asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has observed the depressed state of present quotations of Government securities; and what action he proposes to take to remedy the situation.

My right hon. Friend observes the fluctuations of the market but he is not prepared to forecast developments.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that it is a very serious matter indeed when important institutional investors like the Church and Lloyd's change their traditional investment policies from investment in gilt-edged stocks to investment in equities in an endeavour to keep pace with the falling value of money since 1939? Does not he also agree that the small investor is becoming progressively disillusioned with investment in gilt-edged stocks, and that it will be very difficult to get the small investor back into the gilt-edged market? Has he observed the experience of the French Government—

The hon. Member is really making a speech on this important subject.

The only comment I would make is that I do not think it would be likely to stimulate investment in gilt-edged stocks if we were to force the rate of interest down artificially.

As the right hon. Gentleman has not answered the second part of this interesting Question, may I ask him whether he agrees that there is a situation which ought to be remedied and, if there is, what do the Government intend to do about it, because the right hon. Gentleman cannot deny that the Government can considerably influence this market?

The subject of monetary policy was dealt with at some length during the Budget debates both by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and myself.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates that the domestic purchasing power of the £ sterling will fall this year. and in each of the next five years.

My right hon. Friend is not prepared to make forecasts of this kind whether of rises or falls.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to stop a further fall in the value of the £ sterling.

My right hon. Friend dealt fully with the question of costs and prices in his Budget speech on 9th April, and he has nothing to add at present.

As the Government's policy, like the right hon. Gentleman's answer, has proved so unsatisfactory, can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government intend to implement the promises made by the Conservative Party at the last General Election to improve the value of the £ abroad and to increase its purchasing power at home?

I think that the hon. Gentleman would do very well to study the White Paper on the Economic Implications of Full Employment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the Government now consider to be the reasonable increase in the cost of living per year?

Reasonable?

Answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate odds against the holder of a £1 Premium Savings Bond winning a prize in the draws which will take place this year in June and July, respectively.

They will be 2,100 to 1 in June and 8,500 to 1 in July, assuming that there are no further encashments of bonds bought in November and December, 1956.

Is not it very unfair that those people who purchased Premium Bonds in November should have four times as much chance of winning as those who purchased Premium Bonds in December? Now that the Government have entered the gambling business, will they at least try to lay fair odds for their customers?

The people who entered in December will, like everyone else, have a chance in the draw every month so long as they retain the Bonds.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate sum by which the outstanding amount of Treasury Bills issued through weekly tenders has been reduced since the beginning of the year.

Seven hundred and twenty million pounds.

Has not this result been achieved by the Government's rather clumsy open market operations which have brought about the depressed state of Government securities referred to by the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann)? is not it a fact that the Government have to flood the market again with Treasury Bills to finance the Budget deficit and further funding operations?

The main reason for the fall in Treasury Bills is one which occurs every year—the revenue coming in.

Yes, but is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are now past the flush period for the revenue, and that the explanation for the fall is clearly that stated by my hon. Friend? In view of the disastrous fall in the Government's credit and— I do not mean only in terms of by-elections but in the price of gilt-edged securities as well— will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind a subject which has been much commented on this week, the effect of all this on confidence in sterling?

The policy of forcing down the rate of interest has been tried in the past with rather disastrous results.

What was the position with "Daltons"?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to give the Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies powers to control the borrowing operations of hire-purchase finance houses similar to those he now has in respect of building societies.

As my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade announced on 28th March, the question of regulating these operations is being further studied. The hon. Member's suggestion will be noted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman expedite consideration of this matter, because the Government promised that hire-purchase legislation would be introduced in this Session? It was mentioned in the Gracious Speech.

Yes, I know, but as my right hon. Friend said, it was decided that further consideration was necessary.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the present time there are, in Manchester Corporation buses, advertisements for money at 12⅝ per cent. and that the money is going into the hire-purchase world at about 20 per cent.? As that must be inflationary. will he not take steps to stop it?

Answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far his requests to the banks to restrict credit apply to overdrafts of football clubs as compared with those of private traders.

