asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the negotiations taking place with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on prices for drugs purchased for the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne, East (Mr. Blenkinsop) on 31st October. 1955, and 23rd April last.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the statement of the Public Accounts Committee on this question of high prices of drugs, and, in view of the statement last week that the price of prescriptions has risen to 4s. 4d., will he tell the House what he proposes to do about the matter?

As far as the first part of the supplementary question is concerned, I pay great attention to the reports of the Public Accounts Committee. With regard to the second part, what I said last week was that at the present time my Department and that of my right hon. Friend have submitted to the Association criticisms of its proposals and the industry is now reviewing the proposals in the light of those criticisms. That is what is happening at the moment.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the Whitley Council negotiations regarding the rates of remuneration to chemists for making up prescriptions and if he will make a statement

The claim made by the chemists is still under consideration

Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is reasonable to expect that, as a result of these discussions with the Association, economies will be effected in the running of the National Health Service without in any way impairing its efficiency?

It would be unwise to make any forecast while these discussions are proceeding

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now state what action he considers appropriate to inform the public of the dangers of lung cancer from excessive smoking

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now decided to publish information on the connection between smoking and lung cancer

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make a public statement as to the effect of smoking in producing carcinoma of the lung

Since my predecessor made a statement in February, 1954, investigations into the possible connection of smoking and cancer of the lung have been proceeding in this and other countries. Two known cancer-producing agents have been identified in tobacco smoke, but whether they have a direct role in producing lung cancer, and if so what, has not been proved

While thanking the Minister for at last saying something very forthright on this issue, may I first ask him what line of action he will take to inform the public about this danger? Has he in mind something as widespread as the campaign against diphtheria and in favour of diphtheria immunisation; and secondly, will he give us an assurance that the Government will take the initiative in such a campaign and will not leave it simply to the local authorities to do so if they wish?

In my view, in the present stage of our knowledge, a national publicity campaign would not be appropriate

Is there any evidence particularly with regard to pipe smoking—my right hon. Friend mentioned cigarette smoking; secondly, is there any evidence from the statistics as to how those who give up smoking are affected?

It would appear that pipe smokers face a heavier risk than non-smokers, but the risk is substantially less than that incurred by heavy cigarette smokers. With regard to the second part of the supplementary question, there is some evidence that the risk of contracting cancer of the lung decreases when smoking is given up

In view of the fact that the Minister for the first time is informing the country that tobacco smoke has certain carcinogenic properties and has made an emphatic statement, would he not agree that it was rather unfortunate that this statement came after the statement by eminent authorities on the radio and on television? I cannot answer for the authorities of the House, but I understand that a film was even shown in this building last week. Is it not unfortunate that the Minister's statement should follow these statements and not precede them, and in view of the gravity of the present statement, will he say why he will not give us a periodic review of the situation?

I can deal with the last part of the right hon. Lady's supplementary question at once. Whenever any more knowledge becomes available, I shall deem it my duty to put it before the House at once. That is what I have done in this case, but I must first of all see what has been the increase in knowledge since the last statement made. With regard to the first part of the right hon. Lady's question, she was not entirely fair. I did tell the House some time ago that two cancer-producing substances had been identified in tobacco smoke.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the statistics differentiate between those smokers who inhale and those who do not?

I am afraid that would be beyond the capacity of the statisticians

Will the Minister agree that there is now at least ample evidence to suggest that he should consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education and that all efforts should be made to bring this knowledge before school-leavers, boys and girls, in order that they at least may have some warning as to what may be the result of becoming as addicted to this habit as so many of us are?

I have given my decision regarding a national publicity campaign. Any matter regarding what is done by the Minister of Education should be addressed to him

Surely the Minister will review his statement with regard to a national campaign? Is it not highly important that any information that may become available should be reviewed from time to time?

I quite agree. I certainly shall review it.

asked the Minister of Health if his regulations require the registration of premises for the manufacture and sale of ice lollies which are not also premises for the manufacture and sale of ice cream

The regulations do not deal with the registration of premises used for this purpose

Is not the Minister aware that there is increasing concern on the part of local health authorities about this matter and a demand that these regulations should cover these premises to the same extent as the inspection of ice cream manufacture is covered; and has his attention not been drawn to the opinions of legal and medical experts that this is not covered by the Food and Drugs Act or its regulations in any way, and that it ought to be because of the possible danger to health?

