asked the Minister of Supply what contracts have been placed by his Department since 1945 with the Angel Truck Company, 215–19, Albion Road, N.16; and what difficulties have arisen in the relations between his Department and this company.

Twenty-three local orders have been placed with this firm since 1945. No difficulties have arisen between my Department and the company.

asked the Minister of Supply by how much below the cost of replacement were 62 bales of woollen jerseys and 54 bales of greatcoats sold at Thorp Arch on 6th December, 1950.

The jerseys were well worn and the greatcoats were of obsolete patterns. The cost of replacement is thus not relevant.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the business activities of Mr. George Dawson, in relation to his Department.

My Department has had no direct business relations with Mr. Dawson since 1941.

asked the Minister of Supply when the shortage of zinc, copper and brass first became apparent to his Department; and what steps were then taken by him to obtain further supplies.

The shortage of zinc became apparent at the beginning of October, 1950, when we found that supplies from some normally reliable sources would not be available. Similar difficulties in supplies of copper became apparent during November. My Department has been actively and continuously engaged in seeking increased supplies from all possible sources.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement about future copper supplies.

In reply to a Question on 7th December, 1950, I pointed out that with the world shortage of copper, our supplies would not permit us to maintain the current rate of consumption and in particular that normal civilian consumption would have to be reduced as defence requirements progressively increased. The position is now such that it is necessary from 1st February to limit supplies to consumers to 85 per cent. of the rate in the first six months of 1950.

asked the Minister of Supply what representations he has received for an increase in the pay of test pilots employed by his Department; and what action he proposes to take.

A claim for increased pay for civilian test pilots employed by my Department has been received from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants. Preliminary discussions on this claim have taken place with the Treasury and my Department will shortly open discussions with the Institution.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) what he estimates to be the replacement cost per yard of green sandfly netting, 108 inches wide, sold at Didcot on 18th January, 1951;(2) what was the original cost each of curtain sandfly nets single bar sold at Didcot on 18th January, 1951.

No sandfly netting has been bought since the war and I do not expect to be asked to make further purchases. I cannot, without undue expenditure of time by my Department, tell the hon. Member what each of these nets cost, but he may be interested to know that the sale of the surplus netting realised£140,000.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that many persons in receipt of pensions earning£1 per week, are in difficulties owing to the rise in the cost of living, and if she will consider increasing the amount that can be earned by such persons, in order to provide an incentive to do a part-time job.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Members for Wycombe (Mr. Haire) and Edinburgh, West (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison), on 5th December, 1950, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she will make a statement as to when she proposes to introduce legislation to deal with the pre-1924 compensation cases.

Very shortly.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she will now increase the basic pensions of aged persons to meet the increased cost of living.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 7th November last, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps she is taking to increase supplementary assistance for old age pensioners.

Any amendment of the Regulations governing assistance is a matter in the first instance for the National Assistance Board. But I would remind my hon. Friend that the current scales came into operation as recently as June last.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of pensioners in Cardiff who were in receipt of supplementary assistance at the latest convenient date.

At 19th December, 1950, in the areas administered from the Board's two offices in Cardiff, 7,351 regular weekly grants of National Assistance were being made in supplementation of non-contributory or retirement pensions.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the number of deaths in Liverpool of aged persons, and the inability of the local welfare departments to give assistance due to the fact that the National Assistance Board are not compelled to give information concerning aged persons in receipt of supplementary allowances, she will reconsider the problem with a view to these details being supplied to local welfare authorities, and to avoiding many old persons being found dead in their homes before assistance can reach them.

I have every sympathy with my hon. Friend's anxieties but I do not think her suggestion is feasible. These tragedies are commonly due to sudden illness or accident and a register on the lines suggested would do little to bring them to notice. All pensioners would have to be included and the obvious objections to a scheme for the compulsory registration of old people would, I think, outweigh the advantages.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she will exclude school meal attendants from the provisions of the National Insurance (Seasonal Workers) Regulations, 1950.

As claims by certain school meal attendants are pending before the Commissioner, it would be wrong for me to express any opinion on the matter until they have been disposed of.

asked the Minister of National Insurance in how many cases in Lincolnshire unemployment benefit has been refused to men and women agricultural workers on the grounds that their employment is seasonal.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) if she will allow men and women classed as seasonal farm workers credits when registering as unemployed in the short season when it is difficult for them to secure alternative forms of employment;(2) if she will amend the regulation governing payment of unemployment benefit to men and women classed as seasonal workers in agriculture; and whether she is aware of the hardship experienced by many farm workers who are unable to draw unemployment benefit in the off season.

