asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the committee looking into the problems of meat and livestock; what details he can give of what is going on in this connection; and who on the committee is putting the housewives' point of view.

The Committee has made a general survey of research work already being done in relation to meat and livestock and has reached certain provisional conclusions on the most pressing problems for further investigation. I understand that it is now working out a plan of co-ordinated research, together with proposals for improvement of existing research facilities. The interests of housewives are represented directly on the Committee by Mrs. Hilda Whitlow, who is a housewife and a journalist.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what development has taken place, or is contemplated, in exploiting the advantages of frozen milk in respect of transportation and its use in places where fresh milk in not readily available.

I understand that the National Research Development Corporation, which is responsible for the commercial exploitation of this process, has licensed two firms to produce frozen milk, Small quantities are being sold to some shipping lines.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bring to the attention of the Minister of Education the fact that frozen milk will be much more desirable than the milk tablets which are being given to children in districts where it is difficult to transport liquid milk?

I will bear the hon. Gentleman's suggestion in mind. He will know that at present the freezing of milk is quite a costly process and involves special facilities for storage which are not generally available. It has a limited application at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food what progress has been made by the Food Standards Committee in respect to considering the necessity for more regulations to govern the composition of flour and bread in the consumers' interests.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Sunderland, North (Mr. Willey) on Monday last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that all precautions are now being taken to ensure that the flour will not be less than 70 per cent. extraction, and that it contains an adequate amount of protein and all the nutrients needed for the safety of the consumer?

We are in a very much better position to ensure that flour is of the composition that it should be than we were some time ago. The recent change has helped considerably in that direction.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Runciman Committee on Horticultural Marketing.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Malden (Mr. B. Harrison) on 28th January.

When may we expect to hear from my right hon. Friend on this matter?

In that reply, I said that the proposals would require a good deal of consideration by the interests involved, and then I shall hope to have consultation with all those interests. I said in my recent reply that I hoped that the Government would be in a position to announce their views on the main proposals before the Summer Recess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking in order to prepare the way to implement Section 28 of the White Paper, Long-term Assurances for Agriculture, and to prevent the further creation of uneconomic farming units by the splitting up for speculative purposes of sound agricultural properties.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill) on Wednesday, 30th January, which amplifies the statement in the White Paper.

Is it not a fact that it might be wasteful to spend money upon uneconomic holdings under the scheme in Section 28 when the holdings ought to be amalgamated, and there might be a waste of public money? Has the Minister considered that point?

I could not agree more with what the hon. Gentleman has said. I am very anxious that we should adopt proper standards about the minimum holdings that would be regarded as economic, otherwise public expenditure would be wasted. In that connection I would remind the hon. Gentleman that we have said that in the case of an amalgamation of two or more holdings which are separately uneconomic and together might make an economic holding we would include certain of the expenses ancillary to amalgamation as eligible for grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent retail milk sales have been affected by the removal of the subsidy on 1st January last and the increase of ½d. a pint in the price charged to consumers.

It is provisionally estimated that liquid milk sales for January, 1957, were about 1·2 per cent. less than they were in January, 1956.

Does my right hon. Friend take the view that this very insignificant fall is a temporary one and that it is a very encouraging sign of resilience in public demand, even when realistic rather than subsidised prices are charged?

I hope very much that consumption will rise. If the general public will follow my example and drink as much milk as I do per day, there should be no further trouble for years to come.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most people do not enjoy the same income as he does, and that this increase is not a temporary one? Is he further aware that it will be aggravated by the mean increase made in the price of welfare milk?

The question of welfare milk does not arise on this Question. At present general retail prices I am quite satisfied that milk is most excellent value as a foodstuff.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what help is given to the milk producer whose percentage of solids not fat is persistently below the permitted minimum content of 8·5 per cent.

Where a milk producer is in difficulty over a consistently low percentage of solids not fat, the N.A.A.S. is ready to investigate conditions on the farm to see what remedies can be suggested.

Does it in fact give this advice? The information in my possession is that a farmer who had been in trouble about this matter for some considerable time received no help whatever from the N.A.A.S., despite his requests.

The causes of this trouble are at present not fully understood, as the hon. Member will agree. If he knows of a case where he thinks the National Agricultural Advisory Service ought to have been of assistance and has not been of assistance, I should be very grateful to him if he would let me know.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it is something to do with badly balanced nutrition for the cows which brings about a good deal of this trouble?

Where the experts themselves are very uncertain I should myself hesitate to intervene and express an opinion. I hope that we shall know the cause of this trouble in due course, but it will take some time.

Would it be possible to have some better liaison than appears to exist between the dairies which turn down the milk on the ground that it does not reach the standard and the N.A.A.S., which does not know that that is being done? Could the dairies be asked to advise the N.A.A.S. about cases in which this is happening?

I will look into the point which the right hon. Member has raised.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the 60,000 Norway spruce under the age of 15 years sold by the Forestry Commission during the last six months of 1956 were more than five years old.

About 56,000.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me how many of those trees were sold as Christmas trees and how those which were sold as Christmas trees were marketed, either through wholesalers or direct? What system of planting necessitated the destruction of Norway spruce between the ages of five and 15 years?

All these young trees were sold as Christmas trees, but the very large majority of the Christmas trees sold by the Forestry Commission are the tops of thinnings which otherwise would be valueless. As to the method of marketing, I will look into that in detail and write to my hon. and gallant Friend. I understand that the Forestry Commission is careful to see that its sales do not amount to an unfair proportion of the total sales. If they were to do so, that might be unfair to private woodland owners.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the trees referred to in this Question have nothing to do with the tops of thinnings? Can he say whether there is a further large number of tops from thinnings with which the market is flooded just prior to Christmas?

A considerable number of tops from thinnings are sold as Christmas trees by the Forestry Commission, but that is not a number which, I am advised, could be said in any way to amount to a flooding of the market. I shall let my hon. and gallant Friend have such figures as are available.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that outrageous profits are made on the sale of Christmas trees? Is it not a good thing to encourage the Forestry Commission to make these sales?

I do not know whether outrageous profits are made, but if so, I certainly do not think that they are made by the Forestry Commission. In general I agree that if outrageous profits are made, the more competition there is the better.

Would my right hon. Friend tell the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) that any grower will sell him Christmas trees for 1s. a foot and that if he is paying much more he is buying the tree from the wrong place?

No doubt my hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland (Mr. Vane) will advise the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) to buy early for next Christmas.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what factors have caused the increase in the subsidy on eggs from £19 million in 1955–56 to over £33 million in the present year.

The two main direct factors have been an increase in the quantity of eggs sold to packing stations under the guarantee arrangements and a reduction in the average selling price for these eggs: both these factors reflect the underlying cause, which is a substantial increase in home production of eggs.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his predecessor claimed to have abolished the subsidy? Was that statement made in error? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many eggs are at present being exported to the Continent and whether they are subsidised?

I am informed that a very small number of eggs have been exported—during the past few months some hundreds of boxes, only an insignificant quantity. As the hon. Member knows, we are now producing about 100 per cent. of the eggs consumed in this country. The average price at present is about 5d. a dozen lower than it was this time last year and the increase in home production this year as opposed to last year amounts to about 7 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of agricultural workers who left employment on the land during the year ending 31st December, 1956.

The provisional result of the return taken on 4th December, 1956, showed that during the previous twelve months there had been a net reduction of 12,800, or just under 3 per cent., in the number of regular full-time agricultural workers employed in England and Wales. The total number of employed workers, including part-time, seasonal and casual workers, showed an increase of 1,700.

If it continues, will not this annual reduction in the agricultural labour force have a very serious effect on agricultural production in this country, especially taking the long-term view? Can the right hon. Gentleman say what constructive steps he is taking to halt this serious decline?

We must keep this matter in perspective. From the point of view of ensuring that our agriculture remains competitive and able to pay proper remuneration to those employed in it, it is very important that we should report continuing progress in reducing expenditure in terms of manpower per unit. I think it important that we should bear that in mind. The hon. Member may be interested to know that the December return showed that in his locality of Anglesey there appears to have been an increase this year of 177 regulars and 241 others, but I would ask him to remember that the return is based on a sample and, therefore, must be treated with some caution.

Will the right hon. Gentleman help by taking more care of the type of letter that he sends to the National Farmers' Union in future?

Would my right hon. Friend tell us whether the decline in agricultural workers is to some extent offset by a rise in forestry work?

