asked the President of the Board of Trade the estimated numbers of people from the United Kingdom who took holidays abroad in the years 1951 and 1958, respectively.

There were about 1¼ million visits abroad for holiday, business, and other purposes by United Kingdom residents in 1951, and about 2½ million in 1958.

Are not those figures proof that Tory freedom does work?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the action he has recently taken to secure some international agreement to stop the subsidising of foreign shipbuilding and so give British ship builders a fair chance to compete.

There have been no international negotiations such as my hon. Friend seems to have in mind. I have, therefore, no statement to make.

In view of the fact that British shipbuilding has sunk to third place in the world, will not the Government take steps to get an agreement with countries that subsidise shipbuilding, and also draw attention to the folly of striking in Glasgow at the present time over demarcation, which is causing the position to be worse?

If my hon. Friend has evidence that subsidies or artificial aids are affecting our ability to compete for foreign orders, we shall be very glad to receive the details.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased rate of immigration into Israel, he will appoint a trade mission to visit that country to study the possibility of expanding the volume of trade between Israel and the United Kingdom.

Trade between Israel and this country has increased substantially in recent years. My right hon. Friend does not feel that a trade mission is called for at the present time.

Is my hon. Friend aware that over the last few months there has been a very marked increase in the population of Israel, which will lead to a great demand for consumer goods? Will he not consider the possibility of some new form of trade agreement to ease currency difficulties which might arise and so help our exports, especially such things as textiles from Lancashire?

I think that what Anglo-Israeli trade at present needs is an expansion of Israeli exports either to this country or to other countries with convertible currency in order to earn more to pay for imports from this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the considerable increase in the importation of peas and the consequent reduction in the acreage of home-grown peas, he will either reinstate the import control or, alternatively, increase the tariff.

An application for an increased tariff on frozen peas has been made by the industry, and it is, of course, open to it to make similar applications for other varieties of peas.

While appreciating that the Board of Trade is conducting very delicate negotiations at present, may I ask whether my hon. Friend does not think it time to protect this industry which has suffered so much in the last few years? Imports have increased to an enormous extent and the industry is declining in the area where peas are grown. Does he not think it time to do something about it?

As I said, there is an application for frozen peas under consideration now. As regards the other kinds, I think it is for the industry to make the application.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent extension of the Anglo-Cuban trade agreement and the increased quota for Cuban cigars for which it provides, the Government will have more regard in future arrangements of this sort to the desirability of increasing United Kingdom trade with the Caribbean Colonies.

I can assure my hon. Friend that we do pay great attention to our trading relationships with all the dependent territories and that we shall continue to do so.

While that is welcomed, would my hon. Friend not agree that we have a direct responsibility to our own Colonies which should be reflected in our trade policy, and that by steadily increasing the Cuban cigar quota we must be steadily reducing our cigar industry in Jamaica?

In the case of the Anglo-Cuban trade, we must look at the problem as a whole rather than at any particular effect on an industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, when the present trade agreement with Cuba comes to an end, the Government will consider a reduction in the quota for Cuban cigars in the interests of the cigar industry in Jamaica.

The Agreement is for the next three years. It is too early to say in what terms it will be renewed.

Would my hon. Friend agree that the steady rise in Cuban cigar quotas from 500,000 dollars in 1952 to 1 million dollars worth in 1958 and a prospective 1½ million worth in 1961 must be prejudicial to the Jamaican cigar exports to this country and also to employment in the cigar industry in Jamaica?

It is an open market and it is for the consumer to decide what particular cigar he wants to use.

Since the hon. Gentleman will be aware that a Conservative Opposition spokesman in July, 1951, denounced the first arrangement for Cuban cigars as "a black pact", will the hon. Gentleman explain to his hon. Friend that if we do not bring Cuban cigars into this country Cuba will not have the currency to pay for the arms which the Foreign Secretary was so anxious to send to Cuba?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the factors which influenced him in granting permission to British Nylon Spinners to establish their new factory in Gloucester.

My right hon. Friend's permission is not required for taking over existing premises but, having regard to the firm's needs as known to us, the decision appears to be reasonable.

Whatever valid or invalid reasons might be given for allowing this firm to go to Gloucester, they were not provided for either in the original Distribution of Industry Act or in last year's Act. If the intention of the Government is to encourage industry to go to areas with high percentages of unemployment, does this not make absolute nonsense of that declared policy?

No, Sir. The hon. Member knows that the Board of Trade can exercise only negative control over the siting of a factory through the refusal of an I.D.C., and it would be a reversal of policy to start suggesting that we should have compulsory powers of directive.

Is the President of the Board of Trade not to consider some alternative policy if this means the de- population of parts of the country and turning great areas into distressed areas?

We have announced a number of measures which, I hope, will make areas where severe unemployment is rife considerably more attractive.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment in Gloucester has been growing very considerably owing to the closing down of an aircraft factory and that this industry will very substantially relieve the situation and give employment to quite a number of people in my constituency?

Without taking sides between these various places, particularly as my constituency put in a bid for this factory, are we to take it from the Answer of the hon. Gentleman that the policy of refusing Industrial Development Certificates, about which the Government trumpeted so much earlier this year when they first turned down the Havant project, has now been dropped and that they are not prepared to use this negative means of steering factories to the places that need them most?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that suitable land has been zoned for industrial development in Cheadle, Staffordshire; and to what extent he has been able to offer help in bringing new industries to Cheadle.

Yes, Sir. As my right hon. Friend told the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 29th January, we have suggested to a number of firms that they might go to North Staffordshire.

I am grateful to the Minister for his reply, and in North Staffordshire we appreciate the interest taken by the Board of Trade, but I hope that when the opportunity comes special attention will be given to this area, which has growing unemployment.

In the last 18 months we have suggested North Staffordshire to more than a dozen firms as an area which should be considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who is to represent the United Kingdom on the group of governmental experts which the Thirteenth Session of the Contracting Parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade decided to set up to study restrictive business practices in international trade; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this matter.

Invitations to Governments to nominate representatives to serve on the group of experts have not yet been issued. We would examine any proposal which might emerge from the experts' studies in the light of the conclusions reached on whether concerted international action is needed or practicable.

Is the Minister aware that during the last decade there has been a great deal of discussion in various international bodies on the subject of international restrictive practices without any effective action being taken as a result? Since the activities of cartels can so easily frustrate attempts to reduce tariffs and remove quantitative restrictions, will the Government ensure that we take a full and vigorous part in those discussions and back up the Scandinavian countries, which have been left to take the lead in these matters in the past?

Perhaps the hon. Member does not realise that the convening of the group and nomination of those to serve on it have been left to the Executive Secretary of the G.A.T.T.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the expenditure of his Department on the British Trade Fair in Lisbon next May.

About £14,000.

Will the Minister or his right hon. Friend make clear that that expenditure is of a purely commercial kind and must not be regarded as an open or implied support for the tyrannical and terrorist Government of Dr. Salazar?

The Board of Trade stand will be devoted to a display of consumer goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assistance has been given under the Distribution of Industry Act to the towns of Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley; and if he will state the area of factory space provided, and the number of people for whom employment has been provided.

The Board of Trade has no powers to build factories in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley, since they are not in a Development Area. The level of unemployment in this district is, I am glad to say, not above the national average. My right hon. Friend would not, therefore, be justified in including these towns on the list of places for which financial assistance is available under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act.

Is the Minister aware that when these towns applied for inclusion in the Schedule the reply of his Department was that the two major industries of cotton and coal were far too important to the national economy to risk any industrial counter-attractions? In view of the fact that cotton is contracting rapidly and coal is showing the same trend, will the hon. Gentleman review the Act?

We shall welcome new industries into the area, but it does not qualify.

Will the hon. Gentleman recall that the 1945 Act specifically required the President of the Board of Trade to schedule not only areas where there is high unemployment but where there are prospects of unemployment? Does the Board of Trade always wait for unemployment to develop before it starts to get industries into an area, knowing that it takes twelve to eighteen months to get a factory established?

No, Sir. The point is that the new measures we are applying are designed to help places where unemployment is at its worst.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make further representations about the rejection by the United States Govern ment of the bid by a British firm for turbines for Greer's Ferry Dam, in view of the fact that the same American firm awarded the contract for turbines has, as a result of a recent decision of Her Majesty's Government, been allowed to export to this country certain earth-moving equipment, and that this export has directly resulted in the cancellation of orders for similar equipment made by a Lincoln firm which is already working short-time.

No, Sir. We have already made representations about the rejection of this bid and I do not think that further representations would strengthen the claim we have made on behalf of the English Electric Company.

Would it not be useful to point out that the very firm which was awarded these contracts was, as a result of a special decision of the Government quite recently, allowed to export to this country certain earth-moving equipment which we could make in Lincoln? Does he realise that Lincoln was also to make components for the English Electric turbine? So, as a result of the acts of the Government and the United States Government, the city has lost both on the swings and on the roundabouts.

Wide publicity has been given to the facts contained in the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question. I think he should note that since liberalisation imports of all types of earth-moving equipment from America have fallen off.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what intimation he has received from the Government of the United States of America in respect of further refusals of British tenders for the supply of machinery to the United States of America at prices lower than United States or other competitors.

The United States Government have informed us that the Greer's Ferry Dam project does not establish a precedent and that each case will be considered on its merits.

In the interests of promoting Anglo-American friendship and understanding, is it not highly desirable for the American Government to explain more fully and adequately to the people of this country why they exercised this unfortunate kind of discrimination?

That is a matter of public relations for the United States Government rather than for me, but the Buy American Act applies only to orders placed by Federal agencies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he proposes to take to promote the export of electrical generating equipment to the United States of America.

My hon. Friend will be aware of the representations that Her Majesty's Government have already made about the contract for Greer's Ferry Dam. But the sale of generating equipment in the United States is essentially for the individual manufacturer and strenuous and successful efforts have indeed been made. In this connection, I am glad that the Tennessee Valley Authority has just awarded a large contract to a British company. It is an important event in Anglo-American trading relations.

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his reply. Is he aware, however, that in this whole question there is need to tread softly? Will he undertake to consult the industry at all possible stages?

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make arrangements for the earlier publication of the machine tool industry statistics, in view of the importance of this key industry to the national economy and their relevance to the formulation of economic policy.

We have been looking at our arrangements for collecting machine tool statistics. I hope that it will be possible for these to be published more quickly in future.

I am obliged to the Minister of State for his reply. Bearing these statistics in mind, do they not show that for three months this country has been lagging behind current events?

I was very surprised when I looked into this matter. It is only fair to say that the time of publication depends on the time taken by the firms to complete their returns, but we hope that it will be possible to make an effective improvement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the adverse effect of the introduction of the Common Market on the British motor industry what reduction he expects in British exports of motor cars to the Common Market countries; and what action he is taking in order to offset the disadvantageous consequences to the motor industry of the establishment of the Common Market.

The reduction of tariffs and the extension of quotas if confined to trade between the Common Market countries would place British industry at a disadvantage, but I cannot assess the effect which this might have on our motor car exports. We shall continue to work in Europe for solutions which would avoid these developments.

In view of the likelihood of the Common Market adversely affecting the British motor industry, will the President of the Board of Trade consider approaching the Scandinavian countries, which have been talking of creating a northern association, in order to see whether they might enlarge the import of British motor cars by bilateral or multilateral agreements?

I think that I would rather see that question on the Order Paper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the disposal of the Howden Flax Mill closed down by his Department two years ago.

Negotiations for the sale of this property have reached an advanced stage.

Is the Minister of State aware that there is a rumour in the neighbourhood that restrictions are placed upon the use to which this factory may be put and that that has held up the sale and disposal of it up to now? Will the hon. Gentleman agree that no restrictions should be placed upon it so that the factory may be used as quickly as possible?

I cannot make any further comment on the negotiations which are proceeding at the present time, but I will note the hon. Gentleman's remark.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the Government flax mills are still unoccupied; and what steps are being taken to put them into use for the alleviation of local unemployment.

Eight of the ten Government flax factories have now been disposed of, another is about to be sold and an offer is being considered for the remaining one.

Have the factories which have been sold been put into occupation and use, or are they lying idle?

One of the factors in disposing of them is the amount of employment likely to be offered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the grounds on which he decided that Sunderland did not qualify for inclusion on the list of places where Government assistance under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, will be available.

The level and persistence of unemployment in Sunderland did not measure up to the criteria which are applied for determining whether a place can be included on the list.

Then cannot the Minister accept that the criteria are unsatisfactory? We have well over 5,000 unemployed, the prospects for the shipbuilding industry are far from certain, and something must be done.

