asked the Minister of National Insurance how many people have been refused benefit from the National Insurance Fund because they left their employment of their own accord.

During April this year, the latest month for which figures are available, the number of claims for unemployment benefit disallowed on this account was about 19,000.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons in receipt of the old age contributory pension are in receipt of supplementary pensions from the National Assistance Board.

About 570,000 retirement pensioners were receiving National Asscstance grants in March last. The grants take into account the needs of dependants, some of whom are pensioner wives.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many attraction cases have been reported by the National Assistance Board since 1st January, 1950, in Cardiff, Wales and England respectively.

Between the end of December, 1949, and the end of May, 1950, the numbers of persons receiving regular weekly assistance grants from the Board's two offices in Cardiff (which cover areas extending beyond the city boundaries) increased by 647. The corresponding increase in Wales was 4,193 and in England 39,568.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the desirability of assisting in the expansion of Anglo-French tourist traffic and the fact that such expansion is being hindered by the inadequate supply of Customs officials during the busy season, he will take steps forthwith to recruit from retired police officers and other suitable persons a supplementary Customs staff who will be able to provide the necessary facilities during the busy seasons.

This work calls for long Customs training and experience without which any temporarily recruited staff would be unsuitable. The arrangements already made should enable the existing Customs staff and pensioner volunteers to cope with peak traffic by the normal cross-Channel services. As to any new traffic, such as day trips by excursion steamers, I have previously explained to the hon. Member that, apart from staffing, other difficulties combine to make any such trips impracticable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make an early announcement as to the possibility of providing increased exchange facilities for travel between Great Britain and France during the current year.

I am not at present prepared to make any further increase of exchange facilities for travel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now able to make a full statement as to the facilities which he proposes should be available to French and British motorists touring in Great Britain and France, respectively; and whether, in view of the improved position relating to sterling petrol supplies and the desirability of improving Anglo-French trade and tourist traffic, he will endeavour to improve the present position as far as possible.

As far as touring by British motorists abroad is concerned, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer given today to the Question from the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Donner). The currency facilities available to French motorists touring in Great Britain are a matter for the French Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total of monies belonging to the National Insurance Fund have been invested in 2½ per cent. Treasury Stock; what is the current value of this stock; and what loss has therefore been incurred.

I regret that I cannot add to or anticipate the information given in the Statutory Accounts of the National Insurance Fund, which are laid before Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent demands for full repayment of Egyptian sterling balances have been officially com municated by the Egyptian Government to His Majesty's Government.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will not commit themselves to any scheme of inter-European payments without first submitting their proposals to debate in Parliament.

No, but a statement will be made to the House at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken by His Majesty's Government to arrest the present rate of disinvestment in National Savings.

His Majesty's Government continue to give every possible support to the National Savings Movement, which is making strenuous efforts to increase saving.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate consultations with the trade interests concerned to secure a means of overcoming the administrative difficulties which are at present an obstacle to granting tax relief in respect of white spirit and light hydrocarbon oils used for industrial purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will initiate consultations with the trade interests concerned to secure a means of overcoming the administrative difficulties which are at present an obstacle to granting tax relief in respect of light hydrocarbon oil used by the aircraft manufacturing industry.

I do not think that such consultations would serve any useful purpose. If the interests concerned have any further proposals to put forward, I should be glad to consider them, but it has been made clear by successive Governments since the tax was introduced in 1928 that the administrative difficulties are only one of the factors to be taken into account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the practice of his Department as regards the repayment of a post-war credit in a case where a man who has reached the age of 65, and is entitled to claim repayment of his post-war credit, does not do so, but makes a will leaving the post-war credit to an educational institution, such as a college.

On the request of the legal personal representatives, the Inland Revenue Department will issue new post-war credit certificates in the name of the educational institution. As the law stands at present, payment to the institution cannot be made until a date for the general release of post-war credits is fixed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet revised the charges paid by Ministers for private use of official cars; and what is the present rate of charge per mile and per hour.

