asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what acreage of potatoes was planted and what was the average yield per acre in Scotland each year from 1939 inclusive.

The information is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent the reduction of the cut in total capital investment from £200,000,000 to £180,000,000 is calculated to affect housing in Scotland.

The general effect will be to enable more permanent houses to be completed in 1948 than would otherwise have been possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of men and women convicted of murder in 1946; and how many of these were hanged.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 6th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total reserves of gold and dollars as at 1st December.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 13th November to the hon. and gallant Member for North Blackpool (Mr. Law).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give an estimate of the approximate outgoings if payment of Postwar Credits were made to the widows of deceased creditors irrespective of age.

I am afraid that the information necessary to enable such an estimate to be made is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that more than a year ago Mr. F. R. Allen of Tyler Hill Road, Blean, Canterbury, acting on behalf of some 70 tithepayers, gave notice of appeal to the General Commissioners in Wingham and other Kent divisions; that none of the appeals has been heard; and what is the reason for this undue delay in hearing cases that arise from decisions of the General Commissioners of Income Tax.

The interpretation of the relative provisions of the Tithe Act, 1936, is in dispute, and conflicting decisions have been given by General Commissioners of Income Tax. It has accordingly been arranged to bring a test case before the High Court which, it is expected, will shortly be heard. Before the pending appeals are heard, it is obviously desirable that the General Commissioners shall have the guidance of the Court. No landowner will be in any way prejudiced by the delay.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum is allowed under his policy of cutting capital expenditure for building costs for schools up to June, 1948; and what proportion this allowance bears to the total costs for all building permitted under proposals of the interim Budget.

I am not able at this stage to say how much will be spent on education for the period ending June, 1948, but the expenditure estimated to be involved in the educational building programme for England and Wales in 1947 is £20¼ million and for 1948 £32 million, while for Scotland comparable figures are £2·6 million in 1947 and £4·6 million in 1948. The labour force on schools and other educational building in England, Scotland and Wales will, it is expected, represent about 2½ per cent, of all those engaged in June, 1948, on building and civil engineering work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what terms have been agreed by His Majesty's Government under Article 3 of the Anglo-Belgian Payments Agreement.

It has been agreed that if one party devalues its currency in terms of the other currency, the former shall compensate the latter in respect of the Central Bank balances, and the revaluation shall not give rise to a gold payment by reference to the limits laid down in Article 2 of the Agreement. The amount of the compensation shall be agreed between the two Central Banks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken by His Majesty's Government and the Belgian Government to implement Article 6 (i) c, 6 (ii) c and 6 (iii) of the Anglo-Belgian Financial Agreement.

These provisions are under discussion with the Belgian Government, but until the position of our own balance of payments with the Belgian Monetary area is clarified, we feel bound to impose strict limitations on any net accruals of sterling to Belgium from sources outside the sterling area.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for the installation of a telephone or telephones in business or industrial premises in Doncaster area remain outstanding at the present time; for how long they have been outstanding; and what is the order of priorities when considering such applications.

Three hundred and twenty-seven applications for telephones in business or industrial premises are outstanding in the Doncaster area. Five of these have been outstanding since 1945 or before, 41 since 1946, and 281 have been received this year. Priority is given to the provision of essential telephones for public administration, health and other social services, public utilities and businesses engaged in production for export or for saving imports. Other business and industrial applicants are provided with service according to the date of application, subject to the availability of spare wires in the local cable.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed in the Doncaster area during 1947; and what number of applications remain outstanding up to date.

Nine hundred and fifty-seven telephones have been installed in the Doncaster area during 1947. Five hundred and seventy-six applications are outstanding.