated as one of great urgency?

It is being treated as a matter of great urgency. I have no doubt that my noble Friend is conversant with what the hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Parliamen tary Secretary to the Ministry of Works,as representing the Lord President of the Council, what progress has been made by the Road Research Laboratory in its experiments designed to de-ice slippery roads; and what assistance is to be given to highway authorities in this connection.

The work of the Road Research Laboratory has confirmed that salt is generally the best means of remoing ice from roads. The Laboratory has issued a pamphlet to highway authorities on the subject.

Does that mean that after all this research we are back where we were before, and that highway authorities must use the old methods?

On the contrary; the Road Research Laboratory has not been idle in this matter. It has done a great deal of research in relation to the provision of electrical heating for difficult road surfaces, and already has a prototype machine for removing hard-packed snow from roads.

In the meantime, can we have sufficient sand and gravel to deal with the situation?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how many samples of non flammable material have been submitted to the Joint Fire Research Organisation for testing; how many such samples con sisted of material suitable for children's lothing which meets with all the requirements laid down by the Inter-Departmental committee; and in what respects the other samples have failed to meet these requirements.

One sample has so far been submitted. This had a reasonably low flammability. No standards for children's clothing have been laid down by the Inter-Departmental Committee on Accidents in the Home, but research is in progress to provide the basis for a standard of flammability.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when I last asked this Question I was told that no samples which were really non-flammable had ever been received, and that the Department was working with the United States to arrive at a suitable formula. Since then many firms in this country have been experimenting and have evolved a suitable formula. Will the hon. Gentleman make public the fact that his Department is willing to test these samples?

I ought to add that a simple method of testing fabrics for flammability has been evolved by the Fire Research Organisation and will very soon be incorporated in a British standard. I think that will be helpful. It would also be helpful if the hon. Member would pay a visit to the Fire Research Station to see what is being done. I should be glad to arrange a visit.

Is it now necessary to enter into negotiations with the United States? Is that not a needless expense?

I understand that an American firm is working on this problem in this country and has produced results which are more or less parallel with those of the Fire Research Organisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider stopping immediately the sending of National Service men to Cyprus, Kenya and Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many recruits have been sent to Cyprus after only ten weeks' training; and how many it is intended to send in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that National Service men of the Highland Light Infantry are being sent to Cyprus after ten weeks' training; and if he will alter his regulations so as to prevent this.

The rules governing the eligibility of both Regulars and National Service men for posting to these theatres were introduced in 1947 and have continued unchanged except for Korea and the addition of acclimatisation training in Kenya and Malaya. Men must be not less than 18 years, 3 months, on embarkation and have completed not less than ten weeks' training, and a total of twelve weeks' service in this country. Most soldiers do more than this minimum. Long experience, and the record of the men themselves, have shown that these rules have worked.

Without very great clerical effort I cannot say how many of all the men now in Cyprus or previously sent there had completed only the bare minimum of training and service. The proportion was not large.

Is it not utterly immoral to send lads of 18, too young even to have a vote, to kill and to be killed—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—and, as in the case of Cyprus, not to defend their own country but to deny freedom to others? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Does not the Minister appreciate the feelings of parents as their sons are drawn into this dirty mess created by our own Government?

Nobody wants the necessity for National Service or desires that people should have to serve at that age. It has been done very often in the past. Hon. Members on both sides of the House have served at that age in various wars. All I can say is that both sides of the House—I am not trying to shift the responsibility —have given this matter careful thought. I can assure the hon. Member that this is the only way of working it. I am satisfied from my experience that, though nobody wants to do it, it does work and it has worked and I believe that it is the best method.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the great majority of National Service men and their parents very much resent this idea that they are hot-house flowers who are not to go into danger like Regular soldiers, and that they wish to do their full tasks?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us some idea of the proportion of time used by these men in continuing their training after ten weeks in this country and the proportion used for other matters which are not training?

That varies according to the country they are in. If they go to Kenya or Malaya they have a period of acclimatisation training. It depends upon what job they are in. By and large, I would say that the average unit spends quite a large proportion of its time in training, even in operational theatres.

