asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many smokeless zones have been established since the passing of the Clean Air Bill.

None, Sir, but three local authorities have submitted to my right hon. Friend their preliminary proposals for the establishment of four smoke control areas under the Clean Air Act and he has approved these proposals in principle. Five other local authorities have notified their intention of setting up such areas.

As this is most unsatisfactory, will the hon. Gentleman tell the House what steps he has taken to encourage the public, industry and local authorities to set up these smokeless zones because of the relationship between smoke and the increase in the incidence of cancer?

My right hon. Friend sent out last year a memorandum on procedure to all local authorities. As the hon. Member will realise, surveys are now being carried out in a very large number of areas and these surveys are bound to take time.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are being made for adequate supplies of solid smokeless fuel consequent on the establishment of smokeless zones.

As my right hon. Friend the Paymaster-General told the House on 11th March last, supplies of solid smokeless fuels are sufficient to meet not only present demands but likely demands in the immediate future. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that any proposals for smoke control areas put forward by Scottish local authorities will have to be turned down for lack of solid smokeless fuel.

Will the Minister bear in mind that under the Regulations it is now an offence to allow smoke to be emitted in these zones, and will he take all possible steps to ensure that these supplies will be adequate, so that people may not be able to use that as a defence when they are charged under the Act?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the promised provision of two technical colleges in Ayrshire.

Since my right hon. Friend's Answer to the hon. Member's Question of 30th July last discussions have continued between the authority and my Department on various points relating to the proposed colleges at Ayr and Kilmarnock, and a public inquiry has been held regarding the compulsory acquisition of the selected site for the Kilmarnock College. My right hon. Friend is awaiting the report of the Commissioner whom he appointed to hold this inquiry.

May we have more detailed information in relation to the date of starting Ayr College, and will the hon. Gentleman express an opinion with regard to the obstruction being met with as a result of the attitude of Lord Howard de Walden in respect of Kilmarnock College?

Discussions are going on about the accommodation of Kilmarnock College. So far as the accommodation in Ayr College is concerned, agreements have been reached and proposals will shortly be going before the appropriate committee of the education authority.

Is it a fact that Lord Howard de Walden has been holding up a very necessary scheme for technical education and would the hon. Gentleman say what would happen to Lord Howard de Walden if he were in the Soviet Union?

The last part of the supplementary question appears to be hypothetical. With regard to the first part, I do not think that it arises, because discussions on the accommodation to be provided are still going on.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up a committee to inquire into the present state and organisation of Scottish secondary education and to make recommendations.

As the hon. Member will recall, my right hon. Friend reconstituted the Advisory Council on Education in Scotland early last year, and he will refer to it any questions affecting secondary education which from time to time appear to him to require examination by such a body.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is more than a feeling that the whole question of the state, organisation and future development of Scottish secondary education is much in need of reconsideration and will he look at this from a much wider aspect than problems that arise from time to time?

My right hon. Friend will certainly look at it from time to time, but he is not convinced at the present time of the need for a thoroughgoing inquiry into secondary education.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is some concern that the best use is not being made in some areas of students in the 14–15 range, and that the relationship of the 14–15 range to the general body of secondary education is not quite clear even to the teaching profession? Has not there been enough experience of the working of this extended leaving-age to enable the matter to be thoroughly investigated as a whole?

Our view is that it is still premature. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, a paper on junior secondary education was published a little more than two years ago, and that is being discussed and acted upon by teachers and followed up carefully by inspectors of education.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made with the building of Linlithgow bridge.

Tenders are due to be submitted by 24th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made with the Glasgow-Stirling road.

A section of this road in Lanarkshire has been reconstructed and work is in progress on another section. The reconstruction of a section in Dunbartonshire is about to start, and schemes for the remainder of the road are in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has approved for house-building in Leith; and if he can now state when building will commence on the site at Leith Fort.

Proposals have been approved and work is in progress for the erection of 45 houses at Pilrig Street, 48 at Annfield, and 27 at Laverockbank. It is hoped that a decision on the winning design for Leith Fort will be announced this month. Thereafter drawings and specifications will be prepared and tenders invited. The Corporation cannot yet forecast exactly when building will begin, but I am assured that there will be no avoidable delay.

In view of the appalling housing conditions in certain parts of Leith and the continual decline in the numbers of people living there, does not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is a matter of great urgency? Will he give an assurance that he will push on with re-housing and slum clearance in this area?

Yes. Sir. We will do everything we can to push on, but I think the hon. Member will agree that Leith Fort is a very important site and that it should be carefully planned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of the 20 farms in Roxburgh which received notices of inspection in November, 1955, were in fact inspected: and with what result.

Notices of inspection were received by 21 farmers, mentioned in the hon. Member's Question of 17th December, over the period June, 1951, to June, 1957, but none of these notices was received in November, 1955. All these farms were subsequently inspected and in six cases warning notices were issued.

Is the Joint Under-Secretary aware that that Answer differs somewhat from the previous Answer that I had from the Secretary of State when he said that 20 notices were issued at one particular meeting? In view of the Answer, which still remains unsatisfactory, I hope to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in view of the present state of employment in the light castings industry in the Falkirk area, what steps he intends to take to meet the situation.

My right hon. Friend is in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and National Service about the employment problems arising in the light castings industry: and also with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade who will bear in mind the needs of the area for suitable new industries.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that every year in this industry there has been a depression, beginning about this time and continuing until the late summer, when men regularly work short time? In spite of discussions between different Departments, nothing seems to have been done from the Government end.

Industry within the area as a whole has been adapting itself with very great success. In fact, some two dozen developments have taken place in this area since the war.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the activities during this winter's months at sea off the coast of Scotland of his fisheries cruisers with particular reference to the number and nature of the incidents in which they have been involved in protecting the Scottish fishing industry and also indicating the health of the officers and crews so serving.

Eight fishery cruisers have been on normal patrol this winter. During November and December seven cases of suspected illegal fishing were detected; three distress calls from fishing boats were answered; and on 25 occasions the presence of foreign fishing vessels in areas prescribed by the Trawling in Prohibited Areas Prevention Act, 1909, were reported. The health of the officers and crews has been generally good.

While thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask him whether he thinks that there are enough of these fishery protection vessels for the vast areas of sea which have to be covered? Is he aware that in the winter season the officers and crews of these vessels have to put up with very arduous times and great difficulties, and will he investigate their conditions of employment with a view to determining whether the number of such protection vessels should or should not be increased?

I think that the last part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question raises a different point, but if he will put down a Question I will certainly do my best to answer it. On the general question, it seems to me that the results so far show that the matter is well in hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what respects the conditions differ in Scotland from those in England regarding the reservation of places for non-fee-paying pupils imposed on schools receiving direct grants; and whether he will make it a condition of direct grant in Scotland that a proportion of non-paying pupils be admitted.

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Education informs me that one of the conditions on which direct grant is paid to grammar schools in England is that at least 25 per cent. of the admissions must be free of tuition fee, and that further places up to 50 per cent. in all must be put at the disposal of local education authorities if they so require. No such condition applies in Scotland. The Education (Scotland) Miscellaneous Grants Regulations, 1948, will have to be reviewed later this year, and I shall then consider whether such a condition should be introduced.

When the Minister is examining this problem, will he also find out whether or not the Scottish students at these schools are prejudiced compared with students at similar schools in England in connection with examinations for the Army and other Services, because of the different dates and different types of qualification? Is not he aware, for instance, that it is possible for students in some of these schools to go to Cambridge University and other universities in England but not to Scottish universities? It seems to me that the Scottish boy is being penalised.

That seems rather a different question, but my right hon. Friend will certainly bear it in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what results he anticipates for Scottish industry from the recent visit of Canadian industrialists.

My right hon. Friend has reason to hope that the contacts made by the Canadian mission will result in substantial increases in exports from Scotland as from other parts of the United Kingdom. The mission's purpose, however, was not to place orders; it was a fact-finding mission whose objects were to obtain a firsthand knowledge of the achievements of British industry and to make recommendations with a view to expanding trade between Canada and this country. May I add that the mission was exceedingly welcome in Scotland and that I believe its members formed a favourable impression of Scottish industry.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the fact that its members did form such an impression seems to me to be a point which he should bear in mind? Will he make sure that there is some follow-through and that some attention is paid to the business about which there has been so much complaint for years, namely, our selling organisation and selling methods in Canada? Will he try to make sure that our industry cashes in on a favourable impression?

I will convey what the hon. Gentleman has said to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any further statement to make on the proposed pay increase for clerical staff within the National Health Service.

The Staff Side of the Administrative and Clerical Staffs Whitley Council lodged a claim on 3rd January for a 5 per cent. increase to staffs on salaries up to £1,200 per annum. The Council has agreed to defer the consideration of the claim until 12th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the increasing unemployment problem in the country, he will take measures to expedite the beginning of the Forth Road Bridge construction.

The Forth Road Bridge Joint Board invited tenders for foundations to the central piers of this bridge and for the cable anchorages in December and it is hoped that work will start as soon as possible after the tenders have been received.

Can the Minister indicate whether there is any possibility at all of speeding up the preliminary work, because the unemployment position is becoming increasingly serious? Is he aware that in the last six months, for instance, four factories in Fife alone have closed down and that unemployment figures in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area are the highest for ten years? Will he do something, if not with the bridge, then by other means, to attract industry to the area?