The position of seasonal workers in agriculture was considered at some length by the National Insurance Advisory Committee, to whose report I would refer my hon. Friend. I am keeping a careful watch on the working of the seasonal workers' Regulations but I cannot undertake to review them at the present stage.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the appointment of a senior member of the Cabinet as Resident Minister in Washington until such time as the international situation appears more stable.

No. I am entirely satisfied with the present and normal arrangement by which His Majesty's Ambassador is responsible for our interests in Washington and see no reason to change or modify it.

asked the Lord President of the Council when the tidal model of the Severn Barrage Electricity Scheme will be completed.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury gave him on the 19th July, 1949. Work on the new research station began in September of last year, instead of early in the year as had been expected. Apart from this delay, it is hoped that no considerable departure from the original time-table will occur. In that event, the model should be completed in 1953 or early 1954.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will arrange for the erection in the Festival of Britain grounds of a private enterprise house built to the standards of the National House-builders Registration Council.

I assume the Question refers to the South Bank Exhibition. I am not quite sure what the hon. Member has in mind, but in any case it would be quite impracticable to make any substantial alteration in the Exhibition at this late stage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the establishment, which was at Wilton Park, has now been removed to Wiston, Sussex; what is the estimated annual cost; the number of teaching and other staff; and the number of students whom it is expected to educate.

The establishment was moved from Wilton Park because the accommodation there was required by the War Office. The annual cost of running the establishment, including the salaries of the staff, is estimated at£25,686. Six tutorial, seven administrative and 16 domestic staff are employed. About 360 students from Germany and occasionally other countries attend courses each year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the widespread indignation that has been caused, especially among those who were prisoners of the Japanese, at the proposal of the British Council to grant scholarships to Japanese graduates at a cost to the taxpayer of£3,350; and if he will take steps to abolish this arrangement.

I am unaware of the widespread indignation to which the hon. Member refers and would refer him to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison) on 21st November, 1950, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what changes in functions, cost and personnel are proposed for the British Council; and whether he will make a statement on the council's future.

This question is under active consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will invite the United Nations organisation delegation to visit Brighton and Hove with a view to considering this district as a suitable venue for the proposed meeting in this country.

The United Nations delegation to which the hon. Member refers has now returned to the United States and is therefore unable to visit Brighton.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is now the position with regard to the supply of British tanks to Egypt.

The position remains as described in my statement to the House in the debate on Adjournment on 22nd November.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the total quantities of coal exported by Western Germany in the past 12 months: to which countries this coal was exported; what was the total steel production in Western Germany in the last 12 months; and to which countries steel is exported.

Western Germany exported 23,793,000 tons of hard coal and coke in the year 1950. The following are the main countries to which these exports were consigned: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France (including the Saar), Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, North Africa, Portugual, Sweden, Switzerland, Yugoslavia. The total Western German steel production in the same period amounted to 12,121,156 tons. Of this, approximately 1,500,000 tons was exported in the form of rolled products, and some 100,000 tons as ingot steel. Deliveries were made to practically every country in the world, including the United Kingdom. The largest purchasers were the United States, the Netherlands and Sweden.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of His Majesty's Government's endeavours to reconstitute Western Germany's armed forces, he will now grant an amnesty to all ex-members of Germany's armed forces at present suffering punishment on the authority of His Majesty's Government, subject to the discretion of the West German Government.

There can be no question of an amnesty to people who were convicted of brutal crimes against humanity. The United Kingdom High Commissioner is, however, to undertake this year a review of sentences of all war criminals sentenced by British Courts and now imprisoned in the British Zone. This review will be taken on clemency grounds and to remove any existing inequalities in penalties which may still exist.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on his discussions held on 21st November with the representatives of the National Union of Mineworkers and the National Coal Board to deal with the coal crisis.

At my meeting on 21st November with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers, I explained the events which had made it necessary to purchase coal abroad. I asked both sides of the industry to take immediate action to increase the output of coal. As the result of this discussion, the Board, the Union, and the Government took the various measures which I described to the House in debate which took place on 12th December.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken by way of research to provide conveyor belts in coal mines that will not generate excessive heat through friction and be less liable to cause fire.

