asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a comprehensive staement on the living conditions and accommodation in the Bridge of Don Barracks, Aberdeen, for married and unmarried soldiers, respectively; for how many married soldiers accommodation for their wives and children has not been provided; what steps are being taken to provide accommodation for those wives and children: and when it will be available.

There is accommodation for 40 married soldiers at Bridge of Don. The married quarters are in good condition and, where necessary, modernisation of kitchens, heating and lighting is being carried out this year. There are at present 12 families on the waiting list who will be accommodated as vacancies occur. Meanwhile we are also trying to find private accommodation which is suitable to be rented as a War Department hiring. Families are also encouraged to bring such accommodation to our notice.

About two-thirds of the single soldiers are housed in permanent buildings which are in good condition; the rest are in huts. These huts are being redecorated, and improved heating is planned. Their condition is generally satisfactory.

Is the Minister aware that these barracks have been there for a very long time, and that steps should have been taken long ago to see that married soldiers are not unnecessarily and unwillingly separated from their wives and families, which is bad for their happiness and morale? Will the Minister, therefore, expedite the steps being taken and see that accommodation is provided for married couples?

The hon. and learned Gentleman will realise that in this barracks there is a larger proportion of married quarters to the scale of barracks as a whole than in most barracks.

asked the Secretary of State for War, in view of the decision not to call up National Service men for reserve training during 1957, what future he envisages for the Territorial Army; and whether he will make a statement.

Regarding the general position, I cannot add to the Answer which I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Dudley (Mr. Wigg). But I would like to take this opportunity of saying that we are most anxious to accept as many officers and airmen as possible from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force who may wish to volunteer for the Territorial Army.

I am certainly not pressing the right hon. Gentleman to solve the problem of the Territorial Army in an answer to a supplementary question. But in view of the fact that his Answer amounts to saying that its original function of providing the nucleus of a reserve Army has gone, will the right hon. Gentleman apply himself to telling us, at any rate by the time the Army Estimates are presented, what must be the function of the Territorial Army in our defence set-up? Otherwise I think that there will be great discouragement.

I appreciate what the right hon. Gentleman says, and I can assure him that, as soon as we are in a position to do so, we shall have something to say.

Regarding annual training, can my right hon. Friend say whether, in his opinion, sufficient thought has been given to the small number of Territorials who will be going for annual training, and how difficult it is for units, the establishment of which may be many hundreds, to carry out any sort of training when only a dozen or two go to camp?

Again, I appreciate the difficulties. As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the volunteers will carry out their annual training, and this year training will not be above brigade level.

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Territorial Army has been considerably "mucked about" in the last eighteen months or two years and that it will not survive much more "mucking about." Will the Minister concentrate his mind on the problem of making an announcement, not later than the time of the presentation of the Army Estimates, about what are to be the purposes of the Territorial Army, and how he proposes to carry them out?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that I am giving my mind to this matter, and I will make a statement as soon as possible, but I cannot give a date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish the Report of the Hull Committee.

No, Sir. As I explained in a Written Answer to a Question by the right hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 23rd October, the Report is unsuitable for publication for reasons of security.

In view of the fact that an unauthorised précis of the main conclusions of the Report has appeared in The Times, would it not be wise to let us know at any rate its main features—a bowdlerised version of the Report, or something like that? The present position is unsatisfactory, and we do not know whether The Times report is accurate or not.

The Times was dealing with the changes in organisation, size and shape of the Army which would result from the recommendations of the Report. It did not actually publish details of the Report itself.

Will not my right hon. Friend reconsider his decision in this matter, because it is really difficult for hon. Members to have a worthwhile opinion on this important subject without information? As to security, surely my right hon. Friend could exclude anything that was particularly secret?

I will consider that. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this Report was never intended for publication. It was intended as a confidential guide for the Army Council when it came to consider the future size and shape of the Army.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that The Times report purported to give the conclusions of this Report? Surely we ought to have before us some statement from the War Office which will tell us whether that is correct or not, and give us the main outline.

"Purported", the House will have noticed, is the word which the right hon. Gentleman used. I will consider the matter carefully.

asked the Secretary of State for War when Nikalaos Camp, Famagusta, was first established; what proportion of the troops stationed there are accommodated in tents; and for how much longer it is intended that this camp shall be occupied.

