asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds African troops of the King's African Rifles present in England to take part in the Royal Tournament are not issued with pillows and sheets for their bedding at the Royal Artillery Depot, Woolwich.

Sheets and pillows were not issued automatically to these troops on arrival, because they do not use them in Africa. Sheets and pillows, however, have been placed in the barrack rooms and any soldier who fancies them can use them. Several are, in fact, doing so.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this depot has a faultless record in regard to discrimination and that none of us is making any charge against the commanding officer, but is it not the case that, with regard to these African troops, the pillows and sheets were withheld on the instructions of the European officer commanding, and that it was only after publicity was given to the matter that they were provided with bedding similar to that of other troops? Will the hon. Gentleman issue instructions that there shall not be such discrimination in future between the different races?

The hon. Gentleman has sometimes drawn attention to genuine cases of discrimination, but I would resent this charge if it were not so patently absurd. Our sole desire has been to make our visitors comfortable and to give them what they are used to at home.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in the Army pamphlet issued to parents about educational facilities available to National Service men, he will insert a note as to what branches of the Service are available for those wishing to pursue a particular type of education; and whether advice about educational facilities can be offered to all recruits when they are called up for service.

I am grateful for my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. I will consider it. subject of course to the reservation that we cannot always post National Service men to the anti of the Service of their choice.

In answer to the second part of the Question, it is the duty of education officers, who are on the staff of every basic training unit, to advise recruits about educational facilities.

Information is also contained in pamphlets issued before or during call-up.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for greater encouragement and assistance to be given to National Service men who wish to pursue their further education during their period of service in the Army; and if he will make a statement.

National Service men are encouraged and helped to continue their education while they are in the Army. I cannot at Question Time describe the full range of what is available, but it is based upon classroom teaching by the Royal Army Educational Corps supplemented by a number of schemes to meet the special needs of individuals.

My right hon. Friend is most anxious that National Service men should make the best use of these facilities, and to supplement the existing information about what is available a new pamphlet is being printed for the use of headmasters, employers and the National Service men themselves.

Would my hon. Friend reexamine the facilities available to National Service men who wish to take professional examinations, and now that fewer men are liable to call up for National Service would he not deem it appropriate, possibly, to extend this service?

If my hon. Friend would like to make any detailed suggestions. I should, of course, he very glad to receive them.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress has been made in the provision of modern married quarters for troops stationed in this country; how many old quarters have been demolished during the past three years; and when he anticipates completion of the rebuilding plan and adequate provision of married quarters for all needing these.

There have been 11,150 married quarters built since the war for officers and other ranks in the United Kingdom, and by August this year 2,300 old quarters will have been converted or modernised. About 130 old married quarters have been demolished in the past three years. Until details of the new Army organisation arc settled I cannot say when we shall complete our programme.

Will the hon. Gentleman say at least what percentage or proportion of married quarters have been reconstructed, particularly in view of the fact that quite a number who are living in the old married quarters still complain, some, alas, very properly, that they are so inconvenient?

I cannot give' the percentages offhand. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I will certainly answer it.

Would the hon. Gentleman not agree that, while this is substantial progress, it does not yet compare well with that made by the Royal Air Force, and cannot he find means to expedite it?

Where proportions are concerned, I think that we can say that we compare reasonably with the Royal Air Force. Our target was, I think, 13,000 and their target 19,000. We have built 11,000 and they have built 16,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what regulations governing barrack room inspections soldiers are required to remove family photographs from their lockers.

There are no such regulations.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that commanding officers will be able to follow a reasonably uniform practice? Is he aware that in some cases soldiers have been ordered to remove family photographs, other than photographs of the Royal family, and that in other cases they are allowed one or two photographs, and that this kind of interference causes a lot of annoyance and ill will?

I have looked into this matter, as the hon. Gentleman is aware. He may have misunderstood my reply by letter to him. My information is that soldiers may display one or two family photographs at all times but they are expected to remove their "pin-up" photographs during inspection.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made or proposes to make to the Government of the United States of America on the subject of the tariff-quota for the current year on wool cloth imported from the United Kingdom by the United States of America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations the Government has made to the United States Government against the imposition of higher import tariffs on imports of United Kingdom woollen manufactures into the United States of America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the interests of the wool industry in Great Britain, he will make representations to the Government of the United States of America to reconsider the tariff-quota for the current year on wool cloth.

Her Majesty's Government have made repeated representations to the United States Government in the past year about the tariff-quota system itself and about the size of the quota. Unfortunately these representations have been of no avail. My right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the President of the Board of Trade saw the United States Ambassador last Friday and handed to him a further memorandum, the text of which I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this tariff-quota is a peculiarly objectionable form of import restriction as it involves a sudden rise in duty from 25 per cent. to 45 per cent. at an uncertain date, and that that plays havoc with our export trade? Will he continue his representations not only because of the damage that is being done to the industry of the West Riding of Yorkshire but also because this policy is surely inconsistent with that which America has often urged upon other countries, namely, the encouragement of freer international trade?

When the hon. Gentleman has had an opportunity of studying the text, which will be in the OFFICIAL REPORT, he will see that the general point to which he refers is included in that representation, and also a specific request for the reconsideration of the size of the quota in the current year.

Is this not an exceptionally unfortunate decision by the United States Government which will be much regretted by the best friends of America in this country, and is the Minister aware that if he makes the strongest possible representation he will, I think, have the support of the whole House?

I am indeed hopeful that the representations which we have made to the United States will lead to a reconsideration of the quota for this year and of the decision which has been made.

While the wool interests in the West Riding of Yorkshire, will be grateful for the representations made, particularly last weekend, may I ask my right hon. and learned Friend to bear in mind the need to ensure that reasonable publicity is given to the situation in the United States, because is it not a fact that their case is based to a great extent on the home trade having fallen very considerably, whereas in fact our trade over the last ten years has increased by 30 million yards and American output has fallen by 250 million yards? Will my right hon. and learned Friend confirm that it is essential to ensure propaganda in the United States as well as here?

I should not like to he tied to specific figures without notice. It is obviously a matter of interest to us that there should be the widest possible understanding of our point of view in the United States.

Is it not further evidence of the unfair trading methods of the Americans, and is it not high time that we gave notice to quit the G.A.T.T. agreement and developed our own Empire trade?

I do not think that any such generalisation logically or properly follows from these particular circumstances.

By reconsideration does the Minister mean reviewing the decision already made relating to 1957?

Yes. The United States Government has been asked to reconsider its decision for the quota for the current year—that is to say, 1957.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply he has given to the farmers' unions of the United Kingdom respecting their proposal made to him in February, 1956, for a higher tariff upon herbage vegetable root and flower seeds, having regard to the reasoned objections made by the seed trade organisations.

This application is still under consideration.

Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind, as I am sure he will, the potentially harmful effect that this prolonged uncertainty can have upon a highly seasonal seed trade, and will he do his utmost to see that an early decision is made?

It is always desirable to get as early a decision as is compatible with a full review of the application and of the representations received in regard to it. In this case a very large number of representations have been received, and it is a technically difficult and controversial application.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind, while considering this proposal, the need to hold the balance even, as there are far more consumers of seeds than there are producers?

It is always our object and intention, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, to hold the balance even; and it is for that reason that these applications perhaps take a little more time to consider than if that consideration were not so present in our minds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, having regard to the decreasing weight of packet food goods amounting to 3 oz. less in each lb, and 1½ oz. in half lb. packets, and the lessening amounts in all containers and tubes, he will take steps to ensure the maintenance of such weights and contents pending legislation on the Hodgson Committee proposals.

Under existing legislation some prepacked foods must be sold in specified amounts only and nearly all must be marked with their minimum contents. I think that any extension of this requirement to other goods is a matter which should await the proposed new legislation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that minimum requirements vary in regard to half lb. packets, 6½ ozs. being permissible, and that on 1 lb. packets 13 oz. is permissible? Is he further aware that this practice is adding more to the cost of living than any other direct increase?

I think that that is only permissible where there is not a statutory requirement to sell in the specified amount of 1 lb. or a half lb.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is a growing practice to put less in the packet, putting in actually the minimum amount. so that if one buys a half lb. packet of biscuits one gets only 6½ oz.? With the development of self-service stores this growing practice is of great detriment to housewives, who are very annoyed about it. Is it not time that the Government introduced the legislation which they promised some time ago?

It is not an offence to sell 6½ oz. of biscuits provided that is the weight shown on the packet. It is only an offence if the packet is shown as containing a half lb. and it contains 6½ oz. If the hon. Lady will give me examples I shall be glad to look into them.

Has not the hon. Gentleman read the Hodgson Report? He will find there that it is not an offence to do exactly what he says is an offence.

I have read that Report recently but I will look at it again to refresh my memory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to end the practice of selling fruit without weight being clearly stated.

My right hon. Friend is considering this matter in connection with the proposed new legislation on weights and measures.

Can we not have a standstill arrangement pending that legislation? It is more than a year since the promise came from the Government that legislation would be introduced. A standstill is being asked in regard to wages; is it not time that there was a standstill agreement in regard to packeted goods the containers of which are constantly containing less and less?

Question No. 10 refers to selling fruit, as distinct from packeted goods.

On a point of order. I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the common price agreement in the newsprint industry has yet been registered under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956; and if he will use his powers under Section 1 (2) of the Act to ensure that the agreement receives early consideration by the Restrictive Practices Court.

I understand that such an agreement has not so far appeared in the Register. I would however remind the hon. Member that information about particular agreements can more appropriately be obtained from the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements.

With regard to the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend cannot take a decision on an agreement not entered in the register.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Attorney-General mentioned yesterday that only five agreements had so far been registered? is he further aware that newsprint of admittedly varying quality is all sold at the same price? Does not he feel that this agreement should be urgently investigated, in the public interest and in the interest of the newspapers?

I do not think that the Attorney-General's Answer related to the number of agreements actually registered. I think that the Question put to him was in relation to the progress of cases towards hearing by the Restrictive Practices Court, which is, of course, a different consideration.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that there is a great deal of anxiety about this matter? If there were an agreement in existence and it had not been registered, what would the right hon. and learned Gentleman do about it?

Any agreement which falls into the common-pre agreement category is registrable under the Registration of Restrictive Trade Agreements Order, 1956. There is provision under the Act for bringing before the Court agreements which ought to have been but have not been registered. I must make it clear that I have no reason to suppose in this case that there is any default of that sort.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the failure of the cotton industry's delegation to the Far East, what steps he now proposes to take in order to stem the flood of cheap cotton goods into this country from India. Pakistan and Hong Kong.

As my right hon. Friend said in his reply to the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson), on 27th May, he is seeing members of the Cotton Mission together with the Chairman of the Cotton Board later this afternoon, and I should prefer to say no more until we have had an opportunity of considering their report.

In view of the proposed meeting, I do not wish to press the matter further at the moment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent British manufacturers of umbrellas have been able to compete with imported umbrellas from Asia during the past three years; and in what areas overseas are British exporters of umbrellas maintaining or extending their trade.

Imports of umbrellas and sunshades, which come mostly from Hong Kong, have fallen from 42,000 dozen in 1954 to 25,000 dozen in 1956. Exports to Malaya and Fiji have increased in the last three years but exports to other markets have fallen.

Arc we entitled to deduce from that Answer that the reduced importation of sunshades and umbrellas from Hong Kong has led to an increase in the production of these articles in this country?

Apart from the Census of Production statistics, we do not collect production statistics for the umbrella industry; but my information from the industry is that business is at present good.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking, following the cancellation of Government military contracts, to draw the attention of industry to the productive capacity now available at Coventry and Ansty, which includes a large modern factory with new drawing offices and test beds; and what steps he is taking to encourage the use of this capacity for civilian purposes.