The National Coal Board, my Department, and the manufacturers of conveyor belts are working closely together in an attempt to develop fire-resistant types. Several experimental belts are already in use in Yorkshire pits. Urgent research is also being done on the means by which the over-heating of existing types of belts can be detected and dealt with before a fire breaks out.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he is taking to see that supplies of coal and coke are maintained in North Oxfordshire in particular in the rural areas.

I am informed that the supplies of coal to North Oxfordshire, including the rural areas, compare favourably with those to other areas in the southern region. Supplies of coke are being brought in from other areas, but, the demand throughout the country has so greatly increased that it may not be possible for merchants to meet in full the orders placed by all domestic consumers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, during the period of the serious epidemic of influenza in Liverpool, supplies of coal have been insufficient to meet consumers' entitlements.

Consumers in Liverpool are getting a fair share of the available supplies of house coal, but, as my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has informed the hon. Member, some special additional help has been arranged.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will direct coal merchants to exceed the permitted quantities of coal for domestic use in rural areas where there are no alternative means of heating and cooking.

Local fuel overseers already have standing instructions to authorise coal merchants to make extra deliveries to consumers who have no alternative means of heating and cooking, and who apply for the necessary licence. This arrangement is, I believe, well known both to merchants and consumers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that almost half the population of 12,000 at Shaw are entirely without domestic coal, or have no more than one or two days' supply, and that no coke is available as a substitute for space heating; and if he will take immediate action to increase supplies.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the distress and discomfort which the present coal shortage is causing to tenants of municipal flats owing to their inability to store coal or to take delivery in other than small quantities; and whether he will give urgent consideration to methods of overcoming this difficulty.

The merchants and Co-operative Societies who distribute coal have always given preference in winter deliveries to householders who, for lack of space, or for other reasons, are unable to lay in stocks of coal during the summer months. The Coal Merchants' Federation and the Co-operative Unions have promised to give priority to such householders during the present winter, and they have recently reminded all their members of this pledge.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that deliveries of domestic coal in the Stafford and Stone area are falling well below the promised five hundredweights per month per householder; whether he will state the exact shortfall of coal deliveries in this area; and what steps he proposes to take.

As I am sure the hon. Member is aware, the quantities of coal which a householder may buy are not rations, the supply of which is guaranteed; they are limits up to which he may buy if the necessary supplies are available. The allocations of coal to merchants have never been sufficient to allow them to provide the maximum permitted quantity for every household. I am assured that merchants in the Stafford and Stone area are receiving their fair share of the available supplies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what main directives he has issued to the National Coal Board during the past three months.

In my statements on 20th November, and in the debate of 12th December last, I referred to instructions I have given to the National Coal Board on behalf of the Government to buy coal abroad and authorising them to purchase up to 1.2 million tons in the United States. I further referred to the Government's decision to reduce exports. To give effect to this decision, I have since made an Order under Defence Regulations restricting the supplies which the Board may make available for export during the first four months of 1951.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has now appointed a mining engineer to the Coal Board.

Not yet. There is at present no vacancy on the Board. Under the Regulations Sir Eric Young's appointment as a Board member does not expire until 28th February.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to state the total output of coal from each of the opencast sites, respectively, on Hedley Hall Farm, Marley Hill, Newcastle-on-Tyne; the cost of production per ton in respect of each site; the relations of this cost to the average cost per ton for opencast mining throughout the country; and the period of working in respect of each site.

Three areas of Hedley Hall Farm have been requisitioned for the opencast working of coal. One site yielded 50,000 tons in 1948; another yielded 40,000 tons in 1950; the third has so far yielded 2,000 tons this year. These areas form part of the Burden Moor zone, from which nearly a million tons of coal has been obtained. It is not easy to calculate the cost of coal from a particular area which is included in a contract for a wider zone. But I can safely say that the cost of coal obtained from Burden Moor is substantially below the national average.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that, contrary to the promise given by his Department, a further 84 acres of agricultural land have been requisitioned from Hedley Hall Farm, Marley Hill, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and, in fact, are now being worked for opencast coalmining before a substantial proportion of the 360 acres already taken from this farm has been restored; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this matter.

I think that there has been some misunderstanding about the requisitioning of land at Hedley Hall Farm. I agree that 84 acres were requisitioned in October, 1950, but I do not accept the suggestion that this action was contrary to a promise given by my Department. The undertaking given related to the total holding of Mr. W. A. Thompson, whose land in all comprised about 670 acres. In September, 1949, he held 472 acres of this total, including an area of 396 acres on Hedley Hall Farm; the requisitioning of 117 acres at Hedley Hall had been deferred, as the result of negotiations early in 1949. He still has 388 acres and a further 100 acres of restored land would have been returned to Mr. Thompson in the autumn, if the weather had not made the work of restoration impossible. It is now expected that this land will be returned to Mr. Thompson in the spring.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many tons of coal were exported from Immingham in the last quarter of 1950; and what was the corresponding figures for the last quarter of 1938.

The exports of coal from Immingham in the last quarter of 1950 were, including bunkers, 142,900 tons; in the last quarter of 1938 they were 576,600 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the coal shortage, what advice or direction he has given to the National Coal Board as to the priorities for delivery; and what these priorities are.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the serious fall in coal stocks during the past weeks, he will make a further statement on the plans of His Majesty's Government to avoid a fuel crisis.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether coal production since the Prime Minister's appeal for an additional 3 million tons of coal by April, 1951, is proceeding at the requisite increased rate; and what is the progress to date.

I propose to make a statement on the matters raised by these Questions in the debate arranged for Thursday next.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement regarding the fall of roof at Thoresby Pit, Nottinghamshire.

On the night shift of 23rd-24th January, 10 men with two officials were working at a road-head on a longwall face at Thoresby Colliery. About half way through the shift, a small fall occurred, which was quickly followed by the collapse of the whole road-head, trapping three of the men who had retreated inbye to the rib side of the face. Rescue operations were at once started, but the work was protracted because it would have been too dangerous to tunnel through the fall and it was necessary to drive round it. Early on 25th January two men were released and the body of the third, who had unfortunately been killed by the fall, was found later. His Majesty's inspectors are carrying out the usual investigations into the cause and circumstances of the accident. The efforts of all concerned with the rescue operations deserve high praise; the work extended over 30 hours and great tenacity and determination was shown throughout.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the aggregate tonnage of concessionary coal allocated to men engaged in the coalmining industry during the year 1950 and the average concessionary issue in hundredweights per man for that year.

The aggregate tonnage of coal supplied free or at concessionary rates to men engaged in the mining industry during 1950 amounted to about five million tons. The average amount supplied per man receiving free or concessionary coal during 1950 was of the order of 10 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress has been made in discussion of the plan for coal between his Department, the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.

The discussions on the National Coal Board's proposals for a plan for coal are taking place within the industry between the Board and employees' organisations, as part of the normal process of joint consultation, and my Department is not involved in the matter at the present stage.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make a further statement on the steps he proposes to take to give warning of power cuts, in view of the dislocation caused industrially and domestically by unexpected power cuts.

I recently held a conference of representatives of the British Electricity Authority, the area boards and consultative councils, at which it was arranged to examine urgently a number of suggestions for improving the present warning system. I hope to know the results of this examination shortly and to be able to make a further statement.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent he anticipates that the power cuts which have recently caused disruption of industrial and domestic supplies of electricity in north-east Essex will be repeated during the remainder of the winter; and what action is being taken to ensure that electricity supplies for this area will be adequate in the future.

Power cuts will no doubt be necessary from time to time though their severity will depend upon the weather. Every effort is being made to reduce the number of cuts by organised load-spreading in industry and commerce and by making full use of private generating sets.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many appeals have been made to the Midlands Electricity Consultative Council; and how many have been successful.

If the hon. Member will look at the Annual Report of the Midlands Electricity Consultative Council for the 14 months which ended on 31st March, 1950, he will find full information about the inquiries dealt with by the Council during that time. I understand that since the end of last March 29 inquiries have been received by the Council. Nineteen of them have been satisfactorily settled. Four are still under consideration and in the remaining six cases the Council supported the decision of the area board.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will take more vigorous steps to see that voltage pressures and the frequency of the electric current supply are maintained.

I am satisfied that the electricity boards are maintaining the declared frequency and voltage of supply so far as is possible in the present circumstances. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate that a temporary small percentage reduction of frequency and voltage at times of peak load, when the demand exceeds the present available generating capacity, is an expedient which frequently enables the boards to avoid load-shedding. Most consumers no doubt would prefer to accept any inconvenience which this may cause rather than have their supply cut off altogether.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the maximum number of members of the Merseyside and North Wales Electricity Consultative Council; the number of vacancies thereon as on 30th November, 1950; the number of the present members who represent rural district councils; and the names of the councils which are so represented.

