asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the losses suffered by Cornish farmers and horticulturists as a result of the recent severe weather.

In general, grain crops and livestock in Cornwall were not seriously affected by the severe February weather, but considerable damage was done to some green crops, and vegetables and flowers. I am circulating a more detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that for the third winter in succession we have had exceptionally severe weather in Cornwall, that the losses on the broccoli crop are estimated at £350,000, and that it was not possible to take advantage of the markets for the flower crop in February and early March? Is the Minister further aware that in Cornwall, and particularly in my constituency, we have a very high percentage of smallholdings which are intensively worked, and will he do all he can to safeguard the markets for the later crops?

The hon. Gentleman is quite right: I am aware that Cornwall has had exceptionally bad luck with the weather for the last three years, and I sympathise very much with the horticulturists in respect of the position. I would point out to the hon. Gentleman that our goods and services scheme is available, and applications for short-term loans under that scheme will be sympathetically considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it seems that middlemen are taking undue advantage of this difficult situation? Will he make urgent inquiries about it?

I am in the closest possible touch with the position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that Annual Price Reviews and other aids to farming have failed to provide stability for the agricultural industry in Cornwall; and if he will introduce further measures to deal with the problem.

Cornish farmers are receiving benefit on a substantial scale from the agricultural subsidies. I am aware that difficult weather conditions have adversely affected both agriculture and horticulture, but the Government cannot attempt to compensate for the temporary effects of the weather.

Is the Minister aware that my Question is virtually the text of a resolution carried by a large majority at a Conservative conference in Cornwall recently, when the Minister of Health, who was there, described it as absurd, and then offered to send some Yorkshire farmers to take over some Cornish farms? Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this was as a result of a Cabinet decision?

I had not the good fortune to be present and listen to my right hon. Friend. I know that he is a very knowledgeable farmer. I have quite enough work explaining away my own speeches, and I know very well that my right hon. Friend needs no help from me when speaking on agriculture.

In view of the special difficulties of the small farmers in West Cornwall, would my right hon. Friend be prepared to examine and consider, on the long-term view, the whole position of production grants as it affects those farmers, because that would also help the horticulturists who have been so badly hit?

My hon. Friend will, I think, agree that the small farmers in Cornwall already get substantial help from the marginal production grants and the fertiliser subsidy. I would remind my hon. Friend of paragraph 36 in the White Paper, in which the Government indicated that we would endeavour to devise arrangements for projecting some of the price guarantees further forward than one year. I hope that we shall be successful in that direction.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he is giving to the representations from the National Farmers' Union about the site of a proposed new school at Carn Brea, Camborne.

I have received no representations from the National Farmers' Union on this matter.

Is the Minister aware that the county council wants to build a school on a very big site which would take up five or six holdings which are intensively worked? May I remind the Minister—

No.

The hon. Member is taking the opportunity of Question Time to make speeches about his constituency. If the Minister is not aware of these things the hon. Member should tell him the facts, but not at Question Time.

As the Minister knows the area very well indeed, will he exert all his influence to ensure that a site on waste land is used?

The authorities concerned will, I am certain, consult me as regards the agricultural aspects before deciding on any project.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the names of the three firms to whom the largest subsidy is paid in respect of bread; and what percentage of the country's bread is made by them.

The three firms receiving the largest amount of subsidy together produce about 5 per cent. of all the national bread made in the United Kingdom. I cannot disclose their identity because all information given by bakers claiming subsidy is confidential.

Is the Minister aware that the millers have a restrictive practice of quotas on their mills? Is he also aware that big firms, whose names I could mention, are buying up all the bakeries to control the sale of bread also?

I know of the general trend, to which the hon. Member refers, of the establishment of plant bakeries and also groupings of bakers

Is the Minister aware that the large mills referred to are granting bonuses to large bakers if they purchase a quantity in excess of a certain figure whereas small bakeries get no bonus at all?

The practice to which the right hon. Member refers, of giving discounts to large purchasers, is fairly usual in business.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from Cardiff concerning the placing of 50 per cent. of the Cardiff cold store on a care-and-maintenance basis.

