asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what research it is intended to undertake for the extermination of grey squirrels; what organisation will undertake this research; and at what estimated cost.

Proposals for intensifying research into methods of controlling grey squirrels are at present under examination by the agricultural departments and the Forestry Commission.

That is only a partial answer to my Question. Does the Answer mean that where activities undertaken by my hon. Friend's Department have proved only partially successful, they must be abandoned? If so, why does not my hon. Friend, on that score, abandon his activities against foot-and-mouth disease?

I could not accept the wider implication in that supplementary question All I am saying is that we are seeking to find some other and more effective ways of dealing with squirrels, and I shall welcome my hon. Friend's support.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction at the excessive profits of the middlemen handling vegetables, what action is being taken by the Government on the recommendations of the Runciman Committee in an effort to improve the situation for producers and consumers.

The hon. Member will be aware that in reply to recent Questions I have said that I am anxious to make a statement on the Runciman Report as soon as possible.

I appreciate that, but will the Minister give some idea how soon that will be? Is not he more conversant with the date now than when he last answered a Question on this subject?

The hon. Gentleman is right. I am rather more conversant with it than when I answered the previous Question, but I still cannot make a definite statement. A great deal of work is necessary to ensure that we get the widest measure of support from the public authorities as well as the trade organisations concerned. I am working hard on this.

If my right hon. Friend decides to set up a horticultural marketing council, will he take heed of the representations made on behalf of the growing and producing side of the industry, and ensure that those interests have representation equal in number to that of the distributive and other interests on the council?

I will certainly consider what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has decided the composition of the Horticultural Advisory Council recommended by the Runciman Committee; and when he expects to announce the names of the members of the Council.

No, Sir; as I told my hon. Friend the Member for Norfolk. Central (Sir F. Medlicott) on 6th March, I had hoped to be able to make a further statement on this subject this month, but consideration of this complicated matter is taking longer than I expected. I am as anxious as all hon. Members that the Government's decisions should be announced as soon as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a closer estimate of the time when he will be able to make an announcement? In addition, can he give an assurance that, when formed, the council will include representatives not only of consumers and trade unions but all organisations representing growers, wholesalers, retailers and importers?

I shall certainly bear in mind what the hon. Member says. These points were covered in supplementary questions to a previous Answer. I cannot give him a date, but I shall try to make this announcement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the importance of bread to the health of the nation, what action the Government has taken and contemplates taking to ensure that the best possible product is supplied to the community.

Flour, including flour used for bread making, must by regulation contain approved quantities of the nutrients vitamin By, nicotinic acid and iron. As the hon. Member is aware, the Food Standards Committee has been asked to advise as to whether there is any need for further regulations to govern the composition of bread as well as flour.

Is not the Minister aware that, while all these chemicals are put in, most of the natural qualities are taken out? Is not it a fact that the quality of the bread supplied is steadily deteriorating? When may we expect from the Committee he mentioned something that will give people much more confidence that the bread is worth eating?

The hon. Gentleman really does exaggerate his own case. I cannot accept his suggestion that there is evidence of a deterioration in quality. There is, in fact, a very wide variety of different kinds of bread now available. I cannot say when I shall receive the report from this Committee, but I know that it is making progress in its work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total quantity of potatoes imported since licences were granted in December, 1957, up to the latest convenient date.

Up to 8th March, 1958, about 67,000 tons of maincrop potatoes had been imported under the licensing arrangements introduced in December last.

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that information, may I ask him if he will explain the mystery to consumers? Is he aware that in November there was a shortage of potatoes and the prices were rocketing up? Why is it that there has been a need to import only such a small quantity of potatoes? Is not it a fact that the threat of imports had the effect of making some farmers bring their potatoes on to the market? If not, what is the reason?

As the hon. Gentleman intimates in his Question, the price has remained relatively stable, and I am sure that everybody is glad of that. The fact remains that there is a shortfall of potatoes this year generally. Certainly the imports have not been as large as in 1955, but that does not mean that we shall not need further supplies before the season is through.

Will my hon. Friend confirm that the arrangements which the Government wisely made have been and are operating to the benefit of producers as well as consumers, and that we shall continue to have a decent supply of home-grown potatoes on the market to the end of the season?

I could not forecast exactly how it will work out to the end of the season, but I hope that my hon. Friend is right. I am quite certain that we were right to authorise these imports of potatoes at the time we did.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the progress being made with the attested herds scheme in Great Britain with the prospect that the whole country will be clear of bovine tuberculosis by 1961, what consultations he is having with the Irish authorities to ensure a supply of accredited Irish stock cattle that can be taken directly into attested herds in Great Britain.

The authorities of the Irish Republic have throughout been kept informed of the progress of our attested herd scheme and they are well aware of the problems arising as the scheme approaches its final stage. Discussions are in progress with them about the future supply of store cattle, but I am not in a position to say more than this at the moment. I wish to assure my hon. Friend that I fully appreciate the importance of this matter.

May we take it that my right hon. Friend is taking a personal interest in this problem, because he may well be faced with a position in which we may have an area clear of bovine tuberculosis here, and, although we still want Irish cattle, they cannot qualify to come in? Would not it be to the advantage of both countries if we could make mutually satisfactory arrangements as soon as possible?

I can assure my hon. Friend of my concern in this matter, and I am giving it my very close personal attention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will enlist the co-operation of private enterprise concerns in foot-and-mouth disease research.

Owing to the dangers of infection spreading from the handling of the virus and the unique facilities in the Research Institute at Pirbright, I am satisfied that Pirbright is the right place for research into this disease to be conducted. The Gowers Committee strongly supported this view.

May I ask my right hon. Friend to have a look at this matter again? Is not it true to say that every effort, and as widespread an effort as possible, should be made to eliminate this scourge? Will he have some regard to the very considerable achievements made in similar fields to this by private industry? May I ask him if he will look at the matter again most carefully?

Of course, I always listen to anything that my hon. Friend says, and I should like to extend to him an invitation to go to Pirbright himself to see the work carried out there. I should be delighted to arrange facilities for that.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how long the germ of foot-and-mouth disease can exist in the bone or bone marrow of infected South American cattle after they have recovered sufficiently to show no external symptom of the disease.

My right hon. Friend is advised that where cattle have recovered sufficiently from foot-and-mouth disease to show no external symptom, and have not been reinfected, the virus would not normally persist in the bone or bone marrow of their carcases.

I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his Answer. Will he look further into the matter? Does he agree that there have been cases of infection in this country due to infected bones? While I accept the view of the experts that the virus does not generally persist, may I ask my hon. Friend to reconsider the issue?

We are always studying this very difficult problem. Its difficult feature is probably that one cannot rely on veterinary inspection to reveal that an animal is incubating the disease. That is probably the real cause of the trouble.

Is not it possible for the disease to be carried even in boneless meat?

Yes, that is perfectly true. I am grateful to the hon. Member for bringing up that point. It is true that boneless meat can carry it, but such meat is not usually left about in the same way that bones are.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider imposing regulations to prevent the spreading of foot-and-mouth disease carried by wrapping material from carcases imported from South America.

Such regulations are already in force. The Statutory Instruments are the Importation of Meat (Wrapping Materials) Order, 1932, as amended by the Order of 1939, and the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Packing Materials) Order, 1925, as amended by the Order of 1926.

I thank the Joint Parliamentary Secretary for that Answer, but is he aware that recent outbreaks have been traced to these wrappings, and that they are in fact being made use of in country districts in circumstances which can spread the disease? Is it possible to tighten up the regulations?

I am grateful to my hon. and gallant Friend for drawing attention to these regulations. It is our desire to see that they are effectively administered. If he can give me any information in relation to a particular case, I shall be happy to follow it up.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the percentage during each of the last four years of bacon consumed in this country which came from home-produced pigs.

The estimated percentages for the calendar years 1954 to 1957 are respectively 43, 43, 39 and 39.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that it is very important to assure to home producers some proportion of the bacon market? Would not it be most unfortunate if pig producers were forced increasingly into the pork market, thereby giving a considerable benefit to our overseas competitors? Will he recognise that there is some point at which he must fix a minimum for the home industry?

I am not at all sure that I accept what my hon. Friend says. I would point out to him that, to take just the last few months, the average return to bacon producers here was 41s. 7d. per score in January, and it is now 47s. 6d. per score.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that 39 per cent. is a fair proportion of the home market for the home producer?

The housewife is very much the dictator in this matter, and I am quite certain that the British bacon industry can produce, in its highest quality bacon, the best bacon in the world. I am also certain that it will make every effort to increase the quality of the rest of the product of the industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence he has in relation to the present success, or otherwise, of specialist bacon pig producers in concentrating on continued improvement in type and quality; and if he will make a statement.

Since decontrol, Government policy has been directed by means of grading services and quality premiums towards improving the quality of bacon pig production and the evidence is that this policy has been, and is continuing to be, successful. In March, 1956, 32 per cent. of the pigs certified at bacon factories graded "A" at all measurement points, whereas at the end of 1957 the comparable figure was 45 per cent.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the changes made in the grading arrangements during the last two years and the progress made in improving quality.

I appreciate the very difficult problem which my right hon. Friend is facing, but does he not agree that the ultimate success or failure of his efforts and the efforts of the industry to improve quality will depend upon confidence, and that there cannot be sufficient confidence without an assurance of a reasonable share in the home market?

My hon. Friend knows my views on the subject. A few days ago I gave a very long Answer to a Question put by the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann) which set out my views.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware of the fact that a leading official of the Milk Marketing Board has publicly advocated a lowering of the presumptive legal standard for solids other than fat in milk; and, in view of this, if he will make a statement of his policy in this regard.

The presumptive legal standards for milk were enacted over 50 years ago and their suitability in present-clay conditions has recently been questioned. My right hon. Friends the Home Secretary, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Minister of Health and I have decided therefore to appoint a Committee to examine the problem both from the standpoint of human nutrition and of animal husbandry. It is hoped to announce the terms of reference and the membership of the Committee shortly.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that Answer and assuring the House that the Question was in no way inspired, may I ask him if he would agree that the solid fat contents are as important as, if not more important than, butter fat, as they contain, amongst other things, those salts so important for the health of the general public, and children in particular?

I think my hon. Friend will realise that that is exactly the sort of problem this Committee will have to study.

Is the Minister really satisfied that a further Committee is necessary? After all, was there not a Working Party on quality milk production which reported in 1953? Is it a fact that many of the recommendations of that Committee have not yet been carried out?

I think the hon. Gentleman realises that there is a great deal of argument on all sides of this case, and I think that this Committee can do a useful job.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the proportion of farms in England and Wales farmed on the landlord-tenant system at the latest available date.

The latest available information is that derived from the World Census of 1950. This showed that approximately 61 per cent. of the holdings of five acres and over in England and Wales were tenanted.

Is my right hon. Friend fully convinced, after his experience as Minister of Agriculture for some months, that the system of landlord and tenant which we have perfected in this country really does work to the advantage of the agricultural industry as a whole?

Yes, Sir; I certainly agree with that. I think the House realises that, being both an owner and a farmer of land myself, I am not prejudiced when I say that there is little doubt that the sharing of responsibility in the landlord and tenant system has a great deal to commend it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the new Agriculture Bill will tend to disturb this happy relationship between landlords and tenants?

I do not think so. I think that is very much up to the right hon. Gentleman himself. I am told that it is to be discussed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the value of the recently discontinued hill cattle subsidy; and whether he will consider its reintroduction as an alternative to the hill cow subsidy from which many smaller farmers are unable to benefit.

The hill cattle subsidy was introduced in wartime. It was discontinued because it had outlived its original purpose. While some farmers cannot qualify for the hill cow subsidy, upland farmers generally have been more than compensated by this for the loss of the hill cattle subsidy. In the general interest no further action is therefore thought necessary.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider his decision? Whereas it is true that to pay a subsidy towards keeping breeding cattle on a hill farm is better, where that can be done, there are still some small hill farms unable to winter cattle. Would not this subsidy encourage cattle on some hill grazing where there is now none and be of monetary help in quarters where it is badly needed?

I have given the matter considerable thought, as I think my hon. Friend realises. I do not hold out much hope that I will change my mind, but I will certainly continue to consider the matter. I am glad that my hon. Friend appreciates what we are now doing.

As the Government are in principle opposed to subsidising private industry, will the Minister see that there is a limit to these subsidies?

Oh.

The hon. Member had better talk to his own leader on that subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what directions he has given to the Milk Marketing Board with a view to ensuring that payment to producers of milk is made on a quality basis.

The dairying industry is taking action to discourage the production of milk with a low butter-fat content.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the Milk Marketing Board is being inexcusably slow in making progress with this important matter and that the dairy industry would prefer more rapid progress? Since we are behind nearly every other civilised country in this regard, can my right hon. Friend give the Milk Marketing Board a push?

I am sure that the Milk Marketing Board will pay attention to what my hon. Friend has said. He must realise that the producers of low-quality milk must be identified before they can be penalised, and that can be done only by testing milk over a period of months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has in mind to ensure the more effective marketing of skimmed milk during the present year; and whether he will investigate the methods which have been adopted in the United States of America for establishing a flourishing market for slimming milk from which most of the cream has been removed.

The marketing of skimmed milk, whether as slimming milk for human consumption or in other ways, is of course the responsibility of the Milk Marketing Board and the manufacturers of milk products. I will, however, pass the hon. Member's inquiry on to the Milk Marketing Board.

Quite apart from the question of bolstering up the morale of the over-upholstered, will not the Minister himself do something about ensuring that the £1 million spent on advertising produces something effective in this regard? Is not he aware that it would in no way deceive the public if, instead of some of the products which are being imported to produce other commodities, we used the cream obtained from milk sold in this way?

Like the hon. Gentleman, I have an interest to declare on this subject, but the difficulty which he must face is that an increase in the sale of this type of milk would almost inevitably be reflected in the sales of full milk; so that this is not an easy problem. Two of the largest dairies in the country are already supplying slimming milk to those who need it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to increase the consumption of full price fresh milk.

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this is a matter for the Milk Marketing Board and the milk distributive trade, who are co-operating in the work of the National Milk Publicity Council to promote the sale of milk.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am not so aware? What I am aware of is that the consumption of milk fell by over 20 million gallons last year, and that was disturbing. The fall in the consumption of the milk was due, in the main, to Government policy on prices. That is why a continuing responsibility lies upon them to take some steps to increase the consumption of milk.

I know that the hon. Member is far too knowledgeable on matters of agricultural policy not to know that responsibility in this matter lies with the Milk Marketing Board, and I shall certainly see that his comments reach it. As to the decrease in milk consumption which he has mentioned, figures are not always conclusive. In January of this year we sold over 1 million gallons more than in January of last year.

Would not it help if prices were reduced so that people were able to buy more milk than they are now able to?

I am somewhat sensitive on the question of prices at the moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the proposed increase in the price of sugar.

Since last July the world market price of sugar has been below the prices guaranteed to Commonwealth sugar producers under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement and to home producer's of beet sugar. In consequence it has become necessary to terminate the distribution payment by which the Sugar Board has passed on the profits made when the world price was high, and to introduce a surcharge to meet subsequent losses under the guarantees to home and Commonwealth producers. This has been done by Orders made in accordance with the Sugar Act, 1956.

Would the right hon. Gentleman like to state by how much the price of sugar to the housewife will be going up?

I gather that this matter is to be the subject of debate tonight and I am in some difficulty about answering the hon. Member.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman is sheltering behind the fact that there are on the Order Paper references to Orders which are to be discussed tonight and is refusing to give us information at this moment, information which may be useful to us in the debate later today; or will he promise that in his speech later he will answer the question?

I have no intention of treating the House with discourtesy. I just thought that I was in some difficulty. The maximum amount which can be proposed is 1¾d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the implementation of the Heneage Report of 1951.

I am afraid I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 6th March to the effect that I was not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any action on this matter? This Report was submitted in 1951. Since then, there have been repeated Questions about it from both sides of the House. Despite his newness to his present office, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of the grave disquiet in the agricultural industry about the unnecessary delay in dealing with this very vital subject?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that I am well aware of the anxiety on both sides of the House about this matter. I can assure him that time is not being wasted. There is considerable discussion with parties whose agreement is essential to our making further progress.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we have had that sort of answer on a number of occasions from a number of Ministers of Agriculture? I do not want to bait my hon. Friend, because I am certain that he is doing everything he can, but is not he aware that there are many anomalies in land drainage in various parts of the country? Is he aware that we should be extremely grateful if we could be absolutely sure that he would do something fairly soon?

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for not wanting to bait me. I will do my best in this matter.

Would not the right hon. Gentleman and his predecessors have served a better purpose if they had devoted themselves to devising a solution for the land drainage problem instead of producing an unnecessary Bill such as that which I understand is to be discussed next week?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman is somewhat prejudiced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action has been taken under Section 23 of the Agriculture Act, 1957, about the marketing of pigs.

The Pig Industry Development Authority was constituted on 1st October, 1957. It has not yet exercised any of those functions set out in the Third Schedule to the Agriculture Act, 1957, that have some bearing on the marketing of pigs.

In view of the fact that—as the right hon. Gentleman will be aware—his recent reply was not regarded as satisfactory amongst those to whom it was sent, would not it be a good idea to call in the advice and assistance of the Authority on this very difficult problem?

As the hon. Member knows, the Authority has only just been set up. It has an immense job to do, in progeny testing and other matters, and I think that it will be very fully employed on that work at the moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the First Report of the Council on Prices, Productivity and Incomes with reference to farmers' incomes.

Although the Report is clearly intended to apply to all sectors of the economy, it makes no recommendations concerning farmers' incomes. The factual material that it contains is, of course, available from other sources.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Report points out that whereas under a Labour Government farmers' incomes rose, under a Conservative Government they have not risen? In view of this fact, does he realise the considerable interest in the Price Review announcement that he is about to make? Can he assure the House that this will be made before the Torrington polling day?

I cannot accept the implications in the hon. Member's supplementary question. Neither I nor any other Member of the Government is responsible for what was put into the Cohen Report.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the number of unemployed agricultural workers has increased; and what action he is taking to remedy this state of affairs.

At this time of the year seasonal unemployment in agriculture is at its height and the numbers include many who would normally find temporary employment in other industries. The local offices of the Ministry of Labour are doing all they can to place the workers concerned in such other suitable vacancies as are available.

Is not the Minister aware that, quite apart from seasonal changes—which we all know about—according to the last available Monthly Digest of Statistics the number of unemployed rose from 13,100 in December, 1956, to 19,400 in December, 1957—a 50 per cent. increase? That has nothing to do with seasonal changes. What is he doing about it?

I think that I have answered the Question. It is largely due to these seasonal changes. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that agriculture still has a need for skilled workers within its ranks. I am sure that that situation will continue.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will announce the results of the current Price Review.

The Annual Review is still in progress, but I hope that it will be possible to make a statement and to present the customary White Paper in the near future.

That Answer is as vague as the Government's policy in general. Can the Minister give an assurance on two points? Can he say, first, that this will not be an imposed settlement, but will be an agreed one and, secondly, that the Government Price Review will take into account the forthcoming rise in farm rents?

The hon. Member knows quite well that while discussions are going on we cannot give assurances. Therefore, he has asked a supplementary question which could only amuse him, and he could not expect an answer from me.

Does not the Minister agree that the 1957 Act is supposed to have made a Price Review very easy?

I will say that the 1957 Act—as the right hon. Gentleman has so handsomely acknowledged—has given very considerable security to the farming industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the recommended retail price for prime cuts of bacon has risen to 4s. 6d. per lb. whereas bacon prices to home producers are still unremunerative; and what steps he will take, by price control or otherwise, to ensure that low producer prices are reflected in reduced prices to the consumer.

The price recommendation referred to is produced by a wholesale firm and is based on the current wholesale price of first quality Danish bacon, which increased from 306s. per cwt. to 317s. per cwt. last week. Recent improvements in wholesale prices of English bacon have been reflected in higher prices for bacon pigs. I cannot agree that the average return on pigs sold to bacon factories, which last week was 47s. 6d. per score deadweight as compared with the standard price adjusted for feed of 46s. 9d., is low or unremunerative to producers.

As a farmer, surely the Minister is aware that bacon prices in the factories are so bad that the producers are just not selling bacon to the factories, and that they are working only to one-quarter or one-third of their capacity? Is not it fantastic that he should tell us that these retail prices are based upon the prices of Danish bacon when our own farmers are not getting remunerative prices? Will not he do something to end this situation, where our producers get bad prices but the housewives pay very high prices?

The hon. Member is not keeping in touch with the situation. If he had complained about the prices of bacon in January, when the average return to the bacon producer was 41s. 7d. per score, he might have made something of his point, but today it is 47s. 6d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to bring the official leaflet, "Foot Rot in Sheep," to the notice of flock owners, with a view to the early eradication of this disease.

The leaflet is one of a series on animal health published for my Department by Her Majesty's Stationery Office. My veterinary officers bring the leaflets to the notice of individual farmers when appropriate and they are displayed at the Ministry's bookstalls at agricultural shows. We have also asked the National Farmers' Union to draw the attention of their members to the leaflets.

Will the hon. Gentleman convey one of these leaflets to the Government Chief Whip to help him to gather in his "flock"?

We may have trouble in our feet but hon. Gentlemen opposite have it in their heads.

Order. I do not think that supplementary question was sufficiently agricultural.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make foot rot in sheep a notifiable disease.

Measures to control this disease are well within the capacity of individual farmers, so my right hon. Friend does not propose to do this.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is a painful disease which is costly to flock owners? Will the Government take every step possible to eradicate this disease which is eradicable?

I agree, and if I thought that it would help we would do what the hon. Gentleman asks, but I do not think it is necessary in a case like this. I think this is a matter where explaining to those concerned is the best way to deal with it.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any connection between foot rot in sheep and the Government's defeat last night.

Is not it a fact that it is not the least bit of use making a disease a notifiable disease unless that course is effective, otherwise it is a confounded irritation to farmers?

I indicated that I did not think it was appropriate to do so in this case.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to say when the Government will implement the recommendations of the Committee on Hedgerow and Farm Timber.

The Committee reached the conclusion that more trees should be planted in hedgerows and on farms, to improve the supply of homegrown timber, to provide shade and shelter for stock, and to maintain the beauty of the countryside; and that encouragement to do so should be given to all those who own or manage land. Most of the recommendations do not call for legislative action.

The Government accept the general view of the Committee on these matters and in particular the emphasis on voluntary action. We propose to take such steps as may be appropriate on the detailed recommendations. But we cannot accept the Committee's recommendation that, where his landlord disagrees, the tenant farmer should be given the statutory right to plant trees, subject to the consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland or myself. Nor do we consider it appropriate to introduce a new grant to encourage tree planting on farms. The Forestry Commission has, however, decided to reduce to one acre the minimum area on which it will pay a planting grant, and shelter belts are among the items which qualify for grant under the Farm Improvements Scheme.

May I thank the Minister for that Answer, which was promised by his predecessor in July of last year, and ask whether he is aware that, because there has been some delay in the decision of the Government, a good deal of hedge timber has been cleared, in fact a good deal of hedgerow has been lost as an amenity? Is the Minister aware that there is some danger to soil conservation, particularly in the Home Counties, because of this delay, and will he use every means at his disposal to see that these recommendations are carried out?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman's Question and my reply will receive publicity. I will certainly consider every means of making the information known.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is satisfied that in undertaking forestry work the Nature Conservancy is acting within its terms of reference and is not duplicating similar work already being carried out with public funds by the Forestry Commission; and if he will make a statement.

The Nature Conservancy does not in general undertake forestry work. Such forestry activities as it undertakes are on a very small scale and are ancillary either to its researches into applied ecology or to the maintenance of certain natural or semi-natural areas to serve as living museums of flora and fauna. My noble Friend is satisfied that these activities are within the Conservancy's terms of reference and are not duplicating work already being carried out by the Forestry Commission.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Nature Conservancy already owns 3,000 acres of unproductive woodlands, which are a shocking example to farmers and landowners throughout the country? Is he aware that many of us feel this research work could be carried out far more economically by the universities and the Forestry Commission? Would my hon. Friend look at all the forestry activities of the Nature Conservancy to see if in the present economic situation they can be properly managed?

I am aware that the acreage quoted by my hon. Friend is approximately correct, but he is a little hard on the Nature Conservancy. It consults closely the Forestry Commission in connection with some of these pieces of land.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what practical benefits are to be expected from the expenditure by the Nature Conservancy of £2,720 for research into bird vocalisations.

The sum referred to by my hon. Friend was for a period of four years from 1st October, 1953. Research on bird vocalisations plays an important part in the general programme of fundamental research into animal behaviour. My noble Friend could not accept the implication that the value of such research is necessarily to be measured solely in terms of practical benefit, but he understands that in this case, in addition to its intrinsic value, it is hoped that the results will prove of practical advantage in the protection of crops against bird depredations by the use of mechanically recorded warning notes.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, while none of us would deny that these researches may be of the greatest possible interest to many ornithologists throughout the countryside, they would be far better carried out by the zoology experts from the universities, and many of us feel that these activities have nothing to do with nature conservancy work throughout the country?