Under the Electricity Act, 1947, each electricity consultative council consists of not less than 20 nor more than 30 persons, of whom not less than one-half or more than three-fifths shall be appointed to represent local authorities; the Merseyside and North Wales Consultative Council had 28 members at 30th November, 1950, and therefore had two possible vacancies; four of the present members are members, of rural district councils, the names of which are Aled, Dolgelly, Northwich and Oswestry.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement as to the directions he has given to the British Electricity Authority to cause them to observe the Government policy of limiting hire-purchase facilities in the same way as the banks have been directed.

I have given no direction to the British Electricity Authority regarding the limitation of hire-purchase facilities.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now in a position to say what regulations he will issue for the compensation of workers in gas undertakings enjoying co-partnership schemes.

I regret that I am not yet able to add anything to the reply which I gave on 12th December last to the hon. Member for Herefordshire, South-West (Mr. G. Longden).

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the meat ration and on future supplies of meat.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now make a statement on meat supplies.

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement I made to the House on Friday, 26th January.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been called to the high price being charged for rabbits at the shops; and if he will institute a control of prices.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friends the Members for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd), Dartford (Mr. Dodds) and Rossendale (Mr. Anthony Greenwood), on 24th January and to my statement in reply to questions in the House on Friday, 26th January.

asked the Minister of Food when the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East, can expect a reply to his letter of 8th January regarding the high price of rabbits and the need for reinstituting price control.

A reply was sent to my hon. Friend on 25th January.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the abandonment of the groundnuts scheme, involving the writing off of£36 million.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies and I have recently published a White Paper which gives a complete outline of all the facts relating to the groundnuts scheme. I cannot, at this stage, add to that statement. But there will be full opportunity for discussing the question when the proposed legislation to amend the Overseas Resources Development Act is debated—as it will be in due course—in the House.

asked the Minister of Food what were the total amounts paid in subsidy and compensation grants or otherwise during 1948, 1949 and 1950, for meat, fish, poultry and their products.

The total figures for the two financial years ended 31st March, 1950, and the estimate for the year ending 31st March, 1951, are as follows:—

—		Year to 31st March, 1949	Year to 31st March, 1950	Year to 31st March, 1951 (estimated)
		£ million	£ million	£ million
Meat	…	57·6	26·3	28·9
Bacon	…	17·0	38·1	44·0
Fish	…	0·5	1·9	1·3
Poultry	…	0·1 (profit)	—	0·2

asked the Minister of Food how many cases of brislings and sprats purchased from Norway were sold back to Norway again during this last year, 1949–50, because they could not be disposed of in this country.

None during the year ending 30th June, 1950; and about 94,000 cases during December, 1950, and January, 1951. This resale was part of the change made to facilitate the resumption of private trading following the decision that my Ministry should not make further purchases.

asked the Minister of Food how many million tins of Dutch and Danish sprats were purchased by his Department in 1949 and 1950; and how many of these are still unsold due to their poor quality.

26,853,900 tins of Dutch and Danish brisling were purchased in 1949 and 1950. Of these, 11,692,500 remain unsold but they are not of poor quality.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that some of the multiple butcher firms in Liverpool are making it obligatory on their shop managers to show a return of takings in their shops much higher than the percentage allowed by his Department; that, in order to do this, higher prices for meat must be charged to the consumers; that managers or assistants have been dismissed because they have not complied sufficiently with the management's request; and, in view of the seriousness of this position, if he will have immediate inquiry made.

If my hon. Friend will give me further details I will make immediate inquiries.

asked the Minister of Food what is the result of the review, made after May, 1950, of the difference between his Department's buying and selling prices for soya bean of£30 and£59, respectively.

As the hon. Member was informed in answer to a Question on 8th May last year,£30 per ton should not be regarded as representative of our buying prices for soya beans. He will, however, be glad to know that the price at which these beans are sold to manufacturers was reduced to£45 per ton on 5th November last.

asked the Minister of Food the total value of the food he has received from the Queensland farm of the British Food Corporation.