The hon. Member was told on 10th February that we shall watch the position closely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why no factory extensions have been authorised in Sunderland.

We have not had an application from any of our tenants.

Is that not a good reason for starting immediately the proposed training estate north of the river? Why can we not begin it to ease the unemployment?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that Question down, and then I will answer it.

In view of the fact that I put down the Question last week and in view of the continued unsatisfactory reply from the hon. Gentleman's Department, I beg to give notice that I will continue to try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons were previously employed on the Government-owned factories in the North-East Development Area which are at present vacant.

Approximately 2,200.

Would not the Department accept this as a special responsibility? These factories are at present empty and exceptional steps will have to be taken immediately to see that they are at work again.

The Parliamentary Secretary announced on 10th February an extra inducement by reduction in the rents for certain factories.

Does not the Minister of State agree that something far more drastic than that has to be done to attract new industries to areas where factories have been closed down for lack of work?

I hope that this will produce very good results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the estimated consumption of cigarettes in the United Kingdom for 1958; how many were filter-tipped; and what were the corresponding figures in 1951.

It is estimated that consumers' expenditure at 1954 prices on cigarettes in 1957, the latest year for which figures are available, was £804 million. In 1951 it was £695 million. Official estimates of expenditure on filter-tipped cigarettes have not been made.

My hon. Friend has not quite given the answer I wanted. Could he give the numbers, not the value? I asked for the estimated numbers.

Actually, my hon. Friend referred to the consumption; he did not ask for numbers. I gave the best answer available from the statistics at our disposal.

Will the Minister bear in mind that this is a very important question and that it would be desirable to know whether there has been a substantial increase in the smoking of filtertipped cigarettes? The reason for it is, at least in part, that any rubbish can be smoked through a filter-tipped cigarette and that this affects the country from which we import our tobacco.

These statistics are not collected by any Government Department, but I will bear in mind what the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) said.

Would my hon. Friend consult the Minister of Health about collecting figures with regard to filter-tipped cigarettes in view of their possible importance in the incidence of lung cancer?

I have made my views on the matter known to the House on previous occasions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which industrial centres in the north-east he proposes to visit to view their local unemployment problems; and whether he will include the port of Goole in his tour in view of the special difficulties there.

The Parliamentary Secretary was in Hull yesterday. My right hon. Friend expects to visit the North-East later in the year.

Will the Minister address himself to the specific question which I put, namely, whether he will include the port of Goole in his visit to the North-East?

I shall draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the remark of the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent he has supported applications for quarrying chalk in West Dorset, in view of the need to provide more local employment.

My right hon. Friend has not been asked to support any such applications.

Is the Minister aware that an application was made for reopening one quarry, but this was turned down, probably reasonably, on planning grounds? Will the Minister give careful consideration to future applications?

Yes, if they are submitted to us.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what efforts have been made by his Department to secure a new tenant for the textile factory at Corwen, Merioneth, which was closed last August.

This factory has been brought to the attention of a number of firms, but unfortunately we have not yet been able to find anyone willing to take it.

Is the Minister aware that about 80 women who were specially trained for work at this factory are now unemployed without any hope of further employment? Will he make a special effort to utilise the services of these skilled women?

Yes. I realise that this is a rather special case involving rural unemployment. I might remind the hon. Member that the Development Fund is available to assist appropriate light industries in cases like this.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications he has received under Section 41 of the Patents and Designs Act, 1949, by British companies for licences to manufacture aureomycin, tetracycline and terramycin, at present being manufactured wholly by British based subsidiaries of United States firms; and if he is satisfied that the present system of restricted production accords with the official policy in this matter.

No applications have been received. My right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health welcomes competition in the supply of drugs, but the Comptroller can only consider such applications for manufacturing licences as he receives.

Is the Minister of State aware that he himself is showing early symptoms of influenza today and that these drugs would be useful in the treatment of that condition? Would he recognise that many manufacturers are quite unaware of the existence of the opportunity afforded by this branch of legislation? Does he not consider that his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade should, as a matter of duty, draw to the attention of manufacturers in the pharmaceutical industry the possibility of taking advantage of this so that we can bring down prices?

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his sympathy. If anything, I am suffering from the aftermath of an antibiotic. I will note what the hon. Member says, but the facilities are there for those who wish to use them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the recent increase in unemployment mainly caused by the closing of the Eastern United colliery in the Forest of Dean, he will consider applying the provisions of the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act to that area.

The level of unemployment in the Forest of Dean does not justify the inclusion of the area in the places to which the provisions of the Act apply.

If the unemployment figures rose to 4 per cent.—and they cannot be far away from that now— would further facilities be available than exist now?

We would have to consider it. The present figure is 3·2 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) to what extent the concessions announced on 10th February regarding rentals of unoccupied factories in Development Areas will apply to areas scheduled under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958;

Those areas which are eligible for assistance under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act, 1958, qualify for the rental concessions and site clearance grants only if they are within the Development Areas which are scheduled under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

Is the Minister aware that his reply will cause great disappointment, particularly in the slate quarrying areas of North-West Wales, which have the highest unemployment figures in Britain and the biggest deposits of industrial waste? Would it not be reasonably sensible to apply these provisions to those areas, although they are not at present scheduled?

The loans and grants under the new Act are available.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that for six years the Government have not used the powers which they already had under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, for the purpose of ensuring against unemployment in these areas? Now that the problem has developed on such an alarming scale, is it not clear from the hon. Gentleman's Answer that the Department's decision in respect of each of these areas is utterly beset by bureaucratic muddle? If there is this problem of assimilation between the two Acts of Parliament, will the hon. Gentleman introduce rapidly a consolidation Measure to make the situation dear, on the understanding that this side of the House will give it the speediest passage?

No, Sir. I have every hope that the facilities provided under the new Act will be very successful.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what applications for industrial development he has had in the Bolton area in the last six months; and the number of applications approved.

For the area covered by the Bolton Employment Exchange, applications for six Industrial Development Certificates have been received; and all of these have been granted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a further statement concerning new arrangements relating to the importation of needlecord and corduroy garments from Eire made out of foreign cloth and imported to the United Kingdom free of duty.

I am glad to be able to tell the House that the discussions with the Irish authorities have now been satisfactorily concluded. Arrangements to limit exports to this country of these and other garments made from woven cotton materials imported from Japan and Soviet bloc countries will come into force on 1st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the Prime Minister's impending visit to Moscow and study of trade conditions there, he will now take steps to open trade discussions with other Iron Curtain countries, especially Hungary.

We already have regular trade discussions with most of these countries, including Hungary.

Are there likely to be any fresh or more detailed discussions with Hungary in the near future?

We start our next round of formal talks in May.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we welcome the Prime Minister's new-found enthusiasm for trade with the Soviet Union and other Eastern European countries and that despite the disappointments we have had over five or six years in his capacity both as Foreign Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, when we have sought repeatedly to get some of these embargoes lifted, I very much welcome the fact that he has—[HON. MEMBERS: "Question."] The question began with the words "Is the hon. Gentleman aware", which is interrogatory. Is he aware that we welcome the fact that the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary state that they will now try to help Anglo-Soviet trade, for a change?

Allowing for the element of exaggeration and even of hyperbole which crept into that lengthy supplementary question, I would say that we are all anxious to see Anglo-Russian trade develop.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he has had with the Secretary of State for the Colonies in respect of the limitation of exports from Hong Kong of commodities other than textiles.

My right hon. Friend keeps in close touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies on all matters affecting our trade with Hong Kong but, as he made clear on 3rd April last, it is not the intention of the Government to sponsor arrangements in respect of other exports from Hong Kong similar to those for cotton.

Why is there this discrimination? Surely, if it is appropriate in one instance, it might be appropriate for other commodities imported into this country from the same country which are in serious competition with products here, particularly if the imported goods are made under conditions of sweated labour.

No, Sir. Cotton presents special problems, a fact which the whole House accepts. I remind the hon. Member of the resolutions adopted at the Montreal Conference on the question of keeping our markets open to goods from such countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has under the Distribution of Industry (Industrial Finance) Act in the Filton area of South Gloucestershire, in view of the increased unemployment in the Bristol area and the uncertainties affecting the aircraft industry and of the fact that it remains the largest employer of labour and is likely to be affected by considerable redundancies.

The rate of unemployment in the Bristol area, which includes Filton, is not such that it qualifies under the Act.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind the preferability of anticipating events instead of waiting until they overtake his Department?

The rate for wholly unemployed workers in this area is at the moment 2·3 per cent.

Is the Minister of State aware that the unemployment figure in Bristol is higher than it has been for twenty years? When will he take steps to help the situation concerning employment?

It is substantially lower than the national average.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what projects have been approved since 1st October, 1958, in the city and county of Aberdeen; what is their nature; where they are located; when each will be completed and in working order; and what and where is the Government-financed factory which has been extended since then.

In Peterhead, a factory and an extension to a Government-financed factory. In Aberdeen, an extension to a factory. The last is due for completion next June. I cannot yet give completion dates for the two others.

Is the Minister aware that these factories were intended to reduce the present abnormal unemployment in Aberdeen, city and county, but that they have not had that effect? What does he propose to do about it? Does he propose to subsidise further factories?

The City of Aberdeen and the Buckie-Peterhead area of Aberdeenshire are both on the D.A.T.A.C. list, and I hope that they will attract new industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there is now sufficient fishmeal to keep the factories occupied; and what is now the purpose of maintaining the duty on imported her rings for meal when some of the factories are sometimes closed for lack of supplies.

The Board of Trade announced on 20th November, 1958, that it was considering an application for the exemption from import duty of herring imported for reduction to meal and oil. I hope it will be possible to announce a decision soon.

I am grateful for that Reply, but has the Minister any up-to-date information about the position of the fishmeal factories and whether they have supplies or not?

There are some reports from the factory which are being studied at the moment in connection with this application.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the decision of the Dunlop Rubber Company to close down the factory at Etruria, Stoke-on-Trent, whether he will make further efforts to bring new industries to the city.

The Board of Trade will continue to bring North Staffordshire, including Stoke-on-Trent, to the attention of suitable firms.

Does the Minister appreciate that we have been rather unfortunate with reference to the rubber industry? Does he remember that the Michelin extension was diverted to another county, and now we are to lose the Dunlop Company, with the loss of 400 further workers? Will he at least ask his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer that, if nothing else can be done, he should abolish the Purchase Tax on pottery?

I think that the second part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question raises a much wider issue. I am glad to say that the reduction of the work at Etruria, I think it is, is the result of concentration at another factory in Stoke-on-Trent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a few feet of polythene tubing, with an appropriate dowel, may be sold free of Purchase Tax, whereas a hula hoop is subject to Purchase Tax; and, in view of the desirability of increasing the sale of hula hoops as an encouragement to personal fitness, whether he will now relieve factory-made hula hoops from Purchase Tax, thus placing them on terms of parity with home-made hula hoops constructed from polythene tubing and a dowel.

Hula hoops are taxable if supplied complete or ready for assembly. I see no justification for treating them differently from other toys.

Why are they taxed as toys at all? Why should they not be regarded as, for instance, sports requisites? Is there not a direct relation between a hula hoop and a tyre, and, as neither tyres nor inner tubes are taxed, why are hula hoops taxed?

My hon. Friend, in his enthusiasm for personal fitness, seems to share the enthusiasm for the hula hoop of Mr. Flook in today's Daily Mail.I can quite understand it, because he enjoys being at the centre of things.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Purchase Tax is paid on musical instruments purchased by the Brigade of Guards but not on musical instruments purchased by the band of the Royal Air Force and the band of the Royal Marines; and why he is exercising discrimination in favour of the Royal Air Force and Royal Marines, having regard to the need for a high level of recruiting for all the corps named.

There is no discrimination. For historical reasons the Services have differing ways of achieving the same result. Army bands receive a cash allowance from public funds to maintain and replace their instruments, and that allowance takes account of Purchase Tax.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the National Music Council has constantly drawn attention to the fact that this discrimination exists and that the Customs and Excise have been deliberately collecting Purchase Tax on musical instruments used by the Brigade of Guards Band but not on those used by the bands of other corps? Would he not undertake to examine this matter again? Surely, such a large body of professional opinion cannot constantly be wrong in the matter.

If my hon. Friend studies my reply, he will see that there is no discrimination, because where cash grants are made the level of the grants takes account of the fact that Purchase Tax will be payable on the instruments themselves. But I understand my hon. Friend's interest in anything that affects the production and the propagation of sound.

Would my right hon. Friend include in his researches the fact that any regimental band buying a bugle pays no tax upon it, but if a cornet is bought for the same regimental band it bears tax at 30 per cent.? Would my right hon. Friend comment on that thoroughly unsatisfactory position.

I will investigate that point and write to my hon, Friend.

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that traders have requested Customs and Excise to define when an advertising leaflet, which is not fully printed, is chargeable with Purchase Tax, and that Customs and Excise have stated they are unable to do so; and, in view of the confusion thus caused, especially having regard to wide variety of designs, some of which attract Purchase Tax and others of which do not, whether he will now exempt from Purchase Tax all advertising leaflets as being essential requisites of industry, trade, and commerce.

As I told my hon. Friend on 10th February, the Customs and Excise are, at the trade's request, reviewing the criteria of tax liability in this part of the stationery field. Partly printed advertising leaflets are included in this review.

Would my right hon. Friend have some regard to the fact that at the 1955 General Election more than 600 Members of the House put out advertising leaflets in the form of election addresses, some of which attracted Purchase Tax on account of the fact that the Customs and Excise said that they were advertising leaflets part-printed, whereas others did not? Is not this a thoroughly invidious state of affairs, and will not my right hon. Friend, in the interests of Tory candidature, put the matter right before the next General Election?

In the interest of justice, I will have regard to all appropriate considerations, but at this stage I am not quite prepared to say whether or not my hon. Friend's observations fall within that category.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give consideration to the early removal of Purchase Tax on dustbins since they are an essential part of domestic hygiene.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Purchase Tax is charged on dustbins; and whether he will give consideration to the early removal of this tax.

Dustbins are taxed under the provisions which apply Purchase Tax to domestic ironmongery and hardware generally. My hon. Friends will not expect me to anticipate my Budget decisions.

I ought to say that I appear in this field only by kind permission of my hon. Friend the Member for Nabarro. [Laughter.] Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that this type of concession would benefit public health, increase trade and reduce the cost of living?

As to the first part of my hon. Friend's observations, apart from his other distinctions, his name will now be honourably linked with dustbins. As to the second part of the question, I fear that I must not anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount collected for Purchase Tax on gramophone records.

Just under £6 million in the financial year 1957–58.

In view of the great educational value of many gramophone records, would the right hon. Gentleman consider reducing or abolishing the tax on educational records and put these records in the same category as books?

I am giving very careful consideration, of course, to all aspects of these difficult problems.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate cost of reducing the ages for the repayment of post-war credits by 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively.

About £176 million, £258 million and £330 million.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent the declaration by the Minister of Defence at the Bagdad Pact and Ministerial Council, to the effect that Great Britain remained pledged to uphold all the military obligations of the Bagdad Pact, including those directed to defence of the territories of the Bagdad Pact countries against subversion, represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ashfield (Mr. Warbey) and the hon. Member for Leek (Mr. Harold Davies), on 5th February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in reply to a Question on 27th February, 1957, the Minister of Defence stated that defence against aggression meant that British forces could interfere in a Bagdad Pact country where the ruler described any popular uprising as being due to Communist subversion? Does the Prime Minister remember that he himself proclaimed exactly the same doctrine to justify intervention in Jordan on 17th July last year? Do the replies to which he referred mean that the Government still reserve that right to interfere in the affairs of Turkey, Iraq and Pakistan at the request of the rulers of those countries?

In every case, of course, every consideration has to be given to the particular circumstances. The purpose of the Pact is to promote, so far as it is possible, a sense of stability and security.

Does the Prime Minister still regard the Bagdad Pact as the basis of the Government's Middle East policy, as it was once said to be? Does he not feel, in view of developments in Iraq, that it would be wise to make plain that this Pact is now really a northern tier agreement directed only against the possible danger of aggression from the north?

I think it would be a very great mistake if we were to do anything at the present time to weaken the sense of confidence of the countries concerned, who are members, with us, of the Bagdad Pact.

That does not answer my question. Until now, it has been Her Majesty's Government's policy to regard the Bagdad Pact as the basis of their policy in the whole of the Middle East. Would it not be advisable—if not this afternoon, on some early occasion —to make plain that the situation has changed and they now look upon the Bagdad Pact as more limited in its objectives?

Of course, the situation has changed; but it is one of the bases on which we must rely.

asked the Prime Minister if he will move to extend the order of reference of the Select Committee on Procedure to enable it to consider particularly the desirability of increasing the extent to which Scottish business is conducted in Scotland.

