asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what transport facilities exist in Swaziland and Basutoland by rail and road, respectively; under what auspices such facilities are organised; and the number of citizens of the Union of South Africa who are employed in transport in each of the Territories, respectively.

In Swaziland there are no railways. About 30 transport vehicles are operated by the South African Railways Road Motor Services. Twenty-three other bus services and numerous goods vehicles are operated by local residents. Ninety Europeans, of whom the majority are citizens of the Union of South Africa, are employed on the South African Railways Road Motor Services.

In Basutoland there is one mile of railway, operated by the South African Railways, from the border to Maserus station. One hundred and fifty-nine transport vehicles are operated by local residents, 14 by South African Railways Road Motor Services and 17 by residents in the Union of South Africa. About 30 citizens of the Union are employed in transport.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his Answer, may I ask him, first, whether it indicates a very grave absence of railway communication—none in Swaziland and only one mile in Basutoland—and, second, if he is aware of the very grave concern of the peoples of Swaziland and Basutoland at the degree of control which the South African Union is gaining both over buses and the proposed extension of railways to Swaziland?

My noble Friend is most concerned that anything possible that can be done to improve the transport facilities in Swaziland and the other Protectorates should be done. I would draw the attention of the hon. Gentleman to the fact that we are in the process of spending £1,200,000 on road improvements in Swaziland and £170,000 on road improvements in Basutoland. So far as the railway position in Swaziland is concerned. I would remind the hon. Gentleman of the Report produced by Sir Arthur Griffin not long ago with regard to the potentiality in Swaziland which is still being studied by my Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many times the High Commissioner for the High Commission Territories has visited the recognised native authorities and the Paramount Chiefs of Basutoland and Swaziland during the years 1955, 1956 and 1957, respectively.

In 1955, four times in Basutoland and five in Swaziland. In 1956, three times in Basutoland and three in Swaziland. Early in 1957, the High Commissioner made a tour of Basutoland, in the course of which he paid numerous such visits. He has been in the United Kingdom on leave from May to September this year.

In view of the fact that the High Commissioner's headquarters are outside the Protectorates, at Pretoria in the South African Union, and that, alone in the whole sphere of the British Commonwealth, the High Commissioner has the power by decree to legislate, is not it desirable that he should have much closer contact than he has now with the peoples of the Protectorates?

The High Commissioner has very close contacts both through the resident commissioners and the Deputy High Commissioner, people who are charged with the responsbiility of Protectorate business in the High Commissioner's office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what discussions have taken place with the authorities in the Maldive Islands and the Ceylon Government regarding the establishment of military bases in the island; how many persons resident on the island of Gan will be displaced to provide the projected British air base; what consultation took place with them or their representatives prior to this decision; where they are to be transferred; what arrangements are being made for their livelihood and accommodation; and what compensation is being given to them.

As the Answer to the hon. Gentleman's six questions is inevitably a long one, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I readily agree that there is reason for circulation of the Answer, but may I just ask the hon. Gentleman—because it seems to me important—whether it is a fact that 800 natives in Gan will be evicted from their homes and their fields as a result of the air base being established there? What steps are the Government taking to see that they get proper conditions of transference and compensation?

Perhaps I may read to the House the final paragraph of the Answer. It is as follows:

"The Government of the Maldives have informed us that the inhabitants"—

of the island the hon. Gentleman referred to—

"have been consulted and have expressed a wish to be resettled on the adjacent Island of Fedu in the same atoll. Detailed arrangements for this are now being made by the Maldives Prime Minister. The United Kingdom Government have agreed in principle to meet the cost of resettlement, the details of which are still being worked out in consultation with the Maldives Government."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if Her Majesty's Government will reconsider their decision of 27th July, 1956, not to commit themselves to participate in the financing of the Volta River Scheme until a general assessment of the project has been made by the International Bank and agreement of the framework has been reached between the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ghana and the aluminium companies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in view of the urgent necessity to start the Volta River project in Ghana, if he will reconsider his decision of 27th July, 1956, and forthwith intervene in the matter to speed up the decision.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if, with a view to accelerating completion of the project, he will reconsider his decision of 27th July, 1956, and commit Her Majesty's Government to participate in the financing of the Volta River scheme.

As my right hon. Friend explained in answer to a Question on 27th July, 1956, the report of the Preparatory Commission on the Volta River Project showed that there were certain conditions which would be prerequisite to any decision about the implementation of this project. Some of the major decisions which would be necessary can only be taken by the aluminium companies, whose contributions of capital to the project would be large. The Government of Ghana are in touch with the United Kingdom Government and the aluminium companies about the project. In these circumstances, the United Kingdom Government must await the outcome of the discussions between the Ghana Government and the aluminium companies; the results of these discussions will no doubt be communicated to the United Kingdom Government in due course.

Are not the Government aware that this project, though, perhaps, not so attractive from the point of view of commercial investment as it once was, is still very attractive? Somebody must take the initiative at some stage. Is it not much better, rather than to leave it to somebody else, that the Government should take this initiative? Are not the Government aware that there is a very large fund of opinion in this country which wishes to help this new State to diversify its economy? Shall we not risk pushing that new State into, perhaps, unorthodox directions if we are not more forthcoming in this matter?

The Government have made quite clear their continuing interest in this project, but it is a highly technical project dependent upon commercial considerations in which the other bodies concerned, the aluminium companies, naturally must have strong and important views.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman do something to speed up this decision? Is he aware that this hesitancy and indecision only make it more attractive for Russia to step in and wean these new, independent States from the Commonwealth?

I am quite certain from everything that has been said by the Prime Minister of Ghana that he is fully aware of the importance of this scheme and very anxious to go ahead with it as quickly as possible, and the hon. Member can be assured that the Government of Ghana will leave no step untried in order to get a satisfactory result, but I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the points which I made in my original Answer.

Is not this a case in which the Commonwealth Development Finance Company could provide some help?

It is a matter for that company and for the Government of Ghana.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the Commonwealth Economic Committee will have completed its inquiry into Commonwealth raw materials; and when the Report will be available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my Answer to a similar Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) on 21st November.

Without in any way denigrating the usefulness of those Reports, which, however, are mainly only economic information services, may I ask my hon. Friend whether he does not think it is probably time now to initiate a really effective investigation of the raw materials position in the Commonwealth, possibly along the lines of the Paley report in the United States or of the Gordon Commission in Canada?

I understand that the Committee's Report, the first volume of which is now in being, is really along those lines, but if my hon. Friend has any further views on this, perhaps it would be better for us to discuss it together.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of African students from Basutoland at present studying in the United Kingdom, and the number who have received Government scholarships for the years 1955–57, respectively; and what qualifications are required for the acquisition of such scholarships.

Fourteen Basuto students are at present studying in the United Kingdom. During the years 1955–57 the following numbers of Government scholarships were granted to Basuto for study in the United Kingdom: 1955, 6; 1956, 6; and 1957, 2.

The qualifications required by the institutions to which the students are going are required for the acquisition of such scholarships. Other scholarships were provided by the British Council, the Basuto National Treasury and the Sethabathaba Fund.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether he is not a little dissatisfied with the figures? They seem to me very poor figures for such a large area.

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we should like to get more, provided that there are those qualified for this higher education, and to take full advantage of the opportunities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the average weekly wages paid to African and European teachers and other staff, respectively, in the Education Department of Swaziland.

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

Yes, but I am very interested to know whether there is very much disparity. Maybe the hon. Gentleman could tell me that at once?

The education service in Swaziland, like the Civil Service as a whole, is divided into senior and junior divisions. The senior division in the education service is manned entirely by Europeans, and the junior division by Africans. The responsibilities and qualifications for the two are not parallel. Therefore, the remuneration is not parallel either.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations the number of Swazi Africans who are employed in positions, other than that of labourer, in the afforestation schemes; the minimum wage paid to labourers; and to what extent the Paramount Chief and Council of Swaziland are consulted about such schemes.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 546; to the second part, 2s. 4d. a day, plus rations, quarters and medical attention. As regards the third part, the Paramount Chief and Council are consulted on all proposals for the afforestation of land belonging to the Swazi nation.

While thanking the Under-Secretary of State for that reply, may I ask him whether the wages paid are the same for blacks and whites? Is there any discrimination? Are there even opportunities for Africans and whites to qualify for the higher-paid posts? In future, will the Under-Secretary ensure that Africans are brought in on all consultations?