The value of the sorghum so far received from the Queensland British Food Corporation is about£290,000 f.o.b. It is estimated that a further quantity worth about£222,000 f.o.b. remains to be shipped from the 1950 crop. Cattle and pigs worth about£250,000 (Australian) have been sold locally for slaughter, and have contributed to Queensland's exportable surplus of meat, but my Department does not keep separate records to show the source of the meat bought from the Australian Government.

asked the Minister of Food what difficulties prevented a larger importation of fresh meat from France.

Subject to veterinary safeguards, we are prepared to take all the meat which France can send provided that the quality and price are right. So far it has been possible to meet these two conditions only to a very limited extent.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the increasing seriousness of the position in the canning industry caused by the shortage of tinplate; and what fresh efforts he is making to increase the quantity of tinplate available for the canning of home-grown vegetables and fruit.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the serious situation, affecting consumers, canners and fruit and vegetable producers, that has arisen as the result of the 20 per cent. cut in tinplate allocations for food canning; and whether, in order to avert a breakdown in supply and unemployment in the canning industry and agriculture, he will restore the allocation to the 1949 level.

I have been very concerned about the difficulties facing the canning industry because of the shortage of tinplate. I am glad to say that allocations for food canning in the second and later quarters of the year are likely to be greater than originally planned, though not up to the 1949 level.

asked the Minister of Food what chances there are now of increasing the tea ration.

Supplies are not yet sufficient to hold out hopes of any early increase, I am afraid.

asked the Minister of Food why he did not include hygiene standards in his new order for a minimum standard of ice cream.

Because regulations had already been made in 1947 under the Food and Drugs Act to provide for the observance of a proper standard of hygience in the production, storage and distribution of ice cream.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent he contemplates the re-introduction of certain price and distributive controls to combat the increases of price of many foodstuffs.

As I said in the House last Friday, there are a number of commodities for which, because of their nature, price control is a rational and effective instrument; and as long as the public interest demands the continuance of price control on these commodities I shall see that price control is retained. There are, however, many commodities, especially perishable, speciality and luxury foods, for which price control is far less effective or appropriate.In deciding whether or not to reintroduce price control, I must weigh all the circumstances of each commodity. In any event price control of itself cannot prevent retail food price increases when the general trend of world prices is rising sharply.

asked the Minister of Food when the Report of the Working Party on Food and Hygiene, which was set up by him in November, 1948, is likely to be available.

This Report will be published on Wednesday this week.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that it is proposed to plough in 40 per cent. of the cabbage and other green crops in Norfolk on account of the high costs of marketing and low prices received by the farmers; and what steps he is taking to save this produce and to avoid any recurrence of such waste.

Because of increased acreages and the high yields resulting from the exceptionally favourable growing weather last autumn, there is a surplus of cabbages in Norfolk for which a market cannot be found. When yields are heavy, surpluses are inevitable, and it is not unusual for them to be ploughed back into the land, where they have a value as green manure. There are, I am afraid, no immediately effective steps which I could take to meet this situation; but I hope that the long-term plans for improved fruit and vegetable distribution which are being examined by the Government will minimise waste of this kind.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of Russian crab-meat, imported by his Department, was sold overseas and in the United Kingdom, respectively.

42.7 per cent. and 57.3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he has taken to see that the food reserves of this country are adequate to withstand a blockade such as we experienced in 1939; and what is the position of reserves today, vis-à-vis the estimated position in 1939.

It would obviously be most imprudent for me to give the details for which the hon. and gallant Member asks; but I can assure the House that our present policy is taking full account of the country's experience in 1939.

asked the Minister of Transport what are his regulations covering the engagement of crews for merchant ships of under two hundred tons.

No regulations have been made in regard to the engagement of crews for merchant ships, but, in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts, the masters of all British sea-going merchant ships, other than ships of less than 80 tons net register trading between ports in the United Kingdom, are required to enter into a written agreement with the crew in a form approved by me. Further, the crews of all British foreign-going ships and home trade ships of 200 tons gross and over are required to be engaged and discharged before the superintendent of a mercantile marine office.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will specify the means available to him of increasing trade at Cardiff docks; and what action he proposes to take in respect of such during 1951.

If, as I assume, the question concerns the exercise by me of compulsory powers of direction with respect to shipping, I have no such powers which could properly be used for the purpose to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the case of Bertram Poulter, a taxi-cab driver, who had an order to bring back some people from Southampton to Chelmsford on or about 22nd December, 1950, and to avoid going down empty, took two passengers, but was reprimanded by an official of his Department; under what regulation this action was taken; and if he will make a statement.

My information is that Mr. Poulter advertised in the Press for persons to travel at separate fares in a vehicle without the licences required by the Road Traffic Acts, and that an officer of the licensing authority concerned called on him before the date of the proposed journey and explained the law on the point. I see nothing improper in this action.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a standard signpost for omnibus stops has now been approved; and, in view of the large number of visitors likely to be here for the Festival of Britain, what steps are being taken to have these erected and illuminated as quickly as possible.

A standard bus stop sign was approved in 1933 and this may still be used. In 1936 London Transport were authorised to use in their area another type of sign which is now used throughout London. I have no power to require the erection or illumination of such signs.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to obtain the co-operation of all local authorities to save fuel consumption, by not allowing the street lighting to be used before lighting-up times.

I made an appeal on 11th January to all street lighting authorities to make the greatest economies possible without undue risk. Lighting authorities must be allowed to use their discretion in this. On some days lighting needs to be switched on before the nominal lighting-up time and I have suggested that lighting ought not to be cut during the period when danger of road accidents is greatest—that is, in the early hours of the evening and particularly around the hour of dusk.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will withdraw his instruction to the authority concerned for the extinguishing of all street lights by 11 p.m. in the Paddington area, in view of the prevalence of crime in this area and the general desire of the residents that the thoroughfares should be illuminated at night for this reason.

I have not instructed any lighting authority to extinguish street lights at any particular time. I have asked them to consult the police and to effect such economies as can be made without undue risk. I have suggested that where lights are extinguished during the night hours 11 p.m. might be a good time to switch off in most cases.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated cost of the construction of the Solway Causeway linking Annan and Bo'ness; and when it is proposed to start work on this project.

So far as I am aware, no such project has recently been put forward and no plans or estimates have been prepared.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to save fuel and power, he will make arrangements with the authorities concerned to discontinue the operation of traffic lights between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. each night.

No. The saving in electricity would be small, cutting off the traffic lights would have to be done manually or by installing time switches and the risk of accidents would be increased.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in Leeds there are about 4,600 road accidents each year and that no fewer than one-quarter of these are caused by dogs; to what extent this state of affairs is general throughout the country; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to offer a remedy.

The accident statistics kept by my Department are restricted to those involving death or personal injury, and during 1949 2,187 such accidents, representing 1.5 per cent. of the total in the country as a whole, were reported by the police as being primarily due to dogs in the carriageway. The comparable figures for Leeds were 30 and 2 per cent. I do not think that it would be practicable to deal with the matter by legislation, but I hope that the inclusion on dog licences of an appeal to dog owners to keep dogs under control on the roads will have a good effect.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the London and Home Counties Advisory Committee on traffic congestion has yet reported; and, if so, whether he will make a statement.

Yes. I have now received the Report which will shortly be published and am giving it careful consideration. I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the temporary Bailey bridge, now replacing the original Cavendish bridge between Derby and Leicester on A.6, which collapsed early in 1947, causes expensive delays to industrial traffic through one-way working; that the bridge restricts the size and weight of vehicles using it; that the approaches are badly aligned; and whether, in the national interest, he will now provide under the authority already existing, an adequate bridge for the traffic concerned.

I am well aware of the need for a new bridge in place of the temporary Bailey bridge and preparatory work is proceeding. On financial grounds I cannot give any firm promise as to when I shall be able to authorise constructional work on this expensive scheme. The existing bridge can carry loads up to 25 tons with a limit of height of 14 feet.

asked the Minister of Works if he can state the names of persons whose statues it is intended to place on the five vacant pedestals in the Inner Lobby of this House.

No. This is not for me, but for Parliament to decide.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ensure that main thoroughfares within a radius of two miles of the Festival of Britain will remain open to traffic and free from obstruction during the time that the Festival is open to the public.

The arrangements and regulations which the Commissioner of Police has in contemplation are designed to secure these objects.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the wastage of tins, bottles, paper and other articles which is now taking place; and if he will take steps, and if need be introduce legislation to initiate a salvage campaign and place the arrangements in the hands of a director of salvage, as was done with success during the late war.

We attach great importance to the collection of industrial salvage, and would like to pay tribute to the excellent work being done by local authorities, the National Industrial Salvage and Recovery Council and the Waste Paper Recovery Association which, with my hon. Friend's full support, has recently launched a new drive for waste paper recovery. He would prefer to see what can be achieved by these voluntary efforts, before considering the re-imposition of statutory controls and the re-establishment of a Directorate of Salvage and Recovery.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of zinc oxide was produced in this country during 1950; what this represents in terms of metal; and what percentage this is of the total national requirements of zinc.

For the period January to November, 1950, the production of zinc oxide was about 50,400 tons. About 26,900 tons of virgin zinc and 17,400 tons of zinc scrap were used in this production. This represented about 12 per cent. of the total consumption of virgin zinc and 20 per cent. of the consumption of zinc scrap.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, owing to the closing down of Kent canning factories and the unemployment already existing, he will immediately cut down exports of tinplate to foreign countries.

Until the new continuous strip mill at Trostre comes into operation in the latter part of the year, it may not be possible to meet the requirements of the home canning industry in full and some of them may have to curtail production. Distribution of available supplies between home users and exports follows a carefully arranged programme. Exports are, under the prevailing conditions, already being restricted to the lowest level consistent with our vital interests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the text of the resolutions passed by the contracting parties of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade at Torquay will be published.

The only resolutions passed by the contracting parties at their recent session at Torquay were:

(a) a resolution (resulting from a United Kingdom proposal) extending until the end of 1951 the period during which countries are entitled under Part II of Article XX of the Agreement to maintain certain measures necessitated by post-war shortages or surplus stocks which would otherwise be inconsistent with the Agreement, and

(b) a resolution fixing the authorised amount of, and the rates of contributions to, the expenses of the Contracting Parties in 1951.

Reports on other matters of importance (not involving formal resolutions) dealt with at the session have been published in the Board of Trade Journal for 23rd December, 1950 (page 1058) and 30th December, 1950 (page 1107). In addition, the contracting parties have provisionally approved the texts of drafts of a Protocol and other formal documents designed to provide the necessary legal structure for implementing the results of the Torquay tariff negotiations; these drafts, however, are subject to such amendments as may prove necessary in the light of the outcome of the negotiations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action he is taking to see that the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, requiring retailers to have the country of origin shown on certain horticultural products when selling them, are enforced, as the absence of such indications is having an adverse effect on the sale of Kentish apples.

The enforcement of orders made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, in respect of certain imported foodstuffs, including applies, is a matter for the local authority concerned. It is open to any body or person affected to take action under the Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the long duration of the present quarantine period, what steps he is taking to develop a form of anti-rabies inoculation which would overcome or shorten the period.

Published reports of work on the control of rabies undertaken by research workers are studied by my veterinary staff, but it is not possible for my Department to undertake direct work in this field at the present time since its facilities for carrying out research into animal diseases are already fully employed on problems of immediate importance of food production.

asked the Secretary of State for War what information he has received from the United Nations as to whether representatives of the International Red Cross have been permitted to enter territory controlled by the Chinese Communist Army in Northern Korea in order to visit United Nations prisoner of war camps; and whether he has any information as to the treatment accorded to British prisoners of war.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the reply to be given by my right hon. Friend to Questions on this subject tomorrow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what amount the purchasing power of the old age pension of 26s. per week for a single person and 42s. per week for a married couple, respectively, had fallen, since those figures were fixed, at the latest convenient date; and what that date was.

About 22s. 5d. and 36s. 2d. respectively, calculated on the figure for December, 1950, on the Official Index of Retail Prices introduced in June, 1947, and the previous Cost-of-Living Index.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the preparation of his Budget, he will consider exempting from Income Tax Easter offerings made to the clergy; and whether he will grant proportionate relief to ministers of those denominations who do not normally make Easter offerings to their ministers.

The hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury how many Statutory Rules, Orders and Instruments have been issued since August, 1945, up to the latest available date.

The number of Statutory Rules, Orders and Instruments made since the 1st August, 1945, to 24th January, 1951 is 13,551.

asked the Minister of Labour what progress has been made in the recruitment of Irish labour for the coal-mining industry.

I have at present no further information to give on this matter.

asked the Minister of Health the number of consultants now in permanent contact with each regional hospital board, showing the speciality in which they are employed.

Following are the numbers of whole-time consultants at 31st December, 1949, which is the latest information available: