asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware of the difficulty in which local planning authorities are placed through permission being refused for them to acquire sites upon which to re-establish non-conforming industrial users and through the Central Land Board having no authority to transfer the value of building rights upon the removal at the instigation of the local planning authority of industrial undertakings; and if he will introduce legislation to make possible the re-establishment of industrial undertakings upon sites approved by the appropriate local planning authority without payment of development charge.

Local authorities may acquire land for this purpose if there is an immediate likelihood of building. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "No."

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning in which newspapers notice was given of the public inquiry into the proposal to erect new cement works at Dove Holes; and how many days after publication the inquiry took place.

This inquiry was held on 6th July. I am informed by the Derbyshire County Council that notice was published in the "London Gazette" on 27th June and in the "Manchester Evening News" on 4th July, but that a notice sent to the "High Peak News" for publication on 23rd June did not appear.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why her Department refused to Mrs. Agnes Bruce of Crossford, Fife, a refund of her insurance contributions, amounting to over £9, which were paid in error.

The circumstances of this case have been fully explained in correspondence with my hon. Friend. The position is that the contributions were legally payable at the time.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the fact that the use which merchant seamen can make of the National Health Service is limited by their enforced absence from this country, she is prepared to make a proportionate reduction in their weekly contribution under the National Insurance scheme.

It is a fundamental principle of the National Insurance scheme that contributions should be at flat rates and not related to individual circumstances. The arrangements for merchant seamen are the result of consultation with both sides of the shipping industry, and are in accordance with the recommendations of the National Insurance Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons in Cardiff now receive the full amount of National Assistance at the recently increased rate; and what proportion they are of the total number of persons in that city receiving National Assistance.

On 27th June last the full amount of the recent increases was being paid to about 11,000 cases dealt with by the Board's offices in Cardiff. This represents nearly 91 per cent. of the total number of cases dealt with by these offices, which cover some territory outside the city boundaries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further offers have been made to His Majesty's Government to supply major dollar-area commodities to this country on a sterling basis as in the case of the recent oil agreements; and which of such offers have been accepted.

Similar arrangements have been suggested from time to time for other major dollar-costing commodities, but none has been accepted. Very exceptional circumstances existed in the case of oil.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to ensure that holders of National Savings Certificates shall, when they withdraw them, receive the same value in £ sterling as obtained when they bought them.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the grave events in Korea, he will now make a special appeal to the country for greater output and lower costs.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the Debate tomorrow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much industrial production is higher than a year ago, and than in 1939.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given him by the Minister of State for Economic Affairs on 13th July. As regards the second part, information is not available for a reliable comparison of current production with production in 1939.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much pay as you earn has been returned to strikers taking part in unofficial strikes in the years 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949, respectively.

This information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the proposal made by the Bank of England in 1947 to the Committee of Joint Stock Bankers and the Committee of Acceptance Houses that the credits given to hire purchase companies should be used only for the financing of industrial plant and equipment still represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

Yes. The proposal was, in accordance with my request, that finance for hire purchase facilities, particularly of consumer goods, should not be increased. That request still represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement explaining what are the technical difficulties which prevent separate publication of the dollar balances earned or lost by the larger Colonies and, in respect of smaller Colonies, by such groups of Colonies as might conveniently be taken together.

Measurement, detailed breakdown and reconciliation involve difficulties in constructing any balance of payments. In the case of a complicated trading system like the sterling area, these are greatly multiplied in any attempt at a close geographical sub-division. When this breakdown has to extend not only to the Colonies as a whole, or to major groups of Colonies, but to many individual territories, the arbitrariness of the attempt is very greatly magnified. I would remind my hon. Friend that this is not a question of looking at an account in which each Colony records its dollar payments and receipts, resulting in a change in its dollar balances; the trade and "invisible" transactions of the Colonies with the dollar area are conducted partly in dollars and partly in sterling from American or Canadian account, and this is done partly in the Colonies themselves, and partly through merchants and trading organisations in the United Kingdom and in other Commonwealth countries, including other Colonies.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the dollar expenditure and earnings or the net gold and dollar balances of each group of Colonies, Protectorates and Trust territories for which figures are available for any recent year or years.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what disciplinary action has been taken against the official of the Customs and Excise who by letter of 1st June, 1950, wrongly informed Messrs. Carter's Limited that an invalid chair was subject to Purchase Tax.

