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Written Answers

Volume 467: debated on Thursday 28 July 1949

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Written Answers To Questions

Thursday, 28th July, 1949

Housing

Agricultural Workers

2.

asked the Minister of Health how many permanent and temporary houses have been let to agricultural workers in North Oxfordshire since 1st April, 1945; and for how many of these the higher subsidies have been paid.

I regret I cannot add to the figures published in the Housing Returns of houses let to agricultural workers. The higher subsidies have been paid in respect of 22 houses in the Chipping Norton Rural District.

Prefabricated Houses (Export)

20.

asked the Minister of Health to state to the nearest available date the number of prefabricated houses built for export.

National Health Service

Health Centre, Newcastle

4.

asked the Minister of Health what plans or proposed scheme he has as yet received for the building of a health centre in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and whether sanction has been given to the scheme.

Spectacles

6.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in the High Wycombe area the delay in the supply of spectacles under the health scheme is now more than six months; and what steps he proposes to speed up delivery.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the delays, and is trying to reduce them. I would refer to the reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Kettering (Mr. Hutchison) on 14th July.

Carton Green Nursing Home

14.

asked the Minister of Health why the Manchester Regional Hospital Board have refused to make use of the 18 beds offered them by the Carton Green Nursing Home.

I understand that the Regional Board do not regard it as necessary to use these beds.

Emergency Dental Treatment

18.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements he has now made for emergency treatment under the Health Service by dentists of patients who are in pain.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Upton (Mr. A. Lewis) on 7th April last. The procedure is being used for over 25,000 patients a week.

Building Training Centre, Paulsgrove

22.

asked the Minister of Labour the total cost of building and equipping his Department's building training centre at Paulsgrove; and the cost of maintaining the premises and of the employment of staff.

I am collecting this information and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

23.

asked the Minister of Labour the average weekly number of building trainees instructed at the Paulsgrove training centre over the past three months; and to what extent such trainees can all be found immediate employment by the employment exchange at the conclusion of training.

The average number of trainees for the building crafts, who undergo a six months course at the centre, during the last three months has been 55 and no difficulty has been found in placing them, seeing that there have been unfilled vacancies in these occupations in the area.

24.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the Pausgrove building training centre is an economic project; or what alternative plans for the use of the building he has.

Yes. There have always been classes at this centre in other trades as well as building, and I am satisfied that its use as a training centre is justified. The latter part of the Question does not therefore arise, but if at any time the premises are no longer required their re-allocation will be a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

National Service

Registration Dates

25.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now announce the programme of registrations for National Service for the first half of next year.

Yes. Registrations will take place on 4th March and 3rd June next. Following is a statement showing the age classes to be registered on these dates:Men born between 1st January and 31st March, 1932: 4th March, 1950.Men born between 1st April and 30th June, 1932: 3rd June, 1950.

Postponement (Personal Case)

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that Mr. A. W. Francis, of Wattisham, Stowmarket, is responsible for the care of his father, who is an invalid of the 1914 war requiring assistance for ordinary physical movement, and living in isolated conditions where the nearest neighbour is one mile away; and, as the father is entirely dependent upon his son, will he grant deferment for the young man for a further period to enable other arrangements to be made for the safety and care of his father.

My hon. Friend will be aware from correspondence which has passed between us that Mr. Francis' son has been granted postponement of call-up since 8th August, 1946, for the express purpose of giving him the opportunity of making arrangements for such help as his mother may require while he is performing his National Service. Further postponement was refused by the umpire, before whom the son appeared. The umpire's decision is final and I am unable to intervene.

Education

Rural Schools (Sanitation)

28.

asked the Minister of Education what applications for grants have been made to his Department during the past three years for the improvement of sanitary conditions in rural schools in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and what grants have actually been made for this purpose during the same period.

I regret that this information is not available. There is no special grant for work of this type, which is eligible for the main grant applicable to most educational expenditure incurred by local education authorities. Since the beginning of this year my prior approval has not been required for such work where the cost was not over £5,000.

Grammar School Places

31.

asked the Minister of Education what is the relation expressed as a percentage between the total populations and the number of places available in grammar schools in the counties of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, respectively.

I regret that the population statistics for Lincolnshire and Yorkshire required to calculate these percentages are not yet known. In January, 1949, 21 per cent. of the children aged 12 and 13 in primary and secondary schools maintained or assisted by local education authorities in all the administrative counties and county boroughs in Lincolnshire were in grammar schools. The corresponding figure for all the administrative counties and county boroughs in Yorkshire was 20 per cent.