There are three camps in the vicinity of Nikalaos. These were established in 1946, 1949 and 1951 respectively. Nearly all of the living accommodation consists of tents with concrete bases and electric light; messes, cookhouses, offices, and stores are mainly in huts; but some brick buildings have also been put up. Plans are in hand to replace this temporary accommodation by permanent barracks.

How is it that the Royal Air Force camps immediately adjacent to these camps consists, although it has only been established for two years, entirely of barrack-block accommodation? Why is the Army always so much worse treated?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that we had to give priority to units moved from the Canal Zone.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action has been taken during the last three months to improve the ablution and latrine accommodation at Nikalaos Camp, Famagusta.

The provision of additional ablution and latrine accommodation at one of the camps at Nikalaos was approved at the beginning of this month and work will be started shortly.

Does my hon. Friend expect that there will be a considerable improvement? The information given to me by his predecessor last December indicated that people had to go two hundred or three hundred yards from their sleeping accommodation to get to this latrine and ablution section?

I understand that improvements are already in hand and that some have already been carried out. I will bear in mind what my hon. Friend says.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the generals, lieutenant-generals and major-generals, respectively, on the active list of the British Army, are commanding formations; how many are employed at the War Office; and how many are not employed on any specific duties.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many generals, lieutenant-generals and major-generals are now on the active list; and how many of these hold commands.

One hundred and forty-eight officers of the rank of major-general or above are on the active list; 43 are in command; 40 are at the War Office; 51 are holding staff appointments elsewhere; 6 are on leave before retirement and 8 on leave between appointments or not yet appointed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the proportion of senior officers—major-generals and above—who are not holding commands is very high? Is it not time that some pruning was done in those ranks, because the proportion, if I am not incorrect, is higher than it was before the war, taking into account the size of the Army?

There must obviously be a considerable number of generals in directing posts at the War Office, but I assure the right hon. Gentleman that I will see that the number is kept down to the minimum.

Can my right hon. Friend not answer my Question in the form in which I asked it, that is, to give me the details of the three different ranks and to say whether there are not far too many still employed?

That would involve a great number of figures [HON. MEMBERS: "Three."] No, it would be far more than that. It would be a very long reply, but I will see that my hon. Friend gets those figures.

What are 40 major-generals doing at the War Office? Will not the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter, and not seek to evade the issue by telling the House that these major-generals are engaged in direction of one kind or another? What are they actually doing?

I do not know how many there were in the right hon. Gentleman's time, but I think there was a considerable number. I assure him that I have every intention of keeping the numbers down.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the Army is holding ten years' stock of blanco.

No blanco has been bought since 1951—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]—and the accumulation of stock is due to reduced rate of consumption which was not foreseen at the time of the last purchases.

While appreciating the cleverness of the Secretary of State's reply, may I ask whether something cannot be done to dispose of the stock in a more useful way? While appreciating, too, the action taken to reduce consumption, may I ask whether the Secretary of State will also take action to get rid of some of the surplus stock?

My reply was not clever; it was factual. I am taking steps to see that some of this very large accumulation of stock, bought in 1951, will be released.

Does not this large Socialist investment in blanco demonstrate the firm belief of the Opposition in the merits of "bull"?

Are not the large stocks of blanco purchased by the Labour Government still in good condition?

I will give that one to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for War what action he is taking to stop the accumulation of surplus stocks in the Army.

So far as possible, surplus stocks are being used to reduce the need for current purchases. Meanwhile urgent arrangements are being made to dispose of all items which are no longer needed. New orders are being related to our revised requirements.

Has the Secretary of State studied the Third Report of the Select Committee on Estimates, with particular reference to the statement that it was the policy in the War Office to spend up to the hilt? Will he pay attention to that fact, and possibly issue some directive that if Parliament is asked to vote more money than is necessary for the accumulation of stocks there will not be irresponsible spending in his Department?

As I explained to the right hon. Member for Easington (Mr. Shin-well) last week, I am not satisfied with the general position and am going into the matter personally. Everything possible is done to dispose of unnecessary stocks.

Is there any connection between the accumulation of surplus major-generals and the accumulation of surplus stocks?

It should be in a reverse direction.

The right hon. Gentleman has said two weeks running that he was not satisfied about this position. Is he aware that, following very strong representations from this side of the House last year, the then Prime Minister said that he would hold a special inquiry into the whole subject and that the inquiry was put into the hands of the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, now the Prime Minister? Does the answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman considers that the present Prime Minister's inquiries have proved quite abortive?

