Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Minister of Power how much the National Coal Board borrowed from the Government in 1960 to finance capital expenditure; and how much it contemplates borrowing in 1961.
Mr David Ginsburg: Do not these figures show a marked reduction in the amount of borrowing compared with 1959–60? How far is this due to stock movements, to a reduction in stocks? Does not the picture show that certain pessimists were very wrong a year ago when this matter came before the House?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Minister of Defence why his Department and the Service Departments concerned were unable to meet the request of the Dewsbury Sea Cadets for the loan of one small marquee, two small tents and some cooking equipment for their summer camp.
Mr David Ginsburg: But is the Minister aware that this is an extremely bad piece of public relations by his Department and the Service Departments generally? Is he aware that my constituents were willing to fetch and transport the tentage if it were made available? Is he further aware that the Departments cannot really have it both ways; either they will not make the tentage available as a matter of principle,...
Mr David Ginsburg: I was a little amused when listening to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Sir P. Roberts). He was one more of the procession of hon. Members opposite who have suddenly become converted to planning. I felt somewhat sorry for the Financial Secretary, who is rather isolated on the Front Government Bench. He and the Treasury are at present the last repositories of liberalism and an unplanned...
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Prime Minister what instructions he has given, or is considering giving, to Government Departments following the latest Report of the Council on Prices, Productivity and Incomes.
Mr David Ginsburg: I welcome that limited follow-up, but is it not a fantastic state of affairs that the Chancellor's actions should be in direct variance with the Council's advice? May I ask the Prime Minister why neither he nor the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week told the House that this Report had been received? Finally, given that the Report is dated 13th July, surely the Government could have ensured...
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Prime Minister what are the most recent instructions which govern the relations of Government Departments, and civil servants in their official capacity, with political parties.
Mr David Ginsburg: Yes, but does the Prime Minister think that the recent interview at the Treasury of two members of the Observer staff with two civil servants and two members of the Conservative Central Office conforms with the spirit of that instruction? Does he think that?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the percentage change in net new orders for textiles and clothing for July and August, 1961, compared with the average monthly figure for net new orders in 1959; and if he will give a similar comparison for the woollen industry alone.
Mr David Ginsburg: Is not this a rather serious decline? Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the growing anxiety in certain sections of the wool textile industry? Will he not agree that the Chancellor's action in limiting the demand is having a very serious effect upon that industry?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Prime Minister if he will have consultations with the political parties with a view to proposing a Speaker's Conference on the franchise rights of Commonwealth and Southern Irish people resident in this country.
Mr David Ginsburg: In view of the anxiety which exists, may we have an assurance that no limitation of the franchise is expected? Would the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that the Government will be creating two categories of citizens—a member of one of which can vote, become a Member of Parliament, perhaps even Prime Minister, but will still be liable to deportation under the new legislation?
Mr David Ginsburg: About an hour ago, the Minister said that there had been a considerable increase in productivity in the mines and a vast increase in the last six weeks. Some time ago, the Parliamentary Secretary said that output per manshift had reached the figure which "Plan for Coal" envisaged for 1965. Would the hon. Member care to comment on that?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Prime Minister when he will complete his consideration of the representations of the hon. Member for Dewsbury regarding the publication of further statistical data on the oil industry.
Mr David Ginsburg: Will the Prime Minister tell the Departments to get a move on? Is he aware that in the latest White Paper of October, 1960, comments are made on the state of the country's oil earnings but still no figures are published? What is the need for all the secrecy?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Minister of Defence how many members of the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, respectively, were born in Southern Ireland, are citizens of other Commonwealth countries or are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, other than United Kingdom citizens.
Mr David Ginsburg: Would not the information, if available, show a very impressive picture indeed? Has the Minister taken into account the psychological effects of the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill on recruitment?
Mr David Ginsburg: asked the Minister of Defence how many decorations, excluding campaign stars, were awarded to persons born in Southern Ireland, to citizens of other Commonwealth countries and to citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies other than United Kingdom citizens, respectively, who served in the Armed Forces of the Crown during the 1939–45 war.
Mr David Ginsburg: Would not the picture of the Commonwealth contribution be outstanding? Did the Minister of Defence make representations along these lines to the Home Secretary at the time when the Commonwealth Immigrants Bill was drafted?