I am not certain that there is much scope for accelerating the process that has already been set on foot, but I should say that the hon. Gentleman should not exaggerate the possibilities of employment arising out of the construction of the Forth Bridge. I am informed that not more than 40 local unskilled men are likely to find work in the construction of the bridge during the first two years of its construction.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what additional accommodation was made available for mental defectives in the Scottish South-Eastern Region in 1957; and what additional accommodation it is expected to make available in 1958.

In 1957 the total number of places for mental defectives in the region was increased by 36. This year my right hon. Friend expects a start will be made on a new unit of 62 beds at Gogarburn but it will not be available for occupation this year.

Does not the hon. Member agree that that progress is far too slow and that at this rate it will take about eight to ten years to provide the accommodation required? Can he speed up this matter?

I join with the hon. Member in his concern, but I can assure him that the regional board is doing all it can with its available resources.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects that institutional accommodation will be provided for the mental defectives at present resident in Westfield Park Home, Dalkeith.

My right hon. Friend is informed that the mental defectives at Westfield are on the hospital waiting list and will be admitted according to the respective urgency of their cases. My right hon. Friend is afraid it is impossible to forecast dates for admissions.

Is the hon. Member aware that some of these cases have been on the waiting list for ten years? Is it not time, in the interests of Westfield Park Home itself, that these people were provided with accommodation elsewhere? Is not the present position scandalous?

I am aware that what the hon. Member says is correct. He is aware of the overall shortage of mental deficiency accommodation. I can assure him that priority of admission is decided by an assessment panel on which the local authority is represented.

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will arrange for estimates to be made of the cost of bringing into operation of the Legal Aid and Solicitors (Scotland) Act, 1949.

The current Exchequer grant for legal aid in civil proceedings alone in Scotland is £155,000. We have not enough information on which to base a reliable estimate of the cost of the other services covered by the Act, but as regards legal aid in criminal cases, a Committee is now reviewing the relative provisions.

As this information is apparently to be made available in England and Wales, why cannot it be made available in Scotland?

I have no information about the position in England and Wales, but our feeling is that in Scotland any such estimate regarding legal aid would be of the nature of an intelligent guess.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the work of completing the linking of the Lochportain road to the main county road in North Uist is to begin.

Substantial expenditure is already being incurred in providing roads between the townships concerned and work on these will continue for about another year. My right hon. Friend will be prepared to consider the further work referred to by the hon. Member if and when the county council accord it the necessary priority.

Is the hon. Member aware that some tens of thousands of pounds were spent by the Labour Government on the main scheme to link these townships with the main county road to North Uist? Is it not a piece of imbecile extravagance to leave a road nine-tenths finished and petering out into a bog, when a little more expenditure now would finish the job and connect the right hon. Member's own tenants with the rest of the area? When is the right hon. Member going to develop his sense of stewardship to his own tenants who have been stuck on a bleak peninsula without a road for nearly 30 years?

When the hon. Member studies my reply, he will see that the Secretary of State's sense of stewardship is unimpaired.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what were the objections lodged by Lord Lovat to the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board's project at Strathfarrar-Kilmorach; and on what conditions the objections were withdrawn.

No objections were lodged by Lord Lovat.

is the hon. Member aware that I am informed by the Hydro-Electric Board that an objection was lodged by Lord Lovat and withdrawn very early in the course of the hearings? Is he aware that it might be a very good thing if a full public statement were made to confirm or scotch rumours that Lord Lovat was virtually bought off by a quite extravagant claim for compensation which was awarded by the Board? On the basis of that information given to me by the Hydro-Electric Board, will the Under-Secretary take steps to see that it is confirmed or denied and the public and the investors of the Board made aware whether there is some truth in the statement? The sum of £200,000 has been mentioned and this is marginal land [HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—I am sorry, Mr. Speaker, but I am trying to elicit information which might not be welcome to some hon. Members, landlords, on the other side of the House.

Naturally my right hon. Friend will look into assertions that the hon. Member has made and I should be grateful to him if he would send such support as he can muster for the assertions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that increasing numbers of people are being induced to buy houses which are likely to be condemned in the near future under schemes subject to his approval; and if he will therefore initiate a publicity campaign to make prospective buyers aware of the legal position.

My right hon. Friend has no evidence that the purchase of houses likely to be condemned has increased. His Department asks local authorities to publicise slum clearance proposals approved under the Housing (Repairs and Rents) (Scotland) Act, 1954. Local authorities also give advice to intending purchasers who are in doubt about particular houses.

Will the hon. Member undertake to look into a case in Prinlaws in Fife if I send him the information? Is he aware that certain people there are being induced to buy houses which will probably be condemned next year by the Fife County Council? In those circumstances, will he make clear what compensation those people can or cannot get, if that is the case?

