asked the Minister of Food what are the present arrangements for the purchase of oranges in Spain and their distribution and sale in this country.

All our oranges are bought on Government account and are distributed throughout the country on a population basis at controlled prices. In the case of Spain, where the season is just ending, the purchase was negotiated with the Spanish fruit syndicate.

asked the Minister of Food how soon he expects to be able to announce the results of the recent consideration by the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council of the present meat ration and the needs of diabetics and other invalids.

The Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee have reviewed the present meat ration in relation to the needs of invalids and they have recommended that no extra meat rations additional to those already allowed need be granted for diabetics or for invalids suffering from spontaneous hypoglycaemia. They are satisfied that the protein available in the present allowances of meat and cheese are quite adequate to construct any kind of diabetic diet. The Committee have also recommended that one further extra ration of meat should be allowed in cases of nephritis with gross oedema and gross albuminuria, for both types of hepatitis and in cases of steatorrhea.

asked the Minister of Food in how many local food offices the responsible officer is a woman.

One hundred and sixty-eight women food executive officers are in charge of local food offices.

asked the Minister of Food what items of imported food are included in the estimated amount of £41,600,000 by which it was originally estimated that the subsidies upon food in 1949–50 would increase.

The items of imported food upon which it was originally estimated that increased costs would be incurred were: wheat, flour, dried fruit, citrus fruit, meat (carcase and canned), butter, cheese, edible oils and oilseeds, tea.

asked the Minister of Food when he intends to issue a regulation making it compulsory for manufacturers to supply washing soap adequately wrapped.

I appreciate the difficulties of retailers in handling unwrapped soap, but the risk of contamination of food is not sufficiently serious to warrant compulsory wrapping.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has considered the views of the local residents and the Bradfield Rural District Council objecting to the closing of the post office at Padworth Common, Berkshire, which will cause hardship to old age pensioners and others who will have to walk two miles to the nearest post office; and if he has now made arrangements to continue adequate postal facilities to the local residents.

Yes. I much regret that this sub-post office has had to be closed owing to the resignation of the sub-postmaster. Every effort is being made to obtain a new sub-postmaster. Meanwhile, to assist old age pensioners in particular, arrangements have been made for a postal clerk from Reading to attend at Padworth Common each Friday from 9.45 a.m. to 12.15 p.m. to pay pensions and transact other post office business.

asked the Postmaster-General how many sub-post offices in the borough of Tottenham he intends to close.

There are no present plans for closing any sub-post office in this borough.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now restore greetings telegrams and similar facilities in view of the fact that the total number is now much less than before the war.

I regret that conditions in the telegraph service have hitherto precluded re-introduction of the greetings telegrams and similar facilities, but the possibility of restoring these services is under close and constant review.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fears of potential subscribers about the privacy of calls on shared lines, he will make a statement on this matter.

I am glad to have this opportunity of explaining what shared service is, as many members of the public who have not had experience of it seem to be needlessly fearful of the extent to which their conversations may be overheard. Only two subscribers share a line and each has his own separate telephone number. When one subscriber makes a call, or when his bell rings for him to receive a call, no indication is given to the other subscriber, and the only chance of casual overhearing occurs when one wants to make a call while the other is already using the line. One hundred and thirty-two thousand subscribers are at present sharing lines, of whom about 40,000 are business subscribers, and their experience confirms that there is little risk of overhearing in practice. As shared service enables more persons to be given telephone service, I hope that increasing numbers of exclusive service subscribers will agree to share their lines and so help the Post Office to make this greater use of its limited resources.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now agree to extend the cheap hours for long-distance telephone calls to 5.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. instead of from 6.30 p.m. as hitherto.

I regret that manpower considerations at present preclude extension of the cheap rate period.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the average number of flying hours, both dual instruction and solo, carried out by cadets at the Royal Air Force College, Cranwell, during their course of training.

One hundred and seventeen hours dual and 97 hours solo.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what increases he has planned in this country's contribution to the Berlin air lift during the next month.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to state his future policy regarding the Royal Air Force Station, Wilmslow; and how many married quarters are available.

The long-term policy for the R.A.F. station at Wilmslow is at present under consideration. There are 66 married quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for Air which squadrons of the Auxiliary Air Force are now fully equipped with jet aircraft; how many are not yet so equipped; and by what date it is expected that all Auxiliary fighter squadrons will be so equipped.

