asked the Minister of Education what educational problems exist at Wilnecote in the constituency of Meriden in the County of Warwick; and what progress has been made and is expected to be made in solving them.

I understand that to meet the needs of this part of the county the Warwickshire local education authority has just added two classrooms at Wilnecote Infants' School, and plan shortly to build a new secondary school.

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made in the improvement of educational facilities since June, 1955, at Castle Bromwich and Kingshurst on the Birmingham border, Kingsbury, Hurley, Polesworth and Dordon, where there has been rapid development in the coal mining industry, and at Meriden and Eastern Green; and what progress he anticipates will take place during 1956.

Since June, 1955, the Warwickshire local education authority has brought into use two new primary schools on the Kingshurst Estate and extensions to the secondary school at Polesworth. I am writing to the hon. Member to give him the details of the authority's plans for the future.

asked the Minister of Education what difficulties are being encountered with the project to build a new Catholic school in Church Lane, Wolstanton, in the excepted district of Newcastle-under-Lyme; and what steps are being taken by his Department to assist the Staffordshire education authority to overcome them.

I hope to be able to approve the plans when a final proposal for the acquisition of the site is submitted to me. I am told that I may expect this within the next fortnight. But I understand that the promoters have not yet completed the bills of quantities or invited tenders.

Is the Minister aware that there has been a delay of several years in the negotiations on this project owing to difficulties in finding a suitable site in an area affected by mining subsidence, that it had been hoped that this project would be included in this year's building programme but that there have been further delays? Would the right hon. Gentleman, therefore, ask his office to give special attention to this project in order that it may be approved speedily when the plans are submitted?

Yes, Sir, and, as I have told the hon. Gentleman, I hope that within a fortnight the full plans, including those of the site, will be submitted.

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made and what progress he anticipates will be made in improving the teacher-supply position in Midland areas, which is suffering from an inadequate supply of teachers.

Although the authorities concerned are employing more teachers than a year ago, the numbers are not enough to match their increased needs. It is not possible to forecast recruitment this year, but I have invited those authorities which anticipate special difficulties to come and discuss their problems with me.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received recommendations to take any special measures, or has he considered taking any special measures to increase the supply of teachers in these areas?

No special measures are being considered at the moment. I think it is better to talk to the local authorities whose concern it is, and perhaps between us we can find something worth doing.

Is the Minister aware that the City of Birmingham is short of 600 teachers, and that this number is increasing? Is he further aware that, owing to the high cost of living accommodation in that city, unless he accepts the recommendation of the teachers' association to make some territorial allowance, the situation will be such that it will be necessary to have shifts for children in schools in Birmingham instead of their having a full day's education?

The recommendation of a territorial allowance does not come to me from the Teachers' Association. It must come from the Burnham Committee and so far that committee has not recommended such an allowance.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the standard of literacy amongst students entering the university is not satisfactory; whether he is satisfied with the present methods of teaching English in schools; and if he will make a statement.

I have noted various criticisms that have been made. Although the standard of English teaching is first-class in many secondary schools, I am anxious that good plain English should be more thoroughly taught and widely used than it is. My Department is giving the schools all the help it can and as an example of this I am sending my hon. Friend a pamphlet issued last year on the teaching of English.

I am much obliged.

Is the Minister aware that the last thing that British educational opinion would want would be the prescribing of teaching methods by a Minister?

I am well aware of that.

asked the Minister of Education what, in 1955, were the number of days schooling and the average number of hours per day for primary and secondary schools in London and Middlesex, respectively; and how these compare with the figures for a representative inter-war year and a representative pre-1914 year.

Practices vary from school to school, and I cannot give precise averages, but the normal school day in London and Middlesex lasts 5½ hours exclusive of the lunch hour. There has been no significant reduction during the last fifty years in the minimum number of hours per day and days per year that maintained schools are required to be open for secular instruction.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that these important statistics are not given in the annual report published by his Ministry? Will he consider publishing them in the future, and will he also consider the hours worked in the schools of West Germany, Holland, Belgium and Switzerland and some other countries with which we are in competition, to see whether the hours worked are comparable?

I will certainly consider the first point. On the second issue, it is not only the number of hours, but the quality of work done in them that matters. I suppose that we should all like to see people work harder, in school and out.

asked the Minister of Education what plans he has for adapting general education in primary schools to take the fullest advantage of the proposed increase in technical education at higher levels.

The recent White Paper on Technical Education recognises that the success of the technical colleges rests squarely on the quality of education in both the primary and the secondary schools. I am concerned to ensure that the primary schools give a good grounding in mathematics and English, and I am confident that teachers appreciate the importance of this.

May I take it that the Minister really realises that if he is to make a success of his plans for improving the status and scale of technical education, there must be a change in emphasis in all education in primary schools and upwards?

I think that the White Paper does recognise that good preparation in the schools is essential to success in taking courses in the technical colleges. It is a general education that is required so that specialisation can come later.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement on the concluding sentence of paragraph 36 of the Report of the Central Advisory Council for Education (England) on early leaving from grammar schools, which indicates that in order to secure from the bottom third of the intake three pupils who will do very creditably it has been necessary to accept five who will do rather badly.

The sentence to which the hon. Member refers illustrates the general principle that the higher the proportion of a given age-group that is admitted to grammar schools the greater the likelihood that some children will find the course too difficult for them. This is why, in my Foreword to the Report, I was sceptical about the wisdom of an all-round increase in the proportion of grammar school places.

Will the Minister also bear in mind that this paragraph indicates how unpredictable many of these children are in their intellectual development and that it is really undesirable to keep many of them at school beyond the compulsory school-leaving age?

That is a very big question which I can scarcely answer at Question Time.

Does not the fact to which my hon. Friend has drawn attention also help us to realise how difficult it is to predict whether children at the age of eleven are unsuitable for grammar school education or not? Ought not the Minister altogether to re-examine the organisation of secondary education?

This is, of course, intensely interesting. It is perfectly true that children progress at different rates. The whole secondary system is growing, and what I should Like to see is a little more transfer of children who have been misfitted at one time or another.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to ensure that the fees charged to students of colleges of advanced technology who reside outside the controlling local authority are not so high as to deter their own authorities from assisting them in accordance with paragraph 63 of Command Paper No. 9703.

Where students attend with the consent of the authority in whose area they live, their place of residence makes no difference to the fees charged to them.

Is not the Minister begging the question? The question is the consent of the authorities concerned. Does he not realise that it is absolutely crucial, if his policy of increasing the education in advanced technology is to be successful?

Yes, I do, and of course if the consent is unreasonably withheld, I am perfectly prepared to intervene.

Mr. Albu.

Question No. 10.

On a point of order. While I am sure that the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Albu) does not intend any disrespect to you, Mr. Speaker, ought he not to stand up, like everybody else in the House, when he asks a Question?

What has been said is quite correct. The hon. Gentleman should rise in his place when he asks a Question. Apart from the question of decorum involved, it is much easier for me to see an hon. Member if he rises in his place.

I assure you that I meant no disrespect to you, Mr. Speaker. I normally rise some distance in my place, but I thought that it was for you to call me to order if I was doing anything that was out of order.

asked the Minister of Education on what scale the teachers in colleges of advanced technology, listed in Command Paper No. 9703, will be paid.

The Burnham Committee will shortly be negotiating new scales of salaries for teachers in technical colleges and submitting its recommendations to me.

Will the Minister agree that if the courses in the colleges of advanced technology are to be of university level, teachers will have to be paid on a university scale?

It is not for me to give direct guidance of that kind to the Burnham Committee, but I have no doubt that it will have studied the White Paper on Technical Education.

Does not the Minister realise that he will not get an adequate number of teachers, unless they are paid on the university level?

asked the Minister of Education why he has not included the Tees-side area in his proposals for the development and extension of colleges of advanced technology.

The colleges listed in paragraph 68 of the White Paper are those to which I already give 75 per cent. grant. As indicated in the following paragraph, a few other colleges may be added to the list later.

In view of the tremendous contribution made to our economic strength by the chemical, ship building, steel and heavy engineering industries on Tees-side, would not the Minister reconsider this point and add to this list one of the many excellent colleges there, so that we may be assured of adequate numbers of technologists for this area in the future?