Yes. As was stated by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary, in reply to a Question on 16th May last, the charge was raised to 1s. 1d. per mile as from 19th April last. Records of private use are not kept on a time basis.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how a pensioner who has lost his tobacco duty relief tokens can secure tokens in replacement of those lost.

I fear that, as has been explained on several previous occasions, lost token books cannot be replaced. But I am glad to hear that in the case in which the hon. and learned Member was personally interested the lost tokens have now come to light.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far the agreement entered into between the Colonial Development Corporation and Mr. Arthur Vining Davies for the purchase of the latter's property in the Bahamas, involves the expenditure of dollars or other hard currency.

No part of the purchase price is payable in dollars. It has been agreed with Mr. Davies that the purchase price will be payable to him in sterling, half of which will be blocked in the normal way and usable only for investment in British Government securities; the other half he will be able to invest elsewhere in the sterling area, with the right to sell out and claim dollars only where the investment is approved by the appropriate authorities

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if all oil tankers built in this country for American owners have until now been paid for in dollars.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in view of the fact that arrangements have been made by which British tourists travelling in Europe may purchase in Great Britain prior to their journeys vouchers entitling them to have meals on trains, he will consider the desirability of making a similar arrangement under which tourists can purchase in this country vouchers entitling them to buy a reasonable quantity of petrol in any European country which they intend to visit by car.

The possibility of such a scheme has already been considered, and I am satisfied that it would not be workable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, as a result of his discussions with the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, he is able to announce any relaxation of the present restrictions on the transfer of funds by emigrants to Canada.

Yes. In future all emigrants who can make out a good case will be permitted to draw in the first year such sum up to the total for the four years, as they require. The amounts to be anticipated in this way will be determined in each case on its merits. It is not yet possible to increase the total of the amount allowed to be taken.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that petition forms issued by the British Peace Committee are being circulated in the Inland Revenue Office at Tothill Street and elsewhere, with a request that completed petition forms and donations should be sent to Miss P. Martin, c/o H.M. Inspector Taxes (Soho 1), Colquhoun House, Broadwich Street, W.1; and whether it is with his approval that official addresses are used and official working time taken up in connection with the circulation of Communist propaganda.

Until the hon. Member brought this matter to my notice I was not aware that these forms were being circulated. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative. This has already been made clear to those concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent inquiry has been made into the existing systems of accounting in Government Departments; and what the results of that inquiry have been.

Yes. A Committee was appointed in November, 1947, under the Chairmanship of Mr. W. F. Crick to examine the existing systems of accounting in Departments in the light of modern accounting practice, and to make recommendations for improvements, with particular reference to:

(a) possible economies in manpower,

(b) the preservation of effective control of expenditure and providing adequate information for the management of the Department;

(c) the possibility of improving the contribution made from Government accounts to the statistical material available to the central offices of Government and the various Departments.

The Committee was composed of experts both from within the Government service and from the accounting and commercial world, and it has presented a unanimous Report. In view of the authoritative standing of the Committee and the importance of the subject with which it deals, I have decided that the Report should be published as a Command Paper, and it is now available to hon. Members as Command No. 7969.This Report deals with a wide variety of topics, many of which are of a highly technical and complex nature. It will necessarily be some considerable time before the thorough and prolonged examination which its recommendations deserve can be completed, and final decisions upon them can be taken. Hon. Members will not, therefore, expect any early indication, even in a preliminary way, of the attitude of His Majesty's Government to the Report as a whole, or to any of its individual recommendations. I should, however, like to take this opportunity of expressing my gratitude to the Chairman and members of the Committee for the comprehensive study which they have made of the whole subject, and for the most informative and valuable Report which they have submitted,

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the allocation of timber for the four months ended 30th April, 1950, was, in fact, received by the timber trade; what were the corresponding percentages for the same period in 1948 and 1949. respectively; and what percentage of the total quota it is anticipated will be supplied by the end of June, 1950.

