asked the Minister of Education how many male teachers have been recruited since 1945 under the Emergency Scheme or by any other means; and how many of them have subsequently resigned.

Between 1945 and August, 1950, 22,048 men were trained under the Emergency Training Scheme: and in the same period some 13,500 trained men teachers entered the profession from other forms of training. I cannot readily say how many of these particular teachers have since resigned, but the number of men teachers leaving the profession for reasons other than health or age has in recent years been somewhat under 1,000 each year out of a total of some 95,000 in service.

asked the Minister of Education what progress was made throughout the country in 1950 in the re-organising into primary and secondary schools of the all-age schools, in which one million children receive their education.

Detailed statistics for the year 1950 are not yet available, but during the year reorganisations affecting 503 schools were approved by my Department. In January, 1950, 82 per cent. of all pupils aged 13 in maintained and assisted schools were in schools or depart- ments providing only secondary education, compared with 80 per cent. a year previously.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is prepared to approve for purposes of grant the repayment of fares by an education authority to the parents of children attending an un-reorganised denominational school of the parents' choice, where no secondary school of that denomination is more accessible.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 12 of the Manual of Guidance on Choice of Schools, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Education how many new primary schools were built in the period 1919–23 and in the period 1946–50.

I regret that figures are not available for 1919–23. Between January, 1946, and 1st October, 1950, 290 new primary school departments were completed.

asked the Minister of Education how many new primary schools were completed in 1950; and how many new primary schools were begun in that year.

I cannot give figures for the calendar year 1950. From 1st October, 1949, to 30th September, 1950, 205 new primary school departments were completed, while 396 others were started.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that a number of parents have been prosecuted because of the absence of their children from school during the hop-picking season in Kent; and if he will consider the possibility of providing educational facilities near the hop fields, and so avoid the restriction of this crop.

Parents are at liberty, under the regulations of my Department, to apply for leave of absence for their children from school to accompany them on their annual holiday for not more than two weeks in the year. I understand that in three cases parents have been prosecuted for keeping their children away from school for much longer periods. Any parent can apply to have his child admitted to a school near the hop field.

asked the Minister of Education what was the percentage of boys, and of girls, who left grammar schools before the age of 16 years in the last academic year; and what were the percentages in 1947–48.

I regret that at the moment I am unable to give any later information than that contained in my answer to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter), of 23rd November last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has yet issued cropping targets for wheat, potatoes and total tillage to each county in England and Wales for the 1951 harvest.

Revised county acreage targets for wheat and potatoes for the 1951 harvest were issued to county agricultural executive committees on 31st July, 1950, and to the agricultural Press a few days later. County targets for tillage are no longer issued centrally, but where necessary are left to be fixed by county committees themselves.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the acreage and number of part-time smallholdings at the latest convenient date; what were the corresponding figures a year ago; and how many part-time smallholdings have been amalgamated to form larger full-time holdings, since the publication of the Report of the Smallholdings Advisory Council.

Until the returns now being received from smallholdings authorities are complete, the only available figures for the whole of England and Wales relate to January, 1949, when there were 9,288 part-time holdings. The acreage involved is not known. The information mentioned in the last part of the Question will not be available before authorities have reported on their proceedings for the year to the end of March next.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many counties have submitted smallholding schemes under Part 4 of the Agriculture Act, 1947; how many holdings have been approved; and what is the total acreage.

Twenty-six counties have submitted 96 schemes providing 341 additional holdings; and so far 147 holdings have been approved on 6,653 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Dorset County Produce Association has decided not to amalgamate with the National Allotments and Gardens Society; how many other county produce associations have similarly decided to remain independent; and whether he will make a statement.