No. 500 is fully equipped. Nos. 501, 605 and 616 are substantially equipped and will shortly complete their re-equipment. Nos. 601, 604, 608 and 504 will be fully equipped by April, 1950. The remaining 12 squadrons will he equipped as aircraft and suitable airfields become available. I cannot yet say when the re-equipment will be complete but I hope it will be by March, 1952. I regret that indicated in the Air Estimates Debate that four squadrons had completed their re-equipment.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the intention of the Canadian Government to manufacture an American type of jet-engined fighter; and what steps he has taken, both in the interests of earning dollars and of the standardisation of equipment between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, to bring to the attention of the Canadian Government the superiority of British fighter aircraft, or to assist the British manufacturer to compete for Royal Canadian Air Force tenders, either by manufacture in the United Kingdom or under licence in Canada.

I am aware of the intention to manufacture an American type of jet fighter in Canada. Our liaison staff in Ottawa have never failed to bring the superiority of British fighter aircraft to the attention of the Royal Canadian Air Force and every opportunity and encouragement is given to British manufacturers to tender when tenders are asked for. The type of aircraft to be used by the Royal Canadian Air Force is of course a matter for the Canadian Government alone.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of unmarried wives' allowances paid during the recent war.

This information is not available but the highest number of unmarried wives' allowances being paid at any time during the war was 1,933.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is his policy to encourage civilians employed in his Department and at outstations to volunteer for service in the Auxiliary and Reserve Forces or to enrol on the Royal Air Force Supplementary List.

If an emergency occurred, the Air Ministry would lose the services of any of its civilian staff and employees who were members of one of the Reserve or Auxiliary Forces or enrolled on the Supplementary List. Because an emergency would cause an immediate increase in the work-load of Air Ministry establishments it is necessary to ensure that vital work would not be disrupted by a large scale call-up of civilians. The necessary control will be exercised by limiting to 5 per cent. the number of civilians at Headquarters and outstations who may at any time be under a voluntary liability in the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces or on the Supplementary List. Instructions about this arrangement have been issued for Headquarters and are in process of publication for outstations. This 5 per cent. limit does not, however, include volunteers for training as aircrew, or for certain reserves requiring professional qualifications. Within these limits, civilians employed by the Air Ministry will be encouraged to volunteer in the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces and to enrol in the Supplementary List, but as members of the Supplementary List do not carry out annual training to maintain efficiency, preference will be given to volunteers for other classes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many applications for new services have been made under the directive issued in January to the Air Transport Advisory Council; how many were granted; and how many of those made and granted, respectively, were for services with Scottish airports as terminals.

There have been 212 applications of which 68 have so far been approved in principle: of these 20 and four respectively were for services with Scottish aerodromes as terminals.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement regarding the loss of the Bristol freighter which crashed off Portland Bill on Friday, 6th May.

This accident is being investigated by an inspector of the Accidents Investigation Branch of my Ministry and until his report is received I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Supply when it is proposed to make an attempt to recapture the world speed record in the air.

Not in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many ex-officers and other ranks who had been employed in the Burma Reserve Officers, or similar units, were killed or disabled; and what steps are being taken to ensure that they and their widows receive pensions and allowances.

According to the estimate I have received, 64 British officers and men of the units to which the hon. Gentleman refers were killed or died of wounds; 44 were disabled. The Government of Burma is responsible for the payment of their pensions; but my Office acts as their agents, if the applicant is in the United Kingdom. Forty-five claims for disability pensions have been made by persons in this country; 41 have been settled, and four are still outstanding. Forty-three claims for widows' and dependants' pensions have been made, and none is outstanding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by Africans in this country respecting the importation of foodstuffs to which they are accustomed and to the securing of licences for this purpose; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Food on this matter, with a view to facilities and licences being granted both to secure African foodstuffs for Africans in this country and for the purpose of trade.

I have now received a letter from my hon. Friend. I will look into the points he has raised and write to him as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what British goods, for which there would otherwise be no market, have been, or will be, purchased by Eastern European countries, on condition that some steel is supplied with them.

Undertakings to admit specified United Kingdom exports appear in our agreements with Poland and Yugoslavia, but the undertakings were not subject to the supply of steel.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will identify each of the ten Grenfell factories in South Wales, indicating where they are situated; whether occupied or standing idle; how many persons are presently employed at those in production; and the names of the firms to whom the factories are allocated.