None, and I am satisfied that no disciplinary action is warranted.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which of the three definitions of the unit of account in the document relating to the European Payments Union is to be regarded as conclusive.

There is only one such definition in the Memorandum, and it is in paragraph 17.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the annual consumption of Scotch whisky in 1900, 1930 and 1948; and the duty per gallon in the same years.

Scotch whisky is not separately classified for duty purposes and information is therefore not available for comparing the consumption, in the years mentioned. The Excise duty per proof gallon on Scotch whisky in 1900, 1930 and 1948 was 11s. 0d., £3 12s. 6d. and £10 10s. 10d., respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a further statement about restrictions on the despatch of works of art as gifts to persons abroad.

I have given instructions that requests by artists to send their own works as gifts to relatives or friends, up to reasonable figures of value, are to be treated sympathetically.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what instructions have been given to His Majesty's Customs and Excise regarding the use of private wharves for the shipment of goods for export.

No such instructions have been given to Customs and Excise officials, but under the Customs Acts goods for export can only be shipped at places approved for the purpose by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the use of a private wharf in Hull, of which he has been informed, has been restricted for the shipment of goods for export; and if he will make a statement.

I understand that the Old Forge Wharf, Hull, is not approved by the Customs for the shipment of goods abroad, although the shipment of certain descriptions of iron and steel has been allowed exceptionally as suitable facilities for these goods were not available elsewhere in the port. Permission for the shipment of other goods cannot be granted, because there are already adequate facilities at Hull for such goods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that there are at present 1,000 beds empty in Swiss sanatoria; that the cost of treatment of Swiss sanatoria does not exceed a basic 30s. a day; and whether he will now release sufficient currency to allow tubercular patients to be treated in Swiss sanatoria when their doctors certify that such treatment would be desirable.

Currency is released for tubercular patients to be treated in Swiss sanatoria when their doctors certify that such treatment is desirable and when the Exchange Control Medical Advisory Committee recommend that the medical evidence justifies the provision of currency.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the capital equipment of gymnasiums will be freed from Purchase Tax.

I could not consider this until the next general review of the Purchase Tax Schedule.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far the negotiations between the Treasury and the Civil Service Union before the arbitration tribunal have proceeded; and when they are likely to be concluded.

I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the Civil Service Union's claims for improved pay for messengers and for women cleaners. Neither of these claims is before the Arbitration Tribunal.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will exempt temporary civil, servants over 40 years of age, who have given efficient and loyal service, from the proposed entrance examination; and allocate some of the 2,000 additional executive posts by Departmental selection rather than by academic distinction.

No. The method of selection in this scheme was agreed on the National Whitley Council. In determining the final order of merit 300 out of a total of 800 marks will be awarded by an interview board which will take into account personal qualities and record, including a confidential report supplied by the employing Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amounts of the exports of refined sugar by weight and value during the six months ended 30th June to soft currency countries.

Exports in the first six months of this year of refined sugar to all markets other than the dollar area, Belgium, Luxembourg, Belgian Congo, Switzerland and Iran were 211,398 tons valued at £9,192,415.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why there is such a shortage of women's shoes in the smaller sizes, while larger sizes appear to be in adequate supply; and whether he will take action to remedy the position.

I have had inquiries made of the trade organisations concerned and find no evidence of any general shortage of women's shoes in the smaller sizes. It should be possible to fill any local shortages from manufacturers' and distributors' stocks, if retailers will approach them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will ensure that supplies of aluminium to manufacturers of aluminium utility furniture are maintained, particularly where manufacturers are not organised to use timber as an alternative;(2) whether he will consult with the aluminium furniture industry on the effect of his present policy to restrict new uses of aluminium, in view of the serious effect this decision will have on the industry.

There is no restriction on the amount of aluminium that may be used by manufacturers of utility furniture who are already licensed to use it. The fact that aluminium mainly comes from the dollar area, however, has made it necessary to discourage its use where alternative materials from non-dollar sources are available. I am, therefore, afraid that we cannot grant licences to enable manufacturers of furniture to bring within the utility range any additional types of furniture involving the use of aluminium.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that machinery imported from the United States of America with Marshall Aid funds specially for the manufacture of nylon stockings is using other yarns and producing goods which cannot be sold abroad so easily because sufficient supplies of nylon yarn is not available; and when he can promise adequate supplies of nylon yarn.

