Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now make a statement about the proposed London-Moscow air service.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: While thanking my right hon. Friend for that information, which I am sure will be very gladly received, may I ask him whether the agreement means that B.E.A. will be operating at the same time? May I also congratulate my right hon. Friend on establishing this new commercial link with Russia which, surely, can do nothing but further trade relationships, and help to remove the differences and...
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the methods employed by these demonstrators were quite unconstitutional, to say the least, and served only as an embarrassment to those working on the site and to those whose duty it is to preserve law and order? In view of that, would it not be better to ensure that similar occurrences cannot take place, by building adequate fencing on the site first...
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the damage to apples and pear crops caused by fire blight; how many acres have been so affected; and whether he will consider compensating the growers in the same way as farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease, since the trees so blighted have to be totally destroyed.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he is aware that this question illustrates another of the difficulties which all horticulturists have to face and, since they do not get the support of the guarantees, may I ask him if he will reconsider the matter, with a view to the payment of compensation in cases of this kind?
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware of the continuing unsatisfactory state of the Fisher Fleet at King's Lynn; what steps are being taken to improve and maintain the facilities for the fishermen of the port; and whether he will make a statement.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, which will give encouragement to all concerned, may I ask him if he is aware that he is the only authority that can co-operate with the various interests in bringing the matter to a head? Will he also remember that maintenance of the quay and of the general facilities is just as important as putting them in order?
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: Is my hon. Friend aware that one cannot post a parcel at Liverpool Street Station?
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assistance his Department gives in obtaining places at agricultural colleges or institutes for those recommended to be awarded a senior scholarship by the Central Scholarships Committee.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will state the number of applicants dealt with by the Central Scholarships Committee during the last twelve months; and the number of applicants recommended to be awarded a senior scholarship in order to pursue a diploma course at an agricultural college or institute.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: I thank my right hon. Friend for that information. Is he aware that there is a considerable time of waiting before vacancies occur in agricultural colleges, and is there any point in giving these young men their certificates if they cannot find a place in an agricultural college for eighteen months or more?
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: I beg to move, in page 11, line 17, after "that", to insert "(i)".
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: I do not pretend that these three Amendments will decide the future of the British Merchant Fleet in any way. Nevertheless, they are of some concern to the shipping industry. They are intended to establish that the retrospective effect of subsection (5) is not intended to apply to a case where a shipowner is denied an investment allowance to which before the Budget he was entitled to claim...
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the total number of suspected cases of swine fever reported during the last six months; how many of these were subsequently unconfirmed; and, of the latter, what were the causes of swine fever suspicions; and in how many cases were the suspicions not attributable to any positive cause.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: Is my right hon. Friend aware of the large number of cases which subsequently prove not to have been swine fever? In such cases should not the pig producer be informed of the nature of the disease and the cause of death? He is put to considerable expense and is never informed by the Minister's officials what the cause of death is, unless it happens to be a case of swine fever.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: Is the hon. Member suggesting that the Royal Navy should be disbanded tomorrow morning?
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: I hope the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough) will forgive me if I do not follow him in his argument. I know that he has the question of unemployment very much in mind in view of the record of his constituency in years gone by. None of us wants to see that situation again, and if I thought there were to be enormous cuts overnight which would create unemployment I should be the first to...
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what are his regulations with regard to grants of certificates of fitness for use as public service vehicles in regard to vehicles in the 12- to 14-seater range.
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are many makes of this type of vehicle advertised as suitable for small buses, which, because of their construction and layout, will never qualify for a certificate of fitness? In view of that, will he widen the scope of his Regulations to include them, or take steps to inform the public so that they do not purchase these vehicles and then find that...
Commander Ronald Scott-Miller: Is it not a fact that this animal was a yearling and not a foal?