Tenants who are already in occupation, including those in the very early stages of occupation, are: Bamford Springs Ltd., at Llwynypia; Craton Ltd., at Bargoed; Cyc Arc Ltd., at Garnant; Phillip Owen Ltd., at Ponthenry; S. E. Porter Ltd., at Ferndale. Total employment in these five factories is at present 115. The second Grenfell factory at Llywnypia has recently been allocated to the Brambar Engineering Co. Ltd. who hope to take up occupation shortly. The remaining four factories which are at Aberdare, Ammanford, Ferndale and Tumble have not yet been allocated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will locate each factory, constructed by and for Welsh Estates, other than Grenfell and Remploy factories, now standing idle or in course of construction, indicating those already allocated, but not yet occupied, and to whom.

The following is the information asked for:

1.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the total number of unmarried wives' allowances paid during the recent war.

I regret that this information is not readily available and could only be obtained at the expense of an unjustifiable amount of time and labour. I can say, however, that in the latter part of 1944 and early 1945, probably the peak period of the war in this respect, 1,575 of these allowances were being paid.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements were made to meet the wounded from His Majesty's ships "Amethyst," "London," "Consort" and "Black Swan" on their arrival in Hong Kong; whether the British Red Cross and Young Men's Christian Association authorities were informed of the time of their arrival; and whether they or any other welfare organisations were present when the men were landed.

The naval wounded were brought from Shanghai in a United States hospital ship and transferred to the Royal Naval Hospital, Hong Kong, for treatment. Detailed reports covering the points raised in the hon. and gallant Member's Question have not yet been received, and when they have been I will communicate with him further.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the number of men and women, respectively, employed in the Prison and Borstal Services on 1st April, 1939, and 1st April, 1949; and what was the number of prisoners men and women, respectively, who were in custody on these dates.

The numbers of officers in the basic grade on the 1st April, 1939, and 1st April, 1949, were 1,969 men and 146 women, and 3,037 men and 206 women, respectively. The latter figures include 500 men and 16 women auxiliary officers under training. There were in custody on those dates 10,623 men and 724 women, and 19,107 men and 1,096 women, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of men and women who have been admitted to the Prison Service since 1st April, 1946, but whose physical standards or age at time of entry were lower than those required under the regulations in operation prior to 1939; and how many of this total are still in the Prison Service.

The number of men and women admitted to the Prison Service since 1st April, 1946, who were of the lower age or reduced physical standard or both was 449 and 60 respectively. Of these, 206 men and 26 women are still in the Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received from men and women, respectively, for employment in the Prison Service since 1st April, 1946; how many of these applicants subsequently passed the medical test and were given three months' trial service in local establishments; and how many of them were rejected for employment after initial interview.

Eleven thousand four hundred and seventy-nine applications (10,810 men and 669 women) were received during the period 1st April, 1946, to 30th April, 1949. During that period 4,083 applicants (3,812 men and 271 women) failed to satisfy the regulations or did not proceed with their applications. The number of the remainder who underwent preliminary training was 3,168 (2,969 men and 199 women) and the number rejected was 4,350 (4,151 men and 199 women). These figures include a number of applicants who applied before 1st April, 1946; it has not been found practicable to eliminate these.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of men and women, respectively, who have been appointed on the basis of a three months' trial period to the Prison and Borstal Services since 1st April, 1946, and who have resigned before completion of the trial period; and what is the number who, at the end of the trial period, failed to qualify to attend Wakefield Training Class.

Of the 2,847 men and 199 women who have been admitted to the Service for training since 1st April, 1946, 539 men and 72 women resigned before completion of the trial period and 406 men and 19 women failed to qualify to attend Wakefield.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of men and women, respectively, who entered the Prison Service after 1st April, 1946, and who, after completion of three months' trial service in local prisons, attended the Wakefield Training Class but failed at the course.

Of 1,625 men and 100 women who attended the Wakefield Training School from 5th October, 1946, which was the first class open to candidates entering the service after 1st April, 1946, 489 men and 19 women were rejected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of men and women respectively, appointed to the Prison Service since 1st April, 1946, who qualified at the Wakefield Training Class, but who subsequently resigned, or were required to resign, from the Prison Service.