It does not mean anything of the sort. I want to see that proper decisions are arrived at. I hope to deal with this matter in my Estimates speech, which will be in a fairly short time.

Does the Minister's earlier statement mean that much of this stock will be sold back to the suppliers, or that it will be put on the market so that the taxpayers, who have already paid once for it, may have a chance of buying cheaply items such as binoculars and bicycles?

The method of disposal must depend upon the type of commodity involved.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends to reduce the stock of 346,568 chairs held by his Department.

Surplus chairs will be disposed of as soon as possible.

What is being done about it? Does the hon. Gentleman not know that these chairs exist? Why does he not get on with the job now instead of saying he is going to do it as soon as possible? Is he aware that even if the whole of the Armed Forces wanted to stage a "sit-down" strike, there would still be too many chairs?

The actual surplus for disposal is only between 80,000 and 90,000. The hon. Gentleman will know that even the most active soldier has to sit down sometimes.

Although the whole House will approve of it, can my hon. Friend say for what particular crime the hon. Colonel the Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) has been reduced to the ranks?

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the cost of removing cubicles from the other ranks sleeping accommodation at Harper Barracks, Ripon; and whether the expenditure was authorised with his knowledge and consent.

This partitioning was removed by members of the unit at no cost, and I am told that it has been successful in improving lighting and heating. Authority for the work was given by the local headquarters who are empowered to do this without consulting my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this separate-cubicle sleeping accommodation was instituted in these barracks in order to provide amenities for the troops, and that at the first opportunity, before it is given a trial, it is removed, without consultation with the War Office? Is not this a gross waste of public money? Will the hon. Gentleman inquire into the state of morale in this unit? I can assure him that, according to my sources of information, many young men who would have undertaken a Regular engagement because they wanted to be Regular soldiers, were put off by the treatment which they received.

I am told that the change has resulted in improvements in lighting and heating. I will make inquiries into the state of morale. I find it hard to believe that people could have been put off recruiting on account of these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the weekly sum he is now spending on Cyprus; and his proposals for economy.

The extra weekly cost of maintaining British soldiers at present stationed in Cyprus in that theatre instead of in the United Kingdom is about £85,000. Any economy must depend on developments in Cyprus and, in particular, the restoration of internal security.

Is the Minister aware that there might have been another £85,000 cost a week if his hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State had had his way? Could he persuade his hon. Friend to use his powerful influence in the Government to get our troops removed from Cyprus, because, with our commitments in Jordan having gone—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."1 —and with Cyprus being comparatively useless as a base, the time has come to reconsider its liquidation as a base?

The hon. Member's assumptions are always very difficult to follow, and this one is particularly difficult to follow. All I can say is that the troops are doing a good job of work there, and have been extremely successful in the last six months in their operations against the terrorists.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement about the future of the United Kingdom Prospect Garrison stationed in Bermuda.

We are reviewing all the Army's overseas commitments, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement about any particular overseas garrison.

When the Minister considers this Question, will he please bear in mind, most seriously, that this small garrison in Bermuda should not be looked at only in the light of its military or strategic value? Bermuda is an island intensely loyal to this country, but already perforce looks towards America in its economy, and its defence is largely carried out by the United States. Hence would it not be very wrong and foolish further to weaken its symbolic ties with this country, more particularly as only recently Admiralty House, which has been there for over a couple of centuries in what was one of our oldest naval outposts overseas, was removed? If what I have said does not convince my right hon. Friend, will he further bear in mind the folly of risking weakening any further our ties with a country that contributes one-tenth annually of all the dollars into the sterling area, much to the benefit of this country?

I will certainly bear in mind the points that my hon. Friend has mentioned.

rose—

Order. Surely we have spent enough time on this Question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in converting and modernising existing accommodation suitable for married quarters at Maryhill Barracks; his plans for the future of this depot; whether it is to be retained by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

The modernisation of 38 married quarters is almost completed and a start will shortly be made on 29 more. I cannot, at this stage, say anything about the future of Maryhill Barracks, as this depends on the general view of the Army's future needs, which is now taking place.

But can the hon. Gentleman not confirm that this depot was to be removed to Cardross? If that is so, can he not go a little further than he has done in his reply, and give a little more information?