Alteration of the law cannot be done by regulation. The question whether ice lollies are ice cream is a legal matter. In fact, I am told that in 1948 Wallasey Town Council succeeded in a magistrates' court in enforcing the registration of ice lolly premises under Section 14 of the 1938 Act.

asked the Minister of Health why no reply has been sent to the offer of Mr. Picknell to present to his Department, free from royalties, the patented and improved artificial arm appliance

Mr. Picknell was informed on 15th June, 1955, that his artificial arm appliance has been accepted as suitable for issue in certain cases. Mr. Picknell sanctions supply as necessary

asked the Minister of Health on how many occasions inventors or users of artificial limb appliances have been personally interviewed by the working party and the Standing Advisory Committee on artificial limbs, respectively

There are 12 recorded occasions when the Standing Advisory Committee personally interviewed inventors or users. But on occasions too numerous to record, there have been demonstrations at Roehampton by inventors or users before both technical and medical members of the Working Party

asked the Minister of Health if he will strengthen the Standing Advisory Committee on artificial limbs by adding to its membership representatives of B.L.E.S.M.A. and the British Legion who are actual wearers of artificial limbs

This is an expert Committee of orthopaedic surgeons and engineers, but I will give further consideration to the hon. Member's suggestion

Will the Minister take account of the fact that, rightly or wrongly, there is a feeling in the ex-Service community that, since the merger, research has taken a back seat, and the presence on that Committee of direct representation of the ex-Service men's organisations would do much to dispel any doubts in the matter?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that there is no basis for that rumour. In fact, one of the members of this Committee, although not a representative of an ex-Service organisation, is an ex-Service man who is wearing an artificial leg, but I will give consideration to the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health the establishment of dental officers at his Department; and the numbers at present employed

Twenty-eight. The number at present employed is 27 and two part-timers

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that there were some 1,000 additional deaths in the Greater London area during the dense fog of 4th to 6th January, 1956, and that the principal cause of this increased death rate was the sulphur fumes in the atmosphere, he will arrange for the acidity and sulphur content of the atmosphere in industrial areas to be regularly estimated so that warning of approaching danger may be given and precautions taken by those most susceptible

I have been asked to reply. Arrangements are already in force for warnings and advice to be broadcast when persistent fog is forecast in industrial areas. Regular measurements of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere are made by some 180 local authorities and other bodies

In how many areas was warning given before the fog in January last? Would the Minister not agree that if the warnings had been more efficiently given and heeded and if susceptible people had been removed and possibly ammonia used in the houses of those who could not be removed, a good many of the thousands who died need not have died had these precautions been taken?

The heeding of the warnings is, of course, a matter for the general public, but the warnings were duly given by the B.B.C.

Is the proportion of deaths from the presence of sulphur fumes in the atmosphere greater or less than the number of deaths that arise from cancer of the lung attributable to heavy cigarette smoking?

That is not a question for me

In view of the fact that the highest authorities state that clean air will reduce the incidence of a widespread disease—chronic bronchitis—why has the Minister of Health asked another Minister to answer a Question which comes within his domain?

The right hon. Lady will know that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has been primarily concerned with legislative and other measures in connection with the pollution of the air

When this announcement was made, were suggestions made of how the danger could be minimised?

I will gladly give the hon. Member details of the actual form in which the warnings were given

I thank the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Health how many health authorities have made representations to him in favour of the registration of catering premises

I have not been able to trace a single representation to this effect.

Is the Minister aware that a number of important local health authorities are engaged in trying to promote legislation to give them powers in this respect, a recent example being Leeds? Will he, therefore, enter into consultation with them to ascertain their views on this matter, since it is quite evident that a large number of important local authorities are in favour of action to register catering premises?

I have never found local authorities backward in making recommendations. In this case, I have not only investigated my own Department, in which the responsibility dates back to July, 1955, but I have also made inquiries in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries anti Food, and no trace of any recommendation can be found in that Department either

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to announce the result of his consideration of the arrangements under which increased wage rates are reflected in prices which he pays to contractors

I hope shortly to arrange for discussion with the particular contractors concerned

Will the right hon. Gentleman hurry up this long-delayed procedure? Is it not silly that at a time when we are trying to shorten and simplify the processes of wage negotiation the right hon. Gentleman's legislation compels a contractor who has agreed a wage level with the trade unions not to implement it until they have gone to the Industrial Disputes Tribunal? Is this not a silly anomaly, and ought not the Minister to get rid of it as soon as possible?

