asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what plans have been made for economic development in Basutoland, including a mineral survey, the provision of afforestation and light industries, and the use of United Nations technical assistance.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a Question by the right hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mr. Bottomley) on 11th December.

While I appreciate what has been done, may I ask the hon. Member whether he will give very urgent and dynamic attention to this matter? Is it not a trump card in the hand of the Union of South Africa that so many people from Basutoland have to go to Johannesburg to get a job? Is it not very important for the defence of Basutoland that we should engage in very bold economic development?

If it is to be of value to Basutoland, economic development in Basutoland must be successful and based on a sound economic basis. In so far as we are able to do that, we are as anxious as anybody to ensure that progress is made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement about the recent constitutional talks with the Basutoland delegation.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the conclusions of the discussions with representatives of Basutoland on constitutional development in the Protectorate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement regarding the constitutional talks with the Basutoland delegation.

The talks with the Basutoland delegation have now been successfully concluded and my noble Friend will be making a full statement on the subject today in another place. A statement of the conclusions reached will be laid before Parliament in due course.

Will this statement cover economic questions as well as those of constitutional advance?

No. This statement will concern itself entirely with the negotiations which have been proceeding over the last week concerned with the constitutional progress of Basutoland.

Does the hon. Member mean that a statement is to be made in another place and no statement is to be made to the House of Commons? The House of Commons has the main responsibility in this matter. Why is the hon. Member deciding it?

It is entirely appropriate, and I am sure that it would be the wish of the Basuto delegation that an important statement of this sort should be made by the Secretary of State himself, and that is the intention today.

And also made here.

I have said in my answer that a statement of the conclusions reached will be laid before Parliament in due course. That will give the House a full opportunity of studying the full details, and the matter will be available to be raised at any appropriate time in the future.

In view of the exceptional circumstances of the House meeting this morning and a statement to be made in another place later in the day, would it not be discourteous not to impart this information to the House? May I suggest to the hon. Member that he might seek the consent of the Secretary of State, with your permission, Mr. Speaker, for this statement to be made to the House at the end of Questions?

While I support what my hon. Friend the Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) said, may I ask, having regard to what The Times said this morning and not having heard the statement, whether we may be allowed to be optimistic about it? Can the Minister at least give us a hint about that?

May I draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the phrase which I used in the Answer—

"The talks with the Basutoland delegation have now been successfully concluded.…"

On a point of order. I should like to seek your guidance in this matter, Mr. Speaker, for the honour and prestige of the House. Negotiations have been proceeding with the Basutoland delegation about the future constitution of Basutoland. Recognising the prestige of the House, is it in order that on the last day a statement should be made in another place but that we should have no statement in the House of Commons?

That is not a point of order for me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consideration is being given by Her Majesty's Government to the setting-up of a special independent commission to investigate the causes of ritual murder in Basutoland.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware of the anxiety felt by leading people in Basutoland about medicine murder; and whether he will consider having an official inquiry, the members of which would include an English judge and an anthropologist.

This matter was considered by the Basutoland Council on 20th March, when it rejected a proposal by a member of the Council for an independent Commission and unanimously supported the continuation of joint efforts between the Government and the Basuto people to deal with the problem. An Anti-Liretlo Committee was accordingly set up, and its report is now awaited.

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that in a matter of this sort it is best to act with full knowledge of the facts? Does not the hon. Gentleman's statement indicate that if the Government propose to hammer away, at any rate they will hammer away in ignorance on this very important question?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman is not aware that an investigation has been made into this matter. But I believe that the unanimous judgment expressed by the Basutoland Council is the correct one. I do not think it does a service to Basutoland constantly to highlight this particular phenomenon, which appears in different forms in various parts of Africa and which I am quite convinced the vast majority of the Basuto people are as anxious as we are to stamp out as quickly as possible.

While recognising that this is not unique to Basutoland—it happens in Sierra Leone, Nyasaland and other places in Africa—is it not a fact that there has been disquiet about methods of taking evidence from witnesses in the past? Is it not a fact that this ritual murder is in some way tied up with disputes over chieftainship? Would the hon. Gentleman think again about this question?

That is certainly the conclusion reached in the Jones Report. Disagreement about the methods of the police is a different matter, and I should have to deal with that separately.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what facilities are available in Basutoland for the processing of the wool mohair produced in the territory.

