asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further progress the Iron and Steel Holdings Realisation Agency made in the denationalisation of the publicly-owned steel industry in the three months ended 31st January, 1961.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency in the denationalisation of the steel industry during the present Session of Parliament.

During the three months ended 31st January, 1961, the Agency's receipts from realisation of securities in companies which are no longer its subsidiaries, was £1·8 million. Details of an impending sale of prior charges by the Agency have been reported in a Treasury Minute which was laid and published yesterday. This sale of securities, which will realise about £85 million, means the transfer to private ownership of about two-thirds of all the prior charges still held by the Agency in companies of which the equity has already been sold. The proceeds of this sale will enable the Agency to help finance the very large development programme of its subsidiary Richard Thomas & Baldwin Ltd., without calling upon the Exchequer for funds.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend two questions? Firstly, in relation to the £85 million, which was the subject of the Treasury Minute late last evening, has there been a profit or a loss to public funds in that important regard? Secondly, in the context of Messrs. Richard Thomas and Baldwin, can my right hon. and learned Friend, having regard to the long delay which has already occurred, give the House an assurance that this issue, notably of the equities—the bluest of blue chips—is imminent?

With regard to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I stated in October that it was the intention of the Government to see that this process of denationalisation was substantially completed during this Parliament. With regard to the first part, there is no loss to public funds. These prior charges are created almost entirely at the time of the sale of the equities. They were moneys provided by the Agency itself. Therefore, the transaction has to be looked at together with the selling of the equities. As a matter of fact, as far as the four companies are concerned, in which both equities and prior charges has been disposed of, that is to say, Colvilles, Consetts, Dorman Long and United Steel, there is a profit of about £5 million.

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that he is totally wrong and appears to be ignorant of the main facts of this transaction? Is he not aware!that these prior charges were taken up at par by the Realisation Agency and are now beng sold at a heavy discount, involving a loss of about £25 million to the taxpayer? Is he not also aware that this totally unnecessary sale, which will do no good to anyone, is forcing gilt-edged prices down to record low levels, to the serious loss of many tens of thousands of small investors?

I completely disagree with the latter part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. He forgets that we are under a statutory duty to do this. A statutory duty has been laid upon us by Parliament to get rid of these prior charges. As for the right hon. Gentleman's point about the prior stocks having been issued at par, they were issued at the time of the sale of the equity. Unless this money had been put up, the sums received for the equities would not have been what they were. On balance in the books of the Agency there is a surplus of £5 million.

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman really not aware that the fact that certain other transactions took place at the same time makes no difference whatever to the fact that these were issued at par and that therefore a large loss has been incurred? Is he not aware also that, though he is under a statutory obligation to carry out this foolish transaction at some time, he is under no obli- gation whatever to carry it out at a moment when gilt-edged prices are so low that the loss to the taxpayer is at the highest possible figure?

I will give the right hon. Gentleman a practical example. When the equity of the Steel Company of Wales was sold, the Agency received £40 million for it. The Agency certainly would not have received £40 million unless it had been willing to put up £40 million worth of debentures at the same time.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer explain how shares acquired by the Iron and Steel Holding and Realisation Agency at 20s. and now sold at 12s. 9d., as in the case of United Steel, can possibly make a profit.

They were not acquired by the Agency. There is a misunderstanding. I think it is thought that these prior charges were taken over when the industry was nationalised and compensation paid for them. It was nothing of the kind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the scheme, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Kidderminster, introduced by a Scottish hire purchase company, in conjunction with a commercial bank, which allows fax relief to be obtained by buyers of goods on hire purchase in respect of interest charges associated with the transaction; and whether the Inland Revenue have approved this arrangement.

Details of this scheme were submitted to the Inland Revenue, which indicated that, subject to the usual conditions, it would regard the interest paid to the bank as qualifying for tax relief under the existing law.

Does not this decision of the Inland Revenue mean that there is different treatment in taxation matters in the context of hire-purchase transactions north of the Border from that accorded south of the Border? Why should a fiscal preference be given to Scots at the expense of Sassenachs? I am a Sassenach. and I resent this.

I think that my hon. Friend is generalising too much. This relates to a particular transaction, and I do not think that it necessarily has all that much advantage for the persons engaged in it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the burden imposed on a large proportion of office workers by the recent increase in the cost of season tickets; and if he will direct the Board of Inland Revenue to allow the cost of annual season tickets, to and from the place of employment, to be charged against Income Tax as a normal business expense.