This is not a question of legislation. I understand that the hon. Member is interested in the Association of Supervisory Staffs, Executives and Technicians. In fact, as long ago as February, 1956, my Department told the contractor that it would make the appropriate differential increases to members of A.S.S.E.T. under the clause without insisting upon reference to the Tribunal, and similar action was taken in April in regard to another contractor.

Is the Minister aware that he is under a gross misapprehension and that my interest is a general one with regard to the whole procedure, which is utterly silly? The fact that the right hon. Gentleman has had to depart from his silly procedure in one or two such cases ought to hurry up his getting rid of the procedure altogether

I have already told the House that I am looking into this clause of the agreement. I apologise to the hon. Member for thinking that his interests were in any way confined

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of prescriptions dispensed in 1955 were for proprietaries; and how this compares with the proportion in previous years

The approximate proportion was 36 per cent. The proportion in previous years increased from 16 per cent. in 1949 to 32 per cent. in 1954

Would it not be accurate Ito say that the proportion in value is almost double that figure? Could the hon. Lady consider means at least of diminishing the flow of advertising matter which comes upon doctors and presses them into prescribing highly expensive and sometimes unnecessary preparations?

It is fair to say that frequency of prescribing is also as important an element of total cost as is the cost per prescription. A joint committee of the Central and Scottish Health Services Council has classified proprietary preparations according to their therapeutic value. The information is sent to doctors and we are endeavouring to persuade them to use it for the best purpose in efficient and economical prescribing

asked the Minister of Health why the provision for grants for local authority health visiting and home nursing services for the current financial year show a reduction against the Estimates for 1955–56

Because the current year's estimates for these services include a smaller provision for balances of grant due in respect of earlier years

Can the Minister give an assurance that there is no intention whatever to reduce the importance of this branch of home nursing and health visiting and that he will be willing to encourage a greater emphasis being given to this side of health work?

That might be a subject for discussion during this afternoon's debate. In fact, the advances of expenditure on the current year's Estimates are greater under both these headings than was the case last year

asked the Minister of Health if he will allow dental plates to be provided free of charge where such plates are required as the result of an industrial injury

No, Sir. These charges apply to all patients under the Act of 1951. There is separate provision for compensation for industrial injuries

Is the hon. Lady aware that in a case of which I have sent the right hon. Gentleman particulars the man received his injuries as the result of an industrial accident, and that if he had lost a limb he would have received a new limb free of charge, but that because the accident was to the roof of his mouth he has to pay for his dentures in the same way as other dental patients have to pay for their treatment which is not necessitated by industrial accident?

My Department is not responsible for the operation of the Industrial Injuries Scheme. The 1951 Act was passed by the Government formed by the party of which the hon. Lady is a Member. We see no reason to vary its provisions

Would not the best advice the hon. Lady can give to the constituent of my hon. Friend be that he should put in a legitimate claim under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act? Will the hon. Lady, therefore, advise the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance that a client turned down by her Department now becomes one of his?

As I have said, industrial injuries are not a matter for my Department

Is not the hon. Lady aware that the answer she has given is a little inhumane? There is here a little anomaly. There were many anomalies which arose when my right hon. Friend the Member for Llanelly (Mr. J. Griffiths) and I were in the Ministry, and we strove to remedy them. Here is an anomaly which can occur on only very rare occasions—through injury to the roof of the mouth. I would ask the hon. Lady if she would co-operate with the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to see whether something can be done.

I will certainly see that representations are made to my right hon. Friend

asked the Minister of Health if he will provide two sets of dental plates where these are required as the result of an industrial injury and where the applicant cannot speak without a plate and so, in the event of a breakage, cannot follow his employment

No, Sir. As the replacement or repair of the dentures in the circumstances would be a matter of emergency it could be done by the dentist without waiting for any prior approval of the Dental Estimates Board

Is the hon. Lady aware that without dental plates my constituent cannot follow his employment because he cannot speak? If he cannot have free dental plates, can he at any rate have two at a reduced charge so that he may follow his employment?

I ask the Minister himself, who has the advantage of having served in the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance before serving in his present office, to enter into conversations with the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to ensure that persons who have contributed towards benefit under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act are able to obtain these essential benefits which are provided under the Act for those who suffer industrial injuries. Will he discuss this matter with his colleague?

The right hon. Gentleman raises a very wide question, because it is equally true that a telephonist who breaks her dental plate may be at just as great a disadvantage, and she does not come under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act

I would ask the hon. Lady whether she realises that I am putting a very serious question, about persons who have subscribed to industrial injuries insurance and are entitled to these benefits. I am asking a question as one who was privileged to pilot the Act through the House

Is it not a fact that had this patient had these appliances fitted under the hospital dental scheme he would have had the appliances free? Is this, therefore, not an anomaly? Would she look into it with a view to removing it?

We will certainly look into the points the hon. Member raises, but they are matters for the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that no person, of whatever nationality, who falls ill while in this country will be denied free treatment under the National Health Service.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 30th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am trying to give him an opportunity of clearing up some misapprehension to which that reply gave rise? Is he aware that someone who falls ill while in this country cannot possibly be guilty of abuse of the service? Is he not prepared to give this limited assurance that he will continue this practical example of the good neighbour policy?

I think it would be unwise at the moment to say anything more than that the whole question of the treatment of foreigners is under review. I would, however, say that undoubtedly there would be a great administrative difficulty in making the emergency treatment of a foreigner subject to payment

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will say something more than that? A flagrant case of someone coming over to this country specifically to get free treatment may be a matter to check on, but if someone is in this country, on holiday or for some other reason, and needs treatment, surely in his case there can be no doubt at all of the acceptance of responsibility by the National Health Service?

I am disinclined to make a statement while the matter is under review, but I shall be ready to do so when the review is completed

Will my right hon. Friend appreciate to the full that it is not a question of facilities being available, but whether these people should not pay for them when there are no reciprocal arrangements in their countries?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received of a recrudescence of the slave trade in the region of the Red Sea or elsewhere

I have received no reports to indicate that there has been any recrudescence of this trade

Has not my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the report made on 17th April by Mr. Greenidge, Director of the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines' Protection Society, saying that the slave trade has been revived between Africa and Arabia and between Saudi Arabia and other parts of Asia? In view of that report, would my hon. Friend look into the matter, having regard to the great tradition of this country in connection with the repression of the slave trade?

I have seen that report and there has certainly been a revival of interest in this matter, but we have no evidence that the trade itself has increased

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in Saudi Arabia there are no laws as such, and does he not think it is about time the whole problem of Saudi Arabia should be drawn to the attention of the United Nations?

That is a matter of internal jurisdiction, in which I have no responsibility

The hon. Gentleman said just now that there did not seem to have been an increase in the slave trade. Is he, therefore, saying that there is slavery going on in those parts, and that, unless it increases, the Government are not interested?

No. I did not say that. I said there was no evidence that the trade was going on at the moment but that interest had increased. There is no sign that there has been a recrudescence of the trade

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the conversations recently held at Addis Ababa with the Ethiopian Government regarding the working of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of 1954

I visited Addis Ababa from 10th to 24th April and had full and frank discussions with the Ethiopian Government on a wide range of subjects. We discussed in detail the relations between Ethiopia and the Somaliland Protectorate and considered the difficulties which had arisen in the working of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of 1954 and had been left unresolved by the Harar Conference

Whilst appreciating the handicaps on the delegation in this matter, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the Somalis are disheartened by the lack of results achieved? Would the hon. Gentleman carefully watch the illicit traffic in arms on the Ethiopian border by the Ethiopians, and will he assure the House that in watching this he will bear in mind the paramount desire of the Somalis to have a fair deal from Ethiopia?

Yes, Sir. If the hon. Member has any evidence about traffic in arms and he notifies me, I will do my best to follow up the matter. I hope that the results achieved will be of real benefit to the Somali tribes of the territory

Can my hon. Friend expand the statement he has made? Were there not other questions discussed?

There was a considerable number of questions. As I said, we had full and frank discussions, but the value of confidential discussions is, of course, in their remaining confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions he has had with the Egyptian Government on the future of the Suez Canal; if he is satisfied that the use of this international waterway will not be obstructed; and if, in order to dispel present apprehensions on this subject, he will make a statement

There have been no discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government

Why not? Would my right hon. Friend not agree that the recent conduct of Colonel Nasser gives nobody any grounds for confidence in him as custodian of an international waterway? Does my right hon. Friend not think that Her Majesty's Government would be well advised now to raise this matter with the U.S. Government and others interested in Western Europe in order that the future of this waterway may be satisfactorily settled at an early date?

I am, of course, aware of the importance of making satisfactory arrangements for the future of the Canal when the concession expires in 1968. Before then we shall certainly want to talk to the Egyptian Government, but the first step is to obtain some idea of the physical and commercial nature of the problem which is likely to exist by then. The Suez Canal Company, with the encouragement of the British directors on the Committee of Direction, is now undertaking careful study of this problem

Is not the real point behind this Question the obstruction by the Egyptians of traffic going to Israel? Has the right hon. Gentleman raised that matter recently?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the best way to settle that problem is to get a settlement between Israel and her Arab neighbours, and Her Majesty's Government's position is on record in that matter. As to the traffic through the Canal, I am glad to say that the tonnage passing through is greater now than ever before, regardless of the restrictions placed upon it

Does my right hon. Friend not accept the point that is worrying the House and public opinion, namely, that the recent conduct of the Egyptian Government in connection with the Suez Canal has been wholly unsatisfactory, has been in breach of international law and in breach of treaty, and that it is really high time that Colonel Nasser, instead of behaving like a buccaneer, should be brought to book?

Her Majesty's Government's position on this matter is on record, and I have nothing to add to it

The right hon. Gentleman has referred to 1968 rather as an indication that some time between now and then would be time enough. I do not wish to hurry the right hon. Gentleman unduly, but may I ask him whether it was not the case that when the Government moved from the Suez Canal Zone, which hon. Members opposite would have called "scuttle", it was in their minds that this would lead to a better situation vis-à-vis the use of the Suez Canal? When are the Government going to assert British and other international rights in respect of the use of the Suez Canal, instead of going on like this?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well, the restriction placed by Egypt in the Suez Canal on Israeli ships and strategic cargoes for Israel arises out of the state of war between Egypt and Israel. The only way of remedying that situation is to get a settlement between Israel and her Arab neighbours

Did not right hon. Gentlemen opposite refer this matter to the United Nations and did not the Security Council give a very definite ruling on it? Is my right hon. Friend aware that nothing whatever has happened since and that that is the gravamen of our charge?

I do not dispute for a moment my right hon. and gallant Friend's account of the history of the matter

Now that the Security Council is dealing with the Middle East, does the right hon. Gentleman propose to discuss this matter to see whether or not the resolution of the United Nations will be carried out?

We are expecting Mr. Hammarskjold's report on his visit to the Middle East, and I should prefer not to anticipate his recommendations

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this will not arise out of the report of the Secretary-General? Will the right hon. Gentleman, on behalf of the British Government and of all of us, when the Hammarskjold report is being discussed, raise the question of the use of the Suez Canal by ships travelling to the State of Israel?

I should prefer not to anticipate what questions Her Majesty's Government will raise when this matter is discussed

In view of the very great importance of this matter and of the great interest in it, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Yemen Government following the recent incidents on the Aden-Yemen frontier

On 18th April, Yemeni tribesmen entered the Aden Protectorate in the Beihan area, fired on the Government Guard Post, and committed other lawless acts. When the incursion was reported, Her Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Taiz made a strong protest to the Yemeni Government and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Yemeni tribesmen remaining inside the Aden Protectorate. Similar representations were made to the Yemeni Charge d'Affaires in London. The tribesmen have now withdrawn

Do the Government of the Yemen accept responsibility for these marauding bands?

A meeting between senior British and Yemen officials has taken place on the frontier, but we have not yet received a report on it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he will propose to implement the nonmilitary potentialities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

The hon. Member will have seen the communiqué issued after the N.A.T.O. Ministerial meeting which has just taken place, to which I have nothing to add

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this communiqué reveals total bankruptcy on the part of Her Majesty's Government in their inability to conceive any means of taking advantage of the very welcome shift in the direction of American policy? Can the right hon. Gentleman at least assure the House that he will permit N.A.T.O. to help him to break the present deadlock on Cyprus?

Cyprus is a matter for Her Majesty's Government within her own jurisdiction. It is not, in our view, a matter for N.A.T.O. As to the earlier part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, I do not agree for a moment with his charges against Her Majesty's Government. The communiqué sets out that the Atlantic Council is taking steps to promote economic collaboration and a Committee of three Foreign Ministers has been set up by the N.A.T.O. Council to examine this problem and report to Governments. A continuing process has been set in motion

Is it not vital that the Government should give a lead to Europe in this matter? Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that unless they do so there is great danger of N.A.T.O. disintegrating? Has not the time come for extending N.A.T.O. beyond its military to its economic potentialities?

I agree with everything that the hon. Member has said. My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary took the lead in N.A.T.O. on this matter. It was on his instigation that this Committee of Foreign Ministers was set up, but this is not a matter to be settled hastily by an ill-thought-out scheme over a weekend. I prefer to wait a few weeks to see what the Ministers recommend

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this matter was first raised at the Ottawa Conference in September, 1951, when the first three-man committee was set up? Since then nothing whatever has been done to extend the non-military activities of N.A.T.O. Therefore, it is not a question of having to act in a hurry. Will the right hon. Gentleman say why nothing has been done all this time, and will he give at least some undertaking that the Committee of three now set up will report back urgently on this matter?

I cannot, of course, commit the Foreign Ministers of foreign countries as to when they should report, but I have no doubt that they regard their task as one of extreme urgency. As to the past, I do not agree that nothing has been done since 1951. On the contrary, a great deal has been done under Article II in the way of economic and political collaboration within N.A.T.O

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that, as far as economic co-operation is concerned, it is essential to avoid duplicating the work of O.E.E.C., and that aid to the underdeveloped areas can better be channelled through the United Nations than through a military organisation?

Yes

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's reply to the supplementary question about Cyprus—which was that Her Majesty's Government did not discuss that question with N.A.T.O. on the ground that it was solely a British responsibility—how does he reconcile that reply with the fact that Her Majesty's Government convened a conference with Turkey and Greece in connection with that matter? By that action, did not the Government take the matter outside the sole responsibility of the British Government and in that way make it a N.A.T.O. matter?

In no way. The matter remains a British responsibility, because it is a British Colonial Territory. We called the conference in order to try to secure the co-operation of the Greek and Turkish Governments in the solution which the British Government put forward at that conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the reasons for the disbanding of the British Desert Locust Control Organisation; and whether he will make a statement

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Saudi Arabian Government about their bringing to an end the British Desert Locust Control Organisation in Jeddah

The Desert Locust Control Organisation of the East Africa High Commission has had a team operating in the Arabian peninsula as part of the international anti-locust campaign under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. In April of this year the Saudi Arabian Government asked this British team to withdraw, giving no reasons. Her Majesty's representative in Jedda immediately protested, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation was informed of the Saudi Arabian Government's action. I understand that the Food and Agriculture Organisation has addressed a communication to them on the matter. Recent Press reports that the British team were to leave on 1st May are incorrect.

How many more insults have the British Government to take from the Arab countries before they start to put an end to this policy of favouring the Arab countries, which are fundamentally unfriendly to us, against a friendly country like Israel? Why have not the Government made stronger representations, in the name of humanity, to the Saudi Arabian Government not to take this action?

I am sure that the hon. Member's indignation will be noted by those concerned and will support the strong representations which I personally made

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the American State Department's help in this matter, in view of the fact that the Amramco Oil Company maintains Saudi Arabia?

I do not think that that is entirely the question. It is much more the interest of neighbouring Governments, who are well aware of what is happening

The point is that it would appear that the only people with any influence with Saudi Arabia are the Americans. Will the hon. Gentleman state whether he will ask their good offices with the Saudi Arabians in order to carry out this work, which is so terribly important to the whole Middle East?

Certainly I will make use of all channels of communication to bring home to the Saudi Arabians the humanitarian importance of this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what replies he has made to the eight-point questionnaire of the United Nations on the proposal for the creation, rôle, and workings of the Special United Nations Fund for Economic Development

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the full text of the Memorandum submitted last week by the United Kingdom Delegation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations

In view of the fact that 32 nations have already indicated that they support S.U.N.F.E.D., will the Minister state the Government's attitude?

I would prefer the hon. Member to look at the statement. Perhaps he will then put down a Question

Are we to understand that Her Majesty's Government's attitude remains unchanged, namely, that they will not do anything to support this plan until there is a disarmament agreement?

That is so

Will not they think again about it? In the opinion of many it is becoming really urgent that we should support, with all the force we can, a fund of this kind if we are to reduce the tension and conflict which will otherwise develop in the under-developed areas

It is even more urgent that we should get on with an agreed measure of disarmament

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress of the United Nations Disarmament Sub-Committee meetings.

Since the reply is long, I will, with permission, answer this Question at the end of Questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement on the arrangements which have been made for strengthening the United Nations Truce Observation Organisation on the Israeli-Arab border

The Truce Supervision Organisation announced in Jerusalem on 1st May that agreement in principle had been reached with Israel and Egypt on proposals put forward by General Burns, for formal adoption in the Mixed Armistice Commission. The proposals provide for the establishment on each side of the Gaza demarcation line of a number of fixed observation posts to be supplemented by United Nations patrols when necessary. Steps are being taken to recruit the additional observers made necessary by this agreement

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that the proposal is limited to the Gaza Strip, in view of the other dangerous areas, such as the Sea of Galilee, where observer posts might play a very useful part in view of the strained relations over the water rights?

The Secretary-General's mission was not limited, and I do not think that his report will be limited, to the Gaza Strip or the Egyptian frontier. I think it will deal with the whole area. But we have not yet had his report, and I would ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman to await it, when I hope that a further statement will be made.

Why, when these very proposals were made from these benches months and months ago, did the right hon. Gentleman and his friends refuse to take the initiative at the United Nations? Does not he think that if they had done that there would have been the terrible tragedies which have happened since the proposals were first made from these benches?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman has his dates a little wrong, because my right hon. and learned Friend, when Minister of State, made these proposals to the Secretary-General of the United Nations as long ago as 1952

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that whenever General Burns has requested additional staff his request has been considered, and will be considered as soon as possible whenever he does so in the future?

Her Majesty's Government stand behind General Burns and Mr. Hammarskjold and will give them all the help they stand in need of.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that, under certain circumstances, British subjects born in India of white. British parents are classified as Indian subjects by the United States Immigration Office; that this classification adds considerably to the difficulty of obtaining a visa to enter the United States of America to stay for a period of longer than three months; and if he will make representations to the United States Government to remove this disability

The United States Immigration and Nationality Act lays down that an applicant for an immigrant visa may be assigned only to the annual immigrant quota for the country of his birth, regardless of his nationality, unless neither of his parents was born in that country. Thus, a British subject born in India would be assigned to the immigrant quota for India if either of his parents had also been born in India

Is my hon. Friend aware that anyone on the Indian imigrant quota will have to wait probably for five years or more before getting a visa to the United States? Is it too much to ask the United States to treat all British subjects upon terms of equality?

I know that there is a delay in this matter, because the immigrant quota for India is very small. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in view and will bring my attention to it, I will do my best to help.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what stations are beaming radio programmes containing anti-British propaganda upon medium wave-length to the Middle East, and, in particular, the region of Aden and Saudi Arabia

I am advised that the principal medium wave transmissions of sufficient power to have more than local coverage in the area are the Egyptian Home and European language services, and the Egyptian "Voice of the Arabs". These are not normally audible in Aden, though they may be in parts of Saudi Arabia

Is it not a fact that we, the British, have no medium wave station in the Middle East to counter this vicious stuff being poured out against us by the Egyptian station? Will not he do something about this? Cannot he have a booster station, for instance, at Hargeisa, or a medium wave station, perhaps in Cyprus?

After my recent trip I have been looking into this matter. As the hon. Gentleman knows, short wave is in many ways most satisfactory from our point of view, but I will look into the matter again

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that we have been talking about doing something in the Middle East for a very long time? Is he aware that on the last occasion when this matter was raised I suggested that a revolution was necessary in our propaganda? How are we getting on with the revolution?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of State recently gave figures to show that there have been increases in the broadcasting services to the Middle East

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he has been entirely wrongly advised technically with regard to short wave reception and that the only stations which it would be possible to use are those with a radius of 200 miles or more which, of necessity, means medium wave stations? Will he tell his friends to obtain proper technical information from the Post Office, because apparently they are not in possession of it?

I will certainly look into this matter

Is it not a fact that it is not only the stations but the stuff we are putting over, which is far from adequate to meet the needs of the situation?