None, Sir. Economic conditions are at present adverse to the establishment of this type of industry. The position is, however, kept under careful review by the Basutoland authorities.

Was it not the view of the delegation which was over here recently that this commodity could be processed in the territory? Is it not important that there should be processing of natural resources inside the territory, having regard to the dependence on the Union?

As I said in answer to an earlier Question, we are most anxious that development of light industry should take place in this territory if possible. When I was in Southern Africa this year, I asked the C.D.C. management in that part of the country to go into this point carefully again. They have promised to do so. but I again warn the House that it is most important that any development of this sort should be based upon sound economics rather than cause a new disappointment to the Basuto people in the end by the failure of something upon which they place many cherished hopes.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what economic surveys have taken place in Basutoland; and by whom have they been made.

I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the six surveys which hive been carried out between 1935 and the present day.

Would not the hon. Gentleman confirm today what he did not tell me on Monday night, namely, that there has never been a high-powered survey of this Colony? Would not he agree to send someone of the calibre, say, of Mr. Arthur Gaitskell, who has been to the Sudan, or Professor Lewis, of the University of Manchester, who knows the Colony and who would be able to give us something which we have not had in the past?

There have been six fairly thorough surveys, the details of which I will send to the hon. Gentleman. I cannot fully evaluate them, but I am sure they cover all the important aspects of Basuto economic development. I shall not, however, close my mind in any way to the necessity, perhaps, for an even more up-to-date survey of the economic potential of Basutoland in the near future, and I am perfectly prepared to consider that point.

On a point of order. You will have noted, Mr. Speaker, the interest which has been shown by hon. Member in the affairs of Basutoland. Through you, Mr. Speaker, may I appeal to the Under-Secretary of State, for the sake of the dignity of the House, to reconsider what he said previously about making a statement on the constitutional issue so that hon. Members may have the opportunity to ask questions?

I think that question has been raised before. There is nothing more I can do about it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what information he has received of the attitude of the African populations of Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland regarding the defence facilities to be provided to the Union of South Africa under the recent Defence Agreement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to him on 31st July and to the hon. and learned Member for Brigg (Mr. E. L. Mallalieu) on 24th July. The views expressed by the appropriate authorities in the three Territories were taken fully into account. I would, however, remind the hon. Member that responsibility for security in the High Commission Territories rests exclusively with the United Kingdom Government, which ensures that the interests of the inhabitants of the Territories are effectively safeguarded.

Is the hon. Member aware that on those two occasions he gave us no information at all? Is he aware that since then I have been in communication with the native authorities both in Bechuanaland and in Basutoland and that in Bechuanaland the Chairman of the African Native Board has strongly opposed these defence arrangements and in Basutoland the Paramount Chief and others have expressed their opposition, too?

I must draw the hon. Member's attention to the very full statement which I made about this in answer to one of his Questions on 31st July. He will see that in answer to a supplementary question I designated the various native authorities in the Protectorates who were consulted in this matter. We fully realise the sensitiveness of opinion in the Territories on this question, and the resident and district commissioners are instructed to correct any misunderstandings about this Agreement which might arise on political grounds. Let me emphasise to the hon. Member once again that the Agreement is exclusively and entirely concerned with defence.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is satisfied that the present proportion of secondary grammar and secondary technical places available for children at the age of 11 plus is sufficient to give equality of opportunity in the secondary stage of education; and what steps he proposes to take to alter these proportions.

Equality of opportunity does not depend only on the proportion of grammar and technical school places, but also on the provision of courses of high quality in other types of secondary school. It is the Government's aim, as explained in the White Paper, that every child shall be able to travel along the educational road as far as his ability and perseverance can carry him.

Surely the Parliamentary Secretary has not ignored the fact that over 70 per cent. of the children of Britain cannot hope to get a secondary grammar school education, however great their ability. Does not the Ministry wish to reduce the figure of over 70 per cent.?

If the hon. Gentleman reads the Government's recent White Paper, he will find that it explains very clearly the necessity of having similar courses for some children in modern schools and some in grammar schools. The hon. Member knows very well that we are always ready to consider the question of grammar school places in the light of local circumstances and arrange our building programme accordingly if need can be proved.

asked the Minister of Education what alteration he made in the Cardiff City Education Authority's building programme for 1959–60; and whether he will make a statement.

Of the eight primary and' secondary school building projects proposed by the Cardiff local education authority for inclusion in the 1959–60 programme, four were accepted, one was placed in reserve, one is under further consideration and two were inadmissible under current policy.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is a great need for further secondary school places in the Canton district of Cardiff? Can he give an idea when we shall be able to have extended secondary school facilities in that part of the city?

I thought that it was the Canton project which the hon. Gentleman had in mind. The project under further consideration is for the provision of new premises for Canton High School at an estimated cost of £178,000, which the hon. Gentleman will recognise is a large project. I know that the existing premises are not wholly satisfactory, but the authority's case for providing new premises depends, under current policy, on the need for more grammar school places in the city. As I implied in my previous Answer, my right hon. Friend is now examining this matter with care. I cannot say more than that today.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in cases where local education authorities have already submitted proposals for urgent school building projects of the type described in the recent White Paper, he will authorise them to commence building in 1959–60 instead of waiting until 1960–61 or later.

My right hon. Friend cannot increase the 1959–60 school building programme, but he will be ready, as hitherto, to consider substituting a project from a later programme for one in the 1959–60 programme when this would be convenient.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the White Paper refers to the urgency of replacing makeshift schools, and that the Kirkby Mowlands School in my constituency is a makeshift school consisting of 16ft. span Nissen huts into which 950 children are crowded, where there is inadequate ventilation and a very poor atmosphere? Why cannot a project of that type be brought into early construction instead of having to be deferred until 1960 or later, or else put in the place of some other project?

From 1960–61 onwards we hope to be able to include in the programme a limited number of categories of schools which have had to be excluded from the programme by successive Governments until hitherto. My right hon. Friend hopes to settle the major building programmes for 1960–61 and 1961–62 in the early months of next year.

Why does the hon. Gentleman say that the Minister cannot increase the 1959–60 programme? Surely it is not a physical impossibility to do so. Why cannot he consider it?

Because my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has recently announced that capital expenditure in the public sector will be £150 million higher next year than last year, and the school building programme has to be planned against that background.

asked the Minister of Education what representations he has received for an immediate increase in the school building programme in the current year.

None recently. As already announced, my right hon. Friend is prepared to authorise some minor projects to start in 1958–59 instead of 1959–60.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of unemployment in the building trade all over the country and of idle building resources? Would he not, therefore, reconsider the question of enlarging the existing programme in view of the fact that there are building workers and building materials available? The question is whether the Ministry will recognise the urgent need to get on with the programme.

There is not much scope for adding major projects so late in the programme, but my right hon. Friend is always ready to consider a proposal to bring forward the starting date of a particular project on which planning is already well advanced. If the hon. Gentleman's authority has any proposals of this kind to bring forward, we will consider them.

Does not this answer and the answer to Question No. 16 mean that the Government have no substantial plans for a great increase in school building in the next twelve months?

The programme for 1959–60 has already been announced and we have to consider that programme against the general background of capital expenditure in the public sector. But the Government have a large programme for expanding school building for the years starting 1960–61.

As the general economic position of the country requires an expansion of building activity, why cannot the Chancellor agree to a larger building programme for 1959–60?

The right hon. Gentleman is well aware of how dangerous it is when we have got the economy back under control to relax too quickly and too soon. No one ought to know that better than right hon. Gentlemen opposite.

asked the Minister of Education what, on the basis of approvals given by him, is the estimated value of major school building projects to be started in each of the years 1958–59 and 1959–60.

About £51 million and £46 million.

Do not these figures reveal the extent to which essential education building has suffered under the present Government as a result of the policy which the Parliamentary Secretary revealed in answer to my previous Question? In view of the decline in essential school building during the present period, do not the figures given in the White Paper for 1960–62 show that this is really nothing but election window-dressing and has no connection with the reality of the Government's intention?

I do not think there is a single point in the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question with which I can agree. There has never been a time in history when the education service fared better than under the present Government. It is only reasonable that the make-up of the education building programme as a whole should vary from year to year. My right hon. Friend has given details of the whole programme in answer to the hon. Member for Fulham (Mr. M. Stewart) on an earlier occasion. The total value of the programmes for 1958–59 and 1959–60 will be almost the same in those years. We should not forget that next year we are making a start with the enlarged training college programme which is of great importance to all children.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I remember very well the answer which was given to me, but when one studies that with the answer which has been given to my hon. Friend and compares them with the increase in the number of children, one finds it difficult to accept the favourable conclusion which the hon. Gentleman draws?

We are making a good start with the training college programme. We have been able to reduce the size of the classes in primary schools without worsening the position in secondary schools, and we can point to a favourable trend which has been maintained.

asked the Minister of Education what period of teaching service is regarded as a minimum qualification in the recruitment of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools.

No specific period is laid down, but some substantial experience of teaching is essential, and this is normally not less than eight to ten years.

While thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply, may I assume that no one is appointed to the rank of inspector of schools without having substantial experience of teaching?

There are no specific rules about the kind of teaching service required, except that it must be generally relevant to the duties which the inspector will be asked to undertake. In the case of technical education, some kinds of industrial experience would be very relevant.

asked the Minister of Education what recent request he has received from the Church Assembly for an immediate increase in the grant for grant-aided schools from 50 to 75 per cent.; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

The Church Assembly has asked for an increase to 75 per cent. in the rate of grant. The hon. Member will see from the White Paper which was published recently that my right hon. Friend is proposing to discuss with the parties concerned the possibility of more help for church schools.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that this is a serious and pressing problem? Can he hold out some hope that a satisfactory solution which is agreeable to all the interests concerned will be reached at an early date?

I cannot give an undertaking to the hon. Gentleman about a date, but I can say that the parties with whom my right hon. Friend is proposing to discuss this question are representatives of the Churches, of local authorities and of the teaching profession as well. The Government are also inviting the other political parties to consult with them. In that respect, they are following the pattern of what happened before the 1944 Act.

Would the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that one of the biggest anomalies is that there is no grant at all for grammar schools or technical schools. This is an anomaly which I do not think anyone could defend.

This is a big and, if I may say so, a somewhat treacherous subject, and I think the hon. Member will agree that it goes somewhat beyond the scope of the Question; but we have the subject in mind.

asked the Minister of Education if he will now give consent to the building of a new county secondary school at Loftus in the Cleveland parliamentary constituency, in view of the inadequacy of present arrangements and the unanimous demand of all sections of local opinion that the school should be provided.

My right hon. Friend is prepared to consider the inclusion of this proposal in an early building programme.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that the need for this School is very great indeed? It has been promised for many years and, now that things are a little easier, would he in consultation with the county authority see that the school receives high priority?

We are aware that conditions in the local schools in this area are poor. The authority's submissions for the 1960–61 and 1961–62 programmes are due before 1st February, and I promise that my right hon. Friend will make a decision on them as soon as possible after that date.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent it is his policy to encourage the development of courses for the General Certificate of Education in secondary modern schools.

My right hon. Friend's recent White Paper gave the strongest encouragement to the development of extended courses in schools of this kind. These should certainly include courses for the General Certificate of Education where appropriate.

Can we therefore say that we have now converted the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues to the view that all secondary schools should provide a comprehensive range of courses?

I am not going to be drawn into the controversy about comprehensive schools. The White Paper does not mention the G.C.E. specifically. This is because the Government's aim is wider than that and includes opportunities of extended courses of all kinds. Our policy is that all children, in whatever schools they find themselves, should receive the kind of education which is most appropriate to their abilities.

How can they do that unless the school offers a comprehensive range of courses?

There is a considerable difference between a comprehensive range of courses, with which all of us would agree, so far as the aptitudes of the children make these courses appropriate, and the very large comprehensive schools which are advocated in another context from the other side of the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with a view to assisting Anglo-French commercial relations, he will initiate a new commercial treaty with the Republic of France under which protection will be given to the description, "Champagne", in the same way as it is given to the description, "Port and Madeira", under the Anglo-Portuguese Commercial Treaty Acts, 1914 and 1916.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking in the interest of good Franco-British trading relations and in accordance with the Madrid Convention to prevent the importation of wines masquerading under the name of French wine-growing areas where the combination of climate, soil and technique produces unique types of wine officially designated by French law.

These are matters which fall to be decided by the courts, and it is not the present intention of the Government to introduce legislation to change this.

In view of the adverse decision by an Old Bailey jury and the failure to give protection to the French champagne growers, and in view of the great interest of the French champagne growers in this matter, would it not be a gesture of Christmas good will to approach the French Government with a view to making a treaty similar to that which we have with Portugal for the protection of port and madeira?

In view of the uncertainty about the Free Trade Area, I do not think this would be an opportune moment to suggest a commercial treaty on this narrow front.

Next time the President of the Board of Trade negotiates with the French. can he arrange for champagne of all types to be available so that a happier atmosphere may prevail?

I think that is a very good Christmas suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken during recent years to prevent the importation of falsely described wines; whether he will re-examine the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act to ensure that they are still sufficient to cover United Kingdom obligations under the Madrid Convention of 1934 and in particular under Article 3 bis of that Agreement, whereby signatory Governments must prohibit anything capable of deceiving the public as to origin in, signs, advertisements and wine lists; and what action he proposes to take to implement the Agreement more effectively.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is responsible for preventing the importation of goods under false descriptions. With regard to the rest of the Question, I am advised that the Merchandise Marks Acts 1887–1953, extended by the Patents Etc. (International Conventions) Act, 1938, give proper effect to our obligations under international agreements to which my hon. Friend has referred.

As the Old Bailey decision went against the Merchandise Marks Act, cannot the Act be amended, because under Article 3 bis we undertake with the countries to which the present Agreement applies to prohibit the use in connection with the sale of any goods of any indication in the nature of publicity capable of deceiving the public as to the origin of goods appearing in any signs, advertisements and merchants' wine lists and other commercial communications?

Interpretation of whether the description is false or misleading lies with the courts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been drawn to an advertisement in the Daily Sketch, of 1st December, 1958, by Norvac Electrics Limited, purporting to offer for sale rebuilt Hoover or Electrolux vacuum cleaners for £4 12s. 6d. each on hire purchase with free hire-purchase insurance against sickness, unemployment, and death, together with a free hearth rug; whether he is aware that this and similar advertisements published by this company are misleading in intent and effect, and are causing distress to inquirers who are visited by salesmen selling and delivering new vacuum cleaners costing £31; and whether he will make inquiries into these practices with a view to controlling them;

Inquiries by the Board of Trade into advertisements of this kind are not yet completed.

Is the Minister aware that this firm of Norvac is the largest advertiser in the field of vacuum cleaners and its advertisement, repeated in the Question, is so extravagant that it borders on nonsense? In the inquiries being made, will he not only consult the advertising agencies and the firm concerned, but also consider the representations made by the salesmen employed by this firm and the representations made by the consumers concerned in all parts of the country, who have written to me about this question and whose names I am prepared to submit to him?

I should be grateful if the hon. Gentleman would await the completion of our inquiries and not ask me to comment further. I think that he will be satisfied when I have completed the inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the industrial land with the necessary facilities readily available in Bristol; and if he will take steps to encourage industrialists to take these sites so that employment may be found for the men who are becoming redundant in the industries of the district.

I am aware of the facilities available for industry in Bristol, but while the rate of unemployment remains below the national average special action to attract further industry to the city would not be justified.

Is the Minister aware of the danger of redundancy and the unemployment that this would cause in the aircraft industry? Will he not do something to absorb these men by utilising the ground already available and where we have the gas, electricity, water and transport already available for him to use? Will he use that instead of going to virgin territory and developing that?

I am aware that there are some further redundancies expected in the aircraft industry, but I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the projects recently completed or under construction or likely to be started in the near future cover I million square feet and should provide work for 2,000 workers in the Bristol area during the next two years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement on the cotton trade talks in Hong Kong; or when he hopes to be able to do so.

As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained on 2nd December, the inter-industry negotiations are still in progress. A statement will be made as soon as they are concluded.

Is the Minister aware of the strong feeling in Lancashire that if, after three years of negotiation, no satisfactory agreement can be reached, then the Government themselves should impose a ceiling on these imports or adopt the plan of my right hon. Friend the Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson) for a central buying agency to import all cotton goods?

I would draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the remarks of my right hon. Friend in the debate yesterday on that subject. I fully appreciate the anxiety of the House at the delay in bringing matters to a conclusion. This is fully shared by the Cotton Board which, like the Government, consider that public discussion of this subject would not facilitate an early settlement.

As these negotiations are on the point of expected break down, can the Minister say whether the Government have made up their own mind as to what they will do if the negotiations are not: concluded in reasonable time?

That point was dealt with very succinctly by my right hon. Friend last night.

Is it not reasonable that the home market at least should be saved from goods made by such low labour standards?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the growing practice for Japanese textiles to be imported into Eire, made up there and exported to Britain, causing serious unemployment in Salford and other parts of Lancashire; and if he will take action to prevent the import of such textiles.

I am aware of the difficulties which have arisen from these exports and I am glad to say that the Government of the Irish Republic have agreed in principle to limit them. The details are now being discussed, and we are treating this as a matter of urgency.

While I am most grateful for that news, will the Minister examine the most alarming news which I have been given this morning from Lancashire and meet the representatives of the firms concerned which are having to close mills because of this great evasion of existing quotas and duties on Japanese imports?

I think that is why we are treating this as a matter of urgency.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what offer has been made for the purchase by private interests of the holdings of the National Film Finance Corporation in British Lion Films Limited; and whether he proposes to give his approval.

Two offers have been made, but neither was considered acceptable by the National Film Finance Cor- poration. and no question of my right hon. Friend's approval has arisen.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary take note that a large amount of public money is being invested in this company and many of my hon. Friends would be very critical if it were to be sold at a large loss to the taxpayers and a large profit to private companies?

I am well aware of the right hon. Gentleman's views on this, but I think that we should await the subsequent debate today.

I should say that the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) has very kindly, at my request, withdrawn his request to raise this subject on the Adjournment this afternoon. This is because we are going to be very short of time.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary take note of the fact that no absolute denial has been made of the statement that appeared in the Daily Express on 11th December?

I would draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the statement recently issued by the N.F.F.C. The National Film Finance Corporation announced that no negotiations for the sale of their interest in British Lion Films, Limited, are now in progress and no such sale is now contemplated. I should like to apologise to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Battersea. North (Mr. Jay); I did not realise that his Adjournment debate had been withdrawn.

I realise that the hon. Gentle man was not aware of that. As we are not going to debate this subject, can the Parliamentary Secretary at least assure us that no such sale will go through until we have had an opportunity of debating this matter after Christmas?

I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that no such sale is contemplated at the moment and no sale will take place without my right hon. Friend's permission. I do not see any likelihood in the near future of a sale being negotiated. I think I can say with confidence that we shall have a debate before the sale takes place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will review the import duties on soya beans and soya bean oil.

If applications are made by users or producers for the alteration of these duties my right hon. Friend will consider them in the usual way.

Will the President of the Board of Trade take some initiative without awaiting an application? Is he aware that these duties increase the price of oil seed cake and tie withdrawal of the duties would help to reduce farming costs?

It is usual for the interested parties to make their application under the Act, and the evidence of the hon. Gentleman will be considered with everything else.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what, under his regulations, are the items of expenditure which can be admitted for relief in a maintenance claim for Income Tax, Schedule A, by an owner-occupier.

Expenditure on the maintenance, repair and insurance of the property which is incurred by the owner-occupier as owner and not as occupier.

Is the matter really as simple as that? Is not the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there are 4½ to 5 million owner occupiers in residential accommodation who make no claim and who find it more simple to fill in a football pool coupon than a maintenance claim form? Will he consider what steps he can take to draw their attention to their entitlement, particularly bearing in mind that the minority who do claim, according to his right hon. Friend, receive allowances in nearly all cases?

Those who do not specifically claim are entitled to the statutory repairs allowance, and it may well be that the reason they do not claim is because the statutory repairs allowance is more favourable to them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will carry out a review into the present adverse effect which the 60 per cent. and 30 per cent. rates of Purchase Tax are having on the export trade of the industries affected by the said rates.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to my hon. Friend the Member for Barry (Mr. Gower) on 9th December.

But would not my hon. and learned Friend recognise that three of our major exporting industries, the motor vehicle industry first, the radio and television industry second, and the toilet preparations industry third, have now presented to the Chancellor of the Exchequer detailed arguments and cogent reasons for alleviating the 60 per cent. rate of Purchase Tax on their products, which is so adversely affecting exports? Does not this merit special consideration before the Budget?

My right hon. Friend will, of course, give full consideration to all representations which are made to him. and they certainly include the representations to which my hon. Friend refers, but, of course, he has got to weigh export considerations against the need for revenue.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will abolish Purchase Tax on all gas water heating appliances, with a view to increasing production of primary smokeless fuels, such as gas and coke, in pursuit of clean air policy, while making the best use of the nation's coal, in accord with the recommendations of the Ridley Committee. 1952.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 18th November to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason).

Has my hon. and learned Friend observed that a gas cooker, for example, has no Purchase Tax on it and that a gas water heater has 30 per cent. Purchase Tax on it? Is it not equally desirable, socially and otherwise, that people should have hot baths as well as heating their Sunday lunch? Why is there this unfavourable discrimination between heat for the preparation of food and for the cleanliness of the human body?

My hon. Friend will have remarked that the rate of tax on most domestic gas water heating appliances was reduced from 60 per cent. to 30 per cent. in the last Budget. So a substantial step was taken in the social directions my hon. Friend indicates.

While we should all like to see the end of Purchase Tax, is my hon. and learned Friend aware that many of us would prefer to see the repayment of post-war credits?

That has nothing to do with it at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the present net yield to the Exchequer of Purchase Tax on commercial vehicle chassis, after taking into account initial allowances and depreciation allowances thereon, is not in excess of £8 million per annum; and whether, in view of the small proportion which this sum hears to the £500 million per annum which he is still obtaining from Purchase Tax, despite recent reductions. he will undertake to deal with the abolition of the Purchase Tax on commercial vehicle chassis as a matter of urgency.

Without accepting my hon. Friend's premise, I must again refer him to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Barnsley (Mr. Mason) on 18th November.

Yes, but 18th November is some time ago. Has my hon. and learned Friend observed that the industry producing commercial vehicle chassis is at the present time tending to be depressed both in respect of home demand and exports, and that many of the works are situated in areas which have a level of unemployment higher than the national average? Would it not be desirable from every point of view unilaterally to relieve commercial vehicle chassis before the next Budget and thus help the employment position?

I do not think I can enlarge on the reply which my right hon. Friend originally gave, except to spell out what my right hon. Friend said. which was that my hon. Friend

"must not expect pronouncements from me about possible changes in taxation."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th November, 1958; Vol. 595, c. 122.]

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what pressure has been brought to bear by the Treasury on the Trustee Savings Banks to restrict the development of their banking services.

None, Sir, although there are, of course, long-standing arrangements for regulating the activities of the Trustee Savings Banks.

Would the Financial Secretary agree that if these valuable savings banks wish to extend their services to the public they ought not to be restrained by the Government just to prevent competition with the commercial banks?

As to the value of these institutions, I entirely endorse what the right hon. Gentleman says. No official approach has recently been made by the Association of Savings Banks to my right hon. Friend, but he will, of course, be ready at any time to consider any views which they may put forward for his consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the further recent decline in the cycle industry, if he has now fully considered the recent representations made to him by the retail and manufacturing side of the industry; and what action he proposes to take.

My right hon. Friend has carefully considered these representations. but has no statement to make.

Is the Minister not aware that even within the last fortnight a further decline has occurred and that one firm at Smethwick has declared 100 employees redundant, while 1,000 people are on a four-day week? Surely it is time that some action should be taken to relieve this industry before it is too late? Will he remember that it is not the hire-purchase facilities which we want but a lower price to enable improved sales as a result of a reduction of Purchase Tax?

I had the pleasure of receiving the representatives of the industry myself, and my right hon. Friend certainly appreciates the industry's difficulties, but nevertheless I cannot, I am afraid, enlarge on my original Answer. I cannot make a pronouncement about possible changes in taxation.

Does the Financial Secretary realise that the position is now really very bad, that it is causing unemployment, and that proper measures taken in this case could reduce unemployment in my constituency of Smethwick and in other areas where this industry is now suffering?

It is not as simple as that. There are various repercussions upon other competing industries which have also got to be considered.