The Dorset Association and seven other county associations have decided against merger with the National Allotments and Gardens Society.As announced last May, I have accepted the conclusion of the Committee on the Organisation of Domestic Food Producers that it is not in the national interest that there should be more than one national organisation in the field of domestic fruit and vegetable production, and that the National Allotments and Gardens Society should amend its constitution to enable it to function as effectively in the rural areas as in the urban.A Working Party consisting of members of both the village produce associations and the National Allotments and Gardens Society last year prepared proposals for the merging of the two movements. The Society has now amended its rules so as to enable village produce associations to be admitted to full membership and to secure the formation of a rural council to look after rural interests. In my view the reconstituted Society is fully capable of serving the needs of domestic fruit and vegetable producers in all areas. It is for each village produce association to decide whether it will affiliate to the reconstituted Society, but I am convinced that it is fully in the national interest and in the interest of the village produce associations themselves that they should do so.It is not yet clear to what extent affiliation will take place, but six county garden produce committees have already informed me that they are in favour of the merging of the two movements. I propose that the financial assistance previously given to county garden produce committees should cease at the end of the current financial year, i.e., on 31st March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now in a position to make a further statement on measures to check Income Tax evasion.

I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland) on 5th December.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received the report of the Millard Tucker Committee on taxation of profits.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give an estimate of the percentage change in the value, at constant prices, of stocks of imported raw materials during the first and second halves of 1950, respectively.

The value on this basis of stocks of raw materials, excluding petroleum, fell by 30th June, 1950, compared with 31st December, 1949, by 9 per cent. and at the end of December compared with 30th June, 1950, by about 6½ per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any statement to make on his conversations this week with the Trades Union Congress on a national wages policy.

No. The meeting to which the hon. Member refers was one of the normal meetings which my right hon. Friends the Chancellor and the Minister of Labour have with the T.U.C. from time to time. The discussions were concerned with the general economic situation and the problems of preventing inflation and will no doubt be continued at the next meeting.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will now permit the receipt by persons in this country of unsolicited gift parcels from friends and relatives in the Dominions and Colonies free of duty and Purchase Tax.

Apart from the difficulty of controlling any complete exemption for gifts, it is only fair to British traders that Purchase Tax shall apply to imported gifts as it does to gifts purchased in this country and that Customs duty shall be charged unless the goods are entitled to preference under the Imperial Preference provisions. It is not possible to discriminate as suggested in the Question but the case for a concession on the grounds of hardship to the recipient has been met as far as possible by the exemption from both Customs duty and Purchase Tax of all private gift parcels from abroad which do not weigh more than 22 lb. and which may contain foodstuffs, discarded apparel, medical supplies and soap.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will extend the Tobacco Duty relief to persons over 60 years of age who are in receipt of war widows' pensions.

No. The objections to extending the scope of this concession have been stated on many previous occasions and are still decisive.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what instructions he has issued to His Majesty's Customs and Excise as to how in practice they are to interpret the words, "substantial quantities," in Purchase Tax Notice 77, December, 1945, Section 10; and if this interpretation is based on values and if so what value is indicated so that all areas are treated in a uniform way.

Under the law the responsibility for deciding in these cases rests with the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. Before registering a person under this provision, the law requires it to be shown that he uses chargeable materials in substantial quantities; and uniformity of treatment is ensured by having all border-line cases referred to headquarters for decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts of the appropriations-in-aid paid by the Imperial Exchequer to the Government of Northern Ireland in respect of the administrative costs of reserved agency services and in respect of Imperial agency services carried out by Northern Ireland Government Departments under the authority of the Government of Ireland Act, 1920, Section 63, and Defence Regulations respectively, in respect of each of the financial years during the period 1st April, 1939, to 31st March, 1950, indicating in each case the nature of the agency services and whether amounts equivalent to these appropriations-in-aid in each respect have been deducted from Northern Ireland's share of reserved taxation for the period 1st April, 1939, to 31st March, 1950.

I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy of the Finance Accounts of Northern Ireland, Appendix I of which gives for the years from 1922 to 1950 a summary of details relating to the surplus or deficiency of revenue compared with expenditure, the Imperial contribution, direct payments by the United Kingdom to the Northern Ireland Exchequer (including the residuary share of reserved taxes) and the position in relation to public debt. I regret that the particular information which he requires cannot be obtained without excessive expenditure of time and labour.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of Special Contribution has not yet been paid; and what proportion this is of the total amount charged.

The total yield of the Special Contribution was estimated at £105 million. Of this £103½ million has been paid, leaving £1½ million, or 1½ per cent., outstanding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the quantity of Scotch whisky produced during the year ended 30th September, 1950; how much of this was malt whisky; and how much grain whisky.

As published in the Board of Trade Journal of 6th January, 1951, the quantities of malt and grain spirits distilled in Scotland during the year ended 30th September, 1950, were:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of articles which it is intended to add to the range which can already be imported into the United Kingdom free of Purchase Tax.

If the hon. Member is referring to the question of Purchase Tax on imported goods of types comparable with tax-free goods in the utility range, I have nothing to add to the answers which I gave to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 9th November and 30th November. 1950.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many men of big physique are unable to obtain utility clothing and have to have all garments made to measure; that hardship is caused to such men in the lower income groups and whether he will either include in the utility range larger-sized garments to fit tall and broad-chested men or else excuse such men from paying Purchase Tax on non-utility garments.

No. The utility scheme includes provisions for men's outsize and made-to-measure garments, and these are, in fact, made in substantial numbers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much timber bought under the Anglo-French Trade Agreement awaits shipment at Bordeaux; how long such timber has awaited shipment; and what deterioration it has suffered.

On 6th February the quantity of softwood timber on the quays at Bordeaux for shipment against Timber Control purchases under the Anglo-French Trade Agreement for 1950 was about 2,000 standards, the bulk of which will be loaded this week. Most of this timber has arrived at Bordeaux within the last few weeks. Pending inspection in the United Kingdom, it is not possible to say whether or not there is any deterioration due to weather conditions, but Timber Control does not expect to find any serious deterioration. There is also lying at Bordeaux quays some further 1,000 standards which is not yet available to the Timber Control for shipment. As a result of recent negotiations, it is hoped that this quantity and further supplies from inland mills will shortly be shipped to this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what facilities exist in this country for the manufacture of wood-flour.

Wood-flour is made from the waste (sawdust and chippings) arising from saw milling activities. There are some 10 producers in this country whose mills, with the requisite grinding plant, are able to deal with the full amount of wood waste available for the purpose in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the over-riding need to conserve manpower, he will cancel or suspend the proposed census of distribution.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the total amounts of trade between the United Kingdom and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950.

Following is the answer:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations with Canada for future supplies of newsprint.

I understand that the Newsprint Supply Company has been able to make arrangements for the delivery of 100,000 tons before the end of 1951, this amount including some 13,000 tons delivered towards the end of last year. No arrangements have yet been made extending beyond 1951. The Newsprint Supply Company hope to have further discussions in Canada shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the French Government have made a request to the United States Government to establish an international authority for the equitable distribution of newsprint; and if he will make a statement as to the steps he proposes to take himself to associate himself with this move.

Yes. I have been for some time convinced that this problem should be approached internationally. We were aware of the French Government's intentions before the request was made, and our representatives in Washington were instructed to support it. The proposal is for the setting up of a Commodity Group on Pulp and Paper, which, we hope, would make newsprint one of its first concerns. It is, of course, for the Commodity Group itself, to determine how best the problem could be solved whether by an allocation scheme or otherwise. No final decision has yet been taken and it would be premature to say anything further at this stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the recent newsprint cuts in this country, he proposes to reduce the exports of newsprint as soon as possible.

No; but exports of mechanical printing paper, the production of which competes with the production of newsprint, will have to be substantially reduced as from the beginning of next month, and I hope to secure additional economies in other directions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what policy is to be pursued by His Majesty's Government in regard to exports of tinplate from the United Kingdom, in view of demands from the home market for food canning and other essential requirements.

Production is at present inadequate to meet demands in full but it is hoped that the situation will improve considerably when the new continuous strip mill at Trostre comes into production in, it is expected, the latter part of this year. Exports are, under the conditions prevailing, being restricted to the lowest level consistent with our trade commitments and shipments for essential food imports. It will be the policy of His Majesty's Government to continue so to restrict them while the present shortage lasts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total output of tinplate in the United Kingdom is being exported in the form of flat sheets; and whether, in order to increase the value of our exports, he will arrange for more of this flat tinplate to be made up in the form of containers prior to export.

The latest figures available are in respect of the fourth quarter of 1950 when total exports of tinplate (very largely in sheet form) represented about 30 per cent. of production. In view of the difficult supply position, direct export of tinplate is now being restricted to the lowest level consistent with our trade commitments and shipments for essential food imports. The tinplate is necessarily exported in the form in which it is required by the overseas importers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether His Majesty's Government propose to recommend to Parliament that the United Kingdom should ratify the Havana Charter and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

As was made plain at the end of the Havana Conference, His Majesty's Government had intended to recommend to Parliament in due course, if circumstances proved favourable, that the United Kingdom should ratify the Havana Charter. In the light however of more recent developments, His Majesty's Government have come to the conclusion that there is no prospect in view of the International Trade Organisation envisaged by the Havana Charter being established and developed as an effective instrument for fostering international trade.The House will no doubt be aware in this connection of the recent announcement by the United States Administration that they do not intend to submit to the new Congress the proposal that the United States should ratify the Charter. In these circumstances, His Majesty's Government would not in any case propose to recommend to Parliament that the United Kingdom should ratify the Charter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to reintroduce clothes rationing.

No. The question of introducing clothes rationing in peacetime is not in contemplation, though plans are naturally being prepared as a precautionary defence measure in case of emergency.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the growing scarcity and increasing price of clothing; and what steps he proposes to take.

I have no evidence that clothing is scarce. Prices of all utility clothing, and of some kinds of non-utility are controlled. This control serves to keep down to a minimum and to postpone as long as is practicable in the interests of consumers any increases in garment prices resulting from rises in world prices of raw materials or in other costs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to say what adjustments he is making in the permitted prices of utility furniture, consequent on the increased cost of materials.

I have signed an Order, of which details will be published tomorrow, increasing the maximum prices of utility upholstered furniture. As regards other utility furniture, the manufacturers' federation is collecting evidence to show how production costs have increased since current maximum prices were fixed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the country's total production of art paper is being used for the Festival of Britain at the latest available date.

I cannot give an exact figure as we have no recent returns of production, but a fair estimate of the percentage of our annual production used either by the Festival authorities themselves or directly under their auspices would be about 4 per cent. I cannot, of course, give any figure for the many local efforts which are being made in many parts of the country in connection with the Festival year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will expedite the negotiation of a trade agreement with Argentina as otherwise that country will have arranged to purchase the bulk of her imports from sources other than Great Britain.

A five-year Trade and Payments Agreement was concluded with Argentina on 27th June, 1949. What we have been discussing so far as exports of United Kingdom goods are concerned has been the implementation of the undertakings then given. I fear that I am unable to suggest when a satisfactory understanding will be reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that since 1940 there has been a shortage of cigarettes in Huddersfield; and whether he will publish a table showing how supplies to this area compare with those to other areas with a comparable population.

The Government does not control the distribution of cigarettes; I therefore regret that I cannot provide the statistical information my hon. Friend is seeking. I have no reason to suppose that Huddersfield is worse off than a number of other comparable areas, but I will bring the matter to the attention of the principal suppliers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disabilities in regard to employment have still to be accepted by German and other ex-prisoners of war working in this country; and when these restrictions or disabilities are likely to be withdrawn, at least, to the extent that they are inoperative in respect of European Volunteer Workers.

With certain limited exceptions, former prisoners of war who were allowed to remain in this country to work as civilians must still obtain the permission of the Ministry of Labour before they change their approved employment. After consultation with the National Joint Advisory Council to the Ministry of Labour and National Service it has now been agreed that these ex-prisoners of war shall become eligible to apply for release from this restriction on employment when they have completed four years' work as civilians, or on 1st January, 1952, whichever date is earlier.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many aliens were naturalised during 1950; and how many applications were pending at the beginning of this year, compared with the beginning of 1950.

7,033 aliens were naturalised in 1950. About 2,650 applications were pending at the end of 1950 as compared with about 3,750 at the beginning.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is intended to bring into effect the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act, 1949, abolishing the separate commissions of the peace of non-county boroughs.

It is intended to bring Section 10 of the Act (which abolishes certain commissions of the peace) into force on the 1st October next. It is, however, just possible that on further detailed examination legal difficulties of a technical character may be found in the way of this date and a definite announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions were obtained throughout the country, in the last ascertained period, against persons who had failed to take out licences for dogs.

The number of convictions in England and Wales in 1949 was 16,121. The provisional figure for the first 11 months of 1950 is 14,761.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable magistrates in courts of first instance to impose heavier penalties for proven cases of cruelty to children.

Courts of first instance have power to impose, for cruelty to a child, a fine of £25 or six months' imprisonment or both; or they may remit the case to a superior court which may impose a fine of £100 or two years' imprisonment or both. I do not think that these powers are inadequate.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the home and housekeeping sisters are receiving in most cases a lower salary that the ward sisters; how long this has been under consideration by the Whitley Council; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Yes; revised remuneration for both grades is now being discussed by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council; I understand that until a short time ago it was uncertain which Whitley Council should consider these grades.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the dissatisfaction and irritation regarding the salaries of senior nursing staff in mental hospitals and of the increasing difficulty in filling these appointments; and when will the new scales which have been under consideration for a long time be published.

A circular giving details of the Whitley Council agreement relating to revised salary scales for these grades was issued to employing authorities on 31st January.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to provide for medical staffing when health centres have been built or acquired by local authorities and local doctors refuse to make use of them.

I am afraid I cannot generalise on this subject, and the steps to be taken would clearly depend upon the circumstances of the particular case. I should hope that agreement would normally be possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the importance of the re-vaccination of those likely to be exposed to infection, he will make provision for the vaccination of such persons by their National Health doctors without the present imposition of a charge of lymph.

Vaccination by one's doctor under the National Health Service should involve no charge. If my hon. Friend will let me have further particulars I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received from local medical committees regarding the operation of the National Health Service during this period of an abnormal degree of illness throughout the country.

I have had some representations from the General Medical Services Committee about obtaining admission to hospitals and discussions with representatives of that Committee are in progress.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the town of Alston in Cumberland has no dentist and that the nearest is some 19 miles away and if he will approach the Newcastle Regional Hospital Board with a view to providing a resident dental surgeon in this town.

I understand that a firm of dentists from Penrith provide treatment for a half day per week at a branch surgery in Alston. Arrangements are also being made to provide additional facilities at the Cottage Hospital.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now take steps to permit general practitioners to inoculate with B.C.G. vaccine and to give them discretionary powers in closed cases to send an inoculated child away from home.

Research into the use of B.C.G. in this country is still continuing, and I am advised that any general or indiscriminate distribution of the vaccine would not be prudent at present.

asked the Minister of Health what is the complement of beds for the Whittington Hospital, Highgate; how many beds cannot be used for various reasons; how this number compares with six months ago; and when it is expected that this hospital can be fully used.

1,455, of which 1,071–20 less than on the 30th June, 1950—are now in use. The remaining 384 can be brought into use only as sufficient nursing staff becomes available.

asked the Minister of Health if he has reached a decision as to the future use and administration of the Hull and East Riding Convalescent Home, Withernsea.

No. The Regional Hospital Board have prepared a scheme to reorganise the premises so as to provide accommodation for chronic sick; this is being examined by my technical staff.

asked the Minister of Health what he is doing to prevent a deterioration in the health of the nation now that coal for domestic use is being further reduced and the meat ration also is to be cut to a lower level than ever before.

I am afraid I cannot accept the assumption which underlies the hon. Member's Question.

asked the Minister of Health which of the various forms of cancer are now known to be curable, in addition to any that can be alleviated; what is the treatment adopted; and for what forms no cure has, so far, become known.

Some types of cancer can be treated with very great hope of success if treatment is sought early. I am advised, however, that it would only be misleading to attempt to give a general answer to the various parts of the Question within the limits of a Parliamentary reply.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now state that the Brighton area is clear of infection from smallpox.

I am glad to say that the Medical Officer of Health has now stated that the smallpox outbreak can be considered to be over.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give instructions to all medical officers of health that they shall release no information about dangerous infectious diseases without his approval.

No. I think that the publication of information about local health conditions is very properly a matter for the local authority and not one in which I should normally intervene.

asked the Minister of Health what opinion his medical advisers have formed regarding the reduction in the meat ration, by reducing resistance to disease, being a contributory cause of the influenza epidemic, as indicated by Dr. Frederick Haigh of Essex and Dr. Nevil Leyton of Harley Street, particulars of which have been sent to him.

I am advised that there is no evidence whatever of any connection between these two matters.

asked the Minister of Health how many notifications of new tuberculosis cases there were in Wales in 1950; how this number compares with that for 1949, and what proportion were respiratory cases; how many people in Wales died from tuberculosis in 1950; what proportion died from respiratory tuberculosis and how these figures compare with those for 1949; to what extent services and nursing staff were increased in Wales during 1950; and what new methods of treatment were employed.

Figures for tuberculosis incident and the increase in nursing staffs during 1950 are at present being compiled. One hundred and one extra tuberculosis beds were brought into use in Wales during the second half of the year. New methods employed included treatment by streptomycin and para-amino-salicylic acid.

asked the Minister of Health how many families are being accommodated by county and county borough authorities in emergency centres for the homeless.

The number of persons resident on the night of 1st January, 1951, in temporary accommodation provided under Section 21 (1) (b) of the National Assistance Act was about 5,870.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what arrangements have been concluded with New Zealand to enable settlers from the United Kingdom to New Zealand or from New Zealand to the United Kingdom to receive the social insurance benefits for which they have contributed.

Under United Kingdom arrangements already in force settlers from this country receive in New Zealand retirement pensions, widows' benefits and certain other benefits to which they are entitled under this country's schemes. There have been negotiations for a reciprocal agreement between this country and New Zealand on retirement pensions and widows' benefits. The provisions of the New Zealand social security scheme are at present under review. This has necessitated a postponement of the negotiations, but we have been informed that it is the intention of New Zealand to resume them as soon as circumstances permit. A reciprocal agreement of family allowances was concluded in 1948.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will compile a register of Britain's hotels, cafés and canteens and enforce a standard clean food code, as proposed by the Catering Trades' Working Party Report.

My right hon. Friend wishes to have the considered views of local authorities and the catering industry on the report. He will give it full consideration, in the light of these views, in consultation with the other Ministers concerned.

asked the Minister of Food from which countries he has agreed to purchase meat since 1st January; and what are the quantities, qualities and prices agreed upon.

We have continuing arrangements for the purchase of meat from certain countries. There has not been any agreement to purchase meat from other sources since 1st January.

asked the Minister of Food what supplies of meat in tons over the 1939 figure would be required to abandon rationing now.

It is extremely difficult to say how much meat would be consumed today if it were freely available. Purchasing power is much more fairly distributed now than it was in 1939 and the population has increased. It is likely that at present prices about 200,000 tons a year more would be needed than before the war.

asked the Minister of Food the total quantities dealt with by his Department for human consumption during the last 12 months in whale-meat, rabbit, reindeer, horse and squirrel.

Since 1st January, 1950, the Ministry has sold the whole of its stocks of imported rabbits, amounting to some 26,270 tons. But all dealings in rabbits are now handled by private trade; and the Ministry has at no time dealt in whalemeat, reindeer, horsemeat or squirrel.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he has taken to ensure that stores and equipment of a warlike nature are not imported into China through Hong Kong.