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the Paramount Chief and the Council are brought into consultation on all matters which affect the interests of the Swazi nation. As to details of the comparable wages paid to Europeans and Africans, perhaps the hon. Gentleman would be good enough to put down a Question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what proposals for a settlement in the Middle East have been made to him by the Prime Minister of Australia; and whether he will make a statement.

I assume that the right hon. Gentleman refers to a speech which Mr. Menzies made to the Federal Council of the Australian Liberal Party on 21st October of which a copy has been supplied to the United Kingdom Government by the Australian Government. As my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on 8th November, Her Majesty's Government agree whole-heartedly with what Mr. Menzies said regarding the objectives we must strive to achieve if the problems of this troubled area are to be solved. Her Majesty's Government recognise Mr. Menzies' statement as being both timely and constructive, but for the present there is nothing I can usefully add to the Minister of State's remarks.

Is not it a fact that the Government said nothing to give Mr. Menzies support until I raised the matter in the debate on 8th November? Have the Government, in the light of what has happened since then, no plans for giving support to Mr. Menzies' very statemanslike proposals in the Assembly of the United Nations?

I think that Mr. Menzies is already very well aware of the importance we always attach to any statement he may make on matters of this sort.

Would not it help to promote Commonwealth co-operation if we sometimes said we agreed with a statesmanlike proposal?

I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement by the Minister of State on this subject, which was made within a matter of days of Mr. Menzies' statement, and which did display the fact that we took the greatest encouragement from what Mr. Menzies said.

Was it not made only after I had raised the matter in debate?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a further statement on British policy at the United Nations towards the Kashmir problem, in view of the fact that the resolution supported by Her Majesty's Government has now been vetoed in the Security Council.

The hon. Member is incorrect in stating that the resolution has been vetoed, as no vote has yet been taken in the Security Council. Yesterday, the representative of Sweden put forward an amendment to the resolution, which will no doubt be discussed in the Security Council perhaps within a matter of hours. It remains the desire of Her Majesty's Government to support any proposal which may lead towards the peaceful solution of the Kashmir situation. If, after a full study of the terms of the Swedish representative's proposals, they prove likely to achieve this end, they will receive our support.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the veto point is a pure technicality because the Soviet delegate said he would vote against it if, indeed, the resolution were ever called? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that what I am really seeking to know is the Government's policy in this matter? Would he address himself to the question I asked—why is it necessary for the British Government to take a specific position in a dispute between two Commonwealth partners, which they are scrupulously careful to avoid doing in connection with the issue of South African affairs when they are introduced in the United Nations?

The Kashmir dispute is one before the Security Council of which we are a member, and, therefore, we are under an obligation to co-operate with other members of the Security Council to try to achieve a peaceful solution of this problem.

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

asked the Minister of Education if routine or emergency dental treatment is available at school or welfare clinics for all school children.

The duty of local education authorities to provide free dental treatment for school children extends only to pupils at maintained schools.

Would not my right hon. Friend think it wrong that any child suffering pain should be denied emergency treatment at a clinic merely because he or she is the pupil of a private school? If he does not agree with me, will he take steps to have the posters which declare that "No child need suffer pain" altered to read "No child need suffer pain unless a pupil of a private school"?

In general I agree with my hon. Friend. He wrote to my predecessor bringing to his attention the case of a girl who was refused treatment. I have taken up that case with the Buckinghamshire Local Education Authority and, although the case itself cannot be traced, the authority says that its policy is not to refuse treatment to any child in pain, irrespective of the strict legal obligation.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will give an assurance that the youth service is to be a permanent part of the education service.

Yes, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that there has been a growing disillusionment about this service and that one of the latest examples of it was made apparent in the Times Educational Supplement last week? Does the Minister agree that there has been increasing disillusionment, and will he explain why this is so?

I think that that would be a better subject for debate, but I hope that my Answer will help.

Is the Minister aware that a recent report from the Select Committee, which is of course an all-party committee of the House, expressed very great concern about the attitude of his predecessors towards the youth service? May we expect a somewhat more forceful lead and a more urgent one from the right hon. Gentleman in the near future?

I must restrict myself to the formal statement that my reply will be made in the proper manner.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent he has considered the effect which the proposal to institute a block grant may have upon the youth service; and whether he will make a statement.

I see no reason why the introduction of the general grant should affect the youth service adversely.

But does not the Minister agree that if local authorities have to economise because of the increasing burden of the rates, the youth service may be considered expendable?