My right hon. Friend's requests have been in general terms applicable to all borrowers.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it causes concern when a small business being refused an overdraft of £500 finds a football club's overdraft has gone up from £4,000 to £6,000 or £7,000?

I have noted my right hon. Friend's remark.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman look again at this whole question of the credit squeeze? Is he not aware that some of the biggest spenders of capital in this country, oil companies and others, are able to disregard the credit squeeze altogether while, as the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) fairly says, many small traders, some of them vital to the nation because of what they produce or trade in, are being very badly hit indeed?

The credit squeeze is operated by the banks under the general directive of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consult with the Arts Council to ascertain what steps may be taken to maintain the only live theatre in Cardiff.

It is Government policy to leave to the Arts Council all decisions on the spending of the grant which Parliament makes to it.

Is it not a fact that the success of war-ravaged countries such as Austria and Western Germany in reviving the arts and in re-establishing opera houses with the aid of public expenditure has put to shame our own efforts, and should not the function of the Arts Council be to help theatres in the capital cities of Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast, as well as a few theatres in London?

That may well be, but it would be quite wrong for my right hon. Friend to tell the Arts Council how to spend the money.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the Purchase Tax yield on sales of wool piece goods for the twelve months ended 31st March. 1957.

About £2 million.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that information, may I ask him how much longer the Government are going to continue the unjust, indefensible discrimination against wool cloth for the sake of this comparatively very small amount of revenue?

There is no discrimination, for this corresponds to the 5 per cent. Purchase Tax upon cotton garments and garments made of other cloth.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate was given by the Board of Inland Revenue in its Memorandum 47 to the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income as to the United Kingdom tax now payable by United Kingdom concerns operating mainly abroad, excluding insurance and shipping, after allowing for double taxation relief; and whether he has any later estimate.

The estimate given to the Royal Commission was £130 million based on profits at their 1951 level and taxation at the rates for 1952–53. The provisional estimate for 1956–57 is about £35 million,

In view of the vagueness of the Chancellor in his Budget speech about the estimate of the cost, which, so he said, would be something over £35 million next year—he did not even say in a full year—has he now been able to form any better and closer estimate of the cost of this change?

The figures which I have given are entirely in line with those given by my right hon. Friend.

Did I understand the hon. Gentleman to say the comparable figures were £130 million and £35 million?

Yes. This difference measures the reduction in profits since 1951 and also the reduction of taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate was given by the Board of Inland Revenue to the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income as to the revenue that would be lost to the Exchequer if the profits of companies trading overseas were to he taxed only on remittances.

The loss of revenue was estimated at £90 million on the basis of the 1951 level of profits and distributions and 1952–53 levels of taxation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue has been lost in the estimate of the Board of Inland Revenue by the failure to adopt the recommendations contained in paragraphs. 30 to 40 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Income Tax, 1920, with regard to the distinction between active control and complete potential control of United Kingdom companies trading overseas.

I regret that the information which would enable such an estimate to be made is not available.

Would the Financial Secretary take steps to try to have it available before we consider Part IV of the Finance Bill?

I am afraid that it would be very difficult to obtain information about the profits which non-resident companies do not remit to this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that his policy of disproportionately heavy taxation of heavy wines is now encouraging the blending of light wines, paying I3s. a gallon duty, with small quantities of stronger liquors to produce so-called heavy wines whose duty paid is in the neighbourhood of only 20s. a gallon, as against 50s. a gallon for genuine sherries or ports; and whether, in fairness to the genuine heavy wines, he will reduce their duties to a level more proportionate to that on light wines.

My hon. Friend has tabled an Amendment on this subject to the Finance Bill and I ought not to anticipate debate upon it.

Will my hon. Friend anticipate the debate to the extent of considering reducing the duty on the one rather than putting up the duty on the other, in order to meet this difficulty?

Certainly study will be given in advance to my hon. Friend's new Clause.

In view of the special relationship between Britain and her oldest ally in Western Europe, namely, Portugal, will my hon. Friend say what influence the policy in the Finance Bill will have upon restoring our traditional imports of large quantities of port from Portugal?

I think we had better wait and see what transpires in the discussion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of cinemas which have closed during the year compared with the previous year.

The provisional net figure for the number of cinemas closed in the year ended 31st March, 1957, is 221 compared with 72 in the previous year.

Do not those figures indicate a fact of which my hon. Friend must be well aware, that the position has worsened since, and that the Entertainments Duty has played a large part in that? Does my hon. Friend consider it reasonable that cinemas which lose money in consequence of the payment of Entertainments Duty should also thereby be forced to close?

It is by no means certain how far this decline is either largely or entirely due to Entertainments Duty, but the changes in the Entertainments Duty which have been made by the Budget should certainly be a help in the present financial year.

Yes, but is the hon. Gentleman aware that last year we warned the Government that this which has happened would happen, that there would be this closure of cinemas, and that that was denied from the Treasury Bench? In view of the fact that those warnings have regrettably been justified in the event, will the hon. Gentleman pay a little, more attention to the warnings which we gave him last week on the same subject?

I do not know about warnings, but it seems to me a pity that the party opposite put up the tax on the cinema industry in their last year of office.

Since the levels of taxation should always be related to ability to pay, will the hon. Gentleman say how many cinemas have closed down in our last year of office?

I will try to get the figure for the right hon. Gentleman, if he wants it.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what efforts are being made to recruit an adequate number of Welshmen for administrative posts in the Civil Service, to meet the growing importance of the Welsh departments of several Ministries; and if he will make a statement.

The Civil Service Commission selects entrants to the Administrative Class of the Civil Service solely by competitive examination. In appointing such staff to posts in Wales, Departments give full weight to Welsh affinities, and in particular, wherever desirable, to ability to speak Welsh.

Has my hon. Friend's attention been drawn to a recent article in the Western Mail in which a well-known. retired civil servant expressed his conviction that the devolution of administration in Welsh Departments has been handicapped by the shortage of civil servants with special knowledge of Welsh affairs?

I have not seen that article, but I shall be glad to look at it if my hon. Friend will be kind enough to send it to me.

Will the hon. Gentleman ensure that fuller information on the whole range of Civil Service appointments is made available to secondary schools and the university colleges of Wales so as to stimulate the entry of young people in Wales into the Civil Service?

I am informed that the Civil Service Commission keeps in close touch with the University of Wales on the question of recruitment.

Ought not this Question to have been addressed to the Colonial Secretary?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what advice he has been given on the pollution of soil and green herbage by the fall-out of radiostrontium; what has been the maximum and minimum fall-out in hill country as compared with the presence of radiostrontium before the Bikini test; and for how many years it is estimated that fall-out will continue even if no more bombs are exploded;

The information required by the hon. Member is contained in two reports by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment—"Radio-strontium Fall-out in Biological Materials in Great Britain", and "Radiostrontium and Radiocaesium Measurement in Biological Materials to December, 1956." Copies have already been placed in the Library of the House.

Is it fair to say that in certain areas the fall-out has been very heavy indeed compared with others? If that be the case, and if the content found in animal bones is many hundred times higher than that found in human bones, will the hon. Gentleman ask the Minister whether words such as "negligible" or "slightly higher than normal" are really applicable to those bad areas compared with the normal ones?

I would agree that there is considerable variation in the figures, as the hon. Gentleman has said, but even the highest figures are really comparatively low in relation to, for instance, the levels which are accepted by the International Commission for Radiological Protection as the maximum permissible concentration for workers who are in contact with these substances. I realise the dangers. but we have to keep a sense of proportion.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there is a good deal of public concern in Wales about the matter? Does he appreciate that it is a matter of the greatest importance for the area, part of which is a very important tourist area, and that alarm might be caused there? Ought not a full statement to be made as soon as possible to explain the position?

Naturally, I recognise what the right hon. Gentleman says, but there is no question of any danger to tourists— none whatever. The only possible dangers that could arise would be in a slow build-up over a long period. The case cited has been that of the bones of sheep, and there is no question of anybody eating the bones.