Of the 1,164 men and 81 women who have qualified at the Wakefield Training School since 5th October, 1946, which was the first class open to candidates entering the Service after 1st April, 1946, 74 men and 13 women have left the Service on resignation and in eight other cases (all men) their services have been terminated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the estimated number of men and women prison officers, respectively, considered necessary adequately to staff the existing prison and Borstal establishments on the present one-shift system; and the estimated number of men and women prison officers, respectively, who would be required to staff the existing establishments in present circumstances if a two-shift system were introduced.

As regards men and women officers in the basic grades, the position is as follows: All Borstal institutions are on a two-shift system. For adequate staffing, it is estimated that in present conditions some 580 men and 50 women officers are required. For the adequate staffing of prisons on a single-shift system, in present conditions, it is estimated that some 2,290 men and 190 women officers are required. No precise estimate can be given of the numbers which would be required for a general two-shift system, but probably not less than 900 additional men and 80 women officers would be required.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average weight of feedingstuffs in pounds required to feed a laying hen, plus her replacement, for one year; and whether he will state the cost on this basis in 1938, 1943, 1948 and after 1st April, 1949.

The average weight of feedingstuffs, excluding green food and grit, required to feed a laying hen plus her replacement for one year is approximately one hundredweight. Costs of feedingstuffs vary considerably from farm to farm depending, amongst other things, on the proportion of home-grown and purchased feeds. For a comparative series, specimen costs during 1938, 1943, and 1948 may be taken as 9s. 2d., 17s. 6d. and 20s. per hundredweight. The corresponding cost in 1949 should be about 24s. if the average poultry ration remains of substantially the present composition.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that Mr. R. S. Rothwell, a teacher, of 18, Lowfield Road, Hayward's Heath, has been informed that, having paid contributions to the National Insurance scheme whilst serving in the late war, he is not eligible to be considered as a new entrant to the Health Scheme and cannot therefore receive sickness benefits or his wife maternity benefits without a further contribution for arrears to cover the period when he left the Army until 5th July, 1948; and if he will take steps to alter this.

The answer to the first part of the question is, "Yes, Sir." As to the second part, Mr. Rothwell, like other persons insured under the old schemes immediately prior to the coming into operation of the new scheme, obtains much wider cover, taking the benefits as a whole, during the early years of the new scheme by being given a credit for his contribution record under the old scheme, than he would secure by being treated as a new entrant. In these circumstances, I see no reason for amending the existing regulations on this matter.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will consider amending the regulations so as to enable pecuniary benefits attached to gallantry awards and decorations for meritorious service with the Armed Forces to be disregarded in assessing means in the case of non-contributory old age pensions.

The legislation which governs the assessment of means for noncontributory old age pensions does not specifically distinguish the forms of income mentioned by the hon. Member and I have no power to amend it by regulation. I would, however, point out the statute already makes substantial provision for an all-in disregard of income of this nature; for instance, title to pension at the full rate is not affected where the income is from sources other than earnings and does not exceed £65 5s. 0d. a year or, for a married couple, £130 10s. 0d. a year.

asked the Minister of Health what estimates for the current year have been submitted to him by each Regional Hospital Board, showing separately expenditure on current and capital account; what cuts in each have been proposed by his Department; what estimates have been submitted by each board as to the number of beds which will be closed and the number not brought into use by the carrying out of such proposals; and what indication there is that some boards are more economical in administration than others.

Regional hospital boards are at present reviewing their estimates subject to a general directive that the welfare of the patients must not he affected, but detailed reports as to the effect of the revisions proposed by my Department have not yet been made by all boards. The extent to which the proposed revisions should be implemented is under review in the light of the information so far received. In reply to the last part of the Question, the data are not yet sufficient for the comparison of one regional hospital board with another; experience of at least one year's full working is essential before such comparisons can be made.

asked the Minister of Health which members of the respective regional hospital boards, whom he appointed in 1948, have died, retired at their own request, not been re-appointed or been dismissed.

The following original members of regional hospital boards, who were appointed in 1947, have either died, resigned, or not been re-appointed. None has been dismissed.CHANGES IN REGIONAL BOARD MEMBERSHIP SINCE PUBLICATION OF S.R.O. 1947 No. 1297

asked the Minister of Health the names of the individuals he has appointed to the respective Regional Hospital Boards since the publication of the original lists.

I have appointed the following members of Regional Hospital Boards since the publication of the original lists: