asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of persons from Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland who are undergoing educational or other courses of training in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or other countries of the Soviet bloc, or China; and how many have undergone such courses since the end of the war.

The Answer to both parts of the Question is None, Sir.

Arising out of that Answer, can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell us the number of scholarships given by this country to students from these territories?

No, Sir, that is rather a different question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many Chief's Representatives in Bechuanaland have been deposed; and how many have been deported from their places of residence since the banishment of Seretse Khama.

Five Chief's Representatives in the Bamangwato Reserve were dismissed on 30th May, 1952, after they had sought deliberately to prevent the communication of Her Majesty's Government's views to the tribe assembled in kgotla. The circumstances were described to the House on 10th June, 1952.

Whilst thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether it is not the case that I have sent him the names of eleven Chief's Representatives who have been deposed, many of whom have been turned out of their homes, and is this not an indication that as long as Seretse Khama is excluded from Bechuanaland there will not be the necessary co-operation from the people in its administration?

Once again I must deny the implication in the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. What he asks at the beginning of it is just the information that I am trying to obtain and which I will let him have

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what conclusions he has reached from his inquiries into the evidence provided by the hon. Member for Eton and Slough to support the charges that girls, boys and women have been publicly flogged in kgotlas in Bechuanaland, that men and women have been handcuffed and chained to lion traps and trees, and that prisoners have been made to work with ox-chains tied round their waists and tethered to poles; and what action he proposes to take.

As I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn) on 13th February, the Native Authority in the Bamangwato Reserve has been asked to remind all his subordinates that corporal punishment of women is forbidden. The Resident Commissioner is also investigating the position throughout the Protectorate in case there should be any doubt about the matter elsewhere.

Yes, but is it not the case that I have not only drawn the attention of the hon. and gallant Gentleman to these matters recently but that I have acted with great restraint about it? Is it not also the case that last November I forwarded a document to the Minister and he denied that there was any substance in these allegations? I now have a series of documents proving them in detail, so ought not the Ministry to pay serious attention to these charges of gross brutality made about the administration in Bechuanaland?

It is for the very reason that the hon. Gentleman has sent me this information that I am investigating his allegations. I think he will agree that on the date to which I referred, 13th February, I answered one of his allegations categorically and explained it fully. Perhaps I might hope that in his Question he does not insinuate that people are being tied to lion traps when they are being used as such?

I will refrain from comment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will arrange for an all-Party Parliamentary delegation to visit Bechuanaland to investigate and report on the administration within the Protectorate, and particularly within the Bamangwato tribe, since the banishment of Seretse Khama.

No, Sir.

In view of the Ministry's repeated denials of charges which have been made against the administration and subsequent proof that the charges are true, does not the hon. and gallant gentleman think it would be desirable to appoint representatives from this side of the House and the other side of the House to investigate the situation on the spot?

My noble Friend has given the suggestion careful consideration. He appreciates the helpful spirit in which it is made. However, he is satisfied that such an investigation at the present time would not be in the interests of the people in the Protectorate. I think that what the Protectorate needs is a period of peace undisturbed by interference from outside, so that the administration, African and European, can get' on with its plans for social, economic and political progress.

On what grounds does the hon. and gallant Gentleman suggest that a delegation from this House—a number of such delegations have visited Colonies and Protectorates for which this House has a responsibility—would be injurious in this case?

I did not suggest that at all. I think that the right hon. Gentleman will realise what I mean when I say I do not think it is advisable at the present time.

If hon. Members feel that in carrying out their responsibilities towards the Protectorate it would be an advantage if they visited the Protectorate, met the people there and reported back to this House, why should they not do so?

That would be a matter for the opinion of the House. I gave only the opinion of my noble Friend.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the people who are in charge of the Bechuanaland Protectorate do not live there? Does not the High Commissioner live in Pretoria, and is he really able to exercise the sort of supervision required to ensure that such events as those about which there have been charges do not occur?

I am well aware of the fact mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, but the High Commissioner has his representatives on the spot.

In view of the grossly unsatisfactory nature of the reply—[Hon. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—in view of the unsatisfactory reply by the Minister, Mr. Speaker, may I give notice that, with your permission, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Her Majesty's Government made it a condition of the grant to the new university at Salisbury, that the Southern Rhodesian Government should not exercise a veto on the entry of students whether or not they had passed the required examinations.

No, Sir. The legislation of Southern Rhodesia was amended in 1954 to enable Africans to take up residence at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland subject to the ultimate power of the Southern Rhodesia Government to withhold approval in individual cases. The Southern Rhodesia Government strongly support the principle that the College should be open to all races and I am confident therefore that they will not use their powers in such a way as to restrict the entry of Africans into the College.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman really stating that the Government gave a grant of more than £1 million to a university when there was to be a veto by another Government in respect of the people who might enter the university?

Yes, Sir, but as the Southern Rhodesia Government specially amended their legislation to allow Africans to go to the university, I have every confidence in their sincerity in the matter.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many African women are to be admitted to the university?

I cannot possibly tell yet, because the university is not completed.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman ensure that, as in the case of other universities, the authority and control of the university is vested in the university council without any political influence?

I think I made that abundantly clear on the last two occasions when the matter was raised in the House, and my noble Friend also did so in another place last week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether it was a condition of the grant to the university at Salisbury that there should be Africans on the teaching staffs.

No, Sir. The selection and appointment of the teaching staff at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland are matters for the council of the College.

I appreciate that, but does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would be desirable to have Africans on the staff? Does he not also agree that the terms should be such as to attract English people to go there so that the university shall not have to depend entirely on South African teachers, as may well happen?

It is clear that the charter of the college provides that no test of race or nationality shall be imposed in order to entitle any person to be admitted either as a teacher or as a student. Perhaps I might also say in reply to the right hon. Gentleman that it would be very easy to set up a European university at Salisbury and it would be very easy to set up an African university there, but what is being attempted is the setting up of a multi-racial university. It is a great experiment, and it is supported by Africans and Europeans on the spot. I hope that we can now let the university council get on with its job, and send from this House all good wishes for its success.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total quantity of apples imported into this country for the last quarter of 1955.

Approximately 18,000 tons of dessert apples, and a roughly equal tonnage of cider apples consigned to registered cider factories.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that information, but is he aware that the estimate for the homegrown apple and pear crop this year is that it will be a record? In view of the marketing difficulties when the imports come in, will my right hon. Friend consider setting up a consultative committee with the growers to give advice about imports of apples?

Imports are restricted on balance of payments grounds, and, therefore, I do not think it would be appropriate to set up a joint committee with the growers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the serious situation existing in the carpet-weaving trade in Midlothian; and what steps he intends to take to assist in relieving unemployment.

The Midlothian carpet weaving industry, in common with the trade generally in the United Kingdom, has been recently affected by some falling off in both home and export demand. My Department is giving assistance in finding additional overseas outlets for Midlothian carpets.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trouble in Midlothian has been ascribed to the Government's fiscal policy?

With regard to the Government's fiscal policy, I believe that an application has beensubmitted—upon which I would not, of course, comment—by the carpet industry for some alteration in the tariff, and this is being considered through the ordinary machinery.

As similar conditions exist in the Kidderminster area, will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that during the last few months there has been a substantial improvement in home demand for carpets, which is actually running at a higher level than in the previous year, and that the major factor in short-time working in both Midlothian and Kidderminster is Australia's stringent restrictions upon the importation of carpets?

I am well aware that the restrictions in Australia are an important factor in the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that motor car exports have fallen for the third month in succession, and for March are 25,699 against 29,991 for March, 1955, making only 73,516 for the first three months against 90,638 for the same period in 1955; to what he attributes this continued fall; what part is played by price or quality; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this decline in our exports.

My hon. Friend's figures omit exports of chassis. Exports of motor cars and chassis during March, though lower than a year ago, were 19 per cent. higher than in February and were the highest since October, 1955. The main factors in the fall of exports have been reductions in import quotas in some of the most important export markets and the intensification of foreign competition. Price is probably the most important single factor in determining sales today.

Do my right hon. Friend's advisers abroad give him any hope that this decline in our exports will shortly be halted?

Very confident views have been expressed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders that, despite increasing competition from foreign sources, it will be able to maintain a substantial volume of export business.

In view of the figures, is not the hon. Member for Louth (Mr Osborne) perfectly justified in urging the Government to take further action? Has the President at least called together the leaders of the motor industry, offered them the assistance of the Government, and urged them to concentrate on exports?