Can the hon. Gentleman make a categorical statement that neither food nor water is in any way contaminated?

I can certainly do Chat. At present there is no question of any danger in respect of either water or food.

As the matter is of very great importance, and as it is very difficult to get suitable answers in this way, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to bring forward regulations prescribing standards for slaughterhouses under existing powers; and if he will now inform the House when he will introduce legislation to implement the Government's long-term policy for slaughterhouses.

The necessary regulations cannot be made under existing powers. My right hon. Friend proposes to seek additional powers in the legislation to which my hon. Friend refers; this will be introduced immediately time can be found in the Parliamentary programme. Meanwhile, as a guide to those planning to build or improve slaughterhouses, my right hon. Friend hopes shortly to publish drafts of regulations to prescribe certain of the proposed standards.

Can my hon. Friend confirm that between the promulgation of the forthcoming regulations and their enforcement reasonable time and opportunity will be allowed to make good any defects in existing slaughterhouses vis-í-vis the new regulations?

I should think that there is no doubt about that. The whole thing will take us some time, and we have not yet even got to the legislation. I should say that there is no real danger there.

In view of the urgency of the problem, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is fully appreciative of the tremendous losses to producers and/or the Treasury through a failure to make the maximum use of by-products from the utterly inadequate existing slaughterhouses?

I fully agree that there is a great need to conserve the byproducts. We are very much alive to the problem, and hope to make some progress next Session.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a further statement on the export of eggs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will now state the arrangements made with Denmark concerning export of British eggs to Continental countries.

I would refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friend to the information which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 23rd May.

Is the hon. Gentleman ware that that information was available when I tabled the Question? We require the information which was promised. When will the hon. Gentleman tell us what effective action is being taken by the Government to stop all this stupidity?

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by "all this stupidity". At the moment exports of eggs are negligible, the change in the price ratio having almost eliminated them. However, we are pressing ahead, and shall be consulting the Danes again in the very near future. My right hon. Friend has given categorical assurances on this point.

While not in any way wishing to associate myself with the allegation that the Minister is stupid in this matter, might I ask my hon. Friend whether he is aware that in his Answer on 23rd May, he said:

" Discussions with the Danish Government took place earlier this week. "…"—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 23rd May, 1957; Vol. 570, c. 1390.]

I cannot add anything at the moment. We are trying to find the most satisfactory method of dealing with this rather intricate problem. We shall be talking to the Danes again in the very near future, and until we have done that I cannot add anything to what has been said.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether or not we have yet satisfied the Danes? Can he also say whether further discussions are being pursued, because the matter is still unsettled?

So far as I am aware, the Danes are at the moment quite satisfied with the assurances that we have given.

But can we continue exporting eggs? That is what I want to know.

Let us export Nabarro.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total estimated cost of the subsidy to producers of shell eggs for the 52 weeks of 1957, including the estimated cost of £26·3 million in respect of the first 16 weeks of the year.

The cost of the subsidy on shell eggs for the first three months of 1957 was just over £20 million. As regards subsidy estimates for the 1957–58 financial year I regret that I cannot add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 23rd May.

But that reply included a figure of subsidy at the rate of Eli million per week. Is it the intention of the Ministry to continue countenancing a system whereby the producer gets an average of 4s. 1d. a dozen for his eggs. but which enables housewives to buy them in the shops at an average of 2s. 6d a dozen? Why should not the full economic price be paid in the shops for this food?

I am sure that my hon. Friend will realise that there is an important seasonal aspect in this matter. While the figure of fl½ million was perfectly correct in the context in which he used it, it does not represent the picture over the whole year. I realise that the cost is extremely high. My right hon. Friend has answered Questions indicating his concern about that and the action which he thinks may be necessary for the future. I do not think that I can add to that.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when it is likely that there will be a Supplementary Estimate about this matter?