I do not think that the hon. Member or the House ought to assume that the introduction of the general grant will mean that there will be less money available.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent he has considered the Annual Report of the Advisory Council on Scientific Policy, 1956–57, paragraph 35; and if he will make a statement.

I agree with the views expressed in this paragraph.

asked the Minister of Education the respective proportion of the school population able to obtain grammar school places in each of the Welsh education authorities in the years 1920, 1940, and 1957, respectively.

This information is not available in the precise form asked for. I am writing to the hon. Member.

Will the Minister hurry up and get me the information? He will be able to correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that he will find that owing to the "bulge" now reaching secondary schools in Wales it is far harder for a child to get to the secondary grammer school now than it was six years ago.

These are complicated statistics, but I hope to sign a letter to the hon. Member this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Education how many county educational authorities will have completed their school building programme so that secondary modern education is available to all their children for whom it is intended by 1960; and in how many counties their schemes will be incomplete by that date.

Fourteen and 49.

asked the Minister of Education what effect the recent decision of the Government to retard the reorganisation of education in rural areas will have upon the programme of modern secondary school building in Norfolk.

The building of two schools is being deferred.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recognise that deferment of the building of these schools prevents a number of children in that area from having the advantage of secondary education and that a further deferment will create a still worse disadvantage?

That is inevitable in the process of the delay of this programme. While, of course, I very much regret the delay, progress has been made in Norfolk. Four schools have already been completed, seven are under construction, and one will be started in 1958–59.

Do not the terms of the answer to Question No. 18 show that the kind of action wanted from the Government, if any, is one which would have expedited rather than retarded the programme in Norfolk?

Surely that question applies to the whole field of investment. It is not for me at this moment to enter into that general question. We know that it is necessary slightly to slow down the rate of expansion.

The right hon. Gentleman says that it is not for him at this moment to enter into the general question. When does he feel that he will be in a sufficiently established position to raise that question with his colleagues?

The general question is one which has been much debated in the House.

asked the Minister of Education his estimate of the number of children who will be taught in unreorganised schools in Norfolk when the secondary modern schools, at present being built, are completed; and what proportion this is of the total school population.

About 2,200, or about one-ninth of the seniors.

Does not the Minister recognise that deferment of the building of these schools at this particular time will cause in the future an undue burden to be laid on the local authorities when they have to find the money for these schools out of the block grant?

I do not accept that.

asked the Minister of Education if he has now received detailed proposals for the first stage of the Uxbridge Technical College; if he has agreed these proposals; and when he anticipates that building will begin.

No, Sir, but I hope building will begin in 1959.

Can the Minister say what is happening in this business? Both the local education authority and the Minister say that they have dispatched letters to each other which have got lost in the post; and parents, potential students and local industry want to know when a start is to be made on the preparatory work. Who is responsible for the delay? Is it the Minister's Department or the local education authority?

Or the Post Office?

The fact is that we have not yet received at the Ministry the submission of the Middlesex Local Education Authority, but we hope that we shall be receiving it soon.

asked the Minister of Education the total minor works programme for all local education authorities for 1957; and the total amount he has proposed to them for the next 15 months.

Excluding work for the school meals service, £14 million and £11·2 million respectively.

Is the Minister aware that the minor works programme not only includes new school places, with which I am sure he will not tamper, but also the brightening up and cleaning of the slum schools of England and the provision of laboratories for science and of decent, modern sanitation? Will the Minister at least put the laboratories and the lavatories back in the programme?

A good deal of the brightening up is done under maintenance, but I naturally regret that these important provisions for schools have had to be deferred.

asked the Minister of Education how many projects he has cut out of the local education authorities' proposals for rural reorganisation in the 1958–59 programme.

Thirty-one.

Is the Minister aware that this is a most serious setback in the provision of adequate education for village children? Is he aware that the rural education authorities were inspired when the President of the Board of Trade asked them to get rid of all-age schools in five years? Will the Minister consider sympathetically the representations that he is bound to receive from rural education authorities to restore some of these cuts?

This is a slowing down of a very important programme. That cannot be denied, and obviously everybody would like to see it quickened up when circumstances are propitious.

Has not it been made apparent in earlier questions from both sides of the House that educational opportunities for children in rural areas are in many ways inferior to those afforded in urban areas? Is not it peculiarly unfortunate that, if the Government have to conduct an attack on education at all, the spearhead of that attack should be in the rural areas?

We all want to make progress, but the fact is that we have had to slow down progress in this field.

asked the Minister of Education how many new technical colleges have been started since the publication of the White Paper on Technical Education in February, 1956.

Eighteen new colleges and 79 major extensions of existing colleges.

I am sure that the whole House will welcome that. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] May we also have an assurance from the Minister that this ambitious programme, which aroused such enthusiasm in February of last year, is being carried through with the necessary impetus to ensure the earliest possible success?

I think so, because in addition to what I think are the quite impressive figures that I have given to the House, final plans for five more new colleges and 17 further major extensions of a total value of £5 million have been approved, although work on them has not actually started. We have already prepared sketch plans for a further 14 new colleges and 28 major extensions, to the value of over £8 million.

asked the Minister of Education how many part-time students are now engaged in higher technical education.

Thirty-one thousand, seven hundred day students in 1955–56. Figures for evening students are not available.

Would the Minister tell us whether that is as many as he hopes to obtain or whether he is hoping that the number will increase next year or in the following year?

I sincerely hope that it will increase. We think it will increase, at least in proportion to the general Government plans over the years, to at least double the number.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will remove the financial restrictions on adult education imposed by his Department in March, 1957.

No, Sir, not in present circumstances.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the wise and splendid words written on this subject by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) when an earlier attack was launched by this Government on adult education, when he said:

"There is perhaps no branch of our vast educational system which should more attract within its particular sphere the aid and encouragement of the State than adult education…. The appetite of adults to be shown the foundations and processes of thought"—

Speech.

—"will never be denied by a British Administration cherishing the continuity of our island life."

Order. That is quite enough. The hon. Member should give us his own views rather than the views of someone else.

With respect, Mr. Speaker, I thought I might legitimately quote from an example of what the same right hon. Gentleman calls, in a part I have refrained from quoting, "the ever-conquering English language." I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether or not he wishes to cherish the continuity of our island life in the way recommended by his right hon. Friend.

Certainly. Sir; but in view of what the hon. Gentleman has said, it is remarkable that there was not much greater financial provision made by himself and his right hon. and hon. Friends than by the present Government.

Rub it in. A very polished performance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the desirability of providing for the greatest possible interchange of trade between Great Britain and Holland, arrangements can now be made to do away with the quota, recently reimposed, on the importation of Dutch flower bulbs into this country; and if he proposes, as a matter of general policy, to press forward as rapidly as possible with all reductions in trade barriers between this country and Europe where practical and desirable, or to maintain these barriers with a view to giving Great Britain a better bargaining position when the principles of European free trade are agreed.

Our policy is to remove the remaining import controls as quickly as the balance of payments permits, but I regret I cannot remove the restrictions on imports of Dutch flower bulbs at present. The quota for this year is £3,200,000.

But as domestic production in this country does not satisfy domestic demand, and as my proposal seems to coincide with proposed Ministerial policy, would not my right hon. Friend think again about this matter?

I will do so as soon as the balance of payments situation permits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that no financial assistance will be given by his Department to foreign firms seeking to establish themselves in Great Britain if such firms threaten competing with British interests, especially Scottish firms.

Applications from foreign firms for Government-financed factories to be provided under the Distribution of Industry Acts are considered on their merits. The tests are whether a firm would contribute to employment in the area and to the strength of the local and national economy.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the paper industry in Fife is deeply concerned about rumours that the Government have granted a Dutch paper manufacturing firm £40,000, and that this is a firm which has competed with the Fife industry? Also, is he aware that, coupled with the closure of textile factories in Fife already, this is causing tremendous concern among those employed in those industries?

I am not familiar with the case, but I believe that the factory is to be in Northern Ireland, in which case it is a matter for the Government of Northern Ireland and not for me.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the establishment of foreign firms in this country has in many cases, and particularly in Scotland, brought great benefit not only in dollars but also in employment?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to protect British manufacturers and exporters from unfair competition arising out of the use by Japanese firms of wrappings which are precise copies of those designed and used by British manufacturers.