None, Sir.

In view of the fact that it is only now that Government-owned stocks of food in this cold storage are coming to an end because the Government have ended the policy of bulk purchase, and in view also of the fact that the closure of the cold storage is merely symptomatic of our basic problem of decreasing trade at Cardiff docks, can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope at all that he can help us in this direction?

All my information is that there is ample cold storage space in Cardiff for present needs. If that position changes, I shall be glad to know.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what attitude was adopted by his two representatives on the Cold Store Corporation, Cardiff, with reference to the decision to place the cold store on a care-and-maintenance basis.

The decision to place the Government cold store at Cardiff, as well as eight other Government cold stores in other parts of the country, on partial care and maintenance was taken by the Board of National Cold Stores (Management), Ltd., on 22nd February, 1956. The Government directors concurred in this decision, which also has my approval.

Does the Minister not think that it is somewhat complacent to say that there is sufficient space now for such food as is being imported? What is he doing to try to help the docks recover their former trade in food? He has taken it away from them.

As the hon. Member knows, I cannot exert any influence concerning the port at which food cargoes arrive. The facts as I know them are that about 60 per cent. of the present cold storage space available at Cardiff is unused.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent consultations he has had with the Cardiff Port Development Committee and the Cardiff Chambers of Trade and Commerce, respectively, concerning the Cardiff cold store.

None, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that he is the guilty partner in this affair? It is thanks to him and to the Government's policy that this cold store is not required. What will the right hon. Gentleman do to put the matter right?

I cannot agree that I am the guilty party. As regards food, the hon. Member knows that more food than ever before is now being imported and consumed in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ask the cold store industry to release the Government from the pledge they gave in 1940, that the Cardiff cold store would not be used in competition with privately-owned cold stores.

No, Sir. The Government intend to honour the pledges to the cold storage industry and it would be contrary to those pledges to make an exception in the case of the Cardiff store.

Does that mean that a pledge given sixteen years ago is to continue in perpetuity? Can we have no hope at all in Cardiff that this publicly-owned cold store, which was built at a cost of £300,000, can ever be economically used?

A pledge is a pledge and it cannot be broken just by the effluxion of time. I should like to repeat what I have already said, that to the best of my knowledge the amount of cold storage space available in Cardiff is ample for present needs, and there is a large surplus.

That is what we are complaining about. Space, of course, will be ample so long as the Cardiff cold store cannot compete freely with the cold storage interests. Will the right hon. Gentleman approach the cold store interests again and ask them to release the Government from this pledge, which in my view was wrongly extracted and wrongfully given?

No, Sir. I am satisfied that cold storage space is being used economically in the best national interest

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what organised suggestion scheme is in operation in his Department; how many suggestions are received from employees through that organisation annually; how many are adopted; what awards are made for such suggestions; and what he estimates to be the savings made by the adoption of employees' suggestions.

All members of my Department are encouraged to put forward suggestions for improving efficiency. About 100 suggestions are received annually and an average of about 15 per cent. are adopted. Credit is given on personal files for any suggestion found suitable for adoption and monetary awards are made where appropriate.

Will my right hon. Friend look into this matter a little further? Is his Department doing as well as some of the other Departments with suggestions schemes or even as well as some of the commercial firms who have organised suggestions schemes?

I will certainly do as my hon. Friend asks. I am anxious that this scheme should be a success. Perhaps the explanation is that my Department is already unusually efficient.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will appoint two additional officers to his staff, one a veterinary surgeon, to visit jointly all horse slaughterhouses and knackers' yards and to prepare a full report on the implementation of the Slaughter of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) No. 2 Regulations, 1954.

No, Sir. I realise the need for full information on this matter, but I do not consider that additional staff is required. I have already arranged for my officers to give special attention to places where horses are slaughtered, and since 1st January they have visited and reported on almost all horse slaughterhouses and a substantial number of knackers' yards.