I could not give a date without notice, but it will not be in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food by how much United Kingdom shell egg production has risen during the first 20 weeks of 1957, compared with the two preceding years; the additional cost of the subsidy in respect of that period, compared with the two preceding years; whether flocks of hens are continuing to expand; and, in addition to export of British eggs to Western European countries, what steps

As the reply to the first two parts of the Question contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Answer to the third part of the Question is that the average population of laying fowls is expected to be slightly higher in 1957 than in 1956; as regards the last part, I understand that the Egg Marketing Board, which, as already announced, is to assume responsibility for the marketing of eggs on 1st July, already has this clues-Hon under active consideration.

What are we to do with all the surplus eggs if the hen population continues to rise, if there are far too many eggs for the population of this country to consume, and if my right hon. Friend artificially puts a stop on the export of eggs? What are we to do with them?

I have already said in reply to an earlier Question that exports were negligible before any question of stopping them arose. The subsidy for eggs is dropping substantially, and I do not accept my hon. Friend's contention that the ceiling of consumption has been reached. I very much believe that further consumption can be stimulated.

They are all thoroughly egg-hound at the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average daily consumption of full price fresh milk for the months of March and April, respectively.

It is provisionally estimated to have been 3·51 million gallons in March and 3·48 million gallons in April in the United Kingdom. My right hon. Friend very much regrets that in his supplementary answer on 20th May, in denying the hon. Gentleman's allegations that there had been a substantial reduction, he inadvertently said that there had been no reduction.

Might I tell the hon. Gentleman how very much I appreciate the apology that he has made on behalf of his right hon. Friend? As his right hon. Friend said, before he made the inaccurate statement, that I was "off the beam," am I right in assuming that the right hon. Gentleman acknowledges that he himself was "off the beam"?

I do not think that I had better give that assurance on behalf of my right hon. Friend. I am sure that my right hon. Friend is always "on the beam," but it seems that this time the beam was a little "off target."

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what reason he ascribes the fall in the sales of liquid milk of 6·13 million gallons in the year 1956–57.

Mainly to the fact that 1956 was a Leap Year. Nearly 4 million gallons were consumed on 29th February, 1956.

Is not the hon. Gentleman deluding himself? Has there not been a consistently steady fall for some time, and has not the fall during the last year tended to be even greater? Does not the hon. Gentleman think that the real reason is the increase in the price of milk? In that case, may we see a reversal of the process of cutting the subsidy?

The reason is exactly as I have said. The bulk of the reduction to which the hon. Gentleman drew attention was caused by the fact that there was an extra day in February, 1956— Leap Year. There has been a reduction, but it has been very small. I would also point out that the price of milk went down again on 1st April this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why more than 2 million gallons of skimmed milk are being thrown away by the Milk Marketing Board every week; and what action he is taking in the matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Watkins) on 23rd May.

Many excuses for the alleged glut of milk are made, but has the Parliamentary Secretary taken note of the fact that but for the considerable drop in fresh milk consumption, to the extent of millions of gallons a month, there would not be a glut at all? There is a relation between the drop in consumption of milk by the public and the glut of which people rightly complain.

It is important to have our facts right. It is no use building up a glut by a form of words. The hon. Member has spoken of more than 2 million gallons of skimmed milk a week being thrown away. In fact, in no single week in this current year or in any year has that figure been reached. I agree that the figures are considerable and we must not detract from them, but in fact no whole milk of any sort has been thrown away and at present the wastage of skimmed milk has almost stopped for this season.

If surplus milk is being thrown away, whatever the quantity, could it not be made available through the United Nations Children's Fund for children suffering from mulnutrition in the British Empire and other countries?

While sympathising with that view, I would add that we have to look at the matter practically. This is skimmed milk, the value of it is not very high, and the difficulties of transportation make the suggestion out of the question.

When such huge quantities of milk are being poured down disused pits and quarries, are adequate steps taken to safeguard public health?

So far as I am aware, there is no question of danger to public health arising, but I will look into that aspect.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he is making for the use of beef shorthorn bulls at artificial insemination centres in England and Wales, in view of their value for crossing purposes.

Operators of artificial insemination stations are now permitted to use beef shorthorn bulls subject to approval in the same way as bulls of other breeds.

While I congratulate my hon. Friend upon the wisdom of that decision, in which I am personally interested, may I ask whether he can say at how many centres advantage is being taken of this option?

So far as I am aware, no requests have yet been made in England for approval of beef shorthorn bulls, but, of course, as and when requests are made, they will be considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I heard his Answer with considerable alarm? It was always the policy—a desirable policy, I think—to establish direct the milking reputation of shorthorns obtained by artificial insemination. Is it not highly desirable that beef insemination should come from colour marking breeds?

That is a view which has been held for a long time. I think that a good deal more is understood about the matter now. Particularly with the need for increased emphasis on beef, I do not think that this is at all an undesirable development. I believe that there are great opportunities here.

Is it appreciated that if one wants to obtain a satisfactory cross with an Ayrshire, one has to use a beef shorthorn bull?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further evidence he has of the return of rabbits in various districts; to what extent, and in which districts, myxomatosis is still a killing disease; and what progress is being made with the development of a humane rabbit trap which has been proved effective and which can be sold at a reasonable price.

Latest reports on the rabbit situation show little change since the reply given to my hon. Friend on 18th April last. Lethal outbreaks of myxomatosis have occurred recently in Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Suffolk, Sussex, Westmorland, Wiltshire, Merionethshire, and Pembrokeshire; and the disease, though dying out, still exists in parts of Lancashire and of the West Riding of Yorkshire. My right hon. Friend is expecting a further report from the Humane Traps Advisory Committee within the next few months.

Are county pest officers getting enough adequate reports where rabbits are appearing again, so that they can pinpoint where they will have to carry out campaigns when conditions are right?

Yes, Sir. I think that we are getting the information all right. It is the question of being able to kill the rabbits which is more difficult.

While accepting my hon. Friend's answer to that question, may I ask whether he would not agree that a certain time has elapsed since the last Answer on the subject was given by his Department; and does he also agree that the rabbits have not been idle during that time?

I certainly agree with the last part of that supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the conclusions which he has reached on the representations made to him by the Royal Agricultural Society of England urging, in the interest of British stockbreeders and taxpayers, the need for more effective measures to check the introduction of such diseases as foot-and-mouth disease, sheep scab, and anthrax through imported meat and livestock.

So far as foot-and-mouth disease is concerned, discussions are proceeding with the Argentine authorities about the suggestion that animals slaughtered for the supply of meat to this country should undergo a period of quarantine. As regards sheep scab and anthrax, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that it would not be practicable to impose further statutory safeguards, but representations have been made to the Governments of Northern Ireland and of the Irish Republic about the eradication of sheep scab in those countries.

I welcome that Answer, but are we making it clear to our friends in South America that if they want to continue to enjoy the use of the British market they must be able to: give their produce a clean bill of health?

Yes, it is a very imporportant point, and I know that my right hon. Friend was very glad to have the views of the Royal Agricultural Society on this matter when representatives of the Society came to see him. Our officials in the Argentine are very much alive to this and we are impressing it on the Argentinians.

Are we still exporting to South America vaccines for use for animals to be exported?

I should be grateful if the right hon. Gentleman would put down that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that the recent price increases on meat, sugar and other commodities are offset by seasonal reductions in others thereby maintaining an even cost-of-living index figure, what steps he has considered by way of price control or otherwise to effect a standstill over these prices when the seasonal reductions end.

I do not accept the hon. Lady's assumptions, and I have nothing to add to the replies given to her on 23rd May.

Does the hon. Member realise that these assumptions are based upon his own assumptions, contained in the reply which he gave me last week, in which he told me that the increases due to the Suez crisis were being offset by seasonal reductions, and that the reductions will fluctuate? Will he tell his right hon. Friend that it is time he stopped lecturing women about indiscriminate shopping and attended to his own business?

I am sorry that the hon. Lady does not like being lectured, and I will try not to lecture her. I would remind her, however, that reductions in the prices of food are taking place even at the present time. In the last week prices of bread and tea have both fallen. The hon. Lady should be grateful, as I am sure the housewives are, for the fact that these reductions are taking place.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 89 of the Watson Committee's Report on Timber Marketing, which relates to the high cost of transporting timber; and to what extent this is found to be affecting the profitability of the Forestry Commission's less accessible plantations.

My right hon. Friend has noted the paragraph to which my hon. Friend refers. There are so many factors affecting the prices which the Forestry Commission receives for thinnings, which form the bulk of its current production, and markets are so varied, that it is not possible to determine precisely the effect on price of distance from any particular market.

Will my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend to get in touch with the Forestry Commission particularly to investigate this matter of prices in the remote districts, especially on the West Coast of Scotland? If he does, he will be rather alarmed and will not again give such a complacent Answer.

I am sorry if my hon. Friend thought that my Answer was complacent, but I can assure him that my right hon. Friend is keenly interested in this matter and will certainly take note of the points my hon. Friend has made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give an assurance that when acquiring land for the Forestry Commission to plant, he will do so on the understanding: hat whole farms should not be planted except in the rarest cases, but rather than planting should be planned so that the neighbouring agricultural land is sheltered and improved in other ways.

In practice it is seldom possible or desirable to plant a whole farm. and in every case the acquisition of the land for forestry and its allocation between forestry and agriculture is agreed between my Ministry and the Forestry Commission. I can assure my hon. Friend that the Forestry Commission is very much alive to the importance of planning its plantations to the advantage of neighbouring agricultural land.

Will my hon. Friend ask his right hon. Friend to include some such paragraph in the speech which he may make in the country, in an area like the Towy Valley, which is still remembering the game of grab which right hon. Gentlemen opposite tried to play? Will he put an end once and for all to the idea that forestry and agriculture are mutual enemies in the hill lands, and point out that they should be partners working to their mutual advantage?

I fully agree with the latter part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, and I shall bring his request with regard to the first part to the notice of my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Member aware, in regard to the suggestion of his hon. Friend the Member for Westmorland (Mr. Vane) about the gospel of grab in the Towy Valley, that the Towy Valley owners of that land have readily sold it freely to the Forestry Commission?

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

Two thousand, two hundred and fifty-four males and 870 females on 13th May. The total of 3,124 showed a decrease of 12·3 per cent. compared with 15th April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am very glad to hear these figures? Does he realise that I keep pressing him upon this matter because some of the underlying trends are rather disturbing? Taking Armstrong Siddeley alone, is he aware that 250 workers' notices expired on 22nd May and that that figure has now grown to to 535? Do the consultations that he is having with the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Supply envisage any plans in advance for dealing with these men?

The Armstrong Siddeley discharges come outside the scope of the Question and are not within the figure for 13th May to which I have referred. Naturally the consultations, which I have mentioned many times in the House, cover all changes in the defence programme.

Is not the hon. Lady doing no good to Coventry by suggesting that there is heavy unemployment in that area when the opposite is the case and, in point of fact, that town is doing very well indeed?

I am bound to say that I sometimes find difficulty in recognising the facts about Coventry in the clothes in which the hon. Lady dresses them.

May I reply to that? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Is the Minister aware that the figures that I have given him are absolutely correct? If the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport) would like to go to Coventry, and to Armstrong Siddeleys, he would find that they are completely verified and that the clothes that I wear in which to present them are very acceptable to Coventry.?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the number of vacancies for men and women notified to Coventry Employment Exchange on 10th April was 816 and if he will give the number for the latest convenient date in May.

The figure for April was as stated by the hon. Member. The corresponding figure for 8th May was 867.

Does the Minister remember that on 14th May he told me that about 200 men out of the 250 out of work would not get jobs locally or within daily travelling distance? As that number has now increased to 535, does he suggest that all these men will have to leave Coventry, or are these continuous consultations going to bring work to the locality?