I am doubtful whether it would be appropriate for the Select Committee to consider such wide proposals as the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

In the light of that Answer, and bearing in mind his former answer to me, will the Prime Minister appreciate that the Scottish Labour Party has given great consideration to this problem and believes that there is a solution which can be achieved without violating the economic integrity of the United Kingdom or involving Parliamentary separation? Will the right hon. Gentleman again consider the advisability of referring the matter to a Speaker's Conference, as the Scottish Labour Party has suggested?

There are various methods. There was the Royal Commission, which the hon. Gentleman at one time suggested, which met some four years ago. The results of its work were very helpful. There have been other changes since then as regards the Scottish Grand Committee. I think that it would, perhaps, be well to see the report of the Select Committee on Procedure before reaching any further judgment.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the evacuation of the civil population in the event of war and to the defence of bomber and rocket bases, what steps he is taking to co-ordinate the responsibilities of the Secretary of State for the Home Department and the Minister of Defence in these matters.

asked the Prime Minister, since it is the Government's policy to defend only air and rocket bases on the ground that the country as a whole cannot be defended against nuclear attack, to what extent he has coordinated the policy and responsibilities of the Home Department and the Ministry of Defence in this matter.

The responsibilities of the Departments concerned with defence against a possible nuclear attack on this country are clearly defined and the policy is fully co-ordinated.

How is it possible to reconcile these policies? Is it not a fact that the Home Secretary is engaged, in a very meagre way, in preparing Civil Defence against what is euphemistically called conventional air attack, while the Minister of Defence is engaged in threatening nuclear retaliation against any and every form of attack? How does the Prime Minister reconcile these policies?

There is nothing irreconcilable. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary carries out his part of the duties in close co-ordination with those of the Defence Minister.

asked the Prime Minister to what extent, in discussions during his proposed visit to Moscow, he is prepared to reconsider his policy on united Germany being free to enter the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, on the maintenance of the Bagdad Pact, on armed intervention against alleged subversion in any country at the request of its Government, and on the negotiation of political settlements before accepting any substantial measure of international disarmament.

I made a full statement to the House on 5th February, and I do not think that any further amplification would be helpful.

Is it not a fact that the Soviet position on these matters is very well known and, whereas the Soviet Government would reach agreement on the basis of the proposals for disengagement and for co-operation in the Middle East advocated by the Opposition, there is no hope of agreement unless the basic positions of the Government are modified? Is the Prime Minister prepared to use them as bargaining counters when he goes to Moscow?

The hon. Gentleman says that he speaks—I do not know on what authority—for the Soviet Government. I propose, if I am able to do so, to speak to the Soviet Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether, during his forthcoming discussions with Mr. Khrushchev, he will seek an assurance that, in any proposed talks or agreement concerning Germany leading to an eventual peace treaty, such treaty will contain adequate clauses to secure the removal of any known Nazi judge or general from office, in either East or West Germany, in accordance with the Potsdam Agreement, and a joint commission to investigate the charges and allegations that there are now in office in West Germany 596 jurists who served in Hitler's Special Courts.

I cannot anticipate what matters may be raised at these discussions.

Without asking the Prime Minister to anticipate, may we ask whether or not he agrees that it would be a good thing if these former Nazis, who are alleged to be in both East and West Germany, were removed from these State positions and quasi-State positions? Will the right hon. Gentleman bear that in mind if he has the opportunity of raising this question?

Yes, Sir. But that is not the point raised in the Question. The responsibility for judicial appointments in the Federal Republic is, of course, a matter for the German authorities. That has been the position since 1949, but Her Majesty's Government retain an interest in this matter and it is one about which I feel sure the Federal Government recognise their responsibilities.

asked the Prime Minister if he will specify the topics he intends to discuss with the Ministers of the Russian Government during his forthcoming visit to Russia.

I am not prepared to disclose in advance what particular topics will be raised by Her Majesty's Government during these talks.

Is the Prime Minister aware—and, of course, he is—of the close inter-relation between culture, trade, industry and international relations? Will he, therefore, seek to encourage greater intercourse between Russia and the West in these matters?

I am aware, of course, of the importance of this question.

Is the Prime Minister responsible in any way for the suggestion that he will bring back £1,200 million worth of orders from Russia?

No, Sir. I think the right hon. Gentleman must have been reading the newspapers.