It is perfectly true that there was a proposal originally to build a new barracks for the depot of the Highland Light Infantry at Cardross and to move the other occupants of Maryhill Barracks elsewhere; but all work on the Cardross scheme has been suspended, and I do not believe it will be revived, although that is awaiting decision.

Would not the Minister confer with the Secretary of State for Scotland, who yesterday in this House made an appeal for industry to get outside Glasgow altogether? Why has this building at Cardross not been proceeded with, because it would be an opportunity for the Government to give a lead to industry by removing Maryhill Barracks from Glasgow altogether?

I will certainly consult my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of equipment and stores remaining in Egypt which belong to the United Kingdom; and what arrangements are being made for their return.

About 2,700 vehicles, 18,000 tons of ammunition and approximately 120,000 tons of other stores. Their return or compensation for them is a matter for discussion with the Egyptian Government in due course.

Has the Minister any hope that any of this material will be returned, and can he say whether any of the material is of any value?

A lot of it is of very considerable value. I cannot forecast what negotiations will, in fact, take place with the Egyptian Government.

Can my right hon. Friend say how much the stores are really worth?

I have given an answer to that question earlier. The value is something in the neighbourhood of £60 million.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, before any further purchases of stores are made by his Department, he will take steps to ensure that requirements are not available in depots at home and overseas.

This is already done.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman has now taken an inventory of all the stores and stocks in the possession of the War Office, because unless he has done so, how does he know what he has?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, stocks at central depots are taken into account. Command depots at home and abroad review their stocks frequently and report surpluses to the central depot.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to make a statement giving details about the reduction in size of the British forces in Germany; and what reduction of expenditure will result.

I cannot yet make any statement.

Does the Minister realise that the country would welcome a statement to the effect that our troops were being withdrawn from Germany? Does he not read the powerful leading articles in the Daily Express on this matter, and is he so far behind public opinion?

I do read the powerful leaders in the Daily Express, but I cannot, in answer to a Question, prejudge the result of any discussions at present going on with the Western European Union and with other Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will issue instructions that when Service men serving at home or overseas are admitted to hospital seriously ill, the next of kin is immediately informed.

Instructions already provide for the next of kin to be informed as soon as possible after a soldier has been placed on the dangerously or seriously ill list in a military or civil hospital at home or abroad.

Arising out of that reply, would the Under-Secretary of State see that these instructions are carried out by the military authorities? A soldier constituent of mine was dangerously ill in a military hospital in Gibraltar, and his mother and father were never informed about it. I hope that instructions will be issued to the military authorities.

I am aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers, and indeed I am writing to him about it, as I have just had information from Gibraltar about the circumstances. In fact, the soldier was not placed on the dangerously ill list; but perhaps the hon. Gentleman would await the letter that I am writing to him before he forms a final judgment on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the total effect to date of the Regular engagement of three years with the Colours and four years with the Reserve upon Army manpower.

One hundred and six thousand eight hundred and ninety-four men enlisted on this engagement between its introduction in November, 1951, and the end of 1956. About 40,000 of these men are still serving. Some of them have already served for more than the three years for which they originally enlisted. The percentage figures of those who have re-engaged so far are already known to the hon. Gentleman.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman. I am aware of the rate of prolongation, but have he and his staff judged the effect on the Army manpower position resulting from the rate of prolongation being 5 per cent. as against his predecessor's estimate of 33⅓ per cent.? What is the right hon. Gentleman going to do about it? Is it not time to go back on the three-year engagement and endeavour to get men to enlist for four or five years, because does he not agree that so long as this engagement continues, we are condemned indefinitely to a system of National Service?

I think that this engagement has been disappointing, and I am now examining the whole question of future Regular service engagements.

asked the Secretary of State for War the average number of Regular recruits per annum the Army expects to recruit in the future, apart from those entering on engagements of three years with the Colours and four years with the Reserve, and the average number of years it is anticipated such recruits will serve.

Assuming present conditions and existing terms of service, I estimate that about 23,000 men will enlist during the next financial year on engagements other than three years with the Colours and four years with the Reserve, and that the average length of service of such recruits will be about five years. I am not prepared to forecast further ahead.

Would not the Minister agree that, on the basis of those figures, this country is foredoomed, in spite of fantastic expenditure, to a Regular Army of under 100,000 other ranks? Surely he and his colleagues must do something about this immediately.

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's forecast; I do not think that it bears any relation to the truth.

asked the Secretary of State for War what redundancy there will be amongst senior and junior officers on the active list as a result of proposals by Her Majesty's Government to reduce overseas commitments.