Teachers' Salaries

33.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the increasing dissatisfaction of school teachers with their salaries, in view of the high level of taxation, the increased cost of living and the fact that many other sections of the community have received rises; and whether he will make a statement.

The question of salary scales for teachers is a matter in the first instance for the Burnham Committees. As the hon. Member will no doubt have seen reported, a joint meeting of the Committees was recently held at which certain proposals were put forward on behalf of the teachers. I am not prepared to make any statement until the Committees have submitted proposals to me and I have had an opportunity of considering them.

Political Fete (Sports Entries)

34.

asked the Minister of Education if he has any statement to make about the participation of teams from local authority schools in sports run in connection with a political gala, details of which have been sent him by the hon. Member for Bexley.

I understand that the fete to which my hon. Friend refers was not advertised in advance as a political event, and the schools which entered relay teams for the sports did so not knowing that it had any political significance. If they had known beforehand that it had, I feel sure that they would not have entered teams.

Teachers' Registration Council

asked the Minister of Education why the national Teachers' Registration Council for teachers in music was terminated by an Order in Council in March, 1949; and whether this suspension is regarded as temporary or permanent.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Registration Council provided for under the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1907, and later constituted and regulated by the Teachers' Registration Council Order, 1926. Membership was not restricted to teachers in music. The Teachers' Registration Council Revoking Order made on the 29th March, 1949, was designed to bring to an end the Teachers' Registration Council; it was necessitated by the changed conditions introduced by the Education Act, 1944, and by the falling off in applications for membership of the Royal Society of Teachers. There is no intention of reviving the Council, but the rights of existing members of the Society are being safeguarded by making suitable provision for the purpose under an Educational Trust.

Bengal (Ex-Police Officers' Pensions)

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he is aware of the delay on the part of the Pakistan authorities in submitting to the Accountant General the necessary payment authority in respect of retirement pensions due to Bengal police officers; and whether he will suggest to those responsible that great hardship is being and will be caused if this delay continues.

I regret that there has been so much delay in sanctioning these pensions, due mainly to difficulties arising out of the partition of Bengal. The United Kingdom representatives in Dacca and Calcutta have been pressing, and will continue to press, the Indian and Pakistan authorities to settle outstanding cases. In order to avoid hardship, anticipatory pensions have been granted wherever possible.

Bamangwato Tribe (Chief)

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what action he proposes to take arising from the decision of the Bamangwato tribe in Bechuanaland to accept Seretse Khama as chief, notwithstanding his marriage to a white woman, also a subject of His Majesty.

The matter is still under consideration. I hope that a statement will very shortly be made.

Trade And Commerce

Controls (Staff)

38.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the total numbers of non-industrial staff employed, and the salaries paid, in each of his Department's controls, together with estimates of the numbers of person employed in the industries with which each control is most directly concerned.

Title of Control or Directorate*Non-industrial staff in Control or Directorate at 1st July, 1949Industries most directly concerned with Control‡
Number†Annual SalariesNameEstimated number employed
£'000
Dyestuffs Control13½6·1Part of Chemicals Industry46,600
Fertilisers Directorate5321·7
Nitrogen Supplies Directorate3·5
Sulphuric Acid Control10½7·2
Directorate of Paint Materials125·6Paint and Varnish Industry37,200
Leather Control145½62·1Leather (Tanning and Dressing) and Fellmongery trades41,900
Directorate of Flax Disposals3914·4Linen and Soft Hemp Trades (Great Britain and Northern Ireland); Rope, Twine and Net Trade80,000
Directorate of Home Flax Production9643·2
Hemp Control2311·5
Hosiery Control26½9·2Hosiery and other knitted goods trades115,500
Jute Control74½32·7Jute Industry17,800
Narrow Fabrics Control17½7·0Narrow Fabrics Trade22,100
Silk and Rayon Control4·0Rayon, Nylon, etc., Weaving and Silk trades42,400
Wool Control80½45·7Woollen and Worsted Industry212,000
Match Control1·8Match Industry3,200
Paper Control20681·3Paper and Board Manufacture75,700
Timber Control1,224593·0Timber Trade86,700
Mica Directorate5·4§§
Molasses and Industrial Alcohol Directorate26½8·2Part of Food Industry1,000
Rubber Directorate60½29·8Rubber Industry96,100
Notes:
* This list excludes several minor Controls exercised in the ordinary course of the Department's work and requiring no special staff.
† Excludes unpaid staff. Includes part-time workers, each of whom is counted as equivalent to one-half a full-time worker.
‡ The figures given are those for the industries most directly concerned with the Control. In most cases other industries are also affected by the Control, e.g., the activities of the Leather Control also-affect the Leather Goods and Boot and Shoe trades, while the activities of the Timber Control affect a large cross-section of the Industries of the Country.
§ No figure of employment is available. Mica is used by a wide variety of trades.

Furniture Industry

41.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate steps to increase the supply of plywood and uncut moquette in the furniture trade.

As I informed my hon. Friend on 24th February last, timber used for furniture is, in common with that for other industries, allocated in the light of available supplies as compared with the needs of all industries. Increased supplies from soft currency sources have enabled an increased allocation of plywood and blockboard to be made for furniture in the current quarter, but increased supplies of moquette could only

Following is the information:be provided for the furniture industry by reducing our exports—which I am not prepared to do—or by increasing hard currency imports.

Pitprops (Prices)

44.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the price of home-grown pitprops is controlled at a price so much below the price of imported props that it is not possible to produce home-grown props of comparable quality, and thereby save foreign exchange.

I do not agree that producers of pitprops cannot within the present maximum controlled price make a home-grown article comparable with the imported. I am naturally anxious to save imports and encourage the thinning of woodlands through the home production of pitprops. The recent increase in the maximum price at which peeled home-grown props may be sold had this object in view.

Fruit And Vegetables (Imports)

68.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement of his policy for the issue of licences to import fruit and vegetables between 1st July and 31st December, 1949.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to a similar Question by the hon. Member on 20th July.

Factories, South Wales

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new tenants have been obtained for factories in the South Wales Development Area during 1949; and how many industrialists have withdrawn their application for factory space during the same period.

During 1949 allocations of Government-financed factory space have been approved in the case of 25 new tenants, including 14 on ex-R.O.F. estates, and 11 industrialists have withdrawn approved applications, including two for space on ex-R.O.F.'s.

War Damage Claims

asked the President of the Board of Trade why general payment of business scheme claims continues to be postponed, considering that this is the only section of war damage insurance which is roughly self-supporting, since premiums nearly equal the total of claims, and especially in view of the fact that all other classes of claims, including those where premiums form a negligible fraction of the total claims, have been met substantially in full.

There is provision in the War Damage Act for making early payment in any case in which the Board of Trade are satisfied that the replacement or repair of the goods is expedient in the public interest or that payment is necessary in order to avoid undue hardship. This provision is being interpreted with reasonable latitude and the Government do not consider it desirable in the present financial situation to pay out very large sums which are not required on one or other of the grounds to which I have referred.

Newsprint (Weekly Newspapers)

asked the President of the Board of Trade why a limit has been laid down on the number of pages which may be printed according to the sale price of weekly newspapers; and whether he will review and remove this condition in respect of the allocation of newsprint for provincial weekly newspapers.

In order that available supplies of newsprint may be equitably distributed, the maximum number of pages for any newspaper has been established according to price. I do not think that in existing circumstances the present rules need alteration.

Agriculture

Wool Marketing Scheme

47.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will ensure that farmers' co-operative societies will be permitted to buy wool from their members under the Wool Marketing Scheme which is proposed for the 1950 clip.

No. The proposed Wool Marketing Scheme has not yet been submitted to the Agricultural Ministers by the promoters. When it is so submitted the procedure set out in Section 1 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, will apply, including advertisement of the scheme, public inquiry into objections, possible modification of the scheme by the Minister in the light of the result of such inquiry, and submission of the scheme for an affirmative Resolution of both Houses of Parliament. I cannot anticipate the detailed operation of the scheme.

Fowl Pest

53.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the virus of fowl pest has been found in the skin of eviscerated and frozen chickens; and whether he contemplates any new regulations to prevent further importations of this disease.

Yes; the virus of fowl pest has been recovered from scrapings of the skins of frozen eviscerated carcases of poultry brought from abroad. It was expected that these carcases would be cooked whole and, since cooking destroys the virus, that the risk of conveying the disease to our own flocks would be negligible even where virus was present in a carcase. Since, however, there is still some element of risk, technical experts of the Ministry of Food and of my Department have been sent to the Continent to investigate the conditions under which the trade is conducted, and to advise what further measures can be taken to reduce that risk.

