asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that housewives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne are being charged up to 2s. for a head of lettuce; and if he will introduce legislation to prevent overcharging for vegetables and fruit during spells of hot weather.

I am aware that prices of lettuce in Newcastle have been high recently owing to the dry spring. Supplies have improved with recent rain, and I am informed that retail prices are now about half what they were a month ago. The answer to the second part of the Question is: No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that we are still paying Is. in Newcastle for a head of lettuce? Is he aware that this applies not only to vegetables but also to fruit and that we are paying 7d. each for apples? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this sort of petty profiteering right through the economy is one of the major causes of inflation?

One must realise that the weather has a tremendous effect on the production of lettuce. A year ago, I was getting into hot water in the House because the price of lettuce was so low. That is a good illustration of the exacting responsibilities of a Minister of Agriculture.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information about exactly how much of the price of 2s. was received by the producer and how much the producer is getting of the price of 1s.?

No, I have not that information exactly. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, there is a great deal of competition in the production and marketing of this commodity. The information I have is that in London lettuces are available retail at between 6d. and 1s. according to quality.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that it is possible to survive for quite long periods without a lettuce, even in the hot weather? Would he not agree that foolish people who are prepared to pay 2s. for a lettuce are every bit as much responsible for the high prices as the trader who sells them?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1)if he will request the Animal Health Trust or similar approved body to conduct an investigation into the effect on meat-eating animals being fed with broth made from the necks of caponised chickens and the period of any resulting sterility after cessation of such a diet;

(2)whether he has examined the evidence sent him by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South with respect to the effect on meat-eating animals who have been partially fed with broth made from the necks of caponised chickens; and what action he proposes to take as a result.

I doubt whether a special investigation into this question is necessary. It is already known that the feeding of chicken necks which contained implants of synthetic oestrogens is dangerous, and a warning is given against the practice in the Ministry's advisory leaflet I am considering whether additional publicity should be given to the warning already issued.

Is it not important that members of the public who are chicken broth addicts should be warned that this is even more dangerous than nuclear fallout?

I am advised that the danger to human beings is very slight. A Question on this subject has been put down to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some reference or make a statement on this important question with which many of us are not at all familiar?

Questions concerning risk to health would fall within the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps under the Food and Drugs Act to oblige distributors of caponised chickens to indicate whether they have been caponised by the injection of hormone tablets.

I am consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

Does my right hon. Friend not agree that if a housewife purchases a cockerel which has been killed early, in the neck of which the hormone pellet is still embedded, and if she then makes a soup or sauce out of the offal, including the head and neck, there must be some danger to the consumer?

The Ministry leaflet to which I referred in answer to an earlier Question makes it clear that there may be some risk to human health. The question in connection with which I am consulting with my right hon. Friend is whether that risk is such as to make it desirable to provide additional safeguards to public health or possibly to make Regulations on the point.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the implementation of the Heneage Report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has now completed his discussions with the National Farmers' Union regarding the findings of the Heneage Report; and if he will make a statement.

The consultations with the associations and interests concerned, including the National Farmers' Union, which I stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne)on 5th March would be held, are now proceeding.

Can the right hon. Gentleman throw out any hope that any practical results will come from the discussions which he is now carrying on? Ever since 1951 the farming interests have been waiting for some results from the Heneage Report.

The hon. Member has been very patient in this matter. I, too, am very anxious that results should come from these consultations, and I am hopeful that they will.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the recommendations of the Heneage Report fall into two parts, one of which involves a levy upon everyone whether or not land drainage is needed, and the other seeks to amend the land drainage legislation as it exists at present? As the second is much more urgent and much easier to carry out that the first, will he please carry it out?

That is one of the points upon which consultations are now taking place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Midlands local government authorities, catchment boards and others seem to think that it is the farming interests which are holding back these discussions? Can the Minister confirm or deny that? In the meantime, many villages have been flooded. We hope that the Minister will get on with this and prevent the distress and damage caused to many villages in the Midlands in the winter months.

The point at which there was not agreement among farmers was in regard to the main recommendation, involving the raising of a general rate. The consultations now being held relate to some proposals which I have submitted as an alternative to those upon which I could not get agreement a year or two ago.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the value of the beef cattle shipped from the United Kingdom to the Continent in the twelve months ended 31st May last and what proportion this represented of the total United Kingdom production of beef cattle for slaughter.

Precise figures are not available, but it is estimated that cattle exported to the Continent for slaughter during the twelve months to the end of May, 1957, had a total value in the region of £8 million; these cattle represented about 4 per cent. of the number slaughtered in the United Kingdom during the same period.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the value of the eggs shipped from the United Kingdom to the Continent in the twelve months ended 31st May last; and what proportion this represented of the total United Kingdom production of eggs.

The value of the eggs shipped from the United Kingdom to Europe in the year ended 31st May, 1957, was about £610,000. The quantity shipped represented about 0·6 per cent. of the total United Kingdom production in that year.

In regard to any reference which he or any other responsible person makes in connection with these exports, will my right hon. Friend see that it is made quite clear in the public mind that the proportions concerned in the case of beef and eggs are so marginal—4 per cent. and less than 1 per cent., respectively—as to make very little, if any, difference to the home supply either of eggs or of beef cattle?

Yes. It is very important that this matter should be understood and kept in perspective. I think that the answers I have given today will receive some publicity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the suspension of the surcharge and the payment of distribution payments will affect the retail price of sugar.

These changes are equivalent to a reduction in the first hand selling price of refined sugar in the home trade of 1¼d. per 2 lb., which should be reflected in lower retail prices.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he would be much more popular if he had done this six months ago? This is rather late for the housewives, who have now begun jam-making. As the retail price of sugar went up by 1½d. a lb. six months ago, we should expect a similar reduction now and not just this reduction of a halfpenny.

I think that the arrangements are working out precisely as intended by Parliament when the Act was passed. The hon. Member will remember that at that time concern was expressed by the trade lest changes were made too frequently, and the trade considered that, a surcharge or distribution payment having been fixed, it should be allowed to run for some months without being altered again quickly. That is precisely what happened.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to bring down the cost of superphosphate and potassium chloride to British farmers to a level not exceeding that paid by Danish farmers.

According to the latest figures which are available from the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, the fertiliser subsidy reduces the cost of superphosphate to farmers in this country to a level below that apparently paid by Danish farmers. I am not prepared to extend the fertiliser subsidy to potash.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that although on 6th June he told me that prices in this country compared very favourably with those in the whole of Western Europe, in fact the figures he subsequently gave compared very badly indeed, and that at the date when he gave them we were 50 per cent. above the figure for the Danes in regard to superphosphates?

I must apologise to the hon. Member and to the House if I spoke a little too loosely. When I said that the prices compared favourably, I was thinking of fertiliser prices generally, at the prices paid by farmers here. The hon. Member will find that that is the case. The prices paid by farmers in regard to nitrogenous fertilisers, and, I believe, phosphates, are below the prices paid by European farmers. In the case of potash, the position is different.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he is wrongly informed about potassium chloride? In that case, we were above the rest of Europe, and 33 per cent, above Danish prices.

In the case of phosphates, allowing for the subsidy, we are below the prices, as we understand them, in the rest of Europe and in Denmark. I will check up on the matter, and if I find that the position is different I will inform the hon. Member and the House.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the delivered prices of nitrogenous fertiliser in Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Western Germany and the United Kingdom, respectively, on 1st June, 1957, on the basis of his most recent information from the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

I understand that the information for which the hon. Member asks is unlikely to be available from the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation before the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the increase in the retail price per ton of sulphate of ammonia and the increase in the subsidy per ton from 1st July, 1951, to 1st July, 1957.

In this period the price of sulphate of ammonia increased by £5 7s. per ton and the rate of subsidy from nil to £8 18s. 6d. per ton.

As the increases in the price of this fertiliser make the increase in the price of coal chicken-feed, is it not about time that the right hon. Gentleman did something about the matter? Does he realise that the prices of this fertiliser have fallen drastically in the rest of the world and that we are the only country which shows these increasing prices?

I am aware that our prices for these nitrogenous fertilisers compare very favourably with prices in the rest of the world. I am also aware that the subsidy on fertilisers is of very great benefit to the farming community.

While hon. Members in all parts of the House will agree with the Minister's last observation, does his Department keep a strict eye on the price movements of these commodities, for which we necessarily provide a subsidy?

We take a very great interest in them.

As the right hon. Gentleman is out of touch with world prices, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what objections have been lodged with him against the proposed Cornwall Mullet Fishery Byelaw, 1957; and whether he will arrange for a public inquiry to give objectors a full opportunity of making their views known.

Objections to the proposed prohibition of shore angling during the winter months at Sennen Cove and St. Ives have been lodged by the Penzance Borough Council, the Cornish Group of Trade Councils, three local angling organisations and five rod and line fishermen.

I intend to arrange for a public local inquiry to be held if the Cornwall Sea Fisheries Committee submits this byelaw to me for confirmation.

