asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the recent visit of his Parliamentary Secretary to Sunderland.

Yes, Sir. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for my hon. Friend to learn at first hand of the employment problems of Sunderland. The Government will continue to do all they can to encourage industrial development in the area.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we enjoyed the visit of the Parliamentary Secretary very much, but that we have a level of 5 per cent. unemployment which has persisted for a long time and shows signs of increasing? As yet there axe no signs of effective Government action.

It was because I recognised that Sunderland has particular difficulties in this connection that I originally—and my hon. Friend kindly took my place at the last moment—decided to visit Sunderland.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that on 17th January, 1961, 100 skilled

Yes, Sir. A further 37 men were paid off on 20th January. One hundred and twenty-two of these workers registered at the employment exchange, 37 of them have already entered new employment and 17 have been put forward for known vacancies. My local officers are doing everything possible to find suitable employment for the remainder. The Government are fully aware of the difficulties of the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry throughout the country and the problem is being studied by a special sub-committee of the Shipbuilding Advisory Committee.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that "doing everything possible"—to quote his phrase—is far too vague, and that the conduct of the Government towards shipbuilding and ship-repairing is not only disappointing but, in Aberdeen, a gross dereliction of their duty? Will he consult other Ministers, notably the First Lord of the Admiralty, with a view to having more orders for shipbuilding and ship-repairing sent to Aberdeen?

The Government are fully aware of the difficulties, but, fortunately, in Aberdeen unemployment in this industry has been falling in recent months, and immediately before this recession it was low.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that one of the main complaints from people who become redundant is that employers are not giving sufficient notice to local employment exchanges to help them to anticipate the unemployment? Both sides of the industry are keen about this. Will the hon. Gentleman see that employers apprise local exchanges of requirements in this respect?

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising that point, and I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to expand the Youth Employment Service to deal with the large increase in the number of school leavers this year and in the next few years.

The staffing needs are kept under regular review in consultation with education authorities. Since 1956 the number of Youth Employment Officers has increased by 335 or 365 per cent.

What steps are being taken to meet the special needs of the greater number of school leavers this year and for two or three years ahead? This year there will be more than 20 per cent. increase in the number of school leavers over last year's figure. Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there needs to be an expansion this year in the Youth Employment Service if the boys and girls leaving school are to get the individual attention received by their predecessors?

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern about this, but I am glad to report to the House that, as I have just said, there has been a considerable increase in the number of officers, and the training facilities for new entrants into the Service have also been improved.

asked the Minister of Labour how many man hours were lost by workers in the motor industry through strikes and short-time working, respectively, during the year ended 31st December, 1960.

During 1960, 503,000 working days were lost in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry through industrial disputes. Corresponding figures for time lost through short-time working are not available.

While we regret these strikes, may I ask whether it is not the case that the amount of time actually lost through strikes is very small, amounting to only one and a half days per man per annum, and that, consequently, the effect on the difficulties of the motor industry has been extremely small? In those circumstances, would not the right hon. Gentleman now say when his committee on labour relations in the motor industry will report?

I should not like to exaggerate or minimise the effect of strikes. It is important to realise that the 503,000 working days lost in the motor industry in 1960 represent about one-sixth of the total working days lost in industry as a whole, so we must not minimise the gravity of the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of workers in the motor industry unemployed on 1st January, 1961; how many were working on short-time; and what action he is taking to provide suitable employment for those unemployed and underemployed.

No figures are available for 1st January, 1961. On 16th January there were 3,476 workers wholly unemployed in the motor vehicle manufacturing industry and 38,298 registered as temporarily stopped. It is estimated that at that time 123,000 were working on short-time in firms making motor vehicles and components. My local officers are doing everything possible to help those seeking other employment.

Are not these figures very grave? In the circumstances, particularly as the situation has deteriorated considerably since January, what guidance is the Minister giving to both workers and management about the figure at which he intends or hopes to stabilise the labour force in the motor industry? Does he intend that the labour force should remain constant, that it should be reduced, or even that it should be increased at some later date?

We have no power to direct labour. The motor industry is going through a very difficult time, but I hope that matters will improve during this year.

In view of the tragic figures which the right hon. Gentleman has just given, can he say whether it is still the intention of the motor car industry employers to go ahead with their £300 million expansion programme?

So far as I know, they have every intention of going ahead with the programme of expansion which they have announced, which shows that the motor car industry has confidence in its future.

asked the Minister of Labour on what date he received an application for a labour permit to employ Leni Riefenstahl in film production in Great Britain; if he has consulted the trade unions in the industry about this application; and if, in view of her long record of pro-Nazi activities, he will refuse his consent.