If the hon. Member will send me particulars, I shall be glad to look into them.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from educational bodies respecting the future of education, within the system of block grants; and what steps he proposes taking to ensure adequate expansion of education within the block grant system.

My right hon. Friend has received thirty representations from educational bodies expressing concern at the future of education under the system of general grants. The need for developing the education service is recognised in the proposed legislation, and the provision for development will ensure adequate expansion of education under the new grant system, having regard to general economic conditions.

Is the hon. Member aware that since recent events in the Government there has been increasing concern in Scotland that the Treasury attitude in future may be such that Scottish education may be cut, let alone expanded? Will he do all he can to see that education is put back into the special grant class so that we may be sure that Scottish education will be maintained and expanded in the future?

I am sure that the hon. Member does not expect me to say anything which would give the impression that the Government are not determined that the present Bill will run its full course.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities, having found it impossible to finance housing and other development on current market terms, have applied to him for Public Works Loan Board facilities; and how many he has rejected.

I have been asked to reply.

The figures appear to be reasonably satisfactory, but is the Financial Secretary aware that many of those authorities which were refused are authorities which are most in need? Will he please look into this matter to sec that every local authority in Scotland with terrific problems on its hands is encouraged to go to the Public Works Loan Board instead of putting advertisements in newspapers in Scotland asking for money at 6 and 7 per cent.?

It is for the Board to decide what it is prepared to lend in the light of the present policy, but, of course, there is nothing to prevent any local authority, which has the approval of the central Government Department and which satisfies the statutory requirements, from applying to the Board.

Is the Financial Secretary aware that we are very grateful for having the clearest answer we have had from an Under-Secretary for a long time?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes taking to increase scientific and technological education in Scotland.

Of the £10 million programme authorised for building for technical education my right hon. Friend has already approved projects to the value of £7,300,000. He is at present considering further projects to the value of £1,200,000 and hopes soon to receive others covering the remaining £1,500,000. He is taking every opportunity by means of conferences and other forms of publicity to encourage employers and young workers to make full use of the facilities avaliable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to secure equivalence of Scottish educational certificates with those of England and Wales.

Since the differences between Scottish and English educational certificates reflect the differences between the two educational systems, it would be undesirable to make the Scottish pattern conform exactly with the English. Every effort is made, however, to ensure that in relation to entrance requirements the proper value is assigned to passes in the Scottish certificate.

Is the hon. Member aware that, as my right hon. Friend the Member for East Stirlingshire (Mr. Woodburn) mentioned earlier today, there is a widespread feeling in Scotland that Scottish children are being treated unfairly over these examinations; that arrangements for settling examination standards for external examinations for professional bodies and the Armed Forces are made in relation to England, and that Scotland is made to fit in piecemeal? Will he do something more about this?

The hon. Member will realise that it is entirely within the discretion of the individual professional and other organisations to fix the entrance qualifications which they regard as necessary, but I can assure him that the Department of Education in Scotland takes a great deal of trouble to make certain that proper weight is attached to the Scottish certificates.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many river purification authorities are now operating in Scotland; and how many have still to be established.

Of the ten river purification boards suggested in the Broun Lindsay Report for the area south of the Caledonian Canal, eight are functioning, one is in the process of being set up and one has not yet been established.

Can the Joint Under-Secretary say which board is in process of being established and which one has not been established? Has he formed any idea how long it will be before this Act, passed in 1951 with a sense of urgency to deal with a very serious abuse, will be in complete operation?

The board for the River Tay is in process of being completed, and the board for North and South Esk has not yet been established, as we have not yet come to a decision regarding this small area. As to the question of when the Act will be fully operative, I would say that it has not been easy to meet all the local difficulties in forming different boards. I think that the establishment of nine out of ten is good progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many reports he has received from the Scottish River Purification Advisory Committee from its inception to the nearest convenient date.

No formal reports have been received. The Committee has drawn attention to certain administrative matters.

Can the Joint Under-Secretary say how often the Advisory Committee has met, and can he tell us exactly what it is doing?

The Committee has met three times since its appointment in November, 1956. I am advised that it has asked the river purification boards to survey their areas and to provide detailed information upon which the Committee can base its recommendations on the control of polluting discharge by the imposition of standards and on methods of treating industrial effluent.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the increasing pressure on Scottish boys who have not yet attained the school leaving age of fifteen years to join the ground staffs of English football clubs; and what steps he proposes to take to stop this practice in view of the disturbing effect it has on the education of schoolboys in general.

My right hon. Friend has no information about approaches of this kind, but if, as he assumes, they take place outside school hours, he has no power to intervene.

Did not the Joint Under-Secretary seek to get into touch with any of the authorities concerned? Evidently the English Football League recognises the problem raised in this Question. It has proposed the following rule to its members:

"…clubs shall not enter into any negotiations for registration, directly"—

Speech.