Will the Minister investigate certain charges that were made in a Glasgow newspaper that National Service men are being offered by their officers the alternatives of going to Cyprus or signing on as Regulars?

That is a very old question. It has come up before. I have stated, and I say again now, that any question of that form of what one might call blackmail recruiting is frowned upon by me. I am against it.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter of sending young lads overseas after only ten weeks' basic training when they are expected to engage in active service? Would he not make a distinction between places where, as in Cyprus, men are expected to engage in active service and, say, Germany, which is regarded as a home command, or any other part of the Middle East?

The identical problem confronted the right hon. Gentleman himself in the Canal Zone, Kenya and Malaya, and he came to the same conclusion as we did, that if we extend beyond the minimum regulation that is necessary for those doing National Service we get into very great complications. This period of ten or twelve weeks' minimum service has worked in the past and is working today. I have not found any instance where difficulty is caused by lack of training.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a great many National Service men prefer to do their service overseas—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—are proud to serve their country in dangerous areas and are pleased to have the opportunity of seeing a great deal of what goes on outside this country and not to be confined all the time within the United Kingdom?

I think that is so. I should like to add that these young men with comparatively little training have done frightfully well wherever they have served.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in 1947 and during the period of the Labour Government men were not sent overseas after ten weeks' basic training unless it was clearly understood—this was stated in the House on several occasions—that a suitable time should elapse before they were acclimatised and that they were not expected to engage in active service in Malaya or anywhere else?

In fact the acclimatisation training rules in Malaya were brought in much later than that. It does not alter the fact that in the disturbances in the Middle East at the time when the Labour Government were in office the same rules obtained.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will release from National Service a young Salford man, details about whom have been sent to him, who, having been discharged after nine months, on medical grounds, from the Regular Army, was then called up to do his National Service.

No, Sir. This man was not up to the standard necessary to remain a Regular soldier but he was fit for National Service with base units. He is at present serving as an ammunition storeman near Carlisle, and I am advised that a specialist medical examination on 19th January showed him to be fit to remain in the Army.

Why is there this distinction between the requirements for the Regulars and those for National Service men when, a moment ago, the Minister was defending the right to send conscripts to theatres of war?

This is a very old question. Very briefly, I would say that the Regular who is going to make the Army his career must be prepared to serve anywhere overseas or at home. [HON. MEMBERS: "What about the National Service man."] The National Service man, under the Regulations governing fitness, is called up if he is fit for base duties at home because it is thought unfair that if he is able to serve he should be exempted when others are doing their National Service.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the medical testimony that 23199255 Sapper J. Meager is physically and psychologically unfit for military service of any kind, what it is proposed to do with this young man.

Sapper Meager has appeared before a medical board who recommended his discharge on medical grounds.

Why is it that month after month I have to demand in this House that men who should never be in the Forces at all should come out? This is the twentieth man I have got out of the Forces. Is it not time to look at the system that takes them in?

I have not noticed whether it is the twentieth time or not: I very much doubt it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] The hon. Member, when he said "twentieth," may have spoken figuratively. I say that I am extremely surprised if as many as twenty men have come into this category. Sapper Meager was passed fit by the Ministry of Labour and sent to the Army. He was a psychiatric case. These cases are difficult. It is not easy at once to be certain about them. The hon. Member will appreciate that we have to be careful in these psychiatric cases, and, to be sure of our ground, we have them studied by specialists.

On a point of order. Since the Minister cast doubt on the statement I made, may I ask whether he is aware that I am referring to men passed by the Ministry of Labour and taken into the Royal Air Force and the Army, and the number is now twenty?

That is not a point of order.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the case of Private Harry Crutchley of Salford, whose blind mother was left without care for eighteen months, yet whose release from National Service, previously refused, was secured within three days of newspapers drawing attention to the matter, he will order an immediate re-investigation of all rejected appeals for release from National Service in the Army.

The hon. Member's facts are wrong.

Private Crutchley made no application for deferment of call-up because of his mother's blindness, probably because she then lived with his grandmother. He did apply for release in August when this arrangement finished, but his application was refused because his sister said that she would look after her. Subsequently, this arrangement broke down and it was then that the soldier was released.

We take particular trouble to give careful and sympathetic consideration to appeals for release on compassionate grounds, and I think that the hon. Member's Question is highly misleading.

Is the Minister aware that Private Crutchley went absent without leave six times in order to be with his mother, but that his release was still refused? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Hon. Members must now agree that Private Crutchley was right. Is the Minister further aware that I am at present dealing with no fewer than eight similar cases—mostly of men whose mothers are widows with large numbers of small children? Does not that indicate that there must be a very large number of tragic cases which need re-examination?

I am particularly interested in the subject. The Army has to be careful, first, that genuine cases are dealt with promptly and sympathetically, and secondly, that bogus cases are resisted. It is most important that we should be scrupulously fair in these matters. We are helped by S.S.A.F.A. and many other organisations. I think that, on the whole, we have looked into such cases very carefully, but if the hon. Member has knowledge of other cases of a similar kind I hope that he will let me know.

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities are given to units desirous of using full dress uniforms for special occasions.

The Household Brigade and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery wear full dress on ceremonial occasions. For other troops it is now obsolete.

Would my right hon. Friend consider allowing units to keep a small amount of full dress permanently in stock for use by their bands on special occasions?

All that has been gone into, and units are well aware of it. The reason why full dress is obsolete is the expense of maintaining it.

asked the Secretary of State for War the conditions governing the payment of a bounty to men joining the Territorial Army; and what steps are taken to ensure that these conditions are fully understood.

Bounties are payable to members of the Territorial Army who carry out prescribed training. The full conditions are set out in Territorial Army Regulations which are available in all units.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the steps taken to make known the conditions of this bounty are in many cases not full and adequate, and give rise to a lot of unnecessary resentment? If he is not aware of it, could he look into the matter?

The conditions are laid down in Regulations. It is the duty of units to make this information known to the men concerned. If the hon. Member can give me specific examples, I will look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction regarding the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes' prices charged in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Some items, notably chocolate and sweets, are dear in Cyprus because of freight charges and a 40 per cent. import duty. Service men stationed there receive a local overseas allowance to compensate for these higher prices.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men drafted to the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment and the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment. to bring each battalion to full strength before proceeding to Cyprus.

None, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War the percentage of National Service men serving in the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment, and the 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment when these battalions proceeded to Cyprus; and what was the percentage of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 1st Battalion and 3rd Battalion of the Parachute Regiments qualified as jumpers.

The percentage of National Service men in these battalions was 46, 63, 60, 17 and 16 respectively. About 97 per cent. of the other ranks in each of the parachute battalions are qualified jumpers.

rose—

Mr. Wigg—Question No. 29.

Mr. Speaker—

Mr. Nicholson.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that aspersions were cast the other day on the reputation of two of the regiments mentioned in this Question, and will he please take the first opportunity which presents itself to state that those aspersions are without foundation?

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In order that the rules of the House may have some semblance of fairness, may I point out that you had called Question No. 29?

I called Question No. 29 because I did not observe the hon. Member for Farnham (Mr. Nicholson) rise to ask a supplementary question. When he did ask it, I did not hear him, so I will now call Question No. 29.

With respect, Mr. Speaker, you did call my name distinctly.

I called the hon. Member to ask his supplementary question, but I did not hear it. We had better pass on to Question No. 29.

I might say, in answer to my hon. Friend, that I think the reputation of these regiments will stand comparison—

On a point of order. [Interruption.]Hon. Gentlemen can shout as much as they like. Mr. Speaker, may I ask you to keep to the rules of the House —you called Question No. 29.

Further to that point of order. Surely the Minister has the right to answer my hon. Friend.

I could not hear the supplementary question, so I did not know whether the right hon. Gentleman was going to answer it or not.

On a point of order. The hon. Member for Farnham was asking a question about the reputation of one of the regiments concerned—[HON. MEMBERS: "Two."]—but as there is nothing in the Question relating to the reputation or character of title regiment, was not that supplementary question completely irrelevant?

