asked the Minister of Supply the progress made to date on methods for reducing aircraft engine noise at source; what devices have been developed, respectively, by private aircraft firms and by institutions financed by his Department; and to what extent the muffling rings so far developed are being applied to current production.

The most promising method of reducing jet aircraft engine noise at source is the corrugated jet nozzle which is being developed by Messrs. Rolls Royce, under contract with my Department. Full-scale flight tests are in progress, but the development has not yet reached the stage when these nozzles can be applied to current production. The same company is also developing a type of suppressor which is basically an annular jet.

While thanking the Minister for that full information, may I ask him three questions? First, can he give an assurance that research is not being hampered by lack of funds; secondly, can he give the House any idea when some of these developments are going to be in operation, and, thirdly, is he satisfied that there is liaison with other nations of the world, especially the United States, which are faced with the same problem?

I think that a very adequate amount of finance is being put behind this development, but the hon. Gentleman knows full well how uncertain development is in this field. I should not like to make any predictions in point of time. I think that there is a very good exchange of information on these matters, particularly with the United States, but I will certainly follow up the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to see if we cannot do more on that line.

asked the Minister of Supply what complaints of damage were made to his Department following the recent world record speed flight by the D.R.2 aircraft; what investigations he has made into these complaints; and if he will make a statement.

Up to 31st May we had received about 160 complaints, mostly of a minor nature. We have followed the normal procedure of investigation, and a few of the complaints have also been investigated by the Building Research Station which is studying the effects of supersonic bangs on buildings.

While not in any way deprecating that record flight, would the Minister not agree that there is here a most serious social problem? In some of these areas, in part of the South Coast especially, life is being made quite intolerable by these repeated exercises. Is adequate compensation being paid in these cases, and is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied also that everything is being done to minimise the damage that is caused?

While we do not accept liability in these matters, we do pay compensation as if liability rested upon the Crown. The number of supersonic bangs taking place is much less than a year ago, but I agree that this is a serious problem, and the Building Research Station is embarking on a long-term study of the whole effects of jet flying on buildings.

Can the Minister publish some of the results of the inquiries which have taken place, because this is a problem about which the country as a whole ought to be informed?

We did publish some of the results of an investigation carried out by the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, and as soon as anything more useful is available I will certainly publish it.

asked the Minister of Supply the total number of persons employed by his Department; and what reduction in that number he hopes to make by the end of 1956.

The total number of civilians employed by my Department on 1st April, 1956, was 105,529, of whom 34,639 were non-industrials. A special review is now being undertaken to find ways and means by which the number of these latter can be reduced, but I am not yet able to estimate results likely to be achieved by the end of the year.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that information and ask him to do everything possible to avoid what many people think is a duplication of work between his Ministry and the various Service Ministries?

I am concerned at the amount of manpower, particularly scientific and technical, absorbed by my Department, and I hope to be able to reduce it.

asked the Minister of Supply what sum was spent on the development and manufacture of nuclear weapons during the years 1951 to 1955.

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

While I thank the Minister for that reply, which appears to be his usual answer to my Questions, does he recollect the ferocious attack made by his right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) on the Labour Government for spending £100 million, so he used to say, without telling the House? Is the Minister following that precedent? If the figures for expenditure could be given during the time of the Labour Government, why are the Tory Government ashamed to give them?

I do not think it has been the practice of any Government to reveal the amount spent on atomic weapons, which is what the Question refers to.

asked the Minister of Supply in how many cases his Department has represented to employers that an employee was a security risk; and in how many cases the employers concerned have taken action in regard to their employees as a result of such representations.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the then hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Warbey) on 15th and 18th March, 1954, of which I am sending him copies. Mr. Lang's case is the only one subsequent to those seven in which these contractual powers have been involved.

Is the Minister aware that, although the number of men involved is not very great, nevertheless some of them have strenuously denied the suspicions and allegations which have been brought against them, but have not been as fortunate as Mr. Lang in their publicity? Can the reight hon. Gentleman not now tell the House that he is willing, retrospectively, to apply the procedure of the advisory tribunal to any men—and there are some of them—who still affirm that they have been dealt with unjustly?

The Privy Council has recommended the application of the three advisers procedure to a certain range of cases, and that is being done, but in cases where Ministers have reached a decision I do not think the retrospective application of that procedure would serve any purpose.

asked the Minister of Supply how many persons employed in his Department have been dismissed or transferred to other work on security grounds during each of the last three years; and in how many cases private firms employed on Government contracts were informed that they would not be given Government contracts in future unless they took similar action.