Will the Minister bear in mind that his answer will give great satisfaction in West Cornwall, where there seems to be considerable anxiety about this proposed byelaw?

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he proposes to lay before Parliament new Regulations prescribing minimum standards for slaughterhouse construction.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will give particulars of the statutory standards he intends to lay before Parliament for the construction and equipment of slaughterhouses.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he can yet specify the standards recommended for the construction and equipment of new slaughterhouses.

I would refer the hon. Member and my hon. Friends to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk, South (Mr. J. E. B. Hill)on 30th May.

When the new Regulations are provided, will the Minister encourage the building of the slaughterhouses refered to therein?

I am very anxious that the slaughterhouse improvements should be proceeded with as quickly as possible, subject, I am afraid, to the necessity for capital restrictions upon local authorities.

I hope the Minister is well aware of the fact that many of the existing slaughterhouses being used at present are utterly out of date and hopelessly uneconomic for their purpose?

I am afraid that that is true.

When he is making these Regulations, will my right hon. Friend consider the necessity for the closest possible co-operation being maintained with the planning authorities in order to see that when new slaughterhouses are built, the planning authorities, simply because there is no co-operation, do not build houses next-door to these slaughterhouses, thereby causing nuisance and hardship to the people coming to those houses?

Yes. The planning aspect is a very important one.

In view of the assurance given in the White Paper last year, will the Minister assure the House now that legislation will be introduced in the next Session to deal with slaughterhouses?

I repeat what I stated before, namely, that it is my hope that legislation will be introduced at the earliest possible moment that our Parliamentary time-table makes possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the deficiency payment on Australian meat is estimated at £3 million for 1957–58 whereas the estimate for 1955–56 was £210,000.

The main reason is the decline in beef prices since 1955–56. Contributory factors are estimated increases in the quantity and in freight rates.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain this increase in the call on public funds, because the retail price of beef is 4d. more than it was twelve months ago? Should there not be some relation between the retail price and this increasing charge on the British taxpayer?

Of course, there is a connection, but the hon. Gentleman has forgotten that beef prices were exceptionally high in the year 1955–56.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the cost of living rose another point last month, that this was largely due to rising food prices, that last week the price of vegetables and fruit rose, and that bread is due to increase in price; and whether, in view of the inflation now confronting the country and as an attempt to prevent further increases, he will now introduce price control on all basic foods for a trial period of twelve months.

I accept that price increases of food over the last month or two have been mainly responsible for the rise in the Retail Price Index. This is mainly due to the combined effect of seasonal factors and of the drought. I am not aware that bread is due to rise in price. The answer to the last part of the Question is: No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that the Government were elected on their declared promise to reduce the price of food, to reduce the cost of living and to make the £ worth something again? If he will not accept the suggestion contained in the Question, can he give us some positive ideas about what the Government intend to do to implement those promises, or at least to restore food prices to their pre-October, 1951 level?

I think the country much prefers the food situation obtaining today to that which obtained in the autumn of 1951.

As increased food prices have been largely responsible for pushing us off the plateau, will not the Minister give a better answer than that?

Has not the principal inflationary impetus been given by the recent increase in the price of coal, the thirtieth since nationalisation, with all the consequential increases on other nationalised industries, on manufactures, and on wages?

I understand that we are to have a debate on the subject this week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to implement the recent decisions regarding the arrangements at British ports for safeguarding cattle being exported to the Continent for slaughter.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I have made an Order—the Exported Cattle Protection (Amendment)Order, 1957—to give effect to these decisions. It will come into operation on 22nd August.

Are any live cattle now being exported to France? Is a journey to France regarded as only small? If live cattle are being exported to France at the moment, does the right hon. Gentleman know exactly what forms of slaughter are used?

That aspect of the matter was covered by a statement I recently made in the House. The new arrangements about the treatment of cattle on the other side of the Channel have not yet come into operation, although I hope that they will do so early next month. My Answer dealt with the accommodation, inspection and arrangements for watering and feeding of cattle in this country before they go on board ship.

In view of the public anxiety on this matter, can my right hon. Friend say how long he gives these new proposals to be effective in reducing the suffering involved in this trade? If they do not prove effective, will he then take steps to abolish the trade altogether?

The Order to which my Answer refers deals with the arrangements on this side of the Channel, and I expect the new arrangements to become effective immediately. The arrangements on the other side of the Channel are conditional on the results for which we hope being achieved.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the fact that the activities of the Milk Marketing Board in offering for retail sale at Brighton articles which are not primarily milk products constitutes an unlawful act outside their statutory powers, if he will take steps to restrain these activities.

