asked the Minister of Works whether he will stop the wanton destruction in Bushey Park of the huts formerly occupied by the Royal Air Force, which are suitable for a convalescent home or other residential purposes.

I cannot agree that there has been wanton destruction. Items of value such as roofs and windows have been removed and stored. I have given instructions for the removal of the remainder as quickly as possible so that the public may have the full use and enjoyment of this Royal Park.

asked the Minister of 'Works when he proposes to publish the report of the working party into the building industry.

Very shortly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now reduce the price of coal that is unscreened and unwashed.

The retail prices of coal are based on the pithead prices charged by the National Coal Board plus the cost of distribution. Since the vesting date, the Board have been considering how to revise the prices so that they will reflect more closely the respective values of different grades of coal to the consumers. The Board have already made some important interim changes including some large reductions in the prices of inferior grades.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to remedy the long-standing and serious inconvenience caused to Southampton citizens by grit from the chimneys of the electricity power station; and whether he will now endeavour to speed up the solving of this problem.

I am informed that tenders have now been received by the British Electricity Authority for the supply and installation of the grit arresting plant at the Southampton Generating Station and that a contract will be let within the next two or three weeks. Owing to the time needed for the manufacture of the equipment and the necessity to confine the complicated installation work to the summer months when the load is lightest, I am afraid there is little likelihood of the work being completed before September, 1951.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement regarding the dissatisfaction expressed by the West Indian sugar producers regarding the prices and conditions offered for future sugar supplies during the recent negotiations with his Department.

As the negotiations with West Indian sugar producers have not yet been concluded, it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement at this time.

asked the Minister of Fod if, in view of his recent standstill order on English potatoes, he intends to reimpose potato rationing.

No.

asked the Minister of Food when he will lift the ban on the export of ware potatoes from North Lincolnshire to Lancashire.

This has been done and my Department is now licensing such sales.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the expected influx of foreign visitors, he intends to relax the regulations imposing the 5s. maximum charge on meals, together with the accompanying house charges, music and dancing charges and authorised surcharges.

Last autumn my right hon. Friend and predecessor undertook to review the regulations before this year's tourist season. I intend to do this as soon as possible, but until I have had an opportunity of carefully weighing all the factors involved I would be glad not to be pressed to give any prior indication of what my decision is likely to be.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Cornish broccoli growers are being hurt by foreign imports; and what immediate action he proposes to take to assist them in this respect.

There is no glut of cauliflower and broccoli. Prices to the housewife have only recently come down from the very high scarcity levels of this winter which made it necessary to import these vegetables. As the hon. Member will know, the open general licence for cauliflower and broccoli is being suspended between 16th March and 15th November while the main home crop is being marketed, and I have no information that this arrangement will not protect the legitimate interests of home growers. I am assured that none of the Cornish crop has been wasted for lack of a market and that the growers have had a good season.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, owing to the glut of foreign broccoli in British markets, Cornish broccoli is not making enough to pay the carriage to London; and what action he proposes to take to help the British growers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. D. Marshall) today.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now take steps to ensure that agricultural workers are allowed as much meat and other extra rations as are received by miners and other heavy workers.

Agricultural workers receive the same individual rations as miners except for the extra meat allowance which was granted as part of the effort to stimulate the output of coal. I regret that we have not enough meat to extend this special ration to agricultural workers.

asked the Minister of Food what is the Government's policy with regard to the import of foreign fruit and vegetables during the coming season; and whether he will make a statement.

The general policy of the Government is to ensure that as far as possible there shall be a full supply of fresh fruits and vegetables at reasonable prices at all times of the year. Most of these may be imported by private traders under open general licence but certain fruits and vegetables, during the main season of home production, will be subject to specific import licensing. There was a recent Press announcement about this and I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Food what was the net loss emerging from his Department's trade with Germany in Algerian wine.

We shall not know till the accounts are completed after the end of the financial year.

asked the Minister of Food what action he has taken to deal with the storage of grain at Leiston aerodrome and the infestation by rats of the Nissen huts used for this purpose.

Over 2,000 tons of grain and animal feeding-stuffs out of a total of 5,822 tons have recently been cleared from various buildings on the site. including the Nissen huts, and more is being moved at the moment. My Department have also arranged with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for all buildings still containing stocks to be treated with gas fumigant. This has already been done in the two hangars and will soon be completed in the other buildings where stocks will. have to remain for a short time longer.

asked the Minister of Food how soon he expects to receive the first report of the working party set up to consider the difficulties caused by the proposal to cut the allocation of sugar for fruit canning in 1950.

It has just been decided, after reconsideration of the allocation, to allow rather more sugar to fruit canners this year. But I must reserve the right to examine these supplies in the light of our general problem of maintaining the domestic sugar ration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what official explanation he received as to why no British diplomatic or consular official was allowed access to Mr. Edgar Sanders while he was in prison awaiting trial by the Hungarian authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has requested the mitigation of the sentence of 13 years' imprisonment inflicted upon Mr. Edgar Sanders, a British subject, in Budapest; whether a representative of the British Embassy was permitted to be present during the trial; and 'whether he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he proposes to take to secure the release of Mr. Edgar Sanders from imprisonment in Hungary; and whether Mr. Sanders was permitted to see any British official either before or after his sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the trial and sentence imposed on Mr. Sanders in Hungary.

His Majesty's Government published a statement on 21st February expressing their views about the trial of Mr. Sanders. They said that facts within their knowledge made it certain that Mr. Sanders' so-called confession was a compendium of distortions and lies, and they had no doubt that he had been the victim of the usual technique of interrogation under pressure. His demeanour at the trial, at which representatives of His Majesty's Legation were present throughout, supported this belief.Ever since his arrest on 21st November, His Majesty's Legation tried to induce the Hungarian authorities to allow His Majesty's consul to have access to him in accordance with normal international practice. They were told at first that no visit could be permitted until the preliminary investigation had been completed. Shortly before the trial, when it had become clear that the preliminary investigation must have been completed, the Hungarian Government changed their ground. They then said that Hungarian law did not contain any provision entitling foreign consuls to visit persons in prison and that the Legation's request lacked legal foundation. The real reason was no doubt that they did not wish to risk disclosing how Mr. Sanders was being conditioned.In order to mark their dissatisfaction at the continued Hungarian refusal to allow His Majesty's consul to have access to Mr. Sanders, His Majesty's Government broke off trade negotiations with the Hungarian Government on 19th December.Throughout the whole trial, two representatives of His Majesty's Legation were present in court, and now that the trial is over, the Legation have asked whether the consul may be allowed to see Mr. Sanders. They await a reply to this inquiry. Mr. Sanders has appealed against his sentence and His Majesty's Government must await the outcome of his appeal before considering whether any further action could usefully be taken on his behalf.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that a British diplomatic or consular representative is allowed access to Mrs. Firth, a British subject who has been detained by the Polish authorities since May, 1949.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date Mrs. Firth, a British subject, was arrested in Poland; what allegations have been made against her; where she has been imprisoned; on what dates she was visited by British officials; by whom she will be defended at her forthcoming trial; and if he is satisfied that Mrs. Firth is being given every facility for her defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the arrest of Mrs. Firth, a British subject, in Warsaw; what charges have been brought against her by the Polish Government; and whether the British consul has been allowed to communicate with her.

Mrs. Firth became a British subject by marriage in 1928. She had been employed from 12th April, 1949, as a translator in His Majesty's Embassy in Warsaw. On 13th May, 1949, she was arrested by the Polish Security authorities on charges of harbouring in her flat two Germans, and a Pole who was accused of economic offences; she was also accused of procuring false documents for these three persons. She was imprisoned in Warsaw.His Majesty's Embassy first applied for Mrs. Firth's release on the grounds of diplomatic immunity; this application was refused because her employment at the Embassy had not been formally notified to the Ministry before her arrest. On 11th June, 1949, the Embassy applied for permission for His Majesty's consul to visit Mrs. Firth in prison; this request, which was repeated on numerous occasions, was not granted until 4th March, 1950, that is five days before the date set for Mrs. Firth's trial.On that date His Majesty's consul was at last allowed to visit Mrs. Firth in prison in the presence of the Counsel for the prosecution, to discuss only her personal needs and the appointment of counsel for the defence. Mrs. Firth was defended by a Polish lawyer retained on her behalf by the Embassy. As the House will be aware, Mrs. Firth was found guilty on 9th March and sentenced to three years' imprisonment as from 19th December last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will urge on the United Nations that all contracts for building and equipment in connection with the United Nations' headquarters in New York should be open to nationals of all member nations on a competitive basis; and why he has not previously taken steps to assure the adoption of this principle.

We have always urged, and are continuing to urge, that the provisions of materials, equipment and furnishings for the United Nations headquarters should be open to the nationals of all member nations on a competitive basis and that as large a proportion as possible should he sought on a competitive basis from soft currency areas. As to the actual construction of the buildings, it was agreed by the Headquarters Advisory Committee, upon which we are represented, that for reasons of efficiency and economy the Secretary-General should if possible conclude one contract with one of the large construction firms in the New York area. The contracts for the Secretariat Building and the Meeting Hall area have been so placed, and I understand that the contractors who are responsible for inviting tenders for building materials have invited them from soft currency areas. We are, however, carefully examining the present system of allocating contracts in order to satisfy ourselves that in the prevailing circumstances every reasonable opportunity is offered for foreign firms to participate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Chinese Communist regime was recognised by His Majesty's Government just prior to the Colombo Conference; and why His Majesty's Government did not wait to try and obtain united action at the conference on this matter.

Commonwealth and other friendly governments were kept fully informed of every stage of the deliberations which led to our recognition of the Central People's Government on 6th January. They were informed well in advance of our decision to recognise and of the date selected. In the course of these consultations, it became clear that because of the varying attitudes of different members of the Commonwealth, united action was not to be expected.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what conclusions were come to at the Colombo Conference concerning a peace treaty with Japan; and what further steps have been taken since then to prepare for such a treaty.

All Commonwealth delegations at Colombo were agreed on the importance of making peace with Japan as soon as possible. A proposal to establish a Working Party of Commonwealth Officials in London to give further consideration to the terms of the settlement, which was generally approved, is being followed up.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the recent disappearance of Mrs. Constantine, librarian at the information office of His Majesty's Legation in Bucharest.

Mrs. Constantine, the librarian of the British Information Office at Bucharest, and her husband disappeared during the night of 3rd March. They are both Roumanian citizens and Mr. Constantine has no official connection with His Majesty's Legation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British fishing vessels have been arrested by the Norwegian authorities during the past 12 months how much has been paid in fines; and what steps is he taking to bring about a clear definition of territorial waters off the Norwegian coast.

Six. Fines amounting to 185,000 krone, (i.e., approximately £9,000) have been paid. Appeals have been lodged in all these cases. As regards the last part of the Question, His Majesty's Government decided last summer to refer the dispute for decision to the International Court of Justice at The Hague, since all attempts to negotiate a direct settlement with Norway had failed. The Court has been asked to define the limits within which Norway is entitled to reserve fishing exclusively to her own nationals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what efforts have been made to establish diplomatic relations with the Ukraine and Byelorussia, both members of the United Nations; and what facilities the Soviet Government allow to the British Ambassador and his staff in Moscow to visit these two countries.

In August, 1947, His Majesty Chargé d'Affaires in Moscow requested the Soviet Government to transmit to the Government of the Ukraine a proposal that this country and the Ukraine should exchange diplomatic representatives. As no answer was ever received from the Ukrainian Government, it did not seem worth while approaching the Byelorussian Government with a similar proposal.Members of His Majesty's Embassy in Moscow are prohibited from visiting the Western parts of either the Ukrainian Soviet Republic or the Byelorussian Soviet Republic. The capital cities, Kiev and Minsk, are included in these prohibited areas. The remaining parts of the two Republics can only be visited if the Soviet authorities are notified in advance and afford the necessary travel facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an estimate of the strength of the German armed forces in the Soviet sector of Germany.

The militarised German police in the Soviet zone number approximately 45,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the number of persons in the United Kingdom in 1945 who were entitled to diplomatic privileges; and the number so entitled now.

The number of persons who were entitled to diplomatic privileges and immunities in the United Kingdom in March, 1945, and March, 1950, was 1,557 and 1,795 respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons now enjoy the immunities and privileges granted under the Diplomatic Privileges Acts.

Ninety-one persons at present enjoy privileges and immunities under the provisions of the Diplomatic Privileges (Extension) Acts, 1944 and 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why a passport, valid for a visit to China via Prague, was issued to Mr. Douglas Springhall, National Organiser of the Communist Party, who was sentenced during 1943 for violation of the Official Secrets Act; and if he has satisfied himself as to the objects of the journey.

No passport valid for a visit to China has been issued to Mr. Springhall. In May, 1948, he applied for and was granted a passport for travel to all European countries for holiday purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what causes he ascribes the heavy fall in circulation in the Soviet Union of "British Ally "; and how its circulation now compares with comparable Soviet publications in this country.

The Soviet agency which distributes "British Ally" in the Soviet Union has informed His Majesty's Embassy in Moscow that the fall in circulation from about 47,000 to about 30,000 a week was "a result of incomplete sales consequent upon a reduction in demand." I do not, however, dismiss the possibility that, if there has been a fall in circulation, it is due to inadequate distribution rather than to lack of demand. The average print order of "Soviet Weekly," which is published under the auspices of the Soviet Embassy in London, was in the region of 44,000 copies a week last year. "British Ally's" weekly circulation over the same period, according to the Soviet monthly sales returns, was some 47,000 copies. Figures for the current year are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport on what date he received from the Transport Tribunal their recommendations regarding the increase of freight rates on the railways; and why there has been delay in publishing them.

This report was received on 6th February and a second report relating to the British Transport Commission's application in respect of their dock and canal charges was received on 16th February. I am now considering the reports, which will be published forthwith.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made by his Department since November in connection with the purchase of the toll rights of Selby toll bridge; and whether he will make a statement concerning the future of the bridge.

In view of the continued need for economy, I am still unable to acquire the toll rights of Selby bridge. Negotiations with the owners have been postponed at their suggestion.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress in the carrying out of the work of reconstruction on Park Street Bridge, Selby.

I have approved a scheme for the reconstruction of this bridge and am negotiating an agreement with the Railway Executive for carrying out the work. It will be put in hand as soon as possible after the agreement is completed.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have taken place during the past year at the narrow railway bridge on the Snaith—Rawcliffe road; and what action is being taken to improve the highway there.

Eighteen. Negotiations are proceeding with the Railway Executive for the acquisition of land for a road improvement which would encourage traffic to use the adjacent level crossing instead of the road under the low bridge.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will publish the qualifications of the recently-appointed members of the Transport Users Consultative Committee for London.

As provided in the Transport Act, I consulted bodies representative of the appropriate interests specified in section 6 (4) of the Act, and as a result selected the persons whose names have been announced. Also as provided in the Act, I appointed two additional members, and two more selected from persons nominated by the British Transport Commission. I give below a list of members, indicating the interests they represent:

• Alderman J. Fitzgerald, J.P.—Chairman.
• Mr. L. G. Burleigh, M.Inst.T.—Industry and Commerce.
• Mr. H. C. Crane, M.Inst.T.—Industry and Commerce.
• Mr. W. F. Podmore—Industry and Commerce.
• Mr. E. W. Rainer—Industry and Commerce.
• Mr. E. E. Young—Industry and Commerce.
• Mr. A. I. Anderson—Shipping.
• Mr. F. Whittock—Shipping.
• Mr. J. Crowley—Labour.
• Councillor H. J. E. Palethorpe—Labour.
• Councillor G. Allison-Beer—Local Authorities.
• Alderman F. L. Corrick, J.P.—Local Authorities.
• Alderman W. G. Fiske—Local Authorities.
• Councillor A. C. Marshall—Local Authorities.
• Alderman E. A. Wood, J.P.—Local Authorities.
• Mr. J. H. F. Benford—British Transport Commission.
• Mr. K. W. C. Grand—British Transport Commission.
• Mrs. T. Cazalet-Keir—Additional Member.
• Mrs. D. Robinson—Additional Member.

asked the Minister of Transport what means have been taken to publicise the work of the Transport Users Consultative Committees prescribed by the Transport Act.

Section 6 (9) of the Transport Act, 1947, provides that the Central Transport Consultative Committee shall make an annual report to the Minister of Transport, and the Minister shall lay a copy of that report before each House of Parliament. I shall shortly lay before the House a copy of the report for 1949.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to amend the Transport Act to extend the operating distance of road hauliers, in view of the long distances to be covered in the Highlands of Scotland.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made with the scheme he was having prepared to improve the ferry slipway at Kyle of Lochalsh, so that the ferry can be operated at all states of the tide.

The consulting engineers expect to let me have a detailed scheme for the improvement of the ferry slipway by the end of this month. I hope that it will be possible to start constructional work in three or four months' time.

asked the Minister of Supply what plans he has for the maintenance of full employment at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Irvine.

The level of employment at this factory is determined by the requirements of the Services. The plant is specialised and is not adaptable to other work.

asked the Minister of Supply how many workers have been dismissed from Government Ordnance Factories in the last 12 months; and how many are now under notice.

During the 12 months ended 25th February, 2,940 workers were discharged as redundant from the Royal Ordnance Factories, 559 were then under notice of discharge.

asked the Minister of Labour at what he estimates the total number of men who will register for National Service during the financial years 1950–51, 1951–52 and 1952–53, respectively; and whether he will state in detail, including the number of unfit, deferred and postponed, how these totals are related to the figures shown in paragraph 27 of Command Paper No. 7895 (Statement on Defence, 1950).

Owing to the inevitable time lag between registration for National Service and availability for calling up, the number of men available for calling up

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many persons other than Ministers arc authorised to sign Statutory Instruments; and in how many cases they are authorised to do so without the Minister having approved the terms of the Instrument.

Ministers nowadays sign most Statutory Instruments of a general character themselves. Where exceptionally they are signed by officials, it is usually the Permanent Head of the Department who signs. Ministers personally approve the terms of all these Instruments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the total and the percentage of disabled ex-Service men employed in all Government Departments in 1939 under the King's Roll National Scheme and the percentage of registered-disabled persons, comprising ex-Service men and civilians, employed in Government Departments at the latest available date; and whether he will publish figures -showing the position for each Department.

The number of disabled ex-Service men employed by Government Departments under the King's Roll scheme on 1st April, 1939, was 54,564 or 8.3 per cent. of the total staff (industrial and non-industrial) employed on that date. The latest information about the percentage of registered disabled persons in Government employment is given in Cmd. 7848. I am sending the hon. Member a statement of the numbers in the larger Departments individually.

asked the Minister of Labour how many employees in the aircraft industry are likely to become redundant in the next few months as a result of the cancellation of Government contracts for airframes, aero-engines and accessories.

It is difficult to give reliable estimates because the size of the redundancy resulting from the cancellation of Government contracts depends on how far the firms concerned are able to-obtain other work. After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, the best estimate I can give at the moment is that there will be a redundancy of the order of 2,000 over the next few months. This will affect the Bristol and London areas.

asked the Minister of Labour what saving of manpower in his Department is expected to result from the revocation of the Control of Engagement Order; what saving of office accommodation; and what saving of expense from public funds.

It is estimated that there will he a reduction of about 500 staff with a financial saving of the order of £200,000 a year. There will be no saving of office accommodation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he continues to require manufacturers of white overall coats and caps for milking and udder cloths to export a large proportion of their output, when many home farmers are unable to obtain these essentials; and if he will permit sufficient supplies to reach the home market.

The removal of supply difficulties for these goods depends upon an increase in the production of the cloths from which they are made. These cloths are in heavy demand for both the home and export markets. All practicable steps are being taken to achieve an increase in output and the total supply of overall cloths to the home market is now showing some improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many spoiled voting papers were returned in Scotland due to the failure of presiding officers to stamp the ballot papers.

I am informed that the total number of ballot papers lacking the official franking and for that reason rejected in Scottish constituencies in the recant General Election was 1,849.