asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that there is dissatisfaction amongst Army personnel in Salonika at the delay in receipt of mail from the United Kingdom; and if he will take steps to obviate this.

I was not aware that this mail is subject to any undue delay, but I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements have now been made for leave from Palestine for officers and other ranks, in view of the abolition of L.I.A.P.

I have been asked to reply. After the cessation of L.I.A.P. as from 1st January next, officers and other ranks serving in the Army in Palestine will be eligible only for 28 days' local leave annually. They will, of course, receive disembarkation leave on return to the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the serious state of the dykes on the Leiston battle school area which is causing bad pollution and endangering the water supply and farms in that district; that the dykes were left in an unclean condition by the military authorities after wartime occupation; that unless his Department can supply a water cart and a piped supply the residents will be unable to occupy their houses thereby seriously affecting the local housing shortage during the winter months; and will he make a statement.

The greater part of this area has been derequisitioned and owing to difficulty in maintenance during the period of requisition some of the dykes are in need of attention. I am not aware, however, that it has been established that the water supply has been polluted as a result of the condition of the dykes. The supply of water to this area is not the responsibility of my Department, but I will consult my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the policy of the War Office regarding the compassionate posting of other ranks, in view of the fact that it has been stated in writing from the War Office that no compassionate postings have been granted since the beginning of 1947.

Since the beginning of this year men have been called up to the Army for a fixed period of comparatively short duration. To be of real value their service must not be restricted as to availability for posting. Consequently compassionate postings for men have been abolished.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) when the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes can expect a reply to his letter dated 18th November about the refusal of the Minister to receive a deputation from the Federation of Independent Trades Unions;(2) on what grounds he recognises the T.U.C. as the only body representing employees in industry with which he will discuss trades union matters as a whole.

I have written to the hon. and gallant Member drawing his attention to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 4th December to the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Donner) to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of employees, managers and directors engaged in the Lancashire cotton textile industry in October, 1938, and October, 1947, respectively.

The number of persons engaged in the cotton industry in Great Britain, including employers and all employed persons, is estimated to have been 317,000 in October, 1938, and 259,000 at end-October, 1947. These figures include part-time workers (reckoned as half units); they exclude persons over the present insurable age (64 for men and 59 for women). Separate figures for Lancashire are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to bring over to this country the wives and children of those European voluntary workers who are now settled in hostels.

Parties of wives and children have already arrived, and others are on the way. Three boat loads are scheduled for this month. All will be brought here as quickly as sufficient accommodation can be provided.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that employment exchanges are in full operation, and to avoid overlapping, he will consider closing down the resettlement advice bureaux.

The work done at the resettlement advice offices does not overlap but is part of the work of the employment exchanges. Where the work can be carried on at the exchanges, this is done.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons come under profit-sharing schemes in industry and what plans he has for extending and encouraging such schemes.

Information as to the number of persons covered by profit-sharing schemes at the present time is not available. The extension of such schemes to other industries is a matter for both sides of those industries to determine.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the figure of 48 million for the month of November is the rate of our dollar deficit or the new drain on this country's gold stocks.

The figure represents the total gross sales of gold, made to supply us with purchasing power in the dollar area and elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the monthly loss of gold or hard currency incurred by this country in October and November, respectively, through limitations on the amounts of inconvertible sterling to be held by various countries under financial agreements concluded by His Majesty's Government.

As already announced, total sales of gold were £35 million and £48 million gross, in October and November respectively. I am not prepared to give details by countries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, under Article II of the Anglo-Iraq Payments Agreement, His Majesty's Government have undertaken to make good Iraq trading deficits with specified hard currency countries individually, irrespective of any surplus of hard currency that Iraq may obtain through trade with other members of the same specified countries.

The effect of Article II is not as suggested. Article III is the operative one for this purpose.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer with what countries an agreement for the control of old sterling balances has not yet been concluded; and what is the total of such balances and the use to which they can at present be put.

I am adding at the end of this answer a list of the countries part of whose balances have been blocked by agreement; with other countries no such agreements exist. I can draw no general distinction between "old" and "new" sterling balances, but the total of short-term liabilities to residents outside the United Kingdom, excluding blocked balances, amounted at the end of October to about £1,750 million. Sterling balances owned by non-residents are available for payments in the sterling area. Balances owned by residents in the sterling area are also available for payments to nonresidents, subject to the appropriate exchange control. Arrangements exist for the transfer of sterling in agreed circumstances between countries outside the sterling area.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what authority the Treasury confiscate money addressed to His Majesty's ships, G.P.O., London.

Sterling notes enclosed in such letters are liable to forfeiture, if the ship is on foreign service, under Section 177 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, which applies by virtue of Part III of the Fifth Schedule to the Exchange Control Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the tonnage of linseed oil, and linseed, being made available to the linoleum industry as compared with other industries.

It would not be in the public interest to give details of the allocations of linseed oil made, or to be made, to industries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent effective staff suggestion schemes are now operating in Government Departments; what financial encouragements are given to junior staff whose ideas may eliminate unnecessary work and lead to increased efficiency; and whether extensions are contemplated.