I am obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but the position is still very unsatisfactory. Will he make available to any hon. Member who would like to see it a complete report on all the horse slaughterhouses and knackers' yards?

I shall be very glad to supply any hon. Member who is interested with the best information I can give as to the current situation and any future improvements and changes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many months have now been allowed to owners of slaughterhouses to bring their premises up to the standards of the Slaughter of Animals (Prevention of Cruelty) No. 2 Regulations, 1954; and how many horse slaughterhouses and knackers' yards are known to his Department as still below the standard of these Regulations.

Some of the Regulations came into force on 1st December, 1954, and the remainder on 1st July, 1955. When last visited by my officers, 13 horse slaughterhouses and 39 knackers' yards needed minor alterations to bring them up to the required standard, and two horse slaughterhouses and 11 knackers' yards needed substantial alterations. The local authorities or the occupiers of the premises concerned have taken or promised remedial action. I have arranged for the premises to be revisited.

This is most unsatisfactory. Is the Minister not aware of case after case in which there is flagrant violation of the Regulations? Is it not time that the Minister ceased to accept the promises of these people to put their premises right and gave them, say, three months in which to do so?

I have no evidence at present that the local authorities have not made their best efforts to carry out their promises and the suggestions which have been made for improvements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in how many horse slaughterhouses and knackers' yards, known to his Department, it is still the practice to kill horses in the sight of dead carcases, contrary to the 1954 Regulations.

A few instances have been reported to my Department in recent months, but in each case suitable action has been taken by the local authority.

It simply is not the case that suitable action has been taken. Is the Minister not aware that at a number of slaughterhouses, a list of which has been supplied to him, the most foul and disgusting conditions still apply, in which horses are led in to slaughter in sight of carcases, bones, skins and entrails, in complete violation of the right hon. Gentleman's own Regulations? Will the Minister not take one or two cases as an example and either prosecute them or allow a short time in which they must put their house in order?

I do not think that I have anything further to add to what I have already said, that in the cases which my inspectors have brought to my attention as a result of their visits the local authorities have either carried out improvements or have promised to do so. My inspectors are keeping in touch with those cases to see that the improvements are in fact carried out.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many prosecutions have taken place and what the results have been?

None at all.

It is the local authorities who are responsible for enforcing the Regulations.

I know.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the concern at the protracted delay in implementing the recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Slaughterhouses; and the position with regard to the proposed new model byelaws.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now able to announce his policy in relation to slaughterhouses.

Consultations with the interests concerned have now been concluded, and I hope to make a statement of policy within the next few weeks. I expect to publish model byelaws for slaughterhouses next week.

While thanking the Minister for that more definite statement, may I ask him whether this time we may feel that he will keep to a few weeks? He will remember that it was about fourteen months ago that he suggested that he was almost on the point of giving the details. Will he this time keep his word?

It was only eight and a half months ago that the Inter-Departmental Committee reported. I shall do my very best the next time the hon. Gentleman puts down his Question to catch the opportunity and announce my policy, but I would ask him to give me just two or three weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what decision has been reached in the case put forward by a deputation from the Erith Borough Council to his Department on 18th November, 1954, of the burden it has to bear because of the lack of slaughterhouses in neighbouring authorities' areas, thereby necessitating the slaughtering of an abnormal number of animals in the borough's two slaughterhouses, involving the Erith Council in expense in providing sanitary inspectors for long hours, including Sunday work, when the bulk of the meat is distributed in other districts, from which no contribution is made to the Erith Borough Council.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 29th March.

Does that apply to the problem of Erith Borough Council as well?

In that reply I announced the Government's intention of making a contribution where the burden falling upon a local authority was unduly heavy, but I can give no assurance until the applications have been received. It would certainly be up to the council concerned to make an application.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total saving in salaries and other administrative expenses which he expects to result from the abolition of the individual price guarantee for fatstock.

About £225,000 in a full year.

What will happen to the civil servants released by this considerable and welcome Government saving?

Some of them are temporary civil servants, and their employment will probably be terminated. Established civil servants will be transferred to other posts made available as the result of normal wastage.

Approximately how much is the Treasury expecting to save as a result of the abolition of the individual minimum guarantee for producers?

I think the only direct saving to the Treasury is the figure which I have given for the saving of staff, but, of course, there will be a further saving if, as we expect, as a result of the new arrangement better market prices are obtainable over the year. If the system works in this way the effect will be a saving in the subsidy.

If the average realisation price should fall below the minimum price surely that will involve a reduction in payments to individual producers.

I do not think that is so. It is very difficult to argue and discuss these things in answer to a Question, but I shall be glad to discuss them with the right hon. Gentleman. However, if I understood his question aright, I would say that the effect would not be as he suggests.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons were employed in Essex by his Department at a convenient comparable date in 1956, 1955 and 1954.

The number on 1st April was, in 1956, 237; in 1955, 247; and in 1954, 481.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether he expects next year to be able to effect a reduction somewhat similar to that which happened in the two earlier years he mentioned in his Answer?

I am very anxious indeed to make any savings we possibly can without loss of efficiency in our out-station staff, and I am shortly publishing the Report of the Wilson Committee, which deals with those aspects of this problem.

In the reduction of the number of staff, have any functions been abandoned?

There has been a contraction of some of our contract services for machinery and other work, but in general there has been no contraction whatever in the National Agricultural Advisory Service and the other main advisory and aid services. There has been no contraction, for instance, in the animal health service.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) the number of persons presently employed in the Provincial Agricultural Economics Service; and the number of persons provided in the establishment for the service;

Apart from clerical staff, the present number of persons holding these university appointments is 146, out of a complement of 160; since October, 1945, 304 persons have held such appointments; and the average length of service from 1924 to date is, in the case of existing personnel, rather more than nine years. I regret that particulars of length of service are not available for staff who have retired, resigned or died.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that there are adequate supplies of nitrogenous fertiliser available in the United Kingdom for use in the next few months; and if he will make a statement.

Yes, Sir. There are always local difficulties in obtaining supplies during the peak period of spring applications, and because demand is at a record level these are more frequent than usual this season. Home production together with imports should, however, be enough to meet all requirements before the end of the season.

Does my right hon. Friend regard the current difficulties of farmers in getting nitrogenous fertilisers as an indication that they have answered the call to improve grasslands in yield per acre?

Yes, gladly. I am delighted that the use of fertilisers in general and of nitrogenous fertilisers in particular is running at an all-time record level. I am very anxious indeed to see the new manufacturing capacity, which, I understand, has been put in hand for the making of fertilisers, in use at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will review the operation of the ploughing-up grant and fertiliser subsidy, in order to ascertain how far these payments are of benefit to the small farmer.

I am satisfied that most small farmers derive benefit from the fertiliser subsidy and a substantial number from the ploughing-up grant. I doubt whether a review would be useful.

Would my right hon. Friend, in considering the very difficult problems, consider whether there is a very considerable inequity between, say, the big arable farmer, who derives the normal benefit from the ploughing grant, and the small dairy farmer, who really gets none at all?

It is difficult to even these things out; I agree with my hon. Friend about that. However, we do our best to do it, and I think that every small farmer obtains substantial benefits of one kind or another from the production grants though not all of them necessarily do so from the same production grant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the operation of the ploughing grant subsidy in view of the fact that the tillage acreage is falling so rapidly?

That is, of course, one of the reasons why we increased the rate of ploughing-up grant last year. I hope very much that the shrinkage in the tillage area will be halted as a result of that and other measures put in hand.

As there has been no extension of the ploughing of grassland but a shrinkage to the extent of 500,000 acres, does it not now look as though all those people who are ploughing up grassland would do so even if there were no subsidy at all for it?

I do not think so. I think that the subsidy is serving a very useful purpose, and the right hon. Gentleman will agree that, apart from ploughing up and putting down cereals, if good leys are put down, that may be of the utmost value to the future of agriculture.

Will my right hon. Friend particularly consider the drainage grant and the anomaly which affects the small farmer who does not get the full grant if he has to do the work himself? Is he not the very man we ought to be helping?

I know of that difficulty to which my hon. and gallant Friend draws my attention, and I have it under consideration, but to alter the position would involve legislation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now announce the members appointed to the committee to look into the problems of the meat and livestock industries; and give the terms of reference.

I hope to be able to announce the name of the chairman and the terms of reference of the committee next week. The names of the other members will be announced as soon as possible after that.

Whilst thanking the Minister for that optimistic statement, may I ask whether he can now say that there will be a housewife on this committee, since much of the work which the committee will do will apply to housewives? Does he not appreciate the need for somebody to tell the committee all the time that the housewife wants smaller, leaner joints of meat at a more reasonable price?

I entirely agree with the hon. Member that the housewife's needs are crucial in this matter. I will bear in mind what he has said and consider the best way to make sure that the housewife's view is put before the committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further action he has taken to prevent a shortage and higher prices of potatoes in the next month or two.

The whole of Europe is suffering from a shortage of potatoes and consequent high prices as the result of light crops in 1955 and the recent severe weather. We shall need to continue to import main-crop potatoes from all available sources which do not involve risk of introducing disease or pests. Substantial quantities are at present coming in.

Whilst everybody will regret the somewhat alarming statement which the Minister has made, may I ask whether, for the protection of housewives, he will see whether the really disgusting price of 6d. a lb. for old-crop potatoes, now being charged, is really justified?

I am quite sure that if I were to interfere and impose price control temporarily—

I am not asking for that.

If I did that, it would have the reverse effect to that which the hon. and gallant Gentleman wants, and it would drive supplies under the counter. The result of the present high prices is that we can rely upon all potatoes available here or in any of the countries from which we can import them, which are fit for human consumption, coming into the market.

Is the Minister aware that in this case it is widely believed that the consumer is being exploited? Will he assure the House that he will immediately meet the wholesalers and put the case to them?

The most important thing at the moment is to ensure that all available supplies come into the market. That is how the consumer will be best served.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that from 15th May the potato crop will be available from Cornwall? Will he see that after that date the country is not flooded with potatoes from abroad, to the detriment of our producers?

All the potatoes from Cornwall will be very welcome to consumers in this country.

In view of the allegations which have been widely made, does the Minister not agree that he should meet the wholesalers? Why does he not answer my specific request that he should meet them as soon as possible and discuss the matter?

I should certainly do that if I thought that my intervention at this stage would have any useful result whatsoever.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Liverpool last week some of my constituents had to pay 1d. each for small potatoes? Is he aware that I have quite a number of Irish constituents who believe that the "spud" is one of the fundamental items of food? Is he aware that in view of the fact that the price of bread has increased as well, these constituents are having a very thin time? What is the Minister prepared to do?

The hon. Lady looks very well on it.

That is not an answer to my question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the reasons for his Department's objection to the proposal to establish a nuclear power station in the estuary area of the rivers Crouch and Roach.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power that he has received no proposal from the Central Electricity Authority for the establishment of a nuclear power station in the area referred to by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that an official of his Department is widely believed in the area to have made the strongest representations within his Department for transmission to the Minister of Fuel and Power that there should be no power station in that area because of the existence there of oyster beds? Is this not very surprising, in view of the Government's decision to allow the erection of a power station in an adjoining area where there are also oyster beds?

I have no doubt that if and when a proposal is made to the Minister of Fuel and Power, my right hon. Friend will consult me on these matters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of meat graders he employs in the County of Norfolk; how many markets they serve; and the greatest number of graders employed at any one market.

Five full-time fatstock graders are employed in Norfolk, covering nineteen markets. The greatest number of fatstock graders at any market is three.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that there are sufficient graders to meet the needs of the markets? Can he say whether these men are playing an important part in marketing and are being of assistance to the industry?