There has been no specific allocation of timber to the trade for the first four months of any of the years mentioned. It is, therefore, impracticable to make the comparisons asked for. I anticipate that 40 per cent. of the quota for the present quota period, which began on 20th December last, will have been supplied by the end of June.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the high proportion of unemployed in Portsmouth, what fresh steps he proposes to take to assist new industries to get established in this city.

As I told the hon. and gallant Gentleman on 20th April, we are continually doing everything in our power to assist industry already, established in Portsmouth to expand there, and whenever practicable to steer new industry into the district.I am glad to say that the Paulsgrove Training Centre has now been allocated to a firm manufacturing medical supplies and quite recently my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply has sponsored a building licence for a new factory on the Fratton estate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that under his present regulations big stores which buy cotton goods direct from the manufacturers get a preference over the smaller shopkeeper who has to buy from the wholesaler; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this anomaly.

I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the fact that although the manufacturers' maximum prices for some utility goods, including cotton goods, are higher for sales direct to retailers than for sales to wholesalers, they are often lower than the wholesalers' ceiling prices for the same goods. These provisions reflect normal trade practice since big stores and other organisations purchasing in large quantities are usually able to buy more cheaply than small retailers. We are, however, considering whether the price control provisions governing sales by manufacturers direct to retailers should be amended in any way, although we should, of course, be most reluctant to take any step which would have the effect of raising the maximum prices for goods sold by those retailers who buy direct from manufacturers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many hotels in this country catering for dollar paying visitors cannot afford to buy non-utility equipment in view of the fact that it is subject to Purchase Tax; and whether, since it is damaging to our export trade that utility goods should be used in hotels occupied by important buyers from the United States of America and other countries, he will investigate the matter with a view to remedial action in the near future.

We have received representations from the British Travel and Holidays Association about the difficulties experienced by hotels in this matter, and these are under consideration. While utility goods are primarily intended for general domestic use, we cannot accept the implication that their use by hotels damages our export trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that German handbags of best quality calf and excellent frames are being imported into this country, whereas British manufacturers are prohibited from using calf for handbags for the home market, and are also prohibited from buying frames from Germany; and whether he will now revise these regulations to enable British manufacturers to compete with the Ger man handbag trade.

I am aware that, under the Trade Agreement with Western Germany, a small quantity of German handbags are coming to this country without restriction as to the quality of material from which they are made. United Kingdom manufacturers of handbags are at present debarred from using calf leather for the home market owing to the shortage of this material, which has had to be reserved for export trade and the more essential home uses. We are now considering, however, whether the supply position would justify any relaxation in this respect. Handbag frames are permitted to be imported from Germany for making bags for export, but currency considerations have so far prevented such imports purely for home use.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes, in the course of the coming Anglo-Spanish trade talks, to seek to abolish the system of multiple exchange rates which now prevails.

The Spanish Government are fully aware of the views of His Majesty's Government on the system of multiple exchange rates which applies to trade with all countries, but the question of abolition is ultimately a matter for the Spanish Government. The effects of the existing Spanish exchange regulations on Anglo-Spanish trade will inevitably come up for discusion in the current trade talks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how he pro poses to modify the powers of the Consultative Commission in the forth coming Anglo-Spanish trade talks, so as to make the Commission more effective.

The Anglo-Spanish Consultative Committee is serving a useful function in securing consultation with senior representatives of the Spanish Government in Madrid on matters arising out of our trade arrangements with Spain. I do not consider that any modification of the Committee's terms of reference would be appropriate since policy decisions are necessarily matters for the two Governments themselves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has noted that 21 branches of the Cinematograph Exhibitors' Association voted for cancellation of the 1945 Newsreel Agreement and only four branches voted against; and whether he proposes to cancel the newsreel cross-over order scheme.

I assume that the hon. and learned Member is referring to the Cinematograph Film (Control) Order, 1943, which controls the supply of news-reel prints to the newsreel distributors. My right hon. Friend has for some time, in consultation with interested sections of the industry, been examining the practicability of revoking this Order. Discussions are still proceeding and he will make a statement when these are concluded.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to announce his decision with regard to the release of all lines of white utility pottery together with banded teapots for which the trade have made application.

I would ask the hon. Member to await a revised pottery Order which it is hoped will be made shortly. I should like to emphasise that there is no intention of lifting the general embargo on home sales of decorated pottery which is maintained in the interest of our dollar exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the United Kingdom was not represented at the opening of the 16th Annual Exhibition of Imported Merchandise in Washington during World Trade Week.

I understand that the United Kingdom was not invited to be represented at this ceremony.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of raw film stock, respectively, imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in the last period of 12 months for which figures are conveniently available.

During the 12 months ended April, 1950, approximately 35 million linear feet, value about £250,000, of unexposed cinematograph film was imported into the United Kingdom. During the same period exports amounted to approximately 233 million linear feet, value about £1 million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the observations of the Comptroller and Auditor General in Section 43 of the Trading Accounts for 1948–49, what steps he has taken to ensure that the accounts of his Department are so presented that the Auditor General can be presented with more than provisional accounts.

The necessary measures have been taken to ensure that the Trading Accounts for 1949–50 are completed, certified and rendered to the Comptroller and Auditor General by 30th November next.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the present unemployment in Aberdeen City, what steps he is taking to meet it and to encourage and develop industry in that city.

As I said in reply to a Question asked by the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Lady Tweedsmuir), on 9th May, we are prepared to consider sympathetically any proposals for the introduction of new industries or the expansion of existing industries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the report of the visit to the United States of America of a productivity team on men's ready made clothing recommending that summer weight suits for men from rayon and rayon mixtures should be produced in this country; and whether he will suggest to British manufacturers that such garments should be produced in order to expand the export trade.

We have received a copy of the report published by the Anglo-American Council on Productivity to which my hon. Friend refers. Development work on worsted/rayon blend cloths has been proceeding for some time in this country, and such cloths have recently been added to the utility cloth schedules with a view to introducing garments made from these cloths in the utility clothing range. We feel sure that manufacturers will study this Report and will not be slow to follow up opportunities to expand exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has made no use of the redundant building training centre at Paulsgrove.

As I informed the hon. and gallant Gentleman in reply to another Question today, this training centre has now been allocated to industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in establishing incentive schemes in the building trades with a view to increasing production.

In fulfilment of the promise given by my right hon. Friend

				Number of Classes with
Education Authority		Number of Classes as at 31st March, 1948		Not more than 20 pupils on roll		Between 20 and 40 pupils on roll		Between 40 and 50 pupils on roll		More than 50 pupils on roll
		Primary	Secondary	Primary	Secondary	Primary	Secondary	Primary	Secondary	Primary	Secondary
COUNTIES
Aberdeen	…	629	224	138	92	409	125	77	7	5	—
Ayr	…	1,057	506	91	141	690	340	266	25	10	—
Dumfries	…	258	125	44	22	149	80	61	23	4	—
Fife	…	905	472	79	68	636	371	190	33	—	—
Inverness	…	415	111	171	45	220	60	24	6	—	—
Lanark	…	1,609	747	46	88	681	548	822	109	60	2
BURGHS
Aberdeen	…	583	290	30	32	510	243	41	15	2	—
Edinburgh	…	1,141	605	24	106	743	484	353	15	21	—
Glasgow	…	2,921	1,508	16	150	1,103	1,046	1,749	310	53	2

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the serious shortage of cement supplies in Glasgow; and what steps he proposes to take to

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give for the Counties of Fife, Aberdeen, Lanark, Inverness, Ayr and Dumfries, and for the Cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, for the earliest date after 1937 for which statistics are available, the total number of classes in primary schools and in secondary schools, respectively; the number in each case of classes with not more than 20 children on the roll; and the number with between 20 and 40, between 40 and 50 and over 50, respectively.

I regret that pre-war figures are not available. The figures for 31st March, 1948, the earliest available, are given in the following table:organise the distribution of cement supplies to obviate these frequent shortages.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Edinburgh, West (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison) and the hon. Members for Kilmarnock (Mr. W. Ross) and Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on his visit to Malaya and Hong Kong, particularly regarding the adequacy of the Army medical services.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement on his recent visit to Malaya.

I will make a statement tomorrow.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the list of battle honours awarded to regiments for their service in the last war will be published; and if he is aware that the writing of regimental histories is considerably handicapped in the absence of the official battle honours list.

The date on which awards of battle honours can be made to regiments for their service in the last war depends on the rate of progress made in classifying, defining and naming the battles and other actions of the war. This work involves much detailed research, and may not be completed for two or three years.

asked the Secretary of State for War what bounty will be offered to National Service men who opt to join the Territorial Army as volunteers.

I regret that it has not yet been possible to reach a decision on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will postpone any further evictions from Hiltingbury Camp, Chandlers Ford, until a satisfactory agreement has been reached with Eastleigh borough council as to the reception or housing of the persons to be evicted.

While the grave shortage of Army married accommodation makes it impossible for me to give an assurance in these terms, I am prepared to allow these ex-Service families a reasonable extension of time.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far his plans for in creasing the number of married quarters in the Suez Canal Zone are being delayed by the difficulties in procuring cement; and what action he is taking.

I am not aware of any delay on this account. I have, however, asked the military authorities in the Middle East whether they require any assistance in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the married quarters recently constructed on the Suez Canal have been roofed with corrugated iron.

Corrugated iron has been used to roof a few temporary quarters. The quarters are provided with a ceiling to give insulation over the rooms and have proved reasonably comfortable. It is not, however, intended to continue with this design.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the fact that the railway in Sigm built for the Japanese during the war by British prisoners has been sold, he will set aside part of the price received by His Majesty's Government to be used for compensation to the men who built it for the hardships which they endured.

I would refer to the statement made by my hon. Friend on 13th June.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the No. 19 wireless set is still the standard installation in armoured cars and other armoured fighting vehicles.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Aldershot and District Traction Company refuse leave to their Territorial Army employees to attend Territorial Army camp; and whether he will negotiate with this company with a view to coming to an arrangement for them to grant the same leave to attend camp to volunteer Territorials as they are by law bound to grant to National Service Reservists.

In my view this is a matter which is best left to be settled locally on an unofficial basis.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he proposes to take, as a result of his recent visit, to improve the equipment of the troops in Malaya.

As I stated on 21st March, measures were then being taken to improve the equipment of the troops in Malaya.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how long he anticipates it will be before the Bracknell New Town Corporation will be in a position to accommodate the first homeless families from Brentford and Chiswick.

I cannot yet say, but my right hon. Friend is asking the chairman of the Corporation for a report.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning in what cases he has given approval to Service Departments to set up establishments within the limits of the Green Belt round London.

Following is the answer:APPROVED SERVICE REQUIREMENTS IN THE GREEN BELT ROUND LONDON. (14th June, 1950)

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will announce the names of those who will conduct the public inquiry into the proposal to extend the St. Albans city gas works.

My right hon. Friend hopes to announce the names shortly.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when the public local inquiry into the War Office Service land requirements in Breconshire is to take place; and who will preside over the proceedings.

On 26th July: Sir Wynn Wheldon will preside.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what are his intentions in regard to the establishment of a new town near the city of Leeds in order to absorb the overspill population consequent upon rehousing in Leeds.

My right hon. Friend will consider this possibility when he has the Leeds City Council's development plan.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many vacancies still exist on the Harlow New Town Development Corporation; whether he proposes to fill them; and whether he will accede to the request of the Epping Rural District Council that one of their members should be included on the development corporation.

My right hon. Friend has this week appointed Mr. Leach of Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell to be a member of the Harlow New Town Corporation. This brings the number of members to eight, leaving one vacancy which my right hon. Friend does not propose to fill for the time being. In the event of further appointments being made, he will, however, bear in mind the suggestions made by the Epping Rural District Council.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is yet in a position to make an announcement on the allocation of re sources for the reconstruction of the business centres of provincial bombed cities.

Yes. Programmes will be authorised to the value of a total expenditure of £4 million in 1951, and some additional new work will be able to be started in the current year. My right hon. Friend is asking the local authorities of cities with badly damaged centres for a list of the projects which could be started in the near future, having regard to the labour force available after housing, industrial and other essential building needs have been met, together with an estimate of the expenditure involved both in this year and next.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will amend the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, so as to provide that the power to amend or revoke orders contained in Section 111 (4) shall apply also to regulations.

This is unnecessary. The Interpretation Act makes the necessary provision about regulations.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning the amount which the Basildon Development Corporation are proposing to pay to Mr. Knibb, 47, Christchurch Road, Southend-on-Sea, for the acquisition of building plots owned by him in Pitsea.

This land is still the subject of negotiation between the vendor and the district valuer. The basis of valuation is laid down in Part V of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, and is not within the discretion of either the Corporation or my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what progress has been made in developing the new town at Basildon.

The industrial site works referred to in my reply to the Question asked by my hon. Friend on 4th April have now been begun. I have asked the chairman of the Corporation for a report on their housing programme.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why, having regard to Section 32 (3) of the Interpretation Act, 1889, his predecessor made regulations, concerning development charge, which could only be revoked or varied by statute.

This is a matter on which the opinions of lawyers differ, but my right hon. Friend does not propose to reduce, either by legislation or regulation, the present rate of development charge.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will now make a statement regarding the occupation of the greater part of Clumber Park in the county of Nottingham by the military authorities; and when this well-known beauty spot will be open to the public.

Three hundred and forty acres have already been derequisitioned, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War intends to give up another 800 as soon as arrangements for clearing and receiving the ammunition can be made. In addition, 32 acres are being cleared now to provide parking facilities.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many houses in each of the following new towns it is proposed to make available in relieving the housing shortage in Willesden, and when will this accommodation be ready: Stevenage, Welwyn, Hatfield and Harlow.

No block allocation of houses will be made to persons on the waiting list of any particular authority, but arrangements are being made, in consultation with development corporations and all the local authorities concerned for the allocation of houses to persons from those areas who are willing and able to find employment in the new towns.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the number of British, Italian and Eritrean forces respectively, including military and armed police, employed in Eritrea in each year from 1941 to 1950.

I regret I cannot disclose the number of troops serving in Eritrea during the post-war years. The average numbers of police employed in Eritrea over the years in question were: British 80; Italian 307; Eritrean 2,207. The present strengths are—British 73; Italian 180; Eritrean 2,367.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the respective numbers of British (European), African (from British territory) and Somali troops, including military and armed police, employed in Italian Somaliland in each year from 1942 to 1950.

I regret that the figures of British troops in Italian Somali-land during the years in question are not available. The information is being obtained, however, and I will write to my hon. Friend. There has been little variation in the number of police employed in the territory since 1942. The average numbers of British (European) and African police serving during the years 1942 to 1950 were: British (European), 124; African (Somali), 2,886. The strength of the police force at 31st March, 1950, was: British (European), 85; African (Somali), 2,267.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will sign no agreement conferring any legislative or executive power on the Council of Europe without obtaining the prior consent of this House.

The conferment of legislative or executive power on the Council of Europe would require an amendment of the Statute of that body, which could be effected only by an agreement between Member Governments. To give effect to any such agreement in the United Kingdom would certainly require parliamentary legislation, and the consent of this House would therefore be needed before His Majesty's Government could enter into an engagement to confer on the Council of Europe the powers referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will issue instructions for the re-opening of the footpath traversing the gunsite at Thorpe Bay, Essex.

I find that this matter is somewhat involved and with permission I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what quantity of timber is allotted by his Department for agricultural joinery; and what steps he will take to increase it.

It is not the practice to disclose the actual quantities of timber allocated for a particular purpose. As my hon. Friend said in his reply on 25th May, I regret that this Department's allocation of softwood for all agricultural purposes does not permit of any increase in the amounts now being allotted to agricultural joiners.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make arrangements to enable merchant seamen on shore leave to obtain immediate treatment of their teeth in order to ensure they have the full benefit of the National Health Service.

So far as I know merchant seamen generally do not experience exceptional difficulty in obtaining dental treatment. Discussions have, however,

KETTERING RURAL DISTRICT
Parishes served by scheme		Approximate cost of scheme	Stage reached
		£
Broughton	…	6,500	Work in progress.
Gretton	…	22,000	Work in progress.
Weldon	…	40, 000	Work in progress.
Geddington	…	30,000	Approved in principle.
Cottingham, Middleton and East Carlton	…	22,000	Under consideration.
Rockingham	…	5,500	Under consideration.
Rushton	…	9,500	Under consideration.

BRIXWORTH RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL
Parishes served by scheme	Approximate cost of scheme	Stage reached
	£
Cold Ashby	4,000	Work in progress.
Moulton and Overstone	30,000	Approved in principle.
Welford	15,000	Approved in principle.
Clipston	17,000	Under consideration.
East Hadden	16,000	Under consideration.
Great Oxendon	7,000	Under consideration.
Sibbertoft	9,000	Under consideration.
Old Naseby, Scaldwell, Hannington, Holcot and Walgrave	75,000	Under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health when he intends to hold a public inquiry into the Brixworth Rural District Council's proposals for a sewerage scheme at Oxendon.

Arrangements for the inquiry are now being made and it will be held shortly. I will let my hon.

asked the Minister of Health for which parishes in the Kettering and Brixworth rural districts have proposals for sewerage schemes been submitted since July, 1945; which schemes have been approved; which are in course of execution; which have been completed and when; and at what cost.

The following table gives this information, except that I am unable to say what schemes have been completed.Friend know the exact date when it has been fixed.

asked the Minister of Health for which parishes in the Kettering and Brixworth rural districts have proposals for piped water supplies been submitted since July, 1945; which proposals have been approved; which are in course of execution; which have been completed and when; and at what cost.

The following table gives the list of parishes for which schemes have been submitted. All the schemes have been finally authorised and have commenced except that for the parish of Marston Trussell, which has been approved in principle, and that for Grafton Underwood, which is under consideration. I am unable to say which schemes have been completed.

KETTERING RURAL DISTRICT
Parishes served by scheme	Approximate cost of scheme
	£
Cransley	6,500
Gretton	14,000
Harrington, Orton and Loddington	6,000
Little Oakley, Great Oakley, Cottingham, East Carlton, Great Weldon, Middleton, Newton, Geddington and Stanion	16,000
Weldon	4,000
Grafton Underwood	3,000
BRIXWORTH RURAL DISTRICT
Parishes served by scheme	Approximate cost of scheme
	£
Boughton	2,000
East Haddon	120
Moulton	4,500
Arthingworth, Lamport, Draughton, Maid well and Kilmarsh	24,000
Clipston, Sulby, East Farndon, Welford, Sibbertoft and Great Oxendon	27,000
Hannington, Scaldwell, Holcot, Walgrave and Old Naseby	24,000
Hollowell, Great Creaton, Ravensthorpe, Spratton, East Hadden, Holdenby, Guildsborough, Cold Ashby, Thornby, Naseby and Haselbeech	93,000
Marston Trussell	2,000

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to reduce the pollution of the River Severn by the discharge of inadequately treated sewage at Llanidloes.

I have recently approved a scheme for improved sewage treatment by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to reduce the pollution of the River Dee by the discharge of untreated sewage at Corwen.

I understand that the local authority have a scheme for sewage treatment in preparation.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to reduce the pollution of the River Ribble, which is caused by the discharge of factory effluents into the Calder tributary at Nelson.

The authority primarily responsible for the administration of the river pollution law in this area is the Lancashire Rivers Board and I have no reason to think that they are not making the fullest use of their powers to secure by all practicable means the reduction of pollution by trade effluents. I have received no recent complaints from the area.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to reduce the pollution of the River Lune by the discharge of sewage at Bentham on the Wenning.

I have received no complaints about this, but if the hon. Member would let me have further particulars I should be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the pollution of the River Gipping is causing considerable distress and dissatisfaction amongst the local population; and what steps he proposes to take to expedite arrangements for preventing this long and continued pollution.

I assume that the question relates to the pollution of the river at Stowmarket. The first step of the local authority's sewerage and sewage disposal scheme is now nearly complete, and is expected to improve the condition of the river. I am in touch with the local authority about the further works required, but these cannot be finally settled until the first step of the scheme is in operation and the results have been studied.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made to ensure the elimination of smoke, grit and sulphur from the chimneys of the Lots Road Power Station, Fulham.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Education the estimated cost of increasing schoolmasters' salaries to a level at which their purchasing power would be equal to that of 1938.

As my right hon. Friend explained on 15th June in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for Toxteth (Mr. Bevins) the changes which have been brought about by the Education Act of 1944 and the Burnham Reports which have issued since 1938 introduce so many and involved factors that it is impracticable to calculate an estimate in the form suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the sum of £750,000 which it was recently announced will be spent on Highland and Island roads over the next three years is in addition to normal grants; when he will be able to announce the amount allocated to each county; and to what extent any part of the grant will be available for unclassified roads.

The sum of £750,000 represents estimated total expenditure on a special programme of work on classified roads to be carried out in addition to the normal road investment programme. The proportion to be borne by the Exchequer will be in addition to normal grants. I hope soon to inform the county councils concerned of the works to be included in the programme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement as to the cause of the fire which occurred in the 11.15 a.m. train from Birmingham to Glasgow on 8th June resulting in the loss of the lives of five passengers; and what action, if any, he considers possible to prevent a recurrence of such an accident.

An inquiry into this accident is being held by an inspecting officer of railways, and until his report if received I am not in a position to make any statement. I would, however, like to express my deep sympathy with the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives in this accident.

asked the Postmaster General how many persons in the Denbigh and Llanrwst areas respectively have applied for and still wait to receive telephones for agricultural, trading or private premises respectively; and what is the further delay anticipated in supplying them.

The particulars desired are as follow:

Exchange		Applications outstanding
		Agricitural	Business	Residential
Denbigh	…	20	52	50
Llanrwst	…	5	22	12

I cannot say when it will be possible to clear all the outstanding applications, but I hope that at least half of them will be met during the early part of next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by the Seychelles Government to safeguard existing virgin stands of lodoicea seychellarum; and what is the estimated number of surviving wild specimens of this palm.

Virgin stands of the palm lodoicea seychellarum occur mainly in the extensive Vallee de Mai on Praslin Island. This area was purchased for protection purposes by the Seychelles Government in 1948. Smaller stands also occur on Praslin and on Curieuse Island. All these areas are regularly patrolled by Government forest rangers to prevent tire and spoliation. The total number of palms is estimated to be about 10,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules of managemen under Section 52 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, he has made; and if he will make copies available to Members.

The rules made under Section 52 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, which are now in force are the Prison Rules, 1949 (Statutory Instrument No. 1073), the Borstal (No. 2) Rules, 1949 (Statutory Instrument No. 1283) and the Attendance Centre Rules, 1950 (Statutory Instrument No. 712). The Statutory Instruments in question were laid before Parliament in draft, in accordance with Section 76 of the Act, on 12th April, 1949, 4th May, 1949, and 13th December. 1949, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of taxicabs on the London streets at the latest convenient date and the number for 1938.

The number of taxicabs licensed for service on the London streets on 31st May, 1950, was 6,764. On the same date in 1938, the number was 7,751.