I have received no application.

Does that reply mean that all the publicity boost has been for nothing and that, in spite of what has appeared in the Press, the Ministry knows nothing of this person's wishes to produce films in this country?

I have received no application. The other day there was a film on the B.B.C., but it was filmed in Germany. I cannot give any more information than I now have.

When considering these applications, will the Minister remember that very careful consideration should be given before people who have been identified with the Nazi movement are permitted into this country, in view of the terrible and brutal way in which that movement was run?

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary also has duties in this respect, and clearly both he and I would carefully consider any application of this sort.

asked the Minister of Labour what effects the proposed closure of the Walton-on-Thames film studio will have on local employment and on employment in the film industry nationally.

The Walton studios closed on 15th January this year.

In spite of that Answer, will the Parliamentary Secretary undertake to consult the Board of Trade about the possibility, which still exists, of saving this studio for the film industry's production capacity? Is he aware that the number of film studios in Britain which have been closed in the last ten years has seriously jeopardised the industry's production capacity? As there is still a possibility of the Government intervening to save this studio, will the hon. Gentleman consult the Board of Trade to try to persuade it to take some action so that these technicians can be re-employed in their own industry?

My right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is well aware of the position, because the hon. Member asked him some Questions about it the other day. We do not expect any difficulty about finding suitable employment for the people affected by the closure of the Walton-on-Thames studio.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons were employed, or self-employed, in the boatbuilding industry at the last convenient date; and how many were so employed at the first convenient date in 1950.

Figures for shipbuilding are available but I regret that separate figures for boatbuilding are not kept.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that small boatbuilding and the sailing of small boats are growing in popularity? In view of the enormous increase in production of small craft and the parlous state of the shipbuilding industry, will he ask the President of the Board of Trade to give special consideration to firms which apply to him for financial assistance to increase their present boatbuilding yards?

I suggest that my hon. Friend puts that matter to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. I will ensure that what my hon. Friend has just said is also made available to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the difficulties caused to shipping by the strike of ship-repairers on Merseyside; and whether he will now intervene to bring about a settlement of the dispute.

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the difficulties caused by this strike. My officers have already offered to convene a joint meeting with a view to restoring normal working. It has not yet been possible to arrange such a meeting, but my officers are holding themselves immediately available and will continue their efforts to bring about a settlement

Is the night hon. Gentleman aware that 4,000 men, men employed on ancillary work as well as ship-repairers, are now affected? Is he aware that by the end of the week ship-repairers will have lost £60,000 in wages, while other men affected will have lost £40,000 in wages? How much longer are we to wait for the end of a strike which in Liverpool is resulting in 4,000 men walking the streets and looking for assistance? I am concerned about the poverty of these men. Is it not time that someone made a move?

I share the hon. Gentleman's concern about the strike and I can only repeat that my officers and I will do all we can when we get an opportunity to try to bring about a settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the latest available unemployment figures for the Blyth Employment Exchange, specifying the length of unemployment of males, females and persons under 18, respectively; and what were the comparable figures at the same date in 1959 and 1960

As the reply consists of tables of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the position is likely to deteriorate in the very near future, because of the shortage of orders at the Blyth shipyard? Will he inform his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that we are anxiously awaiting his doing something to implement the promises which he was bandying around so freely in the recent by-election?

Yes, Sir. I agree that in the near future there may be difficulties in both the coalmining and the shipbuilding industries, on which the area is mainly dependent. Both my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and my night hon. Friend the Minister of Labour will continue to watch the situation very closely. I know that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade will keep the position under review. Following are the tables:

asked the Minister of Labour how many group apprenticeship schemes were set up during 1960; and in which industries they were established.

I am informed that there are five such schemes. Four are for engineering apprentices, and one for commercial apprentices.

Is not that reply very unsatisfactory? We know that the general shortage of skilled personnel in industry is very grave. Does the right hon. Gentleman feel that the powers which Lord McCorquodale's Committee has within the general scheme are sufficient? If we are to have complete neglect by hundreds of relatively small and middle-sized firms of the opportunity of joint schemes of this sort, should we not consider some way in which we can penalise them for their neglect?

I share the hon. Member's concern. In view of this disappointing response, this month and next my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary and I will attend regional conferences all over the country under the auspices of the I.T.C. and the Ministry of Labour to try to bring these problems home to people on the spot. Any help which hon. Members on either side of the House can give in this connection will be gratefully received.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the unemployment figures for Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, and Haverfordwest at the last convenient date, and the corresponding figures for 1960.

The figures are 916, 486 and 318 respectively at 16th January, and 208, 201 and 160 respectively at 11th January, 1960.

What are the Government going to do about it?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Welsh Affairs told him in a recent Adjournment debate that the Government are now giving the situation in that part of Wales the utmost priority.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed are registered at the Brixton Employment Exchange; and what percentage this represents of the working population in the area covered by this exchange.

At 16th January, 2,305. I regret that it is not possible to provide percentage rates of unemployment for particular parts of London.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that, because he cannot give the exact figures for which I have asked, he is very successfully blurring the issue, because by pushing Brixton and other London exchanges into a large London and South-East Region, which takes us right to the south coast, he therefore arrives at quite a misleading figure when it comes to the percentage of unemployment?

I can tell the hon. Gentleman that the percentage of unemployment for Greater London is 1·2 per cent. of the insured population. The point is that people in Brixton and Lambeth work all over London. As regards the figures, the number unemployed this month is less than the number a year ago.

asked the Minister of Labour when he intends to publish the results of his inquiry into the distribution of workpeople's industrial earnings.

My right hon. Friend hopes to publish the first analyses in the April, 1961, issue of the Ministry of Labour Gazette. Further analyses will be published during the summer.

It is gratifying to know that progress is at last being made in this matter, but does the hon. Gentleman realise that the cautionary figures, that will appear to correct and balance the figures of earnings that are now published, will not arrive in time for the debates that take place this week? Will he, therefore, warn his right hon. and hon. Friends who may be speaking in these debates this week and make sure that they do not use the average figures of earnings that are now published in the Ministry of Labour Gazette as an accurate indication of living standards in this country?

I am sure that my right hon. and hon. Friends will take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the effects of the recent series of negotiations with the Icelandic Government on the British fishing industry.

The effects on the distant-water fleet of any settlement with Iceland are very much in my mind, but I cannot add anything to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal gave my hon. Friend last Monday.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the start of the spring fishing season will be on us very soon? As soon as that starts, trawlers will undoubtedly go inside 12-mile limit. Will he do his best to secure a settlement by next month, or see that trawlers are escorted by naval vessels when fishing on the high seas?

I am well aware that the spring fishing season will soon be with us, at the end of this month or at the beginning of March, and it is my earnest hope that agreement will be reached before then.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the practicability of selling bread in frozen form, so enabling price reductions to be made, what research he proposes to undertake to investigate the possibilities in this respect.

I do not think that it has been established that there would be any economic advantage in selling bread in frozen form but the Food Research Advisory Committee, which was set up by my right hon. Friend's predecessor and the Secretary of State for Scotland in April last year and which is at present carrying out a general survey of food research needs, is being asked to consider whether we should be justified in making public funds available for further research into this question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the United States Government have been financing surveys on the practicability of selling frozen bread? Further, is he aware that the results have shown several advantages and also the possibility of a reduction in price? I am not saying that it is good, but, as this is an important matter, will the hon. Gentleman look into it from that point of view?

I have said that my right hon. Friend is asking the Food Research Advisory Committee to look at this matter, but the hon. Gentleman should not assume that the conditions for the distribution of bread in the United States and in this country are necessarily the same.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom during the past twelve months have been attributed to infection brought here in meat from South America, and to what extent to other causes, sudh as birds migrating from the Continent.

Of the twenty-six primary outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease which occurred during the past twelve months, thirteen were attributed to infection from meat imported from South America and one to an escape of virus from the Research Institute at Pirbright. The other twelve outbreaks were classified as obscure. It is, of course, rarely possible to attribute an outbreak definitely to birds although we think it likely that they do cause some of the outbreaks.

Does my right hon. Friend agree that these South American meat imports are still showing far too frequently to be the cause of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease here? Following the action that he has taken on the banning of frozen pig imports from South America into this country, are there any further particular measures that he feels he can take to try to save us from this constant threat?

The next Question on the Order Paper in the name of my hon. Friend asks what action has been taken within the Argentine on this. The banning of pork is also mentioned in the next Question. As regards beef, the balance of advantage lies in continuing these imports which constitute about 17 per cent. of our beef supplies and are of good quality meat which we could not at present replace from other sources

While I agree that it is necessary to do all that is possible to keep disease, and this disease in particular, out of this country, may I ask whether the Minister is satisfied that everything is being done in the countries concerned—Argentine in the case he mentioned just now—by his own Ministry if necessary, to sort out the sources of infection, and to sort out infected beasts from those which are not, so as not to prevent those not infected from coming in?

We have very detailed arrangements in the Argentine where frigorificos are concerned. If foot-and-mouth disease is found in a single animal, no meat is exported from that particular troop of cattle. This agreement is loyally observed by the Governments concerned, and my Department has three veterinary officers in Buenos Aires who advise and assist the South American Government in carrying out the agreement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the ban on the importation of frozen pig products suspected of bringing foot-and-mouth disease to this country has now been imposed; and if the cattle vaccination measures recently proposed by the Argentine authorities to control the disease and reduce the risk of infection being transmitted in beef products are now being put into effect.

A prohibition on imports of fresh and refrigerated pork and edible pork offal from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay came into operation on 1st February.

This sounds all very satisfactory. Shall we know whether these undertakings are being carried out effectively? Has the Minister any means of checking what is happening, because, as I think he will agree, we have had promises and undertakings from the Argentine before, ever since the Bledisloe Agreement, and we still get a lot of trouble from South America from frozen and chilled meat imported here? Can we keep a close check on what is being imported, and will my right hon. Friend give every possible help in making these measures fully effective?

I think that my hon. Friend will agree that the measures I have outlined are, on paper, a considerable step forward. They have been going for only about a month and I have not yet had information from our people, but I have asked them to send me a report as soon as possible about the progress that is being made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will implement the recommendations of the Committee on Hedgerow and Farm Timber.

The Committee's recommendations did not lend themselves to formal implementation, but the Forestry Commission and my Department have encouraged the planting of hedgerow trees and farm woodlands as far as possible along the lines of the advice they received from the Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will so amend the Milk Marketing Scheme as to ensure that his prior approval is sought on every occasion on which the Milk Marketing Board decides to proceed with the sale of a farm;

Under the Milk Marketing Scheme, the Board has the same rights in regard to the sale of farms as any ordinary vendor. I see no need for special protec tion of other interests in the few cases when the Board may make such a sale. Only the Board could initiate an amendment of its Scheme, except in special circumstances which do not arise here.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that where a farm estate is to be sold to clear debts it would be better to sell it in such a way that the public would know that the sale had been above board? Is he quite satisfied that the system used to sell this farm privately was the best means of proceeding, in view of the fact that the tenant, who is now bankrupt, is £5,000 short of finding the capital required to clear his debts?

I do not agree with the hon. Member's suggestion that a sale other than by auction is not above board. I think that I answered the hon. Member's point in my original Answer.

On a point of order. In view of that most unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food approximately how many acres of agricultural land in the eastern half of England were flooded during the past year.

I regret that the information is not readily available.

Is it not a fact that a huge area of Eastern England has been flooded during the past year? Is it not also true that in one year out of three that area is probably short of water in the summer? In view of that fact, when is the Minister going to get together with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government in order to co-ordinate policies for conservation and drainage? Further, will the Minister look at the Motion on the Order Paper, signed by over 90 hon. Members?

As the hon. Member knows, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has set up a committee and has given it detailed terms of reference on the question of the conservation of water.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, after trial, he is satisfied with the working of the new apparatus used for punching the ears of cattle and sheep at certification centres for live animals.

Difficulties have sometimes been experienced with the new type of punch and, in consultation with the manufacturers, we are introducing some modifications which will, I hope, solve the problem.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but may I ask him to bear in mind that the amount of bleeding which the apparatus causes, particularly in the case of sheep, has caused a good deal of public comment? Will he try to see that the apparatus is perfected, so as to avoid that?

I am most anxious that we should get ahead with this new modification, which I believe will solve the major difficulties at present inherent in this machine. I hope that we will be able to get the modified version out to the officers concerned as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is now in a position to make a further statement on the proposed closure of the Research Station at Grey-hope Road, Aberdeen; whether it has been sold; to whom it has been sold; whether the apparatus there has now been sold; to whom it has been sold; how many, and which, members of the staff are, and are not, still employed there, respectively; and what provision has been made for those dismissed.

An offer by Unilever Ltd. to purchase these premises has been accepted. The apparatus has not yet been sold, except for the accelerated freeze drying cabinet which was on loan from Messrs. Armour and which has been disposed of by that firm. During the past six months, twenty-three officers have resigned or been transferred elsewhere. No officers have been dismissed, and we are doing are best to find other work for the forty-five officers still employed at Aberdeen. Some of them 'have already received offers of employment from the Agricultural Research Council.

Does the Minister realise that the way in which the Government have bundled up this famous factory has inflicted a very great loss, scientifically and financially, and that labour losses have been inflicted on the fishing industry, particularly in Aberdeen? I wish to state categorically that the points involved in my Question have not been answered by the Minister. In those circumstances, will he write to me and give me the details, or perhaps give them to me now?

I do not realise any of the things the hon. and learned Gentleman has included in his supplementary question, but I will accept his invitation to write to him in order to clear his mind of a great many doubts on this matter, which he still seems to find obscure.

On a point of order. In view of that unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many tigers were permitted to be brought into the United Kingdom under orders made by Her Majesty's Government in 1959 and 1960.

Licences were issued under the Diseases of Animals legislation for the importation of twenty-seven tigers into Great Britain in 1959 and three in 1960.

Are any of these tigers to be shot by members of the Royal Family?

Order. That supplementary question is out of order.

A complete flop.

On a point of order. Is it not the case, Mr. Speaker, that it has already been determined and accepted by a Government of which the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) was Prime Minister that questions affecting the Royal Family were quite in order in this House?

I take my guidance from page 358 of the current edition of Erskine May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has made to the request of the National Farmers' Union that an international conference should be called of all barley exporting countries.

So far my Department has given only preliminary comments, and a full reply will be sent after further consideration.

Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that the butter conference, and similar conferences, had very good results? Will he do something to see that this problem is dealt with internationally before enormous harm is done to the industry by dumping barley from Eastern Europe?

We are looking at this matter very carefully, but many considerations are involved and I could not be drawn today into anticipating my eventual reply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the organisation in the United Kingdom of the Food and Agriculture Organisation's Freedom from Hunger Campaign.

Yes. I am very glad to be able to inform the House that Earl De La Warr has agreed to be the chairman of the national committee. I am now considering the membership of the committee in consultation with him.

The appointment of the chairman is first-class. Can my right hon. Friend now say how long it will be before he expects to be able to set up the committee?

I could not give an exact time. It will be as soon as possible. We are getting on with it.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made with the scheme for subsidising British books for overseas sale.

The production of the twenty-three low-priced university textbooks, the titles of which I announced in November, is now under way, and the first batch has been sent off. Arrangements to produce some additional textbooks are being completed, and I expect to announce their titles shortly. Mr. Norrington, chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Selection of Low-Priced Books, has recently visited India and Pakistan, and I am looking forward to hearing his conclusions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these books have been on sale in India at prices well above the authorised prices, and that a flourishing black market seems to be developing? What information has he about this, and what does he intend to do about it?

The books to which I refer have not yet arrived and been placed on sale in India, so the hon. Member's information cannot relate to the books to which I have referred.

Does that situation apply in the case of the books which the right hon. Gentleman described in his last Answer to a Question from me?

My answer concerned the twenty-three textbooks. Progress is being made. Indeed, copies of the first are on their way to India, but I am informed that they have not yet arrived.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will amend the Regulations under the Industrial Injuries Act to enable deafness caused by industrial conditions to qualify for benefit.

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Prentice) on 28th November.

Is the Minister aware that there are hundreds of cases of deafness, including many in my constituency, caused by industrial conditions? What investigations has he carried out? Will he accept an invitation to visit my constituency to see for himself?

As to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, I would refer him to the Answer I gave to his hon. Friend the Member for East Ham, North, which made it clear that this matter was before the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. The hon. Member also knows that a good deal of research is going on, with which I keep in touch. If he has studied the provisions of Section 55 of the Industrial Injuries Act he will see that this is not a clear or easy matter. As for the second part of the supplementary question, it would be a pleasure to accept the hon. Member's invitation, but I do not propose to do so from this Box.

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many people in Wales claimed from the National Assistance Board the return of their medical prescription charges during the last twelve months; and what amount of money was involved.

About £100,000 was refunded by the National Assistance Board to people in Wales in respect of payments made by way of prescription charges in 1960. This represents the charge made in respect of about 2 million prescriptions. Figures are not available as to the number of people to whom such payments were made.

Would not it be a lot wiser to save administrative expense by allowing these people not to have to pay the money in the first place? On the production of their National Assistance books, could not they have their prescriptions and be saved the humiliation of having to put in claims to get their shillings back?

As the hon. Member knows, it is not a case of putting in a claim. They produce their receipts with their order books and draw the two together,

Is the hon. Lady aware that there are a lot of people who resent having to go through this procedure? Will the Department not look at the possibility of a reform in this matter? It would be a commonsense thing to do to save administrative trouble.

My right hon. Friend and his right hon. colleague will take into account what the hon. Member has said, but I think the indication he has given that the procedure is more difficult than it is does scant justice to the efforts which have been made to make repayment as easy as possible. As I have said, in the main, those who are on National Assistance draw, at the same time as they draw their National Assistance grants, the money which they have expended in prescription charges.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the present stock position with regard to household coal and smokeless fuels and the prospects for the next three months.

asked the Minister of Power if he considers the present stocks of house coal to be satisfactory; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Minister of Power whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of domestic coal which has now developed and the difficulties which will occur if the weather deteriorates; and what action he proposes to take now to avoid these difficulties.

There is no general shortage of house coal. On 21st January, merchants' stocks of house coal were only a little lower than last year—1·06 million tons against 1·18 million tons. Demand by householders has been very high but the National Coal Board has increased its output of large coal and, with the close co-operation of the railways, has been able to dispatch 12½ per cent. more house coal in the first twelve weeks of winter than a year ago. These efforts will be continued. Supplies of solid smokeless fuels are adequate to meet requirements, although my right hon. Friend cannot guarantee that a particular fuel will always be available in a particular locality.

The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned the co-operation of the railways. Is he satisfied, whatever may be the conditions now, that the railways will be able to co-operate sufficiently, or is there some method whereby road transport could be used more than it is?

Co-operation between the National Coal Board and the British Transport Commission is of a very high standard. Meetings are held weekly at which the position is reviewed. In the late autumn arrangements were made for handling coal by road transport and substantial quantities are being moved by road by the Commission.

My hon. Friend says that there is no shortage of house coal this year. Is he aware that, compared with the same time last year, there was a shortage then and there is one now in parts of the country? Does he remember that on 21st November my right hon. Friend told me that the Coal Board was making plans to increase the percentage of large coal which was mined, compared with small coal, and can he say whether these plans have borne fruit?

I did not say that there was no shortage of house coal. I said that there was no general shortage. The Coal Board conducted a campaign in autumn and winter to try to raise the percentage of round coal in the output. At this time last year the percentage was 22·7 and it is now 24 per cent. I think that the Coal Board should be congratulated on this success.

My hon. Friend says that there is no general shortage. Would he define what he means by "general", because the shortage seems widespread? In my constituency there is a considerable shortage of house coal.

A general shortage is a shortage which is very widespread. This one is not.

asked the Minister of Power how much coal is being imported into Scotland from England; and what will be the effect upon the relative stock positions of the two countries.

About 40,000 tons a week. This will not have a significant effect on the relative stock positions.

I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for that Answer. Will he consult with the Coal Board before there are any more closures in Scotland, so that the same position will not arise again? In the past we have heard of taking coals to Newcastle, but is he aware that this is the first time that coal from Newcastle has gone to Scotland?

The increase in imports is due to a shortage of Scottish supplies in relation to local demand. That is a matter for the Coal Board, which is giving it consideration.

Can the Minister tell the House what parts of Scotland import coal from England

The south of Scotland regularly imports coal from England. In the last three weeks the South of Scotland Electricity Board has been anxious about stocks and found that the Scottish Divisional Coal Board could not lift stocks quickly enough to speed the supply, and so the Board bought in from England. It is not expected that the importation will continue for very long.

asked the Minister of Power what action he is taking to ensure adequate stocks of gravity-feed smokeless fuels.

The National Coal Board has told my right hon. Friend that it has taken steps in the last few weeks to improve supplies of small anthracite to the domestic market. For gravity-feed coke boilers, supplies are adequate.

I thank my hon. Friend for that Answer. Will he agree that the gravity-feed boilers will burn no other fuel than anthracite grains and that, for that reason, they are registered with the Coal Board? Is he aware that, in spite of that fact, there has been a marked shortage of anthracite grains, including a shortage in parts of my constituency where consumers are almost completely without them, and will he see what can be done?

Something has been done in recent weeks by adjusting the coal operational arrangements to the long-term plans of the Coal Board for supplying anthracite, including supplies for the areas mentioned by my hon. Friend. These plans depend on the output of the new collieries at Cynheidre and Abernant. These collieries began production at the end of last year, and in the next year should produce between them 500.000 extra tons of anthracite.

asked the Minister of Power, in view of the shortage of coal in the Birmingham area, what general direction he has given to the National Coal Board to ensure an equitable distribution of stocks throughout Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Power if he is aware that there are five coal merchants in Shrewsbury with between 2 tons and 30 tons of coal in stock, two merchants with 10 tons of coal in stock and seven merchants with no coal stocks; and if he will give a general direction to the National Coal Board that they should ensure that coal stocks should be distributed equally throughout the country.

Local supply is a matter for the Board and the trade. The Board keeps its distribution arrangements as flexible as possible to meet local shortages when they occur.

How does the Minister explain a case, of which I have details, in which a retailer complained on 4th February that, from November to February, his contract with the Coal Board has fallen by 221 tons? Is he aware that the shortage is widespread and that thousands of people have been unable to stock up for the winter, which is a serious situation for a city of a million people?

The hon. Genleman quotes one single case, and, of course, my right hon. Friend oannot deal with single cases. These are matters for the Coal Board which does its best to supply orders to the merchants. The position in the house coal market is that the merchants' sales of house coal in the first twelve weeks of winter have been 930,000 tons—13 per cent.—up on the previous winter.

In view of all! the references to coal shortages which have been made today, is my hon. Friend still happy that the present policy in respect of open-cast mining is right? Has he in mind that that facet of the industry was one of the few profitable lines run by the National Coal Board?

I cannot accept that there is a general shortage of house coal. There is no general shortage of house coal, as is shown by the stocks. The stocks are 1·06 million tons this year as against 1·18 million tons last year, and the National Coal Board has 460,000 tons of house coal in stock.

Has not my hon. Friend perceived the number of complaints which have come from Midland towns, from Birmingham, Coventry, Wycombe, Shrewsbury and so on? Is he not aware that severe flooding has taken place in the Midlands, notably in the Valley of the Severn, and that the need to dry out houses is one of tihe principal reasons for the exceptional demand for house coal? Is it not nonsense to say that there is not a general shortage or a widespread shortage when manifestly there is? Why whitewash the Coal Board?

No amount of reiteration will turn a local shortage into a general shortage. There is no general shortage. The position at the mines is that in the first twelve weeks of winter the Board has increased despatches by over 800,000 tons, 12½ per cent. more than last winter. The extra supplies have come from the successful drive I have already mentioned for more large coal, from a 50 per cent. rise in despatches of house coal doubles and from screening of unscreened stocks. The amount of the Board's stocks on 21st January was 460,000 tons.

As the hon. Gentleman refers to coal in stock, can we have some clarification? Since distribution has not been nationalised, where does the fault lie for the failure to distribute stocks?

I do not accept that there is any failure in distribution. The National Coal Board does its best, but at this time of the year, with such things as influenza epidemics, there are local difficulties.

On a point of order. I beg to give notice that, owing to the very unsatisfactory nature of the Answer, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Power when he expects to be able to make a statement on the Government's proposals regarding future pipeline development.

asked the Minister of Power whether, in view of the recommendations of the Special Report of the Select Committee on the Esso Petroleum Company Bill and his Department's researches in the matter, he is in a position to make a statement about the need for more comprehensive legislation to cover the development of oil pipelines in the United Kingdom.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement in the very near future.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that some very extensive pipeline projects are now being contemplated by private enterprise? In view of these developments, will he speed up the Government inquiry and, in the meantime, will he say whether or not his right hon. Friend is still opposed to the further promotion of these pipeline projects through Private Bills?

Regarding the Question before the House, at the moment I can add nothing more useful than to say that a reply will be given in the very near future.

And on the second point?

The second point is not covered by the Question.

As my hon. Friend is conscious of the recommendations of the Select Committee and the need for speed in order to anticipate the requirements of the industry, when he comes to draft legislation will he take into account the wealth of experience available in the United States of America, where they have had legislation on this topic since 1887, and also the wealth of experience obtainable from the Continent of Europe?

As my hon. Friend will know, an investigation has been under way and is now complete. This has covered all aspects of the problem very fully.

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make a statement on the progress now achieved towards a Commonwealth and European space programme under British leadership.

asked the Minister of Aviation what support for a joint space research programme he has received from those Governments he recently consulted.

asked the Minister of Aviation (1) whether he will make a statement on the European Conference on Space Research held at Strasbourg; and

I will, for convenience, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the final communique of the Conference just concluded at Strasbourg. Delegates expressed keen interest in the political, scientific, economic and technological advantages of co-operation in the manufacture of launchers for heavy satellites. If an Organisation for this purpose is set up, it will be on a long-term basis and will as its first programme use the British Blue Streak as a first stage, a French rocket as a second stage and a third stage manufactured elsewhere in Europe. Delegates are reporting to their Governments. The United Kingdom and French Governments will now be asking their partners in the Conference to study its results with a view to deciding whether to form such an Organisation.

While indicating our interest in this statement, may I ask if it is also true that the overtures of the right hon. Gentleman on behalf of Blue Streak have been decisively rejected by the Bonn Government? In view of that fact and the somewhat frosty welcome they got in other quarters, would it not be better to devote any spare money he has to the social purposes which his Government are so viciously attacking at present?

No, Sir. I understand that Herr Strauss was asked a question which referred to an Anglo-French decision over the development of a rocket for space satellite purposes. I am informed that Herr Strauss explained that it was not a question of an Anglo-French decision but of a European programme, in which the initiative had been taken by England. The Federal Republic was in principle ready to take part. It thought it necessary that European and American efforts should be coordinated in order to avoid duplication, which had taken place in other fields and which had cost a great deal of money. The Federal Republic had neither the possibility of, nor any interest in, developing or contributing to a rocket of its own for space purposes. It is clear that the German Government have not yet reached their decision on the discussions which have been taking place in Strasbourg. No doubt they will be considering the reports of their delegations to that Conference before making their final decision in the matter. Meanwhile, it is also plain that they maintain their interest, which they have already expressed, in the suggestions which we have been discussing.

Does all that mean that Blue Streak is to be used or that Blue Streak is not to be used? What about associating the Commonwealth and the United States with this new body in Strasbourg? Can the right hon. Gentleman say something about the estimated cost of our contribution and that of the other countries concerned?

It is plain that, if this organisation is formed, it will be upon the basis of Blue Streak as a first stage. As to the co-operation with other countries, Australia will undoubtedly be the place from which this particular programme, using Blue Streak as a first stage, will be launched. The capital facilities and the like are there. If other Commonwealth countries, now or later, wish to be associated, no doubt provisions could be arranged whereby, by suitable contributions, they could be brought in. We, of course, welcome every co-operation with the United States of America. We always have cooperated with them and it certainly is our intention to go on co-operating with them, but, if one is to co-operate with someone on something, it is quite a good thing to know a little about how to do it oneself in order to contribute something.

Ask the Russians.

With regard to the actual amount of money, the British subscription would be on the basis of 33⅓ per cent., as has already been announced, which, on the basis of £70 million as the cost of the whole project, would be £23,300,000 over five years.

Will the Minister accept the congratulations of all those who believe that Britain has an expanding future in persisting in this task, despite the obscurantism on both sides of the House and in The Times over this matter? He has earned the respect of the whole country for what he has been doing. Will he make it clear that if, for one reason or another, the Germans do not want Blue Streak included in the programme, and if the present plan falls through, he will nevertheless persist in carrying out a space programme of our own, which we are quite capable of doing?

I would rather leave what we might do until we have received replies from various Governments concerned, but I hope that what I have said today has cleared up a little some misunderstandings about the German position.

Will my right hon. Friend take comfort from the fact that those who are in the know are entirely with him in his efforts to aohieve a coordinated Commonwealth space programme? Even if my right hon. Friend fails to succeed in achieving European co-operation, it is of dire necessity that the Commonwealth itself should achieve a co-ordinated space satellite programme in view of its fantastic importance to coming generation in this country.

Is not the position that the right hon. Gentleman is trying on behalf of the Government to recover the losses sustained on Blue Streak by foisting it on to other countries? In spite of his denial about the statement by Herr Strauss, the fact is that the Bonn Government, while quite prepared to enter into an agreement of a European or world or general oharacter for the purposes of launching a satellite of this kind, will have nothing to do with Blue Streak.

No, Sir. They have said nothing of the kind. I hope that the Answer which I have given today—which I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will study—'will help to dispel that illusion in his mind. May I also seek to dispel one other? The British Government are not trying to recover money which they have spent on Blue Streak. On the contrary, what the British Government have done is to put in the knowledge of the British Blue Streak rocket free to the European organisation, as a first stage, and on that to attempt to build what I believe all sides of the House may on reflection think to be a useful thing—an organisation capable of making launchers for heavy satellites.

Is it part of the agreement which my right hon. Friend hopes to obtain that if Blue Streak is used in the first instance, future rockets for space research will not be built in this country?

No, Sir. I do not say that they will not be built in this country. If we have this organisation it must be regarded as a long-term enterprise; that is to say, we do not intend just to carry through a project of this kind for five years and then drop it. The first programme will be based on Blue Streak. What will happen five years from then probably will not be in my hands. What will happen is that, within the countries which are co-operating in Europe, within the members of the club, rockets will continue to be manufactured.

In view of the speed with which both Russia and the United States are developing their space programmes, are we not in some danger of being left far behind unless urgent and immediate decisions are taken?

These are arguments for getting on with the job rather than for not starting it at all. Following is the communiqué: The Conference convened by the Governments of the United Kingdom and France at Strasbourg to consider their ideas for the development, through co-operation between European States, of space launchers for peaceful purposes concluded today (2nd February).