Our law and the law of most countries, including Japan, provides means by which manufacturers can protect themselves against unfair competition of this kind, particularly when their trade marks or registered designs have been copied. In a number of cases of copying by factories in Japan, the authorities and trade associations there have taken effective action; and we are always prepared to take up such cases with them.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if he will be good enough to look at a case which I will send him? If so, he will find that there are instances of not only the same design being used but of a quite unauthorised and improper use being made of the firm's name and registered trade mark? Does not he agree that this practice, which has been growing, but evidence of which is difficult to get, amounts to an unwarrantable, scandalous breach of all international trading standards which should be accepted and without which there cannot be any good faith in commerce?

I shall be glad to look at any information which my hon. Friend cares to send me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has in mind for the modification of the present location of industry policy; and, in particular areas where redundancy is threatened, what new measures, of assistance are contemplated.

I am satisfied that our existing policy and- powers are appropriate to the needs of the situation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in parts of Fife there is a very real fear of redundancy and, indeed, that some redundancy has already taken place? Will he give an assurance that where a local authority expresses a certain willingness to help itself in the provision of factory space, Government encouragement and material help will he forthcoming?

The Secretary of State for Scotland and I are always willing to look at any specific cases that are brought to us.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that British firms are prevented from exporting to Russia types of machine tools less advanced than those now being imported into this country from Czechoslovakia and Eastern Germany; and whether he will reconsider these restrictions in the light of the machine tool industry's need for additional export business;

(2) on what technical advice from outside his Department he drew up the list published in the Board of Trade Journal for June of 40 classes of machine tools embargoed for export to Russia and a further 10 classes subject to quantitative limitation.

The list was based on the recommendations of the Paris Consultative Group. I am aware that a small number of tools of the types listed have been imported from Czechoslovakia, though I would not agree that they are more advanced in design than our own product. We do our best to avoid marginal anomalies of this kind and next time the current arrangements for machine tools are reviewed in the Paris Group we will discuss this case with the other members.

Is the Minister aware that Lancashire and other firms are anxious to accept such orders, and that recently a large Czechoslovak boring and turning mill was installed here of a type which we have been prevented from selling to them? Is not that a crazy situation, and is not the Minister's first responsibility to the British Parliament and public to see that regulations are not anomalous, damaging and out of date?

Yes, I agree with the hon. Gentleman, but we have to discuss these matters with the other members of the group.

As the original purpose of these restrictions was to limit technical advance in the Soviet Union, is the President of the Board of Trade really satisfied that in their present form they are serving any useful purpose now?

They need to be reviewed, and they will be reviewed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Anglo-Czech Trade Agreement, concluded by his Department last year, has brought considerable benefits to the British engineering industry, including a new export trade from my constituency to Czechoslovakia?

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to implement proposals for the indication of the flammability of fabrics.

The British Standards Institution is at present engaged in the preparation of a standard for flame-resistant fabrics. Complex technical considerations are involved and it would be unwise to press for hasty conclusions. Once that standard is available I hope to be able to make corresponding amendments to the Regulations under the Fabrics (Misdescription) Act, 1913.

Is the Minister aware that a regrettably large number of accidents are arising from clothing catching fire, and can he give the House an assurance that no time will be lost in introducing standards to give customers some measure of information and protection when they are shopping?

Like the hon. Lady. I am disappointed at the delay, but apparently there are grave technical difficulties concerning durability.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the trades in which flick-knives are used.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the number of flick-knives imported into this country during this year, and the number from each of the respective countries of origin;

(2) what trades find it essential to have flick-knives available.

I understand that these knives are used by fishermen, seamen, farmers, butchers, cobblers, blacksmiths and electricians. Flick-knives are not separately distinguished in the trade statistics.

Can my right hon. Friend say why ordinary knives cannot be used equally effectively in these trades? Could not they be kept in sheaths, and would they not be as effective? Also, does not he agree that on other considerations these knives are very undesirable?

I think that the answer to my hon. and gallant Friend is that some men have to work with one hand, that sometimes their hands are very cold, and that it is of real assistance to them to be able to flick out the blade.

Why has not the Minister answered my Questions? I asked in what trades it is essential to use these knives. What kind of inquiries is he making in the matter? Is he aware that an investigation was carried out in Leicester recently by the Leicester Mercury in which a blacksmith who had been in the trade for 40 years said he had never heard of these knives being used in Leicester or Leicestershire, and that they were not required? Is he also aware that the head of a cutlery firm stated that he had never heard of the use of these knives in any trade? Are they essential, or is murder to continue? Why did not the Minister answer my other Question? I asked from what countries these knives, these murderous weapons, were obtained. The right hon. Gentleman has not answered that at all. I now ask him to answer it.

I apologise for not answering that second point. The knives are imported from Western Germany and Italy. With regard to the hon. Gentleman's first point, I am informed that certain men in these industries find the knives essential. I suppose there are blacksmiths and blacksmiths. Also, the Sheffield cutlery trade does not make these knives, and so, probably, it does not know where they are used.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now disposed of all the Government flax mills; how many of the factory premises are now being used; and how many are unoccupied and idle.

Of the ten Government flax factories in operation when it was decided to discontinue the Home Flax Scheme nine have been closed and the tenth will close in March next. Of the nine factories five have been sold, one has been sold subject to completion of contract, and negotiations are proceeding for the sale of the other three.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take all possible steps to ensure that the factories are put into use again so that local people do not remain unemployed after he has closed them?

Yes, Sir. I consider that when selling them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the continuing decline of trade at the port of Goole; and whether he will conduct an investigation into its cause with a view to taking steps to improve the position.

I will consider the position at Goole in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, and will write to the hon. Member in due course.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that the trade at Goole port depends very largely on the National Coal Board, the Central Electricity Authority and the British Transport Commission, and will he consider calling an all-party, all-trades conference in Goole to consider the present position and ways of improving it?

I think I had better first talk to my right hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his refusal to allow the import of table ware potatoes from Holland, owing to the general failure of the crop in Scotland.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food explained in answer to Questions on 25th November, this matter is under consideration.

When my right hon. Friend comes to what I hope will be a speedy decision, will he bear in mind that substantial imports will be needed, because the shortage is expected to be acute in January, which will result in rocketing prices and will hit the housewife very hard?

I will convey what my hon. Friend has said to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the discussions in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Conference on nuclear weapons as a deterrent against war, Her Majesty's Government will draw attention to the declaration by Field Marshal Lord Montgomery, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, on 21st October, 1954, to the effect that, at any moment, either side, in trying to win the cold war, might, without meaning to, start a world war that neither side wanted.

These observations made by Field Marshal Lord Montgomery in 1954 have, I feel sure, been noted by all concerned.

Does not the Prime Minister agree that these observations knock the bottom out of the Government's contention that piling up nuclear weapons can possibly deter war? Do we not have it now on the authority of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of N.A.T.O., Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery, that the more nuclear weapons are piled up on each side the greater is the danger of war breaking out by accident? Will the Prime Minister draw the attention of the N.A.T.O. Powers to this disquieting fact and urge them to address themselves, before proceeding any further on this primrose path, to the question of how to make peace?

I should not have thought that that was the deduction to be drawn from the Field-Marshal's statement. What he has said, and what is, alas, true, is that there is always a danger—it is the real danger perhaps—that people, if there is a cold war and a state of high tension, may also be drawn into something which they do not intend. That is, of course, the danger. But what is the alternative—to leave the free world undefended?

asked the Prime Minister what agreement he made with President Eisenhower on the subject of the right of commanders of United States ballistic weapon and bomber bases in this country to act in conformity with the United States Government's policy of leaving it to their commanders to take the immediate decision for instant retaliation in case of attack on North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces anywhere in the world.

None, Sir.

As regards the American bomber bases in Britain, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, the United States Government have given a firm undertaking that these bases will not be used for military operations except in agreement with the British Government.

There are no United States ballistic weapon forces stationed in this country.

Is the Prime Minister aware that on 20th November. Mr. Dulles announced that it was now United States policy to instruct U.S. commanders to resort to retaliatory action instantly on their own immediate decision? Does the agreement with the British Government cover the use of so-called tactical atomic weapons and conventional weapons, or is it confined exclusively to the so-called hydrogen bombs?

The agreement made by Mr. Attlee and confirmed afterwards by my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill)—first in 1948 and then in 1952—makes it absolutely clear that no bombers or American aircraft based in this country can be used without the joint decision of the two Governments.

Will the Prime Minister confirm that that also applies to those aircraft which are in the air and bombed up and which, we hear, are flying around all ready to act?

Yes, Sir. Of course, there is no distinction at all as to whether an aircraft is sitting on the airfield ready to take off, or on patrol or training duties in the air.