I understand that the company which owns the capacity referred to is actively seeking other types of production to supplement the military work which it still has.

In the meantime, is it not a terrible waste of national productive capacity? Cannot the Minister encourage other firms to come into that factory on a sub-letting basis in order to use the first-class machinery which is available? Have not the Government a plan, as the Labour Government had in 1945, for the tapering off of military production and for replacing it by civilian production?

A privately-owned factory such as this is not available for the Government to offer to other tenants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make wider use of the exceptions procedure to permit the increased export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of marginal items on the control lists.

No, Sir. There is no marginal field in the Soviet bloc controls analogous to the differential China list to which the special exceptions procedure was applied; and the Government would not feel justified in proposing any variation of the arrangements explained by my right hon. and learned Friend on 13th May in answer to the hon. Member for West Ham, North (Mr. Lewis).

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend think that by the judicious use of the exceptions procedure he might possibly stimulate without risk the export of such goods as machine tools or machinery for manu- facturing cathode tubes, which can scarcely be described as strategic or as involving any military risk?

I do not think that the differential procedure which my hon. Friend has in mind has any significance in the context of the Russian list. The special exceptions procedure in the case of the China list was used for items formerly embargoed for China, but only on the watch list for Russia. With the abolition of the differential, these items are now only on the watch list. I think that my hon. Friend will agree that the point of the special exceptions procedure does not apply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the inflationary effect of the excessive rates of interest charged on certain hire-purchase transactions, if he will consider introducing legislation to reduce and to limit these charges, and to compel a full disclosure on every contract before it is signed.

No, Sir. With regard to the second part of the Question, under existing legislation, agreements to which the Hire-Purchase Acts apply must show both cash price and hire-purchase price and my right hon. Friend does not think it necessary to extend the scope of this requirement.

is my hon. Friend aware that the high cost of money in hire-purchase transactions is putting up the real cost by about 50 per cent.? Will he not take steps to curb this evil?

Hire-purchase charges, of course, include costs in addition to interest on the money which is being used.

is the hon. Gentleman not aware that hire-purchase is used in the main by poorer people? Can he explain why, on the average, they have to pay 12 per cent. interest for hire purchase, whereas other people with capital assets can get a bank overdraft for half that amount?

That is because the cost of hire-purchase must include the cost of collection, insurance, bad debts, and other items which must be recouped.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the proposed reduction of the number of British forces stationed in Germany involves reduction in the contribution by the West German Government to the costs of maintaining British military strength in Germany.

The German contribution is not specifically related to the number of British forces stationed in Germany. The German Government may, however, call for discussions at any time after 1st September, 1957, with a view to amendment of the size of their contribution in the light of any relevant change in the situation. In fact, however, there will be more British forces stationed in Germany during the current financial year than was foreshadowed in the discussions with the German negotiators.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer his estimate of the cost of abandoning the means test for State scholarships if parents were not permitted to receive child allowance against Income Tax in respect of such scholars.

About £350,000.

Is not this a very substantial reduction on the estimate given to the House some time ago by the Minister of Education, which did not include any change in the child allowance? Does the Chancellor think the suggestion which I have made is a practical one? If it requires legislation, would he be prepared to take the opportunity of the passage of the Finance Bill through the House to do something of this kind?

This is the best estimate I can give after careful consideration of the cost. There are, of course, many other factors besides the cost, as well as the question of whether it might extend to other scholarships. I prefer not to deal with the matter by question and answer.

What is the reason for the Government keeping this means test in existence?

To do what is suggested would be costly—it would cost a certain sum of money if we did it in the existing field, but if we extended it to local education authority awards, which might be a logical extension of the principle, it would cost rather more—I think another £3 million. It is not something that I rule out; I merely give the cost of it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of the 221 cinemas which closed last year were small cinemas with a capacity of 400 seats or less; and how many of these were exempt from Entertainments Duty.

I regret that this information is not immediately available, but it is being obtained from local sources. This will take a little time; I will write to my lion. Friend when it is ready.

While I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that a number of the smaller cinemas which have closed during the last year, and others which are making arrangements to close because of poor receipts, attribute their failure entirely to Entertainments Duty?

I am aware of the criticism by the cinemas of Entertainments Duty, but I am happy to say that we have been able to improve their position somewhat this year.

Is the Chancellor aware that in the north of Scotland cinemas in small isolated places have sent figures to his Department to show that the losses which occur are less than the amount paid in Entertainments Duty—in other words, if it were not for the duty the cinemas would be able to carry on, but now these out-of-the-way places are likely to be deprived of cinemas altogether because of the tax?

It is just that type of cinema which will have most advantage from the provisions of the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that South Africa and other Commonwealth countries are now creating their own money markets instead of using London money market facilities and if he will take steps to enable the rates structure of the London market to compete more effectively.

I am aware that some Commonwealth countries are creating their own money markets. I welcome this since it should in due course increase the efficiency of their financial and monetary techniques.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, however, that there is a considerable loss of valuable foreign exchange and, therefore, a deficit on the balance of payments as a result of these competing money markets?

It may be that in places they will fulfil a function previously discharged in London. At the same time, we must welcome advances of this kind in a Commonwealth country. Certainly there is no reason why we should be opposed to it.

Is it not true that the London money market is falling in importance because we have not the money to lend and, if we keep spending more than we are earning, we must fall behind in the race among the international money lenders?

I would only say that we are not alone in that we have not the money to lend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now arrange for an annual report by the Capital Issues Committee.

No, Sir; but I am considering the regular publication of figures in the way suggested by the hon. Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) on 9th April.

Does that include the number of applications to the Committee and the number of applications refused? Will the Chancellor include in his statement a statement of the principles on which the Committee is working?

The principles on which the Committee is working are stated from time to time in Questions and Answers in the House of Commons. The statement would include the number of applications which have been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue to Remploy and other organisations for handicapped workers, and to Her Majesty's Prison Commissioners, summarised lists of the inventories, other than armaments, of the Service Ministries and Ministry of Works, so that they may have an opportunity to enlarge the range of goods which they supply to Government Departments.

The Piercy Committee on the Rehabilitation, Training and Resettlement of Disabled Persons, in its Report published last November, urged that the volume of orders to such suppliers as Remploy Ltd. should be increased. This matter is now under consideration among the Departments concerned, and I can assure the hon. Member that the Government are sympathetic and will do what is possible to enlarge both the range and the quantities of goods supplied from these sources.

Whilst thanking the Chancellor for that helpful Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that this problem is only that of providing work for the equivalent of 6,000 able-bodied men? The Service Departments each have inventories of more than 700,000 items. If they did what the Question asks, work could easily be provided with the cooperation of both sides of industry.

That is what is being considered. I am sympathetic, and desire that we should do all that we can in this field.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, in view of the general increase in earnings and the reduced value of the pound, he will take steps to increase the maximum amount allowed to members of local authorities for loss of earnings while attending council meetings.

I am considering this.

Is the Minister aware that we are very glad to hear that? In view of the difficulties which some county councils are getting into, may we hope to have a fairly early decision?

I am anxious—I think the hon. Member would agree—to have the views of the local authority associations before reaching a final decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the average increase in weekly earnings since these rates were fixed, more than three years ago, amounts to about 7s. a day? Will he bear that in mind when—as I hope he will—he fixes new and higher figures as maxima?

I shall seek to bear everything in mind. I am desirous of knowing the views of local authority associations before reaching any conclusion.

asked the Minister of Housing arid Local Government whether he has received a progress report from the Committee appointed to co-ordinate research into methods of dealing with problems arising from the discharge of effluent containing detergents; and if he will make a statement.

The Committee was appointed in January, and is required by its terms of reference to report at least once a year. No report has yet been submitted.

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that there was a great deal of inquiry even before this Committee started work on this problem. Can he say when we are likely to see any positive, physical result?

The research on which the Committee is engaged and the collating of the material is bound to take a great deal of time. What I am anxious to do is to find a radical cure and not merely to treat the symptoms.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this problem of the pollution of rivers is a very grave national problem? While I am grateful for the very full answer that he sent me last week in regard to the pollution of the Trent, is he further aware that progress in this matter is very slow? Will he treat the whole question as one of grave national urgency?

Nothing would please me more than to be the Minister who cleaned the rivers, but one thing I am not going to do is to make premature promises of what might not be technically practicable to perform.

Will the Minister ask his Committee to give very careful consideration to the danger of infectious material being blown long distances in the froth produced by detergents?

We have a very highly-qualified technical Committee, and I am quite sure that it will take everything into consideration

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the continued unsatisfactory condition of the River Colne below Rickmansworth and the River Fray as it flows through Uxbridge; and if, in view of the delay in dealing with the pollution of these rivers, he will take special action to deal with the matter.

I understand from the Thames Conservancy, which is the responsible pollution prevention authority, that the River Colne and the loop formed by Fray's River are now in a better state than they have been for some time. The improvement is due to the completion of sewage works extensions by the Colne Valley Sewerage Board, the full effect of which may not yet have been felt.

Is the Minister aware that the Conservancy board is not entirely up to date in this matter and that with the arrival of the warmer weather the problem is recurring again? Will he ask the board to expedite the work in the Colne River and see whether it can do something to clear the Fray of the weeds which are collecting there again this year?

I think that the responsible authorities believe that the position will steadily improve as time goes on, thanks to these new works. The full effects of the new works may possibly not yet be felt, because the sediment deposited earlier in the river may be being disturbed by cleaning operations and it may take some time to disperse.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give a list of the rivers of England and Wales suffering from pollution to an appreciable degree; and what action he proposes taking in this matter.

Any discharge into a river which alters the natural quality of the water constitutes pollution, and there are therefore not many rivers in England and Wales which are not polluted at some place or at some time. In the absence of any definition of what constitutes appreciable pollution it is really not practicable to prepare a list on the lines asked for by the hon. Member. Under the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1951, it is the responsibility of the river board to take action where appropriate in a particular case.

Would the Minister agree that the index of a good atlas would be needed to get a full list of all these stinking rivers? Is it not a fact that many towns with these smelly, polluted rivers in their vicinity wish to expand their sewage works but cannot do so because the right hon. Gentleman's Department will not give them the necessary finance to enable them to do so?

This is in part a matter of finance, but in the case which the hon. Member has in mind the authority concerned is already spending a good deal of money and has embarked on further projects which, I hope, will assist his constituents and his friends.

Is it not a fact that much of the river pollution could be reduced if local authorities were given permission to go ahead with schemes, which at the moment they are unable to do because of the refusal of loan sanction?

If the country had unlimited resources, there are many good things we could do. I indicated in reply to an earlier question the reputation I would like to get for myself in this matter, to which I attach a great deal of importance.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government which angling associations have sent him letters of complaint regarding pollution of the rivers of England and Wales.

In all I have had perhaps half-a-dozen letters in the last few months from individual angling associations and from the Anglers Co-operative Association complaining about the condition of rivers in England and Wales, but no separate list of these letters has been kept, and I am afraid that without a great deal of research through a large number of files I could not let the hon. Member have a complete list.

Is the Minister aware that I have had dozens of letters in this connection, many more, apparently, than he has had? Will he confirm that at least half a million anglers are up in arms about this? Will the right hon. Gentleman please do something about it, even to the extent of setting up a commission to consider these rivers which are in such a filthy state?

I pointed out in reply to an earlier Question that the primary responsibility lies with the river board concerned.

Has the right hon. Gentleman consulted the river boards about this, and with what result? Is it not one of his most important responsibilities to keep every brook clean?

I certainly intend to keep this one clean. However, it is not my duty to be constantly in communication with the river boards in these matters. I rely on the river boards for their co-operative action.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that it is possible under the provisions of the Town and Country Planing Act, 1947, for a stranger to obtain planning permission in respect of land without the knowledge of the owner, and that fraud could result; whether he is satisfied with this situation; and what action he proposes to take to remedy it.

It would require legislation to change this situation. I can see that the present arrangement is open to some objection, and yet any other arrangement might well create more difficulties than it would cure. I should be glad to consider any suggestions which my hon. Friend may have.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that his dismissal of an appeal by Messrs. Theo. Taylor and Company of Taunton against the refusal of planning permission for industrial development at Palmerston Road and Roseberry Terrace has given rise to local dissatisfaction; and whether he will make a statement.

The Taunton Borough Council, according to a letter received from it, takes the decision on this appeal to imply that I am opposed to the introduction of further industry into Taunton. I am explaining to the council that my view is simply that no more land is needed for industry than is allocated for the purpose in the town map now before me.

May I ask my right hon. Friend two questions? First, is he aware that the land remaining for industrial development in Taunton needs to be raised at a cost of about £2,500 per acre, which virtually precludes any new industrial development in Taunton? Secondly, in view of the very great local concern almost universally felt in Taunton at this situation, will my right hon. Friend kindly look at the whole question again before a final decision is made about the Taunton development plan?

I am very anxious that we should get this matter right, but it certainly is not my intention that the area of land allocated for industry in the Taunton town map should be in any way reduced.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this is not a clear example of where a tax on land values would stop the landlords exploiting the community in this fashion?

No, it is not.

The right hon. Gentleman does not understand it.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the call for garages on existing council housing estates where many of the tenants now own their own cars; and if he will extend loan facilities so that such accommodation may be provided in keeping with present-day standards.

I am prepared to approve proposals for building garages on local authority housing estates provided I am satisfied that there is a real need.

Will my right hon. Friend be reasonably accommodating in satisfying himself about the need? Many local authorities are finding great difficulty in meeting the increased demand for houses with garages and also in preventing tenants from putting up odd shacks of their own.

I shall endeavour, as in all things, to take a sensible view of the matter.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will investigate the pollution of the atmosphere at present affecting the Stockton-on-Tees district, and initiate action to detect and remove the cause of the noxious smell which is causing a public nuisance.

My alkali inspector has been investigating this matter in co-operation with the local authorities concerned, and I understand that some improvement has already been secured. Efforts are continuing to trace the remaining sources of smell and to eliminate them so far as possible.

Is the Minister aware that when the wind is in a certain direction, life is almost unendurable for my constituents, and that this smell is reminiscent of a horde of tom cats on a night out? Is it much use for the Prime Minister to speak in the constituency at Stockton Racecourse and ask for an open-air approach to matters when it is almost impossible, when the wind is blowing, for my constituents to go out in the open?

I understand that there was a bad smell when the hon. Member was in his constituency. [Laughter.] I am extremely sorry, and I understand that the position has now been considerably improved. I will do anything in my power to rectify the matter.

Is the Minister aware that this has been going on at intervals over the last three or four years, and that the smell was very much worse last weekend when the Prime Minister was there?

Seriously, the belief is current that this is connected with the acetone processes that are carried on in the neighbourhood, but there is no certainty yet. I am quite sure that all concerned are anxious to get at the truth of the matter and eliminate the smell completely.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what new instructions have been issued recently to local authorities relating to requisitioned properties.

The instructions I have issued are contained in Circular No. 30/57. published on 17th April. I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

Is the Minister aware that some of us have seen the reports which borough councils are now presenting about that circular? Is he aware that it is an instruction to borough councils in London, where the housing situation is still very bad, to take steps to end requisitioning by 1960 definitely, and that, furthermore, the order refers to the possible increases in rents which owners of requisitioned houses can obtain under the Rent Bill, which is not yet the law of the land? How can one justify that kind of thing to local representatives?

I was under pressure to get the circular out, and I wanted to do so as early as possible. I should have been open to criticism if I had waited to send it out until the Rent Bill actually became law. I am quite sure that all local authorities will do their utmost to comply with the advice in the circular.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the present stage in the preparations for the building of the Forth road bridge; and whether it is possible to give a starting date for its construction.

I understand that the consultant engineers employed by the Forth Road Bridge Joint Board are making good progress with the preparation of detailed plans. The Joint Board has my authority to invite tenders as soon as these plans are completed. I am afraid that until this stage has been reached I cannot add to my reply of 29th January last, in which I said that I hope that the actual work of construction may begin in the summer of 1958.

The right hon. Gentleman's Answer will be welcome as far as it goes, but the people would like to see some activity, say, in the preparation of the roads which will join up with the bridge. This would give them the feeling that something was actually on the move.

As I said, the Joint Board is moving as fast as it can, and I hope that we shall see progress fairly soon.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average valuation for rating of dwelling-houses owned by Dumfries County Council and the other dwelling-houses in the county, respectively.

I am informed that the average rateable value as at 16th May, 1956, of dwelling-houses in the Landward area of Dumfriesshire was £35 7s. 1d. in the case of houses owned by the county council and approximately £17 2s. in the case of other dwelling-houses, except agricultural houses, which are not separately valued.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that the Answer that he has just given means that council tenants in Dumfriesshire pay more than twice as much as occupiers of other dwelling-houses in respect of all the local services, including education?

The figures speak for themselves. The hon. Member will realise—and this is relevant—that rateable value is at present tied to actual rent, whether it is a fair rent or not. After 1961, of course, that position will alter, and all houses will be valued on a fair rent.

That does not answer my question. Does this mean that local authority tenants pay twice as much as other people for local authority services?

I am not prepared to draw any more distinctions than those arising directly from the figures which I have given to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual financial burden per house owned by Dumfries County Council at the last convenient date; and what was the Exchequer grant, the statutory rate contribution and the deficit.

The total housing burden for 1955–56, according to the published accounts for that year, appróximated to £81 13s. per house. This was met to the extent of £30 14s. 6d. from rents. £23 16s. from the Exchequer and £27 2s. 6d. from rates. The last mentioned amount included an extra rate contribution to the extent of £19 4s. per house to cover the local authority's deficit for the year.

Do not these figures show that even to liquidate the whole of the rate contribution to the housing revenue account, the rents of £30 could be increased properly by only £27, making a total of £57 when, in fact, the Dumfriesshire County Council is now charging rents of £95 a year?

These are very rapid calculations worked out by the hon. Gentleman but, of course, what happens about rents is, as I have said before in the House, the responsibility of the local authority.

Is not the Secretary of State responsible for ensuring that the county council makes the statutory rate contribution for these houses?

Yes, Sir, certainly I am, and as I have explained, it has been done, or it will come out in answer to the next Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he took to satisfy himself, before deciding the amount of the Exchequer contribution, that the Dumfries County Council was making the statutory rate contribution required in respect of its existing houses.

I obtained statements from the authority, certified by its Chief Financial Officer and Auditor.

I do not think that that answers the Question. The right hon. Gentleman said that in answering this Question he would reply to my previous one.

I was answering Question No. 44, which has a relation to the previous Question.

The right hon. Gentleman has said that that Answer would show that the local authority has, in fact, made the statutory contribution, but the earlier figures that he has given show that it is not making the existing statutory rate contribution but has, in fact, anticipated legislation now before Parliament in regard to the number of houses that it is to build in the next five years.

No, Sir. The Answer that I have just given applies, of course, to past history—

What is happening now?

—and the hon. Gentleman's Question, which I had not clearly understood, clearly relates to the present position. As my hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary said yesterday, according to the information in my possession, the Dumfries-shire County Council proposes to make a rate contribution which will really be more than the statutory rate contribution that now exists.