asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements have been made for negotiations between the Government of the Union of South Africa, the High Commissioner, and the Basutoland National Council regarding the repatriation of Basutos from the Union to Basutoland.

In 1957 the Union Government stated their intention to take action against leaders of certain unruly gangs by declaring as undesirable inhabitants of the Union, and deporting to Basutoland, those who belong to Basutoland. The legal requirements for residence in and deportation from the Union are a matter for the Union legislature. No question therefore arose of negotiations between the High Commissioner and the Union Government, but the High Commissioner was assured that he would be given prior information of all proposed deportations to Basutoland. On 21st April, 1958, the Basutoland Entry and Residence Proclamation, 1958, was promulgated by the High Commissioner, after full consultation with the Basutoland National Council. This Proclamation regulates entry into Basutoland.

While thanking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman for that detailed Answer, may I ask whether it is a fact that there are two aspects to this matter? One is that Basutos were concerned in disturbances, but the other, and much more serious, is the requirement now for every Basuto in an urban area to receive a permit, and the fact that there is power to deport him within three days when that permit is refused. In these circumstances, will the Government do something to protect the Basutos who are affected?

Her Majesty's Government, of course, are giving very serious consideration to this problem, but what the hon. Member raises is rather a different question. There is no reason to suppose that the Union authorities will fail to give the High Commissioner in advance the names of Africans from the Territories whom they propose to declare undesirable inhabitants of the Union. A list of such names is expected shortly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will authorise the High Commissioner to extend to the Protectorates of Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland the provisions of the Homicide Act, 1957.

The substantive law relating to homicide in the three High Commission Territories is Roman Dutch criminal law. My noble Friend does not consider it appropriate to apply the Homicide Act, 1957, as such, to these Territories; but he is consulting the High Commissioner as to whether any amendment of the law now in force there would be desirable in the light of the provisions of the Act.

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman will know the concern in Basutoland now about certain death sentences. Can these death sentences be postponed until that discussion has taken place about some amendment of the law?

I do not think that I can go quite as far as the hon. Member asks in his supplementary question, but while the provisions of the Territory law are being reviewed, all cases will be looked at in the light of possible amendments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will take the opportunity now afforded by the retirement of the present High Commissioner in South Africa to separate that post from the one of High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, in view of the increasing burden of work falling on the holder of the joint offices of High Commissioner to the Union of South Africa and High Commissioner for Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate, and Swaziland, he will take the opportunity presented by the retirement of the present holder of these two offices to make separate appointments for each of them.

No, Sir. As my hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 3rd April, my noble Friend is satisfied that the advantages of the present arrangement outweigh any possible disadvantages.

Does the Minister realise that the present administrative arrangement is not only unwieldy but causes delay, because everything has to go through the Union of South Africa? More important than that, does not he realise that there is a question of principle involved here, and that the people of these three High Commission Territories have certain objections to being governed by the High Commissioner of South Africa, particularly in view of recent developments in the Union?

First, may I say in answer to the supplementary question that I do not think the present arrangement is unwieldy. The economies of the High Commission Territories are closely bound up with the Union of South Africa, the political developments of the Territories are liable to have repercussions in the Union and vice versa, and therefore there is obvious advantage in the person responsible for the administration of the Territories being closely in touch also with the developments in the Union.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that to combine these two posts is about as foolish as it would be to combine the post of Ambassador to Italy with the Governorship of Malta? Does not he realise that it is a very important task to govern these three Territories and that it cannot be done by a man who is also Ambassador to a country which has a totally different outlook?

I answered a Question on this subject put by the right hon. Gentleman on 5th July, 1956, when I think he asked practically the same supplementary question. I would say that our opinion has not changed since then.

Not since 1066.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what reply has been made to the request by the Swazi Progressive Association, addressed to the Resident Commissioner in 1956, for an inquiry into the constitution, economy, and development of Swaziland.

The request of the Swaziland Progressive Association was referred by the Resident Commissioner to the Paramount Chief in Council as representing the Swazi nation. The Council stated that it wished to discuss it with the President of the Association, who was so informed and agreed with this course. The Resident Commissioner has not yet learned whether this discussion has taken place.

While recognising that 1956 is some distance away, may I ask whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is aware that apparently this document has been lost in the process of exchanges between one office and another? Would he consider seriously the proposals it makes for the democratisation of Swaziland, for extending the magnificent example we have given in afforestation schemes, for economic development, and particularly for raising the appalling wage standards?

I do not think I have anything to add to my original Answer, but I will certainly see whether anything can be done to find the document which the hon. Gentleman thinks is lost.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many co-operative officers there are in Basutoland. Swaziland and Bechuanaland.

There are twelve co-operative officers in Basutoland and none in the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider appointing some for the other two Territories? If they are desirable in one Territory, surely they are desirable in the other two?

The reason why there are no co-operative officers in the Bechuanaland Protectorate is that there are no co-operatives. There are only two co-operatives in Swaziland and no co-operative officers have been appointed yet. It is intended to appoint officers when the territorial financial position permits.

Has any consideration been given to the circular sent out by the Colonial Office in, I think, 1946, encouraging the formation of co-operative organisations in territories outside the Dominions? Has any action been taken upon it?

My hon. Friend dealt with this in some detail in reply to a Question put by the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Stonehouse) on 22nd May, and I think he made it clear that we are anxious to give any help we can in the development of co-operatives, if required by the areas themselves.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that his answer is not really very satisfactory, even if it is a little smart? The point is that co-operative officers are expected to help in the formation of co-operatives, and if there are no co-operative officers there will not be any co-operatives.

I do not think that is necessarily the case but, as both my hon. Friend and I have said, Her Majesty's Government are only too keen to give any help they can in this matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is now in a position to made a statement about the Commonwealth Economic Committee's inquiry into the natural resources and development potential of the Commonwealth.

As my hon. Friend told the House on 28th April, the Commonwealth Economic Committee has already published the first volume of its Review, which deals in general terms with production, consumption, trade, prices and kindred matters in respect of Commonwealth raw materials. The second volume contains detailed studies of the raw materials in each Commonwealth country and work on this is still in progress.

Can the Minister of State say whether this second report will be ready in time for the Commonwealth Economic Conference at Montreal this year?

I am afraid I cannot give that answer. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is a most comprehensive study. I know that the Commonwealth Economic Committee will produce it as soon as possible.

Is not it most important that this document should be available, since it is the very basis of the work which the conference is to do? I hope the Minister will encourage the Committee to press on with it.

I quite agree that it will be a most important document, and for that reason I am sure the Committee will do everything possible to have it ready by that date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if the problem of international price stabilisation will be on the agenda of the Ministerial Commonwealth Trade and Economic Conference to be held in Montreal in September.

Yes, Sir. This important subject is bound to be among the questions for consideration at Montreal. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to what my hon. Friend said on this point during the debate on 28th April.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that there are hon. Members on both sides of the House who think that this is one of the most important and urgent of the subjects that are to be discussed at the Commonwealth Economic Conference, and that failure to deal with this problem will inhibit the proper development of the Commonwealth, and indeed of the Western world? Will he at the same time give favourable consideration to the proposals put forward by Colonel L. St. Clare Grondona on stabilisation in his book "Utilising World Abundance"?

Her Majesty's Government fully realise the importance of this subject and will be ready to discuss it at Montreal.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the last Imperial Education Conference was held; and whether he will give favourable consideration to the holding of a Commonwealth Education Conference.

The last Imperial Education Conference was held in 1927. My noble Friend is always ready, in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Education, to give favourable consideration to the holding of a Commonwealth Education Conference if other Commonwealth countries should desire one.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that thirty years is an awfully long time before the English-speaking nations in the Commonwealth get together? If the export of educational values is thought to be important, will he consult the Minister of Education and suggest that it is time we had another conference?

There has been a continuous exchange of information between Commonwealth education experts. They meet each other frequently on occasions like the Commonwealth Universities Conference which will be held in Canada this summer. These talks have recently taken the place of the education conferences in the past.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to provide additional science laboratory accommodation for State secondary schools.

I have invited local education authorities to submit proposals of this kind so that I can consider their inclusion in next year's building programme.

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, but is not he aware that the independent sector of public schools is getting lavish bequests from the big industrial firms in respect of science laboratory accommodation and that if he does not help our State schools in a somewhat better fashion the gulf between the two sectors will simply widen, to the disadvantage of the State secondary schools?

We have in the current year's programme seventy-eight projects of this kind costing about £2 million.

asked the Minister of Education if he will invite representatives of the seventeen national bodies which have expressed opposition to the block grant system to discuss with him Her Majesty's Government's policy on this matter.

No, Sir. I have already received representative deputations.

Is not it the situation that all the important bodies in the education world have expressed opposition to the block grant system but the Government have decided to disregard that advice completely and go ahead? Is not it the case, therefore, that the Minister is in duty bound to explain to the leaders of the education world, who are unanimously against the system, why the Government completely disregard their advice, and discuss with them the implications of future co-operation, if that is possible?

I dealt with that precise point in my speech on the Second Reading of the Local Government Bill.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman's chief difficulty in acceding to my hon. Friend's suggestion that if he got the seventeen bodies to talk to him on the subject he would be unable to conceal his own agreement with them on the matter?

asked the Minister of Education if he will now fix target dates for the reduction of primary and secondary classes to maxima of 40 and 30 pupils apiece, respectively.

No, Sir. It would be quite unrealistic to fix a date at present.

Is not it a little unrealistic for everybody to continue paying lip-service to this? Is not the situation that, although there are decisive differences in many fields of education policy, this is a reform for which there is common consent and to which everybody pays lip-service, and it is one of the most important things that we should achieve? Would not it be an expression of common determination to recruit sufficient teachers and build sufficient schools if the Ministry now set a date for the achievement of this important objective?

In the case of primary school classes, there has, of course, been considerable progress in the last few years in reducing the number of over-large classes, but the progress in respect of secondary schools is not nearly so great.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to give guidance to children of school age in respect of the elementary principles of home safety.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of my Department's handbook of suggestions for teachers on health education, which includes a section on accidents at home.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous success of instruction in schools on road safety, especially when it is given by uniformed policemen? Could something of the sort be given to children in elementary schools by some specialists in home safety?

That is primarily a matter for the local education authorities, but I think it is an interesting idea.

asked the Minister of Education why he refuses to allow the new kitchen at Junction Road School, Stainforth, near Doncaster, to be equipped with stainless steel sink units; what alternative proposals have been made; and what difference in cost is involved.

I have now approved this proposal as an experiment.

asked the Minister of Education the response to the circular sent to local education authorities on the need for substitutes for potatoes for school dinners on economy grounds; what were the substitutes suggested; and if he is satisfied that economies warranting the issue of the circular are possible.

I am sending the hon. Member the detailed information for which he asks but, on the general issue, I am determined to pursue all sensible economies wherever this can be done without damage to the children's health or education.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that experts state that it is fantastic to suggest that rice or spaghetti can be substituted for potatoes as an economy measure? May we have an assurance that the main purpose of the circular was to have bread substituted for potatoes? Will the right hon. Gentleman again give an assurance that the health of the children will not be endangered by the desire for economies, and that the standards of school meals will not be lowered?

I think that this was really only sensible housekeeping in respect of school meals. Because of the circumstance of the bad crop of potatoes, the price rose. I have no doubt that individual housewives made their own adjustments. It was our responsibility, because an extra expenditure of upwards of £750,000 might have been involved, to ascertain whether a reasonable economy could be achieved. We received suggestions from some of the local authorities themselves, and we thought it was right to make this suggestion quickly to all the local authorities.

Will the Minister accept that the principal source for school children of vitamin C in their diet is potatoes, and that no alternative of which we know is of any use whatsoever as a substitute for vitamin C?