The money would be better spent on killing grey squirrels.

I am sure that the universities carry on useful work. The work of the Nature Conservancy in this respect is helpful. After all, bird vocalisation is practised not only by birds, as one notices.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what steps he is taking to see that the Nature Conservancy does not make a further loss on its catering activities in the current year.

The Nature Conservancy's catering arrangements are confined to remote field stations where it is necessary to provide facilities. In the year ending 31st March, 1957, losses of £217 and £177 were made at two stations. The Nature Conservancy has hitherto been unable to find means of eliminating a loss on working at these remote field stations, but it is continuing efforts to this end and has invited the Treasury Chief Catering Adviser to help it.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is totally unnecessary that the Nature Conservancy should make a loss of £394 on its catering activities? Is he aware that if only Government Departments would look after the small hundreds like this, the thousands and even millions would take care of themselves?

Yes, I appreciate the last point. We always keep that before us. In this case, there are special difficulties, and I am advised that the scientific work might be imperilled if some provision were not made at these stations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the recent investigation carried out by the Medical Department in Kenya to ascertain the reasons for the prevalence of cysticercosis in farm animals, and that in 64 farms which were visited 46 had no latrine accommodation for labourers employed, 12 had inadequate accommodation, and only six had satisfactory provision; and how he proposes to enforce the compulsory provision of sanitary accommodation under labour, or master and servant ordinances.

The Medical Department is at present engaged on a combined treatment and information campaign against the prevalence of tape-worm infection among farm labour. A feature of this effort is to encourage the more scrupulous use of the latrine accommodation provided under the law, and the health inspectorate in infected areas has recently been reinforced as a check that legal requirements are being met in the provision of accommodation.

Does not the Minister accept that the scrupulous use of sanitary accommodation is not easily enforced if there is no sanitary accommodation made available? Does not he agree that the facts in my Question seem very astonishing, and will he promise to do all he can to see that sanitary accommodation is made available on these farms, not only for the sake of the animals but particularly for the men?

The increase in the health inspectorate will, as I said, make it easier to find those people who are not conforming with the law on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent it is proposed to apply to British Colonies the principles contained in the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly of 11th December, 1957, relating to freedom of information.

I am not sure what principles the hon. Member has in mind. The resolution deals principally with further action on a draft Convention on the Freedom of Information which was prepared in 1951 but not carried further.

Has the attention of the Minister been drawn to the case I raised earlier of a man in Uganda at present serving a sentence of 12 months imprisonment for reading a newspaper called Forum which he did not know was on the banned list?

Yes, Sir. I understand that a provisional memorandum of appeal to the High Court has been filed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the wages paid monthly to white and coloured teachers in the schools controlled by the Bermuda Government; what qualifications are required by teachers; and what facilities exist in Bermuda for coloured students to obtain the necessary qualifications to obtain equal financial status with white teachers.

As the answer to the first part of the Question involves a number of figures I am with permission circulating them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The rates in the schools in question vary according to qualifications and length of experience but not according to colour. Teachers vary in qualifications from those without any professional training to those with university degrees and further post-graduate training.

The Board of Education instituted scholarships for the training of teachers in 1931. Thirteen such scholarships are now available annually and are, since there are no universities or teacher training institutions in Bermuda, tenable in Canada or the United Kingdom. Twenty-one white people and 137 coloured people have already been trained under this scheme.

May I thank the Minister for that reply and ask whether he will encourage the payment of higher salaries for entrants into the teaching profession, since in many cases the salaries are lower than those for domestic workers?

That is a wide question. The Question which the hon. Member put down was whether there was any differentiation between white and coloured, and I have answered that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies under what authority Mr. R. Robertson, the port superintendent at Pepel, Sierra Leone, issued a written direction dated 18th January, 1958, governing the loading and unloading of ships in the port and governing the covering and uncovering of hatches of ships in port while under the command of their captains as masters.

This notice was issued in accordance with the charter agreement to which the shipping line concerned is a party.

But are the regulations drafted and administered in such a way as not to impair, or tend to impair, in any way the authority of a master in his own ship?

I do not think this is a matter which should be dealt with by the Government.

Would not my hon. Friend agree that all normal masters welcome the advice given by Mr. Robertson?