I do not know. I did not hear enough of it to gather the point. Mr. Wigg—Question No. 29.

asked the Secretary of State for War the periods the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment and the 1st and 3rd Battalions Parachute Regiment served in the United Kingdom before proceeding to Cyprus; and whether he will take a statement.

Fourteen months, two years and three months, 19 months and 18 months respectively.

May I ask the same supplementary question as I previously asked, Mr. Speaker?

Will the hon. Member for Farnham please repeat his supplementary question?

Is not the Minister aware that a few days ago aspersions were cast on the reputation of two of the regiments mentioned in this Question? Will he please take the first opportunity that presents itself to state that these aspersions are without foundation?

Hear, hear.

Order. I really do not see how that supplementary question arises out of this Question. It is not right that aspersions should be made but, on the other hand, we must have some regard to the Question which is before the House.

What is the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg) afraid of?

I only want the House to keep to its own rules of order; that is all.

asked the Secretary of State for War his estimate of the weekly cost of keeping British soldiers in Cyprus.

About £200,000.

When the Chancellor of the Exchequer is calling for economy, is not this an enormous expenditure of public money?

If the hon. Member's suggestions about our general policy were carried to their full consequence, I think that he would find he would have very little freedom in which to ask supplementary questions.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men have been wounded and killed in Korea, Malaya, Kenya and Cyprus, respectively, from the beginning of hostilities or armed violence in those territories until the present.

The total numbers of killed and wounded are, respectively, Korea 280 and 1,056, Malaya (since November, 1949, when separate figures for National Service men were first kept) 103 and 184, Kenya 11 and 9 and Cyprus 3 and 30.

Would not the Minister replace these men with professional troops on two grounds: first, that militarily raw levies are not the proper units to perform such duties, which should be performed by highly-trained, seasoned troops; secondly, that as a matter of principle it is an abuse of the power of the State over the individual to compel men to kill or be killed for politically-controversial purposes which have little or nothing to do with the defence of their country?

This matter has been gone into in great detail by the House in the past. I think that the National Service element of the Army would much resent being called raw levies because they are, in fact, trained soldiers.

asked the Secretary of State for War what effect the transfer of troops to Cyprus has had on the strategic reserve in this country.

It has been reduced by the number of troops transferred to Cyprus.

Can the Minister tell the House of what the strategic reserve in this country now consists?

The right hon. Gentleman knows as well as I do that it has never been the practice to give precise figures, which act as a most useful check-up for Intelligence services.

The right hon. Gentleman generally gives some information about the disposition of our troops in various commands. In his Estimates a couple of years ago he gave very detailed information. Can he not say what the strategic reserve in this country is or what he is aiming at?

In last year's Estimates I stated most plainly what we were aiming at, but to give precise details at present of what we have in this country would, I think, be of great interest to other people.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that a National Service man has been told that he is likely to encounter trouble if he communicates with his Member of Parliament without the permission of his commanding officer; and if he will explain what trouble this man is likely to encounter in such a case, and why.

No, Sir. None, Sir.

Would the Minister agree that both in this House and outside there is considerable apprehension as to troops being used as nursemaids, housemaids, flunkeys and the like, and that it is only by members of Her Majesty's Forces writing to their Members of Parliament that these things come to light? Will he inform commanding officers and adjutants that these men have a right to approach their Members, just as has any other citizen?

That has already been done on a special occasion, and I have always stated in this House that I would never in any way put anything between a soldier and his right to write to an hon. Member. Judging from my correspondence, they make full use of that privilege.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men are now in Cyprus.

About 7,800.

Could the Minister give an Estimate of how many of these National Service men would be in Cyprus if only volunteers were taken?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men of the Highland Light Infantry ordered to Cyprus are National Service men with less than six months' service.

Seventy-four. None had less than eighteen weeks' service.

Would the Minister tell us what action he has taken to prevent officers in various Scottish regiments from exercising what he has called "blackmail" of soldiers—that is, for soldiers to be lined up and told that if they sign on as Regulars they will not go to Cyprus? Is he aware that I have here a Scottish newspaper from which I see that troops in three different regiments have been told this? What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking either to give a directive to the officers or to court-martial those who are abusing their powers?

