asked the Minister of Health if he has now reached an agreement with Service Departments to extend the final arrangements for dealing with temporary residence under the National Health Service to cover people on leave.

No. I am afraid that any such arrangements are unlikely to be concluded for a considerable time.

asked the Minister of Health why, under the National Health scheme, a private paying patient in a hospital is not allowed drugs and medical and surgical appliances free of charge in the same way as a non-paying patient in the same hospital.

The charge made for private pay-beds includes all necessary drugs and appliances.

asked the Minister of Health why British subjects living abroad cannot have free medical treatment when visiting this country although foreigners are allowed this privilege; and whether he will arrange for British visitors abroad to receive the same medical benefits as those offered to foreigners visiting this country.

British subjects living abroad are entitled to the full use of the National Health Service when visiting this country. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Members for Newark (Mr. Shephard) and Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on 5th May.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has for the future of the Ellesmere Port and District Hospital.

I understand that the future of this hospital is under consideration by the Regional Hospital Board, but that no decision has been reached.

asked the Minister of Health if he will name the regulations governing the use of the National Health Service by aliens who arrive in Britain; and whether they permit every such alien to use the service.

There are no regulations. The right of aliens to make use of the National Health Service is implied by the relevant sections of the Act which covers all aliens in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the matron of John Groom's Babies' Home, Cudham, Kent, has not been able to obtain spectacles applied for in December, 1948; and, in view of the fact that without them she is unable to deal with urgent correspondence or to read prescriptions and that urgent letters have to be sent to the London office for attention, involving delay up to a week, he will see that she receives her spectacles forthwith.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington (Mr. E. Fletcher), on 19th May.

asked the Minister of Health whether he was consulted before the Manchester Regional Hospital Board accepted the recommendations of the reviewing committee appointed by them in regard to those qualified to fulfil specialist services in regional hospitals without the practitioners affected having been interviewed; and whether he approved the method of communicating the Board's decisions to those concerned.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him today.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the inconvenience and deleterious effects on the health of residents in the central areas of Birmingham, especially those who suffer from respiratory ailments by fumes from metallurgical processes and excessive smoke from factory premises, he will consider granting greater powers to the Corporation to deal with constant offenders by way of increased penalties.

The maximum fines are fixed in Part III of the Public Health Act, 1936. When the time comes for revision of public health legislation their adequacy will be considered.

asked the Minister of Health when supplies of Compound E, produced by the Mayo Clinic, United States of America, and stated to provide a cure for arthritis, will be available to the people of this country.

Prolonged research will be necessary before the efficacy of Compound E is known, and to improve manufacturing methods.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the growing practice of removing the top six-inch spit of good pasture land turf for sale to public parks and gardens; and if, in view of the necessity of increasing the meat production, he will take steps to stop this practice.

I am aware that a certain amount of turf is being removed from agricultural land in some areas. Where this practice is sufficiently extensive to impair the efficient; farming of an agricultural unit, I shall not hesitate to use the powers of Part II of the Agriculture Act, 1947, to put the occupier under supervision on grounds of bad husbandry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as a means of encouraging sheep as part of the agricultural economy of this country, he will consult the other Departments concerned in order to obtain a better price for wool, which is today below the figure obtained by flockmasters overseas.

The price to be paid to farmers for their wool is determined annually in advance in consultation with the farmers' unions of the United Kingdom. A substantial increase was made in the price paid to British wool growers for the 1948 clip, and a further increase has been announced for 1949.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the risks to agricultural and horticultural workers arising out of the use of di-nitro-ortav-cresol; and if he will withdraw the exemption from the poison rules which permits the sale of di-nitro-ortav-cresol for use in agriculture and horticulture.

Preparations containing this substance are of great value in the control of weeds and certain pests of fruit trees, and I am advised that if reasonable care is taken there is little or no risk to workers using them. Advice on precautions has been given wide publicity by my Department. The poisons rules, made under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act, 1933, are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will remove the pest-control machines from Brigsley Road, Waltham, near Grimsby, to a more isolated place, since the fumes from these machines are causing ill-health and annoyance to the nearby residents.

No machines for which I am responsible are kept at Brigsley Road, Waltham, near Grimsby.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will invite an independent committee of bankers, industrialists and editors of the leading financial papers to prepare a statement in simple words pointing out the dangers of inflation.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the hon. Member for Finsbury may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 11th April, 1949, relating to the post-war credits of the late husband of Mrs. J. E. Pratt, 85 Chadworth Buildings, Lever Street, E.C.1.

I have now written to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total sum of money spent by Government Departments during 1948 on the purchase of petrol for their own use; and how much of this sum represented Customs duty on the petrol purchased.

My right hon. and learned Friend is looking into the matter, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the assessments to be made in respect of the Special Contribution had, in fact, been made by 31st December, 1948, by 31st March, 1949, and by the latest convenient date, respectively.

The number of notices of assessment to Special Contribution issued was approximately as follows:

At 31st December, 1948	…	36,000
At 31st March, 1949	…	63,000
At 28th May, 1949	…	80,000

It is estimated that about 125,000 individuals are liable to the contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the persons liable to pay the Special Contribution had made payments on account of or in discharge of their liability by 31st December, 1948, by 31st March, 1949, and by the latest convenient date, respectively.

The number of remittances received on account of Special Contribution was approximately as follows:

At 31st December, 1948	…	39,000
At 31st March, 1949	…	90,000
At 28th May, 1949	…	106,000

In some cases, however, more than one remittance was received in respect of the liability of a single individual. It is estimated that the number of cases in which a payment had been made by 28th May was 95,000, and that about 125,000 individuals are liable to contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the revenue received from Purchase Tax on football pools coupons in each financial year since its imposition.

I regret the information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that arrangements, as at present planned, for the holding of a National Savings Week will conflict with the observance of United Nations' Day, which is to be celebrated on 24th October in this as in every one of the other member nations; whether he will arrange to change the plans for the National Savings Week; and what representations he has received on this subject from the United Nations' Association.

My right hon. and learned Friend is aware that United Nations' Day falls within the proposed National Savings Week, but sees no reason for asking the National Savings Committee to change their plans. He has received no representations from the United Nations' Association.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, taking the value of the pound sterling as 100 in 1914, he will state its value on 1st April, 1919, 1921, 1923, 1928, 1938, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949.

July, 1914	…	…	100
Average for year, 1919	…	…	47
Average for year, 1921	…	…	44
Average for year, 1923	…	…	57
Average for year, 1928	…	…	60
Average for year, 1938	…	…	64
Average for year, 1945	…	…	42
Average for year, 1946	…	…	41
Average for year, 1947	…	…	38
Average for year, 1948	…	…	36
April 12th 1949	…	…	35

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of invisible exports during 1948, of which his Department was notified, which through restrictions made by the foreign country concerned, could not be remitted to this country.

Difficulties in obtaining the proceeds from invisible exports are usually reported in general terms. A reliable estimate of the amount which could not be remitted in 1948 is, therefore, not available. Efforts are continually made during the course of negotiations with other countries to overcome such difficulties.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many of the payments agreements now in force between this country and other foreign countries, a provision has been inserted to secure prompt payment of patent rights due to British residents.

Payments agreements provide how payments permitted by the exchange control of each country should be made, not which payments should be so permitted. But His Majesty's Government always expect patent royalties to be transferred; they are ready to look into any case where this is not allowed, and if appropriate to take the matter up with the Government concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total allotment in 1948, and to the latest convenient date in 1949, respectively, of Luxembourg francs to citizens of the United Kingdom for purposes of advertising on Radio Luxembourg.

No foreign exchange has been allotted to residents of the United Kingdom for the purpose of advertising in English broadcasts on Radio Luxembourg.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the conditions made by His Majesty's Government under which citizens of the United Kingdom can book time on Radio Luxembourg; and what benefits are received by His Majesty's Government from Luxembourg as a result of allowing this expenditure of sterling.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government not to grant foreign exchange nor to allow the transfer of sterling to non-resident account, to enable residents of the United Kingdom to book time on Radio Luxembourg. The second part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will re-state the visible balance of United Kingdom trade on the year 1948 on the assumption that the terms of trade during that year had been the same as those obtaining in 1938.

If the average value of imports had risen by only the same proportion as exports, 1948 imports (f.o.b.) would have cost about £1,510 million instead of £1,768 million and the adverse visible balance of £218 million would have become a favourable balance of about £40 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement as to how he will exercise his powers under the financial provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts with regard to the treatment of mineral undertakers and mineral lessors.

