asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking further to stimulate trade between Canada and the United Kingdom.

With the help of the recently reconstituted Western Hemisphere Exports Council we are strengthening our export drive to Canada as to other markets. We welcome the expansion of Canada's exports to this country.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Canada is also very anxious to welcome the expansion of British exports to Canada? Will he ensure that no obstacles at this end stand in the way of increasing British participation in the Canadian economy?

I certainly do not know of such obstacles. If there are any, I will try to dispose of them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to receive the Report of the inter-departmental committee on trade commissions presided over by Sir Henry Wilson Smith.

The Report of Sir Henry Wilson Smith's Committee on the future of the Trade Commission Service has been received and is now under consideration.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether that Report will be published and made available to Members, bearing in mind that 18 months ago the Estimates Committee expressed its concern over certain aspects of the work of the trade commissioners in Commonwealth countries?

I understand that the Report has from the start been designed as a confidential report to Ministers, but certainly a full statement will be made to the House.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what help Her Majesty's Government are giving to British firms who wish to assist in the development of Ethiopia.

All the normal facilities, including credit insurance, given by Her Majesty's Government to British firms trading with foreign countries are available in respect of Ethiopia.

Can my right hon. Friend give me an assurance that he and the Government are well aware of the importance of increasing the participation of British firms in the work of development in Ethiopia, bearing in mind that there is strong competition from certain members of the Soviet bloc?

Yes. This is a very useful market for us, but we must never forget that our capital available for export is limited, and I think we all believe that priority must be given to Commonwealth countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Russian importers of British knitwear have expressed dissatisfaction at the quality of the goods delivered; haw these orders were placed; whether the responsible trade organisations were consulted; what control was exercised over the quality; What investigations he has made into these complaints; and if he will make a statement.

On reading of these Russian complaints, I made detailed inquiries. The Russian purchasing organisation ordered the goods concerned from suppliers of their awn choosing. I understand that only a very small proportion of the total supplies has been the subject of complaints and that claims have been settled to the complete satisfaction of the Russians.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the whole of the textile quota in the last trade agreement was grabbed by a former Member of this House, an extreme Left-winger, who knows nothing at all of the trade, who did not go through the trade at all, who parcelled out the orders to third-rate manufacturers and who, as a consequence, has got the British manufacturers a bad name in the export markets? Will my right hon. Friend stress to the Soviet authorities that next time they give orders of this kind, they should go through the proper channels and not to their mere camp followers?

We must leave it to the Russian Government to decide through what channels they buy their goods. I am, however, glad to say that despite these complaints, about which there has been a rather exaggerated amount of publicity, they are still continuing to buy British products.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to attract new industries to Congleton to give employment to men who will be unemployed as a result of the impending closure of the Silver Springs Bleaching and Dyeing Company, Limited.

As my hon. Friend will already know from a letter sent to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, there are a considerable number of new jobs in prospect in Cangleton and the surrounding area which should provide alternative opportunities of employment.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that a number of firms in Congleton are working short time and that the closure of this mill will considerably affect the employment of male labour? Bearing in mind that in years gone by Congleton has always suffered considerably because it has no staple industry, and it would not need much more to see it go altogether the wrong way, will my right hon. Friend give the matter his personal attention?

Certainly, I will bear that in mind. I think, however, that the employment prospects in the area are, on the whole, quite encouraging.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to encourage and facilitate exports.

We are constantly improving the range and quality of the services provided for British exporters. This is a continuous process.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that mere exhortations to exporters and to the general public will not solve the problem? On the positive side, may I put two supplementary questions? Are the Government doing anything to try to achieve international agreement on export credits, since, if each exporting country tries to outbid the other in this field, this will lead to a form of economic warfare which, in the long run, will not help British exporters? Secondly, have the Government any proposals to put forward to the next meeting of G.A.T.T. with a view to achieving an all-round reduction in tariffs and thus increasing international trade?

Yes, Sir. I agree that mere exhortation is not enough and I hope that we are doing a good deal more than that. Concerning export credit insurance, we firmly support the Berne Union, an international organisation designed to prevent competitive extension of credit. I have endeavoured to make clear that we go into the session of G.A.T.T. determined to barter reductions in our industrial tariffs in exchange for comparable reductions from other people.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall that in answer to a question concerning exports put to him at a recent public meeting, he said that if the smaller exporter needed help, he could obtain it through private consultants? Is the President aware that these private consultants are expensive and do not really know the job, and that what is needed is local servicing at local market level?

The answer is that there are a large number of merchant houses, confirming houses, shipping agents, and so on, who, despite what the hon. Member may say, can, in my opinion, do a very good job. I wish that more were known about their facilities.

Will my right hon. Friend keep in the forefront of his mind the possibility of another Export Council, such as the European one, for trade with Japan and the Far East, an area which we have neglected in the past few years?

I do not want to have too many Export Councils. The important thing about an Export Council is that we should get people of top quality on it and the number of such people may be limited. I do not close my mind to other new developments, but we should not have a proliferation of Councils without considering the matter closely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what special Government organisations are now helping firms to increase their exports.

At home, the Department principally concerned is the Board of Trade, including the Export Credits Guarantee Department, which, through London and regional offices, provides a wide range of services designed to help the individual exporter. The Central Office of Information also helps with publicity. Abroad, there are 200 Government posts providing commercial information services to exporters. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the "Guide to British Government Services for Exporters."

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reduction he is making in the number of forms required to be filled in by exporting firms.

I keep to the minimum the requirements of my Department for security and statistical purposes. Most of the forms which exporters have to fill in are required not by Her Majesty's Government but for commercial purposes or by other Governments.

Has there not been a great reduction in these forms in recent times?

Yes, Sir. As regards the Board of Trade, we require forms only for certain particular products. There are Customs forms, but they have been very largely reduced. In fact, I think that the annual total of forms required has been reduced by 400,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the effect which the present recession in the motor industry is having on his plans for expansion in Scotland.

As far as I am aware, the plans of the motor industry for production in Scotland have not been affected by the present recession in demand. I am continuing to encourage industry to go to those parts of Scotland which have high unemployment.

How does the right hon. Gentleman propose to create in Scotland through the use of the motor industry employment which the industry is failing to maintain in the Midlands of England? If the industry should fail him, has the President of the Board of Trade any alternative plans to fill the gap? Does he realise that, in the midst of all this, Scottish people are getting depressed because in December unemployment rose by 9,000 to a total of 81,000?

The expansion plans of the motor industry are based on a long-term estimate of demand for motor cars which is not falsified by any short-term fluctuations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the financial loss to the United Kingdom and the distress caused by the redundancy, short-time working and suspensions of workers in the motor industry and its associated industries, what recent steps he has taken, and what further steps he proposes to take, to resolve the industrial and economic problems out of which these difficulties have arisen.

The main cause of the difficulties in the motor industry has been the decline of exports of cars, specially to North America. The extension of the maximum repayment period under the hire-purchase regulations from two to three years, announced last week, should give the industry some help in the home market.

With what firms and persons did the President of the Board of Trade discuss the relevant problems? If he has discovered the causes of the redundancy, as his reply indicates, what steps is he taking to remove those causes and what is the expectation and hope of the unemployed workers being taken back into employment or finding work?

My main channel of communication on these matters is the National Advisory Council, which has employers and workers represented on it. We have taken a step recently on hire purchase to improve the home market position. The improvement in exports of British motor cars lies in the hands of employers and workpeople in the motor industry.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman's general reply relevant to Question No. 8? Is it not a new factor that there is a recession in the North Americana continent which may vitiate against the long-term plans of the industry? In these circumstances, is not the President of the Board of Trade aware of the growing anxiety which is felt in the older established areas of the industry, such as Coventry and the Midlands generally, that the original plans for the expansion of the industry are now out of date and will merely dilute the problem instead of serving the interests of Scotland and other depressed areas?

Certainly, there are difficulties in the North American markets. I hope that they will be a challenge to everyone in the industry to improve production, cut prices and be more competitive. Certainly, my impression is that manufacturers as a whole have no reason to depart from their long-term plans of expansion upon which these Scottish and other projects are based.

Has the Minister seen the review of the National Institute of Economic Research this week, which shows that Scotland suffered worse last year from recession than any other part of the United Kingdom? In these circumstances, is it not even more important that these expansions, including expansion of the motor industry, should go forward in Scotland?

Yes. I quite agree.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware, of the urgent need for more industry in Aberdeen; and what steps he has taken during the last three months, and what steps he plans to take, to bring new industries to Aberdeen.

The Board of Trade continues to take every suitable opportunity to interest industrialists in Aberdeen where unemployment has fallen from 3,885 in December, 1959, to 2,959 last month.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that, apart from the figures which he has mentioned, that Answer was very vague? Does he not agree that one of the best ways of attracting industry to Aberdeen is to build advance factories? What steps has he taken in that direction? How many advance factories has he either planned or built in Aberdeen?

We are building a number of advance factories, but not in Aberdeen, because I think that the claims of other areas are stronger. I know that Aberdeen has its problems, but I hope that the hon. and learned Member will agree that we have made some progress in the last year.

Aberdeen is too far away.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the inter-Departmental committee set up to inquire into the problem of extended holidays, bank holidays and other matters affecting the British tourist trade has yet reported; and if he will make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the inter-Departmental committee has recommended moving the August Bank holiday to the first half of September; and what action he is taking in the matter.

I am considering this problem.

Will my right hon. Friend do everything in his power to galvanise this committee into a sense of urgency so that action can be taken on recommendations before we get into the summer holiday season?

I am quite aware of the urgency of this problem, but it is very difficult and is tied up with school holidays, industrial holidays and so on. No one should be under the illusion that there is a simple answer to it. Anything we can do to spread out the holiday season and avoid these ridiculous peaks will be very valuable.

Will the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be a good thing and in the public interest and would spread the peak demand on transport and accommodation if, instead of having holidays all in the short period between the middle of July and the middle of August, August Bank Holiday were celebrated in the first half of September? There could be no argument against that.

That is precisely the sort of suggestion we ought to consider.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the proposal to close the supply reserve depot at Barry, what steps he will take to replace the depot by an industrial firm or undertaking.

As the depot is not expected to close until October, 1963, it is too early to say how it should best be disposed of in the national interest

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that this will be the third such closure of a Government-owned depot in recent years? To that extent, is it not completely at variance with Government policy for bringing industry to the area?

The whole situation of employment in South Wales has radically improved in recent years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade from what bodies he has now received oral evidence with regard to resale price maintenance in addition to written replies to his questionnaire; whether he proposes to extend the inquiry to Canada, the United States of America and other countries where experience of value in this field is available; and whether he will give an assurance that, before reaching any final decision as to whether it is necessary to amend at this stage the relevant section of the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, he will issue a fully summary of the results of the inquiry.

As this inquiry is confidential I do not propose to publish a list of organisations that have given evidence. Information has been obtained from Canada and the United States and inquiries have been made in Sweden. I shall bear in mind what my hon. Friend says about publishing the results of the inquiry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what evidence he has received, in the course of his inquiry into resale price maintenance, regarding the effect of such agreements on the retail price of petrol.

Evidence on this subject has been tendered by a number of suppliers of petroleum products and by distributors.

Can my right hon. Friend say what margin of profit petrol retailers make per gallon of petrol and whether he is satisfied that this is in fact as low as it should be?

I doubt whether there is Ministerial responsibility on that point, but as my hon. Friend knows the Monopolies Commission has started an inquiry into what is known as the "solus site" system, which is a matter that has given rise to some disquiet. I hope that the inquiry will produce useful information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the results of his investigations in resale price maintenance.

The inquiry is not yet complete.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is making approaches to consumer organisations to get their opinions, and also whether he is making special investigations into the pricing arrangements of the car industry with particular reference to the sale of accessories? Is he aware that these are too highly priced?

I answered a Question last week saying that we had been in touch with the extremely valuable and important consumer organisations. So far as motor cars are concerned, our inquiry covers all forms of price maintenance.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs have been created in Wales by the completion of new factories and extensions during each of the last three years; how many have been created since the passing of the Local Employment Act; and how many new jobs are in prospect in Wales during 1961.

New factories and extensions known to be completed in 1958, 1959 and 1960 had employment estimated by the firms concerned of 2,336, 1,807 and 2,610 respectively. Comparable figures for the period since the passing of the Local Employment Act are not yet available. It is estimated that about 15,000 persons will be employed by schemes now known to be under construction. Some of these will be completed in 1961.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for that very encouraging reply?

asked the President of the Board of Trade from information available to him through his regional office, how many manufacturers employing less than 100 workers and producing all categories of goods are located within the Urban District Council of Rugeley, the Rural District Council of Lichfield, the City of Lichfield and the Borough of Tamworth, respectively; and how many are exporting their manufactures.

I regret the information asked for is not available.

While that admission of ignorance was not unexpected, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that he grossly underestimates the export potential of small firms? Is he aware that if he would listen to business men who go into the world's markets he would begin to understand that the old structure of London confirming houses and overseas agencies is grossly irrelevant to present-day requirements?

I am always delighted to listen to people who know what they are talking about in these matters. I am sorry that we do not have this information, but I do not believe in collecting information for the sake of collecting information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken, in order to expand United Kingdom exports and increase Anglo-Soviet trade, by way of assistance to the British Trade Exhibition in Moscow; and whether he will arrange for a British week, or weeks, of activities while the exhibition is being held.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to the hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Mayhew) on 26th January.

Is it not the case that, as at present planned, this exhibition looks like being the biggest foreign trade exhibition ever held in the Soviet Union? In that case, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is his duty simultaneously to stimulate interest in Britain as a whole and in trade in particular while the exhibition is being held?

We thought a good deal about this matter, but we concluded that what was important was to concentrate on trade, and in all the efforts we are making we are concentrating at this fair on increasing the amount sold by Britain to Russia. We will consider any suggestion, but I do not think that that made by the hon. Member would contribute to that end.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for a large pottery exhibit in the British Trade Exhibition in Moscow, showing pottery being decorated and an exhibition of reinforced plastics and pattern-making being carried out for all requirements in the industry, the patterns being made of glass fibre reinforced plastics.

No, Sir. My Department's exhibit at the British Trade Fair in Moscow will be a general display of recent British scientific and technical achievement. Its construction has already begun and it is not now possible to change its form.

I understand and accept that reply, but will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that his Department gets the co-operation of the pottery industry, so that we can have the best pottery exhibits in the exhibition, justifying the high skill and quality which goes into our pottery products? As so much interest has been created by pottery being decorated by girls at these exhibitions, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that similar arrangements would have a similar effect in Russia?

There is a difficulty. I understand that the pottery manufacturers have decided not to participate because the quota which the Russians give is only £10,000 and it is thus hardly worth while putting on an expensive exhibit in Moscow. However, we shall have further negotiations about quotas for consumer goods, and I will bear the position of the pottery industry very much in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what advice or financial assistance is being given by Her Majesty's Government, in view of the urgency of obtaining new markets for United Kingdom export trade, to the organisers of the British Trade Fair to be held in Moscow in May.

The advice of the Government Departments concerned and of Her Majesty's Embassy in Moscow has been available at all times to the organisers on the many matters on which they have consulted us. There has never been any question of their receiving financial assistance from public funds.

In view of the real importance of this exhibition, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that financial aid should not be given to promote the exhibition in such a way as to obtain the best advantages that we can from it?

They asked for no help. It is a very ambitious fair and I am glad to say that they have already sold all the space available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new jobs were provided in the seven crofting counties in 1960.

About 400.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that figure is very disappointing and unsatisfactory? Is he aware that legislation now before the House will increase the need for employment in this area still further? Will he consult the Secretary of State for Scotland to see whether the Government can take much more positive action to provide jobs in this difficult area?

My figures do not include jobs created in agriculture and forestry. The hon. Member must recognise the facts of life and appreciate that to get industry into the crofting counties is extremely difficult.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the number of jobs in agriculture and forestry is diminishing and that the provision of only 400 new jobs is nothing compared with the number of people who have been forced to leave the crofting counties in the last few years?

The hon. Gentleman must have some regard to the practical difficulties of setting up industry in these remote places.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what date he received notice of the proposed closure of the Walton-on-Thames film studios and an appeal for Government assistance to keep it going; and what action he proposes to take.

On 18th January Mrs. Hannah Fisher, one of the principal shareholders in Walton Studios Ltd., informed me that she would welcome the opportunity to keep Walton as a going concern provided that the offer compared favourably with what had already been received. I do not consider Government financial assistance appropriate in a matter of this kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman pay attention to the fact that, if film studios continue to close at this rate, there will be no production potential left in the British film industry? As he is statutorily responsible for maintaining a film industry in this country, will not he take some action to ensure that this, one of our original film studios, is kept open for the industry?

I do not agree. If there were a shortage of space for film making the price would go up and people would pay more to get the space.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a list of British film studios which have been closed in the last 10 years; and if he will give an estimate of the extent to which, in terms of studio space, these closures have reduced the film industry's production capacity.

There have been additions to studio capacity as well as closures during the period concerned. The net effect has been to reduce floor space available for cinematograph film making by about one-third. I am circulating details of closures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does not this reveal the fact that the capacity, so far as studio space is concerned, to expand the British film industry has been enormously reduced over this period of time? In view of the fact that there is still a situation where 70 per cent. of the films shown in the country are of foreign manufacture, should not the President of the Board of Trade take some action to ensure that no further studio space is lost to the industry?

I do not think that the amount of studio space determines the amount of film production. The intensity of its use is one thing. In fact, the number of long British films registered last year was substantially greater than the number registered 10 years ago.

Will the President of the Board of Trade say whether the National Film Finance Corporation will be permitted by him, and has power, to intervene to keep studios in existence where it feels they may be needed to keep up production? Secondly, in view of the fact that it is becoming nonsense to talk about film production for the cinemas without talking about film production for television, will he say whether he keeps in close touch both with the Postmaster-General and with the Independent Television Authority about the joint arrangements for production between the film industry and the television companies?

I agree that we must keep in touch with television and cinema interests which are getting more and more involved. On the first point, the N.F.F.C. has no statutory power to advance money for the purchase of studios, but if British Lion wanted to make, an approach, no doubt it could consider that with the N.F.F.C.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he will take to control inessential imports from the United States of America in order to protect United Kingdom gold and dollar reserves.

I do not consider that the restriction of imports would strengthen either our economy or our currency.

In view of the quite serious trade gap, does the right hon. Gentleman really think that it is desirable and necessary that a growing number of one-armed bandits and fruit machines costing £300 to £400 each should be imported from America? Is he going to sit idly by and allow this undesirable trade trend to go on without any kind of control?

At a time when we are trying hard to increase the export of inessentials to America, I do not propose to put controls on their sales here.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what assessment he has made of the general effect on British trade of the latest tariff adjustments by the European Economic Corn-mission; and whether he will make a statement.

It is not possible as yet to make a statistical assessment of the effect of these changes.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman know that various trade associations are already doing that? Surely he ought not to be behind them? Surely he should, without delay, be able to give some useful information to the House and to manufacturers generally so that they can formulate their plans?

The right hon. Gentleman asked for an assessment of the general effect on British trade. I think he will realise that there is no individual firm or even association which can do that. To make a general forecast is exceedingly difficult in view of the extremely complex nature of the complex tariff structure involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why imports to the United Kingdom from Formosa have increased during the past 12 months whereas exports from the United Kingdom to Formosa have decreased; and what steps he proposes to take to increase exports to that island.

Imports from Formosa are admitted freely.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there are a large number of people in this country who would like to share in the increasing exports to Formosa from Hong Kong, Australia and other parts of the Commonwealth? Will he consider whether anything more can be done to help in this matter?

I hope that we shall increase our sales there. All the facilities of my Department are available to help in that process.

Will the right hon. Gentleman clarify the position about the Formosan trade mission? Is it in this country now, or is it coming? Has the Board of Trade agreed to meet it? Is he aware that the statements circulating about official recognition of this trade mission are having a very serious effect on our trade with China?

I have seen reports, but I have received no information about any purported official mission, but, of course, that would be governed by political relations between ourselves and the Formosan people.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the imminent resale of Cairnryan Port his Department will purchase the port and installations and lease it to some suitable industrial undertaking.

I am informed that the port is not for sale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the short supply of 140 sodium discharge lamps for street lighting resulting from concentration of the lamp manufacturing industry; and if he will refer this industry to the Monopolies Commission for their consideration.

If the hon. Member has evidence that the conditions to which the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Act, 1948, applies prevail in respect of such lamps, I shall be glad to take it into account when I am considering possible new references to the Monopolies Commission.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Hetton Urban District Council is finding it extremely difficult to obtain sodium discharge lamps? I am informed that other local authorities are having similar difficulties. The position is aggravated by the fact that the ones that have been supplied are not living up to their guaranteed lives. Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it ridiculous for the Ministry of Transport to issue directions to all local authorities to provide better street lighting when this kind of thing takes place? Will he consider investigating the matter?

I will investigate any evidence the hon. Gentleman is kind enough to send me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many times the National Advisory Council for the Motor Manufacturing Industry have met since the beginning of October, 1960; and on how many of those occasions a Minister was present.

Twice. On one of these occasions I was present.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that information. Will he bear in mind the widespread feeling in the industry that this Council, excellent though its composition is, would be more effective and dynamic if it had a Minister as its chairman and was not conducted on the Government side merely at the official level?

That is the opposite of the normal criticism. It is usually suggested that Ministers are not dynamic in their chairmanship of these bodies. The Council can meet as often as the members want it to. I think that the present arrangements are probably the best, but I will be happy to consider any alternatives that members of the Council put forward.

Will the Minister consider publishing reports of the proceedings of this Council? There is great interest in this matter, and the industry would like to know what sort of advice has been tendered to him and his reaction to it.

As the industry is represented both by employers and workpeople on the Council, I think that it should look to the representatives for information. Publication of the reports of meetings may detract from the value and freedom of the discussions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries his Department has made into the restrictive practices of milk carton machine manufacturers which are delaying the introduction of new distributive methods.

The Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements will consider any information tending to show the existence of a restrictive trading agreement registrable under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1956.

Will the President of the Board of Trade draw to the attention of the Registrar the activities of carton manufacturers, who are demanding an excessive commission and so restricting the development of this new technique?

I shall be very glad to receive from the hon. Member and forward to the Registrar any information he cares to let me have.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gallons of sweets were withdrawn from bond in the nine months ended on 31st December; and how many gallons of sweets were in bond at that or some other convenient date compared with the same date in 1959.

I regret that information in respect of December, 1960 is not yet available. I am, however, circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures showing the position as at 30th November, 1960.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue derived from the excise duties on sweets in the nine months ended on 31st December, 1960; and of that total what was attributable under the Fourth Schedule of the Finance Act, 1958, as amended, to still British wines, to sparkling British wines and to dutiable cider and perry.

I regret that figures for December, 1960, are not yet available. The total revenue derived from the excise duties on sweets in the eight months ended on 30th November, 1960, was £2,744,179. Of this total, £2,683,058 was attributable to still British wines and £61,121 to sparkling British wines. Separate figures for cider and perry, strengthened to 15 degrees of proof or more, are not available.

I thank my hon. Friend for those figures. Will he bear in mind that the present duty on cider and perry falls entirely on that part of the industry which uses the greatest proportion of British-grown fruit?

I think that my hon. Friend will agree that that is a matter for the Budget, but we will bear in mind what he says.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he will admit to the sterling area the Cameroun Republic or any territory joining that Republic.

The Cameroun Republic is a member of the French franc monetary area. Her Majesty's Government are not aware that it has any intention of applying for membership of the sterling area.

Considering that the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies stated in this House this week that, whatever the result of the plebiscite, £3 million of the British taxpayers' money, through the Colonial Development Corporation, would be spent in that country even though it may opt to be a foreign State, does not my hon. Friend think that steps should be taken to show that it does not pay to turn on one's Commonwealth friends, such as Nigeria, and also that we prefer to support the sterling area rather than the franc zone?

I think that these are matters for the political parties concerned, but I can tell my hon. Friend that if the Cameroons elect to join the Federation of Nigeria they will certainly remain within the sterling area.

Will not the Minister bear in mind that if we show that we give aid without strings to the people of the Cameroons it will do our reputation nothing but good?

That is outside the ambit of the Question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds the application from Morecambe Shrimp Sellers Ltd. for £813 towards the cost and installation of a shrimp peeling machine, as recommended by the Development Commission, was rejected.

Because my right hon. and learned Friend is not satisfied that the Development Fund is the proper source for assistance of this kind.

In view of the fact that support continues to be given to the white fish industry, is my hon. Friend aware that this decision will be regarded as both parsimonious and illogical? Will he be prepared to show greatness by changing his mind?

No, Sir, certainly not. It is not usual to make advances from the Development Fund when an alternative source of finance exists. I do not say that the White Fish Authority would make a grant in this case, but it is empowered to do so and is perfectly qualified to reach a decision on the merits of the case.