I cannot vet make a forecast.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the continued, inspired Press reports about withdrawal of our troops from positions overseas is bound to have a deleterious effect on many of the junior and senior officers, who must be anticipating some distribution of bowler hats? Therefore, does he not consider that he ought to make a statement to this House as early as possible, and not later than his presentation of the Army Estimates?

I cannot give any definite date as to when I shall be able to make a statement on the subject, but I understand and sympathise with what the right hon. Gentleman says, and I can assure him that there will not be unnecessary delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the interests of economy, he will discontinue the military guard at the Bank of England.

No, Sir.

Is it not time that this antiquated bit of mumbo-jumbo should be ended? Could not the City of London Police adequately look after what is left of our gold and dollar reserves?

No, Sir, I think it would be a pity to do away with what is really an ancient tradition. It has been going on since 1780, and not all things which have been going on since 1780 are necessarily bad. What is more, as I think the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) knows, this traditional duty is popular with the men who perform it because they receive a special allowance.

In view of the hopes of financiers associated with preserving the traditions of the City of London, will my right hon. Friend set his mind against any abolition of such traditions as this?

My hon. Friend will have heard the Answer to the Question.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to adhere to his decision, for Londoners—and he knows that I am a Londoner—like this little bit of colour? What is more, this little bit of colour in our streets is of as much value to the forces as the retention of military titles by some people.

I entirely agree with the right hon. Gentleman. Once again, he has said what he really thinks, irrespective of whether it is popular.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the formulae of all powders and liquids sold for temporary flame proofing of clothing must be shown on the bottle or packet.

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware of the danger of allowing these packets to be issued containing substances of supposed flame-resisting qualities unless full explanation is available to the public, because in many cases if these formulae are used only once or twice the garments on which they are used become more dangerous if the use of the same formula is not continued?

I have considered this matter carefully. Apart from other considerations, publication of the formula by itself would not in fact help the housewife.

is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the most widely advertised preparations of this kind consists very largely of boric acid and thus carries with it the risk of borax poisoning, particularly dangerous to infants? If he cannot introduce legislation, will he expedite the preparation of a British Standards Specification of flammability, so that housewives may know what they are really buying?

Borax does not appear as a poison in the Poisons List under the Pharmacy and Medicine Act, 1941. As regards standards of flammability, the British Standards Institution is pressing on with this important work as fast as it can.

May I refer the hon. Gentleman to an article in the Lancet of 4th February, 1950, which does suggest that this preparation really is dangerous?

I have not seen the article. If the right hon. Gentleman would care to let me see a copy, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the tariffs which now protect the British motor industry from the imports of cars from factories in the Common Market countries; and if he will give a table showing the estimated ex-tariff list prices in Britain of six popular European models compared to list prices presently charged.

Motor cars manufactured in the Common Market countries are liable on importation to a Customs duty of 30 per cent. ad valorem. I cannot provide the table of prices requested as it would disclose the terms of trading of individual firms.

If the Minister of State cannot give us the actual figures, could he tell us whether in fact the prices so charged would mean that competition would probably considerably reduce the labour force in the car industry in this country over the next five or ten years?

It is dangerous to make any speculative generalisations about these matters. The adjustment of prices consequent upon any removal of duty would, of course, be a matter for the trade.

Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that wages in the French motor industry are 25 per cent. lower than British wages and that the motor industry there is more highly automatic, so that, if Britain is to enter into the Common Market, so far as the motor industry is concerned it can only be under conditions of proper planning and suitable division of labour, because otherwise the results will be disastrous?

All these and other relevant considerations are, of course, borne in mind; but the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that negotiations for an industrial Free Trade Area would be an overall operation rather than one conducted industry by industry.

In view of the obvious fears felt by the workers of Coventry and Birmingham arising from the proposed Free Trade Area, will my right hon. and learned Friend and his right hon. Friend the President discuss the problem with the trade unions affected before a final decision is arrived at?

Very wide-ranging discussions are going on; but I would remind my hon. Friend and the House that though there may be grounds for apprehension there are also advantages to be seen. We need to look at these things with the eyes of faith as well as of fear.

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain to the House what special consideration the Government have given or are giving to the effect any such plan as a Common Market might have on the Lancashire cotton industry? Would he assure the Lancashire cotton industry that, whatever the advantages may be to other people, it will not be expected to pay the cost of them?

I think I should be at risk of incurring your displeasure, Mr. Speaker, if I replied about the cotton industry in response to a Question about the motor car industry.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that many people think that the British motor industry is in need of a little active competition from the Continent?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present tariff which protects the knitting needle and fishing tackle industry in Britain from competition from the Common Market countries.

The present import duty on hand knitting needles is 17½ per cent. ad valorem. There is no single rate of duty for fishing tackle, the principal duties on which are 15 per cent. for reels and steel rods, 20 per cent. for iron or steel hooks, and 25 per cent. for most other types of fishing tackle used by anglers.

If this Free Trade Area is created, is it not fairly obvious that the knitting needle industry of the Midlands will face very severe competition from German firms, and is the Minister doing anything about trying to direct some alternative industry into the areas which will be hardest hit as a result of the Free Trade Area?

The hon. Gentleman must appreciate that all this is a long-term proposition. One thing that British industry cannot in any event do is to contract out of the necessity of competition which nature imposes upon it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list the 12 heaviest in incidence of the British protective tariffs which will need to be progressively reduced following the creation of the European Free Trade Area: and if he will also list the 12 most substantial tariff barriers to our exports to this Area which will similarly have to go.

As the Answer is necessarily long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

While not denying the need to face and overcome competition, may I ask the Minister whether it is not also perfectly clear that, in the next decade or so, some industries are going to have to contract in order that other industries may successfully expand? Will he say what steps he proposes to take to take care of the dislocation which his action is going to create? Is he planning that carefully, and will he encourage industries which will be expanding to take the place of industries which are contracting, in order to be able to use up the labour of those industries which will become redundant?

All these are very interesting questions but they do not arise from the Question on the Order Paper, which is purely for information regarding the incidence of certain protective tariffs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will initiate discussions with Rumania and Eastern Germany with a view to negotiating a commercial agreement with these countries.

As regards Rumania, I have nothing to add to the Answer given by the then President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for Morpeth (Mr. Owen) on 4th December last. As to East Germany, as my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member on 31st January, Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the East German authorities as the Government of the Soviet Zone of Germany.

Is the Minister aware that most countries in Europe, including West Germany, do not recognise that Government but are nevertheless trading with them? One of the biggest trading countries of Europe is, in fact, doing very well out of it. Why should not we, without any political ties, at least do some trade, because we might thereby get rid of some of our motor cars and some of the other goods which we now have difficulty in disposing of?

We are doing trade with East Germany. Last year, our imports from East Germany totalled £2,400,000 and our exports rather more than £1,500,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which duties levied on goods coming from countries outside the proposed Free Trade Area it is permanently impossible to increase by reason of the provisions of Article XXIV, paragraph 5, section B of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

None, Sir. But we would, of course, still be committed to countries outside the Free Trade Area in respect of duties already bound in our tariff negotiations under the General Agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the effects of the proposed European Free Trade Area on British trade with Commonwealth countries.

I see no reason why the industrial Free Trade Area we have proposed should adversely affect our trade with other Commonwealth countries.

Whilst wishing this new proposal well, may I ask whether it would not mean that goods from the countries in the European Common Market would get more easily into the Commonwealth and thereby affect British trade?

What is proposed is an industrial Free Trade Area in Europe. The bulk of our Commonwealth trade would be excluded from its scope under the proposed exclusion of agriculture and foodstuffs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what safeguards for British industry and agriculture will be embodied in the proposed treaty for a European Free Trade Area, and what protection or compensation will be provided for any workers who may be displaced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that Britain will not agree to enter the Common Market unless agricultural products and food are expressly excluded from the arrangements.

Detailed negotiations have not yet begun and I cannot at this stage add to the statement of the Government's general approach as set out in the Memorandum to O.E.E.C. (Cmnd. 72). The Memorandum clearly stipulates that agricultural products and food should be excluded from the scope of the proposed industrial Free Trade Area.

In the pending negotiations, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind the valuable experience gained in connection with the Coal and Steel Community, where certain safeguards have been successfully operated?

Yes, Sir. I am sure that we shall have the experience of the Coal and Steel Community in mind.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend two questions? Will it not be difficult for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to guide and co-ordinate the working party with regard to agriculture, in which he will be representing a country in a minority of one? Secondly, is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there are countries throughout the length and breadth of the Commonwealth that would like him to give a categorical assurance today on the question of agriculture and food?

As to the second part of that question, I do not think I can usefully add to the Answer which I have already given. In regard to the first part, I have every confidence in the capacity of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in this and all other matters.

In view of the quite unsatisfactory lack of assurance in reply to my Question, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what preference is enjoyed by Commonwealth countries in regard to exporting their products to this country; and what benefits they give to imports from this country.

Almost all Commonwealth exports to this country are admitted free of protective duty and in addition many of them have the benefit of a tariff preference over foreign goods. United Kingdom exports to Commonwealth countries do not enjoy a corresponding exemption from protective duties, but a large proportion enjoy significant, and in some cases substantial, margins of preference.

Is the Minister doing what he can to achieve reciprocity between the Commonwealth countries and this country in this respect?

As the hon. Member, with his experience of these matters, will be aware, we do not measure reciprocity in trade industry by industry or country by country, but look at the totality of our trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Register of Restrictive Trade Practices is yet open to inspection by the public.

No, Sir. I understand that after the close of the first registration period on 28th February, the Registrar will need a little time in which to examine and classify the information which will have been sent to him before he opens the Register.

Is the Minister aware that members of the public who have recently called on the Registrar have been told that no single agreement has yet been inscribed on the Register? As it is now six months since the Act was passed, does this not bear out the fears of the Opposition that the whole of this procedure would be much too slow?

No, Sir. If what the right hon. Gentleman says be the case, I would assume that it is gratifying confirmation that a number of restrictive practices are in the course of being abandoned or revised, thus fulfilling the hopes which we held out to the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Japanese Machinery Floating Fair, consisting of a large vessel of 10,000 tons refitted for this purpose, is travelling around the South-East Asian countries exhibiting Japanese machinery and machine tools of all descriptions; and if he has considered adopting similar methods to exhibit British manufactured goods in that and other areas.

When similar proposals have been examined in the past, it has been found that British industry did not consider a floating exhibition the most effective way of displaying its products and was unlikely to give adequate support. Our commercial officers in South-East Asia are, however, reporting on the results achieved by the Japanese venture and I shall seek the views of my Exhibitions Advisory Committee on their reports.

Is the Minister aware that the Japanese attribute very great importance to this market in South-East Asia? They have already doubled their 1939 production. They have produced the largest super-tanker in the world, whereas we are doing nothing. We are only spending money on a war in the jungle instead of doing something to improve our trade.

There are difficulties and disadvantages connected with this form of exhibition; but I assure the hon. Member that as soon as I get the reports I will take the expert view of the Exhibitions Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the fire at the Jaguar car works, Coventry, on 12th February last; and, as this firm is one of Britain's major dollar earners, if he will make a statement upon the estimated effect on exports.

I know that the House will join with me in expressing sympathy with this virile and enterprising company in the blow which has befallen it. I cannot assess the effects on exports, but I am confident that the company will do all it can to minimise them. I am informed there have been no cancellations of export orders for Jaguar cars and that production has already started again.

Hear, hear.

Is the Minister aware that we in Coventry are very proud of this firm and would like to join with him in the tributes paid to management and to workers alike in face of this disaster? Is he also aware, however, that it means that 2,000 more workers in Coventry are now on short-time, because the firm is working three days a week for each section? Will the Minister join with the Minister of Supply in trying to see whether extra contracts cannot be sent to Coventry to help to mitigate this further disaster?

I certainly have the last part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question in mind. The management of the Jaguar company is, however, planning to reabsorb these workers and to start a staggered three-day week for that purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade approximately to what extent exports from and imports to this country now suffer from delay in delivery owing to suspension of commerce through the Suez Canal.

The rerouting of shipping round the Cape led to a delay in arrival of certain imports in November and part of December. Arrivals in January, however, apart from oil supplies, were at a very high level, and it would appear that much of the initial delay has been made good. Taking the three months November-January together, the total volume of imports, excluding oil, showed little change from the average of the first ten months of 1956.

Export shipments up to the end of January have been only very slightly affected by shipping delays, although their delivery abroad will, of course, in certain cases take somewhat longer.

To what extent has the delay, such as it is, been reflected in the prices both of exports and of imports?

I cannot give the hon. Member a precise figure unless he is good enough to put that Question on the Order Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the terms of reference of the Departmental Committee on Hallmarking appointed by him include the examination of labour relations and conditions of labour in assay offices.