I should not like to enter into a medical discussion with the hon. Gentleman about vitamin C. but oranges are also an important source of vitamin C. We have, after all, to remember that this was only a temporary change which would obviously be put right as the season proceeded. I would offer hon. Members and also the children the encouragement that we are entering the new potato season. Although I would assure hon. Members that we do not buy the very high-priced early potatoes, nevertheless, early new potatoes will fairly soon be appearing in school meals.

asked the Minister of Education if he will now make a statement about the steps he is taking to increase the supply of teachers.

Yes, Sir. Recruitment to the teaching profession continues to be very good, but recent losses have been unexpectedly high. In any case more teachers will be needed in the 1960s as a result of the higher birth rate and the increasing number of children staying on at school after the age of 15. I have therefore asked the training colleges to take emergency steps to admit as many additional students as they can this year and next. I have also put in hand the first instalment of a permanent expansion. These measures should enable the colleges to train about a thousand extra teachers a year after the introduction of the three-year course. I shall consider what further expansion is likely to be needed when I have the advice of the National Advisory Council for the Training and Supply of Teachers.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Is he aware that this will generally be considered a very satisfactory and positive step along what will be a long road?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Answer will give considerable, if rather delayed, satisfaction to those of my hon. Friends who have been asking for this for some years? Can he say whether it is also proposed to try to get an increased supply of graduate teachers from the universities?

We shall certainly consider that, and, of course, the rising numbers of graduates will assist very much in that direction.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give an estimate of the number of VIth Form girls at secondary schools who have not yet been accepted at training colleges in England and Wales; and what steps he is taking to reduce this number as early as possible.

I cannot give such an estimate but I have just announced that more training college places will be available this autumn.

Is the Minister aware that he never gives me a factual answer? Is he aware that there is still much anxiety among parents and teachers about this matter? Has he thought any more about the answer which he gave me some months ago about the Government being a clearing house in this matter, since there is a need for much more invigilation by his Department in this matter of placing young ladies in these teaching colleges?

The fact that there is a large number of applicants for the training colleges is a healthy sign in that it shows that there are many people who are ready to enter the profession. However, it does not necessarily follow that everybody who presents herself for admission to a college is necessarily suitable to be a teacher.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a public statement on this matter, because there is much anxiety in the schools and among parents on this subject?

I will certainly consider that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the import of haggis into Canada has been prohibited by regulations made under the Canada Pure Food and Drugs Act on the ground that haggis is not a pure food; that hitherto Scotland has done extensive and profitable trade in haggis with Canada; that this prohibition will inflict great loss on Scottish trade; and if he will make representations to the Canadian Government in order to have these regulations withdrawn so that Scottish trade with Canada in haggis may be resumed and extended.

I think there has been some misunderstanding. We have made inquiries in Ottawa and I can confirm that there has been no recent change in the regulations affecting the import into Canada of haggis from Scotland.

Does the Minister realise that that Answer will be received with satisfaction by all who wish to see the Canadians properly nourished, and ancient traditions preserved?

I am all in favour of the export of this delectable delicacy.

In view of the discussion on Question No. 25, cannot my hon. Friend try to do some business with the Ministry of Education so that the value of this admirable food may become more widely known and appreciated in England as well as in Canada?

I am in favour of exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on his visit to Canada with particular reference to its bearing on the development of trade between Canada and Scotland.

My right hon. Friend visited Montreal, on his way to Venezuela and Brazil, to have discussions with Canadian Ministers and to attend the dinner given by the Dollar Sterling Trade Council in honour of the delegation from the Dollar Exports Council then visiting Canada. He was much impressed by the keen interest expressed by the Canadians to extend their trade with the United Kingdom, including Scotland.

Can the Minister say whether before his departure the President of the Board of Trade had a consultation with the Secretary of State for Scotland with a view to dealing with the matters dealt with in my Question but not dealt with in the Answer, and can he say whether at that dinner in Ottawa they had haggis?

My right hon. Friend is in constant touch with the Secretary of State for Scotland, but his visit to Canada on this occasion was limited to two days, one of which was a Sunday, and I am afraid that I cannot say exactly in detail what subjects were discussed and whether haggis was on the menu.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the cotton industry is taking every advantage of science and technology, with a view to maintaining the home market and development abroad: and if he will make a statement.

I know that a great deal has been done in the cotton industry to take advantage of developments in science and technology, and of course I am aware of the outstanding work and international reputation of the British Cotton Industry Research Association. It is common knowledge that as in other industries all firms are not equally advanced in this respect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many spinning mills and weaving sheds in the United Kingdom have closed in each of the last five years; and to what extent he anticipates there will be further closures during the present year.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the cotton industry. The number of spinning, doubling and weaving units in Great Britain which informed the Ministry of Labour of their intention to close down in each of the years in question was as follows: 1954, 15; 1955, 90; 1956, 96; 1957, 60; and 1958—to end of May—46. I do not think it would be right for me to try to forecast what further closures may occur this year. Such a forecast might well be wrong and misleading.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the very deep concern in Lancashire at the diminution of the industry and the closure of these mills? What action does he propose to take to prevent further closures?

My hon. Friend has asked me to prophesy the number of closures which will take place, but I am hesitant to venture a prophecy because it would be affected by a number of factors, including, for example, the steps which have been taken by the weaving section of the industry with the purpose of buying up redundant mills. As to the steps being taken, my hon. Friend knows as well as I do that the industries of this and other Commonwealth countries are in touch with each other and we all hope that negotiations will eventually result in agreement.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the solution lies not in buying up redundant mills but in action by the Government? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is now four years since the Cotton Board, as a matter of urgency, raised this matter with the Government and that the Board asked for urgent action from the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) as early as March, 1955? Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House of a single action which has been taken by the Government to help the cotton industry in those four years?

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, the Government have tried to promote negotiations between the countries most closely concerned in this matter.

Will the hon. Gentleman say more specifically, in view of the deplorable history of the Lancashire industry during recent years, at what stage the Government will intervene to prevent the complete destruction of the trade of Lancashire? To what point must the industry contract before any steps are taken to prevent the continuation of unfair competition from countries which are employing labour under what are in effect slave conditions, with which this country should never be expected to compete on equal terms? Will he give some assurance that Lancashire's interests will be seriously considered in the coming months before there is a complete collapse of the whole industry?

I can assure the hon. Member that we are constantly aware of the anxieties of Lancashire in this matter. The conditions in other countries to which the hon. Member referred are not at this stage matter for me.

Is the hon. Member aware that there is a close relationship between the figures he gave of the closing of mills and the figures of imported sweated labour cotton goods from Hong Kong? Is he aware that in seven years the amount has risen from 20 million yards in the first of the seven years to 100 million yards last year? Is the hon. Member aware that, since the cotton trade now depends principally upon domestic consumption and not so much on exports as it did, it is impossible to keep the cotton industry alive against competition of this kind?

That raises issues rather wider than those in the original Question.

Can my hon. Friend confirm that imports for the home market of foreign cloth from China and Japan have been drastically curtailed and kept down ever since 1951? Will he further confirm that his Department is seriously interested in seeking a real agreement on the imports of cloth from under-developed Commonwealth countries whose interests the Opposition so assiduously seek to promote when it does not affect them? Will he also confirm that his Department has a real interest—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."]—I am asking a question—in the maintenance of the social life of the Lancashire cotton towns and especially the small villages there?

It is quite correct, as my hon. Friend says, that imports from China and Japan are on quota. The only unrestricted imports are from Commonwealth countries and Her Majesty's Government's policy remains the same.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that clear and concrete proposals were put forward for dealing with this matter, without quotas, from this side of the House in the last debate on cotton, on 9th March, 1955? Is he further aware that if the Government had adopted the proposals then put forward by this side and the cotton unions, probably 100 or 150 of the mills that have closed since that date would not have closed?

I have read the right hon. Gentleman's proposals for the cotton industry and I am still not quite certain whether or not he proposes to stop the imports.

What is the hon. Member's proposal.

Are not labour conditions in Hong Kong a direct responsibility of Her Majesty's Government? Would not it be in the interests both of Hong Kong and Lancashire that they should be more civilised?

Any question of labour conditions in Hong Kong is a matter for the Colonial Secretary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the successful visit of a Canadian trade mission to Wales earlier this year, he failed to ensure the inclusion of Wales in the itinerary arranged for a trade delegation from Chile now in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

The members of this mission asked to see particular sections of British industry and their tour was arranged accordingly.

Can my hon. Friend say whether there was any consultation between his or any other Department and the members of the mission before its arrival?

The itinerary was arranged as requested by members of the mission. A number of firms issued invitations to them, but no invitation was issued by a firm in Wales.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the percentage change in cinema admissions in the first quarter of 1958 compared with the same quarter of 1957; and what indication he will give of the pattern of attendances after the first quarter of 1958.

Statistics of cinema admissions in the first quarter of 1958 are not yet complete but preliminary estimates indicate that they were over 20 per cent. lower than in the corresponding quarter of 1957. As regards the second part of the Question, I cannot make a forecast of cinema attendances.

Can the Minister say when the Government mean to temper the wind to the shorn lamb? Does not he realise that the figures we have at present indicate that attendances this year will reach a new low of 17 million? Does not that indicate that a reduction in tax is no solution, and that the industry can be saved only by the abolition of this tax?

That question raises rather different issues. The hon. Member asked me to make a forecast—and it depends on a good many factors, not excluding the weather and the quality of the films.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement concerning the progress of the preparations he is now making to introduce, as an interim measure, regulations under existing legislation pending a new Weights and Measures Bill.

The representations made as a result of the statutory consultations are being studied and, where necessary, discussed with the organisations concerned. A number of organisations have not yet replied, but this will not delay a decision.

Is the Minister aware that on 21st May last the Parliamentary Secretary was quoted in The Times as saying that for many years this Government had been trying to find time to introduce a new Weights and Measures Act? Can he give the House an assurance that such a Measure will be introduced in the immediate future—or will there be a further wait, until the party on this side of the House becomes the Government?

The Question relates to the regulations, and my right hon. Friend hopes and expects to lay them at the beginning of the next Session.

It would have been a help if the Minister had said that to begin with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties being experienced by British manufacturers in their endeavours to export machine tools to Iron Curtain countries, and that prior to their being able to accept an order a minimum procedure lasting six weeks is involved; and if he will take steps to shorten this period.

Most machine tools do not require export licences. For the rest, I am not aware of any unreasonable delays in dealing with applications for licences. There is no minimum procedure of six weeks, but cases which have to be referred to our partners in the Paris Group are bound to take a little time.

I am not sure if I heard the Minister correctly. Did he say that most machine tools were not on the embargo list?

I said that they did not require export licences.

Why, then, do the manufacturers in Coventry understand the position quite differently? Is the Minister aware that those manufacturers have written to me saying that there is a procedure which takes a minimum of six weeks in the Co-ordinating Committee? Are the manufacturers wrong or is the Minister wrong?

I can assure the hon. Lady that the manufacturers are wrong. I think that she is generalising from a particular case affecting a firm in her constituency. I think that there has been a misunderstanding on her part.

The Minister is wrong there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the anxiety among British machine tool manufacturers at the diversion of embargoed machine tools orders from this country to Western Germany, and that machines required for the production of agricultural bearings are included; and how soon he expects to remove these from the embargo list.

We do from time to time hear of complaints, but so far I have seen no convincing evidence of any failure on the part of our partners in the Paris Group to honour the obligations which they, like us, have freely accepted. As regards the second part of the Question, it is too soon yet to say if or when particular types of machine will be removed from the embargo list.

Dealing with the last part of the hon. Gentleman's Answer first, is he aware that for some time his right hon. Friend has been telling us that this embargo list is to be shortened? Secondly, if the manufacturers send him details of orders which have gone to Western Germany, will he be prepared to admit his mistake?

If the hon. Lady will give me those particulars I shall certainly look into them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the relaxation of the embargo on 30th May last has resulted in an increase in British exports to China; and if he will make a statement.

There has recently been an increase in our exports to China, but there has been no increase in exports of formerly embargoed goods However, trade figures later this year may reflect an improvement due to orders currently being placed here by the Chinese purchasing mission.

Can the Minister confirm, in relation to those goods—in addition to some of the formerly embargoed goods, such as copper—that although the embargo has been relaxed a new and arbitrary restrictive list has been produced which is hindering exports of certain goods?

It is not a very specific question. In general, the pattern of our exports is determined by the purchasing policy of the Chinese authorities, but the purchasing mission has placed substantial orders here.

As there is such a general wish among British industry for a further relaxation of this list, can the Minister say whether the Government are making further progress in that direction?

I think that the right hon. Gentleman knows that the strategic controls for exports to China and the Sino-Soviet bloc are being reviewed by the Co-ordinating Committee in Paris. We hope that it will arrive at a decision as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has made to the Government of Canada on the subject of import duties on British wool textiles, having regard to the serious effect which any increase in such duties would have upon trade between Britain and Canada.

As soon as the report of the Canadian Tariff Board on wool textiles was available, my right hon. Friend sent a message to the Canadian Government expressing our serious concern that no harm should be done to this very important British export to Canada.

Although the proposed increases have not yet been put into effect, does the Minister agree that they are directly aimed at British wool textiles, and that they will have a very serious effect not only on the British wool textile industry but also on the flow of trade between Canada and this country, which should be encouraged?

We have drawn these points to the attention of the Canadian Government. Their policy has not been announced, and I hope that due heed will be given to the very strong representations that have been made.

Will my hon. Friend draw particular attention to the unfair discrimination involved in the proposals? Compared with 1954, when the last inquiry took place, can he confirm that the British trade portion of the imports has fallen slightly from 39 per cent. to 37 per cent., while the trade of its competitors—mostly from Italy—has increased five times? Is not it a fact, therefore, that the proposals indicate a clear discrimination which is not in accord with the declared aims of the Canadian Government?

We have drawn the attention of the Canadian Government to the inconsistency between the measures recommended and the wish of both Governments to increase trade between the two countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will introduce legislation to place the valuation of land for the purposes of Estate Duty on the same basis as that adopted for the valuation of land for the purpose of compensation where land is acquired by Government Departments or local authorities under compulsory powers.

No, Sir.

Am I to take it from my hon. and learned Friend's Answer that he is satisfied with the basis of valuation for Estate Duty purposes? If so, does not it follow that the basis of valuation for compensation is highly unsatisfactory and urgently needs revision? May I further ask him whether, and in what way, any recognition of the unfairness of compensation is made in relation to Estate Duty where compulsory acquisition closely follows inheritance?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's supplementary question is, "Yes, I am satisfied that the basis of valuation here is fair." As for the second part, my hon. and gallant Friend has a Bill pending before the House at this moment, and it would not be appropriate for me to comment upon it. As for the third part, there is a provision in the law whereby, if property which has borne Estate Duty is compulsorily acquired within five years of the date on which the duty was paid, the value for Estate Duty purposes is reduced to the amount of the compensation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that several new universities will need to be built in order to cope with an increased number of students in the period 1965–70; and if he will make a statement on the steps which Her Majesty's Government are taking to provide for this.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained in his statement of 20th February, the Government have authorised the preparation of a university building programme for the years 1960 to 1963, designed to provide for the increased student numbers that are expected. Most of the expansion will take place at existing universities, but one new institution is planned in Sussex.

Is not it a fact that these plans, while very welcome, are based upon the assumption that there will be 124,000 university students by 1965 and thereafter an increase of 10 per cent. to 136,000 from 1965 to 1970? Has the Minister seen the recent report of the Association of University Teachers which says that, in fact, the number will be 145,000 and will require the construction of five new universities of the size of the present University of Manchester?

The hon. Gentleman will remember that in his statement my right hon. Friend did not exclude an increase in the programme, if the economic condition of the country permitted. I have read the reported views of the Association of University Teachers. I think the figure mentioned was based on the number the association thought could be accommodated in the universities, and it based its view of the requirement of new universities on the fact that it thought that no university should exceed 4,500 places. That is not the view of those who advise Her Majesty's Government, nor is it shared by many educationists.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that present regulations enable Customs and Excise officers to seize from travellers coming into Britain imported gifts and imported second-hand articles which they suspect are dutiable and, on non-payment of duty, to have them valued by undisclosed valuers, and that these regulations operate harshly; and if he will so amend the regulations as to ensure that bona fide gifts and bona fide second-hand articles may, on credible evidence being adduced, be imported by bona fide travellers free of duty.