The quality of the industry there is not the point. The point is whether there is any college which merits this particuar grading. If there is, naturally I will consider it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the Constantine College in Middlesbrough, which in 1953 secured no less than 22 per cent. of the higher national certificates awarded for England and Wales, and in 1955, so progressive is it, that it had no less than 11 per cent. of the students following what are called sandwich courses? Will the right hon. Gentleman come and have a look at Constantine College at some time?

I certainly will, but I must tell the right hon. Gentleman that this college applied for the 75 per cent. grant in 1953 and the application was carefully examined, but the college was found not to be doing a sufficient proportion of advanced work.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate, bearing in mind the geographical size of the area, that there are more technicians required on Tees-side and that many more will be required in the near future because of the industrial development which is going on there, and that if he means what he says in the White Paper, he must do something about Tees-side?

The argument of the hon. Gentleman is for building up one of these colleges to an advanced level and not for recognising one as it is today.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Education if he will make more clear his proposals for technological education in the West Riding of Yorkshire.

I must first consider the proposals which the local authorities are making to me in the light of the White Paper.

Can the Minister clear up the position of the Leeds Technical College, about which there has been a great deal of doubt?

This is a very fine project, costing a great deal of money. Of course I shall discuss with the local authority what grade of technical college it will be. It is certainly going to be one of the outstanding colleges in that part of England.

asked the Minister of Education how he estimates that the £70 million worth of technical college building. to be started in the period 1956 to 1961, will be divided between colleges of advanced technology, as described in Command Paper No. 9703, and technical colleges for work at the lower levels.

It is too early to say, but perhaps roughly one-fifth of the total may be required for colleges of advanced technology and for the provision of branch colleges to relieve these of lower level work.

In view of the fact that one-fifth is a relatively small sum, will the Minister ensure that it is not spread too widely over these colleges, and that their standard is maintained at the highest possible level?

There are already building developments in progress at all but three of these colleges, and I am hopeful that, with the sum mentioned, we shall be able to bring some of them to a very high standard.

asked the Minister of Education how many State schools cater especially for children who are backward, as distinct from those who are mentally deficient; and how many of these are boarding schools.

There are 261 special schools in England and Wales for educationally sub-normal children, of which 105 are boarding schools.

While thanking my hon. Friend for that information, may I ask whether he is quite satisfied that children who are only educationally backward are not sometimes classified as mentally deficient? Is he further satisfied that children who are backward, nervous or shy in any way get proper encouragement and individual attention to help them forward?

In reply to my hon. Friend's first point, I have in fact recently satisfied myself about the procedure for investigating those children who are ineducable, and I am satisfied that those cases are thoroughly investigated. The parent has a right of appeal to my right hon. Friend. To reply to my hon. Friend's second point, I hope that an increasing proportion of the resources available for special schools will be devoted to this purpose and this category.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will introduce amending regulations or, if necessary, legislation, to enable teachers living in excepted districts to have the civic right of seeking election to the local council.

No, Sir. A teacher—or other paid officer—should not fill the dual rôle of employer and employee, as would be the case if he became a member of the local authority responsible for his appointment.

Is the Minister aware that the tendency of post-war law has been to encourage teachers and other State and local government servants to play their full part in civic life? Is he also aware that the recent case has revealed an anomaly and is depriving a number of teachers in particular areas from exercising full civic rights which many members of the teaching profession exercise in other parts of the country?

The recent decision of the court in the Lowestoft case does not add any law or impose any restriction on teachers that did not previously exist. If a teacher wishes to become a member of a local authority in an area in which he is not himself serving, of course he can do so. The only difficulty is where he would become his own employer.

In this case, is it not a fact that the man is merely technically employed by the local authority of which he sought to become a member, and that his salary is paid by the county council, as in other parts of the country?

If a teacher in such a district cannot stand for election to the local council on the ground that the local council is his employer, would he be eligible to stand as a candidate for the county council?

I shall have to look into that.

asked the Minister of Education if he will vary the grant Regulations to enable children in secondary modern schools to be entered for examinations other than the general certificate of education if the head teacher and staff so desire.

I shall consider carefully the comments on this and other points, sent to me in reply to the Circular (289) which I issued on examinations in secondary schools. As yet, however, I am not satisfied that the change suggested by the hon. Member would be in the best interests of the schools and their pupils.