In some parts of the country, it is, notably in Wales, where every year I am glad to see there is an increase in the number of workers employed on very stable employment in forestry. I hope very much to see that trend of employment in forestry steadily increase over the years. As to production, it is encouraging that so far the reduction in manpower in the industry has not had the effect of causing a reduction in total output.

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman realises that one cause for concern about this reduction—we recognise that mechanisation is in some way responsible—is that the young are leaving the industry? Taking the long-term view, is not that a rather serious matter?

It would be, and up to quite recently what the right hon. Member has referred to was taking place, but I am more hopeful now that the industry in general is retaining an increasing proportion of young men, and young men of a very good type.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made with the construction of the pig progeny testing stations; and when he anticipates these will be in operation.

The station at Selby should start full operations in June; those at Corsham, Letchworth and Sealand should all be ready to begin operations in October. I understand that the construction of the Scottish station at Bridge of Allan has begun and that it should be completed by the middle of next year.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that this is a most encouraging report? Will he make sure that nothing is done that might stop progress in this vital matter if farmers are to reduce their costs?

I entirely agree as to the importance of this project. I am most anxious to see the stations in operation because, as my hon. Friend will agree, their work is of a very long-term nature.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he has taken to implement the recommendation of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Social and Economic Research regarding the publication of information relating to the main food trades and farmers' wholesale and retail prices.

I must observe the understanding that the results of castings inquiries for the food trades made during the period of price controls would not be published in any form. As regards information on prices much is already made available in a variety of ways, particularly wholesale prices of raw foodstuffs. I have considered the possibility of regular assembly and publication of this material in a single periodical, but the cost outweighs the advantages. But in association with the Committee on Social and Economic Research a guide to current statistical sources for food and agriculture is being prepared for publication.

While appreciating the reply which the right hon. Gentleman has given, may I ask whether it indicates that his Department is now going to issue a quarterly bulletin, as was recommended by the Committee in another part of its Report?

Not in this connection.

I am sorry to pursue the point further, but does that mean that the figures will be available quarterly?

It depends on exactly which figures the hon. Gentleman is referring to. Not in general, but I would be glad if the hon. Gentleman could have a word with me afterwards and make quite clear, as I am not quite clear at present, to which figures he is referring.

I will have a word with the right hon. Gentleman afterwards, and meanwhile will ask him Question No. 14.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to expedite the publication of the National Food Survey.

The completion of the next Annual Report, for 1955, is being pressed forward and I am expecting that it will be published in the middle of this year. I am also hoping to follow this by publishing the main results of the Survey for 1956 and subsequent years at quarterly intervals, in addition to continuing the comprehensive annual reports.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a marked improvement, because these figures have been published far too late in the past, and if we are going to get them reasonably soon, it means that we can make much better use of them?

I believe that this is an improvement. Why I was cautious in my earlier reply was because the figures which we hope to make available quarterly in future will not be all the figures contained in the subsequent final report, though, I think, they will comprise the most important and most interesting of them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether in view of the continuing increase in the price of bread, he will reimpose price control.

No, Sir.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the price of wheat has gone down, but the price of flour has gone up, and that the milling combines, having bought up the largest bakeries, are making enormous profits out of inferior bread? How long will he tolerate this scandalous profiteering now beginning to manifest itself with the shilling loaf?

I am aware of none of the things that the hon. Gentleman says, and, therefore, I think the second part of his Question does not arise.

Would my right hon. Friend tell the House in how many countries in the world except Great Britain it is possible for an unskilled worker to work for ten minutes and buy himself a pound of bread?

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that some months ago he pooh-poohed the idea of the shilling loaf? How far from a shilling is it now?

Quite a considerable distance. The unsliced, unwrapped 1¾ lb. loaf is obtainable in most areas of the country at either 10½d. or 11d.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that he cannot come down to the House and plead ignorance when he is in difficulties? We know that the price of bread generally will be 11d., and may even be 1s. at the end of next week in parts of the country.

I was not speculating about the future but was merely saying what are the facts at the present time.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further regulations he proposes to make regarding improvements in the quality of bread.

I will consider whether further regulations are needed when I receive the relevant report of the Food Standards Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has become urgent, that the big combines are using a flour which is deliberately doped with stuff called G.M.S. in order to retain more water and thereby increase the weight of the loaf? Is he aware that in these circumstances we are getting steamed cotton wool instead of honestly baked bread, and will he do something about it?

I am afraid the answer is again "No" to both parts of the Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the commodities with which he is concerned have had a Suez emergency surcharge placed upon them.

A specific and temporary surcharge has been placed on some fish.

In view of the rather strange economic theories which the Minister enunciated last week in suggesting that a 6s. surcharge on fish had no effect whatever on increasing the price, will he try to put a really big surcharge on every type of foodstuff in the hope that it will reduce prices?

The hon. Gentleman has not quoted me exactly, but in substance he has quoted me sufficiently accurately. The surcharge that was imposed has, to all intents and purposes, had no effect on prices, for the reason that I gave on the last occasion—that the market price has been substantially above the minimum price, plus the surcharge, and, if the hon. Gentleman examines it, he will find that that is not strange economics.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the successful activities of other countries in land drainage and flood prevention; and whether he will facilitate, by the provision of grants in aid or otherwise, visits by British farmers to see what has been achieved in Continental countries.

I am aware of the land drainage and flood prevention work being done on the Continent. If British farmers wish to visit the Continent to see what has been done, my Department would be ready to advise them, but I am not empowered to give any financial assistance.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say exactly what advice he would give, because farmers know, as he knows perfectly well, that magnificent land reclamation work has been done in Holland? What they want is some assistance in going to Holland, if possible arranged between his Department and the equivalent department in the Netherlands, so that there could be sponsored visits under the auspices of Government Departments?

The advice that I should be glad to give them would be as to where they would be most likely to see developments of interest to them, and I would make any arrangements I could with the Dutch authorities or any other Continental authorities with which they washed to make contact. A deputation from the River Boards' Association visited Holland in 1955, and my own drainage engineers and water supply engineers are in very close contact with their Continental colleagues.

While recognising that the Dutch have much to teach us in this connection, may I ask whether it would not be better for the Minister to put the Heneage Report into operation?

The hon. Gentleman knows that in many ways I should very much like to do that, but there are many practical difficulties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what amount of dried and tinned milk has been imported during the last three years; and what were the countries of origin.

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

May I express the hope that my right hon. Friend is now going to discourage the importing of large quantities of dried milk when we have such a surplus of home-produced milk in this country?

My hon. Friend knows that imports of foodstuffs from Commonwealth countries are almost entirely unrestricted at the present time.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of dairy produce is used in ice cream made by the large manufacturers.

I understand that a typical ice cream mix would include 10 per cent. of dairy products by weight.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in view of the large amount of milk which we are producing today, he has any powers to advise the use of a greater quantity of dairy products in the making of ice cream?

The present standards order, which imposes a minimum of 7½ per cent., I think, of dairy products, is at present being reviewed by the Food Standards Committee. I do not know what the result of its deliberations will be.

If there is no more than 10 per cent. of dairy products, of what does the other 90 per cent. consist?

Ten per cent. fat, which need not be a dairy product, 13 per cent. sugar, 2 per cent. cereal filler, ·9 per cent. of other components, and the rest water.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he is aware that farmhouse ice cream contains no water, but is practically all milk?

I know that there are certain brands of ice cream which contain considerably more than the 10 per cent. I have mentioned, and I would welcome the consumption of a bigger proportion of that type of ice cream.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will encourage corn merchants and compounders of animal feeding stuffs to market a reliable balancer meal guaranteed by biological tests, which pig producers could mix with their home-grown cereals, so cheapening the costs of producing pig meat and leading to a saving in the charge on the taxpayer.

I am assured that there is an ample supply of balancer meals in a form suitable for pigs and other livestock, and I have no reason to doubt their reliability. No system of biological tests of proteins in feeding stuffs has yet been developed but work on this has been arranged by the Agricultural Research Council.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that while there are a number of balancer meals in which farmers have great confidence, there are others on the market which do not command the same confidence, and that if he can improve this situation he will be doing a great deal, through making better use of homegrown feeding stuffs, to bring about economy in imported feeding stuffs, thus saving foreign currency?

Would not my hon. Friend agree with me that the balancer rations which command confidence are those which are likely to be sold and that those which do not command confidence are not likely to find a sale at all?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give particulars of the leaflet issued by the Egg Marketing Board which states that a guarantee through a deficiency payments scheme is a practicable alternative to the scheme for an Egg Marketing Board on which producers are now being asked to vote; how many of these leaflets were printed; and how they are being circulated.

The Board has issued two leaflets entitled "Have you registered?" and "Your questions answered", which mention deficiency payments as an alternative form of guarantee. The printing and circulation of these leaflets is a domestic matter for the Board, but I understand that their aim has been to distribute sufficient copies to reach all producers affected by the Scheme.

Is the Minister aware that at present these documents are virtually secret documents, whereas the National Farmers' Union has given very wide circulation to a leaflet which suggests that producers must vote for this particular scheme, otherwise there is no chance of a guaranteed price? Will the Minister make absolutely sure that producers see the other leaflet?

I do not think that the hon. Member's statement is quite accurate. The leaflets issued by the N.F.U. which I have seen have called attention to the fact that the deficiency payment is an alternative but not one which they personally believe would be satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that buyers from the Continent are attending auctions of fat cattle in this country paying prices in excess of ruling prices and exporting these cattle; and, in view of the fact that these cattle bear subsidy, if he will prohibit their export.

Prices of cattle normally rise at this time of the year and I understand that the present higher prices are restricting the export trade which appears to have declined since the peak last November and December. As regards the second part, I have set up a Committee to inquire into this export trade and I must now await its report.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that it is right under any circumstances that beef cattle should be transported alive to the Continent under conditions which we know are most undesirable, particularly when the beef subsidy and the calf subsidy have been paid for the encouragement of production for the home market? Is it right that we should be importing meat from the Argentine when we are exporting beef cattle on which subsidy has been paid? Can the right hon. Gentleman stop it?

The hon. Member raises two rather different points, both of which I have referred to this Committee. The reply to the first part of the question is that I am taking every step I can to control the transport of these animals in this country and on shipboard to make sure that the conditions are satisfactory. As to the second part of the question, I said the other day and should like to repeat now that only a few of these cattle have attracted subsidy, and even in those cases I am satisfied that economically the trade is of advantage to this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the second Annual Report of the Pig Recording Scheme.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is a great improvement on the previous report? Will he make sure that there is adequate staff in order that the delay in publishing these reports annually may be reduced?

Yes, if this date is achieved it will be a considerable improvement on last year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what change has been shown by his Department's food survey in the consumption of butter since the recent fall in price.

The latest available results of the National Food Survey relate to the latter part of 1956, whereas the fall in butter prices has occurred mainly since the beginning of 1957. It is therefore too early to assess what recent change in consumption, if any, may have taken place.

Has my right hon. Friend any present-day judgment about total supplies and what the prospects are for the next months? Shall we have a continuing increase in supplies of butter?

I think that supplies of butter will be ample in the next few months.

Does the Minister expect the consumption of butter to increase after what we heard from the Chancellor of the Exchequer earlier this week?

I have every hope that the consumption per head of butter will steadily increase so long as prices remain at anything like their present level.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is satisfied that the future method proposed for arriving at the amount of deficiency payments for fatstock is the most economical method and the fairest for producers; and whether he will introduce a seasonal price similar to that in operation for wheat deficiency payments.

The proposed method for calculating fatstock guarantee payments from 25th March, which is embodied in the Fatstock (Guarantee Payments) Order, 1957, laid before the House on the 14th February, is based on seasonal scales of standard prices for cattle and sheep. I am satisfied that this method, which has the full support of representatives of the producers, is the best that can be devised in the light of experience since decontrol of meat and livestock.

While glad to know that there will be a seasonal average, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is satisfied that a figure based on the rolling average for a month and on guesswork for the next month is the fairest and most economical way of arriving at the deficiency payment? If he is so satisfied, will he ask the first half-dozen farmers he meets in the market place, for they will tell him something different.

I think the answer to both questions is, "Yes". I am satisfied, but I will ask the first half-dozen farmers I meet.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will make a statement on the research into virus pneumonia in pigs.

Recent research has shown that a number of different causes give rise to the condition known as virus pneumonia in pigs. These are being studied at the Department of Animal Pathology, Cambridge, the Agricultural Research Council's Field Station, Compton and at the Glasgow University. Other animal research institutes are building up virus-free herds of pigs free from all symptoms of this condition.

If a solution can be found for virus pneumonia, would that make a great difference in our production of bacon?

Yes, I think it would. The loss through pneumonia in pigs is very large indeed.

Is it not a fact that the figures which the Minister has given recently about the amount of public money spent on research into pig diseases is very small compared with the losses each year to the industry from diseases? When does he intend to do something about that?

I do not disagree with what the hon. Member has said, but as I told him then—or, if I did not tell him, as I should have liked to tell him—the limitation at present in this matter of research, as in most other matters of agricultural research, is not so much a financial limitation as one which arises, from the scarcity of qualified men able to devote themselves to the research. I should be glad to see the scale of this research work expanded.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what research is being conducted into the causes of a persistent failure of cows to produce milk of the required solids-not-fat standard.

Research along genetical, physiological and nutritional lines is in progress at the National Institute for Research in Dairying, Reading; the Hannah Dairy Research Institute, Ayr; the Rowett Research Institute Aberdeen; the three Scottish Colleges of Agriculture; and at Edinburgh University.

Has the Minister any idea when we may expect some results on this matter, particularly on the solids-not-fat point, which is causing difficulty in the industry?

In common with a great many other people, I wish I knew when results would come along.

asked the Minister of Labour how many registered disabled persons have been unemployed for a continuous period of more than three months.

Twenty-four thousand and forty-two on 10th December, 1956.

Would not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that the figure indicates that there is still a pressing problem, and a need to encourage organisations like Remploy to extend their work and to build new factories?

I certainly would not be complacent about the problem. There is a small increase since last year. There has also been some increase in employment in Remploy.

Can the Minister give an assurance that there will be no contraction of the work, and that new factories will be developed, if necessary?

I have, in previous debates, given a number of assurances about the future of Remploy, and there is nothing I can add to what I have already said.

The Parliamentary Secretary will be aware that there is a continuing addition to the number of disabled in the mining industry. Is he paying special attention to them?

I think that I can say "Yes" to that question, but if the right hon. Gentleman has a special point in mind I shall be glad if he will put down a Question about it.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he is aware that for two years the Municipal Mutual Insurance Limited have refused to meet representatives of the Guild of Insurance Officials to which a majority of their employees belong; and if he will use his offices to attempt to secure such a meeting, recognition of the union, and settlement of the dispute;

(2) what reasons were given him by the Municipal Mutual Insurance Limited for refusing either to meet representatives of the Guild of Insurance Officials or to hold a ballot among their employees as to whether they wished the union to be recognised by the undertaking in wage and other negotiations.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the attention of his Department has been drawn to the dispute arising from the refusal of the Municipal Mutual Insurance Company Limited to accord recognition to the Guild of Insurance Officials, a registered trade union claiming to represent 70 per cent. of the employees of the company; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The Guild first sought the assistance of my Department in 1955 and my conciliation officer has been in touch with the parties on several occasions since. The company is not willing to recognise or meet representatives of the Guild as it considers that the existing staff consultative committee is operating satisfactorily. My officer met the company again on Monday, when he was informed that its views had not changed. He will, of course, take any opportunity of assisting in this matter.

In view of the union's conciliatory attitude, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is bad for industrial relations for the company to behave so arrogantly? Will he have another go at it?

As my Answer indicates, I am very ready to help if I possibly can, but one of the major difficulties here is that the Minister of Labour has no standing in a matter of recognition between a union and an employer, nor is such a matter generally arbitrable.

Does not the Minister agree that it is an exceedingly regrettable feature that a company of this character, with very large associations with the vast number of local authorities, should behave in this way, having regard to the fact that local authorities normally observe the conditions of the fair wages clause? Is not that a point which his Department might press upon the company in this matter?

It is perfectly true that this company specialises in local authority insurance. It is also true, as I am sure the hon. Member knows, that there is no national negotiating machinery, in general, for insurance staffs.

May I, as a life member of the Guild, ask the Minister whether, when he retires from office and becomes, possibly, chairman of this company, he will then take steps to see that this Guild is recognised?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take note that on this side of the House we have very strong objections to company unions, and that that is obviously the case here, and that it would be as well if he could use his influence perhaps rather more than he has done in this matter, otherwise it will, at some time, be a question of a law in relation to the recognition of qualified trade unions?