I am advised in this matter by the National Advisory Council for the Motor Manufacturing Industry, and I am happy to receive its advice at any time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent our supplies of steel are now adequate for our projected exports.

The Iron and Steel Board estimates that supplies of steel from home production to the steel using industries in this country should increase by about 10 per cent, this year compared with 1955. Exporting industries should benefit substantially from this increase.

In making that estimate, does the President of the Board of Trade take into account the Soviet shopping list? Does he consider that if that shopping list were to be substantial, the steel available would be adequate to cover its requirements?

That estimate is an estimate of an increase in home production. Demands upon the steel industry include not only consumption at home, but exports to all markets, including any increased opportunities which we have managed to secure in Soviet Russia.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is continuing a shortage of special angles and sections of steel in the shipbuilding industry, which is creating unnecessary hold-ups and restricting production? Will he undertake to see whether something further can be done to improve supplies of steel for the ship building industry?

I am aware that in a number of industries, particularly in ship building, there are shortages of steel. There can be no question about that, and I am in constant touch with the Iron and Steel Board on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken to bring to the notice of individual firms or of trade associations the criticisms made to the Minister of State in his recent tour regarding the type of goods required in Canada and the dates of delivery, with a view to improving British exports to that country.

Considerable publicity has been given to the statements made by my right hon. Friend on the importance of making prompt deliveries and of adapting designs to Canadian tastes when developing exports to Canada. These matters are constantly brought to the attention of individual firms and trade associations.

Will my right hon. Friend agree that publicity is not enough—that individual representation to individual firms of any shortcomings that may be reported are of much more help than generalisations?

I agree that representations to individual firms are important, and indeed they are undertaken in particular cases. I should like to add that it is often the falling down of a few individuals which gives a bad reputation where the general level of performance is very high.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that small greengrocers have unsaleable produce sold to them as a result of wholesalers' sales not being subject to the Weights and Measures Act; and if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the recommendation of the Hodgson Committee on this matter.

The Weights and Measures Acts have no bearing on the quality of goods sold; they deal only with quantity. In reply to the last part of the Question, I am not yet able to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation arising out of the Report of the Hodgson Committee.

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that this constant delay is causing great hardship to the small greengrocer? Is he aware, for example, that I have particulars of the case of an individual greengrocer from Coventry who, out of 12 lb. of tomatoes, found 5 lb. unsaleable and had to stand the loss? That could be dealt with under the Hodgson Committee Report. Is the President to delay still further?

I doubt whether the Hodgson Committee Report would touch that. It does not deal with questions of the quality of goods. So far as the introduction of legislation is concerned, all I can tell the hon. Lady is—not this Session.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of cigars imported into this country from Jamaica and Cuba, respectively, in each of the years 1950 to 1955 inclusive.

As the Answer contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the imports from Jamaica have not decreased over that period and imports from Cuba increased? Can he say what compensating advantage we have obtained in trade with Cuba to offset the damage done to the tobacco and cigar industry in Jamaica?

Not without circulating a great many more figures, but in fact the imports from Jamaica and from Cuba have both increased in 1955 over 1954.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a certain type of hire-purchase agreement, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Coventry, South, was criticised as improper by Judge Clothier last month; that a member of the public, not being a lawyer, would be deceived as to his rights under the law when given an agreement of this nature; and whether he will introduce legislation to prohibit this type of agreement.

I have read the Press report of the case to which the hon. Lady has drawn my attention, but as it is still sub judice, I prefer not to offer any comment at this stage.

Referring to the past, is the President of the Board of Trade aware that the judge was referring to the firm of J. and F. Stone of Edgware Road, and the Chain Store Finance Trust, which are the same company? Is he aware that in November, 1952, each was fined £5,000 plus 150 guineas costs for entering into dummy rental agreements, and that firms like that ought to be legislated out of action?

If the hon. Lady will forgive me, I am very anxious not to comment on the past record or the present facts of this case, as it is still being considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in 1938 the Chief Inspector of Factories, the Senior Chief Inspector of Education, the Chief Inspector of Mines, and the Chief Inspector of Taxes were in receipt of the same maximum salary; and whether, in his review of the pay of the higher Civil Service, he will return to this principle.