I am grateful to the Minister for his sympathetic reply. Is he aware that the aim of secondary modern education is not merely to provide certain able children with an opportunity to take the school certificate, but to cater for all kinds of ability, some of which may be measured by other examinations, in the opinion of the headmaster, and that such examinations give some sort of spur and stimulus to new groups of children? Will he bear these things in mind when he considers this question?

Yes, I will. This is a very complicated question, as the hon. Member knows.

asked the Minister of Education what will be the effect on the provision of secondary school places of the postponement of part of the school building programme.

I cannot add to the Answer I gave a week ago to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, just at a time when there has been an increase in the number of secondary school places, to postpone the school building programme will prove very serious for the children who will enter the schools in the next few years?

If that were the result, it would be serious, but I am hopeful that the action I am taking will allow more schools to be built in a shorter time. The present average length of time for building a school is too long, and I am hoping that, through spacing out the programme, we shall reduce the average length of time.

Does the Minister realise that the same argument was advanced four years ago and that since then, unfortunately, the average size of classes has increased?

We have a very large programme, much larger than that in the days of the Labour Party, and we have to see that it is properly spaced out.

May we take it that the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer means a decrease in the number of school places to be provided over the next few years?

I repeat to the hon. Lady that I am hopeful that the result of the action which I am taking will be more schools completed than there would otherwise be.

asked the Minister of Education whether he can yet state what new premises will be provided for the Imperial Institute.

I would refer to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 15th February.

In carrying out the changes that will inevitably be involved, will the Minister try to save the existing building from destruction, because many people would regard that as an act of vandalism? Will the right hon. Gentleman, who is not without some reputation for artistic taste, use his personal influence to prevent this building from being destroyed?

That is a Government decision which is in the interests of the Imperial College. We have a great project there which it would be difficult to carry out unless that building goes.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he will gain much support from hon. Members on this side of the House if he uses his influence to prevent the vandalism which would be involved in the destruction of this beautiful and graceful building?

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to add my voice to the plea that he should join with hon. Members on both sides of the House to rescue the present building, and thus save himself the effort of having to find a new site?

I will convey these feelings to my right hon. Friend whose responsibility it is.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there are two views, among those who are competent to judge, about the artistic merits of this building? In 1953 the Government promised a site to the Imperial College and their plans are now being held up. Will the Government make no alteration about the existing plan?

Will the Minister confirm that no irrevocable step will be taken until this House has had an opportunity of discussing the matter?

It is not for me to give any such assurance. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to discuss that through the ordinary channels, he can do so.

asked the Minister of Education if he will introduce amending legislation so as to permit the awarding by the Government, in deserving cases, of university places to foreign nationals.

The British Council already has power to make awards to foreign students attending universities in this country, but the allocation of university places is entirely a matter for the universities themselves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw to the attention of that organisation the possibility of offering Miss Autherine Lucy a university place as a demonstration that in this country we are against racial intolerance?

There is no colour bar at any university in this country so far as I know; but I understand that the lady in question now has other preoccupations.

If the right hon. Gentleman read his newspaper, he would know that that is incorrect.

While it is obviously necessary and desirable that foreign students should have this opportunity, does not my right hon. Friend think that there are grounds for some priority for students from the British Commonwealth and Colonies?

We welcome students from both the Commonwealth and foreign countries.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what approaches have been made to Her Majesty's Government by the Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland for financial aid; and, in view of the need of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland for cheap money and interest-free loans to aid economic development there, if he will state the policy and plans of Her Majesty's Government in this matter.

The Federal Government and, before its establishment, the Governments of Southern and Northern Rhodesia, have been able to borrow on a substantial scale on the London market. We are in close and continuous contact with the Federal Government, and we are of course anxious to give the Federation all the help we can consistent with our own financial situation and the many other calls upon us. In addition, there is provision for access as appropriate to United Kingdom Government funds under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts and from the Colonial Development Corporation. There is also an important flow of private investment.

I thank the Minister for that Answer, but does he not agree that Britain's policy in dealing with the independent realms within the Commonwealth should be no less forthcoming than her policy in dealing with other territories which are not so closely related to us?