No, Sir. It is not for me to decide whether the Milk Marketing Board is acting in accordance with the powers conferred upon it by the Milk Marketing Scheme. This would be a matter for a court of law.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the Board is selling such things as currant buns, biscuits and cheese sandwiches, which have nothing to do with milk products? Can he not do something about it? Is he aware that, as a result of a Question I put to him last week, half these items have been withdrawn from these bars? [HON. MEMBERS: "Shame."]. Does he realise how much local people who are trying to make money during the summer resent this activity on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture. Lastly—

Order. This is a very long supplementary question. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to pursue it, perhaps he will give notice to raise it on the Adjournment.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that we Conservative Members were elected to protect the small people and that they want to know why he will not accept the suggestion in the Question?

My hon. Friend's interesting supplementary question covered a good deal of ground. I can sum up by saying that these two Milk Marketing Board milk bars were opened with the full approval and agreement of the Milk Bars Association.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that present restrictions on the catch of whales will prevent such a slaughter as to put an end to the industry if not to the whale.

I am guided by the collective judgment of the International Whaling Commission, which is responsible under the International Whaling Convention of 1946 for the adoption, subject to the agreement of member Governments, of the necessary measures for the conservation of the whale stocks.

While appreciating what the Minister says, is he aware that there is considerable anxiety that, with the increase in whaling fleets owned by foreign countries, the restrictions will not he obeyed? Is he aware that if the stock of whales is reduced to a level at which whale catching becomes uncommercial, there will be a very serious effect on employment in my constituency and in other places?

I agree that it is very important that these agreements should he adhered to, and I think that the member countries are aware of that. As a member of the international body concerned, we are in close touch with the situation and are watching that aspect.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in finding a humane killer for whales.

I am informed much experimental work is proceeding but that a fully satisfactory alternative to the conventional method of killing whales has not yet been evolved.

Is the Minister aware that, whatever the cruelty to horses and cattle, the animal which suffers the most appalling cruelties today is the whale? Its method of slaughter is ghastly. Will he give some assurance that if a more humane way of killing it can be found, he will seek with other countries some method of enforcing the use of that humane method?

Any development in the direction of more humane methods of killing whales will receive my strong support.

asked the Minister of Supply for how long the shadow factory at Radford, Coventry, formerly leased to a subsidiary company of Messrs. Daimler has remained unoccupied; and what steps he is taking to put it to productive use.

The present lease does not expire until 1st August, 1957. My Department and the Board of Trade are in touch with an industrial firm which has expressed an interest in the premises.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask that the matter be treated as one of urgency in view of these new dismissals at Daimler's? While I am grateful for the statement he has made, may I ask whether he will make sure that efforts are made to absorb these redundant workers?

I accept that this is a matter of urgency, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman will not press me further, because premature publicity might prejudice the negotiations.

asked the Minister of Supply if he can now make a further statement about the future of the Royal Ordnance factory at Radway Green.

I have nothing to add to the statement I made on 15th July.

Could the Minister give an assurance that there will be no further redundancy at this factory, at any rate this year? Secondly, can he say whether he is vigorously following up the suggestion for converting this factory to civil production in order to maintain full employment for the workers there?

I would not say that I could give a categorical assurance as to employment for the remainder of the year, but I would be very surprised if there were further redundancies at the factory this year. As for civil work, certainly civil work will be considered, subject to the conditions which I mentioned in my statement last week.

asked the Minister of Supply on what date he expects to close the Royal Ordnance factory at Swynnerton; and how many workers will be made redundant in the next three, six, and twelve months, respectively.

I expect all production to have ceased 'within twelve months. How redundancies will be spread over this period is being worked out and information will be given to the employees as soon as possible.

If the Minister will not reconsider his decision, so as to utilise this factory for some form of civil production, what steps is he taking now, before the labour force of this factory has been dispersed, to interest outside industrial undertakings in its very excellent equipment and site?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I are in touch with a number of firms over all these factories which are no longer required for defence purposes.

Would my hon. Friend, in reviewing the question of maintenance at the Swynnerton factory, consider whether it could not be handed over now to the present employees of that factory, rather than to outside bodies and organisations, to carry it on as at the present time? In view of the fact that contracts are at the moment awarded to outside factories, would it not be possible to retain some of the staff for the maintenance of the buildings and plant and for painting and rebuilding, where necessary, especially if the buildings are to be sold to other contractors?

I am anxious to maintain these assets in a condition which will procure for them the best selling price. That is my aim.

asked the Minister of Supply how the Royal Ordnance factory, Blackburn, will be affected by changes in the rearmament programme.

I see no immediate prospect of a further reduction of employment at the Royal Ordnance factory, Blackburn. My intention is eventually to transfer to this factory the sort of work that has in the past been done at the Royal Ordnance factory, Maltby, which, as I announced on 15th July, is to be closed.

Is the Minister aware that that reply will give great satisfaction, not only in my constituency but in those of my hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle)and his hon. Friend the Member for Darwen (Mr. FletcherCooke)?

Will the Minister reaffirm the answer he gave me on 11th March, when he said that the 374 redundancies would, in his view, be the last in this factory, as that answer gave great satisfaction?

Perhaps I have a little difficulty in recollecting what I said as long ago as 11th March, but I have given an indication in my first answer that the level of employment in the Blackburn factory is reasonably assured.

asked the Minister of Supply what Admiralty orders have been given to the Royal Ordnance factory, Woolwich, within the past two years.

£370,000 worth.

Is it true that the Admiralty's reluctance to give orders for arms and ammunition to Royal Ordnance factories is because they are not given free enough access to the work in progress?

It is for Admiralty Ministers to answer for the Admiralty. I am in close touch with the Admiralty.

asked the Minister of Supply the capital expenditure at the Royal Ordnance factory, Swynnerton, in the first six months of this year.

£116,000.

In relation to the current expenditure on the maintenance or improvement of this factory, will the Minister now give an answer to the question put by his hon. Friend the Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. H. Fraser)and assure him that any such expenditure is now for the benefit of those who are on the staff of the Royal Ordnance factory and not for outside contractors in order to maintain the employment of those who would otherwise be made redundant?

I confess that I had some little difficulty in quite understanding the drift of the question put to me by my hon. Friend the Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. H. Fraser). I shall be very happy to discuss the matter with both hon. Gentlemen concerned. As I said, it is my aim to secure as high a price as possible for these assets, and for that reason it is right that they should be maintained in good condition.

asked the Minister of Supply how many people are now employed at Poole small arms factory; on what date it is to be closed; what is then to be done with it; and what steps he is taking to see that those concerned obtain alternative employment.

On 13th July, 1957, 838 people were employed at this factory. In the statement that I made on 15th July, I said that on present estimates of work available it would be necessary to close it some time in 1959–60; in the meantime, it will be my aim to find some other user for the factory.

Will my right hon. Friend say why £40,000 has been spent on repainting this factory, refute the allegation that political prejudice has anything to do with this matter, and, finally, say whether up to date he has had any offers for this factory from other firms?

To the best of my information, £40,000 has not been spent on repainting the factory. The painting contract is for £3,000, and is being spread over two or three years. The object is to maintain the asset, as I said in answer to an earlier Question, in a condition such as to obtain the best possible selling price.

As for the charge of political prejudice, I hope I can say that I am never actuated by political prejudice. The reason for the closing of the factory is that the change in strategic conditions has made the factory unnecessary for defence purposes.

As for the last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I have received one or two tentative inquiries for this factory, but I ask him not to press me, since I fear that premature publicity might prejudice negotiations.

asked the Minister of Health what is being done to encourage more local authorities to train sanitary inspectors.

The advantages of paid pupillage have been commended to local authorities, and I am confident that the work of the new Public Health Inspectors Education Board will further encourage authorities to review local training arrangements.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, could I ask him what further steps he is prepared to take with these local authorities, who, up to the present, have done nothing in the training of local sanitary inspectors? Other authorities, such as my own, train five or six sanitary inspectors on the average each year, and very often when they have finished their training other local authorities offer them a few pounds more and take them, although those authorities have done nothing to make sure that we get an ample supply of sanitary inspectors.

We have issued one circular. The hon. Lady raises rather an interesting point. If she has any evidence which she would like to put before me, I shall be grateful to have it and will look at it.

Can the hon. Gentleman say that the position about the recruiting of public health inspectors is how improving?

Yes. I am glad to be able to tell the hon. Gentleman that 40 per cent, more recruits qualified last year than the year before.

asked the Minister of Health (1)in view of the recommendations by the Royal Commission on Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency that would, if adopted, result in a large number of patients being returned to the community, what consideration is being given to increasing the facilities for training the patients for the rehabilitation period;

(2)in view of the period that must elapse before new legislation can be introduced for the treatment of mental illness, what action he proposes to take to deal with the complaints of wrongful detention and to relax the present regulations regarding allowing mental defectives out on licence;

(3)in view of the recommendations by the Royal Commission on Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency, what action he proposes to take to see that patients in mental intitutions receive better treatment than is now the case and also to curb the present tendency to certify, and so reduce the risks of wrongful detention whilst new legislation is being introduced.

I am studying the many recommendations made in this report, and the views expressed in the recent debate in this House. In particular, I am considering what can be done by administrative means in advance of legislation.

While appreciating that time must be taken on these important matters, may I ask when the hon. Gentleman hopes to have this business completed? Has he any hope of giving a date when a statement might be made?

I know the hon. Gentleman's eagerness for action in this matter. I can assure him that my right hon. Friend and I are just as eager for action as soon as it is feasible and possible. We have asked local authorities and the professional bodies concerned for their views by the end of September, which I think is not an unreasonable length of time in view of the complexity of the report. I do not think I could therefore give a definite, phased programme yet. There are certain matters which can be done without legislation, and I am looking into all of them as far as I can to see what steps we can take immediately; but there are several snags.

Could the Minister satisfy the general public and certain sections of the Press by telling them whether the proportion of the population of mental hospitals who complain of wrongful detention is significant or not?

I should say the answer is "not". I am grateful to the right hon. Lady for asking that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the number of dentists and school dentists practising in the North-East; and what action he proposes to take to improve the situation.

No, Sir, though there have recently been some welcome signs of improvement. I am considering with the other interests concerned the steps that can be taken to give effect to the recommendations of the McNair Committee on Recruitment to the Dental Profession.

Is my hon. Friend aware that one of the difficulties in this matter is probably the shortage of dental schools and training facilities? Will he say what action it is possible to take?

I am well aware of that, and we are actively considering it in conjunction with the university interests, who are very much concerned.

asked the Minister of Health what composite packs are now available for the chronic sick at a single charge under the National Health Service.

With permission, I will circulate the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the list contains any additions to those of which the House was last informed, as that was a paltry list and of no help to chronic sufferers from diabetes who are still having to pay item by item for everything they need?

I should not call it trivial. It contains nine items. The hon. Lady might like to know that the British Medical Association has made some suggestions and we are discussing those now with the Association.

Surely the British Medical Association was asked months ago to make suggestions? Is the hon. Gentleman telling the House that really there has been no progress in this direction?

No, I am telling the House that the British Medical Association has made some progress and we are now discussing its suggestions.

asked the Minister of Health which countries have been approached with a view to reciprocal arrangements being made for free medical treatment for British residents and visitors; which of them refused; and what were the reasons for refusal.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro)on 14th March, setting out the reciprocal arrangements at that date. Since then, the agreement with Sweden has been ratified and agreements with Belgium and Israel have been signed. Negotiations with Austria and Yugoslavia are in progress.

No countries have refused to negotiate, but reciprocal arrangements have to take account of the basis of existing services and in other countries the health services are usually based on insurance principles. Some other countries have not so far found it practicable on examination to offer reciprocity.

While appreciating the difficulties involved, may I ask my hon. Friend to press on as much as possible with the countries with whom we have made no progress whatever yet—which include most of the countries of Western Europe—in view of the fact that we grant free treatment to any visitors who come here from those countries?

I will certainly do all that lies in my power, but unfortunately, or fortunately, reciprocity is a two-way traffic.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement regarding the new oriental influenza epidemic; and what precautionary action his Department is taking.

There have been no developments since my answers to Questions on this subject on 1st July, except that laboratory confirmation has now been obtained that persons suffering from the Asian type of influenza have arrived in this country. There is, however, at present no sign of any material spread of the infection here so far.

Bearing in mind that resistance to this type of infection tends to decrease from the end of September onwards, may I ask if the hon. Gentleman has examined the records of his Department as to the state of public morale in 1917 at the time of the last major influenza epidemic and whether any lesson can be learned from those records? Will he also consider issuing some sort of statement to the public in due course in order to allay anxiety?

I hope my Answer will be noted and allay any anxiety that might arise. All the evidence so far is that this epidemic is and will be of a mild nature in this country. In view of what the hon. Member said about the 1917 epidemic, I should say that I do not think the two are comparable. One has also to bear in mind that there is far more international knowledge and co-operation on these things now than there was then.

If this is a convenient moment for me to give advice to the House as to what hon. Members should do if they are unfortunate enough to get this influenza, the best clinical advice I have had so far is to go to bed.

asked the Minister of Health if his Department will investigate the effect of human beings who eat artificially caponised chickens.

asked the Minister of Health what is the latest information he has obtained from the Medical Research Council about the long term effects on the population of this country resulting from the increased sales of chickens caponised by the injection of hormone pellets; and whether he will consider the appointment of a committee to supervise intensive scientific examination of this question.

No advice on this aspect of the subject has reached me from the Medical Research Council. I propose to get in touch with them. Investigations in America have shown that ill-effects are very unlikely.

Will the Minister bear in mind that it would be cheap and painless to carry out experiments on ferrets and dogs by feeding them with the necks of chickens or the heads of caponised chickens, either boiled or raw, and that, in a few months' time, the experiment would enable very sound views to be formed as to whether or not there was any real effect on fertility?

I am sure that the Medical -Research Council will bear all these matters in mind.

If offal containing the heads and necks of caponised chickens is harmful to large and powerful animals, surely it must have some effect on human beings?

I know that my hon. and gallant Friend was very interested in this subject two or three years ago, and if he has any untoward evidence to give to the Medical Research Council note will be taken of it, but the difference seems to me to be that the heads of poultry are not normally eaten by human beings.

Is it not a fact that if housewives buy two or three caponised cockerels which have been killed early, from which the hormone pellet has not been taken away but is still embedded, and makes soup of them, surely there is some danger of the public caponising themselves?

I am sure that the whole human race will take note of my hon. and gallant Friend's comments.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to fix appropriate standards for the purity of iced lollies of all kinds.

I have no evidence that the existing arrangements are not adequate to protect the consumer.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware, first of all, that the demand for these lollies is increasing much faster than the demand for ice cream, and that one firm produced from one factory a million and a half during the heat wave? Is he also aware that, as the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, only prescribed standards for water ices, these fruit lollies are escaping the supervision of the health inspectors of the local authorities and it is urgently necessary that standards should be prescribed?

I am advised that the Ice Cream (Heat 'Treatment, etc.)Regulations apply to most or practically all lollies, but I will look into the matter again.

asked the Minister of Health what advice he has received from the Medical Research Council on the effects of minor illnesses of expectant mothers on the growing unborn child and, in particular, on the danger of the birth to a woman catching German measles in the first three months of pregnancy of a baby born with a congenital malformation.

Research into these matters is in progress but has not yet reached a stage when the Medical Research Council is able to advise me.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that, in view of the publicity given to the statement of certain medical officers about the wisdom of daughters and young girls being infected early with this disease, some guidance ought to be given to the public about it?

I am sure it will be considered as soon as we have the necessary Report.

Pending the recommendation of the Medical Research Council, will the hon. Gentleman consider the question of registering German measles?

I think I had that question from the right hon. Lady before and had it under consideration, but I think that, on balance, the arguments were against it.

asked the Minister of Health whether the case of suspected smallpox in Barnes has yet been investigated; what conclusions have been reached; and if he will state the circumstances in which this disease was contracted.

Investigations in this case did not confirm a diagnosis of smallpox; the person concerned suffered from a non-infectious skin condition.

asked the Minister of Health, as representing the Lord President of the Council, if he will consult the Medical Research Council for its advice on the taking of snuff as a safe alternative to smoking; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised that although no relationship has been demonstrated between the taking of snuff and the incidence of lung cancer, there is insufficient evidence on the effects of this practice to justify it being recommended as a safe alternative to smoking.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it would give a good deal of satisfaction to a number of people—no doubt including hon. Members of this House—if the Medical Research Council could issue a statement saying that snuff taking is a safe alternative to smoking?

There has been an inquiry on a small scale, which demonstrated no connection, but if my hon. Friend is very interested in this matter, he might like to know that some work undertaken in South Africa has suggested a possible connection between snuff taking and cancer of the nose among the Bantu.

asked the Minister of Health to whom the General Nursing Council's inspectors report if adverse conditions are found relating to accommodation for nurses; and what steps are taken to see that defects are remedied.

The inspectors report to the Council, who bring any adverse crticisms to the notice of the hospital authorities concerned.

Does the Minister realise that there are very many cases of inspections being made at which adverse reports obviously would result and then for a very long time nothing is done? What pressure can be brought to bear on hospital management committees to see that such adverse conditions are remedied in the interest of recruitment for the nursing profession?

I suggest that the hon. Lady puts down a Question on cases she has in mind. I think that would be the best course.

asked the Minister of Health why a nurse who has her State registered nurse qualification but then goes on to do her midwifery course must return to student's pay.

This is in accordance with the agreements of the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.

Could not this be looked at again, because large numbers of nurses who are anxious to take a midwifery course are reluctant to do so, in view of the high cost of living, because they have to go back on students' pay? In view of the shortage of midwives and facilities for midwifery training, is it not advisable that a review of this situation should be undertaken?

The training allowances are fixed by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council, and it is not a matter in which my right hon. Friend can intervene. There is, of course, a small differentiation—extra pay—for those already qualified. I should also point out that the arrangements do not deter registered nurses taking midwifery training. The numbers coming forward are quite enough to meet the needs of the midwifery profession, but the numbers going on to practise after qualification are not sufficient.

asked the Minister of Health (1)whether he will take steps to ensure that adequate financial provision is made to the Withington and Crumpsall hospitals in Manchester to enable the matrons of those hospitals to recruit the necessary number of nurses to maintain the establishment; and

(2)whether he is aware that provisional financial allocations for maintenance purposes made to some Manchester hospitals are inadequate to enable management committees to maintain the existing services; and whether he will give an assurance that money will be provided at least to maintain the services provided last year.

The allocation to the regional hospital board is, in my view, sufficient to maintain services at the level of the previous year and provide for a measure of development and improvement. It is for the board to determine allocations to management committees, and I understand these have not been finally settled for the committees referred to, but that the Board is confident that these committees will have sufficient money at least to maintain the existing services.

Is the Minister aware that a week or two ago he told one of my hon. Friends that the allocations have not been made but there were earlier provisional allocations made? Is he aware that these figures being lower than the expenditure incurred last year, hospital management committees and house committees were contemplating a whole series of reductions of services, including the closing of casual wards and acute wards and wards for chronic cases, and a reduction in the food standards for staff in the hospitals? How can they possibly maintain the service at the level of last year when the financial allocation is lower than the expenditure last year?

If the hon. Gentleman will study my answer, he will see quite clearly that I said that the allocations have not been finally settled.

Does the Minister recall that he told me that the number of nurses available in the Manchester area was 812 below establishment? Is not that a very serious situation, and will he do all he can to make the position better next year?

The recruitment of nurses above the number already employed is a development which must be looked at by the board in the light of all the other developments which are involved.

asked the Minister of Health how many student nurses at the Royal Free Hospital who contracted glandular fever in the course of their duties come from overseas; and what arrangements have been made for their payment during convalescence.

Nineteen, all of whom have received full pay during their convalescence.

Will the Minister make it absolutely clear to the House whether the full pay to which he refers came from the hospital governors? Is he not aware that his right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance refused sickness benefit to several of these girls on the grounds that when they went home for convalescence, as it was described, home was abroad, and they were refused sickness benefit?

My advice is that one nurse who went home to Malta did not qualify for sickness benefit from the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance, but she was paid her full salary by the board of governors and her fare was paid by the board out of non-Exchequer funds.

Is there not a question of principle involved here, and might not further inquiry reveal anomalies in the Act? Could the Minister say whether, in the event of the hospital telling these girls—there are so many girls from abroad in this country—to go home, they would therefore qualify for benefit?

I should like to look at that question, which involves the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance.

asked the Minister of Health when detailed plans for the proposed Cornwall Area Hospital were deposited at his Department; and what has happened to them since.

Revised sketch plans were submitted in January, 1957, but I understand that the regional hospital board propose further revisions. The plans have been studied in detail and it is hoped to arrange an early meeting with the hoard's officers.

Does not the Parliamentary Secretary consider six months too long a period for consideration of this plan, and will he do all he can to speed up consideration so that this much needed hospital can be provided quickly?

I will do all I can, but I think the hon. Gentleman should know that, since the Ministry received the revised plans, we now learn that the board is proposing to change its plans in certain respects and is proposing new plans. I will do all I can to bring this matter to a conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health what further steps he now proposes to take to arrest the shortage of radiographers in the health service.

asked the Minister of Health what progress he has made with plans to increase the recruitment of radiographers since his reply to representations passed to him by the hon. Member for Paddington, North last February.

My right hon. Friend is considering the results of the recent inquiry but is not yet in a position to make a statement.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the large percentage who have left the Service was entirely due to the salaries prevailing? Would not an improvement in salaries succeed in recruiting a number back to the Service?

I would rather not say anything further pending consideration of the report, but it may be of interest to the hon. Gentleman to know that I am seeing a deputation from radiographers on Wednesday.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary at the same time give consideration to the employment of part-time radiographers, as I understand there are many who would be ready to go back into the Service were it not for the fact that the scale of salaries for part-time radiographers is very much lower proportionately than that for full-time officers?

asked the Minister of Health to what extent patients at Rampton, Moss Side and Broadmoor, who have acquired the necessary ability and would benefit from such work, are employed on new building and on routine maintenance work in their hospitals, in place of Ministry of Works staff.

Patients able and willing to work are engaged in various occupations as part of their treatment and training. The number able to do efficient maintenance work is small and the problem of security is also a limiting factor.