asked the Minister of Labour whether he will initiate a national survey of the intentions of firms to increase their intake of apprentices and learners in 1961 and the succeeding years when there will be a large increase in the numbers of school-leavers.

All industries were asked last year by the Industrial Training Council to assess their future training needs. Many foresee a need to increase their intake, though they feel unable to make precise forecasts.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the 154 firms which gave this affirmative reply to the British Employers Confederation were from a total of over 300 firms, so that only about 50 per cent. gave a really positive reply? Secondly, will the Government themselves try to get an accurate survey made so that they will know how far industry is likely to supply the extra needs of the extra number of school leavers and how far the Government will have to try to fill the gap?

I will accept the figures given by the hon. Gentleman. In reply to the second part of his supplementary question, I do not think there would be much value in duplicating the activities in which the I.T.C. and the B.E.C are already engaged. The Government are very concerned to stimulate industry as much as possible to increase its intake.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a study of the financial and other methods used by foreign Governments to encourage firms to increase their intake of appren-times and learners, with a view to their possible adaptation to the needs of the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friend and I have already studied information about the rôle of government in apprenticeship and training questions in certain major industrial countries While recognising the value of many features of their systems in the national environments to which they belong, I am doubtful whether they could be successfully adapted to our own industrial climate.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some countries have increased the number of apprentices by some sort of differential tax system—for example, by having a special training levy for firms which employ skilled workers and by giving a rebate to those who train their share or more than their share? Is not this the time of the year when the Minister might usefully discuss these ideas with his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I can assure the House that my right hon. Friend is keeping these matters well in mind all the time.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the new Government scheme for training apprentices.

Discussions are proceeding with both sides of industry, and my right hon. Friend will make a statement as soon as they are concluded.

Does that statement of the Minister mean that the announcement in the Press that the Government intended to institute first-year apprenticeship courses in several Government establishments was premature? Also, in the discussions which are taking place, presumably on the basis of the premature announcement in the Press, has the first year been considered as a first year of the apprenticeship course, or is it to be a pre-apprenticeship year?

The announcements in the Press were both premature and unauthorised. As regards the second matter raised by the hon. Gentleman, my right hon. Friend prefers not to make an announcement until he has reached agreement with both sides of industry.

How soon is shortly?

Very soon.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to improve the pay and conditions of service of youth employment officers so that he can recruit to the service men and women of the educational and personal standards recommended by the National Youth Employment Council.

The salaries of youth employment officers in local authority employment are a matter for the local authorities' appropriate National Joint Council, which has had a revision of these salaries under consideration for some time. The Council is aware of the importance of recruiting men and women of the right calibre for this work and my right hon. Friend hopes that it will arrive speedily at an agreed conclusion.

Will not the Minister bring some pressure to bear on the local education authorities in this matter, because these conditions have been bad for a long time and his own Youth Employment Central Council reported adversely on the training and prospects of youth employment officers? Can not he hurry the matter along?

Salary negotiations are at the moment taking place with local authority associations and I hope that agreement can be reached expeditiously.

asked the Minister of Labour how many local education authorities operating the Youth Employment Service have failed so far to bring their establishment up to the required strength to cater for the bulge.

Most authorities have made proper staffing provision for the bulge. A few have proposals for additional posts under consideration at present. My right hon. Friend is keeping the situation under review.

Has the hon. Gentleman information about the calibre of the new appointments which have been made? Can he say whether they are men of the right quality for these posts?

Yes, we think that those newly appointed are people of the right calibre, and we hope that those who will be attracted to this work will be of the required calibre, also.

asked the Minister of Labour how many immigrants are unemployed in Willesden; and what steps he is taking to overcome the difficulties of their absorption into industry.

I understand that the hon. Member is particularly concerned with the question of coloured immigrants from Commonwealth countries. On 7th March, there were 268 such immigrants registered as unemployed at Willesden Employment Exchange, including 155 men and 113 women. The Employment Exchange makes every effort to place them in suitable work, and a considerable number have been absorbed into local industry.

Is the Minister aware that one in nine of immigrants from the West Indies usually come to live in Willesden and that we have a splendid record, particularly in firms like Ascot and Heinz, for integrating these people within local industry? At the same time, will he take steps to persuade those firms which are not yet absorbing coloured workers into their organisations to do so?

I am aware that the Borough of Willesden has a very good record in this respect, and I hope that other firms will follow the example set by those good firms.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the full establishment strength of the Inspectorate of class II inspectors and the number of such inspectors actually in post; and what is the salary scale for this grade.

One hundred and fourteen and 85 respectively. There are also seven candidates awaiting appointment. The salary scale commences at £650, at age 23. It is age-pointed to £750 at age 26 and rises to £1,035 per annum.

Does not the Minister agree that it would be desirable to have as many graduates at this level as possible entering the service with suitable scientific qualifications? In view of that need, plus the fact that recruitment is obviously not so good as we had hoped it would be two or three years ago when the White Paper was issued, will he change the salary scale so that it is equivalent to that of the works grade?

The question of the balance between those with technical qualifications and those without technical qualifications in the Factory Inspectorate was discussed, as the hon. Gentleman knows, in the White Paper of 1956, with the conclusions of which I agree. Various steps have been taken recently to improve recruitment, and I am glad to say that in the last few weeks there has been an increase in the number coming forward. As regards improvement in the salary scale, I should like the hon. Gentleman to know that the figures I have given do not take account of negotiations which are at present going on as a result of recent increases in Civil Service remuneration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give an estimate of the additional work the Inspectorate must face as a result of the recent Factories Act and the comprehensive regulations to be issued for works of civil engineering; and whether he proposes to increase the number of inspectors in post.

Additional work arising from new duties is taken into account at each stage in the continuous review of staff requirements. Meanwhile, recruitment of inspectors is proceeding to bring the number in post up to the authorised establishment.

Does the Minister agree that it is not only the volume of the work which is increasing but its complexity, and the strain on the members of the Inspectorate, a most devoted body of workers—as devoted as any in the country—is considerable and is likely to increase? Will he, therefore, accept what the House has often urged upon him and his predecessors, in particular that the total numbers within the Inspectorate should be substantially increased?

I gave the hon. Gentleman an undertaking to keep the numbers under review as the regulations come into operation. I shall certainly do that.

Is it not a fact that some years ago this country subscribed to an I.L.O. Convention which laid down that factory inspectors should visit each factory or workplace at least once a year? Is it not a fact that we are failing in this respect—indeed, failing to visit them, on average, more than once in two years or even longer? Does this not strengthen the case made by my hon Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross) for an increase in the establishment?

I should like to have an opportunity of looking at the I.L.O. Convention before committing myself on that point.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give an estimate of the number of factory inspectors with professional qualifications in building construction and civil engineering that will be needed to ensure adequate inspection after the proposed new safety regulations come into force.

I am considering what arrangements will be necessary to ensure adequate inspection when these regulations are made, but I cannot at present give the estimate asked for by the right hon. Gentleman.

When does the Minister think that the regulations will be made?

We were hoping that it would be possible to make them by Easter, but perhaps I could make a definite announcement later.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent, under his regulations governing the postponement of call-up, the hardship to an employer arising from the loss of skilled labour may be taken into account by hardship tribunals.

The National Service Regulations indicate that exceptional hardship to an employer may give ground for postponement of call-up if the absence of the applicant would require new arrangements for carrying on the business or discontinuing it, and if those arrangements would either be unreasonable or require time to make.

Is the Minister aware that there is complaint from small firms about this kind of hardship not being taken into account by tribunals? Has he in mind the representations which I have consistently made to his Department about a small firm dependent upon apprentices who have completed their training where the production programme is disrupted again and again by the call-up of these men as soon as they become fully skilled? Will he, therefore, review the matter and call to the attention of hardship tribunals what he has just said?

I think that hardship tribunals are well aware of the circumstances which I have mentioned to the House. I have seen the cases which have been brought to our notice by the hon. Gentleman. In one case, I think that no application was made for postponement, and in another it is still under consideration.

Will the Minister bear in mind that, while many of us are grateful to him for the prompt action which his Department very frequently takes in such cases when the circumstances are brought direct to his notice, it is only because local tribunals seem to be unaware of their power to take this matter into consideration that it becomes necessary to trouble the Minister at all? Will he think again about his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler), who asked whether he would take particular steps to see that local tribunals are made aware that they have power and should use the power to take hardship to an employer into consideration in suitable cases?

I will certainly look at the point and see that it is brought to their notice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a man who has been granted deferment of National Service in order to qualify for a profession, and who passes his qualifying examination before 1st June, 1960, is then compelled to undertake his National Service, whereas a man who fails the same examination and is then granted a further deferment beyond that date is exempted altogether; and if he will take steps to rectify this anomaly.

Yes, Sir. This is not properly to be regarded as an anomaly. Deferment from National Service for students is granted to enable studies to be completed where this is justified, including a second attempt at a final examination, and the rewarding of success or failure is not involved.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that in these cases a man who fails the final examination in the first place gains a very considerable advantage both financially and from the point of view of experience in his job over a man who is successful, and there is obviously a very strong temptation to a person who knows he can pass these exams to fail in the first place? Now that the last date for call-up is coming so very close, will my right hon. Friend consider exempting altogether from National Service those people who are deferred for this reason and who pass their final exams before 1st June next?

I hardly think that gentlemen are likely deliberately to fail examinations. I do not think that I could at this stage exempt from National Service those who have passed their examinations. There is the other aspect, that those who failed once, if they were to be called up for National Service, might very well suffer great hardship for the rest of their lives.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies for joiners in Bolton and district are registered at the Bolton Employment Exchange.

Eighteen on 15th February, 1960.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Bolton and district the number is now about 80? In view of this and as about 25 apprentices in the joinery trade are liable for call-up, will the right hon. Gentleman give special consideration to their deferment for some time? Further, is the Minister aware that this situation has been brought about by an increased use of concrete in building and the consequent need for more joiners for shuttering and so on?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give me the information which he has given to the House, which I will look into.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that many persons unemployed in Aberdeen have migrated, on the recommendation of his Department, to Luton and other places in England where they are unable to get suitable residential accommoda- tion; and what steps his officers take, before making such recommendation, to satisfy themselves that persons so migrating are likely to find suitable residential accommodation in England.

A number of men from Aberden have recently obtained employment in Luton and elsewhere through the services of my Department. At Luton, where there is a shortage of accommodation, the employer concerned undertook to find suitable lodgings, and I understand that most men from Aberdeen are generally satisfied, although there have been a few complaints. Employment exchanges have standing instructions that persons accepted for employment away from home should not be sent forward unless suitable accommodation is available for them, and I am satisfied that these instructions are being fully carried out.

Is it not a fact that the employers concerned have not found adequate accommodation for all the workers who came? Is the Mijiister aware that this lack of Governmental co-ordination negatives the purpose for which legislation relating to the distribution of industry was passed? Is he further aware that the Tory policy expressed last Friday by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) has made industrialists and workers very angry? Will the Minister repudiate that policy and say that it is not Government policy?

There has been no lack of Government co-ordination in this matter. The local officer assured himself when the firm carried out the interviews that it would be able to see that accommodation was provided for these men. I have seen various accounts of this matter which have appeared in both the national and local Press. I know that there is a difference of view here, but the regional board for industry has protested at the way in which one or two complaints have been greatly exaggerated.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply and replies to similar Questions relating to industry and employment, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.

The hon. and learned Gentleman must relate his notice to a specific question, otherwise we cannot tell from what point the rule runs.

I referred to a specific question, Mr. Speaker, and to the unsatisfactory nature of the answer.

On a point of order. The hon. and learned Member made some reference to me in his supplementary question. Could not I be permitted—

I had this in mind— that the Minister was not responsible for the pronouncements of the hon. Member.

May I inform you, Sir, that I gave the hon. Member for Kidder-minister (Mr. Nabarro) notice that I would refer to his speech?

May I ask for some clarification? To whom were you referring, Mr. Speaker, a moment ago— to the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) or to myself?

I was referring to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro), because, unless I misheard it, the supplementary question of the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North contained a reference to some pronouncement of the hon. Member. It was in that context that I spoke.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will provide hostel accommodation for the large number of Scottish workers now employed in Luton, who are having great difficulty in securing suitable accommodation.

I am aware that there is a shortage of accommodation in Luton. My Department does not at present operate any hostels for transferred work people, and I am not contemplating opening a hostel at Luton.

Will my right hon. Friend reconsider the position? To give one example, there are five Aberdonians in one room, each paying £3 5s. a week for the privilege. Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the mobility of labour is a great test of his policy on employment and that it would be very discouraging if many of these families have to go back to Aberdeen?

I agree that it would be most discouraging if many returned, but it would be a major operation to reopen or to establish hostels for this purpose in parts of the country in which workpeople are badly needed. The industrial hostels were closed in June, 1956, and I think that we should use our resources to try to induce industry to go to areas where there is higher unemployment.

Is there not the usual reason for co-ordination between the right hon. Gentleman and the Chancellor of the Duchy on this issue?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that on the occasion referred to by the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) I was precisely expressing the policy of Her Majesty's Government?

That does not arise out of this Question.

On a point of order. These two Questions relate to precisely the same matter—the immigration of Aberdonians to England. My supplementary question a moment ago referred only to that issue, Sir. Is it out of order?