In answer to that, I think I may say that during the last five years the Federal and territorial Governments have raised over £50 million on the London market, and have been authorised to receive £8½ million under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts and £6 million from the Colonial Development Corporation. I do not think that that is an insignificant contribution from this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in view of the action taken by Pakistan in declaring itself a Republic. if he will forthwith introduce legislation to define the constitutional changes resulting from that action.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the Pakistan (Consequential Provision) Bill, which was available yesterday afternoon.

Is the Minister aware that I thought he would give that Answer? Will he say why this Bill singles out for special treatment the law of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, as compared—

Order. The hon. and learned Member is now anticipating the discussion upon a Bill which is now before the House. We can discuss these matters when we deal with the Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industries are at present being investigated by the Monopolies Commission; what they are; and when he expects the investigations to be finalised.

I would refer the hon. Member to my remarks during the debate on the Second Reading of the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill last Tuesday.

Is the Minister not aware that what he said on that occasion was most improper? The Minister has no power, merely because he has introduced a Bill, to curtail references which have already been made to the Monopolies Commission. Does not he realise that he has no power to anticipate what Parliament will say about the future activities of the Commission?

Improper or not, it gave a very full answer to the Question which has just been asked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further matters he is proposing to refer to the Monopolies Commission for investigation as a result of suggestions listed in his Department's Report for 1955 on monopolies and restrictive practices.

Most of the suggestions and requests in the Report appear to relate to arrangements which, under the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill, will be outside the field of reference to the Monopolies Commission. Those which are within that field will be taken into account when deciding what further references are to be made to the Commission.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken, and is taking, to help the Urban District of Witham to attract factories to its industrial site.

I will continue to consider applications for industrial development certificates on their merits. No application for Witham has been rejected.

Will my right hon. Friend please get his Department to do something active for this very progressive town, so that it may have all possible help in developing its industrial sites?

I will certainly consider, on its merits, any application which I receive for an industrial development certificate.

Will the Minister let his hon. Friend know the history of the North-East Lancashire Development Board in the last three years? If his hon. Friend does consider that history, he may not regard his right hon. Friend's assistance as anything to be enthusiastic about.

I think that my hon. Friend will be much heartened by the energy displayed by this Government, first in scheduling that area and then erecting in it the largest factory which has ever been erected by any Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to encourage the export of motor cars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he proposes to take to expand British motor car exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further discussions he has recently had with the manufacturers of British motor cars with a view to developing exports and restoring full employment in the industry.

My Department is in regular contact with the industry, and the National Advisory Council, which met yesterday, considered the industry's export problems and prospects. The industry is fully alive to the need to increase exports to the maximum, and of the willingness of the Board of Trade to give as much help as possible.

Despite this rather bland statement of the right hon. Gentleman's future intentions, is it not the case that the present crisis in the motor industry stems indirectly from the catastrophic decline in the exports of motor cars from 73 per cent. in the last year of the Labour Government to 43 per cent. under the present Administration? In view of that fact, will not the right hon. Gentleman change his futile policy of exhortation and laissez-faire.

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will hesitate before he casts too many reflections upon our motor car industry. The motor manufacturing industry of this country has a great record in exports, and last year it maintained its position as the premier motor car exporting country in the world.

But is not this disastrous fall in the export percentages from over 70 per cent. to under 45 per cent. largely due to the inertia and complacency of the Government? Will the President tell us now, in practical terms, what he will do to restore energy to the export drive?

It is not for any Government to export motor cars; it is for the motor car industry to do that. While it may have seen some decline in its share of world markets, it is still the premier motor car exporter in the world.

But is not the President aware that although it is the immediate job of the motor car industry to export motor cars, the rise in the percentage in the early years after the war was due to the generous assistance, encouragement and stimulus from the Government?

The rise was entirely due to world markets at that time.

In view of the various irrational fears about the operation of the credit squeeze, and in view of the fact that short time is now being worked in the motor industry, can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any evidence, so far, that motor car exports have diminished because of that?

I would say that the operation of the credit squeeze will certainly have no bad effect upon exports. I am sure that one thing which we should avoid doing is to take artificial steps to expand home demand.

Can the President say whether any target figure has been agreed with the industry in relation to an increase in its exports for the coming year? Secondly, has he seen the article in the Financial Times stating that the failure of the motor car industry—in Sweden in particular—to promote sales, spares and follow-up services has directly resulted in the failure of British cars in that market?

I have seen many comments about the failures of the motor industry and rather too little about the magnificent achievements of the men who work in that industry.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the export of our cars will not be helped if the workers in the industry follow the advice given to them by a shop steward this week to go slow, as that will inevitably still further increase the cost of production?

Would it not really be wiser if, instead of talking about the magnificent achievements in the past, the President were to take some practical steps to correct the situation now?

One of the necessary steps in the field of exports is to moderate home demand, not only in this but in other industries. This Government have shown that they have the courage to take the necessary steps in that direction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the redundancy in the motor car industry in the Midlands and elsewhere, if he will consult the advisory committee on the motor car industry and report the result of his consultations to the House.

The position of the motor car industry was discussed at the meeting of the National Advisory Council for the Motor Manufacturing Industry yesterday. There was a valuable exchange of views. The proceedings of the Council are confidential.

In view of the very disturbing news that is coming every day of further increases in redundancy and short-time, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has arrived when he personally should hear the views of this committee from both sides of the industry, and then make a statement to the House about the action that can be taken?

I am very willing to hear the views of this or any other industry on any occasion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will review the hire-purchase restrictions on motor cars in view of the further spread of short-time working and the emergence of unemployment in this industry and its ancillary trades and in order to enable manufacturers to dispose of the present unsaleable stocks of new cars.

I do not consider that the situation in the motor industry justifies a relaxation of the restrictions.

Does not the President of the Board of Trade feel that acres of cars which no one can sell is some justification for helping the industry to get rid of them somehow? Has he no policy for dealing with those cars that are piling up, and which no one can buy?

I cannot give any indication of any intention on behalf of the Government to vary the policies which they introduced only recently

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in his view, the extent of the short-time working, the lost overtime and so on in that industry has gone as far as the Government want to see it go, or do they want to see it go a little further in pursuance of their economic policies?

Short-time working and other things in the industry are due to a number of factors, seasonal and otherwise, including those to which I have referred about the Government measures, but I can give no indication at all that we intend to vary the policies which we have only recently announced

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will enter into consultation with the manufacturers of motor cars, with a view to sending joint missions to countries in the Eastern bloc to negotiate the sale of British passenger motor cars.

No, Sir. It is the responsibility of the manufacturers and not of the Government to negotiate the sale of motor cars. I am informed that representatives of the motor industry have already explored the market prospects in most of these countries.

Is the President aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of State has said that he is very anxious to extend trade with these areas? In view of the fact that the main proposals coming from places like China—which wants over a million tractors—come from Governments asking for a direct exchange of views with Governments, why do the Government not try to do something to get trade going?

In the export trade with China the export of nearly all types of motor cars is freely allowed.

Have not the President's Answers to Questions on the subject been wholly negative, and would not an expansion in our exports of motor cars to any market be beneficial from the point of view both of the workers in the Midlands and of the national interest?

We cannot have anything better than a free market for selling in, and it is a free market there.

But is it not this laissez-faire attitude of the Government that has got us into our present difficulties?

The President has just said that there is no limit on the export of motor cars to China, but is it not a fact that he is talking only of motor cars and that, of course, commercial vehicles and tractors are prohibited?

I was asked about motor cars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions he has had with the Government of Southern Rhodesia, with a view to obtaining supplies of nickel from the deposits now known to exist there.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the indications of nickel-bearing ores found at Gatooma in Southern Rhodesia. No discussions between Governments are contemplated with regard to these deposits. I understand that the exclusive rights to explore them have been acquired by a British mining company and that exploratory work is now in progress.

Does the President remember that he has already agreed that there is a world shortage of nickel? There is a very great demand for nickel, and would not it be a very great catastrophe for British industry if we were not to get in on the ground floor and obtain agreements by which our industries were helped to ensure the future of nickel exports to this country?

I fully appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point, but if there is a world shortage of supply, and if there are some supplies here for which a well known mining company is exploring, that seems to be a very satisfactory state of affairs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many radios and radiogramophones were imported from Germany in 1954 and 1955.

7,872 complete radio sets in 1954 and 27,073 in 1955. Figures for complete radiogramophones were 143 and 1,219.

Has my right hon. Friend received any representations from the makers in this country, in view of the tremendous increase over last year?

I do not think so. The tariff is, in fact, the same both ways—20 per cent. in this country and 20 per cent. in Germany.

Is not this another example of lack of policy by Her Majesty's Government? Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the extreme measures doing away with hire-purchase restrictions altogether resulted in this vast increase of imports from Germany?

I am glad to have the support of the right hon. Gentleman for our measures increasing hire-purchase restrictions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of an increase in the disposal by retailers of radio and television sets on credit-sale agreements for less than nine months; that this is defeating the purpose of the restrictions he has imposed upon hire-purchase and hiring agreements; and what steps he is taking to make his restrictions effective.

I am aware that some retailers are offering to dispose of radio and television sets on credit-sale agreements for less than nine months, but I do not agree that such sales defeat the purpose of the restrictions. I have recently amended the conditions under which these agreements are permitted to ensure that the restrictions are effective.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is possible, under these agreements, for television sets and such goods still to be sold for a very small initial down-payment, whatever the merits of the general policy of hire purchase? Is it not stupid to leave this hole or gap, through which is now being done more and more business of the sort that the right hon. Gentleman was trying to stop?

I am anxious to stop up any gap, but there does not seem to be one here. The object of the hire purchase controls is to compel people either to pay the whole price down or at any rate to restrict themselves to credit sale agreements for under nine months.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some manufacturers are already offering a loan for the initial deposit, to be paid off by weekly payments? Where are we getting to?

I am quite willing to examine any point which the hon. Gentleman may put to me about obvious evasions but the point raised by the right hon. Gentleman is not an evasion. It is an ordinary credit sale under nine months and has never been caught by any hire-purchase restriction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that manufacturers of boots and shoes in Eire are permitted to send these into the United Kingdom under licence, which is freely granted, and that United Kingdom merchants are only permitted to sell boots and shoes in Eire under quota, which is strictly limited; and what discussions he has had with the Irish Republican Government on the subject.

Yes, Sir. Representations were made to the Irish Republic last year, and the quota for leather footwear is now three times what it was.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that, while furniture imported from the Irish Republic is duty free, subject to Purchase Tax, the Irish Republic levy a duty of 50 per cent. on furniture exported from the United Kingdom; and whether he will make representations to the Irish Republican Government on the subject;

(2) whether he is aware that the Eireann Government impose a duty of 56s. per hundredweight, plus a package duty of Id. per pound on packages under seven pounds gross on United Kingdom exports of sugar confectionery; and, since imports from Eire are subject only to a duty of 4s. 9d, per hundredweight of sugar content, if he will make representations to the Eireann Government with a view to achieving reciprocity.

I am aware of these facts. If the United Kingdom industries concerned consider that they are not enjoying an opportunity of reasonable competition in the Irish Republic it is open to them, under the provisions of the Trade Agreement of 1938, to ask for a review of the duties.

While I appreciate what my right hon. Friend has said and hope that industry will take note of it, may I ask him to look at the whole position again in the light of the effect that it must have upon Northern Ireland, where there is still considerable unemployment?

I have received a request from the Northern Ireland Government to examine this duty position as it affects Ulster industry, including furniture. I am examining it at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the concern felt by Scottish distillers at recent difficulties experienced in marketing whisky in the United States of America; that these difficulties will result in decreased whisky exports to the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that at the recent annual meeting of Teacher's, the distillers, the chairman drew attention to the phenomenal increase in the consumption of vodka in the United States? Does not this show that we are losing the cold war even in America, and what is the right hon. Gentleman going to do about it?

I had a feeling there was something underlying this Question which I had missed. I have received no complaints on the matter from the Scotch Whisky Association.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received from the Australian Government concerning the adverse effect of Her Majesty's Government's trade policy upon Anglo-Australian trade; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this effect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a further statement on trade with Australia.

I would not wish to add anything to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Gentleman on 2nd February.

As the reply is not within my recollection, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that it was the Minister of Trade in the Hosue of Representatives who made these allegations that we were aggravating Australian trade difficulties? Would it not be advisable for the right hon. Gentleman to 'consider doing something to remedy this most damaging statement?