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion among many others made to me in connection with the forthcoming Budget.

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply, but will he be good enough to consider the particular aspects of this case? First, as these increased charges are very largely due to the heavy losses incurred by British Railways, is it not a little unfair that this section of taxpayers has to pay their contributions out of taxed as opposed to untaxed incomes? Secondly, will he bear in mind that whereas people going to and from their offices on business are entitled to claim tax relief, people going to and from their homes are not allowed to do so?

I will certainly bear in mind my hon. Friend's points. There are other points connected with the problem which I shall also have to bear in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the interests of exports, he will advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate customs procedures, with a view to expediting courteous and efficient discharge.

These procedures are kept under review and I am not aware of any general difficulties requiring further investigation. If my hon. Friend has any particular suggestions to make I shall be very pleased to consider them.

Apart from the case of Mr. Rushen, will my right hon. and learned Friend look into the cases, details of which I will send to him, of delays of up to two months in obtaining Customs clearance at London Airport for small parts necessary for export? In view of the large number of complaints on this subject, does not he feel that it requires a little further consideration?

I shall be very grateful to my hon. Friend if he will send the particulars. This matter was raised by another of my hon. Friends two months ago. I asked for particulars then. I have received no particulars since then. It is much easier to investigate if one has the facts of a particular case. I will certainly do so if my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the case where a child over 16 years of age who would otherwise qualify for Income Tax child allowance has an income not much in excess of £100 per annum, he will introduce amending legislation to provide for a sliding scale of reduced child allowances.

I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion, but I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

I thank the Chancellor of the Exchequer for that reply, but will he keep in mind that there is now a very strong case in equity for introducing this sliding scale, particularly as the child tax allowance is now £150 for children over 16, and the tax involved in a particular case can be quite substantial?

The hon. Member knows that there are considerable complications of an administrative nature about this matter, but I will certainly bear it in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average percentage of income which was represented by unearned income for the year 1958–59, in the case of total income of Surtax payers ranging from £2,000 to £2,500 per annum, at which range the lowest rate of Surtax is payable.

It is estimated that 29 per cent. of the total income of individuals liable to Surtax for 1958–59 only at the lowest rate of 2s. in the £ was investment income.

Does not that high figure for unearned income at the lowest rate of income chargeable to Surtax shatter the myth that Surtax falls exclusively on the higher salary earners? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman keep in mind that, even if there were some justification for reducing Surtax, the very worst way of doing it would be by raising the level at which it begins to be payable because in that way higher salary earners and those drawing dividends would get equal benefit?

It has never been said that the burden falls exclusively on those in receipt of earned income. The figure of 29 per cent. for this category is of interest. The hon. Member may be interested in the figure for the whole range, which is 38 per cent. investment income in the whole range of Surtax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to reduce the expenditure of the Scottish Savings Committee.

I have no immediate proposals for specific reductions. The expenditure of the Committee is subject to the normal Treasury control to ensure economy of management.

Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that a savings committee should be one Government agency which should set an example and keep its expenditure as low as possible? This increase of £6,300 seems unwarranted in present circumstances.

It will be carefully scrutinised. I gather that it is for advertising and certain increases in staff. I agree with the proposition stated by the hon. Gentleman at the beginning of his supplementary.

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer confirm that this is the most successful savings committee in the whole country?

I cannot do that without notice, but I know from my personal knowledge that it does a very good job of work.

Who controls the Treasury's internal expenditure?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of income was paid in Income Tax and National Insurance contributions together by a man with a wife and one child with income of £9 a week in 1951–52; and what will be the corresponding percentage from July, 1961, on the assumption of present rates of Income Tax.

For 1951–52 a married man with one child under 11 earning £9 a week paid 7·8 per cent. of his income in Income Tax and National Insurance contributions combined. At the present rates of Income Tax and the proposed rates of National Insurance and National Health Service contributions from July, 1961, the percentage would be 6·1.

Does not that show that on these levels of income there has been no material reduction in taxation in the last ten years?

I think it proves the old adage that it is unwise for an advocate to ask a question in cross-examination unless he knows the answer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of income will be paid in Income Tax and National Insurance contributions together from July, 1961, by a man with a wife and one child earning £8, £10 and £12 a week, respectively.

With one child under 11, the percentages are 6·6, 6·6 and 8·8 respectively. It is assumed that there is no other source of income, and that the man is not in non-participating employment for the purposes of the graduated pension scheme.

Does that mean that from the level of £10 a week downwards there is no reduction in the total direct taxation paid by taxpayers in this category?

I do not think that it means that at all.

Is it not also a fact that social benefits today stand higher than ever before in our history? Are they not widely spread, particularly amongst the lower income ranges?

It is true, for example, that unemployment benefit is 66 per cent. higher in real terms and retirement pensions at the new rate are over 40 per cent. higher in real terms.

Did not the right hon. and learned Gentleman's figure show that the percentage was 6 per cent. in the case of both the £8 a week and the £10 a week taxpayer? Does not that mean that there is no reduction in percentage paid when earnings fall below £10 a week?

It means that the percentages for the two figures for which the right hon. Gentleman asked are the same.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that fuel oil for heating was exempted from general hydro-carbon oil duties in 1947 in the circumstances of an entirely different fuel situation, he will now consider introducing a duty on fuel oil for heating, making an appropriate reduction in some other form of indirect taxation so as to avoid increasing the cost of living.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement, but I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion.

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman nevertheless bear in mind that this is an absurd situation, in which an industry which is so basic as the coal mining industry, which is already handicapped by obligations dating from very long before the war, should have to compete most unfairly with fuel products imported from abroad?

I am aware of that consideration.

When the right hon. and learned Gentleman is considering my hon. Friend's proposal, would he also note the fact that a tax of lid. on this oil would provide enough Revenue to remove the whole of the taxation on diesel oil for road passenger transport?

I will certainly bear that matter in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received from Kirkcaldy Town Council against the present rate of tax on fuel oil used in public service vehicles; and what was the nature of his reply.

I have received representations asking me to remove or reduce the duty on such oil, and I have informed the council that I have noted their representations.

Will the Chancellor bear in mind, when considering any remission of taxation in his Budget, that in preference to reducing the liability of the Surtax payer, he should consider reducing the heavy tax on fuel oil, which represents a considerable burden on the workers, whose bus fares have risen substantially in the past few years?

I will certainly take note of what the hon. Member says.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decision has been taken with regard to participation by members of the Civil Service in the National Insurance graduated pensions scheme.

In accordance with agreements reached on the Civil Service National Whitley Council and the Joint Co-ordinating Committee for Government Industrial Establishments, application was made to the Registrar of Non-Participating Employments last autumn to certify as non-participating the employment of all eligible established nonindustrial and industrial civil servants. The Registrar's certificate was received in October last, and all such civil servants will accordingly be contracted out of the National Insurance graduated scheme.

May I ask my right hon. and learned Friend what adjustments will be necessary to the conditions under which Civil Service pensions are paid in order that they can comply wth the law in regard to full transferability?

In view of the complications in this matter, I think I had much better have notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department last inquired into the advantages which would result from a tax concession scheme with a view to improving United Kingdom export earnings.

This matter has been thoroughly reconsidered since I became Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 14th February.

Is not my right hon. and learned Friend disconcerted at the small number of firms who are actively engaged in the export business, and would it not appear prima facie that unless something concrete such as this is offered as an inducement we shall not get the proportion improved upon?

I am aware of the difficulties that small firms have when entering into difficult export markets. The trouble about the suggestion of a special tax concession to exporters is, first of all, the difficulty of administering it, and, secondly, that it is contrary to international undertakings which we have given, and if we start, our competitors will also start, and a race in export taxes will not suit us in these matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied with the experimental evening opening of the British Museum Reading Room twice weekly; what proposals the Trustees have put forward for placing this extension of hours on a permanent and daily basis; and what has been his response.

Yes, Sir. The Trustees proposed that late opening should be extended to five evenings a week in 1961–62. I have authorised an indefinite continuance of the present late opening on two evenings.

Is the Chancellor aware that the first part of his reply is very gratifying, and that it bears out What I have heard from users of the Reading Room? So far as the second part is concerned, I gather that he refuses this request. Does this not confirm the impression that the Government are treating the British Museum more meanly than any other great national institution? Is he further aware that the Lenin Library in Moscow is open until 11 p.m. every night of the week? Will he please reconsider the matter?

This was an experiment, and it has not yet been going long enough, I think, to form a judgment upon it. The hon. Member is quite right in saying that it is a question of extra staff and cost, as 19 more people will be required and £18,000. There are 59 new posts already created in the Museum, apart from this. I will consider what the hon. Member says, but I would rather see what use is made of these facilities over a longer period.

Can that apply to the Manuscript Room as well?

I will take note of that.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can yet state the results of the investigations he has made into the desirability of introducing a decimal currency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has yet completed his consideration of whether to introduce decimal currency in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the report on decimal coinage by the British Association for the Advancement of Science and the Associated British Chambers of Commerce, a copy of which has been sent to him by the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hallam; and whether, with a view to assessing the advantages of changing to a decimal coinage system in the United Kingdom, he will approach the South African Government for permission to send observers to that country to study methods of overcoming transitional difficulties.

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given on 16th February to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann). The Report by the British Association for the Advancement of Science and the Associated British Chambers of Commerce was not a Report to Her Majesty's Government. We are, however, giving its findings close consideration. We shall also take any steps to keep informed of developments in South Africa.

Has my right hon. and learned Friend had his attention drawn to an early day Motion signed by 78 hon. Members expressing the opinion that this is a practical business step?

There are complications about it. If we take the £ as a unit and divide it into ten and 100, the lowest coin unit is 2½d. which is rather large. If we divide it by ten, then by 100 and 1,000, we get a very small one. If we do not take the £ as the basic starting point, there are very great complications in other directions.

Does my right hon. and learned Friend realise that the cost of this inevitable step will be greater every day?

I do not dispute that, but I was pointing out the complications.

Why not make the 10s. note into a £1 note, and then the problem of the decimal system will be solved?

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the present currency system is entirely satisfactory, and that no change whatsoever is required?

I have noted what my hon. Friend has said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he will make a statement upon the work of the Plowden Committee;

The recommendations from the Committee are confidential to Her Majesty's Government; but, as has already been promised, the conclusions reached by the Government on them will be put before the House. It is too soon to say when this will be done.

While thanking my right hon. and learned Friend for that reply, may I ask him to bear these points in mind? This Committee was set up in response to the recommendation of the Estimates Committee, representing the whole House, with a view to improving the system of Treasury control, and it really is wrong that its recommendations should be confidential, when the business of this House is not a private affair between the Chancellor of the Exchequer and this Committee?

I will consider my hon. Friend's point. I think that one of the difficulties of it is that the Committee was asked to recommend also about certain internal processes, such as Cabinet procedure, which must be regarded as confidential. On other aspects, I will consider what can be done. I think the Committee will not finish its report until July of this year.

Bearing in mind the very grave interest expressed from all sides of the House in the debate on defence expenditure just before Christmas on the clear lack of financial control and the difficulties of applying it, will the right hon. and learned Gentleman, when considering this matter, make it quite clear that if any of the important Select Committees of this House, whether the Estimates Committee or the Public Accounts Committee, requires this information, apart from that which deals with Cabinet procedure, he will not deny this Committee access to all the evidence which is available?

I am concerned about this matter, and will bear in mind what the right hon. Gentleman has said.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that substantial private companies and partnerships do not qualify for relief in respect of financial loss through flooding; and whether he will introduce amending legislation to authorise Customs and Excise to refund duty in respect of stocks of tobacco and cigarettes damaged by flooding.

I am aware of the fact to which my hon. Friend refers, but I am afraid that the answer to the second part of his Question is. "No. Sir."

Is not my right hon. and learned Friend aware that it is not just a question of the loss of three or four packets of cigarettes, but one of thousands of pounds' worth of stock lost through flooding? Is he further aware that these people have already paid the Customs and Excise duty on it, and does he not think it is most unreasonable that they cannot get it back? Cannot he devise some means by which he could help them, and, if the answer is "No", cannot he ask his right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government to help them to the extent of the amount of the duty they have paid?

My hon. Friend will be aware that this is a question of outlays by substantial private companies and partnerships, and if a substantial company or partnership chooses to take a calculated commercial risk by not insuring, I do not think I can help them, but I will draw the attention of my right hon. Friend to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the nature and extent of the use of British roads by vehicular traffic drivers as contrasted with the nature and extent of the use of British roads by pedestrians, if he will take steps to re-apportion the incidence of taxation in respect of roads between such users.

I am afraid I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

Is it not practical and useful in this way to build up a kind of insurance fund to be contributed to by delinquent motorists, who could thereby be made to pay compensation to the victims of their negligence in addition to any compensation that the victims might get in the law courts?

I am grateful to the hon. and learned Member for partially clarifying his Question. I was not quite certain whether he was advocating a tax on pedestrians.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount collected through the pool betting duty on greyhound racing in the years 1950, 1955, 1959 and 1960, respectively.

The amounts were £7·1 million, £5·9 million, £6 million and £6·2 million, respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to enable him to allocate a part of the amount collected through the pool betting duty on greyhound racing to help greyhound breeding and greyhound racing.

No, Sir.

But would not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that this tax discriminates unfairly against dog racing, in that duty is not charged on tote bets on horse racing? As he will not consider my other suggestion, will he consider the simple alternative of abolishing that duty or, at least, reducing it very considerably?

That is a rather different question from that on the Order Paper.

Can the Chancellor give any logical reason why this tax is based on bets placed on totalisators at greyhound race tracks, whereas the same type of bet placed on the same type of totalisator on horse-racing tracks does not bear tax? Can he tell us why there is tax on the one and not on the other? Will he stop this discrimination?

That, clearly, is quite a different matter from the Question on the Order Paper, which deals with greyhound breeding and greyhound racing.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reply he has given to representations made to him by the Public Service Pensioners' Council asking for a new Pensions Increase Act to ameliorate the position of public service pensioners.

Last month, a deputation from the Public Service Pensioners Council asked for an interview with my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, since they were anxious that I should take their views into account before I prepared my Budget Statement. My hon. Friend saw the deputation on 31st January; while drawing their attention to the Government's publicly expressed views about the introduction of a further Pensions Increase measure, he told them that he would convey their representations to me. This he has done.

Is the Chancellor aware that many of the oldest of those pensioners have very meagre pensions, indeed; that they do not qualify for the basic national pension that is to be increased, and that they appreciate what the Government have done in previous Pensions Increase Acts but think that the Chancellor ought to do something to bring them more into line with pensioners who retire today?

I am aware of that consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the report of the departmental committee dealing with the staggering of holidays, including the possible changing of the dates of the August and Whitsuntide Bank Holidays; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend is not yet ready to make a statement.

Would the Minister ask his right hon. Friend whether, having regard to the wide public interest in this matter, he will consider having the Report published or, failing that, at least have its contents brought to the attention of the British Travel and Holidays Association, which is in touch with all the interests affected, so that those people primarily concerned with the problem may know the Committee's recommendations?

I will see that those suggestions are passed on to my right hon. Friend.

In addition to publishing this Report—and, clearly, the Government cannot have anything to hide with this—would the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that this very valuable proposal, which has been running for many years, has no hope of becoming effective unless he consults his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer through the University Grants Committee, to ensure that there is a change in the practice and timing of public examinations affecting schools? Is he aware that until the G.E.C. timetable is altered, there is no real hope of having holidays staggered?

My right hon. Friend does understand the importance of the educational aspects of the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to implement the recommendation of the Consumer Advisory Council that a social survey be set up by the Board of Trade to inquire into consumers' views on price maintenance.

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement made on the 26th January in answer to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, West (Mrs. McLaughlin).

May I ask the hon. Gentleman two related questions? First, I understand that his Department has canvassed the views of retailers and manufacturers, that their replies were received last October and are being analysed now: when is a conclusion to be reached on them? Secondly, if the Department has canvassed the views of retailers and manufacturers, is it not reasonable that it should also seek to ascertain the views of consumers, and why does he turn down flat the suggestion of the Consumer Advisory Council that a social survey should be used in that very useful way?

In reply to the hon. Gentleman's first supplementary question, I cannot say exactly when a decision will be reached. In reply to his second supplementary question, my right hon. Friend is in touch with consumer associations, but there is a distinct difficulty in carrying out a social survey, partly because of the time that will be involved, and partly because of the need to frame questions that will give useful answers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase he proposes to make in the grant-in-aid for the year 1961–62 to be paid to the Council of Industrial Design.

Proposals will shortly be laid before the House seeking approval for a grant of £240,000 to be made to the Council in 1961–62. The grant for the current year was £4,000 less, but it included a special nonrecurring capital grant of £23,500.

I am not quite certain from that reply whether the Council is getting less or more. Which is it getting? Is not the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the real increase is certainly justified by the very valuable work done by the Council, of great importance to British industry and British exports?

I entirely agree with what the hon. Gentleman has said about the valuable work done by the Council, and that is why, effectively, it is being given £27,500 more than last year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the anti-dumping procedure is expeditious enough; and what improvements he has in mind.

My right hon. Friend considers that the procedure for dealing with anti-dumping applications is as expeditious as it can be made consistently with our international obligations and the requirements of the 1957 Act.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many horticulturists in my constituency and in Essex are dissatisfied with the procedure, and will the Board of Trade at least try to improve it?

I am aware of the difficulty in connection with horticulture. We do try to be as quick as we can in these urgent cases.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the times when the use of this machinery is most necessary are nearly always those which involve highly perishable produce suddenly arriving in floods from the Continent, and that tariffs really are not the best means? What we really want is a more stringent method than this to deal with critical periods in home production.

I assure my hon. Friend that in horticultural cases we have acted quickly.

Has my right hon. Friend been in touch with the Horticultural Marketing Council, and has it made suggestions to him on this matter?

I should like to look into that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he refused permission for the building of a factory at Silloth, Cumberland.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what facilities were offered to Mr. Sydney Farr to promote a light engineering project in West Cumberland.

So far from refusing permission for the building of a factory for Mr. Farr at Silloth, my right hon. Friend has told him that he would consider building one for him. I understand, however, that Mr. Farr is not prepared to go ahead without financial assistance, and, as I have already told my hon. Friend the Member for Penrith and the Border (Mr. Whitelaw) unless the Board of Trade Advisory Committee makes a favourable recommendation my right hon. Friend cannot offer any.

In view of what the Minister said about the permission for building a factory, would he, if Mr. Farr finds the building not suitable, be prepared to consider building on a smaller site at Cleator Moor'?

My right hon. Friend would be willing to build a factory provided that the tenant was willing to go into it, but this tenant will not go into it without financial assistance.

Is the Minister aware that at a Press interview with Mr. Farr a statement was made that reflected on the Cumberland Development Council about the possibility of a factory in Maryport or Egremont? Will he give an assurance that the Development Council has given every assistance where possible?

Most certainly. The Development Council has been most helpful.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on how many and which contracts the Export Credits Department since its inception has had to make a payment owing to default; and what have been the losses or profits of the Exports Credits Guarantee Department for each year since its inception.

From 1st April, 1949, to the end of last year the number of contracts on which claims were paid was 32,122. The loss or profit for any one year cannot be finally computed until all claims or recoveries have been settled. For example, money is still being recovered in respect of claims paid out before the war. Yearly underwriting balances are published in the annual report on trading accounts of Government Departments.

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but may I ask if he is aware that in the constructional industry, with which I have some connection, there is considerable lack of confidence in this Department, and that exports are not fun if, first of all, one has to grapple with E.C.G.D., whose rates for overseas cover appear to be based on an unduly pessimistic assessment of conditions in overseas territories?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Advisory Council on Overseas Construction, under my chairmanship, will meet the day after tomorrow, when there will be full opportunity to discuss these matters.

As the losses mentioned appear to be completely negligible, will the right hon. Gentleman consider explaining these facilities in a more comprehensible form to smaller potential exporters?

Claims paid out are by no means negligible; they amount to many millions of pounds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the lack of light industries in the Dearne Valley constituency area, he will give encouragement to manufacturers who are desirous of erecting plants by granting facilities under the Local Employment Act, 1960.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend's powers under the Local Employment Act may be exercised only in those areas where a high rate of unemployment exists or is expected and is likely to persist. The Dearne Valley, I am glad to say, is not in this position. But my right hon. Friend would he willing to see some further suitable light industry in the area

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are several hundred unemployed men and women in the Dearne Valley division? In addition. there are bus-loads of women going to work thirty to forty miles away. There is also a pool of non-registered women labour within the division. As we are very short of light industries, will he consider helping as quickly as possible several firms which want to come to the division?

There are 320 new jobs in prospect, mostly for females. My right hon. Friend would be prepared to give industrial development certificates for female-employing projects which wanted to go to the district and which could not be steered to development districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he 'has made of the possible effect of the proposed export tax concession in Australia upon. British trade with Australia.

None, Sir. The Australian Government have not disclosed what the proposals are which they are examining.

Is it not gratifying that the Australian Government appear to have more hope that such a scheme can be brought into operation than the Chancellor of the Exchequer? Could not my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade suggest to the Treasury that it ought to keep in step with Australia in this matter before turning down out of hand any suggestions for export tax concessions?

Yes. Sir. I think that I should say to my hon. Friend that the Australian Prime Minister, in making a statement on this subject, was careful to point out that any proposals should not conflict with international obligations.

asked the President of the Beard of Trade if, in view of the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report, dated 25th January, 1961, he will institute an inquiry into the 5,000 looms unaccounted for in the Weaving Reorganisation Scheme and which may involve as much as £250,000 of Treasury funds and funds raised by levy authorised by Parliament.

No, Sir. The Cotton Board has administered the Weaving Reorganisation Scheme strictly in accordance with the Order as approved by Parliament and compensation has been paid only for looms actually scrapped under the Scheme. My right hon. Friend does not accept the view that there has been payment of compensation without a corresponding effective elimination of capacity.

In view of the uncertainty created by the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report, would it not be in the interests of the special committee of the Cotton Board, which I am sure has done a difficult job with great efficiency, that there should be an inquiry into this matter?

I do not think there is any uncertainty. It was known that there were some looms in store at the time when the scheme was made, but the scheme did not provide for compensation for looms in store. Some of the looms have perhaps been brought into operation because of the upsurge in demand. The Board of Trade's accounting officer is to appear before the Public Accounts Committee on 2nd March, and there will be an opportunity of going further into the matter then.

In view of the cases which I have called to the Parliamentary Secretary's attention, is it not necessary to have an investigation now, because, I repeat, a doubt emerges from the Comptroller and Auditor General's Report.

As I say, I think that there will be an opportunity of clearing up this doubt on 2nd March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he is taking to bring to the notice of industrialists that grants are available from the Development Fund for development in rural areas; to what extent he is doing this to induce industries to come into mid-Wales; and with what results.

Grants from the Development Fund are not available in the development districts, the areas for which my right hon. Friend is chiefly concerned to find employment. But the Department brings the possibility of obtaining a grant from the Fund to the notice of any industrialist who, although unable to go to a development district, is prepared to set up in a rural area in mid-Wales.

In what way does the hon. Gentleman's Department bring this to the attention of industrialists, because I understand that it is not mentioned in the literature issued by his Department?

Everybody who wants to build a new factory or an extension to a factory has to apply to the Board of Trade for an industrial development certificate.

Why is it that this information is made available in literature for Northern Ireland but not for places like mid-Wales?

I assure the hon. Gentleman that this is brought to the attention of industrialists, although this particular assistance is the concern of the Treasury rather than of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the By-product Coke Works at Langley Park, in the North-West Durham constituency, has been scheduled to close down in March, involving some 250 workers; and what alternative work he expects will be available for these men.

My right hon. Friend is aware of this proposed closure. He understands that, while 150 workers will become redundant, there are sufficient vacancies at neighbouring coke works to absorb them all.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is the second such plant which has closed in the last few months and the fourth such plant which has closed within the last two or three years in my constituency, apart from the mines, which are also closing? What does the President of the Board of Trade intend to do about providing work for the unemployed male population in the area? In the debate yesterday, a Government spokesman said that some progress has been made. Is this the sort of progress that we can expect?

As the hon. Gentleman is aware, my right hon. Friend is extremely sympathetic about these closures. He is also aware that industrialists have been to see sites in the area. It is for the industrialists themselves to choose whether they should go there or elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what estimate he has made as to how much decimal coinage would help the export trade.

The Government are carefully considering the question of decimal currency, as my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary explained in answer to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. du Cann). last Thursday. The possible advantages to our export trade is one of the matters which we will take into account.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Commonwealth countries are changing to decimal coinage and that soon we will be the only country left in the Commonwealth without decimal coinage?

We are aware of that change. We are also aware of the advantages of the duodecimal system.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many small firms with specialised products fear the risks of experiment and lack experience of exporting; and whether he will set up an organisation to encourage, help, and guarantee such firms in order to increase United Kingdom export trade.

Yes, Sir, but small firms who do not wish to export direct can easily be put in touch with merchants who are familiar with all the problems. If the hon. Member knows of any small firm which is thinking of exporting and would like advice on the various ways of going about it, I hope he will urge them to get in touch with the nearest regional office of the Board.

Why should it be my job to get small firms to export? Is it not the job of the Board of Trade to try to find small firms which are capable of exporting and to give them such encouragement and guidance as it can?

I assure the right hon. Gentleman that that is precisely what we are doing. I shall be glad to explain the matter in more detail at the end of the debate on this subject tomorrow night.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been received by his Department for Government-financed factories in the United Kingdom; how many of these have been from the North-East; and how many from the North-East have been agreed to.

Under the Local Employment Act, 1960, which does not apply to Northern Ireland, 54 applications have been received for new Government-financed factories. Nine of these have been for factories in the North-East development districts. Of these, one was withdrawn by the applicant at an early stage and one was withdrawn after approval had been given. The other seven have been approved and remain firm.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Members representing constituencies in the North-East would be more satisfied if the President of the Board of Trade gave more positive assistance concerning the unemployment needs and requirements of our people?

I am not certain that I caught everything that the hon. Gentleman said, but I assure him that my right hon. Friend is well aware of the needs of the North-East. He has just paid a further visit there.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a 60,000 square feet Government-financed factory standing empty at Stockton-on-Tees? What is he doing about getting a new tenant for it?

My right hon. Friend is doing all he can to attract a tenant to the factory.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there are still 37,000 unemployed people in this area? How does he tie up his statement last week that he hopes to provide work for 14,500 people with his reply today that there are only seven projects in being? Will he take a serious view of this terrific problem in the North-East and do something energetic about it?

The Question asked about new Government-financed factories. There are extensions as well. There have been 31 applications from the North-East for extensions, 24 of which have been approved.

asked the Prime Minister if, at the forthcoming Prime Ministers' Conference, he will put forward proposals for a Commonwealth initiative towards multilateral disarmament.

While it has never been our practice at these Commonwealth meetings to seek to arrive at concerted programmes of action, it is my hope that our coming discussions on important current issues including disarmament will prove fruitful.

I thank the Prime Minister for that reply which indicates that he will at last, perhaps, take action to relieve the crushing burden of defence on our economy, but will he agree that it would be valuable to have a debate in the House in order that he may hear the opinion of the House before the talks take place?

That is not a matter for me.

asked the Prime Minister what representations he has made to Prime Ministers of Commonwealth member States regarding membership of the Commonwealth by the Union of South Africa when it becomes a Republic; and what replies he has received.

Any consultations I may have with other Commonwealth Prime Ministers are confidential.

Will the Prime Minister agree that this confidential trick is now being taken rather far? While it is important that there should be confidence in conversations, should not the House know what policies are when they deal with fundamental matters like this?

Our policy on this matter will be determined in consultation with our Commonwealth partners.

Although each member of the Commonwealth has a perfect right to conduct its affairs as it sees best, is there not a standard below which a country applying for membership of the Commonwealth should not sink, and has not South Africa sunk below that standard?

This question will be discussed by the Prime Ministers. and it would be quite wrong for me to give any account of any preliminary talks.

asked the Prime Minister what person with knowledge of newspapers in Scotland he has asked to be a member of the Royal Commission on the Press.

asked the Prime Minister if he is yet in a position to announce the names of the Royal Commission on the Press.

asked the Prime Minister if he will now announce the names of the members of the proposed Royal Commission on the Press.

asked the Prime Minister how many people have been invited to serve on the Royal Commission on the Press.

I am not yet able to announce the names of the members of the Commission.

Is the Prime Minister aware that, particularly in Scotland, journalists and printers are very anxious about their future? Will he bear that in mind when he appoints the Scottish member of the Commission, and will he take full account of the further fact that the monopoly tendency in Scotland has become so great that it has swallowed up not only daily and evening papers but local weekly papers as well?

I shall bear all that in mind.

Is the Prime Minister aware of Laurence Scott's dictum that nine-tenths of newspaper publishing is light engineering, and, in instituting this inquiry into the practicalities of newspaper publishing, will he appoint someone who knows something about that side of newspaper production?

I am grateful for that suggestion.

Is it not obvious that there will be no opportunity for either Government action or Parliamentary discussion, apart from a few selected Members of Parliament on the radio and television, on the problems involved, and that in the circumstances the employees adversely affected will to some extent be justified if they are forced to contemplate industrial action to protect their interests in the meantime?

That is another question quite separate from the purpose of the Commission.

Is the trouble due to the fact that the Prime Minister cannot find anyone to go on the Commission?

No, Sir. The trouble is that I am trying to get the very best people to go on it.

asked the Prime Minister what proposals he will make to President Kennedy for the creation of a political authority to control the military and diplomatic activities of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

None, Sir, beyond the present organisation, that is, the North Atlantic Council.

Does not the Prime Minister agree that a Europe divided into two economic groups with no political head of this organisation creates a very great disadvantage from the point of view of co-ordinated activities? Would it not be better from the public point of view if there were a political head of the N.A.T.O. authority?