No Sir. The Customs are not empowered to seize imported articles merely because they suspect that the articles are dutiable. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that the Customs do not make harsh use of the statutory authority which they have to seize goods on which they have reason to believe the duty legally due has not been paid. He cannot agree to introduce the legislation necessary to free imported gifts and second-hand articles from liability to duty.

Does not the Minister realise that here is a real wrong which is awaiting a remedy; that there is a conflict between natural justice and the avarice of the Customs and Excise? Does he realise, moreover, that it is a threat to our tourist industry and its subsidiary industries which provide a large proportion of the national income? Will he look into this again in relation to the particular matters about which I wrote to him?

Save that I agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman that the tourist industry makes a valuable contribution to the economy of this country, the answer to each part of his supplementary question is. "No, Sir".

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has now authorised the purchase of the vacant site adjoining the National Gallery to enable a more satisfactory display to be made of its pictures, especially of recent acquisitions.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Works, on 10th June to the hon. Lady the Member for Flint, East (Mrs. White).

Will the Minister bear in mind that there is much feeling that this opportunity ought not to be allowed to slip by?

My right hon. Friend has taken note of public opinion as well as of all other considerations in this matter.

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman see that the Government take some initiative in this matter; that they do not sit back and wait until the site is acquired, but find out whether it will be available to them?

My right hon. Friend is in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will identify the voluntary wage agreements which are causing him anxiety.

No, Sir; I do not propose to particularise.

If the Chancellor of the Exchequer will not particularise, how can he say that the productivity in any particular industry will not match wage increases given? If the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to tell this House and the country on what he bases his opinion, would not it be better for him to be more specific rather than to generalise in the way he did last week?

My right hon. Friend said that a number of voluntary wage settlements had been made recently which had given him cause for a good deal of anxiety because they seemed bigger than any probable increase in productivity. My right hon. Friend would be entirely failing in his duty if he did not constantly put to the public that any general increase in wage levels in advance of a general increase in productivity is bound to result in higher prices.

What about the Rent Act?

The Chancellor has been invited to identify the wage increases which give him this anxiety. Will he do that?

I have been perfectly clear. He will not.

May we take it that the Government do not desire to see any voluntary agreements at all on wages?

The right hon. Gentleman is quite aware that the answer to that question is, "No."

Are not we entitled to know what the Chancellor really means? Is he aware that there are some services in industry where there is no possibility at present of an increase in productivity? Are we to understand that there are to be no increases in wages despite the increase in the cost of living? Is it the policy of the Government that the standard of living is to be reduced?

The right hon. Gentleman is exactly on the point that if there is a general increase in wages in advance of a general increase in productivity, there must be inflation. In industries where the increase in productivity is at the maximum, if the total increase in those industries is absorbed in increased wages, there will be nothing left for other people. The right hon. Gentleman is quite right.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he thinks that rent increases have gone further than the rise in productivity? Will he say, secondly, in view of the references of the Chancellor to the need for increasing productivity, whether it is a fact that only the Government's policy of deliberately holding down production has prevented a much bigger increase?

The answer to the first of those supplementary questions is, "No." The answer to the second is that the Government's policy is responsible for the great strengthening of the position of the £ sterling in recent months.

Will the right hon. Gentleman help us to make a decision about this? The Chancellor of the Exchequer has indicated his anxiety about some wage increases. If he wishes the trade union movement to assist him, would not it be as well if he said which increases cause him anxiety so that we may look at them and come to a decision upon them?

The trade union movement would resent the Chancellor expressing a view—[HON. MEMBERS: "Then why do it?"]—on individual wage settlements reached by voluntary agreement. On the other hand, the Chancellor would be entirely wrong if he did not point out to the nation that wage increases as a whole, if in advance of increased productivity, are bound to give rise to further inflation.