A large number of new machines have been imported for the manufacture of fully-fashioned stockings. By far the larger part of this capacity is already using nylon. A further moderate increase in nylon supplies has been allocated to stocking manufacturers in the last few days. I cannot say when supplies of nylon yarn will be sufficient to meet all the rising requirements of the stocking industry and of other important users.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken now to ensure that the British Press can maintain the present size of newspapers and, if possible, increase it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the prospects for newsprint; and what action can be taken to ease the situation.

As my right hon. Friend announced on 20th July in reply to the hon. Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. De la Bère) we have now authorised dollars for a further 37,500 tons of newsprint from Canada in the second half of 1951, thereby offering the Canadian mills continuity for 18 months ahead on a total quantity of 100,000 tons. It remains for the Newsprint Supply Company, negotiating on this basis, to obtain as early deliveries as possible against their orders. We shall also continue to license any additional imports which they may be able to obtain in Europe. No early or substantial increase in home production can be expected since the mills are already working to their full capacity, and we cannot agree to reduce exports to the Commonwealth countries. Future prospects, therefore, now depend upon the success of the Newsprint Supply Company in their negotiations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of pulp in this country; if he will use every means in his power with the public to impress upon them the great need there is for the collection of waste paper; and if he will further consider making an announcement on this matter by the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Supplies of pulp under contract for this year should be adequate to meet essential uses. My right hon. Friend, however, agrees upon the importance of increasing waste paper collections as a means of saving pulp and thus helping to maintain the present high rates of production of many types of paper. These collections are now falling short of consumption and he has therefore asked the Waste Paper Recovery Association, which is the appropriate trade body, whether they can submit on behalf of the mills, a scheme which would put waste paper collection by local councils on an economic long-term basis. He has also told them that if they can give him such a scheme he would be glad to commend it to those councils who have stopped collecting. It would be premature, however, to make an appeal to the public before the physical means of collection have been restored.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the shortage of newsprint, he will take active steps to produce paper from wheat straw, tons of which are burned annually by the farmers of this country.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage the use of domestic raw materials for paper-making wherever economically practical, and we shall continue to give every assistance to individual paper or board mills wishing to instal ancillary straw plants. We are advised, however, that it would not be practicable to use straw pulp for the manufacture of newsprint, in view of the fast running machines now used both for newsprint production and newsprint printing. Nor is the production of newsprint in this country limited by shortage of raw materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has arranged for the importation of artificial flowers, to the value of £40,000, and fancy feathers, to the value of £5,000, from Czechoslovakia for the year ending 30th June, 1951; and if he will, before coming to a final decision, consider the claims of the home producers of these articles, particulars of which have been sent him.

These imports have been arranged under Article 5 of the Anglo-Czechoslovak Trade and Financial Agreement of 1949, whereby the United Kingdom undertook to issue import licences on application up to a certain annual value of Czech goods in each of the five years of the Agreement. The detailed arrangements for 1950–51 have been concluded. The purpose of import licensing restrictions is to protect the balance of payments and not United Kingdom producers; but the position of the latter was fully taken into account before the quotas for these articles were agreed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to meet the demand from American tourists visiting this country for Havana cigars.

It would be impracticable to limit the sale of any Havana cigars which we might import to American tourists, and I regret that we cannot at present afford the dollars to import them for general consumption. American tourists can bring to this country, duty free, the equivalent of 1 lb. of tobacco in cigars, for their own consumption.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what requests have been received from foreign countries for the elimination or reduction of tariff preferences in connection with the forthcoming conference at Torquay.

Under the rules of procedure governing the forthcoming tariff negotiations, I am not at liberty to publish or otherwise furnish the information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the requests made to the United States Government for the reduction of its Customs tariff.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how soon he expects to receive the report of the Committee on Weights and Measures.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 28th June to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gorton (Mr. Oldfield).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now permit official bodies, such as county, borough and district councils, to have their crest embossed on crockery ordered for use in their own establishments.

No. To permit this would divert skilled manpower from production for export.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the closing of certain heavy industries in Coatbridge, he has any statement to make on future prospects for alternative employment.

I am aware that two small re-rolling plants in Coatbridge have closed but it is hoped that work will be found for a substantial number of the men in the factory on the Greenhill Estate, which is due to start work in two or three months' time, or in new factories on the Newhouse Estate.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will undertake a review of the rates of pension payable to widows of members of the Armed Forces killed on duty.

The pension provisions for the widow of the Service man are much better than those applicable to comparable widows under the National Insurance Act. In the Government's view it would not be right to increase this difference.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, owing to the breaking-off of negotiations by his Department with the Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association, there is a grave shortage of surgical appliances in hospitals in the London area and in the provinces; and what alternative arrangements he is making to maintain supplies adequate to the demand.

My Department has had talks with the Surgical Instrument Manufacturers' Association about the prices to be paid for surgical boots and appliances supplied for the current year to the National Health Service. Negotiations are still proceeding with certain members of that Association. Satisfactory contracts have been made with 713 firms. These constitute more than 75 per cent. of the firms under contract last year, and include many members of the Association. I am satisfied that the number of firms already under contract will ensure that there is no shortage of supplies. But some hospitals may have to place orders with firms other than those to which they have been accustomed.

asked the Minister of Pensions why his Department has failed to renew contracts for surgical appliances with many of the suppliers; and whether he is aware that this failure will cause not only hardship to patients but also the dismissal of craftsmen skilled in this trade.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given today to the hon. Members for Louth (Mr. Osborne) and Beverley (Mr. Odey). I am prepared to renew contracts with these firms on the same fair and reasonable terms as those already accepted by 713 contractors.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many contracts to date for year 1951 have been placed for surgical boots and appliances with the co-operative societies; and how many through the Surgical Instrument Manufacturers' Association.

For the year 1950–51 contracts have so far been placed with 36 co-operative societies. I have not a complete list of members of the Surgical Instrument Manufacturers' Association but of 94 members who are known to be suppliers of surgical boots and appliances, contracts have been placed with 55 and negotiations are proceeding with 18 others.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will permit pensioners to purchase surgical boots from any supplier provided they are prepared to pay the extra cost of better quality boots; and if he will make a statement on the conference about this subject recently held at Blackpool with representatives of the Surgical Instrument Makers' Association.

As explained in reply to a Question put by the hon. Member to the Minister of Health on 20th July, the surgical boots supplied by my Department are made from best quality materials requiring a high standard of workmanship. I am satisfied that the requirements of war pensioners are fully safeguarded by the terms of the manufacturers' contracts and by technical inspection. As regards the second part of the Question, my Department has made contracts for the supply of surgical boots and appliances with 713 firms throughout the country, at prices which are considered by them reasonable and fair. I am aware that a minority of contractors have refused the terms offered by my Department but I hope that they will re-open negotiations. I must however say quite definitely that I am not prepared to enter into contracts at excessive prices.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the serious shortage of suitable instructors in the Territorial Army for training the National Service intakes over the next few years; and what proposals he has to remedy this shortage.

Every effort is being made to remedy the deficiency in the number of suitable instructors in the Territorial Army by encouraging experienced men to join. It is also hoped that a considerable proportion of National Service men will, on transfer from whole to part-time service, become volunteers themselves, and provide a source of junior, and later more experienced, instructors.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements there are for troops on operations in Malaya to dispatch mail; and how much of this mail is lost during transit.

I have called for this information and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement regarding mails to and from the troops in Malaya.

Mail between this country and the Forces in Malaya is handled by civil postal authorities. The service is satisfactory. Air mails are despatched regularly in each direction at intervals of one or two days. Surface mails are despatched in each direction four to five times each month and take about one month in transit. No mails are reported to be outstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the lease between his Department and the Corporation of Berwick-upon-Tweed will be executed; and if he is aware of the substantial loss of rate income the corporation is suffering by the delay.

The area for which preliminary negotiations for a lease took place and which is at present occupied by a War Department camp is only one of several areas at Berwick-upon-Tweed under consideration for post-war Army requirements. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, before I acquire such areas by lease or otherwise the planning procedure laid down in Command Paper 7278 must be operated. Until the discussions on all the areas are concluded, it will not be possible to decide whether to proceed with this lease, and I cannot say at present when a decision will be reached. The question of a contribution in lieu of rates is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give an assurance that British heavy tanks are at least the equal to any heavy tanks known to be available to any other nation.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) how many war graves of British personnel are in Norway;(2) why Norway is not included in the scheme for assisted visits to war graves.

There are 985 British war graves in Norway, including those of four Dutch nationals who were serving in the Royal Air Force. Facilities are being made available on a limited scale for assisted visits to war graves in Norway and all voluntary societies concerned are being notified accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to put an end to the discrimination between officers and other ranks in respect of Purchase Tax on replacement of articles of kit issued from Service stocks and not the property of the individual.