Yes. When the Bill for the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, was before the House it was stated that in the distribution of the £300 million special ("near-ripe") treatment would be given to mineral undertakers as regards their holdings of mineral-bearing land. It has now been decided that a mineral undertaker claiming in respect of land which was held by him on 1st July, 1948, for the purpose of winning and working the minerals therein will receive from the £300 million a payment equal to the development value for winning and working minerals of his interest in that land. This will apply whether the mineral undertaker held the land freehold or under a mining lease or licence.It has also been decided that any owner claiming in respect of land which on 1st July, 1948, was the subject of a mining lease or licence will receive from the £300 million a payment equal to the development value for winning and working minerals of his interest in that land. Land as regards which a mineral undertaker was on 1st July, 1948, under binding contract to purchase or take a mining lease or licence will be treated in the same way as land held by a mineral undertaker on that date." Mineral undertaker" for this purpose does not include a landowner who works minerals only for use on his estate. These decisions apply to England, Wales and Scotland, and effect will be given to them in the schemes for distribution of the £300 million to be made under the English and Scottish Acts.The Central Land Board will be ready to discuss with representatives of the claimants concerned any questions arising out of these decisions, and in particular whether, and to what extent, development charges can be set off against the payment from the £300 million in these cases.

asked the Minister of Education if he will direct the attention of education committees to the loan collections of paintings and works of art now on exhibition at the National and Tate Galleries, with a view to arranging organised visits of senior students to both centres before the return of the exhibits to Munich and Vienna on 7th August.

I am sure that local education authorities are well aware of the educational opportunities afforded by these two exhibitions, and will take full advantage of them.

asked the Minister of Education how many private schools have been inspected so far; and with what results.

The arrangements for the inspection of independent schools have only recently come into operation, and I am not proposing to collect figures of the number of schools inspected until the end of the current school term.

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of women teachers still required by his Department.

An estimate of the number required was given in Circular 174, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will consider making it compulsory for all school children passed as medically fit to be taught swimming under a qualified teacher.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge), on 12th May last.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has now completed his arrangements for setting up a National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers.

Yes. I am glad to be able to announce that the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers has been set up to keep under review national policy on (a) the training and conditions of qualification of teachers; and (b) the recruitment and distribution of teachers in ways best calculated to meet the needs of the schools or other educational establishments. The Council will not be concerned with teachers' superannuation or teachers' salaries, or with any other matters which affect their conditions of employment. The Council will have two Standing Committees, one to deal with training and qualifications and the other to deal with recruitment and distribution. I hope that the Council will have its first meeting in July. The Council has been constituted as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of a reluctance by American importers to purchase goods from this country through fear of a devaluation in the pound sterling; and what action has been taken by His Majesty's Government to counteract this.

I am investigating reports that importers in the United States are displaying reluctance to purchase our goods for the reason alleged. In this connection, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 10th May about the Government's policy in relation to the exchange value of the pound.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what instructions have been given to the trade consuls which His Majesty's Government propose to send to the United States of America;(2) how many of the four trade consuls to be appointed to the United States of America have been appointed; and how many have taken up their posts.

All four consuls have been appointed and have taken up their posts. Their primary function is to assist in every appropriate way the expansion of our exports to the United States, but they will naturally receive detailed instructions on a large number of both general and particular matters which it would not be practicable to reproduce in the form of an answer to a Parliamentary Question. I may add that the subject will be discussed shortly at a consular conference in Washington.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the present shortage of dairy towelling; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the supply of cotton yarn to manufacturers of dairy towelling which is necessary for the production of clean milk.

No complaints have been received from dairy farmers of a shortage of towelling for dairy use and no special steps are proposed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the cost of the Government reception to overseas buyers at Lancaster House on 17th May; how many people were present; what percentage of those present were overseas buyers; and what percentage officials of the Board of Trade.

It is not the practice to publish figures of cost in the case of Government hospitality. Three hundred and fifty-two people were present at this reception of whom about 23 per cent. were overseas buyers, and about 7 per cent. officials of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of footwear imports from, and of footwear exports to, Sweden in 1948; and what exchange is proposed for 1949.

In 1948 imports from and exports to Sweden of footwear were valued at £4,000 and £170,000 respectively. In 1949, token imports of footwear from Sweden will be licensed, but the Swedish authorities have so far not agreed to license any imports of footwear from the United Kingdom this year. The matter will, however, be pursued shortly when a review of trade between the two countries is to take place.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the home production of spectacle lenses since July, 1948, has been exported.