The Minister did complain of a number of things. He complained of State trading under the Socialist Administration and its effect on Australia, the level of agricultural subsidies over here and one or two other matter. I really do not think that any very useful purpose would be served if I answered all the questions or tried to reply to the comments which he then made.

Could the right hon. Gentleman add to the reply which he gave on an earlier occasion? Has he made any reply to the comments of the Australian Minister? Is he aware that that it is absolutely due to the Government's policy of restriction of United Kingdom trade which has led to the Australians, in order to keep up their standard of living, borrowing dollars from the International Bank, which adds to the adverse sterling balance of payments?

I am aware that there is virtual free trade for all Australian products coming into the British market. On the individual point which the right hon. Gentleman made on the earlier Question, I have seen that the facts in it are drawn to the attention of the Australian authorities.

Will the President of the Board of Trade at least agree that it is impossible for a developing country like Australia both to develop at the rate which is required of it in the international interest, and to have what is erroneously called a favourable balance of trade?

I do not want to answer for the economic problems of the Australian Government on their balance of payments at the present time.

Would my right hon. Friend consider inviting the Australian Minister of Trade over here at the time of the Prime Ministers' Conference to discuss mutual problems of trade between the two countries?

The Australian Minister of Trade is always welcome in this country on that or on any other occasion.

Has not the President of the Board of Trade heard that it has been announced in Canberra that the Minister of Trade is coming here with Mr. Menzies?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that manufacturers of sports footwear in Leicester and elsewhere are disturbed about the large quantities of track and running shoes which are being imported into this country from Germany in consequence of the low duties which prevail on these imports, apart from other factors; and whether he will take immediate steps to inquire into and deal with the position.

No, Sir. There are procedures whereby interests concerned can apply for changes in protective duties. I have had no applications in relation to duties on sports footwear.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman inquire further into the matter and in particular into subsidised labour in Germany in respect of these shoes, the amount of wages which are being paid and whether young people under the age of those employed here are employed in this industry in Germany? Will he then do something about protecting the industry in Leicester?

If the industry wishes to make an application for an alteration in the tariff it is free to do so. I have no evidence of subsidy in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what rates of duty are imposed by Germany on sports footwear imported from Britain into Germany; and what rates of duty are charged on sports footwear imported into this country.

As the answer contains a number of separate headings, and is therefore rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Minister say straightaway whether the duties which are charged upon this type of goods going into Germany are larger than those imposed on similar goods coming into this country, and if so, what he is going to do about it?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the table he will be able to make his own comparison. Some of the duties are ad valorem and others are specific, so comparison is not easy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade by what method he assesses imports and exports of thoroughbred horses in and out of Great Britain.

Imports and exports of horses are recorded by Customs in the usual way. No assessment of the trade in thoroughbreds is made, as these are not separately distinguished in the Trade Returns, but I understand that they account for most of the value of the imports and exports recorded.

Is my right hon Friend aware that his Department counts as an export all horses that in the breeding season visit France and Ireland for a few weeks, and that when they return with foals they are counted as imports? Is he aware that the figures as to exports and imports which the agencies and the association that actually deal with this have are completely different from those given by his Department?

That may be so, but what my Department has to do is to record those horses which leave and those, which enter this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will extend the Departmental inquiries into the sale of Government surplus stores decided upon last week, to the sale by his Department of 297,000 gallons of castor oil.

During the past six months some castor oil from the strategic reserve has been sold by public tender. These sales are quite distinct from the disposal of surplus Government stores and have been made in the normal course of managing the stock of this commodity, which deteriorates if kept for too long.

Will the President say what moved the Government to keep such a lot of oil as this? Will he also say how much this lot cost, and how much it has been sold for, and what the poor taxpayer has lost as a result?

There are strategic considerations for keeping this stock which I would prefer not to reveal. As to the value of this particular stock perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put down a Question.

Can the Minister say whether the sale of this stock represents the final purge of his Department?

Can the President say what is the strategic purpose of castor oil?

It is not customary to reveal the strategic purpose of this stock.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many patent applications, considered to be in order for acceptance, are now awaiting their six figure numbers and formal acceptance.