Sir Harold Sutcliffe: The telegram which the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) has quoted blends very well, I think, with the atmosphere generally in this House during the debate. It makes all the more nonsensical the idea that we are debating a Motion of censure. I cannot recall that any speaker so far, including the right hon. Member for Huyton (Mr. H. Wilson), has said anything which is in anyway a...
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: I am very much obliged for the assistance of my hon. Friend, and I am glad to have a reassurance on that point. If I may say so, one could not use too much pressure in connection with this matter, and I think it is a point that should be mentioned. I want to reinforce what has been said by one or two hon. Members on both sides of the House, and to draw the attention of the Chancellor of the...
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Is my hon. Friend aware that there has been very little increase in meat prices in some towns in the north of England, and that some cuts today are as cheap as they were before decontrol?
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government to what extent uniformity has been obtained as regards the building byelaws of local authorities; and what special circumstances there were in the cases of three out of 126 local authorities in Lancashire which caused him to agree to a greater height than seven feet six inches for first floor rooms.
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: While everyone will agree that as much uniformity as possible is desirable, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that every possible consideration is given in his Department to appeals for a greater height made on the grounds of health by certain local authorities?
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: We are in complete agreement that the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. William Paling) has done good service in bringing this subject of safety in factories before this House today. There is no subject which could be better or more fruitfully discussed at present. What we are not agreed upon is whether this Bill as drafted is the way to achieve it, or whether it will not do some harm to the...
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties of some retailers of sweets and tobacco in obtaining a sufficient allocation of cigarettes for their customers; and whether he will consider referring to the Monopolies Commission the present arrangements for the wholesale and retail distribution of cigarettes in this country.
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: May I ask my hon. and learned Friend whether there can be any justification for the fact that the most popular brands of cigarettes are still "under the counter" in some areas in the north of England, and only in the north of England, and that traders are receiving only one-third of the quantity they can sell of these cigarettes? Is it not also very wrong that some wholesalers are making it a...
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far since the Rivers (Prevention of Pollution) Act, 1951, Her Majesty's Inspectors of Inland Revenue have been authorised to permit as an expense for taxation purposes, expenditure compulsorily incurred in the installation of trade effluent plants.
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Is my right hon. Friend aware that some firms will have to pay immense sums to install these plants, out of all proportion to the amount of capital in those companies for production purposes, and that this expenditure has to be capitalised over a period of 50 years and is in the nature of sunk capital? Is he aware that this is really a very serious matter for many firms and will he look into...
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what respects facilities for credit for goods exported from this country are restricted by his foreign exchange control regulations; and if he will give an assurance that valuable trade is not being lost as a result of these restrictions.
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Is my hon. Friend aware that orders have been lost through too strict an adherence to this maximum period of six months' credit, although in one such case a suitable alternative was offered—half the payment immediately and the other half in 12 months' time—and would he look into this problem?
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Can my right hon. Friend say if there is any possibility of reducing the high charge still further, because it does prevent many people from bringing their sons or other relatives home? Will he confirm again that there is no difference being made between those killed in war and those who meet their deaths accidentally during peace time? One of those young men to whom the hon. Member for...
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Will my right hon. Friend keep in mind the importance of having as one of our representatives a practical businessman who has had dealings with Brazil, as that may be vital to success?
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Could my right hon. Friend confirm the fact that he has no intention of issuing any further licences for these goods at present?
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: It was only yesterday that we had a debate on the work of the Transport Commission, a debate which covered a very wide field of both road and rail transport. By a coincidence, I have the Adjournment tonight, and I want to draw attention to the way in which the Road Haulage Executive are closing depots of long standing in some parts of the country, without any consideration for the effect...
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: asked the Minister of Labour if he will, at an early date, by regulation under the Factory Acts, make compulsory the use of technical white oil for lubricating mule spindles, in view of the fact that this oil has been found to be free from the cancer-producing agent.
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Will my right hon. and learned Friend give an assurance that when the investigations are complete he will introduce the regulations at the earliest possible moment?
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: My hon. and learned Friend has mentioned the conditions with regard to new industries, but will he, together with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, do everything in his power to attract new industries to this area and find suitable accommodation for them?
Sir Harold Sutcliffe: Can the Minister give some assurance on the point I raised?