The Answer to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is" Yes, Sir "The Answer to the second part is that any changes made in the pay of the higher Civil Service following the receipt of the Report of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service will pay regard to the principles recommended by the Royal Commission.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that due regard should be paid to the fact that it is anomalous that now there should be a difference of about £1,500 a year in these scales? When that happens, the scales for the whole of the Factory Inspectorate are depressed, with the result that we have the present position, namely, that recruits are rarely suitably qualified in physics, chemistry or engineering.

I hope that the hon. Member will pay regard to my Answer to his Question. The Royal Commission recommended as a primary principle a fair comparison with outside staffs on broadly comparable work and, as a secondary principle, internal relativities. We must be guided by those.

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the devotion of company profits to trust funds for the purpose of making grants in respect of the education of children of employees at private fee-paying schools are accepted by the Board of Inland Revenue as wholly and exclusively incurred for the purposes of the trade concerned and thus admissible as exempt expenses for tax purposes.

On a point of order. I gave notice to the Table Office that, in view of the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Albu) last week, I was withdrawing this Question, but, by some oversight, it seems to have been printed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the provision by newspapers of substantial sums of Premium Bonds as prizes in a competition will be admitted by the Board of Inland Revenue as wholly and exclusively laid out for the purposes of trade and thus as admissible expenses for tax purposes.

Expenditure on newspaper competition prizes which is of a revenue nature would normally be regarded by the Board of Inland Revenue as so laid out, and accordingly as an admissible deduction in computing trading profits for tax purposes. As regards the provision of substantial sums of Premium Bonds as prizes, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to what my right hon. Friend said in his Budget statement about a limit on individual holdings.

Should not the Chancellor look again at the admission for tax expenses of these very large sums which are being offered by newspapers week by week in the circulation battle? With regard to the particular offer of Premium Bonds, does it not seem rather anomalous that something which is designed to increase savings should be paid for by the Chancellor himself out of tax expenses?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman is referring to an offer which has been published but has not yet become a reality. I cannot give replies in the House about the tax position of individual companies, more particularly when they are hypothetical and not actual.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated cost of repaying post-war credits to ex-Service men over 60 years of age who are in receipt of disability pensions.

I regret that the information on which to base such an estimate is not available.

Is not the House entitled to a reasonable estimate? The number of these men is diminishing by death, and surely it is one case above all where some justice and charity could be granted. Could we not have the figure?

I am afraid that it would be extraordinarily difficult to sift this particular category out of 9,500,000 holders of post-war credits.

As in any case, in the absence of an estimate, the amount involved must be comparatively small, would it not be a good thing to make this small concession?

As I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, it has been found impossible to make any distribution of post-war credits on hardship grounds on account of the complete impossibility of satisfactorily defining hardship.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of staff he has estimated will be necessary in the National Debt Office, Post Office and other Government Departments concerned for the purpose of operating the Premium Bonds Scheme.

As regards the Post Office my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General is in the midst of planning the system and it would be premature to give any figure. Other Departments will not need additional staff.

Does the right hon. Gentleman seriously mean to tell the House—I must say that it is incredible to me—that the Chancellor has decided to embark on this fantastic scheme without any estimate of the total cost in manpower and money of putting it into operation?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman does not realise that the full details of this scheme have not yet been announced, nor of course is it possible to estimate with any certainty what the response will be. It is at a later stage that we can estimate what staff will be required.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that under this Government decisions are taken about new ventures by any Government Department without the Treasury giving an accurate estimate of the approximate cost?

This Government have shown that they can be as accurate in their estimates as were their predecessors.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now able to publish the details of the National Savings Scheme for the sale of Premium Bonds, and, in particular, to forecast the date on which these bonds will be offered for sale to the public.

I cannot yet add anything to what my right hon. Friend said in his Budget speech.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now abolish the retirement pensioners' tobacco token scheme, and increase the basic pensions for smokers and non-smokers alike by 2s. 6d. per week.

The tobacco token scheme is intended solely to meet the special circumstances arising out of the heavy increase in tobacco duty in 1947. The question of an increase in pensions is a separate matter, and primarily for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply—[Laughter.]—may I draw his attention to the fact that in his speech yesterday he said that this tobacco token scheme was far from being fair? Will he not agree that it is time to reform it? Is he not further aware that were there a reform, it would be welcomed not only by all the old people and by hon. Members on both sides of this House, but by the country as a whole?

I made reference to the matter in my speech yesterday, and I have nothing to add.

While thanking the Financial Secretary for nothing at all, may I ask. in view of the attack that he made yesterday on the whole of this scheme, whether the Government are now seriously considering substituting a higher cash payment for the tokens which he condemns?

What I did yesterday was to point out the weaknesses of this scheme which was devised originally by the Labour Party.

May I ask my right hon. Friend when the Treasury proposes to look at these injustices to the small fixed income groups and do something about them? The small fixed income groups are getting jolly annoyed—and so they should.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many administrative grade civil servants were engaged in fulltime duties in Scotland at the latest convenient date; and what proportion they represented of all grades of civil servants in Scotland.

The figures on 1st April. 1956, were 170 and 0·3 per cent.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury (1) what proportion of the civil servants now engaged in full-time duties in Wales are of the administrative grade; and the proportion for the United Kingdom;

The number of administrative class civil servants engaged on full-time duties in Wales on 1st April, 1956, was 16, the comparable 1950 figure being 15. The figure 16 represented 0·07 per cent. of all civil servants so engaged, the comparable percentage for the United Kingdom being 0·43.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why an ordinary 2-gallon enamel pail is taxed at 30 per cent., while the same pail, with half-gallon graduation marks inside, is tax free; and whether he will take the necessary action to rectify this anomaly.

The tax applies only to pails of the domestic type. Graduated enamelled pails are typically not of that type. I do not think there is any anomaly to rectify.

But is the Minister aware that it is now the position that manufacturers, if they wish to dodge Purchase Tax—which they are doing—are putting markings on the pails? Is he aware that the big stores are now flooding their shops with graduated buckets and pails in order to obviate the payment of this tax? Is it not stupid to have a tax on one type of pail and not on the other?

Some months ago we received complaints that this tax was being avoided by the sale to domestic users of a certain type of enamel pail; and we pointed out to the manufacturers concerned that unless it could be shown that the graduated pails continued to be of a non—domestic kind, they must become chargeable with tax. So I think that the matter has been cleared up.

Is the Minister aware that Woolworth's, Marks and Spencer's and all the stores—[Horn. MEMBERS: "And Lewis's."]—yes, and Lewis's, although they have no connection with me—are now selling these pails and buckets with the graduation marks on them to avoid the payment of Purchase Tax, and one cannot blame them? I am asking the Minister whether it is not stupid to make the manufacturers put on these marks, and thus cause extra work, when the best way would be to have them freed from Purchase Tax?

That is exactly what has been stopped. It is possible that some graduated pails which avoid the tax are still in the retail shops side by side with tax-paid pails. But in fact the manufacture of these pails of which the hon. Member complains has been stopped.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now grant some further relief from Customs and Excise duties in respect of the import into the United Kingdom of tobacco grown in Commonwealth countries.

I regret that, apart, from other considerations, commercial treaty undertakings do not allow of more than the existing margin of preference. However, I am happy to say that we buy all the non-dollar Commonwealth tobacco we can which is suitable for the United Kingdom.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. May I ask that he bear in mind that there has this season been a record production of tobacco in Rhodesia, amounting to 155 million lb.; that this country, by agreement, takes only 83 million lb. of that tobacco; that India is a large producer, and that considerable dollar expenditure could be avoided if more Commonwealth tobacco were used, and at the same time relief could be given to smokers? Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the agreement?

The questions that my hon. Friend has raised are, in the main, matters for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and not for me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that the subsidy to Remploy will be exempted during the present financial year from the cuts to be imposed on other Government expenditure.

As my right hon. Friend stated in the House on 24th April, when we have reached decisions involving important changes in policy or administration we shall announce them to the House.

But is it not better to let the people in Remploy know now that there is not to be a cut in this most important social service? Does not the Minister understand that the remark that he has made will cause dismay not only to people in Remploy but to people unemployed for the time being?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he would make these announcements from time to time, and we cannot have a situation in which one bit after another of Government administration is, so to speak, excluded at the outset.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that some Ministers, including the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, have already announced that their Departments will, in certain respects, be exempt from that cut? Since that has been said by some Ministers, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public will feel apprehension that, where that is not said in answer to a question, a cut is intended? Furthermore, is he aware how uncertainty was caused a year ago by the attempt of the Government to secure a mean little economy out of Remploy, and will he remove the uncertainty which exists today?

I strongly advise the right hon. Gentleman and the public not to draw premature conclusions about these matters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that on 30th April all stores at King's Cross depot were full of potatoes: that potatoes were stacked in the open to a height of 20 feet; that additional lorries could not be unloaded for lack of space; that some of the stocks were deteriorating; and if he will direct the Potato Marketing Board to ensure that these potatoes are evenly distributed so that they may be sold at a reasonable price.

I am aware that heavy imports last month led to a considerable accumulation of potatoes in transit. The distribution of potatoes is a function of the trade, and not of the Potato Marketing Board, and I am satisfied that the trade can be relied on to carry out its functions with efficiency and dispatch.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since raising this question last week I have had letters from many parts of the country confirming that there are heavy stocks at various ports, and that they are selling very slowly? If this be the case, how can he justify the continuance of a retail price of 6d. a lb.? Is it not an admission of the abject failure of his policy, and will he not do something about it now, so that housewives may get potatoes at a reasonable price?

I am certain that any merchant owning potatoes in transit can be trusted to make arrangements to clear them at the earliest possible moment in his own interests. The hon. Gentleman mentioned the retail price. My information is that potatoes are now widely available at prices of 5d. a lb. and less, and I think that the trend is continuing downwards every day.

Is not the implication of this Question that the Potato Marketing Board was responsible for this position? Is it not most unfair to the Board, and does not my right hon. Friend deprecate that sort of question?

I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend that it is unfair to blame the Potato Marketing Board. I have made it clear that the Board has not restricted production or interfered with distribution.

Does the Minister say that he has no responsibility at all in this matter? Does he disclaim any responsibility?

By no means. I say that I am certain that by leaving the distribution to the mechanism of supply and demand the shortage is being remedied very much more rapidly than it would be by intervention on my part.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence has been submitted to him by the Potato Marketing Board, referred to in a letter from the hon. Member for Shore-ditch and Finsbury, that stocks of old potatoes were sufficient to last until the first fortnight in June; and the present stocks in the country.

All information about potato stocks and rates of consumption in the possession of the Potato Marketing Board is made available to me by the Board; and I agree with the Board that some supplies from the United Kingdom crop will continue to come forward for several more weeks of this season. It will nevertheless be necessary to continue to import old potatoes from all safe sources. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 23rd April.

But that reply indicated that the right hon. Gentleman did not know. Has he not made inquiries since to ascertain what are the stocks? When he says that the Potato Marketing Board considers there will be enough for several weeks, does that mean enough at a price of 6d. a lb. or enough at a reasonable price?

I have already said I believe that I am in possession of the latest information about stocks and supplies available to the Board. Regarding the hon. Gentleman's second question, I have already indicated that I think that supplies are likely to be short for the next four or five weeks, or even longer, and that is the general position. In the meantime prices are coming down because the supplies available today are greater than a week or two ago. But that does not detract from my general statement made a day or two ago that potatoes are likely to remain in short supply for the next four or five weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consult with the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and the Lands Improvement Company to ascertain to what extent landowners and farmers are now using the facilities for improvement loans to modernise buildings and equipment, and to consider whether amending legislation is needed.

The volume of loans sanctioned under the Improvement of Land Acts during the past four years has averaged just over £150,000 per year for improvements. I fully recognise the importance of adequate capital for permanent improvements and would refer my hon. Friend to my remarks on that subject in the debate on 30th April last.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the sum which he has mentioned is very small in relation to the need? When he has these consultations with the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation and the Lands Improvement Company would he see that the facilities they can offer are in the form which farmers can best use?

I agree that the figures are not large. They represent only a very small part of the total lendings of these two organisations. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that it is desirable at the present time to restrict capital expenditure even on projects which will be of very great long-term benefit. I hope that the necessity for that restriction will be only temporary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the percentage of the total number of farms and small holdings in England and Wales which are under 10 acres; and the percentage of the total which are between 10 acres and 100 acres.

Thirty-four per cent. of agricultural holdings in England and Wales with more than 1 acre of land used for agriculture had under 10 acres of crops and grass at the June, 1954, census; 45 per cent. had between 10 and 100 acres.

In view of the fact that those two figures add up to 79 per cent., is my right hon. Friend satisfied that small farmers are adequately represented on the bodies with which he negotiates, particularly in the Annual Price Review?

Of course, it has been the practice to negotiate with the three National Farmers' Unions. It is for individual farmers to decide for themselves what organisation they will become members of. Those are the recognised bodies representing the farming industry, in this country for the purpose of the Annual Price Review.

Is the Minister aware that the small farmer feels that he has been neglected in the recent Price Review, and will he see that the small farmer gets a better deal in the next one?

I have already explained that very full weight was attached by the Government during the recent Price Review to the interests of the small farmer. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that that will continue to be the case in any future review.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which areas myxomatosis in lethal form is still active.

Myxomatosis is still slowly spreading in some parts of Cheshire, Derbyshire. Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire; isolated rabbits with the disease are occasionally being found in other areas.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that what happens this summer will decide whether rabbits are coming back widely as a major farm pest? Will he let us have a monthly report on the myxomatosis position county by county to inform us whether rabbits are coming back and becoming established quite freely?

I agree that what happens this summer will be of vital importance to the future. I will consider the suggestion which my hon. Friend has made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of flocks of sheep that have been attacked by dogs this year.

The latest available information relates to 1955. During that year, 3.676 attacks on sheep by dogs in England and Wales were reported to the police.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the result of the constant appeals that are made to dog owners to restrain their dogs and to take more care?

I am not too happy about the position. We make these appeals from time to time with the co-operation of the National Farmers' Unions and the animal welfare societies. In spite of that fact, the number of attacks remains at too high a level. I would very much like to see it reduced.

Is the Minister satisfied that the working of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act, 1953, is sufficient to prevent these attacks?

I am not too satisfied about the present position. The number of casualties among sheep in the reported cases runs to about 8,000 per year. That seems to be deplorably high.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his appeals will continue to be of no success so long as local magistrates impose completely derisory penalties for these offences?

I have no information about the size of the fines imposed, but I noticed that in the reported attacks fines were imposed in about 1,500 cases, and I was glad to see that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the effect so far on the change of grading in pigs since 1st April.

It is too early to judge, but it is encouraging to note that there has been a slight increase during the first three weeks in the proportion of pigs grading AAA.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some of the best pig breeders are telling me that, in spite of the reduction of 6d. a score, which came into operation on 1st April, the gross figure for a pig is £1 more than it was before that date? They are actually getting more money owing to the different method in grading to which they are entitled.

I like to see the very highest prices to producers and the very lowest prices to consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to give details of the 16 additional staff employed by his Department between 1st April, 1955, and 1st April, 1956; the work undertaken by these 16 employees; and the salary or wage-scale in each instance.

The particulars of the increases in regional staff are: 10 Civil Defence directors, the senior representatives of the Home Office Civil Defence department in the provinces with inclusive salaries of £2,100—subject to deductions for posts outside London—and 6 extra clerical and typing staff on rates of pay varying from £286 13s. to £516 per annum.

In view of the recent Civil Defence exercise that has been taking place, when the general in charge said that it was a waste of time, may I ask whether the Joint Under-Secretary of State Is convinced that the money is being wisely spent? Is this part of the Government's policy of cutting down expenditure or is it in fact further expenditure, which we are beginning to find is quite frequent now under this Government?

My right hon. and gallant Friend is satisfied that the appointment of the regional directors has done a great deal to increase the efficiency of Civil Defence administration in the regions.

Hughes asked the Minister of Education. in view of the fact that degrees of Trinity College, Dublin, are recognised by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge as of similar standing to their own, whether he will consider including graduates of Dublin University among those eligible for the allowance award, described as being for a good university degree, under the recent Burnham Committees' recommendations; and if he will now take all necessary steps to implement those recommendations.

It is for the Burnham Committee to decide what precise recommendations to put forward on this matter. My right hon. Friend has not yet received any recommendations arising out of its current negotiations, and he cannot therefore make a statement.

Has the Minister read the Burnham Committee's Report? Does he realise that it applies to the National University of Ireland also, and that in penalising those two universities he is penalising education at a time when there is a shortage of teachers? Will he have regard to that and do something about it?

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the Burnham Committee's Report. I know that when he does receive it he will bear in mind what the hon. and learned Gentleman says.