In 1953, one officer in my Department was dismissed and two transferred to other work on security grounds; in each of the years 1954 and 1955, two officers were transferred and none dismissed. There has been no case in the current year. The case of Mr. Lang is the only occasion on which the placing of further secret contracts has been made dependent on action being taken in regard to a named person.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that, in all these cases, the person concerned was first given adequate details of the complaint against him and then a proper opportunity of being heard in his own defence?

In all the cases I have referred to, the procedure laid down originally in 1948 has been followed.

asked the Minister of Supply upon what date representations were made to Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, by his Department concerning their employment of Mr. J. H. Lang: and what answer was received from Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited.

asked the Minister of Supply why no effort was made between 1951 and 1956 to keep secret information from Mr. Lang, as he was considered a bad security risk in 1951.

Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, were informed in July, 1951, that Her Majesty's Government would not wish Mr. Lang to be given access to secret information arising on Government contracts and the company undertook to do their best to ensure this. In November, 1955, the company reported that they had found themselves unable in practice to deny Mr. Lang access. After consideration of this report by Her Majesty's Government, the Treasury Solicitor wrote to the company on 4th January, 1956, to say that the responsible Ministers regarded it as an essential condition of placing further secret contracts with the company that the company should be able to undertake that Mr. Lang would not have access to secret information disclosed in connection with those contracts.

Is it not a fact that, in 1951, the I.C.I. considered that the Minister of the day was bringing a ludicrous charge against Mr. Lang, and did they not then and from time to time afterwards resist the Government's attempts to have him sacked, until the right hon. Gentleman's Government came along and used the blackmail methods of withholding contracts from the I.C.I. unless they complied with the Government's request? Is this not proof, as I said the other day, that this procedure has been much extended latterly?

No. That is a distortion of the position. The Government have never pressed for the dismissal of Mr. Lang. What we have always said throughout is that we did not wish him to have access to Government secret information.

Is it not rather disturbing that, if Mr. Lang had access to secret information for four years, if in fact he was a Communist he could have done great damage to the country in that time? Secondly, has any fresh evidence against Mr. Lang come to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman's Department in those four years?

We had always hoped that it would be possible to ensure that Mr. Lang would not have access to secret information and nevertheless be able to remain in his job. It was only when it became apparent to us, on the information given by the company, that this could not continue that we had to say that we would have to make it a condition of placing contracts that he was not given access to secret information.

Is the Minister aware that the House is very anxious that this type of security procedure should be applied only in cases which are of the utmost security importance? In those circumstances, is it not rather disturbing that apparently, according to the account just given by the right hon. Gentleman, the Government did not take effective steps over four years to see whether Mr. Lang was, in fact, having access to secret material? It appears that he was. Does this not indicate that this is not perhaps one of the highest grade security cases in which the House is content to see this security procedure applied?

Of course, the original view was taken by the preceding Administration, but neither Government has been prepared at any time to agree that Mr. Lang should have unrestricted access to the secret information coming into the possession of I.C.I. As I said, it was hoped for some time that it would not be necessary for Mr. Lang to have such access, because the secret information contained in contracts does not necessarily come into the possession of the legal officers of the company concerned. It was only after a period of time that it became obvious, from what I.C.I. told us, that Mr. Lang could no longer be excluded from such information. When we were told that, we said we should have to make it a condition of the contracts that he should not have access.

Since the Government have now decided, I understand, that the Civil Service procedure of the tribunal shall apply to these cases which arise in industry, why will the Government not allow Mr. Lang, if he desires, to appeal to that tribunal?

Because the responsible Ministers considered this case with great care, at great length, and with all the information at their disposal, and there does not seem to be any object in going over the same ground again.

asked the Minister of Supply how many designers and engineer draftsmen are employed in the various sections of his Department, including those seconded from the three Service Departments.

About 1,500.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give an assurance that he will take such action as may be deemed necessary to ensure that there will be no price increase during the next six months in the goods and services coming within the control of his Department so as to assist in curbing the inflationary spiral.

As has been explained by the Prime Minister, it is the Government's view that the national interest requires that prices should be kept down wherever possible. I shall naturally bear this in mind along with other relevant considerations in deciding policy.

While I thank the Minister for bearing it in mind, can I now have a definite assurance or answer, yes or no, as to whether he will do the same as the nationalised industries: namely, not put up the prices for the next six months?

As my main concern is not to sell but to buy things, I should hope to get prices down.

asked the Minister of Supply where it is proposed to site the new houses to be occupied by the permanent staff to be employed at the new Spadeadam experimental rocket station.

No decision has yet been reached on a site for these houses.

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that very careful consideration is given to this subject, which is of great local importance, and will he in particular ensure consideration of Haltwhistle, where there are ample sites and services?

Yes, certainly. I am aware of what my hon. Friend says. Haltwhistle is one of the possibilities. I recognise that there are considerable advantages in this possibility, although there are other possibilities as well.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is considerable good will locally for this project, because there are hopes that it will bring to the area not only houses but also electricity and improved water supplies? Will he do his best to ensure that those hopes are not disappointed in the final event?

I am delighted when anyone welcomes the incursion of the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Supply what expenditure he has incurred on the factory near Girvan since 1951; how many men are now employed there; and for what purpose.

Excluding certain non-recurrent expenditure incurred at the beginning of the rearmament programme, over the past five years the costs at this factory have been approximately £20,000 per annum. Thirty men are at present employed on its protection and maintenance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether there is any possibility of this factory being used for some more useful purpose and for employing people on more productive work?

Certainly, I will do my best to examine any suggestion.

asked the Minister of Supply what specifications have been put to the aircraft industry for a long-range passenger jet aircraft; what response there has been from the industry; what now are the possibilities of producing a British aircraft of this type; and if he will make a statement.

As the hon. Member was informed on 13th February, an outline specification for such an aircraft has been prepared by my Department, in conjunction with British Overseas Airways Corporation and has been sent to the manufacturers. A number of design studies have been submitted and they are being considered, but it is too early to make any statement.

Is it not now clear that, every operator in the world except the British being now committed for this type of aircraft, we have lost the chance of selling these machines in the world market? Does it not now appear also that the Department made a mistake when it cancelled the order for the V1000?

I do not accept for a moment that we have lost our position in the world market. These are difficult and complicated matters, but if we choose wisely we can and will still build an extremely successful long-range jet passenger aircraft.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement in respect to the recommendations of the sub-committee of the Food Standards Committee on colouring substances in food.

Yes, Sir. The Government have decided to accept the recommendation that only certain specified colours should be permitted in food, and that these should be the colours proposed by the Food Standards Committee. I will circulate a more detailed statement in the OFFICIAL RFPORT.

While thanking the Minister for his statement and while waiting to read it, may I ask whether in the meantime there will be a ban on painting kippers with coal-tar dye?

No, the recommendation of the Food Standards Committee was that the dyeing of kippers, provided that the dyes were not harmful, should not be restricted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total number of foreign new potatoes imported into this country since 1st June.

I regret that this information will not be available until the Trade and Navigation Accounts for June are published on or about 20th July.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of recent developments in the artificial insemination of sows in ordinary commercial herds; and what he is doing to encourage this.

Yes, Sir. An artificial insemination service for commercial pig herds is being provided on a limited scale by several cattle A.I. centres. Various technical problems have to be overcome, however, before a full commercial service can be developed and research on these is being actively conducted by the Agricultural Research Council.

What is the Minister doing to encourage this, as it may do as much for pigs as artificial insemination has done for cattle?

I agree in thinking that this is likely to prove a very important development indeed. Research work into this problem is being actively pursued in the Agricultural Research Council's unit on Reproductive Physiology and Biochemistry at Cambridge, and will be, I hope, shortly at my own artificial insemination centre at Reading.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on what date he issued his first statement of agreement with Sir James Turner on this year's global figure in connection with the Annual Price Review.

My first reference to the attitude of the farmers' unions was in my statement of 15th March in this House.

Was it due to any action by my right hon. Friend that Sir James Turner allowed 63 days to elapse after my right hon. Friend's first statement and 16 days after his second statement before disputing the accuracy of my right hon. Friend, and, if not, can he give any explanation why these statements were delayed so long?

I think that I can say in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend only that I believe that the position is now clear and generally understood, that the global award would have been agreed by the N.F.U.s conditionally on the Government's agreeing to their schedule of distribution. In that case there would have been an agreed settlement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the guaranteed prices for fat cattle which the producers will receive in February, 1957, and the comparable prices for February, 1956 and 1955.

The guaranteed standard price for each month of the fatstock year 1956–57 is 151s. per live cwt. compared with 138s. 8d. in 1955–56 and 133s. 2d. in 1954–55. The returns received by producers in February next will depend upon market prices and payments due under the guarantees. Neither of these I am able to forecast.

Is it not this inability to forecast the actual income by farmers from fat cattle when marketed which has undermined their confidence in the guaranteed price of fat cattle?

I think the hon. Gentleman is aware that the present system is that the payments due represent the difference between the average market price over a period of 52 weeks prior to the date of payment and the standard price. I have always said that that system is the best which it has been possible to devise so far in consultation with the representatives of the producers. If we can find a better way of doing this we shall be very glad to consider it at any time, but it is so far the best system which has been found in the general interest.

Is it not the case that in the deficiency payments system for fat cattle there is no such thing as a guaranteed price?

I should have liked to have incorporated into my reply an expression of welcome to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on his return to the House. I am afraid that in this case I find it rather difficult to make that relevant to the Question.

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that to give more stability to future prices, instead of using this rolling average which many of us look upon as fatuous, he should use the deficiency payments in the same way as he deals with wheat?

There are real differences between providing for a commodity like wheat and a perishable commodity like livestock, as my hon. Friend will be well aware.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of deficiency payments made to wheat growers in each of the accounting periods so far for the 1955 wheat crop; and what is the latest average market price for home-grown wheat.

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

Will those figures reveal the fact that the longer the farmer keeps his wheat on the farm the less is the amount of subsidy he receives, and that those who dump it on the market immediately after harvest get the biggest subsidy?

No, I do not think so. I think I can say that the marketing of the wheat crop over the past twelve months has proceeded very smoothly indeed and in a way favourable to the producer and to the user.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give an assurance that he will take such action as may be deemed necessary to ensure that there will be no price increase during the next six months in the goods and services and articles coming within the control of his Department so as to assist in curbing the inflationary spiral.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member earlier this afternoon by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

What a terrible answer! Is the Minister aware that one of the reasons for the inflationary spiral is the number of wage applications that have to be made to try to pay for the increased cost of food, which has been his responsibility? Can we have an assurance that the price of food will not be increased by his action, particularly in the case of bread, which it is rumoured will cost anything from 10d. to 1s. a loaf in September? Can he assure the House that there will be no increase in the price of food?

The assurance that I can give is that our dominating consideration in these matters is what action will conduce most effectively to curing inflation.

A dodge.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements the Forestry Commission are now prepared to make for either burning a belt of heather themselves on neighbouring land alongside the boundaries of their plantations or to assist the occupiers of such land with burning operations.

The Forestry Commission is prepared either to burn protective belts on land adjoining plantations, or to help its neighbours to do so, wherever the risk to the Commission's plantations is high. Normally burning under this arrangement would be limited to a strip 30 yards wide, but where wider burning is essential this would be undertaken.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, in spite of the more helpful attitude which the Forestry Commission is now adopting, there is still very great concern among sheep farmers? Will he bear this concern in mind and ask the Commission to see whether further arrangements cannot be made?

I note what my hon. Friend has said. I hope that this attitude of the Forestry Commission will be generally regarded by neighbouring farmers as reasonable and helpful. If there are other suggestions which my hon. Friend can make, I shall be very glad to consider them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that sufficient steps are being taken to restrict the sale of strychnine for legitimate agricultural purposes; and whether he will consider introducing further safeguards against its misuse.

I am looking into the arrangements for authorising the purchase of strychnine for destroying moles to see whether further safeguards are desirable.

Would it not be as well to limit the amount to 2 oz. to any one applicant, and will my right hon. Friend not consider whether it is not desirable for applications to go before a special sub-committee instead of being dealt with by one officer of an agricultural committee?

I will take note of both those practical suggestions by my hon. Friend. I understand that the usual amount issued is very much less than the amount he has mentioned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made to him regarding increased prices for flour confectionery; and whether he will take steps, now, to stabilise the price, size and weight of tea bread, scones, rolls, and all flour confectionery.

I have received no representations about flour confectionery prices, and I am satisfied that in this industry competition is the best safeguard for the housewife. It is impracticable to control the size and weight of flour confectionery.

Has the Minister not observed on his shopping expeditions that prices have gone up 25 per cent. and that in other cases the weight has gone down? Is not the latter in itself a concealed price increase? Is he not aware that the evidence is all contained in the Report of the Hodgson Committee?

I have noticed on my shopping expeditions that there seems to be a good deal of evidence of intense competition in this field. I would remind the hon. Lady that in wartime, when control was imposed on flour confectionery, it was found that, owing to the difficulty of effecting standardisation, the control was very cumbersome and difficult to enforce. It would be a great deal more so now.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent proposed alterations in price and quality of bread will affect flour confectionery, including scones, rolls, teabread, and cakes.

There is no reason why the price or quality of flour confectionery should be affected by the decontrol of bread in September.

Is the Minister aware that I do not consider that to be an adequate reply at all? Is he aware that I am asking for an assurance that there will not be increases due to the withdrawal of subsidy? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to rely entirely on competition? Is he aware that he is selling the plateau of stability down the river, like Trinidad oil?

I cannot agree with the hon. Lady. I am going to rely in this field on the forces of competition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the bonus paid to employees of the National Forestry Commission for fox brushes has been withdrawn; and why they have been instructed not to kill foxes.

The bonus has been withdrawn in some areas where it is agreed that foxes can be effectively kept down by the local hunt.

May I ask the Minister for an assurance that his Ministry will not preserve foxes for fox hunting?

I think the hon. Member will agree that in many parts of the country fox hunting is quite an efficient way of keeping down the foxes, though I would add that in the days when I was a master of foxhounds I found them uncommonly difficult to catch.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in the South Tetcott country, which is in my constituency, where such an arrangement has been arrived at, nearly all the farmers who support the hunt appear to be quite satisfied?

I hope that my hon. Friend will invite me down to satisfy myself in person that this is happening and that the foxes are being caught.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of the Wissington light railway.

Yes, Sir. This light railway with 18 miles of line was first requisitioned and later bought after the war by the Minister of Agriculture. It has been administered by my Department on a temporary basis, but I can no longer justify this arrangement. The National Farmers' Union, which is representing the interests of the growers concerned, has been told that this arrangement must end in a year's time. A meeting has been arranged with growers and they will be given the first opportunity to take over the Ministry's interest.

But why has the Minister offered the line to local farmers? Why has he not offered it to British Railways, without which it cannot run? If British Railways are not prepared to take it, why, in view of the fact that this railway has been making a profit, does he not ask the Wissington light railway to take over British Railways?

I will gladly offer the hon. Member the chance of coming in on the ground floor on this occasion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now state on what date the new White Fish Subsidy Scheme will be laid before the House.

As early as possible next month, though I cannot as yet give a precise date.

In view of what happened last time, when the right hon. Gentleman's blunder was ameliorated in the light of Parliamentary criticism, will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that there will be an opportunity to discuss this Scheme fully before the Recess?

I will give the hon. Member that assurance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the action being taken by Her Majesty's Government regarding the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

It was decided on Monday last that a Special Conference should proceed in September to the appointment of a new Director-General. All the probable candidates are not yet known. Her Majesty's Government will be guided by its determination to support the Organisation in its constructive work.

But will the right hon. Gentleman give the lie to the Beaver-brook Press about the acting Director-General, who has a very distinguished record of service? Will the right hon. Gentleman make a real effort to restore our good name in this vitally important organisation?

Of all the possible candidates within the Organisation, I cannot think of any one with better claims than Sir Herbert Broadley, who has not only rendered distinguished services to my Department during the war but also very distinguished services to the Food and Agriculture Organisation as Deputy Director-General.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals in England and Wales have been allowed to build increased accommodation for the elderly chronic sick; and if he will itemise the particular schemes of this nature for which he has granted permission to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

Increased accommodation for the elderly chronic sick has been provided or approved at 202 hospitals, often by the adaptation or transfer of other accommodation. I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of schemes for which approval has been given to the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board.

While thanking the hon. Lady for that answer, may I ask whether she can tell me now when the extensions of St. Luke's Hospital at Rugby are likely to be undertaken? If there is difficulty in building wings to existing accommodation, would the hon. Lady consider allowing hospitals to buy houses nearby? The old people would like that. They prefer to be in an integrated society rather than to be segregated in institutional buildings.

If the hon. Member will put a Question on the Order Paper, I will give a detailed answer with regard to the hospital he mentioned. As for buying houses, there is the difficulty that many of the houses are of two or three floors, while for elderly people we have to provide the maximum accommodation on the ground floor.

As the demand for this kind of accommodation is greater than that for any other kind, would the hon. Lady and her right hon. Friend, when these Questions are asked, come to the Dispatch Box with as much detail as possible, because I think that all hon. Members are interested in the answer?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Health the reasons for his refusal to waive his objections to the purchase by the Sheffield Regional Hospital Board of the Shipley Common site for hospital development at Ilkeston.

My right hon. Friend considers that this site is unsuitable owing to danger of subsidence due to coal mining.

By implication, does not that answer mean that no hospital will be built either in Ilkeston or in any of the surrounding towns until all the coal has been extracted, which will be many years from now, and is not that a most alarming statement to make? Further, may I ask whether the hon. Lady or her right hon. Friend would be good enough to discuss this matter with the many industries interested, because it is a highly industrialised area to which this answer will give complete consternation?

I appreciate the difficulties of the hon. Gentleman in this matter, but we have received technical advice that the seams of coal under this site may be worked between 1960 and 1980. Obviously, therefore, it is not practicable to go ahead with a large building like a hospital, which would immediately suffer from any subsidence at the site. In fact, we have been advised that in order to prevent mining under the site it would be necessary to buy a supporting pillar of coal at a cost of £250,000, which obviously is not a practical proposition.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that bakers supplying bread to hospitals on contracts not containing a rise or fall clause have been seriously affected by his decision that hospital management committees should not pay them the increased price of bread resulting from the reduction of the bread subsidy; and if, in view of the fact that this increase came about as the result of a Government decision and was a matter over which the bakers had no control, he will allow hospital management committees to pay the increased price.

I am aware of representations to this effect. I am advised and have informed hospital authorities that unless provision for variation of price is included in the contract there is no legal liability to pay more than the contract price. It would therefore be improper for me to authorise extra-contractual payments.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that hospital management committees would like to pay the extra price in view of the fact that, when the price of bread was reduced, bakers in turn reduced their prices even if their contracts did not contain a rise and fall clause? Is it not rather mean to stick too rigidly to the letter of the law?

I am not aware that bakers have reduced their prices in such circumstances. When there is a price change, and if there is a clause of this nature, the contractor gains on some occasions and loses on others. It must also be remembered that hospital management committees will have accepted tenders in competition with other tenderers, and it would be wrong to go back on them at this stage.

asked the Minister of Health whether hospital staff who require medicaments as a result of accidents sustained in the course of their work are liable, under his regulations, to pay prescription charges to the dispensary of the hospital concerned.

No charge is payable for immediate treatment of an injury, but otherwise hospital employees, like other persons, are liable to pay this charge for drugs supplied from hospital out-patient departments.

Is the hon. Lady aware that a member of a teaching hospital staff recently, who cut himself with a scalpel in the course of his duties, was charged a prescription charge by his own hospital dispensary for an anti-tetanus injection, and is not this a ridiculous procedure and will the hon. Lady undertake to see that it stops?

I think that the example given by the hon. Gentleman is a rare one. I should have thought it qualified for immediate treatment as a casualty and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman has had to bring it to our notice. If he likes to give me the details, I shall be happy to look into them.

Will the Minister ensure that in cases of accidents treatment is given free of cost, as was envisaged in the Industrial Injuries Act?

That is another question. I shall be pleased to look into it if the right hon. Gentleman will kindly put down a Question.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to adopt the recommendation of the Guillebaud Committee that regional boards should not be required to submit capital development schemes of less than £50,000 for prior approval by his Department.

This is still under consideration.

The right hon. Gentleman has had this matter under consideration for six months, and does he not agree that it is desirable for regional hospital boards to have control of their own budget with the minimum of interference from his Department, and would he expedite a favourable reply to this matter?

The hon. Gentleman put down a similar question to the Chancellor on 19th June and received a similar reply. This is bound up with certain other recommendations of the Guillebaud Committee.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us which of the recommendations of the Guillebaud Committee he is prepared to accept?

I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave to the House on 25th January, which set that out in considerable detail.

Would my right hon. Friend press upon the Treasury the views of the regional hospital boards on this matter, namely, that it is desirable that these responsible boards should be given the maximum of freedom with which to conduct their difficult task?

I am aware of the views expressed by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health what difficulties are delaying the acquisition of a site, and the consequent provision of plans, for the proposed new district hospital at St. Austell.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 18th June to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Truro (Mr. G. Wilson).

Can the Minister say whether property owners are causing obstruction to the acquisition of the site? If so, will he say what he is doing about it?

No, Sir; I do not know that. All I know is that the Minister of Housing and Local Government has the matter of the site still under consideration.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, following his answer to my Question last week relating to this hospital in my division, I have a Question on the Order Paper tomorrow dealing with the matter?

asked the Minister of Health what is the amount of the trust funds available for the first instalment of the proposed new district hospital at St. Austell, Cornwall; when he expects building operations to commence; whether further instalments will be financed out of funds available to the regional hospital board; when he expects the hospital to be completed; and what accommodation will then be available.

The regional hospital board hold a trust fund of about £90,000 and this sum will be increased if the West Cornwall Hospital Management Committee agree to use a bequest which they hold. Until the site is settled the Board cannot make progress with their plans, which will have to be discussed with my Department before a final decision is reached. I therefore cannot give any forecast of progress at this stage.

Is the Minister aware that the people of Cornwall are very upset at the continued delay in the provision of this much-needed hospital, and will he do what he can to accelerate its provision?

I feel sure that the people of Cornwall recognise that we are at present going forward with the building of a hospital at Truro and also have this project under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will make a statement on the policy he intends to follow with reference to mass X-ray of the population and, in particular, for middle-aged groups and new entrants to industry;

The number of mass miniature radiography units has increased from 36 in 1948 to 75 at the present time, and the number of examinations, which are on a voluntary basis, has increased threefold. Voluntary surveys will be continued, and persons of middle age and new entrants to industry are being encouraged to use these facilities if they have not recently had a chest X-ray. Six 100-millimetre cameras are being purchased for installing, on an experimental basis, at six hospital out patient departments.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but is he aware that in some areas at least the examination of some sections of the population, such as miners, might well be more fruitful and useful if the 100-millimetre camera were used and, in the long run, perhaps more economical? Would he bear that in mind?

Certainly, Sir. I am anxious to undertake this experiment of the 100-millimetre camera. Some are already working; in fact nine hospitals are using them, but not on a large-scale basis for this purpose. I hope very much that one of the hospitals chosen for the 100-millimetre camera will be in the Midlands.

asked the Minister of Health how many projects for capital expenditure put forward by local health authorities have been refused consent, or a starting date denied during the year ending April, 1956; and what is the total amount of capital involved in these decisions.

Thirty projects at a total estimated cost of £340,000.

Can the Minister tell me how many maternity and health centres are affected as a result of the figure which she has just given?

Not without notice, but if the hon. Gentleman likes to put down a Question I shall be only too pleased to annotate the types of building affected.

In view of the fact that the Minister of Health showed sympathy with the Guillebaud Report, the chief recommendation of which was to provide capital expenditure for hospitals, can the hon. Lady say why this attitude is adopted at this stage?

The Guillebaud Committee repeatedly laid down the principle that, whilst many items might be desirable, they would have to conform to the general economic circumstances of the country, and that is the principle we are following here.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the cars supplied to disabled persons have been replaced with new cars; and if he will review his policy on this subject with the object of ensuring greater uniformity of treatment.

None, Sir. The second part of the Question therefore does not arise.

But is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is twelve months since his predecessor announced his policy on the replacement of cars for the disabled and told us that replacement would then commence? Is he further aware that many of the disabled people running nine-year-old cars find the running and repair costs uneconomic at a time when they are more dependent than ever on the cars for mobility? Will he do something to alter the policy so that the cars can be replaced?

I think the hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. My right hon. Friend said on 5th December that he would not expect replacement to be necessary until a car had been used for at least eight years. In fact, none of the cars has been on issue for eight years, as the earliest was issued towards the end of 1948. I am looking into the question of how replacements should be conducted when it becomes necessary, and the main factor is whether a car can be economically repaired.

Is the Minister aware that there is a good deal of evidence of the expense of repairs of the old vehicles, both old tricycles and some cars, and would he give the matter very careful consideration?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that fact and I am giving it consideration, but there is no lack of uniformity of treatment.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the number of parents who abandon their children or leave them unnecessarily in the care of local authorities, he will publish a short leaflet to be given to the parents of all children when their birth is registered pointing out the incalculable value of the love and security that they can provide for their offspring.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not consider that this would be an effective way of dealing with the problem of the neglectful parent.

Does the hon. Lady realise how important parental control of children is? Does she realise that much delinquency, mental disease and other troubles can be prevented by it, and yet parents do not appreciate this? Can something be done to ensure that parents realise the importance of parental control?

I sympathise very much with the hon. Gentleman's desires in this matter, but, having regard to what is done by the vast majority of good parents, I do not think it would be advisable to circulate all parents on how to bring up their children, which I think would cause a great deal of resentment.

asked the Minister of Health what action he proposes to take following the recommendations of the Working Party on Health Visiting.

I shall be consulting the organisations principally concerned when they have had time to consider this very full Report.

As the Report is the result of three years' very careful study on the part of the Committee, and as the Committee has stated that 3,500 full-time workers are needed to provide a reasonable service, will he hurry the matter up and ensure that something is done?

Because it has taken such a long time to prepare the Report, I feel sure that the Committee would expect me to give due consideration to it and have full consultations with the bodies concerned, especially in respect of the recommendations relating to the training system for health visitors.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman at least agree that he would wish to see much greater co-operation between general practitioners and health visitors, which is lacking in many cases at the moment?

I entirely agree. Many of the recommendations in the Report will be very valuable from that aspect.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now received specific advice from the Medical Research Council on the prevention and cure of chronic bronchitis; and if he will make a statement.

I have nothing yet to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Huddersfield West (Mr. Wade) on 30th January.

That was nearly six months ago. When will the right hon. Gentleman announce what plans he has for making special efforts to deal with the increasing toll of bronchial complaints? Will he consider using some of the empty beds no longer required for T.B. patients to prepare for the unquestioned increase in difficulties which will come from bronchitis patients in the winter?

This Question and the one on 30th January dealt particularly with research. The Medical Research Council is conducting research into this matter. It is optimistic to expect quick and early results from such research, but research is proceeding and is also being undertaken by regional hospital boards.

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, to what extent the agreement entered into with the staff of the Dining Rooms and Smoke Room whereby in exchange for guaranteed employment throughout the year they surrendered the privilege of receiving gratuities is still in force.

The agreement governing pay and conditions of service of the staff states that wages will be calculated on the basis of current rates in force under the Catering Wages Act, plus an amount in lieu of tips for those categories of staff who would normally receive tips, and provides for payment of staff during Recess periods. It has been approved by official representatives of the staff and is still in force.

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, the minimum wage being paid to an adult employee in the Members' Dining Room or Kitchen for a normal working week.

The minimum wage varies according to the job, that is, from £5 15s. to £7 15s., plus food while on duty; plus free uniform in the case of permanent waiting staff. These minimum rates are, in all cases, above those currently in force under the Catering Wages Act.

The hon. Member is surely aware that, under the Catering Wages Act, the circumstances are not normally comparable and that £5 15s. per week for an adult employee, even with a limited amount of food, seems an appallingly low wage for the House of Commons to be paying?

That low rate is applicable to a kitchen porter, who comes one day and may be gone the next. [Interruption.] I am just stating what the rate is. It is still in excess of the rates under the Catering Wages Act.

Are the rates which have been given the result of negotiations with trade unions?

No, Sir. They are the result of negotiations between the accredited representatives of the staff and the Sub-Committee of the Kitchen Committee which deals exclusively with any complaint from the staff.

The hon. Gentleman talks about negotiations between the staff side and the Kitchen Committee. Is the staff allowed to place proposals before the Sub-Committee, or are members of the staff just informed of what the Sub-Committee decides?

Most definitely, the present wages agreement was the result of many meetings spread over many months—[HON. MEMBERS: "With whom?"]—and in no case was the staff told what it was to have. The rates were agreed. I would add that, since the agreement was entered into in 1953—it was modified in 1955—we have had no approach from any member of the staff for any change in its terms.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that kitchen porters do enter into the bonds of matrimony and do beget children, and that £5 15s. per week is still a shockingly low wage? Why is there not a union involved in this? Why has not the union been approached?

There is strong trade union representation on the Committee. I take it from both sides, and these matters are thrashed out. I shall be only too pleased to submit to my Committee at its next meeting the observations of the hon. Member.

asked the hon. Member for Woolwich, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, the number of staff employed by the Kitchen Committee; and the number who have been employed there and have left their employment during the period since January, 1952.

One hundred and twenty-one permanent full-time staff are employed at the present time. In addition, there are 55 part-time staff and up to 20 casual staff according to current needs. Since January, 1952, 458 permanent staff have resigned or been dismissed, 279 of these being kitchen porters or platemen.

Might there not be some connection between those figures and the answer which the hon. Gentleman gave to my previous Question?

The hon. Member is at liberty to draw his own conclusions. I would remind him that, between 1947 and 1951, more than 445 members of the staff were dismissed or resigned. I would also point out to the hon. Member that, if he knows anything about the catering industry today, he will know that the great difficulty is porters. They commence on the Monday and go on the Tuesday. They are a floating population. It is very difficult to get good porters to stay in any employment.