Six per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what consultations he had with the Secretary of State for the Colonies before the recent trade agreement for an expansion of trade with Indonesia was concluded.

There was full consultation between our Departments before the conclusion of the trade arrangement with Indonesia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what main types of timber are now being imported from Germany into this country; what price limits are in operation; and how the average price in the round on arrival in this country compares with the price at stump for similar home-grown timber.

The only timber now being imported from Germany is sawn softwood, the maximum prices for which are provided by the Control of Timber (Nos. 39 and 46) (Imported Softwood Prices) Orders (S.R. & O. 1946 No. 149 and S.R. & 0. 1947 No. 731, respectively). I cannot, therefore, make the comparison asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what would be the cost of paying forthwith in full all outstanding claims under the war damage business scheme.

£61 million, including £12 million of accrued interest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether in making the new regulations dealing with police pensions recommended by the Oaksey Committee, he will remove the special anomalies affecting those who joined the Police Service between July, 1919, and 21st August, 1921.

The draft Police Pensions Regulations embodying the Oaksey Committee's recommendations have been laid before the House. Members of Police Forces who were serving on 28th August, 1921, the date on which the Police Pensions Act, 1921, came into force, were given certain specific safeguards by Section 29 of the Act, and these safeguards were maintained in the regulations under the 1948 Act. In order to meet the special position of these members of Police Forces, provision is made in the draft regulations whereby any member of a Police Force who was serving as such on 28th August, 1921, will be entitled to have his pension assessed on his actual pay and not on average pay if he is compelled by the operation of the age limit to retire within three years of the day when the regulations come into force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the widespread disappointment to members of His Majesty's Police Force that the date from which the increases of salary recently recommended in the Oaksey Report has been determined is 1st July, and not 5th April, the date when the Report was presented; and if he will therefore consider altering this date.

I have no power to provide by regulation for retrospective increases in police pay, and 1st July is the earliest date by which the regulations, and the corresponding Police Pensions Regulations (which require the approval of Parliament) could be brought into effect.

asked the Minister of Pensions the average waiting time for the supply of surgical appliances through hospitals; and whether he can give an assurance that priority is given to patients who have to return to work as soon as they have recovered but who, without the surgical appliance ordered, are in danger of a recurrence of their disability.

The average waiting time for the supply of surgical appliances through hospitals is now about 12 weeks, but steps already taken to increase production should shortly reduce this waiting period. I can assure the hon. Member that the surgical and economic requirements of patients receive every consideration when deciding priorities.

asked the Minister of Pensions why Mr. William Greensmith, telephonist at Farnborough Hospital, Kent, is unable to obtain an artificial leg under the National Health Scheme, reference LFN/TW/NHS/257, for which application was made to Tunbridge Wells Fitting Centre on 14th October, 1948; and if he will take steps to expedite the matter.

I regret the delay, which is due to the very heavy demands of the National Health Service. As Mr. Greensmith's artificial limb was regarded as likely to be serviceable for some months his case was not given the priority which is necessarily given to men with unserviceable limbs. The new leg will, I hope, be ready for first fitting in a fortnight or so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many convalescent homes there are in Scotland under the control of the Scottish Department for Health; and how many beds for patients made available.

The hospital service provided as part of the National Health Service in Scotland includes 25 convalescent homes, with 1,222 beds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are his intentions with regard to the incorporation of massage under the National Health scheme; and whether qualification granted by the Royal College of Massage in Scotland will be recognised.

As announced on 19th May, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I have set up a Committee to consider the qualifications which should be required of physiotherapists employed in the National Health Service. Hospital authorities have been authorised meantime to engage any physiotherapist whom they consider qualified for the work.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what electric power for industrial purposes is supplied by either the Morar or Lochalsh hydroelectric schemes; and what is the price charged.

Electricity from the Morar Station is used for small industrial power purposes including kippering, ice making and Highland home industries. At Lochalsh the supplies are mainly used for domestic purposes, but demands are now arising for small industrial purposes including quarries and a saw-mill. The tariff for industrial purposes is that operating throughout the North of Scotland, apart from certain areas supplied from diesel plant, namely: either

(a) first 600 units per quarter—21d. per unit, All additional units per quarter—1½d. per unit, or