These have long existed in the Departments which employ the greater part of the Civil Service. Other Departments are now introducing them as a result of a request made by the Treasury. Financial rewards are given in some cases.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many typewriters and to what value have been purchased by Government Departments in the past twelve months; what proportion of the total output of British typewriters his purchase represents; and whether the Government requirements of typewriters take priority over commercial needs.

Four thousand, three hundred and twenty-nine typewriters of an approximate value of £109,000 representing 9.6 per cent. of total British output. Allocations are determined by the Ministry of Supply after consideration of both Government and commercial needs.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will arrange that on each Statutory Order there shall be an explanatory memorandum giving its justification and objective, so that it will be understandable to laymen as well as lawyers.

It is already the practice for explanatory memoranda to be issued with Statutory Rules and Orders, unless in any particular case the purpose and effect of the rule or order is readily apparent. Such memoranda can only, of course, indicate the objective; they cannot properly be a vehicle for argument about the merits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far there is reason to expect an increase in the percentage of plantation rubber used in the United States of America as a result of the recent trade agreement made at Geneva; or if the 25 per cent. of synthetic rubber to be insisted on in the U.S.A. in future is 25 per cent. of the total consumption of all kinds of rubber used in that country.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on 4th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why the firm of Moorfield Art Silks, Ltd., Farnworth, has not been granted an increased allocation of warping paper for rayon yarn manufacture, in view of the fact that the whole of the increase of output of this firm is destined for export, and that for lack of this yarn weavers who would otherwise be engaged in the export drive are idle;(2) what steps he is taking to secure an adequate supply of warping paper for rayon yarn manufacturers who are attempting to increase production for export.

Although paper supplies are difficult, I am not aware of any general shortage in respect of warping paper for rayon yarn, but I shall be glad to review the position of any firm whose exports are held up on this account. In the case of Moorfield Art Silks, Ltd., inquiries are being made and, if justified, an additional quantity will be licensed for their requirements.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of suitable clothing for agricultural workers in the Beccles, Suffolk, area; that the shops are unable to supply essential needs; and if he will arrange for supplies to be made available.

As the result of a special investigation I have caused to be made, I find that Beccles is receiving its fair share of available supplies of clothing suitable for agricultural workers. Any improvement in supplies to Beccles, as to the rest of the country, depends on the success of the textile industries' efforts to increase the output of cloth.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he it satisfied that the present allocation of clothing coupons to agricultural workers is sufficient to meet their minimum requirements during the winter months.

I am satisfied that the coupon supplements and the special facilities provided for agricultural workers to obtain essential protective clothing, will meet their minimum requirements during the winter months.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the acute shortage of baby carriages caused by the manufacturers having no steel; and what action does he propose to take in this matter.

No. Enough steel is being allocated to this industry to maintain the level of supply to the home market which has ruled throughout the year, and I am informed that it is now exceptional for a mother to be unable to get a baby carriage for her child.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the period November to February supplies of hand-knitting wool to the home trade are being reduced; and in view of the shortage of machine-made wool garments, if he will take action to increase the supply of hand-knitting wool.

In view of the urgency of increasing exports of all kinds, the export allocation for hand-knitting yarn in the period November, 1947, to February, 1948, has been raised. Most of the increase will come out of increased production, but it has also been necessary to make a small reduction of about 4 per cent. in the home programme. Home supplies, however, will still be at a rate of 6 per cent. above that in 1946. They will be increased again as soon as is practicable, having regard to the total production and the paramount need for exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many motor cars have been imported from the United States in the last two years; how many of these were gifts to British subjects; whether Purchase Tax was paid thereon; whether it was based upon the trade value in this country of those cars; and whether he will ban any future imports.

The number of cars recorded as imported from the United States in the two years ended 31st October, 1947, was 318. The majority of these were gifts. Purchase Tax is payable on all cars imported as gifts, the tax being assessed on the wholesale value in the United Kingdom. No commercial imports of motor cars are at present allowed from any source and while licences for import of cars as gifts are kept to a minimum and are granted only when the car is a gift from a near relative I am not prepared to refuse licences in all such cases.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will make arrangements for a more adequate supply of wellington boots for farm workers, both men and women, and for children, to Messrs. E. H. Spencer, Market Place, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, who have had only eight pairs this autumn, as compared with their usual sales of 500 pairs for the season;(2) whether, in view of the necessity for rural workers throughout the country, and children in the rural areas, to have Wellington boots, he will make arrangements for an increased delivery to the suppliers in the country districts.

I have already taken special steps to arrange with manufacturers, importers and distributors to give priority in supplies of adults' and children's Wellington boots to rural areas; and I will look into the special case mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that no men's utility flannel trousers have been obtainable in the Dover constituency for several months; whether he can give any indication as to when supplies will be made available; and whether he is aware that non-utility flannel trousers are available in quantities.

Although retailers' stocks of utility flannel trousers throughout the country are low because of the steep increase in demand following demobilisation, the position in Dover is not quite so bad as my hon. Friend suggests. Inquiries which I have caused to be made show that a number of leading outfitters there have small stocks of utility flannel trousers in addition to fair supplies of those made of tweeds and other utility materials. As regards the second part of the Question, the level of production of utility flannel cloth in recent months has improved, but any substantial increase depends upon the success of the wool industry's efforts to increase output. As regards the last part of the Question, deliveries of utility flannel trousers to leading Dover outfitters during the last three months were some five times those of non-utility.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent orders for goods in this country have been cancelled as a result of failure in negotiations on dairy produce imports from Denmark.

I regret that the information asked for is not available. My hon. Friend will, of course, realise that the absence of an agreement with the Danish authorities about the import of dairy produce is only partially responsible for the severity of current restrictions on the import of United Kingdom goods into Denmark.

asked the President of the Board of Trade with what formalities a person who wishes to start a weekly or daily newspaper or journal has to comply before he can obtain the necessary supply of paper.

A licence under the Control of Paper No. 70 Order is required before any new newspaper or periodical may be published where this uses more than eight cwt. of paper in a four months period. Such licences are only granted in exceptional circumstances. Where a licence is granted, the Paper Control will authorise the delivery of the requisite quantity of paper upon application by the licensee through the paper mill from which he is obtaining his supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulties experienced by prospective customers for British goods in Sweden, owing to there being no British chamber of commerce in Stockholm; and if he will arrange for a central source of information in that city, with an adequate supply of current catalogues, particularly of electronic products and components.

IMPORT OF UNMANUFACTURED TOBACCO FROM EUROPEAN COUNTRIES.
——				1933.	1938.	1946.	1947.*
				'000 lbs.	'000 lbs.	'000 lbs.	'000 lbs.
Soviet Union	…	…	…	2	11	—	—
Denmark	…	…	…	2	8	—	—
Germany	…	…	…	328	47	—	—
Italy	…	…	…	11	88	—	—
Greece	…	…	…	175	1,520	616	10,480
Bulgaria	…	…	…	8	169	—	—
Cyprus	…	…	…	350	206	394	—
Belgium	…	…	…	184	29	—	—
Netherlands	…	…	…	509	3	56	—
Turkey	…	…	…	43	—	3,078	1,546
Hungary	…	…	…	—	225	—	—
Other countries	…	…	…	9	9	—	—
				1,621	2,315	4,144	12,026
* Estimate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value of goods intended for export which have been lying in warehouses, without

I am not aware of any such difficulties. The Commercial Secretariat of His Majesty's Embassy at Stockholm is equipped to handle inquiries about the import of United Kingdom goods into Sweden, and to act as a central source of trade information. Exporters are periodically invited by notice in the Board of Trade Journal to send, and to maintain a regular flow of their trade literature to the Commercial Departments of His Majesty's Missions overseas. The response to the last invitation, issued in April of this year, was extremely good.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of tobacco were imported from separate European countries in 1933, 1938 and 1946, and what quantities are to be imported this year; and what proportion of Balkan tobacco is now blended into popular brands of cigarettes.

I cannot say what proportion of Balkan tobacco is used in any particular brand of cigarette. Following are the figures asked for in the first part of the Question:an export market outlet, for over three months.

No estimate can be made of the quantities of goods awaiting shipment for a period of three months or more.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many clothing coupons have been collected for gift clothing from the American Red Cross which has been distributed to flood victims.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when Messrs. James Wheeldon and Sons, Salford, will be permitted to export windows, softwood and doors, softwood, respectively; and is he aware that this firm has been ready to assist in the export drive for some time now.

The question of releasing timber for the manufacture for export of softwood window frames and doors is under consideration. Messrs. Wheeldon and Sons have already been informed that they will be notified when a decision on the matter has been reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent Portland cement forms any part of our exports; to which countries; what is the price per ton charged; if any Portland cement is imported from any country or countries, if so, which; and the price per ton paid for same to be delivered.

In the first ten months of this year Portland cement represented 0·3 per cent. of the value of United Kingdom exports. Countries to which cement was exported are set out in the Trade and Navigation Accounts; the average value was £3·7 per ton. Imports were received from Belgium and Eire, the average c.i.f. value being £6·3 per ton.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any estimate of the urgent plant and machinery requirements of the textile industries; and whether it is proposed that any reduction shall be made in the intended investment in this industry as a result of the programme described in Cmd. 7268.

Total orders on the books of textile machinery manufacturers for the home textile industries amount to about £30 million. Deliveries of textile machinery to these industries are increasing. Similar information as to the textile industries' requirements of other types of plant and machinery is not readily available. As regards investment in buildings, the general position, as already announced, is that no new industrial buildings or extensions will be started for at least six months other than a limited number of cases which are of exceptional importance by reason of their contribution to exports or to the saving of imports. The importance of textiles in this connection will be borne in mind when building projects by textile firms are under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the announcement by the chairman of the North West Regional Board for Industry that, with 30,000 unemployed on Merseyside, the policy of directing work to the worker was failing; and, in view of the large number also unemployed in South Wales, what new steps are proposed to remedy this evil.

I do not accept the statement attributed to the chairman of the North West Regional Board for Industry as quoted in the first part of the Question. Unemployment in the Development Areas has been reduced from 171,000 in June, 1946, to 104,000 in October, 1947, and on Merseyside from 28,500 to 23,000 in the same period. Unemployment in South Wales has been reduced from 59,000 in June, 1946, to 32,000 in October, 1947. Means of further reducing unemployment both in the Development Areas and in other districts are being constantly considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a breakdown of the 62,944 tons of paper allocated to other industrial users during the current four months' period; how much of this is for the manufacture of paper bobbins and tubes required for the textile trade and for direct exports; and why this allocation cannot be increased.

The allocations cover a wide range of industries and publication of details would not serve any useful purpose. The present allocation for tubes for bobbins is however more than 20 per cent. higher than in the previous period and this is estimated to be adequate to cover home requirements. The amount cannot be increased owing to the shortage of raw materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as a result of representations by costume manufacturers in Glasgow, he is satisfied that there is a considerable accumulation of wearing apparel available for sale either at home or for export; and whether he proposes any steps to remedy this position.

I am aware that some manufacturers are finding that stocks of women's coats and costumes are moving slowly, but there is as yet no evidence of an excessive accumulation. The Board of Trade are considering the matter particularly with a view to increasing exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what countries bacon and ham was exported in the nine months to September, 1947, and what was the value exported to each country.

Of the total of £66,500, £38,600 went to the Channel Islands, £20,400 to Gibraltar, £7,400 to Malta and £100 to other countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the grave shortage of gas mantles in Sunderland; and, in view of the hardship entailed on householders depending on gas for illumination, if he will take steps to have the shortage rectified.

Shortage of certain raw materials has brought about a general shortage of gas mantles all over the country. We are doing our best to rectify this and production in 1947 is running at about 12 per cent. higher than that of 1946. I am informed that Sunderland is obtaining a fair share of the available supply.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state separately the number and sterling value of American and Canadian magazines imported into this country during the last convenient period.

Imports of magazines are not recorded separately in the United Kingdom trade returns. The United States official statistics record 2,902,845 periodicals (other than newspapers) as exported to the United Kingdom during January to September, 1947, the value being £113,900; during the same period Canadian exports to the United Kingdom of newspapers and magazines were valued at £11,700, the number not being recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered a copy of the resolution passed by Scottish delegates at the Housing and Town Planning Conference held at Harrogate; and what he proposes to do in the matter.

I have just received the resolution referred to and propose to arrange a meeting with the Scottish National Housing and Town Planning Council to discuss it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that in the village of Woodside, in Ayrshire, there are no amenities, that the houses are damp, insanitary and unfit for human habitation, that there is no inside water supply, that in one house there are six people living in one, room, including an invalid father and a child suffering from infantile paralysis, that no provision is being made for the re-housing of these villagers; and what steps he proposes to take.

I am informed by the County Council that all the houses in Woodside are scheduled for demolition and that it is the Council's intention to give the inhabitants the option of being re-housed at Tarbolton or in the proposed new town at Drongan as soon as accommodation becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses have been allocated to Ayrshire in the next two years for agricultural workers.

The numbers of houses allocated under the 1947–48, 1948–49 and 1949–50 programmes are 150, 74 and 164 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, to encourage savings, occupiers of local authority houses may be allowed to buy the houses which they are occupying on instalments.

Type.	Price.		Date of Basic Rates.	Remarks.
Weir "Quality" (first programme).	£1,160		14.8.45	Price excludes foundations and services.
Atholl (first programme).	£1,135		11.8.45	Price excludes fencing. Extra charge is made for delivery to sites more than 20 miles from Glasgow.
B.I.S.F.	£1,267 (500 houses per site)		1.2.46	Prices exclude cooker and tail drain. Additional sums of £5 to £7 10s. per house are payable to cover steel delivery charges to sites between 50 and 150 miles from Glasgow.
	£1,287 (200 houses per site)
	£1,307 (50 houses per site)
Cruden	£1,241 to £1,346 (blocks of two)		17.5.46	Prices, which exclude fencing, are graded for varying numbers of houses per site from 4 to 48.
	£1,223 to £1,328 (blocks of four)
Whitson-Fairhurst.	Type C42A	£1,172 10s.	31.3.46	Prices, which exclude gas and electric services and fencing, are for a minimum of 50 houses per site.
	Type C42B
	Type C44A (end)
	Type C44B (end)
	Type C44A(mid)	£1,132 10s.
	Type C44B(mid)
	TypeC52A	£1,292
	Type F44A	£1,094
Hilcon	Type A	£1,215	31.3.46	Prices, which exclude gas and electric services and fencing, are for a minimum of 50 houses per site.
	Type C	£1,182
	Type D	£1,310
	Type E	£1,126
Orlit	Type R/C/4	£1,220	31.5.46	Prices, which exclude gas and electric services, wash boilers, cookers and fencing are for a minimum of 50 houses per site within 50 miles of Edinburgh or Paisley.
	Type R/C/5	£1,340
	Type R/C1/4	£1,180
	Type R/C/4/5	£1,240
	Type F/1/4	£1,130
Stuart	Type 4C/2	£1,252	31.5.46	Prices, which exclude gas and electric services and fencing, are for a minimum of 100 houses per site.
	Type 4T/4	£1,235
	Type 4T/6	£1,230
	Type 4F/4	£1,140
Weir "Quality" (second programme).	£1,226		1.9.46	Price, which excludes gas and electric services and fencing, is for a minimum of 50 houses per site within 15 miles from Coatbridge. Additional charges, yet to be agreed, will be made to cover the extra cost of building in smaller numbers and in remoter areas.

In present circumstances I do not consider it desirable to depart from the policy that as many houses as possible should be kept available for letting by local authorities to those in greatest need.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the original cost of each type of prefabricated house; the present cost; and the amount due to increased labour costs and materials respectively.

A statement giving details of the original cost of each of the main types of prefabricated house follows. Particulars of the final costs of the houses will not be available until the completion of the contracts.

asked the Seretary of State for Scotland which associations of local authorities and which local authorities were consulted in reference to the Local Government Bill.

The three Scottish local authority associations, the Association of County Councils, the Counties of Cities Association and the Convention of Royal Burghs were asked to nominate representatives for discussions about the proposed adjustment of the financial relations between the Exchequer and local authorities and the derating of railway and electricity undertakings, and consultations took place with the representatives nominated. No individual local authority was consulted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of German prisoners of war engaged on the various hydro-electric projects; and their wage rates per hour.

At 5th December, 405 German prisoners of war were employed on hydro-electric schemes in Scotland. It is intended to increase this number to about 700 in the near future. The pay of the men is a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for War, but I understand that German prisoners of war are paid for all the hours they work at their normal rates of 1½d. per hour for skilled work and ¾d. for unskilled, with bonuses for good work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland on what grounds he approved the alteration in the scheme of education for the Glasgow Education Authority.

As the Education Committee now have to execute a large number of delegated functions on behalf of the Corporation, the Corporation's desire to secure that a majority of the Committee would reflect the views of the majority of the Corporation seemed reasonable and the proposed alteration conformed to the requirements of the Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he had any prior consultations with the Labour Party in the Glasgow Town Council or with Labour, leaders in the City of Glasgow, before approving the alteration in the constitution of the Glasgow Education Committee.

No such consultations took place, but my predecessor met a special sub-committee of the Education Committee of the Corporation to discuss a clause in their draft administrative scheme which was designed to make all decisions of the Education Committee subject to review by the Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has made any representations with a view to setting up a direct liner service between Glasgow and Canada, U.S.A., South Africa, New Zealand and Australia; and that all cargoes for Scotland should be discharged at Glasgow Docks.

I understand that the Scottish Tourist Board have taken up urgently with the shipping interests concerned the question of a direct passenger liner service between the Eastern ports of Canada and the United States of America and the Clyde. With regard to the second part of the Question, I do not think such an arrangement would be practicable and I have received no representations in regard to it. It would certainly arouse objections from other Scottish ports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Hadfield Worsted Mills Co., Ltd., were informed by the Minister of Labour on 23rd September that the application for a labour permit for Mr. L. J. Vandaele had been forwarded for action to his Department; that his Department stated on 20th November that applications should be made in the first instance to the Ministry of Labour; that although a further application was consequently made to the Ministry of Labour, no reply had been received on 26th November; and whether he will consult with the Ministry of Labour in order to expedite a decision in this particular case.

It appeared from correspondence with the firm that Mrs. Vandaele was British by birth and was resident here before her marriage. In these circumstances it would be the current practice to admit her and her Belgian husband and to allow them to take employment without Ministry of Labour permits, and if the immigration officer is satisfied as to the facts, my right hon. Friend knows of no reason why they should have difficulty in obtaining leave to land. I regret that the position was not more clearly explained in the letter of 10th November. A further communication is being sent to the firm.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the normal period that a reprieved murderer is kept in prison in the case of men and women whose behaviour is exemplary while undergoing sentence, and excluding for the purpose of calculation the men and women who have died while undergoing sentence.

There is no normal period. The appropriate period is determined in each case in the light of all the circumstances. There have been exceptional cases in which release has been authorised after less than a year, and cases in which the prisoner has been detained for 20 years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of recruits still necessary to bring the police force up to its prewar figure in London.

The present strength of the Metropolitan police force is 4,742 below the authorised establishment in September, 1939 (and 5,227 below the current authorised establishment). The City of London police force is 433 below its authorised establishment in September, 1939 (and 247 below the current authorised establishment).

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the acute shortage of cycle chains in the Bristol area; and if, in view of the increased use of cycles following the withdrawal of basic petrol allowance, he will make a larger supply of chains available.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Norfolk (Mr. Medlicott) on 2nd December. Manufacturers are being asked to ensure that Bristol gets its fair share of available supplies.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the bad effect upon the motor industry of the most recent cut in the allocation of steel; and if, in view of the importance of the production of cars, buses and trucks in the export drive, he will reconsider the urgency of a larger supply of steel to fulfil export orders.

The motor industry has been given as large a steel allocation as it has been possible to make having regard to other essential requirements. The allocation for the first quarter of 1948 will, in fact, be larger than the allocation for the current quarter.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of persons employed in Royal Ordnance Factories under the headings of industrial employees and of non-industrial employees, established and pension able, and unestablished, respectively.

The number of industrial employees in the Royal Ordnance Factories at the end of November, 1947, was 34,052. The number of non-industrial employees on the same date was 6,669, of whom 1,242 were established and pensionable. The remaining 5,427 were unestablished.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will extend the time for receiving applications, and granting refund of motor car licence tax, for which applications should have been despatched by the last day of November, until the various petroleum controllers have rendered their decisions on the granting or otherwise of supplementary petrol.

Yes. Refunds will be allowed for December where the surrender of a licence has been delayed pending a decision on an application for supplementary rations and the vehicle has not been used during December.

asked the Minister of Transport how many British ships reached the port of Bahia Blanca in October; and how many of them were in sand ballast.

The reply to the first part of the Question is five, and to the second part, none.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the annual costs of administration per £100 of the total deposits of the Post Office Savings Bank.

The expenses of management per £100 of the mean balance standing to the credit of depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank in 1946 were 5s. 7d.

asked the Minister of Works (1) what has been the capital expenditure in the London area on new works and extensions on old works, respectively, since July, 1945;(2) what has been the capital expenditure on new works and extensions on old works, respectively, in Scotland since July, 1945.

There is no geographical classification of capital expenditure, but I estimate that in the field of building and civil engineering about £70 million has been spent in this period both in Scotland and in the London Region upon new works and extensions combined. I cannot give separate figures for these two types of work.

asked the Minister of Works what are the numbers of building trade operatives employed in the London region on war damage repair to houses, erection of temporary houses, construction of houses and preparation of sites for permanent houses, repair and maintenance of houses and conversions and adaptations of houses, respectively; what

HOUSING.
War damage repairs to houses	…	64,000
Erection of temporary houses	…	1,195
Site preparation and erection of permanent houses	…	37,549
Repair and maintenance	…	20,644
Conversions and adaptations providing additional accommodation	…	14,970
		138,358

NON-HOUSING.
——		New Work.	War Damage Repairs.	Repairs and Maintenance.	Totals.
Factories	…	4,210	3,707	2,313	10,230
Commercial premises	…	989	5,882	1,656	8,527
Public utilities	…	7,527	532	3,407	11,466
Other	…	—	43,419	—	43,419
					73,642
GRAND TOTAL					212,000

The statistics of operatives employed on the above types of work do not distinguish between building and civil engineering operatives.The total number of insured males aged 16–64 at July, 1947, in the building and civil engineering industries in the London region was 242,000. The number of insured males in the administrative County of London was, at the same date, 125,000. The scope of these figures is different from that of the operatives shown above since the figures for insured workers include non-manual employees within the scope of the Unemployment Insurance Scheme and unemployed workers, but exclude persons over insurable age.

Following is the information:It is estimated that in September, 1947, building and civil engineering operatives were employed as follows in the London Region. (The figures are provisional and may be altered when the examination of returns has been completed.)

asked the Minister of Works how many residential premises in the Metropolitan area still remain requisitioned by Government Departments for use as offices.

The number of residential premises held on requisition by Government Departments for use as offices in the London region is 1,559, comprising 571 houses and 988 flats.

asked the Minister of Health the number of people in the Borough of Bermondsey who are at present in receipt of public assistance, and the numbers of people receiving this benefit in the year 1936.

The number in receipt of public assistance in the form of out-relief on the 29th November, 1947, was 368, and on the 28th November, 1936, it was 2,950.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to set up an international organisation to review progress under the Marshall Plan as recommended in paragraph 113 of the Committee of European Economic Co-operation.

The relevant portion of this paragraph reads as follows:

"The Committee believes that if means for carrying out the programme are made available, a joint organisation to review the progress achieved in the execution of the programme will be necessary. The participating Governments declare themselves ready in this event to set up such an Organisation by mutual agreement."

From this it is clear that the participating Governments are not in a position, at the present time, to take steps to set up the Organisation contemplated in the Report. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a further statement on this subject in due course.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what tonnage of Polish coal is being imported.

About 80,000 tons for the five months ending 30th November, 1947.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the names of the remaining Chairmen and of the Deputy Chairmen of the Area Electricity Boards.

Yes, Sir. After consultation with the British Electricity Authority, I have appointed Sir Norman Duke and Mr. S. F. Steward to be Chairmen Designate of the South East Scotland and South Western Area Boards respectively. I have also appointed the following gentlemen to be Deputy Chairman Designate of the Area Boards concerned:

• Mr. E. A. Mills—London.
• Mr. W. R. T. Skinner—South Eastern.
• Mr. R. R. B. Brown—Southern.
• Mr. H. Midgley—South Western.
• Mr. H. C. Waters—Eastern.
• Mr. J. Mould—East Midland.
• Mr. D. H. Kendon—Midland.
• Mr. E. Jones South Wales.
• Mr. D. P. Oliver—Merseyside and North Wales.
• Mr. D. Bellamy—Yorkshire.
• Mr. T. E. Daniel—North Eastern.
• Mr R. A. S. Thwaites—North Western.
• Mr. W. S. Sawtell—South East Scotland.
• Mr. W. Hutton—South West Scotland.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the hon. Member for the Isle of Thanet has written many letters to him on behalf of constituents who feel that the regional petroleum officer has been wrong in refusing them supplementary petrol; that the majority of these letters were acknowledged by him more than a month ago and that no reply has yet been received; and whether he can hold out any hopes of a definite reply to the hon. Member in the immediate future.

I have replied to all letters which I have received from the hon. Member except two received last week and one which raised a matter of principle which is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he welcomes hon. Members taking up direct with regional petroleum officers representations of constituents regarding supplementary petrol allowances.

I have no objection to this procedure. I understand that many hon. Members have found it convenient and, as cases of this kind almost invariably require regional investigation, time will often be saved. I attach the names and addresses of the regional petroleum officers. At the same time I should like to make it clear that I do not wish to interfere in any way with the right of

Region.	Name and Address of Regional Petroleum Officer.	Area.
1. Northern	P. S. Williams, Government Buildings, Ponteland Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 5.	The Counties of Northumberland, Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire.
	(Newcastle 28131)
2. North Eastern	F. B. Green, 20/22, St. Paul's Street, Leeds, 1.	The County of York, less the North Riding.
	(Leeds 31621/6).
3. North Midland	H. G. Beadle, Mechanics' Institute, North Church St., Nottingham.	The Counties of Nottingham, Lincoln, Rutland, Northampton, Soke of Peterborough, Leicester and Derby.
	(Nottingham 40344).
4. Eastern	L. H. Shelton, Dalberg, 6. Chaucer Road, Cambridge. (Cambridge 55621).	The Counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Isle of Ely, Bedford, Herts, and Essex less that part of the Metropolitan Police Area lying within the latter counties.
5. London	F. E. M. Beatley, O. B. E., Bromyard Avenue, Acton, London, W.3.	London and Middlesex and those parts of the counties of Essex, Herts, Surrey and Kent lying within the Metropolitan Police Area.
	(Shepherds Bush 3181).
6. Southern	W. M. Hyne, Whiteknights, Earley, Reading.	The Counties of Hants, (plus the Isle of Wight), Dorset, Berks, Oxford and Bucks.
	(Reading 61491).
7. South Western	L. A. Russell, Central Hall, Redcross Street, Bristol, 2.	The Counties of Gloucester, Wilts, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
	(Bristol 22071/5).
8. Wales	Major-Gen. D. Paige, C.B.E., M.C., 19/21, Charles Street, Cardiff. (Cardiff 8796).	The Counties of Cardigan, Radnor, Brecknock, Monmouth, Glamorgan, Carmarthen and Pembroke.
	E. J. Millwood, Bangor St., Caernarvon.	The Counties of Anglesey, Caernarvon, Merioneth, Montgomery, Denbigh and Flint.
	(Caernarvon 491/2).
9. Midland	A. K. Beauchamp, 63, Hagley Road West, Birmingham, 17.	The Counties of Stafford, Warwick, Worcester, Hereford and Salop.
	(Bearwood 3071).
10. North Western	C. D. E. Marney, Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, 20.	The Counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancaster and Chester.
	(Didsbury 5180/4).
11. Scotland	G. S. Mackay, 101, George St., Edinburgh, 2.	Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian, Berwick, Roxburgh, Peebles, Selkirk, Fife, Kinross, Perth, Clackmannan. Also for the Counties of Angus, (Forfar), Aberdeen, Banff, Kincardine, Moray, Orkney, Shetland, Nairn, Inverness, Ross and Cromarty, Sutherland and Caithness.
	(Edinburgh 33255 and 20645).
	W. Armour, 25, Park Circus, Glasgow C.3.	The Counties of Renfrew, Lanark, Argyll, Ayr, Bute, Dumbarton, Stirling, Kirkcudbright, Wigtown and Dumfries.
	(Glasgow Douglas 1928).
12. South Eastern	B. P. Howell, The Pump Room, Tunbridge Wells.	The Counties of Sussex, Kent, and Surrey, less that part of the Metropolitan Police Area lying within the Counties of Kent, and Surrey.
	(Tunbridge Wells 3395).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to Article 10 of the Trustee Agree-

In so far as the promotion of the British export trade to Tanganyika Territory is compatible with the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of the Trusteeship Agreement, the answer is in the affirmative. Article 10 requires that any action taken thereunder shall be designed to promote the interests of the people of the Territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the capacity of the port of Dar-es-Salaam; and to what extent this has been reached in the last six months.

The present capacity of the Port of Dar-es-Salaam is estimated at 20,000 freight tons of imports (excluding coal and wheeled vehicles) and 13,000 freight tons of exports per month. The Governor reports that this capacity was reached in July and October this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the actual tonnage of fertilisers demanded in each of the five East and Central African territories; and what was the minimum tonnage estimated to be required to maintain soil fertility, exclusive of any groundnut scheme.

Only nitrogenous fertilisers are subject to allocation, and requests are forwarded to me only in respect of fertilisers of this type. The following tonnages for 1947–48 have been asked for:Kenya—825 tons of sulphate of ammonia and 25 tons of nitrate of ammonia.Tanganyika—585 tons of sulphate of ammonia.Uganda—960 tons of nitrogen.Zanzibar—None.Nyasaland—2,500 tons of sulphate of ammonia and 60 tons of nitrate of soda.Northern Rhodesia—No separate record, since requirements are included in Southern Rhodesian returns.With regard to the second part of the Question, I am advised that it is not at present possible to estimate minimum requirements for the maintenance of soil fertility in conditions such as those which obtain in Colonial territories. A research team has been established under the aegis of the East African Agricultural and Forestry Research Organisation to examine the problem of maintenance of soil fertility under African conditions and to examine the manurial requirements of different soils and different crops.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he is still refusing to allow Messrs. Bertram and Anthony Brooke to enter Sarawak.

