asked the Minister of Education the unit cost for food for school meals in 1955–56; and what estimate he has formed of the unit cost in 1956–57.

The average food cost per meal in 1955–56 is not yet known, but is expected to be about 9·4d. I expect the cost in 1956–57 to be about 9·8d.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of any extravagance in the use of potatoes by local education authorities? Is it his right hon. Friend's intention to surcharge such authorities, if the cost of potatoes exceeds the meagre figure which he has in mind?

The hon. Member has on the Order Paper another Question about potatoes about which two memoranda have been issued to local authorities. Provided that local authorities have paid reasonable attention to those circulars, the sort of situation which the hon. Member envisages will not arise.

asked the Minister of Education the reasonable price for potatoes to be purchased by local education authorities for school meals, referred to in his instructions to them in School Meals Service Memorandum No. 25 (Addendum No. 1).

A reasonable price will vary with the type and quality of the potatoes and with other local circumstances; for these reasons my right hon. Friend prefers to leave discretion to local education authorities.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the market for new potatoes has already collapsed, causing consternation to growers in different parts of the country, including Cornwall? Will he think again, and try not to be so mean about this little item?

My right hon. Friend has withdrawn the memorandum limiting the use of potatoes. There is now no limit on the use of potatoes by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to enable the 370 school children in North Wales, who are in need of speech therapy but who are receiving no attention, to receive a proper course of treatment.

I am glad to say that the national shortage of speech therapists is being gradually overcome, and my right hon. Friend is advising local education authorities in North Wales to approach the training institutions direct, in addition to advertising, so that they get more of the newly trained therapists.

Should the shortage of speech therapists continue over a period of a year or two, will the Parliamentary Secretary consider utilising the services of trained elocutionists? I understand that they have had very good results with children who have defects of this kind.

I should like to consider that suggestion. I agree that the situation in Caernarvonshire and Anglesey is particularly serious, and I am anxious to help local authorities to do everything they can to overcome it.

asked the Minister of Education the longest continuous period in which school children have received milk tablets instead of milk; and whether any change has been noted in their nutrition as a result of this.

One small school in an isolated rural area has been using milk tablets for more than a year. There is no evidence of any change in the health of the pupils.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that there are certain valuable nutrients in fresh milk, but which are not in milk tablets in sufficient quantity? Will he very carefully watch the nutrition of children, particularly where, as in this case, milk tablets have been used for a considerable time?

These tablets have been used in this case for some time, because previously no liquid milk was available. A medical officer of health recently visited the school and found no evidence of deterioration in health. In fact, all the children were well nourished, and their general condition and physical development were good, but I appreciate the hon. Member's point, and we will keep a watch on this matter.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on commercial television every night—as I am informed and as I have occasionally seen for myself—there is advertised the need for more people to consume milk? In fact there seems to be a superabundance of milk. In that case, why do we require to use milk tablets at all?

In this and about 80 other cases there are schools to which it is not possible to supply milk at a reasonable price and of a quality sufficiently high for school children.

asked the Minister of Education the result of the inquiries he has made into the use of milk tablets in schools; and, in particular, whether these tablets are consumed by the children under supervision of the teacher as milk is, or whether they are handed to the children to be eaten at any time.

My right hon. Friend has not completed his inquiries but reports received up to date reveal that the consumption of tablets is supervised in the same way as fresh milk.

May I ask the Minister, whose fondness for these milk tablets I realise, if he has ever made a test as to how long it takes him to eat ten tablets and how many glasses of water are necessary to wash down those tablets? Are not all these factors rather significant, if teachers are to be sure that the tablets are consumed in school and not taken home by the children to play with?

Both the hon. Gentleman and I have consumed these tablets and I, no more than he, think a great deal of them. My right hon. Friend's preference is for liquid milk. But there are occasions where that is not possible. In fact, in the schools which have been examined, the tablets have been consumed, not all at once, but in separate issues of five.

If the hon. Gentleman says—and he has said it—that the cause is partly due to the high price of liquid milk, why cannot the Government do something to bring the price down, so that these children can get liquid milk?

This was an issue fully debated in the House—

The hon. Gentleman should take a few arsenic tablets instead of milk tablets.

On a point of order. Has the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) the right to suggest that any Member of this House should be poisoned by arsenic tablets instead of taking milk tablets?

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of the new economies in expenditure on education will come from Wales.

I expect about one-fifteenth of the savings resulting from the increase in the price of school meals, and rather less of that from the raising of fees for further education classes, to come from Wales.

Is the Minister aware that he would not find an educationist throughout the Principality who would agree that these economies are justified? Is he also aware that he is going in the teeth of all considered opinion on education in Wales?

I am not aware of that. When I was in Wales a few days ago, I mentioned school meals, and I was not given the same information as the hon. Gentleman has.

asked the Minister of Education how many of the proposed new schools in Wales will be delayed in construction by his latest economy proposals.

The 44 Welsh school building projects included in the programme approved for the current year will all be subject to a delay of about three months.

Is the Minister saying that there is no opposition to this either? Is he aware that he must be moving in circles of Welsh people who are not known to the rest of us? Would he enlighten us as to where he has been?

Of course, this is disappointing, but there were seventeen other projects in Wales which had not been started on 31st March, and they have to be started before these forty-four.

asked the Minister of Education, when reviewing his plans for the future development of facilities for technological and technical education and further education in Wales, if he will take account of the continued industrial development in the Principality, which will increase the need for such facilities; and if he will make a statement.

I am well aware of the growth of industry in Wales and the importance of ample provision for technical education at all levels. I have recently told the Welsh local education authorities what projects they may start up to March, 1959.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that not only has there been this great industrial development but that he also has to take into account lack of facilities in pre-war years in the relative depression at that time.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will recommend to the Hives Committee that the new quali- fication in technology shall be a degree and not a diploma.

No. The power to confer a degree has become the distinguishing mark of a university.

Will the Minister convey to his learned advisers, who would object if their own professional qualifications were called Dip.Arts., Dip. Sc., M. Dip. and Dip. D., that the granting of degrees in technology would be good not only for euphony but also for parity of esteem in the battle that he, like all of us, hopes to wage for advanced technical education in the immediate future?

I think that we all desire to get parity but that is not quite the same thing as saying that we shall get an exact equality in names.

asked the Minister Education whether he is aware that in London a child ascertained to be maladjusted has to wait about six months for placing in an appropriate school; and whether he will take immediate steps to secure the provision of more places in schools for maladjusted children and the early implementation of the Report of the Committee on Maladjusted Children.

The average waiting period for London children found to need treatment for maladjustment is four months. Some senior boys may have to wait longer. The L.C.C. is opening another day school in September and will provide further boarding places early next year. As regards the last part of the Question, I cannot add to the reply given on 22nd June to my hon. Friend the Member for Walton (Mr. K. Thompson).

Can the hon. Gentleman say how long the wait is to be before he is really going to do something about this? Is he aware that in the meantime many of these children are not only making themselves miserable but are making miserable everybody else in the schools in which they are; and will he bear in mind how long the Committee was in making its Report, and that it is absurd for him to continue putting off this question time after time?

I appreciate the importance of this matter, and the London County Council has, I think, three other schools in mind. There has been an improvement compared with 1951, which is always a good year with which to make a comparison. The waiting period was then six to twelve months and it is now only four months.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools will be postponed as a result of his recent circular imposing a reduction in capital expenditure on new schools in 1956 and 1957.

There are some 750 projects in the 1956–57 programme as previously approved. Most of them will be deferred but in many cases only for a few weeks and generally for less than three months.

When will the Minister stop interfering with the plans of local authorities? Is he not aware that the Government's original proposal to defer starts for three months and then defer them again has only aggravated the problem and not eased it? If he is looking for the real cause of the difficulty, would he consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer and impose some kind of building control on less essential projects?

No, Sir. I am looking forward to the time when the programmes are up-to-date, and I think that they will be as a result of the steps now taken.

asked the Minister of Education in how many of the schools now being built double windows are being provided; and what percentage of the cost of heating he expects to save by this means.

Double windows are being incorporated in one or two new schools. Some saving in annual running costs is to be expected, but not sufficient to cover the additional capital cost of double windows.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise the cooling effect of the large windows which many schools are compelled to have to light the school rooms efficiently all over, and does he realise that, apart from the saving in fuel, the effect of these large windows is to cool the atmosphere and produce an appearance of dampness, not only on the windows but, in some cases, in the rest of the school?

This is a technical problem and my advisers are investigating it very carefully. I understand that the glass industry is continuing research into it, but the present position is as stated in my original Answer.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that many gipsy children of school age are not receiving any education from State or denominational schools and that serious problems arise in later life because of being unable to read or write; and what action he proposes to take in this special limited problem which is not capable of solution by the local education authorities.

Yes, Sir. Local education authorities do what they can but so long as gipsies are gipsies their children's education will be a problem.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate that with the diminution in the number of sites where gipsies can stay for some time, it is impossible to give them education? Is he not further aware that in other European countries special efforts have been made not only for these children but for the adults, and that if he does not do something about this matter they will always remain outcasts?

I do not think that the position is quite so bad as the hon. Gentleman suggests.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the figures?

A survey was made in Kent which showed that a great many of the children were attending school, at any rate in the winter time. We will do our best, but it is very difficult with these people, who care so much for their mobility, to lay hold of the children and get them into the schools.

asked the Minister of Education how many classes there are in Birmingham with more than 40 and 50 children in each class, respectively; what will be the effect upon the present overcrowded conditions at the commencement of the autumn terms if the present rate of recruitment is not improved; and what will be the result upon the academic standards of children.

In January, 1956, there were 2,280 classes with more than 40 pupils, including 50 classes with more than 50 pupils, in primary and secondary schools maintained by the Birmingham local education authority. Naturally, if the number of teachers in post declines the situation will get worse. The solution is to make Birmingham a place where teachers want to go and want to stay.

Is the Minister not aware that the local education authority estimates that by the end of the year they will be more than 1,100 teachers short, and that many secondary school pupils will be on short time, as well as their fathers? Will the Minister, therefore, address himself to the question whether, apart from housing, which in my opinion cannot affect the situation, he can take emergency action which would help to relieve the teachers of having to teach in conditions such as this, which are an outrage on their profession?

I am asking the local authority to substantiate the estimates to which the hon. Member has referred; I am awaiting its report. The one way in which I think Birmingham can help itself in the immediate future is by preventing the wastage from being so large.

asked the Minister of Education how many of the 330 schools included in the 1955–56 building programme but not started by 31st March have now been started; how many he estimates will have been started by the end of the calendar year; and how many schools in the current year's programme will be deferred on account of these arrears.

Of the 330 schools included in the 1955–56 programme but not started by 31st March, 130 had been started by 31st May, and about another 80 have been authorised to start this month. I expect that another 90 will have started by 31st December. As to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I have just given to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd).

Do not these figures reveal a serious state of crisis in the school building programme? Is the Minister not aware that 30 per cent. of the programme which he approved as necessary for last year could not be started in the proper time? What guarantee have we that the programme which he says he has approved for this year will be started with only a few weeks' delay? Is it not a fact that the delays are increasing, and that the only solution is for the Minister to go to the Cabinet and demand an enlarged school building programme?

I believe that the programme of starts now authorised for this year is just about what can be done—[HON. MEMBERS: "That is what the right hon. Gentleman said last year."]—including this carry-over. If, in a year's time, we find that it is possible to do more, we will look at the situation again.

asked the Minister of Education what is now the total number of school projects included in the 1956–57 school building programme.

I expect about 750 school projects to be started in the year ending 31st March, 1957.

Is not that the figure which was originally put into the school building programme for this year? Are there not arrears of 330 projects from last year? Is the Minister really asking the House today to believe that he expects over 1,000 schools to be started in this building year when he could start only about 600 last year?

No. The 750 includes the carry-over from last year.

asked the Minister of Education what representations he has received regarding the inadequacy of the current school-building programme; and what action he will take in response to these representations.

The Association of Education Committees asked me to increase the building programme for 1957–58 beyond the amount promised in Circular 306. I told it that, as explained in the circular, it might be possible to start some further school building in the last six months of that year if inflation had been checked.

Is the Minister aware that the information which he has just given suggested that he was going to approve a programme of only about 440 schools for the year 1956–57, which is scarcely credible? Do not all these exchanges show the necessity for a comprehensive investigation of the position which has arisen concerning the necessity for school building and the position of local education authorities, so that we can ascertain how much larger a programme is necessary to avoid a serious drop in standards?

I think that if the hon. Member studies Circular 306, he will see that what we are doing is pushing out at the end of the current programme approximately the same amount as the carry-over from last year's programme.

asked the Minister of Education what projects in the Warwickshire school building programme will have to be deferred as a result of his recent restrictions upon new primary and secondary schools.

The start of some projects will have to be deferred in accordance with paragraph 2 of Circular 306, but I cannot yet say which, because this will depend on their state of readiness.

Is the Minister not aware that Warwickshire, of all counties, is least able to suffer his axe in this matter? I am sure he is aware that it has a large number of all-age schools. Will he bear that in mind when planning his future economies?

Yes, I am aware of the special difficulties in Warwickshire, and I am glad to say that all the schools which they had not started by 31st March have now been started.

asked the Minister of Education what consultations he has had with representatives of local education authorities in respect of projected economies or suspension of plans.

There have been no such consultations recently.

Do I understand from that reply that the education authority of the Essex County Council has not, in fact, approached the Minister? Can the Minister give an assurance that there will be consultations with the education authorities, in view of the possible economies that have been mentioned?

These were decisions of policy which, I thought, should be taken as soon as possible; but having taken them, I am, of course, always willing to listen to authorities who wish to put their special problems. Indeed, I saw all the authorities together last week at their conference.

asked the Minister of Education if he will look into the matter of school uniforms in schools under his control, with a view to ensuring that a more satisfactory system is operated which will ensure that reasonable standards and prices are observed.

asked the Minister of Education what representations have been made to his Department in recent years in regard to the need for a new policy in respect to the supply of school uniforms in schools under his control.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the wide-spread concern at the high cost of school uniforms especially in areas where the monopoly of supplying school uniforms is vested in one shop; and, in view of the more reasonable prices ruling where several selling points are recognised, if he will circularise all local education authorities requiring them to allow a choice of more than one shop for the purchase of uniforms.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the resentment of many parents at being compelled to buy school uniforms at one particular shop as being wrong in principle and unnecessarily costly in practice; and if he will cause an investigation to be held with a view to a revision of the present policy.

asked the Minister of Education if he will hold an inquiry designed to reduce the problems of manufacturers of school uniforms and consequently the costs of production and to give adequate consideration to the complaints by parents of unsuitable materials, monopoly selling points with unnecessarily high prices and the refusal in some schools under his control to approve garments produced in the home even when of a high standard.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction which exists in regard to the quality and price of school uniforms in schools under his control; and if he will inquire into its cause.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the expense incurred by many parents in the purchase of school uniforms for those children who go to local authority schools; and whether he will consider what action he can usefully take in this matter.

Parents who have cause to complain about school uniforms are quite right to do so, but no representations have been made to me. I am glad to learn that the British Standards Institution is discussing this problem with the manufacturers. I shall keep in touch with the Institution so that I can consider whether there is any action which I can usefully take.

Is the Minister aware that this shocking monopoly racket—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes, it is a shocking monopoly racket—is causing widespread dissatisfaction and anger? Will he re-read the Report of the women's section of the British Standards Institution, which surely indicates the necessity for immediate Government action in this matter?

I am always willing to read that Report, and I think there is something in it, but as the Institution itself is discussing the question with the manufacturers we had better see how it gets on.

Since the Chancellor of the Exchequer is constantly asking for economies and the Minister is constantly practising economies on the children in the schools, will he not consider sending a circular to local education authorities, governors and head teachers, if only for the sake of poor parents like myself—[HON. MEMBERS: "Poor?"]—who have to pay for the uniforms?

What arrangements local authorities have to make grants for uniforms to parents who are poor is another question.

Is the Minister aware that it is extremely difficult for parents to influence schools and local education committees on this problem? It is urgently necessary that the Ministry should hold an investigation and give guidance to local education authorities on this problem if parents are to have the freedom of choice which is their right as consumers and if prices are to be kept under control and standards maintained.

Will the Minister take note of the progressive attitude shown towards this matter in Scotland, where parents have a wide choice as to where they buy school uniforms?

Where is Conservative freedom?

My reply to the hon. Lady is that the investigation is going on. If as a result of it I consider that action should be taken, I assure the hon. Lady that we shall take it. I cannot speak as to the position in Scotland.

The Minister said that he had not had any representations made to him, but as Minister of Education is he not aware of the widespread complaints about school uniforms? If he is not willing to be bothered to go into the problems of harassed mothers, is he ready to have representations made to him, and will he keep an open mind on the matter?

I am aware of it. I have just answered seven Questions together.

That is no answer.

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

I, too, would like to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

The two hon. Members cannot both do it.

asked the Minister of Education whether, with a view to assisting in the anti-litter campaign, he will ask local education authorities to ensure that adequate instruction is given in all schools on this subject.

Local education authorities and schools are very conscious of the importance of this matter, and I am glad to have this opportunity of emphasising it.

Does not the Minister think that there is rather too much official indifference to this very serious national problem? Will he try to use his influence to see that some education is now given on this matter?

I believe that the schools are doing quite a good job on the anti-litter campaign.

asked the Minister of Education what effect Circular 306 will have on overcrowding in secondary modern schools.

As I told the hon. Lady last week, the measures which we have taken are intended to lead to more efficient building; how successful these measures will be depends on general economic conditions which I cannot forecast.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that local authorities evidently do not share his optimism that a slash of £34 million in the school building programme will result in more places being provided? Is he further aware that last week they passed a resolution stating that substantial numbers of children will not have the school accommodation promised by the Government? Is he aware that his optimism is not shared by those who know anything about what is happening?

I think that if the hon. Lady had been at the conference last week she would have found that local education authorities realised that the chances of completing schools in good time were better now than they had been before.

asked the Minister of Education the average size of classes in grammar schools and secondary modern schools, respectively, on the last convenient date.

In January, 1955, the average size of classes in maintained and assisted secondary grammar schools was 27·8, and in secondary modern schools 30·7.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a long time ago—January, 1955? Can he give an assurance that in the coming years, with the increase in the secondary school population, there will be a sharing of the increased numbers by the grammar schools and the secondary modern schools, not only to ensure that there is no overcrowding but also to ensure that the percentage of children going to grammar schools is not decreased?

The figures for January, 1956, will be available in the autumn. I certainly give the hon. Lady the assurance for which she asks. She will, of course, recognise that as there are more sixth forms in grammar schools—forms which are small in numbers—it is probable that the pupil-teacher ratio in grammar schools will always be slightly below that in secondary modern schools, or at any rate for the time being.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what reply he has sent to the 69 members of the Serowe Kgotla who have protested against an order to repair the tribal kgotla and kraal when such an order should only be given by the chief of the tribe.

The law of the Bechuanaland Protectorate provides that a chief, sub-chief, headman or African authority may call on tribal labour for minor communal services. This accords with Tswana law and custom.

No representations have been received except those which the hon. Member forwarded to me.

Do not those representations represent the view of 69 leaders of the tribe? Will not the hon. and gallant Gentleman do something to try to settle this issue about the chieftainship of the tribe, taking advantage of the coming visit of Tshekedi Khama to try to bring about a meeting between him and Seretse Khama on this matter?

The number which the hon. Member quoted is a very small proportion of the tribe, and there is no evidence that the tribe as a whole were opposed to the carrying out of the order. In fact, the new Proclamation of 1956, which was the law I quoted, was drawn up in consultation with and with the support of a committee of the African Advisory Council.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will arrange for the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference to consider raising the status of self-governing Colonial Territories relevant to membership of the Commonwealth in order to avoid invidious distinctions.

It is not the practice to disclose the subjects to be discussed at meetings of Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

Nevertheless, would not the hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that this matter is of very great importance, that the present position is most ambiguous, and that it should therefore be discussed at an early date, in order to give some guidance to those territories which are developing towards complete self-government?

I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state, in cubic feet, the amounts of softwood and hardwood recently released from strategic reserve; and how these figures compare with the previous five years.

About 25 million cubic feet of softwood and 1·8 million cubic feet of hardwood have recently been released for disposal from the strategic reserve. During the previous three years 13·4 million cubic feet of softwood and 0·9 million cubic feet of hardwood were released and sold, mainly in the course of turning over stocks. There were no releases in the preceding two years.

Will my hon. Friend give his assurance that he has consulted the home-grown timber organisation and will continue to do so in future releases?

I have consulted a wide variety of sections of the timber trade about these disposals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he is making to ensure that the release of softwood and hardwood timber, recently authorised from strategic reserve, will not affect the stability of the home market.

The arrangements for the disposal of softwood and hardwood, including the rate and method of disposal, were discussed with the trade. The softwood has been offered for sale by tender in the first instance, and some of the lots for which no acceptable tenders were received have later been sold by negotiation. No softwood has been sold unless the price offered appeared reasonable in present market conditions. Hardwood will be sold in the same way, and today is the last day on which tenders may be submitted.

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that the reserve price of these stocks compares reasonably with the current commercial value in this country?

In consultation with the trade, we have endeavoured to see that these sales do not disturb the ordinary market for wood. I have no reason to think that the trade is dissatisfied with the arrangements which we have made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to promote and encourage the tourist trade in Wales and Monmouthshire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps designed to increase the number of tourists visiting Wales; and if he will make a statement.

The promotion of the tourist industry in any one part of this country is best done by attracting overseas visitors to the country as a whole. The Government gives financial support to the British Travel and Holidays Association for this purpose. The Association contributes to the cost of the overseas publicity done by the Welsh Tourist Board.

Is the President aware that owing to lack of money the activities of the Welsh Tourist Board were severely curtailed last year? Is he aware of the great contribution which tourism can make to the Welsh economy, and in particular towards alleviating the grave unemployment which exists in some parts of the Principality? Will he consult the Minister for Welsh Affairs to see whether something cannot be done to improve matters?

I agree with the hon. Member about the importance of tourism, nowhere more than in Wales and Monmouthshire, but at the same time we are concerned with attracting overseas visitors to this country, and not merely United Kingdom visitors into Wales.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the Welsh Tourist Board has done a remarkable job with very slender resources? Is it not the case that in Scotland the Secretary of State gives substantial help to the Scottish Tourist Board? Would it not be good business to add to the estimated 100,000 overseas visitors who came to Wales last year by giving additional help to the Welsh Tourist Board?

They all leave on Sundays.

I certainly agree that the Welsh Tourist Board has done a good job.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the annual cost of stockpiling timber under the headings of rental, depreciation, and supervision; and what number of parsons are employed in the operations.

It would be contrary to well-established practice to give information of this kind about particular commodities in the stockpile.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that, in view of the great stockpile of timber in the national forests, and in view of the piled timber in timber merchants' yards, it is about time this extravagant expenditure was stopped and a contribution made towards the reduction in Government expenditure of £100 million?

The question of the strategic need for timber is one for the Minister of Defence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will set up a Welsh companies register at Cardiff.

No, Sir. I am not aware of any demand or need for such a step.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of apprehension that companies which have their chief undertakings in London and the Midlands but which also operate in Wales, may be the first victim of any economic and trade difficulties? Is he aware of the views expressed that a Welsh companies' register in Cardiff would encourage firms to have their chief undertakings and offices in Wales?

Most Welsh companies have their shareholders widely spread throughout the United Kingdom, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by having a special register in Cardiff.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of United Kingdom total imports in 1953, 1954 and 1955 were represented by imports from Europe; and what proportion of the United Kingdom exports during 1953, 1954 and 1955 were sent to European countries.

Of imports, 29 per cent. in 1953, 30 per cent. in 1954 and 31 per cent. in 1955. Of exports, 31 per cent. in 1953, and 32 per cent. in both 1954 and 1955.

In view of the growing proportion of our trade both ways with Europe and the fact that this has gone along with increased liberalisation, would the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government intend to take further steps towards liberalisation, as we are now falling behind the other European countries with a lower percentage of about 85 per cent. only?

I think that that is a rather large policy question to hang upon a request for statistical information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to give the propor-

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future of the British Film Production Fund.

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on future film policy, but when I do I would expect that statement to cover the position of the British Film Production Fund.

Is the President of the Board of Trade not aware that there is very considerable disquiet, particularly among our film producers, and could he not now say that if, in October, 1957—when the present agreement comes to an end—no voluntary arrangements can then be made, he will introduce a statutory agreement adequate for the purpose?

No, I prefer not to make a statement in bits. I would rather take advice and make it as a whole.

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

May we expect a statement from the right hon. Gentleman before the House rises at the end of next month?

As I am dependent to some extent on advice which is given to me by the film industry, I should not like to commit myself as to a date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which Government-financed factory in the Scottish Development Area has been approved as a matter of urgency; and what are the seven Government-financed factories which have been deferred.

It would not be proper to disclose details of individual applications. I should perhaps add that, as indicated in reply to the hon. Mem- ber's Question of 13th June, the one application he referred to is not approved but under consideration.

Is the President aware that the Government's decision to halt almost all Government factory building in Scotland is doing the most serious damage to Scottish prospects of employment, and is completely contradictory to the advice given by his own Department's Scottish experts to a Select Committee of this House quite recently?

The Question asked was, which factory is under consideration? As I say, I cannot give the name of it, because it is not our practice to do so. As soon as a decision is reached, I shall be able to announce it.

Does the President realise that before now the Board of Trade has had to give lessons in economic policy to the Treasury, and will he now explain to the Treasury that one does not help the national economy by stopping the building of factories in areas where there is unused labour?

I am bound to say that when all Departments are being asked to economise, it is not unreasonable that expenditure by the Board of Trade on material and labour should be the subject of some economy at the same time.

Are we to understand that the Government's economic policy is run on the principle of fair shares between Departments, without regard to the merits of what is being done?

It is run on the basis of trying to live within our means.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will extend the scope of the Ministry of Labour to include matters affecting automation; and whether he will retitle the Ministry accordingly.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service is already responsible for the effects in the employment field of automation as for other forms of industrial development.

I do not consider that it would be helpful to make one Minister responsible for all the aspects of automation, but I have made arrangements for co-ordination between the Government Departments most concerned. I would be opposed to adding the word "automation" to the title of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service, which is long enough already.

In view of the great crisis in the motor industry, which automation is likely to increase rather than to diminish, would it not be desirable, as a matter of efficiency, that overall responsibility for matters concerning automation—social, industrial and technical—should be brought under one Minister rather than, as at present, be fragmented through a whole variety of Ministers? Does not the present system lead to inefficiency, and prevent the concentration of responsibility which is probably what the Prime Minister himself would like to see?

I do not think that it would help very much to make the changes which the hon. Member suggests. Nor do I think I ought to accept his suggestion that automation is creating the crisis in the motor industry. Most people, I think, would probably agree that the difficulty was competition in export markets.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he will extend the terms of reference of the proposed Select Committee on Procedure so that it will be enabled to consider to what extent the present allowance to Members of Parliament is sufficient to meet the cost of their postage, travel, secretarial, living away from home and other expenses necessarily incurred in carrying out their Parliamentary duties, bearing in mind the Report of the Select Committee on Members' Salaries, the vote of the House on the same, and the rise in the cost of wages, prices, dividends, profits and the costs of services since that date;

(2) whether, as he has decided against granting an increase in the salaries of Members of Parliament, he will consider having a special investigation made into the increase in the costs that have taken place in the last two or three years in the articles and services that a Member has, of necessity, to pay for out of his salary, such as postage, telephones, telegrams, stationery, travel, hotel and living away from home, secretarial, and other expenses, and make a compensating allowance to Members to cover these increased costs.

I regret that I could not agree to these proposals. They would not be consistent with the decision against any immediate increase in the salaries and allowances of hon. Members.

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the only people in the country who have to meet the cost of their postaees, their travelling, the cost of living away from their homes and other expenses connected with their jobs are Members of Parliament? As they cannot, for example, be held in any way responsible for, nor can they control, increased postage costs because of the numbers of people who write to them, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that he should look at this subject and, if he cannot accept the suggestion contained in the Question, suggest some other means of dealing with the problem?

I did explain the other day why it was not possible to do anything at the present time. The reasons have been given and set out, and I cannot add to them now.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain on what constitutional principle he relies in defying a decision taken by this House on a free vote? At the same time, in view of his previous Answer, will he say what he actually means by not being able to do something at the present time? Does he contemplate doing something in the foreseeable future?

As to the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I do not want to be drawn beyond what I have said. As regards the first part, he knows that the decision which I have taken is not inconsistent with decisions that have been taken at other times.

If at any time my right hon. Friend feels inclined to lend a sympathetic ear to these requests, would he at the same time consider the same problems which face the many underpaid and overworked clergy of this country?

asked the Prime Minister what further proposals Her Majesty's Government have for a settlement in Cyprus and the improvement of relations between this country, Greece and Turkey.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the present policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to Cyprus.

I have no statement to make on this subject today.

While it is essential to stop terrorism, can the Prime Minister give a further assurance that he will not wait until terrorism has ceased before making some new move in the situation? Will he further bear in mind that an added complication seems to be the endless speculation that goes on as to what is happening in the Colonial Office—and, indeed, in the Conservative Party?

As regards the internal aspects of the Cyprus question, the hon. Gentleman knows well that after months of negotiation we made an offer which we, and many others, regarded as fair and reasonable but which, most unfortunately, was rejected. The international aspect of the situation is a matter on which I regret I cannot at present make a statement.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea when he will be able to make a statement, because there is, as he knows, very great anxiety and, as the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) has just said, it is desirable to put an end to speculation as soon as possible?

Nobody could take exception to that Question. I wish to make a statement as soon as I can, but, the House will understand, if international negotiations are going on it will be wise to give them any possibility there is of their making some progress. When I feel that either they have arrived at, or are not going to arrive at, some result, I think it would be clearly the Government's duty to report to the House at once. All I can assure the right hon. Gentleman is that we shall not create undue delay in making any statement.