We have said in the past, I think twice since I have been in my present office, that that form of recruiting is wrong. If the hon. Member will give me particulars I will look into them, because I am against such methods.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether there is any justification at all for the aspersions cast last week upon the regiments mentioned in the Question?

Can the Secretary of State for War say whether there was any justification, either, for telling those men that there was no more danger in any operations going on in Cyprus than in crossing the Great West Road?

I should like to say to the House that that remark was made in connection with non-operational boys, families and women. I see now that it could easily be interpreted as referring to soldiers, as indeed it has been interpreted by some. I think that if the hon. Member looks at HANSARD he will see my meaning, but in so far as it has been interpreted as referring to soldiers, which was neither meant nor said, I should like to emphasise that it would be far from me, sitting in the safety of Whitehall, to cast aspersions or to belittle the risks which the soldiers are taking.

May I say how much we appreciate the right hon. Gentleman's remarks and the withdrawal of at any rate an implication of his statement the other day which I think would have done a great deal of harm?

Although this is not normal in Question and Answer, may I say that I had not then read the HANSARD report of my remarks—that was not possible—and when I read it later I saw that there was the possibility of misinterpretation. I should also like to say that I think I was unduly heated with the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that British industry was adequately represented at the Indian Industries Fair and at the Pakistan International Fair; and whether he will review the existing policy with regard to such matters in the light of special conditions existing in Asia.

We are now considering whether any special action should be taken for future fairs in this area in view of the special conditions to which my hon. Friend refers.

I am much obliged.

Is the Minister aware that we have been urging this action upon him for some time? Will he not expedite the decision? Is he aware that British trade is suffering because of lack of policy on trade fairs generally?

It is a fact that my right hon. Friend and I have answered Questions on this subject frequently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the concern felt by fruit growers and merchants in this country resulting from the issue of import licences to the value of £98,000 for strawberry pulp from Poland at a time when merchants in this country have on hand considerable stocks of home-produced pulp; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. Licences for these imports were issued to avoid a possible shortage of pulp for jam making. Home supplies of strawberries for jam, most of which were sold to manufacturers some time ago, were good in 1955 but imports of strawberry pulp, on which we have always relied to supplement home production, are likely this season to be less than average. Home supplies of other soft fruit were short.

Is the Minister satisfied that there is sufficiently close and continuous consultation between his Department and the representatives of the merchants and fruit growers in this country to avoid these misunderstandings?

We are, of course, closely in touch with the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether ho will make a statement on the recent negotiations of representatives of Her Majesty's Government with regard to future supplies of Danish bacon to this country.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Leader of the House, when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer, said that he much preferred subsidies to tariffs as a way of helping the farmers, and since this proposed tariff would add about £6 million to the cost of living, does he not realise that it will be a direct incitement to the trade unions to go on pressing their wage claims?

I still have nothing to add to the answer which I gave yesterday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind the interests of the consumer while these negotiations are in progress? May we have an assurance that supplies of Danish bacon will not be limited merely on the ground that bacon can be produced more economically in Denmark?

We always keep in mind the interests of all people concerned in these matters.

Is this tariff proposal the beginning of a new policy of putting taxes on food?

I still have nothing to add to the statement I made yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what conclusions have been reached regarding the need for further diversification of industry in the North-East Lancashire Development Area as a result of the visit of his Parliamentary Secretary to that area;

(2) if he is aware of the continuous drift of population away from north-east Lancashire; and what steps he is taking to prevent this in addition to the one factory which has been established in the Clitheroe division.

I am aware that there has been some migration from north-east Lancashire, though I understand that in the two years after the area was scheduled in 1953 the estimated population remained almost unchanged.

The Board of Trade has built in this Development Area the largest factory which it has ever built in a Development Area. It has also brought the attractions of the area to the attention of industrialists, a number of whom have received Industrial Development Certificates for factory building. The Board of Trade is continuing its efforts.

Some further diversification is, in our view, desirable.