Board		Resigned	Appointed
Northern	…	Norman Robertson, Esq., Harris	The Rev. Murdo MacLeod, Tarbert, Harris.
		D. A. Plowman, Esq., Wick	Treasurer J. A. Farley, Nairn.
North-Eastern	…	Fred Martin, Esq., C.B.E., Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire.	Baillie Harold J. Milne, M.C., Fraserburgh.
		Professor D. R. MacCalman, Aberdeen	Professor William M. Millar, Aberdeen.
		Professor R. S. Aitken, Aberdeen	Professor W. C. Wilson, Aberdeen.
Eastern	…	R. A. L. Duncan, Esq., Auchterarder	Dr. W. L. Burgess, C.B.E., Dundee.
South-Eastern	…	Professor Sir Sydney Smith, C.B.E., Edinburgh.	Professor D. M. Dunlop, Balerno, Edinburgh.
		Professor J. C. Brash, M.C., Edinburgh	Professor W. Oliver, Edinburgh.
Western	…	Alex. S. MacLellan, Esq., Glasgow	Recent vacancy not yet filled.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider using electric battery vehicles for the collection and distribution of mails in urban areas.

Experience with various types of electric battery vehicles over many years has shown that this type of vehicle does not meet all the requirements of Post Office transport services. For transport of mails in sorting offices, at stations, and between sorting offices and nearby stations, electric battery tractors and trucks have been in use for many years.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the lowest rate of remuneration paid to postal and telegraph officers who have the responsibility of handling large sums in cash in the course of their duties.

Postal and telegraph officers are paid in accordance with an incremental scale which runs, in London, from 51s. a week at 16 years of age to 158s. at the maximum for men. In general, junior officers do not handle large sums of cash. The scales of pay for male postal and telegraph officers, and those for other manipulative grades employed in the Post Office, are at present under consideration by the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.

asked the Postmaster-General why he expects the profit realised by the Post Office to fall from £10,500,000 in 1947–48 to £3 million estimated for 1949–50.

The expected decline in the surplus on the telephone service from £10,500,000 in 1947–48 to about £3 million in 1949–50 is mainly due to an increase in plant charges consequent on the high cost of new plant and to the effect of increases made from 1946–47 onwards in wage rates of staff employed on maintenance and operation of the system. Plant now being installed costs about double pre-war prices and, because of the interruption of the war, large sums have to be spent in modernising existing plant as well as in installing new plant to provide for the growth of the system. It is estimated that income in 1949–50 will be about £5 million greater than in 1947–48 but that expenditure will have increased by about £12½ million. Of this sum some £4¾ million is accounted for by an increase in plant charges (i.e., depreciation and interest), £2½ million by increased maintenance charges and £4 million by an increase in operating costs.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish a list of deep water quay projects which have a higher priority than the one proposed for Middlesbrough.

Priority in port works includes the restoration of war damage, the construction and improvement of transit sheds, warehouses, lock gates, and road and rail access to ports, as well as the maintenance of existing facilities. High priority is given to the following projects for the provision of new deep water quays, the first three of which are in progress: A deep water berth with shed at Matthews Quay, Aberdeen; deep water quays at Leith; an oil berth with lay-by berth at Lackenby, Teesport; an oil dock at Eastham, Manchester (subject to Parliamentary powers being obtained).

asked the Minister of Transport whethere he is aware that negotiations have been going on for 18 months to get repairs done to the main Bradford-Harrogate road by Pool railway station on Old Pool Bank, Yorkshire; and what immediate action he proposes to take with regard to this road, which is in a dangerous state.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to an unclassified road which crosses the railway at Pool station, and not the Class I main Bradford-Harrogate road. The initiative rests with the West Riding County Council who are in communication with the Railway Executive on the question of the repair of the approaches to the bridge carrying the unclassified road over the railway.

asked the Minister of Transport what are the duties of the two horticulturists on his headquarters staff.

The duties of the two horticulturists are to prepare, supervise and co-ordinate planting schemes on trunk roads; to advise on contracts for the propagation and production of plants and to supervise the growth of the stock; and to ensure economy in the supply and use of plants and their subsequent upkeep. They also examine planting proposals submitted by local highway authorities in connection with applications for grants from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to release the Church House in Douglas Road, Hounslow, which is urgently required by the officers of the Hounslow Congregational Church, in order to cater for the needs of the young people belonging to the Church.

The Church House will be released when the new office block, which it is proposed should be erected in London Road, Hounslow, and leased to my Ministry, has been completed. It is expected that the work, which is likely to take about a year to carry out, will be started shortly.

asked the Minister of Works as he has had exhibited for the inspection by Members several different suggested finishes for the treatment of the oak work in the new Chamber, which of these has been selected; and how many Members expressed their preference for the one in question.

The ferro-sulphate treatment recommended by the architect has been selected. The Advisory Committee agree to this course with one dissentient.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men of the 1929, 1930 and 1931 age-classes have so far registered for National Service; how many of each of them have been called up for service; and how many in each, and for what reasons, showing the numbers in each group, have had their service excused or deferred.

The following table gives an analysis of men born in 1929 and 1930 who have registered under the National Service Acts; the analysis relates to 25th March, 1949, the latest date for which figures are available:

	1929	1930
Posted to (or volunteered after registration for) H.M. Forces	190,200	147,600
Found unfit for service in the Forces	29,800	29,400
Numbers who, at 25thMarch, had not been called up:—
Available for H.M. Forces or awaiting medical examination	1,600	15,800
Apprentices	38,200	55,400
Agricultural workers	17,800	19,800
Coal mining workers	8,000	8,100
Seamen	3,000	3,100
University students, etc.	6,500	6,100
Boys at school granted deferment to 31st July, 1949 (to take Higher School Certificate, etc.)	200	5,000
Conscientious objectors	300	300
Others not called up (hardship postponements, etc.)	1,400	5,900
Total number registered	297,000	296,500

Men born in the first quarter of 1931 were registered on 26th February, 1949, and those born in the second quarter on 21st May. An analysis of the numbers in these classes is not yet available.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what steps he has taken since the passing of the Finance Act, 1946, to secure the application of part of the National Land Fund to one of the objects for which it was established, namely, assistance in the matter of national parks.

For the reason given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in answer to a question by the hon. Member for West Wolverhampton (Mr. H. D. Hughes) on 5th April last, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend, a decision about the use of the National Land Fund for the purposes of the national parks has not yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Johore, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Trengganu, Brunei, are regarded by the British Government as Protectorates, Sultanates or Colonies.

They are Protected States. Their Rulers are styled "Sultan" with the exception of the Ruler of Perlis, who has the title of Raja.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the 18 Caribbean Colonies were visited by the Commonwealth Shipping Committee in connection with their report on West Indian Shipping Services.

The Commonwealth Shipping Committee sits in London, and it is not its practice to make visits abroad. The committee did, however, send a comprehensive questionnaire to the Governments of British Colonies in the Caribbean, and was furnished with the report of a local conference on shipping requirements held at Barbados in July, 1947. Apart from the written material at its disposal, it examined a number of witnesses who had experience of, or were interested in, West Indian trade and shipping.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the name and location of every museum in the Colonies; the number of European officers employed in each museum; and the salary of each European officer so employed as at 1st May, 1949.

I will write to my hon. Friend when I am in a position to supply the information.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the improved supply of flour, he will consider relaxing S.R. & O., Cake and Flour Confectionery Order, No. 2103, dated 9th October, 1942, to enable waffles to be sold direct to the public from kiosks.

Retail sales of waffles are not prohibited, and no retail licence is necessary for the sale of flour confectionery. I am afraid we must still continue to license manufacturers, however, under S.R. & O. 1946 No. 418 and S.R. & O. 1947 No. 231, which have superseded S.R. & O. 1942 No. 2103, because flour is still scarce.

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish an analysis of the allocation of sugar for manufacturing purposes according to end products in the first three months of 1949.

During the first 12 weeks of 1949, the allocation of sugar for manufacturing purposes was as follows:

Thousand tons
Chocolate and sugar confectionery	50.5
Preserves	50.0
Biscuits, cakes and flour confectionery	40.0
Syrup and treacle	20.6
Brewing	11.4
Soft drinks	4.4
Condensed milk	4.1
Canning	1.4
Medicinal preparations	3.2
Table jellies	2.0
Ice cream	2.7
Bakers' prepared materials	3.5
Coffee Essence	1.6
Candied peel	1.4
Breakfast cereals	.8
Pickles and sauces	1.0
Cider	.9
British wines	.8
Cake and flour mixtures	.5
Miscellaneous	6.0
Export of manufactured goods	7.5
	214.3

Owing to seasonal variations in demand, they do not necessarily represent the strictly arithmetical proportion of the annual offtake.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to restore and improve the Malayan railway system.

I understand that good progress has been made with the restoration of the Malayan railways, which was estimated to cost $105,000,000. Over one half of this sum has so far been expended.