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that it is out of some concept of national strength that the Government are seemingly proposing an international solution to the problem of Cyprus? Does he recall that even France, which was ravished and occupied during the war, has retained her sovereignty to the extent of offering a solution to her North African problem on national lines? Does he realise that doubts in all these grave matters are causing us acute anxiety?

I cannot go beyond what I have said. The international aspect of this matter is one which has to be discussed between Governments, and from time immemorial the responsibility for that rests on Government and this Government certainly intend to discharge it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that quite recently the House was sharply divided on this matter on a Motion of censure moved by Her Majesty's Opposition? Whilst there is speculation all around week after week, does he not realise that we cannot ourselves fail to speculate, if there is so much continued delay?

I think it is perfectly true that there is bound to be speculation when there are international discussions of this character going on. I regret it, but it is quite inevitable. But it would equally be great folly on my part to make an interim statement while those discussions are going on. I do assure the right hon. Gentleman that as soon as I am in a position to do so, I shall naturally wish to tell the House everything I can.

asked the Prime Minister if he will discuss the problem of Cyprus with the Commonwealth Prime Ministers.

It is not the practice to disclose the individual topics for discussion at Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meetings.

Is the Prime Minister not aware that one of the Prime Ministers attending this Conference has had a long and distinguished record in opposing terrorism? Mr. Nehru was for seven years in prison for opposing terrorism. Would not the Prime Minister take advantage of the occasion of Mr. Nehru's visit here to get some good advice on solving the question of Cyprus?

I think there have been various experiences by various countries in this respect; and, so far as I can remember, at the last United Nations meeting India did not vote against the course which we are pursuing in Cyprus.

asked the Prime Minister how many official historians are at present working at the Cabinet offices; and when they will publish the rest of the official history of the past war; and whether this will include a section on the Special Operations Executive.

The official histories of the war are being published in two series—civil and military. In the civil series 17 volumes have been published and four are in the press: seven historians are now engaged in writing the seven outstanding volumes. In the military series five volumes have been published; seven are in the press and 20 historians are now engaged in writing the remaining 19 volumes. It is not possible to say when publication of all the outstanding volumes will be complete. Aspects of the work of the Special Operations Executive will be covered in various volumes of the military histories, according to their subject matter, but it is not proposed to publish separately a general account of the work of this organisation as a whole.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether the official historians have access to the Special Operations Executive files which other historians are not allowed to have?

I do not think that there is anything particularly abnormal in that. I think that the official historians do have access to documents of all kinds, which others may not have.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now state the Government's policy on broadcasting in anticipation of Parliamentary debates.

The Report of the Select Committee, which was published last Friday, is at present under consideration. A little time will be needed before a statement can be made.

Is the Prime Minister aware that, within its terms of reference, the Report of the Select Committee could not have made more clear what the Committee thought of the 14-day rule, and that in fact it is really a lot of mumbo-jumbo? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is in the best interests of the House to throw that mumbo-jumbo through the window?

It is in the best interests of the House that I have a little consultation with hon. Members as to what they wish to be done. That we propose to do before we make any further move.

asked the Prime Minister if, before further requesting trade unionists to forgo wage claims, he will reconsider recent Government measures which are raising the cost of living, such as cuts in the bread and milk subsidy, the imposition of Purchase Tax on necessities, charges on the health service, removal of housing subsidies and higher interest rates on house and school building.

No, Sir. There can be no question of reversing these decisions.

Is the Prime Minister aware of the growing feeling among trade unionists that the Government, unable to cut wages directly because of union strength, are securing the result indirectly by deliberately raising rents, food and other prices? Is it reasonable to expect a man you are clouting on the jaw to offer you his wage packet?

I think that the hon. Gentleman knows, and the whole House will know, that we are now engaged in trying to steady prices for the future. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Yes, certainly we are. That is the best way of sustaining the value of wages.

Can the Prime Minister explain in simple terms why it helps in the battle against inflation to keep rail and coal charges down and push bread and milk prices up?

It is arguable to what extent subsidies form a good permanent part of the economy of the nation.

Is it not a fact that, whereas wages used to chase inflation, we find the curious position now of the inflation chasing after wages?

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent further talks with chairmen of the nationalised industries in regard to stabilisation of charges.