asked the President of the Board of Trade if any committees are sitting at the Board of Trade at the present time inquiring into industries which have applied to be safeguarded?

Mr. MacKENZIE LIVINQSTONE:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries are now proceeding under the terms of the White Paper (Safeguarding of Industries); and whether he anticipates receiving any of the Reports before the Recess?

The Re-ports of the Committees on Gloves and Superphosphates have now been received, and that of the Committee on Gas Mantles is expected shortly. No other Committees are sitting.

Are the Reports made by the Committees considered confidential to the Government and is publication withheld until after the Government have come to a decision as to whether an application will be granted or otherwise?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LFSTER:

That matter is now receiving attention.

May we know if the Report of the Civil Research Committee on the iron and steel trade is likely to be available soon?

That question does not arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether under the terms of the White Paper (Safeguarding of Industries) applicants are entitled to the grant of an inquiry, provided that the conditions set out in the said Paper are fulfilled: and whether the Board of Trade may grant or refuse an inquiry at its discretion?

; I have been asked to reply. As the hon. Member is aware, the White Paper is not a Statute, and there is, therefore, no question of any legal rights there under. The White Paper, however, lays down the general lines on which the Government deal with applications.