Yes, I entirely agree.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Colonial Development Corporation and its commercial partners contributed to the West Indies inter-island shipping services provided by s.s. "West Indian".

The Colonial Development Corporation and its partners formed the West Indies Navigation Company Limited—W.I.N.C.O.—with an issued share capital of £45,000. This company chartered the "West Indian" and operated the service. The C.D.C., in addition to providing one-third of the share capital, is under obligation to make loans to the company to meet certain specified outgoings; its contributions by loan, subject to final accounts, are expected to total some £155,000.

I am obliged for the figures and for that statement. Will the hon. Gentleman remember that on a previous occasion, in answer to a Question by me, he paid a tribute to other organisations apart from the Colonial Development Corporation? When Parliament has established these organisations and companies, is it not a good thing that credit should be given to them for the work they are doing?

I have no desire not to give credit where it is justified. I hope that the statement I have made today and on previous occasions will clear up the matter which the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ask the Uganda Government to set up a committee to advise on measures to be taken to reduce child mortality in the protectorate.

Committees on general and applied nutrition have been set up in the Protectorate. The general problem of child mortality is well understood and it is not considered that a special committee could do more than recommend such remedial measures as the Protectorate Government are already taking.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the figures for child mortality in the Protectorate are quite appalling, and that four out of ten children die before reaching 15 years of age? Is he aware that something should be done urgently to deal with the problem of malnutrition and that special attention should be paid to this problem through the setting up of a special committee?

I cannot agree. The position in Uganda does not stem from a lack of knowledge of the problem, but from ignorance, superstition, lack of hygiene and a backward economy in some areas which militates against the practical application of remedial measures.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he is aware that the restrictive financial policy of the Government in reducing the assistance to Malta this year by £1,000,000 is depriving the island of resources to provide employment for the dockyard men who are becoming redundant; and. in order to prevent Malta from becoming a distressed area and a potential danger spot, if he will take steps to have this policy reversed;

(2) if he is aware that in 1955 the integration of Malta with Great Britain was almost an accomplished fact, and that the deteriorating position has been brought about by the refusal of the Government to allow the island to carry into its new financial year the balance of £500,000 which it was unable to spend during the period for which it was allocated: if he will take steps to have this financial position reviewed; and how far his recent talk with the Prime Minister of Malta has restored the former friendly relationship.

I am unable to accept the premises in the hon. Member's Questions. I do not, however, consider it appropriate to deal with the hon. Member's detailed inquiries while I am having talks with the Prime Minister of Malta who is now in London.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that we have a moral obligation to the people of Malta and that we cannot walk out of it without creating in that island a distressed area? The policy that we are trying to adopt seems to lead us to something worse. Can he give an undertaking that he will report on his interview with Mr. Mintoff as soon as possible?

Of course, I will do that. I am aware that we have obligations to Malta and that Malta has obligations to us.

Because of public perplexity about statements appearing in the newspapers, would the right hon. Gentleman give us some idea of the real obstacles that prevent a satisfactory conclusion of these negotiations?

I am certain that there would be no satisfactory solution by Question and Answer in the House at this time if I turned private into public talks.

Is not it a fact that procrastination has been the cause of the trouble? Will the right hon. Gentleman hurry up with a decision on this problem?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the unsettled state of the island of Malta is discouraging industrialists from regarding it as a potential field of investment which would create a viable economy on the island as the use of the dockyard diminishes; and what steps are being taken to reassure them.

Yes, Sir. I am very concerned at recent events in Malta, particularly the Assembly Resolution of 30th December, 1957, which have caused disquiet among potential investors. The responsibility for encouraging industrialists to Malta must of course lie primarily with the Government of Malta, but it is one of the matters which I am now pursuing with the Prime Minister of Malta.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given any consideration to the alteration of the naval dockyard into a repair dockyard to accommodate the tankers going through to the Mediterranean Sea to the oil bases? If the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to consider doing this himself, would he encourage private enterprise to do it by making some kind of grant?

I certainly welcome that observation in the House. That is exactly what is happening.

In order to end the unsettlement, which is partly due to the fact that it is now two years since this House approved the project for a settlement, is there a prospect that this matter will be carried to a successful conclusion by the talks that the right hon. Gentleman is having now with the Maltese Prime Minister?

I am very keen on expedition.