The whole thing is out of order. The Minister cannot be asked to comment on a pronouncement by some unofficial Member in any circumstances. I hope that there is no need to pursue this matter further.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it will take some time for the Local Employment Bill, when it becomes an Act, to be successful in attracting industry to various areas? In the meantime, does not my right hon. Friend agree that it is far better that workers should emigrate to places where jobs exist? Is there nothing further that my right hon. Friend can do in consultation with local authorities and with the firms concerned to approve accommodation?

I understand that the firm itself is doing its utmost to obtain better accommodation for those who require it. The fact is that it has been successful is a very large number of cases. In one or two cases, there have been grumbles about the lodgings provided, but we all know that difficulties can arise about that matter. I understand that it is also in touch with local authorities. It is unfortunate that the firm has now ceased to recruit apart from the travel to work area.

Just what I said in the the first place.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed people who have accepted employment in England offered through employment exchanges in Scotland from February, 1959, to February, 1960.

Between 1st March, 1959, and 29th February, 1960, 2,328 people were placed in employment in England by Scottish employment exchanges.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have great sympathy with these people who have to leave Scotland to go to England and to be separated from their families for long periods? Is he further aware that this is the best of our skilled labour, and that it leaves those areas of heavy unemployment much less able to recruit industries because they have not the skilled craftsmen left to attract industry? Would it not be better, instead of coming to Scotland and explaining how successful his Department is in depopulating Scotland, for the Minister to take up the cudgels on behalf of Scotland with the President of the Board of Trade, attract some industry into Scotland and retain the labour we have in these areas of heavy unemployment?

The President of the Board of Trade is doing his utmost to induce industry to go to Scotland, and I am glad to say that his efforts are being successful, as the hon. Member will acknowledge. The number of 2,328 people who left Scotland to go to England is 1·3 per cent. of the total number of placings in my Department, which includes 177,000 in Scotland itself.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Scotland we are losing by emigration 25,000 workers each year and that that is the number which the President of the Board of Trade estimates he will be able to recruit into industry over the next three years? In other words, we are making no headway with the problem, and the right hon. Gentleman is making it worse if he does not take up the cudgels on our behalf.

I have done all I can to support the President of the Board of Trade in inducing industry to go to Scotland, and I hope that the hon. Member and his hon. Friends will do the same.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the latest figures of unemployed cotton workers, corrected so far as possible for unregistered unemployed, in the constituency of Nelson and Colne; how many mills have given notice to close under the Cotton Industry Act by the end of March; and what is the estimated figure of unemployed cotton workers by 31st March, on the assumption that alternative work is not found by that date.

At 15th February, 1960, 525 people last employed on the spinning or weaving of cotton, linen and man made fibres were registered at employment exchanges and youth employment offices in Nelson and Colne which cover a wider area than the hon. Gentleman's constituency. In view of the terms of the compensation scheme, it is unlikely that any substantial number of unemployed people have failed to register. Forty-eight mills gave notice to close under the Act, 26 of which had closed by the end of February. Nine hundred and sixty people are employed at those mills due to close during March.

With regard to nonregistration, does not the right hon. Gentleman know that there are a number of married women who work in these factories and who do not register? That was what I had in mind when I asked him to correct the figures for the unregistered unemployed. Moreover, is not the right hon. Gentleman in agreement with his officers in the neighbourhood that by 31st March, which is the operative date, 62 mills in this area ought to have closed, in pursuance of their notice under the Act, and that the number of workers involved and made redundant in the absence of alternative employment by that date will amount to about 2,500? What does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do with these displaced persons? Are we to go to the High Commissioner for Refugees, or is any step being taken?

The last sentence is unworthy of the hon. Member. The point I wished to make is that unemployed workers displaced under the scheme will need to register in order to maintain eligibility for compensation payment, that presumably they will all want to receive their compensation payment, and that they will therefore register.

They do not.

The indications are that they do and that they will want to do so. The hon. Member said that the number of mills being closed was 62. I think that in that calculation he has included those mills which are scrapping some machinery and modernising, but which are not closing. The number closing is 48. As to the question about future employment, new projects are expected to provide employment for 800 men and 450 women in the area.

Does the Minister not know that, in spite of this anticipated increased unemployment by the end of March of nearly 1,000 persons—on his own figures—nevertheless this area has not been included in those areas to be given assistance under the Local Employment Bill? Is he aware that the President of the Board of Trade has said that the reasons for that exclusion are crystal clear? Will he not take steps to make the President of the Board of Trade aware of the figures, themselves understated, for which he makes himself responsible?

I am aware of that fact. The President of the Board of Trade is well aware of the situation in the area. Neither of us accepts the figures which the hon. Member produced in his supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many foxes were destroyed by his pest control officers from Mount Mascal, Bexley, at Shortlands and on Chislehurst Common on 20th January; and how were they destroyed.

Nine foxes were killed in the drive organised by my pests officers at Mount Mascal on 20th January, and 11 at Sundridge Park and Chislehurst Common on 18th January. All were shot.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is some concern about the number of foxes to be seen in built-up areas of north-west Kent? Is the situation getting worse? Does he feel that his pest control officers can deal with it?

The hon. Member is quite right. Foxes have been giving trouble on the outskirts of London, particularly in Kent and Surrey. My pest officers have given advice and they are helping to deal with the problem. I think that they are the people best able to deal with these animals humanely.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state the total number of foxes destroyed by his pest control officers since 1st January, 1959, up to the latest convenient date.

From 1st January, 1959, to 31st January, 1960, some 2,000 foxes were destroyed by my pests officers or killed in drives organised by them.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that information, may I ask whether it is not a matter of some surprise that the foxes could be killed so easily and without being chased by hounds, horses and people dressed in red jackets? Does he not think that this is the best way of dealing with them?

I think that the hon. Member has possibly got the figures out of proportion. I remind him that 21,000 foxes were killed between 1st January, 1959, and 31st January, this year, by hunts and so on.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the result of this discussions about the possibility of introducing grants towards the cost of shooting wood-pigeons after 31st March.

Consideration of this matter has not yet been completed, but I hope that I shall be able to make an announcement very soon.

When he is having these discussions, will my right hon. Friend look into the possibility of having comprehensive pest clearance societies to cover rabbits, wood-pigeons and grey squirrels?

If my hon. Friend does not mind, I think it is better to wait until I make the announcement.

Would my right hon. Friend also consider having a word with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to see whether he can get Purchase Tax taken off cartridges, which is the best solution?

I am sure that the Chancellor will note what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation was paid in respect of slaughter of birds on account of fowl pest in each of the years 1955 to 1959, inclusive.

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As all these figures add up to a considerable sum. may I ask what the right hon. Gentleman is doing to encourage more research and inquiry into other ways of reducing the effect of fowl pest?

There is another Question on that subject on the Paper this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the present disquieting trends of the disease, he will arrange for an independent inquiry into the methods of dealing with fowl pest in this country.

The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have been studying this question for some time and we have come to the conclusion that we should appoint a Committee of Inquiry with the following terms of reference:

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his decision to set up this committee will be very well received inside the farming community, in which there has been anxiety about both the sharp increase in the incidence of the disease and generally about the heavy cost to the taxpayer in compensation? Would my right hon. Friend say whether this Committee of Inquiry will have the same facilities to visit foreign countries in order to investigate the latest methods of dealing with the disease that the Gowers Committee had when dealing with foot-and-mouth disease?

Yes, I have said that I want the experience gained in recent years in this and other countries to be taken into consideration, and I should like this committee to have very much the same sort of powers as had Sir Ernest Gowers's Committee.

While welcoming the decision to set up the Committee about fowl pest, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will also consider having consultations with the United States of America's authorities about imports of poultry to United States of America bases in this country which, it is claimed, carry this virus of fowl pest, in view of a recent report that the United States authorities would welcome such an inquiry?

That is, of course, an entirely different question—[HON. MEMBERS: "But very important."]—and the hon. Member has mentioned the subject before. As he knows, we have no evidence to substantiate certain allegations which have been made that the disease has been spread from these American air bases. We have no evidence at all to support that, but this and other matters will come within the purview of this inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his attention has been called to the substantial fall which has occurred in the wholesale price of bacon in the last few weeks, with the result that British bacon curers are now faced with the alternative of passing on to pig producers the full effect of the fall in the bacon market and thus losing supplies, or of incurring substantial losses in order to pay the prices necessary to maintain an adequate supply of pigs in the face of the competition of the pork market; and when he expects to be in a position to ensure to the British bacon industry a more stable future.

The price of bacon has fallen in recent weeks but the operation of the price guarantees shields the pig producer against the full impact of the fall. The increase in the guaranteed price for pigs and the adjustments to the guarantee arrangements, which were announced in the White Paper (Cmnd. 970) published on Thursday last, will, however, be of considerable assistance to the bacon industry as well as to producers.

Will my right hon. Friend tell the British farmer straight out whether he wants him to go on producing bacon pigs or not, so that he knows where he is? Is he aware that the White Paper gives him very little encouragement? If bacon factories continue to go out of existence, will my right hon. Friend consider taking further remedial action?

My hon. and gallant Friend is not quite right. I have the White Paper before me, and I will quote from it:

"For pigs the aims should be to secure a moderate increase in the breeding herd, but to avoid an increase to a level which would put an unreasonable burden on the taxpayer."

As there is growing concern on both sides of the House about the large sums of public money being used as subsidies, will the Minister try to explain to his hon. and gallant Friend the virtues of unsubsidised private enterprise?

The hon. Gentleman is rather apt to get up and say he resents the sum of money which goes to subsidise the farming industry. He knows that I do not agree with him there. The farming industry plays a great part in the economy of our country and should be encouraged in the way we do encourage it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the effect in the United Kingdom of the better control of foot-and-mouth disease in countries shipping meat to Great Britain and the proposals advanced by the Argentine Government to this end, he now proposes to strengthen his Department's veterinary staff in South America.

Yes, Sir. The report made by my Chief Veterinary Officer after he had visited South America as consultant to the Food and Agriculture Organisation in 1958 called attention to the advantages that would accrue from more vigorous foot-and-mouth disease control in South American countries. An additional veterinary officer of my Department is going to South America very shortly to give further assistance to the authorities there.

While welcoming that appointment, may I ask my right hon. Friend if he will take the opportunity to impress on the Argentine Government and other Governments concerned in the Americas our very close interest in seeing that they really do get ahead now with clearing their countries from foot-and-mouth disease, stage by stage, starting preferably with vaccination?

I am glad my hon. Friend has asked that question. I will certainly do that. I should like to take this opportunity of thanking my hon. Friend for the very considerable personal interest he has taken in this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the Food and Agriculture Organisation's freedom from hunger campaign.

The Tenth Session of the Conference of the Food and Agricultural Organisation in November, 1959, unanimously approved a campaign designed to focus attention upon the continuing problem of hunger and malnutrition in a world with rapidly rising populations. This campaign will run for the five-year period 1960–65. I have recently discussed plans for the campaign with the Director-General of F.A.O. himself. I am now giving thought to ways and means of organising United Kingdom participation in it.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him whether we can rest assured that the Government will give every encouragement to this campaign, which should have very beneficial effects not only in this country but throughout the world?

Yes, I can assure the hon. Gentleman that we shall actively help in every way we can.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the increased efficiency of the agricultural industry in the year 1959–60 is due to the injection of new capital; how much new capital has been invested in farming by landlords, tenants and owner-occupiers in each of the last five years; and what is the total capital sum now invested in British agriculture.

It is difficult to say what proportion of the increased effi- ciency of the agricultural industry in 1959–60 can be attributed to the injection of new capital. New capital investment in agricultural equipment and buildings in the United Kingdom in each of the years 1955 to 1958 was £104 million, £95 million, £106 million, and £125 million, respectively, and is provisionally estimated for 1959 at £135 millon It is equally difficult to give a firm estimate of the total capital sum now invested in British agriculture.

Would my right hon. Friend agree that the increasing efficiency of the industry is largely made possible by these substantial injections of new capital, and will he bear in mind that the so-called net income of the industry consists of reward of farmers' manual and managerial labour plus interest on this capital? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that, after allowing a reasonable return for farmers' managerial and manuel work, there is a sufficient income in the industry to provide an adequate return on this greatly increased capital?

These are matters which are taken into account in the Price Review. I think my hon. and gallant Friend is quite right to point out the very considerable sums of money involved in capital fixed equipment in the agricultural industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as representing the Minister for Science, whether he will ask the Agricultural Research Council to investigate the detrimental effects of mechanical lift on the potato crop during the dry weather of 1959, so that full information can be made available to see whether any steps are desirable to prevent a recurrence of present serious losses.

A pilot survey of the incidence of damage is being carried out on the 1959 crop by the Potato Marketing Board. The Agricultural Research Council is co-operating and account is being taken of damage to tubers and losses from the time of lifting in the field until retail sale. When the report of this survey is completed consideration will be given to any aspects which call for further research.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what increase he is proposing in the ceiling for information expenditure next year.

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the publication of the Civil Estimates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement of the Foreign Secretary last week, though apparently premature, that there would be an increase of the ceiling is welcome on this side of the House? May I put this point to him? This year the B.B.C. has been forced to cut its transmissions to the Far East for lack of money. When this ceiling is increased next year it will be given money to restore those transmissions. Why must it lose the audience which it has built up over many years because of financial stringency this year? Will the right hon. Gentleman look into that?

For the details, the hon. Gentleman will not have to await very long publication of the Civil Estimates. On the subject of the B.B.C., I would remind him that the allocation to the B.B.C. since 1956–57 has increased by £1 million, from £5½ million to £6½ million.

Why must the services be cut this year to be restored next year, with all that that involves?

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await the Civil Estimates, which I am not going to anticipate.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what opportunities he provides for British people preparing to reside abroad to train themselves in the social and political background of the countries concerned.

My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth Relations and the Colonies, and the President of the Board of Trade, ensure that members of their staffs who are to serve abroad are as fully informed as possible before departure about the social and political background of the countries to which they are going.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that does not really cover the matter? Has his attention been drawn to the recent speech on the subject by Lord Chandos? Is he aware that the picture of Britain people get overseas is not made primarily by his information services but by British people who go overseas? Will he give every encouragement to such people, perhaps through the appropriate voluntary societies, to inform themselves about the religious and local customs, so as to make a contribution to good relations with this country?

I do most warmly agree with what the hon. Gentleman has said. Whatever part official services may play, it is a small part compared with the part which can be played by those who are going unofficially, for one purpose or another, overseas. This question does give me the opportunity of saying that the Departments concerned are very ready indeed to make available their facilities for giving information which such persons going overseas need.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many times the Advisory Committee on the Selection of Low Price Books for Overseas has met; and how many titles it has so far recommended for selection.

In full session once, with a second full session arranged shortly. There have, of course, been very many informal consultations and discussions as well. They are now studying the numerous suggestions received, and a volume of evidence from overseas, on suitable titles. Their first recommendations on titles will follow this study.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is really very disappointing and very unsatisfactory progress? Is he aware that after the original announcement of this scheme in July last year we ought to have gone a great deal farther than that by this time? Is he aware that my information is that he is completely bogged down in advisory and Departmental committees? Will he get some action on this matter?

I am in no sense bogged down by advisory and Departmental committees. The Advisory Committee on the selection of titles has an immense task to do, particularly at the outset. It has received a wealth of advice from this country and, indeed, from all over the world and it is doing the important preliminary task of sifting that advice, a necessary process before it recommends titles.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when the first titles in his scheme for low-priced books for overseas are expected to be available in overseas territories.

Towards the end of this year.

Is the Minister aware that he told the House in February that he expected that he would distribute 2 million titles by the end of this year? Is he now saying that there is no chance of achieving that object now?

I cannot foretell, but following the selection of titles there is very substantial work to be done in negotiations with the publishers, as the hon. Member will appreciate. I shall do everything to speed this work, but the preliminary work on the selection of titles is taking a great deal of time, and quite naturally so.

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

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will consider taking the necessary action to change the title of the National Assistance Board.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance what requests he has received to change the title of the National Assistance Board; and if he will make a statement.

Suggestions are made from time to time that the title of the National Assistance Board should be changed though they vary widely as to the alternative. I do not think that it would be justifiable to introduce legislation for this purpose. I would remind my hon. Friends that the Board has removed the words "National Assistance" from the order-books on which its grants are cashed at the Post Office and I think this should largely achieve the object which my hon. Friends have in mind.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for removing the term from the order-books, may I ask whether he does not realise that there are still many people who, perhaps misguidedly, are too proud or often too self-relient to apply for assistance because it is called "assistance" and that these people are often the most worthy of help? Would my right hon. Friend not consider making some change which would bring this section of the community to apply for assistance?

I do not think that the name of the paying body has really much influence on decisions of this kind. I am reinforced in that view by the fact that the National Assistance Board has paid the non-contributory old-age pension now for twelve years without, as far as I know, any of the difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers arising. More important, the National Assistance Board and its officers have won tributes from both sides of the House for the humane and civilised way in which they do their job. It would be quite wrong, and something of a farce, to introduce legislation for the sole purpose of changing the nomenclature while leaving the functions unaffected.

While joining with my right hon. Friend in the tribute paid to the officers of the Board, may I point out that, however popular the initials N.A.B. might be in the House, the title "National Assistance Board" does repel people who are most worthy of being assisted? I have many examples in my constituency. Will my right hon. Friend look at the matter again?

My hon. Friend will recall that the words "National Assistance" were themselves introduced some years ago to get rid of the ill-impression made by the older phrase "Outdoor Relief". I have gone into this matter very closely. I am in great sympathy with the object which my hon. Friend has in mind, since, like him, I would not wish to see any person entitled to assistance denied it by false considerations of names, but, after reflecting on this, I do not think that the introduction of legislation just to change the name of the Board would help in the slightest.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will arrange for a doctor to sit on all local war pensions committees to guide the laymen on medical questions which arise, particularly with regard to the condition of 1914–18 ex-Service men.

No, Sir.

Does the Minister realise that this suggestion was brought to my attention by a member of a local war pensions committee who informed me that it was very difficult for these committees to assess the claims of 1914–18 ex-Service men without having medical advice, particularly in cases of worsening condition? Is the Minister aware that these men are having a raw deal all round? Will he therefore reconsider this matter and also reconsider his refusal to extend to them the right to go to the Appeal Tribunal which is already enjoyed by the ex-Service men of the last war?

The last part of the hon. Lady's supplementary question plainly does not arise on the Question. As to the earlier part, there are, as she knows, a number of doctors who in their own right serve as very valuable members of these committees, but it would be a hopeless proposition to put a doctor as such on a committee and expect him to be able to weigh and judge between competing experts over the whole field of medicine.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance, in view of the increasing numbers of people drawing National Assistance, whether he will now agree to increase the retirement pension.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will consider raising the retirement pension during 1960.

As I told the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) in answer to his previous Question on this subject, we are keeping the rates of retirement pension and other benefits under review. As regards National Assistance, the scales of supplementary pensions were substantially increased last September to a higher standard than ever before, which is bound to affect the numbers being drawn now as compared with the numbers being drawn before this improvement was made.

While recognising what the right hon. Gentleman has said about the larger numbers, because of the slight increase in the scale, may I ask whether he can indicate to the House what further proof he wants of actual poverty among old-age pensioners before he agrees to the scale?

That is far too big a question to deal with by way of question and answer, but, as the hon. Member well knows, retirement pensioners now come from every section of the community and generalisations such as he made are, with respect, not very helpful in this matter. The hon. Member will appreciate that if we raise the real value of National Assistance, as we did last year for the first time since 1948, the automatic effect must be to make more people eligible to draw it. As I said in reply to an earlier Question, we are anxious that all who are entitled to draw it should do so.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he has given his approval to the guarantees given by the British Overseas Airways Corporation in respect of the instalment payments on the purchase of five Comet airliners by Middle East Airlines.

I have now approved the proposal of British Overseas Airways Corporation for guaranteeing the purchase of four Comets by Middle East Airlines.

Does that mean that there is general Government approval? According to Press comments, the Minister has approved but the Treasury so far has not approved. Can the right hon. Gentleman make any comment about that?

I naturally would not give my approval without consulting my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

While approving this deal, may I ask why a transaction such as this cannot be dealt with by such an organisation as the Export Credits Guarantee Corporation, which was set up for exports?

This whole matter has been somewhat complicated by the fact that the proposal to which I referred in reply to the Question does not stand alone. It is part of a wider rearrangement of the commercial relations between B.O.A.C. and the Middle East Airlines.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now make a detailed statement giving dates and costs of the Government programme for building hospitals, and the steps already taken to implement it.

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my statements about the hospital building programme on 16th November, 1959, and 29th February, 1960, in reply to Questions by my noble Friend the Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel). Detailed information about hospital boards' estimates of capital expenditure on individual projects costing over £100,000 is set out in Appendix A to the Civil Estimates, Class V, Vote 5, and further information is published in the Annual Reports of the Ministry.

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that I am not asking about past programmes but about present programmes? In addition, can he say how many of these hospitals will be located in Scotland?

In answer to the first part of the supplementary question, may I say that I realise that? The information which the hon. and learned Member will find in the answers to which I have referred him relates to the future programme. As to the second part of his supplementary question, I am not the Minister of Health for Scotland.

What progress has been achieved in the programme which the right hon. and learned Gentleman has already given us?

Very fine progress indeed.

asked the Minister of Health why he gave official Press publicity to the availability of poliomyelitis vaccination for persons up to the age of 40 years before making the necessary arrangements for this service to be rendered.

Detailed circulars were issued to the local health authorities and executive councils on the same day as the extension of the poliomyelitis scheme was announced in the House and notified to the Press.

Is the Minister aware that in West Willesden this service was not available until three weeks after the day of his broadcast? In view of the number of times in recent years when the Ministry of Health has been ham-fisted in the way in which it has co-ordinated its services with the medical profession, may I ask whether the Minister will overhaul his Department's views on this matter?

There is some misunderstanding here. I made no broadcast on this occasion on this matter. I have had no complaints from Middlesex County Council, which is the local health authority responsible for Willesden, and, as far as I am aware, no local health authority, no general practitioner and no member of the public has suffered any inconvenience at all in this matter.

I beg to give notice that I should like to raise this matter on the Adjournment.