I am merely giving the answer that the Joint Under-Secretary might have given.

It is not the function of the hon. Member to give an answer. He ought to ask a supplementary question, and ask it as briefly as he can.

I was not intending to assume other duties; I was merely quoting a rule which is now proposed and which covers the point raised in my Question. The rule proposed by the English Football League to their members is as follows:

"…clubs shall not enter into any negotiations for registration, directly or indirectly, with an amateur player on the roll of a recognised school until the day following the end of the holidays on the term in which he leaves, or on the day he takes up full employment."

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps his Department is taking to encourage the maximum success of the British Standards Institution's publication, "Shopper's Guide," which gives advice to shoppers on the merits and failings of consumer goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the possible enlargement of the grant made to the British Standards Institution; and whether any additional sum is now given for the work of its Consumer Advisory Council and the publication of "Shopper's Guide."

The general grant to the British Standards Institution will in the 1958–59 financial year probably amount to £150,000, an increase of £10,000 on the current financial year's general grant. In addition to this general grant, the Board of Trade has in the current financial year given the British Standards Institution £10,000 specifically for the extension of its work on consumer protection: this now includes "Shopper's Guide." It is for the Institution to decide the best way of promoting the success of this publication. I cannot make any statement about renewal of the additional grant.

I thank the Minister for that Answer, but is not he aware that in one way and another the consumer is getting a very bad deal in this country? Does the Minister think that we will get a reduction short of having a Minister of Consumers' Welfare?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the amount of sterling spent abroad by firms in this country on the purchase of machine tools.

United Kingdom imports of machine tools—excluding portable power tools—were valued at £21,800,000 in 1957. A separate figure for the amount of sterling paid in respect of these imports is not available.

Is not that Answer rather unsatisfactory from the point of view of British industry, in that so many of these machine tools have to be bought from abroad when, to my knowledge, there are industries in this country, particularly in the Midlands, which are able to supply them?

The hon. Member's Question related to payment in sterling. I would point out that, like other major countries, we are still very large net exporters of machine tools.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Report of the Monopolies Commission on fertilisers.

My right hon. Friend does not expect to receive it before next year.

Cannot the Minister do something about this? Surely he is aware that a recent authoritative report upon this industry showed that the reduction in production costs has had no reflection at all in prices? This means that there must of necessity be a very high level of Government subsidy.

I do not think that it would be right to interfere with the work of the Commission.

Since the Monopolies Commission was reconstituted under the provisions of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, has the President received any reports from the Commission? Is the Minister satisfied that its present reduced size is apt?

I think that that is another question, which I will do my best to answer if it is put on the Order Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a large and increasing number of manufacturers and distributors are able and willing to reduce prices but are prevented from doing so by the collective enforcement of resale price maintenance; and what action he will take to remedy this situation.

The Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956, makes the collective enforcement of resale price conditions unlawful. If the hon. Member has any evidence of unlawful action I should be glad to examine it.

Is not the hon. Member aware that during the last few months there have been heavy falls in the cost of raw materials, and no corresponding decrease whatsoever in prices in the trades concerned?

I am aware of that point, but there have been increases in other costs—notably labour costs—which have overtaken some of the reductions in the prices of raw materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking, or proposing to take, to assist British manufacturers who wish to initiate or increase exports of their products to Eastern Germany.

Exporters enjoy the same facilities for trade with Eastern Germany as for trade with other countries in the Soviet bloc, within the limits set by the fact that Her Majesty's Government do not recognise the present East German authorities as a Government.

Is not the hon. Member aware that the other N.A.T.O. countries, which equally do not recognise the East German Government, nevertheless have facilitated the creation of unofficial trade agreements and clearance arrangements under which, for example, France, Belgium, Holland, Turkey and West Germany do £150 million worth of trade a year? Why are our manufacturers disadvantaged in competition with these other countries which have the same political attitudes?

Under the circumstances that I have outlined the initiative for a trade agreement from our side must rest with the representative trade organisations, as with trade organisations in the countries that the hon. Member has cited. I understand that certain of these trade organisations are at present in touch with each other, with a view to making these arrangements.

Is it not a fact that negotiations to this end, which were undertaken by the Federation of British Industries, have been broken off because of active discouragement by the hon. Gentleman's Department?

No, that is not true.

On a point of order. In order to elicit further information about this matter, and because of the half-hearted nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise it on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the new method of centrifugal casting has facilitated the copying of jewellery designs; and whether he will consider improving the present methods of protecting such designs.

I am aware of this method. The protection provided for jewellery designs by our existing laws is, in our view, adequate, but we will certainly examine any suggestions that the hon. Member may make for improvements in the procedure of registration.

I appreciate the Minister's willingness to examine this matter. Will he examine the system which is in operation in Germany? That country seems to have found a much cheaper way of protecting manufacturers. In Birmingham manufacturers are spending £3,000 a year and more in designing, only to feel a sense of complete frustration later because of the copying of those designs which is taking place in this country. The present method is far too expensive and elaborate in detail to expect manufacturers to co-operate. I hope that the Minister will look into the question.

I shall certainly look into the matter, but under present arrangements a certificate of registration can usually be issued within a month of application.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) by how much the receipts of the Jute Control have exceeded its expenditure since the control was established;

In the period from 1939, when the Jute Control was established, to 31st December, 1957, the Control's net surplus on trading operations, calculated on a commercial basis, amounted to about £2,780,000. Figures for the period from 17th July, 1957, are not available, but in the period from 1st July, 1957, to 31st December, 1957, the surplus was about £731,600 compared with £1,469,700 in the corresponding period of 1956.

Can my hon. Friend tell me whether his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade has considered a further reduction in the mark-up price of imported hessian and the use of this profit of the Jute Control to support the Dundee manufacturers if any further reduction in the mark-up price should cause them hardship?

I will pass on the suggestion of my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friend.

When considering this question, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the operations of the Jute Control over these years have been the means of preventing mass unemployment in the City of Dundee?

Yes, I appreciate that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the success of the recent Canadian Trade Mission, he will be willing to make similar arrangements for businessmen from the other Dominions who visit the United Kingdom.

Yes, Sir. We are always ready to make official arrangements for business visitors who come here under the sponsorship of their Government.

Does that Answer mean that the Department will initiate arrangements for such visits and that similar visits by businessmen of other Dominions will be given the same management and the same V.I.P. treatment?

There is a slight difference because in this case the visit was initiated by the Canadian Government themselves as a step towards implementing their declared aim of diverting trade towards the United Kingdom. We shall, of course, give the warmest welcome to any other missions with a similar objective.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will schedule the Isle of Wight as a Development Area under the Distribution of Industry Acts.

It is too soon to judge what the longer-term effect of the decision to discontinue development of the aircraft S.R. 177 will have on the level of unemployment in the island.

As unemployment is already near 5 per cent. in the island, and as the population is largely dependent for factory employment on one firm, is not this just the sort of case for which this Act was intended?

No, Sir. Scheduling could not alleviate the immediate problem. We prefer to rely on the efforts we are making to interest expanding firms in new projects in the island.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that manufacturers of motor tyres are using the Restrictive Practices Act, 1956, to hold up the retail price of tyres; and what action he proposes to take to follow up in this industry the former Chancellor of the Exchequer's appeal to manufacturers to lower prices.

I am informed that tyre manufacturers are availing themselves of Section 25 of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956. My right hon. Friend has no powers of control over the prices of tyres, but he would, of course, welcome any practicable reduction in prices.

As the previous Chancellor of the Exchequer, before he finally got fed up with the Government, urged manufacturers to reduce their prices and as the tyre manufacturers are using the Act in order to hold prices up, do the Government think this satisfactory?

The right hon. Member should remember that competition between manufacturers can play an important part in keeping prices down.

Will the Minister consult the Attorney-General as to whether the manufacturers in this industry are acting illegally under Section 24 of the Act, which is supposed to prohibit collective resale price maintenance?

I have no information that they are acting illegally.

Is it not a fact that the main tyre manufacturers are now at last wholly delighted with this Act because it has enabled them to maintain their prices much more easily than they could in the past?

The Act makes specific provision for individual enforcement of resale price maintenance, and was passed by Parliament.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his recent tour of Canada, the United States of America and Mexico.

Yes, Sir. The main purpose of my right hon. Friend's tour was to examine the possibilities for expanding our trade in the important dollar markets of Mexico and Venezuela. He took the opportunity of travelling first to Vancouver, where he found every intention of following up the recommendations made by the Canadian Trade Mission which visited this country last month. In San Francisco my right hon. Friend inaugurated a British-American Chamber of Commerce, whose purpose is to promote the sales of British goods in California.

While I have no doubt that the President of the Board of Trade did some useful work in the countries he visited, was his absence from office really justifiable when there was a serious Cabinet crisis, bearing in mind that, after the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he is the Cabinet Minister most concerned with economic matters?

asked the Prime Minister what recent thermo-nuclear experiments have been carried out on the Zeta reactor at Harwell; to what exent the successful fusion of heavy hydrogen atoms has led to the generation of neutrons; and if he will now make a further statement.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now able to make a statement on the recent thermo-nuclear experiments which have been conducted on the Zeta reactor at Harwell; what proposals have been made and adopted by the joint United States/United Kingdom declassification committee; and if he will now disclose more details about the work going on in the United States of America and the United Kingdom towards harnessing the power of the hydrogen bomb for peaceful purposes.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the progress of research into the harnessing of nuclear explosions for peaceful purposes.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to British progress in research in the field of production of thermo-nuclear energy.

I have been asked to reply.

While welcoming my right hon. Friend's statement, may I ask him to examine the machinery for releasing this information, as I hope he is aware that over the last three months this information has been leaking to the British Press in a rather backstairs manner which suggests that the authorities are trying to hush up a failure, whereas in fact this is one of the greatest triumphs of British science comparable with those of Lord Rutherford, J. J. Thomson and Sir John Cockcroft? Will my right hon. Friend discuss with the authorities how they can ensure either that there are no leaks in anticipation of statements or that there are earlier statements of such successes?

Taking first the last point in the supplementary question, following upon declassification the earliest possible arrangements were made for a joint statement, one to be made here and one in the United States of America. The answer to the first part of the supplementary question is that naturally leaks are undesirable, particularly as I agree with my hon. Friend that this achievement ranks very high in the history of British science. Proper arrangements have been made, including a Press conference at Harwell, for informing the Press generally of the progress of this research.

Why should we receive news of this great experiment from garbled driblets in the Press and, as the right hon. Gentleman has said, finally in a scientific magazine, Nature? Is not this experiment of such significance to this House and to the nation that the right hon. Gentleman should be prepared to make a statement, and a proud statement, now?

I do not agree. I think it much better that this highly scientific information should be published, as was done on a previous occasion, in a scientific journal. We may then be quite satisfied as to its accuracy and as to those who understand it publishing it. I think that is the better way.

Is not this the most laudable answer that the Western world can make to Russian advances in this science and would not we be well advised to put our efforts into this type of nuclear development instead of duplicating American effort in nuclear bombs?

That question cannot be taken as literally correct. I would not accept the latter part of the supplementary question in toto. The more we make advances in this sphere the better it will be for the civilised world and for our own civilisation.

On a point of order. In view of the very important nature of this question and as I think this statement should be made in this House and not in scientific journals, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his meeting with Staff Side Whitley Council (Hospital Staffs) held on Monday, 23rd December, 1957.

asked the Prime Minister what conclusions were reached at his meeting with representatives of the National and Local Government Officers Association on the veto imposed by Her Majesty's Government on the Whitley Council award of 3 per cent. increase for clerical and administrative workers in the National Health Service.

I have been asked to reply.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply—he will understand that most of us on this side of the House think that his conclusions are absolute nonsense—may I ask him if, in order to try to solve this very unhappy position, he will consult the Minister of Health to get an implementation of the award, which is the only way this staff can be satisfied that it is being properly dealt with?

In regard to the award and in particular to any new grading and pay structure designed to improve prospects and recruitment, the refusal to grant the 3 per cent. does not automatically rule out approval of what I have just described.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the decision is having a serious effect on confidence in the negotiating machinery of the country? Will he particularly consider the position of the staff in the National Health Service and the possibilities of recruiting for the service if the present decision is maintained?

The present decision will be maintained as long as the situation continues in the economy at the present time. It has been deliberately promulgated because of the present situation. I would not agree that it has had an entirely bad effect on the general character of our economic problems. I do agree that it is very hard on this particular section that the incidence should have fallen on them.

When the National Health Service was established and the Whitley machinery itself formed part of it, it was obvious that final responsibility must rest with the House of Commons because these were very large sums of money. Is it not a fact that it was then hoped that the Whitley machinery would stand as a shield between the House of Commons and the workers involved? Would it not be wholly undesirable that large bodies of workers should be brought into conflict with the House of Commons and that wage rates should be discussed on the Floor of the House of Commons? If the Government persist in their attitude, would it not be necessary for us to have debates on wage rates in the House of Commons and to compare conditions with other conditions enjoyed by other members of the community; in which case, could it not easily happen that large bodies of workers in the country would come into conflict with the House of Commons and strike against the House of Commons?

One has to strike a balance between the sovereign power of the House of Commons and Parliament, the desire of hon. Members to discuss matters of vital importance here, and the importance of preserving what the right hon. Gentleman described as the shield of the Whitley machinery. As I understand it, since the beginning of the National Health Service it has always been accepted that Whitley agreements must be in the form of recommendations to Ministers. As Ministers are responsible to Parliament, it is impossible to keep Parliament away from these problems. I would add that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has deliberately said that he has undertaken to look at the Whitley aspect of this problem.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now make a statement on his reply to M. Bulganin's letter, with particular reference to the conditions on which he is prepared to participate in high-level talks in 1958.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the desire of people in this country that he should make a new effort to ensure as soon as practicable the holding of a summit meeting designed to establish a better basis for peace; and what has been done in recent weeks to follow up the official proposals made in December by the Russian Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement on the reply of Her Majesty's Government to the recent letter received from Marshal Bulganin.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take the necessary action to initiate discussions with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the possibility of a non-aggression pact being signed between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Great Britain.