I take note, without comment, of what the right hon. Gentleman says, but, as I have indicated in response to two previous supplementary questions, first of all, as he knows very well, the Minister of Labour has no standing in this sort of dispute. Secondly, this practice is in no way exceptional in the insurance field; indeed, it is the common rule.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Hungarian refugees have been taken on in the coal mining industry.

About 3,900 Hungarian refugees have been taken on by the National Coal Board as potential coal miners.

While appreciating that, and also appreciating that there has been a substantial rise in coal production this year, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend would confirm or deny that the South Yorkshire coal miners' lodges are refusing to take on these refugees? If that is so, will not he try to persuade them to take them on?

For the moment, these refugees are undertaking, as of course they must, a course in English. After that, it will be necessary for them to have the usual preliminary training as coal miners. They are at present drawing surface rates of pay and are not actually mining coal. One hopes that in this period the difficulties that may arise about future employment will be ironed out. Many people want to do that, and I think that we can, on the whole, leave it to them.

While I share those hopes of the Minister, may I ask him whether he can tell us how many Hungarian refugee doctors have started to practise?

Is the Minister aware that there is a national agreement by which the miners' leaders are under an obligation to recommend the acceptance of the Hungarians, and is it not a bad thing for hon. Members on this side of the House to try to jeopardise what is being done in this matter?

I have answered a number of Questions on this subject. I have taken a completely consistent line, as the House knows. I very much want to see the employment of these men—I know that is the general view and the general wish—and I again express the view that we have the best chance of achieving that if we leave the problem to those most closely in touch with it.

Further to the supplementary question put by my right hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay), may I ask the Minister whether he recalls that in the debate that we had before Christmas on the Hungarian situation, I particularly asked that some steps should be taken by the Government to make it easier for Hungarian refugee doctors to practise, and was given an assurance that the Government were going into that matter; and can he give any further information about it?

The right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that that does not arise out of this Question, nor is that matter within my province, but I will certainly take note of the point and bring it to the attention of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has now reached a decision on the views of the Trades Union Congress and other organisations against the payment of wages by cheque; and if he will make a statement.

In present circumstances I have decided not to proceed with legislation enabling wages to be paid by cheque.

asked the Minister of Labour the unemployment figures in Coventry up to the latest convenient date in February; and what proportion this bears to the figure for January.

Three thousand, five hundred and fifty-one at 11th February, an increase of 16 per cent. compared with 14th January.

Is the Minister aware that, as everyone in Coventry knows, these figures have shown a steady increase month after month, and will he himself come to Coventry to discuss with the trade unions and the employers the real situation that we are facing in that city?

I do not want to be ungallant in declining, at the moment, the hon. Lady's invitation. Many hon. Members who have motor industries in their constituencies have extended similar invitations to me, and it just is not possible to accept them all; but my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has been to the Coventry and Birmingham areas twice in the last few weeks, and I am closely in touch with the situation. I shall not forget the invitation, and I will try to come sometime, but I cannot give any promise about the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of vacancies registered at the Coventry Employment Exchange on 10th December, 1956, 14th January, 1957, and 11th February, 1957.

The total numbers of vacancies notified to the Coventry Employment Exchange and Youth Employment Office and remaining unfilled were 1,024 at 12th December, 775 at 9th January and 723 at 6th February.

Will not the Minister agree that it is a very serious position when month by month in Coventry we have an increase in the number of wholly unemployed and a decrease in the number of vacancies available? Would he not agree, as a matter of arithmetic, that if all these vacancies were filled we should still have a great number of unemployed? What steps do the Government propose to take to help the situation?

I agree that the situation, as I have often said, is an anxious one. It is true that in Coventry and in many areas in the country the number of vacancies is now substantially below the number of unemployed. As I told the hon. Lady, I think a week or so ago, I am making a special inquiry into one or two of these matters, and I think she has a Question down for next week. Perhaps she will await the answer.

Without wishing to be ungallant either, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that the position in Coventry is a great deal worse than in other places, because we depend on the motor industry? Is he further aware that the visit of the Parliamentary Secretary did not do the slightest good at all, and that I tried to put down a Question about it, and was not able to do so?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is anxiety in Coventry over the duration of unemployment affecting many workers; and if he will state how many of the 2,288 at 10th December, 1956, the 3,066 at 14th January, 1957, and of those unemployed at the latest convenient date in February, have been out of work for four months or more.