The replacement of other ranks' kit is covered by a clothing allowance calculated to meet the full cost of maintenance. Purchase Tax is not charged since no element for Purchase Tax is included in the allowance. Officers are required to maintain their outfits, which are their own property, at their own expense, and therefore make their purchases at tax-inclusive prices. Some modification of these arangements is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now re-embody and recruit for the Home Guard in view of the dangerous and deteriorating international situation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what plans he has for the re-establishment of the Home Guard; and if call-up will be preceded by the appointment of zonal and local commanders and unit headquarters.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the increasing demands upon the nation's manpower for military purposes, he is considering the re-formation of the Home Guard.

The question of raising a Home Guard to meet an emergency, and the procedure for raising it, has been under consideration between the War Office and other Departments for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that whereas substantive rank of commander, Royal Navy, and wing commander, Royal Air Force, can be reached at the age of 35, substantive Army rank of lieutenant-colonel cannot now be attained before the age of 43; and if he will take steps to rectify this anomaly.

It is not correct to say that promotion to the substantive rank of lieutenant-colonel cannot be attained before the age of 43, though I agree that 42 or 43 is at present the normal age. The 1946 Pay Code contemplated broad equality between the three Services, but it was recognised that, generally, promotion in the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force would be earlier than in the Army. For this reason, qualification pay was granted as a compensation. Although it is desirable, for obvious reasons, to have parity between the three Services, it is not always possible to achieve this owing to their differing structure and requirements. As I stated on 11th July, a full examination is at present being carried out in regard to the career structure and prospects within the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking to prevent further damage to Lilla Cross, near Goathland, from the artillery practising on Fylingdale Moor.

I am arranging with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works for this ancient monument to be removed and re-erected locally.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the destruction by fire of a large number of rifles at the ordnance depot at Weedon.

The fire at 99, Ordnance Sub-Depot, Weedon, occurred during the night of 13th–14th March, 1950, and as a result two-thirds of storehouse No. 20 was destroyed, together with small arms and stores, to an estimated value of £1¼ million. Storehouse No. 20 was a shed built about 1915, 400 ft. long by 40 ft. wide, and divided by a wooden partition into two rooms, one of which was used as a store room and the other as a workshop. The walls were constructed of corrugated iron on timber framing.War Department constables and firemen patrolled the outside of the storehouse during the night, and about 0310 hours one of them saw smoke and a flickering light coming from under the roof of storehouse No. 20. He immediately raised the alarm at the depot fire station and then telephoned the main gate to have the general fire alarm sounded and the civil fire brigade informed. The first depot fire appliance was turned out by the duty firemen immediately, and was followed at 0327 hours by a second appliance. The head fireman carried out a reconnaissance and found that flames had broken through the roof of the storehouse towards the workshop end. The county fire brigade arrived at 0352 hours and the divisional fire officer took charge of the fire ground. Civil fire appliances continued to be sent by county fire control, and at 0445 hours the Chief Fire Officer, Northamptonshire, arrived and assumed control of the fire ground. At 0557 hours the fire was finally brought under control.Subsequent examination of the ruins has produced no evidence of spontaneous combustion or of sabotage, or of a defect in the central heating arrangements. It is thought that the fire was started by a cigarette end which had been dropped under a bench and had started the smouldering of some cotton waste of which traces were found. The fire then appears to have spread by smouldering along the oil-impregnated floorboards until sufficient heat was generated to melt the oil on rifles in barrows, when a flare-up would have occurred probably some distance from the seat of the fire.The depot fire orders were clearly displayed in the storehouse and made it plain that smoking was not allowed in the building. The storemen, armourer artificers and labourers stated in evidence that they knew that smoking was prohibited there, and the unit fire officer had carried out weekly inspections and had not found any evidence of smoking in storehouses. The fire orders also covered the removal from the storehouse at night of all cotton waste and of drums of preservative which were used for small arms and bayonets.I am satisfied that the fire orders in force in the depot and the action taken after discovery of the fire were satisfactory. I am also glad to report that the chief county fire officer later commented on the efficient co-operation that was afforded to the civil fire brigade by the military personnel who, he stated, gave every assistance and worked magnificently. The fire fighting equipment and the water supply available were satisfactory.There are, however, a number of unsatisfactory features. Firstly, there is no doubt that cotton waste, remains of which were found at the seat of the fire, was left lying about in contravention of the fire orders. Secondly, the routine inspection of the hut after closing hours, which was for the purpose of checking its security and seeing that all fire precautions had been carried out, was not performed in a thorough manner. It is apparent from the evidence that the fireman responsible for checking the fire precautions did not thoroughly inspect all parts of the building, and his inspection of the workshop was apparently limited to looking through the door. Had he carried out his inspection thoroughly, if the cause of the fire was as now believed, he would have seen the cotton waste under the work bench, which by this time would have been slowly smouldering. Thirdly, it is clear that, contrary to the Depot fire orders, drums of inflammable preservative had been left near the dipping troughs in that part of the shed which was destroyed. The fireman who made the routine inspection saw these drums, failed to find out what they contained, and made no report.Action is being taken in connection with these points. In addition, I am not yet fully satisfied about certain other points regarding the construction, stacking arrangements and layout of the shed which was destroyed, and about the arrangements by which personnel in the depot were allowed to carry smoking materials and to smoke in certain places. I have accordingly called for a further report.

asked the Secretary of State for War what annual bounty is to be paid to the National Service man who volunteers for the Territorial Army at the completion of his Regular service; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now state what bounty is payable to men to volunteer to join the Territorial Army on completion of their full-time National Service.

The maximum annual bounty for a National Service man who becomes a volunteer for the Territorial Army after his full-time service ends, will be £9. When he has completed the obligatory training prescribed for a Territorial Army volunteer he will receive £6 of this and he can then proceed to earn supplementary bounty up to £3 for extra voluntary drills and efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will now announce arrangements whereby members of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers can volunteer for short annual refresher courses; and what has been the cause of the delay in reaching a decision in this matter.

No such arrangements can be made during the present financial year. This is a matter which is kept under periodical review; there is no question of any undue delay in reaching a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long it now takes to accept or reject applications to join the Regular Army Reserve of Officers and the Army Officers' Emergency Reserve.

The average period is from ten days to one month according to the availability of the applicant's previous record of service. In exceptional cases decision may be delayed for as long as three months, owing to administrative difficulties in determining the applicant's suitability.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes prices for butter and bread in Hamburg are at present 3s. 3½d. per lb., and 6d. per lb., respectively; and what steps he is taking to see that Service personnel are not being overcharged by Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in Germany.

N.A.A.F.I. do not sell butter or white bread in Germany; these commodities are supplied by the Royal Army Service Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the mother of 21039317 Gunner J. Golby, U Unit, Tank Regiment, first learnt from a representative of the Press that her son was about to be court-martialled for murder; that the mother, having heard from her son that he was in some unspecified trouble wrote three times to his commanding officer but received no reply; and if he will inquire into these circumstances.

It is not the practice of the military authorities to notify parents or relatives when a soldier is in trouble, as it may well be that he does not wish them to know, and if he does it is felt that it is his right to tell them himself. Such action on the part of the military authorities might well be considered an undue interference in a soldier's private affairs. I am investigating the allegation that the commanding officer has not replied to the letters written by the mother of Gunner Golby, and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any British military technicians are with the American Forces in Korea.

There is an Army representative with the Foreign Office Mission which is now in South Korea.

asked the Secretary of State for War the medical categories of National Service men now employed in Army pay offices on duties formerly performed by civil servants; and how many men in each of the higher medical categories are now so employed.

The fitness of soldiers for service is assessed under the Pulheems system of medical classification. While the information requested in the Question is not available, the assessments of about 85 per cent. of all the National Service men employed in Army Pay Services correspond to the Pulheems employment standard "Forward Everywhere."

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what percentage of the class Z Reservists has now had their addresses checked and been re-registered;(2) whether a decision has yet been reached, and whether units and formations concerned are aware of the numbers and particulars of men of the class Z Reserve who will be retained in reserved occupations

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men are on the class Z Reserve of the Army; of these how many the address and occupation has been checked in the past six months; and what means he has introduced to keep in touch with any future changes of address or occupation.

It would not be in the public interest at the present time to add to the details I have already given on this subject, but I can confirm that arrangements have been made by which the Department will be aware of future changes of address or occupation of Z Reservists. Units and formations are aware of the numbers of reservists which they will require to complete their establishments on mobilisation. It is not necessary for them to know in advance the names or exact particulars of the reservists who would be sent to them in an emergency or from which Reserve they would come.

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of the class Z Reserve have had their addresses and occupations checked during the past three years.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Members for Carshalton (Brigadier Head) and Blackpool, North (Mr. Low).

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British armoured vehicles recently entered the Soviet zone in and about Berlin; and how many of these were stripped of their radio equipment before they were returned to the British lines.

Three vehicles recently strayed into the Russian zone of Germany. Nothing was removed from them and they returned to the British sector of Berlin on the same day.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that ex-soldiers in receipt of special campaign pensions are being subjected to a means test, and that such pensions are being reduced or cancelled according to the amount received by them under the National Insurance Act; and whether he will restore these exceptional pensions awarded for good service.

Special campaign pensions are compassionate awards payable under a system now obsolete to ex-Regular soldiers in possession of a war medal for a campaign before 1925 who have reached the age of 65 years and are in necessitous circumstances. If, owing to amounts received under the National Insurance Acts, the recipients are no longer in necessitous circumstances, the special campaign pension is terminated or reduced. I do not propose to alter these arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the distress caused to certain families of soldiers serving overseas who are now living in married quarters at Gibraltar Barracks, Bury St. Edmunds, by a recent notice that must vacate their quarters and move into family camps; and if he will ensure that the dependants of men serving overseas are not given worse accommodation than those serving at home.

These families have nor been told to move into family camps. They have been asked to vacate the quarters but it has been made clear to them that they can remain where they are until they find private accommodation or until alternative War Department accommodation, which is not at present available, can be provided. Owing to the general shortage of married quarters in this country, I am afraid that I can give no undertaking that families of men serving overseas can remain in married quarters indefinitely, since men serving at home would thereby be deprived of the opportunity of being united with their families. I can, however, promise that they will not be required to leave until they have found private accommodation or other War Department accommodation becomes available.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the date of the last occasion on which notices were posted in barracks and other military establishments inviting recruitment for the Jordan Arab Legion.

19th April, 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of officers and other ranks in the Territorial Army at the present time; and how these figures compare with 1st January, 1939.

The number of officers and other ranks in the Territorial Army, including the Women's Royal Army Corps, Territorial Army, on 30th June, 1950, was 10,732 and 78,849 respectively. Comparable figures for 1st January, 1939, including the Auxiliary Territorial Service, were 11,554 and 197,309.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many senior non-commissioned officers are not renewing their engagements, particularly those in garrison towns, giving as their reason the shortage of married quarters.

This information is not available. The shortage of married quarters, however, undoubtedly may have an effect in determining the decision by a senior non-commissioned officer whether or not to re-engage. As the House know, a substantial programme for the construction of married quarters is now going forward.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, in view of the inadequacy of the statistics kept in previous years and now as to the numbers of lives of Service personnel lost by drowning during training operations and otherwise, he will collect and publish figures showing how many of such personnel can and cannot swim, respectively; and if he will also take steps to increase the proportion of swimmers in the Services.

The importance in modern conditions of soldiers being able to swim is fully recognised, and I do not consider that the collection of the statistics proposed would serve any useful purpose. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply my hon. Friend gave him on 23rd May.

asked the Postmaster-General when the installation of the public telephone in the parish of Longtown, Herefordshire, will be completed.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the new telephone exchange at Longtown. Owing to pressure of other urgent work, this exchange is unlikely to be completed before the spring of 1951.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that outstanding orders for telephones in Cheltenham are larger than orders in other similar areas in the country; and if he will take steps to end this disparity.

The situation in Cheltenham is similar to that in comparable areas elsewhere and does not warrant any further allocation from our present limited capital resources.

asked the Minister of Health how many hearing aids have been issued to applicants in the City of Cardiff since the inception of the scheme; and how many are at present on the waiting list.

The figures are 760 and 883.

asked the Minister of Health how many aged sick persons are awaiting admission to hospital; and what is the average period of waiting in Cardiff.

The number of aged chronic sick at present awaiting admission to hospital in the Cardiff area is 126; the waiting period varies according to need, and urgent admissions are arranged within seven days.

asked the Minister of Health when Mrs. Wallbank, of 14, Greystoke Gardens, Enfield, who ordered bi-focal spectacles in July, 1949, may expect to receive them.

I understand that Messrs. Bradford, the opticians concerned, expect to receive Mrs. Wallbank's bi-focal glasses quite soon.