I have been asked to reply.

Cs it not clear that the overwhelming majority of people everywhere want these summit talks to take place as proposed, and believe that they should take place at an early date? Will not the right hon. Gentleman therefore urge upon his right hon. Friend to propose a date on which these summit talks should take place?

I am naturally aware of the large degree of public opinion which is in favour of these talks. I am aware of the palls which have been held on this matter. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is at the present moment in touch with his colleagues at home here, and especially with my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary, with a view to framing an early reply to the second letter of Mr. Bulganin. I can only say that these matters, upon which there is such strong feeling, will undoubtedly be taken into account when that reply is framed and published.

In view of the fact that President Eisenhower and the French Prime Minister have accepted in principle the proposal of the Russian Prime Minister for a summit conference, can the Lord Privy Seal say whether diplomatic discussions have been initiated with a view to ensuring that adequate preparations are made for the proposed summit conference?

I can certainly say that, because my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said that he wishes to see preparations made and he has mentioned the medium of a Foreign Ministers' conference. The important thing is that preparations should be made. I would also add that it is important that there should be collaboration and consultation with our allies and with the United States Government in particular.

Will the Lord Privy Seal explain why we, who are in the stickiest geographical position, are always on the defensive and never take the initiative? Why do we never reply to Russian efforts without making replies that worsen the situation rather than improve it? Why do we not endeavour to take the initiative from the Russians? If they are bluffing why do we not call their bluff in a way that will reassure puzzled people in this country that we are really trying for peace?

What is important is what the Prime Minister has said, namely, that we could not have a greater disillusionment or disappointment than a summit conference for which adequate preparation had not been made. He has therefore insisted that we shall have a preparatory period. I will undertake to—I think we would be right to do this—convey to my right hon. Friend the undoubted feeling that exists about the need for reaching the summit conference and having a successful one.

While welcoming the last sentence of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that President Eisenhower has already indicated that he does not propose to send any further reply to Marshal Bulganin on this matter of a summit conference, and whether Her Majesty's Government were consulted before President Eisenhower sent that reply? Is the right hon. Gentleman further aware that it is highly desirable to clear up as soon as possible the confusions surrounding this subject? Is it not the case that even if it is necessary to have preparations for such a conference there is no necessity for these preparations to take place through the medium of a Foreign Ministers' conference, to which the Russians have objected? Is it not possible to have the preparations completed through diplomatic channels? Finally, would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is a great deal to be said for a summit conference as a means of breaking the ice between East and West and not necessarily of finishing and completing every possible settlement?

I certainly agree that, as long as preparations are properly made, the exact medium is not a matter upon which one need stick. I would willingly go as far as to say that. On the question of precise consultation, I would need notice. On the question of the objective to which the right hon. Gentleman has drawn attention, I am sure that, provided the preparatory work, however it is done, indicates that this summit conference will be of value, we should be right, as I said in a recent interview, to go forward towards it. I would say finally that we do not intend long to delay our final answer to Mr. Bulganin's second letter. I suggest that it is better to await that full answer, which I hope will not disappoint the House of Commons, or hon. Members.

I would press the right hon. Gentleman on one point. He said that the conference would be valuable only if the preparatory discussion showed that it would reach some result. Is he not aware that it is at least possible that the Russian proposals envisage a summit conference as a means of starting and not of completing a period of negotiation? Would he please consider that it might be of great value from that point of view, even if the preparatory discussion did not appear to be getting very far?

I think that is a legitimate point to make because it is the contact which matters and the results which flow from it. I will certainly convey those ideas to my right hon. Friend.

Is it not possible that this whole matter could be speeded up if the letters themselves were a great deal shorter?

Is there not a distinction between preparations for a conference and preparations to find out whether a conference would be worth while? The right hon. Gentleman has confused the two issues. If there are to be preparations for a conference, is it not therefore a fact that the decision to hold a conference should first be taken and if possible a date fixed and then preparations made for the conference? If, on the other hand, the preparations are to find out whether a conference would be worth while, is it not the case that in the meantime, while these secret discussions are taking place, accusations may be made which cannot be verified because they are secret and the whole atmosphere may be poisoned by recriminations before the conference is held?

I think all I need say in answer to the right hon. Gentleman's question is that we are aware of these difficulties and will take account of them.

When the time comes that there is a break in the series of letters which we are receiving from Mr. Bulganin, would the Government themselves think of starting a correspondence on their own responsibility? Could not the Government out of their own thoughts and their own minds make approaches to the Soviet Government making their own positive suggestions for means whereby the peace of the world might be promoted, rather than spend their whole time answering letters from the Soviet Government?

I think that our next letter will have in it what the right hon. Gentleman desires—namely, ideas which will carry things further forward.