Will the Prime Minister make it clear that neither United States Air Force bombers nor Royal Air Force bombers while engaged in routine training flights over this country are loaded with nuclear or other bombs?

No, Sir. I have made rather close inquiries into the situation which I understand to be the same now as it has always been. There has been no change in practice since 1948. In training and patrolling weapons must be carried partly for the use of training in loading and so forth, which is part of training, and also in patrolling; but they are carried in a form which is technically called—whether the weapons are H.E., atomic, or of any other character—"not armed." I am told that that is an expression to cover the fact that a weapon cannot be made active without considerable technical adjustments. Some of the older ones among us would have a better picture if I said "not fused". It is in that state that these weapons are used for experiment and training.

Can the Prime Minister give an assurance that there is no danger of a nuclear explosion resulting if one of these aircraft were to crash?

Yes, Sir. I am told that there is no danger of an explosion. I think that American Forces make it a practice to keep always ready, when one of these patrols is in the air from one of our bases, special tanker machines which can go up and help to refuel when it is a matter of not being able to land in England so that the aircraft can fly back to their bases in America.

asked the Prime Minister what agreement he reached with President Eisenhower relating to the application of graduated deterrents in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation defence, with particular reference to the use of atomic weapons up to two-and-a-half times the power of the Hiroshima bomb on the immediate decision of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation or United States commanders, and to obtaining preliminary approval at political level only before using nuclear arms of more than two-and-a-half times Hiroshima strength; and whether he will make a statement.

None, Sir.

Is the Prime Minister aware that N.A.T.O. generals disclosed to the Defence Committee of the N.A.T.O. Parliamentary Conference that N.A.T.O. commanders are now being authorised to use nuclear weapons up to two-and-a-half times the power of the Hiroshima bomb on their own immediate decision, with no obligation to secure prior approval from any political authority? Will he say why the Government have assented to that proposition, or will he give an assurance that the Government will oppose this monstrous and appalling policy even to the extent, if necessary, of ceding from N.A.T.O.?

Before my right hon. Friend answers that question, will he take it from me that that was not said and that, as the meeting took place behind closed doors and no communiqué was published, the hon. Member has no reason whatever for making allegations such as he has just made?

I was about to observe that I have no report of the speech which has been mentioned and of which, I understand, no report was issued. I can only restate the facts as they are. There is no misunderstanding about American bombers based in this country. I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition will confirm that. We had an agreement in 1948, the terms of that agreement being restated and reconfirmed in 1952. They remain. No operational use can be made without the agreement of the two Governments. The forces which may be allocated to the Supreme Commander in Europe for N.A.T.O. are the responsibility of the Governments who are signatories of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Mr. Beswick.

On a point of order. I have not yet had my supplementary.

Mr. Zilliacus.

Thank you, Sir. Is the Prime Minister prepared to state definitely that no such instructions are being given to N.A.T.O. commanders? After all, this country is a member of the N.A.T.O. Council and Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery is Deputy Commander-in-Chief of N.A.T.O. We have a share of the responsibility. Has the Prime Minister seen an article by my right hon. Friend the Member for Belper (Mr. G. Brown) in the Sunday Pictorial stating quite definitely—he was present at these meetings—that the question of the right of commanders to use these dreadful weapons on their own initiative was creating consternation among the smaller N.A.T.O. Powers?

As has been pointed out, this Question was based on what is alleged to be a speech of which an hon. Member and one of my right hon. Friends have given very different accounts. I do not have a copy of a report of what was said. I only know what the facts are. They are that American bombers based in this country are subject to a joint agreement of the two Governments and that the use of any weapons or any forces is subject to the control of the fifteen Governments who form the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

The Prime Minister keeps referring to the political agreement of 1948 which was confirmed in 1952. Is not he aware, however, that the whole root of the concern in this matter lies in the fact that a political arrangement which might have been acceptable in the leisurely days of the piston-engined bomber is no longer applicable to modern aircraft capable of delivering a modern weapon? As we have these new weapons, does not the Prime Minister think that it would be wise to negotiate a fresh political arrangement?

The hon. Member appears to be referring to a different matter from that referred to by his hon. Friend. He is referring to the agreement as regards the American bombers based in this country. I should have thought that the greater force and power of the weapons made it all the more important that the agreement should remain and that these weapons should be used only on the joint approval of both Governments.