Does the Minister realise that in the three years 1952–55 the insured population of Burnley alone fell by 3,500, 8 per cent. of the insured population? Does he not regard that as very serious and as demanding something more than one factory, which is not in production after three years?

The Question related to the North-East Lancashire Development Area as a whole. In respect of that area, as I indicated in my Answer, the fall in population was almost arrested from 1953 to 1955.

While action, or lack of action, in this area has been particularly disappointing, will the hon. and learned Gentleman, following his visit to a number of Development Areas since his appointment, give an assurance that the Board of Trades does not contemplate any change in the general policy towards Development Areas?

I must dissociate myself from the implication in the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, because there has been considerable progress in this Development Area since it was scheduled in 1953. I assume that in the second part of the supplementary question the right hon. Gentleman refers to the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates, which is naturally being studied in the Board of Trade.

In order to remove the misapprehensions of the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson), will my hon. and learned Friend give the House lists of the factories in Padiham and elsewhere to which Development Certificates have been issued under the Development Order?

Will the House realise that only one factory has been brought there by Government initiative?

The factory referred to in the question of the hon. Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke) is the large Mullard factory. To reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Fort), 16 industrial building schemes of over 5,000 square feet have been approved since the scheduling of the area, totalling 1,400,000 square feet of factory space.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman tell the House, in regard to Development Certificates in respect of other factories than Mullard's, what proportion of them is in respect of non-textile factories? Will he confirm that the only Government money which has been spent in this area since the Order was made is in the single factory to which my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Burke) referred?

The only Government-financed factory is the Mullard factory, which, as I have said, is the largest Government factor)' built in any Development Area. Replying to the first part of the supplementary question, I could not give a precise figure without notice, but my impression is that the whole or virtually the whole of the figure which I gave in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Clitheroe is for non-textile factories.

While the figures given by the hon. and learned Gentleman are a great tribute to the local authorities in the area and not to the Board of Trade, would the hon. and learned Gentleman enlighten his hon. Friend the Member for Clitheroe (Mr. Fort) by pointing out to him that the certificates in question are not granted under the Industrial Development Order, but under Section 14 (4) of the Town and Country Planning Act?

The right hon. Gentleman is quite correct in saying that Industrial Development Certificates are granted under Section 14 (4) of the Town and Country Planning Act, but they are certificates of the Board of Trade and therefore are not solely the action of the local authorities. Many of these factories were steered to that area by the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what mention was made of Gibraltar during the recent Anglo-Spanish trade talks.

The attention of the Spanish delegation was drawn during the talks to the question of permits for the export of Spanish fruit to Gibraltar. They stated that no such permits had been refused or delayed in 1955 and that their authorities would continue to facilitate the export of Spanish goods to all dependent overseas territories of the United Kingdom.

Does my hon. Friend realise that the information given by the Spanish officials does not coincide with the information reaching this country from Gibraltar? Does he realise that there is increasing disappointment and discontent in Gibraltar at the continued obstinacy of the Spanish Government in restricting quite unreasonably trade and travel? Does he not think the time has come when the attitude of Her Majesty's Government towards Spanish trade should be modified, in view of the attitude of the Spanish Government?

On the question of fruit, if my hon. Friend has any information contrary to what I have said, I hope he will give it to me. I had made inquiries prior to my statement. Questions of travel have been taken up in the past and are best taken up through diplomatic channels, and that is a matter for the Foreign Secretary.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the light of the harmful effects already experienced in the pottery industry, he will now remove the Purchase Tax on pottery.

No, Sir.

Whilst appreciating that the Chancellor has had very little time to study many new problems, may I ask him if he is aware that when he does study the results of this ruinous tax he will find that there have been no extra exports but merely short-time working in the pottery industry? Will he give an assurance that when he discovers the errors of the ways of his predecessor he will have no hesitation in coming to the House to see that this tax shall be speedily removed?