No, Sir, but I have no doubt that the Departmental Committee will consider conditions of labour in so far as they affect the issues covered by the Committee's terms of reference.

Does the hon. Gentleman not agree that it is desirable that labour relations and labour conditions should be considered by the Committee?

I think that is another question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent exports and re-exports from this country to China and to other Asian countries have increased in 1956 compared with 1955; whether this market continues to expand; what further action has been taken to ensure that appropriate commodities for export to those areas comply with the stipulations and characteristics desired by the importers: and in particular what are the exports and re-exports of rubber and rubber goods.

United Kingdom exports and re-exports to China increased from £7·9 million in 1955 to £10·8 million in 1956, and to the principal Asian countries from £351 million to £415 million between those years. Exports and re-exports of rubber and rubber manufactures to China and to the other countries were £12,844 and £8·5 million in 1956.

With permission, I will circulate the figures for the principal Asian countries in the OFFICIAL REPORT, from which the hon. Member will see that our experience in the individual countries has differed. I am confident that United Kingdom exporters will take advantage of all the opportunities offered by these important markets and that they are well aware of the need to pay full attention to the requirements of their customers.

Is the Minister of State aware that he has not fully answered the penultimate part of my Question, and that there are some exports which do not comply with the requests and desires of the purchasers? Is anything done by his Department about that matter?

If the hon. Gentleman has specific instances of those, perhaps he would be good enough to let me know, and I will look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the particular action he is taking regarding protection against repossession afforded to hirers of caravans which serve as a home where the hirer is unemployed or on short time.

Although the protection against repossession afforded to hirers of residential caravans by the Hire-Purchase Acts applies only to agreements under which the hire-purchase price does not exceed £300, I have no evidence that unwarranted repossessions are taking place where the agreement is not covered by the Acts, and I do not consider any change in the limit to be necessary.

While, for a change, expressing my appreciation to the Minister for what the Board of Trade did for a constituent of mine at such short notice, and while thanking the headquarters of United Dominions Trust for the action which it took, may I ask the hon. Gentleman if he would not agree that his answer scarcely tallies with the fact that the local office threatened to take repossession of the caravan of a man who is out of work, who is on National Assistance, whose wife is expecting a baby, and who has already paid more than £400 out of some £500? Does he not think that should be stopped?

I appreciate the kind remarks of the hon. Lady. I have looked into this case very carefully; I think that there has been some misunderstanding, and I have reason to believe that matters will proceed satisfactorily in the future in this case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the relationship in value between wool textiles exported from the United Kingdom to Italy and similar goods imported from that country in 1956.

In the year ended 31st December, 1956, the value of United Kingdom exports of woollen and worsted fabrics to Italy was £1·9 million while imports were valued at £4 million.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the large volume of imports of cheap Italian cloth is causing concern in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and will he and his right hon. Friend investigate thoroughly this problem and take it into account when considering further the question of a European Common Market?

Certainly the position of this industry and others is taken into account, but the hon. Gentleman will be aware that in the totality of our trade we export far more of these commodities than we import.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the offer to take over Booth's Distilleries, Buchanan-Dewar, James Buchanan and Company, John Dewar and Sons, John Haig and Company, John Walker and Sons, and White Horse Distillers; and, in view of the importance of these firms to our export trade, what action he proposes to take.

No, Sir. I have seen references in the Press to a reorganisation of share capital, but that does not seem to call for any action on my part.

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that his Answer will sorely disappoint consumers who are paying 36s. a bottle for whisky, and who would be glad if he would use this opportunity of referring the whole question to the Monopolies Commission? Does he realise that the firm offering the take-over made a profit of £19 million last year, £10 million of which it distributed in profits. and that Johnny Walker, one firm concerned, recently paid a dividend of 135 per cent.? Does he not think that the whole question of whisky production should be carefully considered by the Government?

The broader issues outlined by the hon. Gentleman in his long supplementary question are quite outside the terms of his original Question. All that is going on is a simplification of the group capital structure of the parent and subsidiary companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take on the Monopolies Commission Report on the Radio Valve and Electronic Tube Industry; and whether he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has noted the findings of the Monopolies Commission as a result of its two-year examination of the electronic valve and cathode-ray industry; and if he will make a statement.

The Commission was asked to report on the facts only, and it therefore reached no conclusions on the effects of any of the industry's arrangements on the public interest. There is no provision for action under the Monopolies Act, 1948.