My answer would be in present circumstances, "Yes, I am satisfied", but the whole question of the use of graders, their functions and numbers will be reviewed by me now as a consequence of the termination of the individual gurantee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there were thirty-five doctors in receipt of unemployment benefit on 19th March, 1956; and if he will consult with the Minister of Health, with a view to the solution of this problem.

Yes, Sir, but my right hon. Friend does not consider that any special consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is necessary. The number is very small in relation to the total number of doctors and in most cases benefit had been drawn for a few weeks only.

Will my hon. Friend, nevertheless, keep this figure under review, with a view to reporting to the Ministry of Health because, small though it is, the figure represents a very intractable form of unemployment amongst doctors? There is a very much larger number of doctors unemployed than is represented by that figure.

Sixteen of the thirty-five have been on benefit for fewer than six weeks and only a few for a longer period, but I assure my hon. Friend that we are giving this matter the closest attention.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say how many of these doctors were sound both mentally and physically, and capable of carrying on their profession in the usual way?

I have not that information available.

asked the Minister of Labour what organised suggestion scheme is in operation in his Department; how many suggestions are received from employees through that organisation annually; how many are adopted; what awards are made for such suggestions; and what he estimates to be the savings made by the adoption of employees' suggestions.

My Department has a scheme agreed by the Departmental Whitley Council under which members of the staff are invited to contribute suggestions for improvement and economy in methods of work. One thousand, three hundred and forty-two were received last year, and of these 169 were adopted. Monetary awards are made for suggestions which lead to appreciable improvements or economies. It is unfortunately impracticable to measure the savings achieved by the suggestions which have been adopted.

In view of the satisfactory figures which my hon. Friend has given, and having regard to the fact that his Department is particularly responsible for encouraging organised suggestions schemes, has my hon. Friend any plans for advising his colleagues in other Departments on how to carry on their suggestions schemes efficiently and with success?

I am sure that my right hon. Friend and I would always be very glad to give such advice, but I think that most Departments already have suggestions schemes working satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Labour why there is at present no woman deputy chief inspector of factories amongst the headquarters staff of the factory inspectorate.

Vacancies are filled by the best qualified candidate, irrespective of sex.

Does not the Minister agree that the welfare of a large number of women workers of this country makes it important that at least one of the deputy chief inspectors at headquarters ought normally to be a woman, and that this practice has been long established?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that women are well represented throughout the factory inspectorate, and that in the immediate grade below the one referred to four out of twelve posts are held by women. However, we hold that the interests of all in industry, men and women alike, will best be served by regarding all posts in the inspectorate as open to both sexes on a basis of full equality, and this is in accordance with the present general promotion policy of my Department.

asked the Minister of Labour when the report of the working party on the organisation, methods and staffing of the factory inspectorate is likely to be completed and submitted to him; and whether he will publish the report.

My right hon. Friend's predecessor arranged for three senior members of the Department to review these matters and he expects their findings and proposals to be completed this month.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that his Answer is disappointing for many hon. Members and many people outside the House who are deeply interested in the problem of the recruitment of technically-qualified staff for this Department? If there is to be no publication of the Report, could we not at least have a typescript of the decisions placed in the Library so that we may see it?

I appreciate the interest of the hon. Gentleman and of many other hon. Members of the House in this important subject. I have said that any changes decided upon will be announced, and I will certainly consider whether any other steps can be taken to keep hon. Members informed of what we are doing in this respect.

Is the Minister satisfied that the present terms and conditions of employment afford an opportunity for well-qualified persons to take employment in the inspectorate without having to suffer financial loss compared with what they would get in jobs outside?

I can only say that at the moment the inspectorate is almost up to our establishment. This is the first time for many years, and it is a fair indication that recruitment must be reasonably attractive at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour for how many years a woman officer has served as deputy chief inspector of factories; and whether it is proposed to continue the practice of appointing at least one woman to this grade.

Since 1921. Future vacancies will be filled by the best qualified candidate, whether man or woman.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I heard the Answer which he gave on this matter in reply to the last Question but one, and that I disagree with him completely? Is he further aware that a third of the women of the country are female workers—[Laughter.] I mean a third of the workers are females. Is he not prepared to accept that women sometimes have special problems at work and that it is desirable that at least one senior officer should be a woman?