I did not suggest that at all. The Question asked for the facts about vacancies, which I have given. The vacancies over the last few months have increased in Coventry and the surrounding area. That is something which I am delighted to see. So far as the other part of the supplementary question is concerned, that is part of the consultation that goes on. and we notify, not only to Coventry but to all the other threatened towns, vacancies over a very wide area of the country.

Does the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.Colonel Bromley-Davenport) think that if he applied to Armstrong Siddeley for a job he would get it?

Is it not a fact that some of these men who are now unemployed in Coventry have been in the motor and other trades for only a comparatively short time, and that their arrival in Coventry during the temporary high development of the motor trade has been at the expense of the full maintenance and development of many agricultural areas in the west Midlands?

It is quite true that over a period of years, until the boom conditions disappeared a year ago, there was an enormous influx of labour into Coventry. It leaves us with something of a problem when those boom conditions change into more seasonal conditions, as, perhaps, has recently happened in the motor car industry.

On a point of order. May I, through you, Mr. Speaker, inform the hon. and gallant Member—

I am not a channel for information between hon. Members. It would be better if the hon. Lady notified the hon. and gallant Member afterwards.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Hungarian refugees have found employment in this country since October, 1956; and how many of these have been employed in coal mining.

Nearly 12,000 Hungarian refugees have been placed in employment, other than coal mining. This total includes refugees who were placed in temporary employment, but have since emigrated to Canada, and the actual number now at work is somewhat less.

Have any of these refugees been given training in coal mining since they have been over here and then been unable to find employment? If so, what is the reason?

They were brought over here with the idea of having training. which includes, in the wider sense, the learning of English and the various safety and other methods that we have in coal mining. I am told by the National Coal Board that at present about 200 people who have been trained are available for work in the pits but for various reasons cannot yet find work. Consultations are going on between the Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers in regard to that matter.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, in the Borough of Leyton are now registered as unemployed as compared with the same months in 1956 and 1955; how many of those now registered have been unemployed for longer than one week; and how many of these are wood workers or cabinet makers.

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Minister circulate at the same time the number of vacancies which have occurred but which have not been filled?

I do not know whether I can get them in time to circulate with

asked the Minister of Labour what percentage of Great Britain's unemployment was located in Scotland at mid-December in each of the years from 1950 to 1956.

As the reply includes a table of figures I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether or not there is any sign in those figures of a trend in favour of Scotland? On a number of occasions he has said that there is a trend in favour of Scotland. Will he tell us if he sees such a favourable trend over a number of years?

The graph goes up and down. It may comfort the hon. Member to know that the best percentage for Scotland-18·2 per cent.—was reached on 10th December, 1956.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that Scotland's unemployment figure remains, broadly speaking, double the United Kingdom average, and that it remains double the this Answer. If not, I will send them privately to the hon. Member.

Statistics are available only for employment exchange areas, and the figures for the Leyton and Walthamstow Employment Exchange area are as follows:

If I take the two years that I am given in the Question, what the hon. Member says is quite right about 1950, when his Government were in power. The figure of unemployment was 2·9 per cent. in Scotland and 1966·4 per cent. in Great Britain, which is rather more than double. Last year, on 10th December, it was 2·5 per cent. in Scotland and 1966·4 per cent. in Great Britain, which is a good deal better.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress he has made in finding alternative employment for those becoming redundant in south-west Middlesex as a result of the Electrical and Musical Industries merger and the removal of Kraft Food Products from that area.

Action will be taken to help them obtain other employment when the workers to be discharged are known, but no notices have yet been issued by either of these firms.

I thank the Minister for that reply, which promises to keep the matter under consideration. May I ask the Minister to consider that nearly 5,000 people will become redundant in these two firms; that dismissals will take place very shortly; and that the matter is causing grave concern locally?

I appreciate that, but this is part of the Greater London area, and unemployment there is under 1 per cent. at present. Although there have been special redundancies with these firms—about 2,000 people were involved early last year—we have not found grave difficulty in the past in absorbing them fairly quickly. I see no reason, if we do our best, which of course we shall, why that should not be so again.