Forestry (Private Woodlands)

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress is being made in the rehabilitation and systematic management of private woodlands.

The Government have been much concerned at the slow progress that is being made in the rehabilitation of private woodlands, and consequently has been reconsidering the Dedication Scheme and the problems of private forestry in general. A recent census shows that there are about 2.8 million acres of private woodlands in Great Britain, of which it is estimated that about 2.3 million acres are capable of economic management. Of these 2.3 million acres, about 1.0 million require replanting.It is essential in the national interest that all suitable areas should be replanted with the minimum of delay, and that the management of woodlands should in the fullest sense be a joint enterprise of the State and the woodland owners. But on present indications the owners who have dedicated or who are preparing to dedicate their woodlands are only a small minority of the whole. The Government have, therefore, considered further measures to secure the co-operation of private woodland owners.It is manifestly impossible to deal with a long-term venture such as forestry in the same way as agriculture, and it is not feasible to guarantee prices for the many categories of timber which may be felled over the next 50 to 100 years. The Government, however, recognise that a healthy and stable forest industry is an essential part of the national economy and proposes to review the economics of British forestry at convenient intervals in consultation with woodland owners and the timber trade. The State itself has a large and rapidly increasing stake in the forest industry and owners who are anxious about the future prosperity of the industry should keep this prominently in mind.A subsidy of 3d. per cubic foot on thinnings was recently introduced, and at the present time the Board of Trade are considering the whole question of standing timber prices. In the meantime, the Government propose to increase the planting grant from £10 to £12 per acre and the maintenance grant (where applicable) from 3s. 4d. to 4s. per acre. These figures will operate until October, 1951, when a general review will be made.As regards the dedication agreements, it is proposed to amend the perpetuity Clause so as to permit release from dedication in certain exceptional circumstances, and to remit the obligation to submit accounts under Basis but woodland owners will be invited to submit annual accounts for analysis as is now done in the case of farm accounts. In the event of a dispute arising on the question whether work has been done satisfactorily, the matter will be referred to an independent investigation committee which will report to the Commissioners, with whom the final decision, however, must rest. The Forestry Commission have also under consideration certain steps for encouraging co-operation among woodland owners and for improving the utilisation of forest produce.The Government feel that in total, these arrangements will be of material benefit to private woodland owners. Where woodland areas requiring rehabilitation are neither under active consideration for dedication nor receiving adequate treatment, the Forestry Commissioners will, where necessary, have to acquire those woodlands. It is hoped, however, that the majority of owners will recognise the national need for making woodlands fully productive and will co-operate to that end with the Forestry Commission.

Electoral Register (Overseas Civil Servants)

62.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what steps have been taken in connection with the Register of Electors now in course of preparation to draw the attention of servants of the Crown serving overseas, and their wives, to their rights to be registered as Service voters.

An explanatory leaflet has been prepared for issue by Departments to Civil Servants serving abroad.

Estates (Taxation)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will waive interest on tax of deceased's estates for a reasonable period with a maximum of six months, in view of the time taken to obtain and exhibit confirmation of estates.

Juvenile Delinquency

69.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent conference he held with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education, the London County Council, and others, on the question of juvenile delinquency.

A central conference on juvenile delinquency arranged by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Education and myself was held in London at the beginning of March, and was attended by representatives of the churches, local authorities, juvenile courts, teachers, and voluntary organisations. After that conference, we invited the chairmen of county councils and the lord mayors and mayors of county boroughs to convene local conferences, and sent to them a memorandum a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. The memorandum suggests that each local conference should invite the organisations concerned to nominate representatives who would meet at regular intervals to find out the facts about juvenile delinquency in the area and to study the main contributory influences with a view to preventive measures and remedies being applied by the statutory and voluntary agencies. A number of local conferences have been held, including one arranged by the London County Council, and my right hon. Friend and I have every hope that they will Shave useful and far-reaching results. In this field, however, progress can be made only by continuous application and sustained effort.

Fire Alarms (Sirens)

73.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the objection held by many residents in country districts to the continued use of air-raid sirens as fire alarm warnings; and if he will consult with the Postmaster-General with a view to the provision of increased facilities for firemen to be called by telephone so that the use of sirens for this purpose can be discontinued altogether.

The arrangements for calling out retained firemen are now primarily a matter for the local fire authorities but I should not regard as efficient a system which depended entirely on the telephone. My right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General has largely extended the provision of call-bells in firemen's homes.

Police Pensions

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether police officers who have concluded 25 years' or more service before 1st July, 1947, and whose pensions were automatically secured, forfeit this assurance of a secured pension by accepting the terms of the Oaksey proposals to an increase in pay and pension based on an average of the last three years' pay.

In accordance with the recommendation made by the Oaksey Committee, the Police Pensions Regulations, 1949, do not provide for the payment of a police pension to a police officer with 25 years' service or more who is dismissed for a disciplinary offence, and accordingly the automatic securing of the pensions of officers with more than 25 years' service, for which provision was made in the Police Pensions Regulations, 1948, ceased to have effect on 1st July, 1949. This abolition of securing is of general application and is not affected by the individual officer's decision whether or not to elect to have his pension based on the average of his pay during the last three years of his service and to receive the new rates of pay.

Uk Citizenship (Registration)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to announce a decision on the question of the fees payable by persons born in the Irish Republic, India or Pakistan for registration as citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

It has been decided that in future a citizen of the Irish Republic or a citizen or potential citizen of any Commonwealth country shall not be required to pay to the Home Office any fee for registration as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.

Animal Experiments

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the forthcoming Annual Return under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, will in-chide lists of persons licensed, and places registered for experiments under the Act as was customary before the war; and whether this information will otherwise be made available.

These lists will not be included in the printed Return as they are not of such general interest as the Summary and Explanatory Notes. The lists are, however, being prepared separately, and will be obtainable at the Home Office in a few weeks' time, on payment of 6d. for the list of registered places and 2s. for the list of licensees. Remittances should be sent to the Home Office by postal order.

Ministry Of Supply

Industrial Gas Turbine Committee

75.

asked the Minister of Supply what progress has been made by the Industrial Gas Turbine Committee; and when a report will be issued on their work.

This Committee has held two meetings and satisfactory progress has been made on the preliminary work. I am unable to say at present whether any of its reports will be published.

Patents (Claims)

76.

asked the Minister of Supply how much of the estimated £2 million saved by the patents division of his Department has accrued through resisting the claims of inventors, submitted to the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors.

None. The £2 million referred to claims settled between the Department and the patentees.

Transport

Railways (Invalid Chairs)

78.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make similar arrangements with the British Railways, as is granted to the Service disabled, for invalids to have their invalid chairs carried free.

This is a matter for the British Transport Commission, to whom any representations should be made by interested associations or persons.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will approach the British Transport Commission with a view to obtaining the same concession for civilian disabled as is granted to Service and ex-Service disabled persons in regard to the charges made for the transportation of invalid chairs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Leeds (Mr. G. Porter) today.

Road Junction, Chiswick

asked the Minister of Transport when, in view of a recent collision and of the dangerous nature of this crossing, he will instal traffic signals at the junction of Sutton Court Road and Fauconberg Road, Chiswick, W.4.

The local authority has been asked to improve visibility at this junction, and I am having a special investigation made to see whether traffic lights or other measures are required.

Electric Services (Liverpool Street—Shenfield)

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any further news as to when the new electrified railway service between Liverpool Street and Shenfield will be completed and in operation.

Electric services between Liverpool Street and Shenfield will be started on 26th September and the change-over from steam trains will be completed by 7th November.

Ministry Of Works

Hutments, Pinner

79.

asked the Minister of Works why the hutments in Tolrane Drive, Pinner, about which the hon. Member for Uxbridge has written him, are still unused.

As my hon. Friend has now been informed, only 8,700 square feet is unoccupied in these buildings out of a total of 108,000 square feet. Some of this space will be occupied as soon as adaptations have been carried out; the rest is earmarked for an Inland Revenue Rating Valuation Office.

Maintenance Engineers (Pensions)

80.

asked the Minister of Works how many people employed by his Department as maintenance engineers at the Palace of Westminster have given more than 50 years service, yet are not pensionable.

Only one. He is ineligible for a pension because he was above the maximum qualifying age on 16th January, 1948, when the scheme of establishment of Government industrial employees was introduced.

Camp, Huntingdonshire (Sewage)

81.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that St. Peter's Hill Camp, Huntingdonshire, which accommodated 150 persons, has no hygienic method of sewage disposal, and that the sewage effluent runs for 300 yards along an open ditch close to private houses before entering a piped course; and what steps will be taken to introduce a proper hygienic method of disposing of the sewage from the camp.

Sewage from St. Peter's Hill Camp, Huntingdonshire, is disposed of through the local authority's main sewer. Last week, however, a stoppage in a pipe caused an overflow through a manhole cover into an open ditch. The fault has been rectified and measures are in hand to prevent a recurrence.

Germany (Property Restitution)

82.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the progress made in the restitution of property to the political parties in Germany and seek to expedite the procedure by enabling claims to be submitted direct to the Restitutions-Kammern as is done in the French zone with more satisfactory results.

Restitution is being dealt with in two ways. Straightforward claims to property which was in the hands of Nazi organisations at the end of the war are being dealt with by a special German Commission empowered to examine claims from politcal parties and certain other bodies and dispose of the property to successful claimants; it is proposed to extend the scope of this Commission to deal also with property in the possession of the Reich. On the other hand, claims to property which had passed into the hands of third parties at the end of the war present greater complications; it is the intention that they shall be dealt with under the more elaborate restitution machinery now being set up under the recent Restitution Law and arrangements are being made accordingly.

Austria (Broadcasting Station)

83.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, since May last, the British authorities in Austria have taken over the only long-range broadcasting station in Austria outside Russian control, at Graz-Dobl, for the purpose of foreign-language propaganda broadcasts to Eastern Europe, to the extent of 68½ hours per week, as against 17½ previously, and against the 15½ hours during which the Russians occupy the Vienna station for such broadcasts; and whether he will take note of the indignation this action has created amongst Austrians, and ensure that early steps are taken to return to them their broadcasting facilities at this station.

As my right hon. Friend indicated in a reply to a question from the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Platts-Mills) the transmitter as former German property is under direct control of the British Occupation Authorities and has never been Austrian property. Our use of it does not affect normal Austrian broadcasting, which is adequately provided for by other stations. In fact the design of Graz-Dobl makes it more suitable for long-distance rather than local transmissions. We consider that its importance in relaying B.B.C. foreign language broadcasts is such as to warrant our retention of its use for the time being. The position will of course be reviewed in the event of the Austrian Treaty being signed.

The Netherlands (Uk Parliamentary Delegation)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any arrangements have been made for the visit of an

BarleyOatsMaize
TonsTonsTons
From all sources of which:—780,912293,9281,332,142
(a) From dollar sourcesNilNilNil
(b) From sterling sources57,127191,210536
(c) From U.S.S.R.430,171102,664139,179
(d) From other sources293,614541,192,427

all-party Parliamentary Delegation to the Netherlands.

Yes. I am happy to announce the acceptance of invitations from the Presidents of the First and Second Chambers of the States General inviting Members of both Houses to visit the Netherlands from 19th September to 23rd September.

Food Supplies

Rationing Order (Contravention)

84.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the National Union of Small Shopkeepers made a complaint to his Department in December last, concerning the contravention of the Food Rationing (General Provisions) Order, by a Mr. Beeson; and since his inspectors were satisfied that this was so, what action his Department is taking against this individual, who has now returned to this country, and is carrying out his former activities.

In March this year this man was convicted and fined a total of £100 and costs for contravening the Food Rationing (General Provisions) Order.

Imported Feedingstuffs

86.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of barley, oats and maize was imported for feedingstuffs from all sources in 1948; how much from the dollar area; how much from the sterling area; how much from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and how much from other sources.

Barley, oats and maize are not imported specifically for feedingstuffs, but may be allocated to animal feeding or to human and industrial consumption. Imports for all purposes during 1948 were:

British Restaurants

85.

asked the Minister of Food how many British Restaurants there are now; and the comparative figure for July, 1945.

The figures for the nearest available dates are as follows: 15th March, 1949, 654; 13th February, 1945, 1,843.

National Insurance

Departmental Magazine

87, 88 and 89.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) whether the editor and two assistants of the journal of the staff of tilt Ministry of National Insurance entitled "The Window" are paid from public funds; whether they are employed full time on the magazine; how many other public servants are employed on the editorial staff, and whether engaged in this way for full or part time; what is the amount of salary paid respectively to all so employed; and under what authority is the taxpayers' money being used for this purpose;(2) how many persons, whilst employed at public expense, are engaged, and to what extent, in the publication and circulation of "The Window"; where the advisory committee holds its regular monthly meetings; if, as some of its members live as far apart as Cardiff, Plymouth and London, the travelling to and from these regular meetings is done in public time and at public expense; and what is the liability to the taxpayer for such travelling and subsistence;(3) under what authority supplies of paper for the publication of "The Window" were allocated, at a time when paper was in short supply for commercial purposes.

The editor and two assistants are the only persons engaged full-time on "The Window." This departmental magazine was established following the Assheton Report on Staff Training (presented to this House in 1944). The annual salary of the editor is £725. The salaries of the assistants are £424 and £380. Certain ancillary work is done, either as part-time duty or outside official hours, by other members of the staff but it is impracticable to calculate the relatively small cost involved. The advisory Committee includes members living in the provinces. It meets only occasionally. The cost of subsistence and travelling has averaged under £8 per meeting. Expenses are covered by the general provisions for staff in the departmental estimates. A charge is made for the magazine and receipts are credited against the cost of production. Supplies of paper are obtained from His Majesty's Stationery Office with Treasury authority.

Pneumoconiosis (Disablement Certificates)

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many certificates of disablement for pneumoconiosis have been issued to miners in South Wales from 1st January, 1949, to the latest convenient date; how many were for partial and total disability, respectively; and if he will give the comparable figures for the same period in 1948.

In the period from 1st January, 1949, to 25th June, 1949, assessments under the Industrial Injuries Act of disablement due to pneumoconiosis were made at 100 per cent. in about 20 cases, and at less than 100 per cent. in about 1,900 cases. In addition, in the same period 276 men who had left the industry before 5th July, 1948, were certified under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; of these 134 were found to be totally disabled. During the corresponding period of 1948, 843 men were certified under the Workmen's Compensation Acts, of whom 87 were found to be totally disabled. These figures are not strictly comparable with those for 1949.

Post Office

Postal Orders Warrant

90.

asked the Postmaster-General why the explanatory note appended to the Postal Orders Warrant, 1949 (S.I., 1949, No. 1266), omits to explain the effect of the warrant; and if he will give an explanation.

As the explanatory note indicates, the effect of the warrant is to revoke nine warrants made between 1905 and 1940 and to reproduce with amendments most of their surviving provisions. A few old provisions relating to indoor management were omitted in accordance with modern practice. New provisions meriting notice are specifically mentioned in the note. Their intention seems to me to be clear and not to require further explanation.

Football Pool Transaction (Inquiry)

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that on 23rd May, 1949, two plain clothes Post Office officials called on Mrs. McLintock of Little Bulls Farm, Radwinter, Saffron Walden, for the purpose of investigating an alleged fraud in connection with a claim on Vernon's Pools; that they spent some three hours interrogating Mrs. McLintock and her employee, Mr. Behr. and stated that a refusal to answer questions would be interpreted as an acceptance of the allegations; and whether he will make a further statement on this matter.

I am aware that two Post Office officials interviewed Mrs. McLintock and Mr. Behr on 23rd May about a postal football pool transaction with Vernon's Pools. It is true that the interview lasted for about three hours but I am assured that there is no foundation for the suggestion that the Post Office officials stated that refusal to answer questions would be interpreted as an acceptance of allegations of fraud. The circumstances were such that inquiry was fully justified, and I am satisfied that it was properly conducted.

Road Vehicles (Petrol Consumption)

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the amount of petrol consumed by the various classes of road vehicles in 1938; and the corresponding figure for 1948.

No statistics are collected of the consumption of motor spirit by various classes of road vehicles, but for 1948 it may be estimated that 1.4 million tons were consumed by private motorists, 1.7 million tons by goods vehicles, and 0.2 million tons by public service vehicles. No estimate can be given for 1938.

Penang (Status)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take over the petition by six Penang members of the Federal Legislative Council of Malaya for the restoration to Penang of Crown Colony status.

Nigeria (Railway Strike)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make in regard to the strike of workers employed on the Nigerian Railway; and how far this stoppage has affected the traffic of groundnuts to the coast.

A strike of railway station staff began without warning on 17th July. As the terms of service of station staff were at the time subject to a Government enquiry, the Nigerian, Government announced that further consideration would not be given to the questions at issue until work was fully resumed. The strikers were warned that they had broken their contracts of service and were advised in their own interests to return to work immediately. Subsequently a meeting was held between representatives of the Government and of all the Railway Unions, in consequence of which all the unions ordered an immediate resumption of full work. There has been a general response to this order. No accurate estimate can yet be given of the drop in groundnut railings, but the total figure for the month is expected to fall below 30,000 tons as against a previous estimate of 36,000 tons.

Uganda (Cotton Production)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the cuts in the imports of American raw cotton, he will examine urgently the possibility of substituting the production of short staple for long staple cotton in Uganda, in order that some of the large crop from this area can be manufactured in the United Kingdom, instead of being sent to other countries.

This possibility has already been thoroughly examined and I am satisfied that, owing to technical and other difficulties, it is not practicable. Even so, a substantial proportion of the crop is used for manufacture in the United Kingdom.

Seychelles (Vessel, Purchase)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what price has been paid by the Government of the Seychelles for the ship "Vanguard"; what is the estimated cost of maintenance; whether technical experts were consulted before the ship was purchased; what repair facilities there are in the Seychelles for the ship; and what purpose the ship will serve other than as the Governor's private yacht.

The "Vanguard" is an ex-Admiralty vessel displacing 145 tons, with a 240 h.p. Crossley diesel engine and with a cargo carrying capacity of 95 tons. The capital cost is expected to be about £20,000 including cost of delivery from Bombay and copper-sheathing. The estimated cost of maintenance is £5,000 per annum. Messrs. MacKinnon, Mackenzie, arranged a survey of the vessel and gave a satisfactory report. Purchase of the vessel was unanimously recommended by Dr. Wheeler, the Government Fisheries expert, and the Executive Council and the standing Finance Committee of the Legislative Council of Seychelles. Minor repair facilities are available in Seychelles. If major repairs are required the vessel will have to be sent to Mombasa. The hon. Member is misinformed as to the intended purpose of the vessel. She will assist in the development of the fishing industry and the exploitation of the Aldabra group of islands which Government is now developing upon the expiry of the former concession to a private company. The vessel will also provide for the training of Seychellois in seamanship to open further channels of employment for the increasing population of the Colony.

Jamaica (Attempted Bribery, Charges)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken by the Governor of Jamaica to investigate the charges of attempted bribery and corruption, made recently by the leader of the Majority Party, Mr. Bustamente, against the World Radio Corporation at the time when this Corporation was seeking to obtain the concession for commercial radio in Jamaica.

I have seen Press references to this matter and am consulting the Governor of Jamaica. I will write to the hon. Member on receipt of the Governor's reply.

Scotland

Special Housing Association (Tenancies)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many changes of tenancy have taken place in Scottish Special Housing Association houses during the past year.

During the past year, when the total number of houses let by the Association increased from 4,600 to 8,300, there were 266 changes of tenancy.

Succession Law (Adopted Persons)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent he has considered the effects of adoption orders in relation to intestacy of adopters or adopted persons in Scotland.

Owing to differences in the respective laws it would not be appropriate to apply to Scotland the provisions on this subject contained in Clause 9 of the Adoption Bill, nor could the position of adopted children in Scotland under the present law of succession be suitably altered without a review of certain aspects of that law.The Lord Advocate and I feel that on wider grounds such a review is desirable. I propose, therefore, to appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into the law of Scotland in regard to—

  • (a) intestate succession;
  • (b) the legal rights of spouses and children; and
  • (c) the law of succession in relation to adopted persons and adopters—
  • and to recommend what alterations are necessary or desirable.

    The Hon. Lord Mackintosh, one of the Judges of the Court of Session, has agreed to preside over the Committee and the remaining members will be:—

    • Mr. R. S. Brydon
    • Mr. J. J. Cunningham, K.C.
    • Sir Hector McNeill
    • Lord Provost Ure Primrose
    • Mr. R. S. Stewart, C.B.E., J.P.
    • Mrs. C. J. Tudhope
    • Mr. A. A. I. Wedderburn, W.S.

    The Secretary of the Committee will be Mr. Gerald Black, to whom all communications should be addressed at the Register House, Edinburgh, 2.

    Fencing, Alyth Commonty

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the enclosure of land at Alyth, Perthshire, by local farmers; whether he is aware that this land has been considered as common land to the people of that burgh for many years; and whether he will institute an inquiry into the rights of the citizens of Alyth to this as common land, and so prevent what appears to be an attempt to deprive the people of their rights.

    I am aware of the situation at Alyth referred to in the Question. As I indicated in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Perth (Colonel Gomme-Duncan) on 1st February, 1949, the question whether any rights are being infringed can only be decided by a court of law, and I have no authority to intervene.