Mr. Bertram Brooke has not applied for permission to enter Sarawak. I gave the reasons for the exclusion of Mr. Anthony Brooke to the House on 19th December last. I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many local offices he proposes establishing in the West Riding of Yorkshire; how many of these have now been obtained; to what extent he proposes sharing accommodation with other Government Departments; and whether the location of the offices will give a convenient service to the public.

Seventy-seven local offices have been planned for the West Riding and up to date 55 sets of suitable premises have been obtained, one of these being in a Ministry of Labour employment exchange; this is the only case in which sharing of accommodation has been found possible. Search for premises in the remaining 22 cases is being vigorously pressed, but as will be appreciated the difficulties in obtaining premises are formidable. In any cases where suitable premises for a completely equipped office are not secured before the appointed day, small offices will be opened at which claims can be received and information and advice given. Eight of these offices will be in Ministry of Labour employment exchanges. The minimum service at which my hon. Friend is aiming is that the great majority of the insured population should have an office within five miles.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that, under the existing Burnham agreement, the salaries of about 50 per cent. of the headmasters of grammar schools remained as they were, and that under the proposed new Burnham scale, to be in operation for three years, some headmasters of grammar schools will receive little or no increase in their salaries; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will remove this injustice.

I am aware that certain head teachers of secondary schools did not receive increases of salary on the introduction of the salary scales for teachers in primary and secondary schools which came into force on 1st April, 1945, but I have no information to show the precise proportion of teachers in this position. With regard to the latter part of the question, the position remains as stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 30th October.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many Dunker 52's have been operated by British European Airways Corporation since the end of the war.

Ten.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Mr. B. J. Isgar of 46, King Street, Canterbury has been refused a meat feeding stuffs retail sales licence without any reasons for refusal being stated, although Mr. Isgar holds a licence to slaughter and has premises licensed by the local authority; and what are the reasons for the said refusal.

Although Mr. B. J. Isgar was informed that his two applications for a retail licence to sell meat feeding stuffs were refused because the proposed trading premises were unsuitable he was unfortunately not told of his right to appeal against the decision of the food control committee. Arrangements have therefore been made for the reconsideration of his case.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of Scotland's share in bulk-bought food imports is discharged at Scottish ports and what proportion transferred from English ports by rail; and whether he will take steps to see that the latter is reduced to a minimum so that Scotland's prewar activity in dealing with food cargoes as far as possible restored.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th November, 1947; Vol. 444, c. 1991], supplied the following information:During the last 10 months for which figures are available the proportion of Ministry imports of food and feeding stuffs imported through Scottish ports was nearly 9 per cent., or, if transhipments are included slightly over nine per cent. In the same period the fraction of Ministry imports moved by rail to Scotland from English ports was one-half per cent. The population of Scotland is just over ten per cent. of the population of the United Kingdom, and on this basis Scottish ports have been getting a reasonable share.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps it is proposed to take to implement the recent decision to form an East African Naval Defence Force; how this force will be recruited and trained; and what ships will be provided for it.

The formation of a full-time Colonial Naval Force in East Africa is still the subject of negotiations with the local Colonial authorities. I am not yet in a position, therefore, to answer the latter part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Defence how many of the 154,200 in the Army, 109,000 in the Royal Navy, and 94,500 in the Royal Air Force, who were on the strength of the Regular Forces on 30th September, 1947, were on long service engagements; and how many were on short service engagements.

There is no distinct line of demarcation between short and long service. If long service is interpreted to include permanent commissions, all normal Regular engagements, and extensions thereof, and short service to include Bounty men and officers and men on extended and short service schemes, the division is as follows:—

——		Royal Navy.	Army.	R.A.F.
Long service	…	99,400	128,150	64,350
Short service	…	9,600	26,050	30,150
Total regulars	…	109,000	154,200	94,500

As far as other ranks are concerned, this division corresponds to that made in the Quarterly Recruiting Returns which are made available in the Vote Office. It should be realised that considerable numbers of those thus classified as "long service" in the Army and R.A.F. are on engagements of five years or even less.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why Knowl House, Mirfield, Yorks., was opened as a W.L.A. hostel; whether previous inquiries indicated that full agricultural employment would be available for 33 girls; how many of these have had full employment during each of the last eight weeks; what has been the approximate loss incurred in the hostel during this period; and how long he proposes continuing the experiment.

The hostel to which my hon. Friend refers was opened in mid-September to meet the need for labour created by the withdrawal from the area of about 50 prisoners of war for repatriation. Full employment was maintained until the end of October but since then there has been some unemployment. The amount paid out in wages and not recovered from farmers since the hostel was opened is £79 7s. 9d. As regards the last part of the Question, I am advised that, with the co-operation of farmers, work could be found for the girls throughout the winter, to enable the hostel to be kept open to meet the acute demand for labour expected next year. It is hoped in any case to engage the girls temporarily on W.A.E.C. work.