As I have said already, women are well represented in the factory inspectorate and in the senior ranks. It so happens that there is not one in the rank of deputy chief inspector at the moment, but there are no fewer than four out of twelve in the immediate rank below. So long as we maintain a good representation of women I think it is right to promote on merit regardless of sex.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has noted that the new design of dust extractor developed by the British Ceramic Research Association gives greatly enhanced protection against pneumoconiosis among towers and fettlers in the earthenware industry; and if he will take steps to make the installation of this form of dust extraction compulsory in all factories.

My right hon. Friend is informed that the dust extractor referred to has given excellent results. Factory inspectors have been instructed that exhaust arrangements in potteries should conform to the standards attainable by using this new extractor.

I thank the hon. Gentleman very much.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the net increase in the number of prison officers serving in England and Wales during the past year; and how many years it will take, at the present rate of recruitment, to introduce a three-shift system in all prisons.

During 1955 the number of men officers increased by 42 and the number of women officers decreased by 25. It is estimated that it would require an additional 1,000 men to extend the three-shift system to all men's prisons, but such an extension has not been authorised and may indeed not to be practicable.

Does not this mean that it will take about fifty years before prisoners in local prisons can be brought out to undertake a full day's work? Is this not an appalling position, and what steps is the Minister taking to improve it?

The hon. Gentleman will observe that I stated that to extend this system to all men's prisons would not be practicable, and it is not the intention.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman answer my hon. Friend's question, and tell the House what steps he is taking, if any, to speed up the recruitment of prison officers so that this appalling situation can be remedied?

Whilst the number of prison officers is below establishment, it is not so far below as all that. To extend the three-shift system to all prisons, which is not the intention, would take another thousand men beyond the present establishment, which at the moment is about 200 below strength.

Does that answer mean that the Minister is taking no steps to recruit the thousand prison officers that are needed?

No. If the hon. Gentleman will do me the courtesy of reading my Answer tomorrow, he will find that the number of men has increased.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners are now sleeping three in a cell and, of this number, how many are in Manchester, Birmingham, Pentonville, and Wandsworth prisons, respectively.

On the night of 2nd-3rd April, 1956, 2,39 prisoners slept three in a cell. Of these, 330 were at Manchester, 219 at Birmingham, 333 at Pentonville and 246 at Wandsworth prisons.

Is it not significant that at these prisons the disturbances have not been unconnected with the fact that the prisoners are sleeping three in a cell? How long is this very unsatisfactory and dangerous condition to be allowed to remain in British prisons?

The hon. Gentleman will observe that the situation is improving. The figure that I have given him is 2,391, whereas the figure last year was 2,866.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the average earnings per prisoner per week in local prisons today.

In the first eight weeks of their sentence prisoners in local prisons may earn 10d. per week. Thereafter, earnings may be on a flat rate or a piece rate. The average amount earned weekly by flat-rate workers is 2s. 6d. and by piece-rate workers about 2s. 9d.

Is that not rather unrealistic these days? Would it not be to the advantage of the country if prisoners, on leaving prison, had money which they had saved while in prison, as is the case in France and Scandinavia? Would it not be a better system, and will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider it.

I agree with the hon. Member. I regard it as an extremely important matter. I can assure him that I have it very much in mind at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now make a statement in regard to the building of a second public house on the Harraby Estate, Carlisle; and what local consultations he is having in regard to this.

The State Management Districts Council have advised me that they share the view of the Carlisle Corporation that the population of the Harraby Estate when completed will justify a second public house. The Corporation has reserved a suitable site and negotiations are now proceeding for its purchase by the State Management Scheme. The Local Advisory Committee also approves of the project, but building will have to be postponed owing to present restrictions on capital expenditure.

While I thank my right hon. and gallant Friend for his reply, may I ask him to take advice on the Harraby Estate as to whether people would prefer a private enterprise public house as an alternative to a State-run public house?