My predecessor wrote to the Pottery Manufacturers' Federation —I think he sent a copy of his letter to the hon. Member—saying that he would watch developments in that industry, but I must be frank and say that I think nothing could do more harm than to leave doubt in this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any statement to make about his intentions regarding the maintenance of the exchange value of sterling.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on Thursday, 26th January, 1956.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of financial journals and financial opinion generally have been waiting for him to repeat from his own lips the statement made by his predecessor at Istanbul on 12th September last? Is he further aware that whatever differences there may be in the House about steps necessary to achieve that object—and there are very big differences —all parties in the House are determined that necessary steps shall be taken to keep sterling strong?

Yes, and I am grateful to the right hon. Member for giving me a further opportunity. It may perhaps be useful to repeat the actual words of my right hon. Friend. He said that it

"has been and will continue to be the maintenance of exchange parity of 2·80 dollars to the £ either in existing circumstances or when sterling is convertible."

He added:

"In the long run this must depend on our efforts and nothing else can replace these."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state the receipts from entertainments tax on cinemas in each of the first three quarters of the current financial year; and how these figures compare with the amounts for the same quarters of 1954–55, showing the percentage rise or fall in each case.

I will, with permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Whilst thanking the Chancellor for that reply, -may I ask if he will say if in his opinion those figures indicate a strong case for the reduction of taxation on the most heavily taxed form of entertainment, particularly in view of the increasing number of bankruptcies of small cinema proprietors?

The hon. Member and others will draw their conclusions'from the figures when they read the table. As they are running at somewhere about 95 per cent. or 96 per cent, of those of the previous year, I should have thought that the conclusion drawn by the hon. Member was rather too sweeping.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much dollar expenditure has been incurred on the import of United States films for use on television in the last six months.

I regret that the figures are not available.

Is the Chancellor aware that the B.B.C. and the I.T.A. are showing many rubbishy American films, and that it is a complete waste of money? Will he make it his business to find how many dollars are being spent in this way when obviously we need them for more important purposes?.

I am sorry to say that I have not got the figures, but if and when I can obtain them I will see that they are communicated to the hon. Member and to the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer his plans for dealing with inflation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give details of his plan to reduce the cost of living generally; and whether he will arrange to have this plan published in HANSARD.

I would refer both hon. Members to the reply on this subject which I gave to the hon. Member for Oldbury and Halesowen (Mr. Moyle) on 24th January.

Will the right hon. Gentleman confirm the reported statement, attributed to him on taking over his new office, that "There ain't going to be no inflation"?

I read all the newspapers very carefully, and I did observe this humorous statement which was put into my mouth. I am grateful to the hon. Member for recalling it.

Does not inflation bear directly upon the cost of living, and has not the cost of living risen far less in the last three years than it did the last single year of office of the Socialist Government, when the concrete-skulled Lobby fodder opposite were in power and brought this country to the verge of national bankruptcy?

As usual, my hon. and gallant Friend's statistics are perfectly correct.

While we all hope that the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be more factual, objective and accurate in his pronouncements from the Box than he has just been with that Answer, will he tell us whether he has now studied the effects of his predecessor's efforts—or failure—to deal with inflation over the last four years, and in particular the inflationary effect of the supplementary Budget? Has the Chancellor no further proposals to put before us than a continuation of the disastrous policy followed by his predecessor?

I must not anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the nationalised industries are owned by the nation, he will take steps to alter the present practice so as to enable Members of Parliament to ask Questions about these industries in the same way that they can about non-nationalised industries.

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the desire of hon. Members to have full information about the nationalised industries. How this might best be achieved is now under fresh consideration by the Government, following the recent Report of the Select Committee on Nationalised Industries.

In view of the fact that these industries—some of the most important, such as coal and transport—are doing extremely badly under nationalisation, will my right hon. Friend undertake that this reconsideration will be pressed forward with all speed?

This was, perhaps naturally, one of the first subjects to which I gave my attention on assuming my present responsibilities. It is a matter which interests the House of Commons as a whole, and when I have had time to form a conclusion—with the aid, perhaps, of hon. Members interested in this matter —I hope that we shall find a solution that is satisfactory to the House as a whole.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how we are to put down Questions in this House on the non-nationalised industries, and to which Ministers such Questions should be addressed?