Exports of stores and equipment of a warlike nature to all destinations, including China, are already subject to control in Hong Kong.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the fourth progress report upon development and welfare in the West Indies discloses that forest planning was hampered by shortage of technical staff in the period 1947–49; and whether this deficiency has now been remedied.

Yes. The deficiency was part of the aftermath of the war. The position is now greatly improved and senior technical staff in Forestry Departments of the British Caribbean Colonies is almost up to establishment.

asked the Secretary of State for War to how many men on the Class Z Reserve and other Army Reserves he is issuing warning notices of call-up for 15 days' service; how he is arranging to replace men released from call-up on hardship grounds; and what is the latest date on which any Reservist required to service for 15 days during 1951 will receive notification.

The number of men on the Class Z Reserve to whom warning notices will be sent will not exceed the figure of 235,000 already announced. It is not intended to replace men exempted from call-up on hardship grounds. In reply to the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Scott) on 6th February.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any persons in receipt of disability pensions who are on Class Z Reserve are liable for call-up this summer.

Class Z reservists in receipt of disability awards are liable for recall for training, as it does not necessarily follow that a man in receipt of such an award is unfit for service. Reservists who are known to be below the required medical standard will not be recalled.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has, covering the next 10 years, to improve television reception in East Kent.

Until the present plans of the B.B.C. are nearer completion it would be premature to consider what steps should be taken in regard to areas such as East Kent, which are not covered by the initial scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport why he has refused a grant to the Salford Corporation towards resurfacing Liverpool Street, Salford.

Road maintenance works in county boroughs are not eligible for grant, but this particular work required my authorisation under Defence Regulation 56A and was the subject of an application for sanction to a loan. The street in question carries only a light volume of traffic and the work, which was estimated to cost £20,000, was not regarded as of sufficient importance and urgency to justify immediate approval.

asked the Minister of Transport what evidence he has as to the effect of the unofficial dock strike on Merseyside on shipping in the port.

The unofficial dock labour strike on Merseyside has delayed the working of a large number of ships. The shipping position on the morning of 8th February was that at Liverpool 52 ships were idle and 30 under-manned; at Birkenhead 10 ships were idle at Manchester 16 ships were idle and six under-manned, and at Bromborough one ship was under-manned.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is satisfied that the factory equipment in Scotland is adequate for the rearmament programme without the necessity of labour transfer.

In one or two cases factory space is being expanded and additional plant installed, but in general I have no reason to think that firms in Scotland with whom rearmament orders are being placed cannot undertake the work with their existing equipment. There will be some movement of labour between firms, but it seems unlikely that any considerable transfer will be involved for the time being.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that pneumoconiosis can be contracted by brushing coal dust from pit ponies; and what precautions are being taken to protect those concerned.

I am advised that the possibility of contracting pneumoconiosis in this way is considered to be remote. I am, however, having the matter investigated by His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines and if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I would be glad if he would send me particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in view of the recommendations of the Scottish Council's (Development and Industry) ad hoc joint committee on the problem of Highland transport, he will pay a subsidy to transport undertakings in the Highlands in order to lighten the burdens of transport costs.

Subsidies are already paid in respect of the steamer services operated by Messrs. David MacBrayne Limited, and of certain other steamer and boat services in the Highlands. The recommendations of the Cameron Committee did not include the payment of subsidies to other Highland transport undertakings.

asked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that men who are ready, if called, to join a Home Guard Force, are at present refraining from joining the Civil Defence Corps; and if he will make a statement on the value of Civil Defence training for those who may later transfer to a Home Guard Force.

I hope that in view of the statement that I made on 15th November last, and the amplification of that statement made in another place on 24th January by my noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation, it is now well understood that a man's value to the Home Guard would be very much increased by virtue of his having been a trained member of the Civil Defence services.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that considerable hardship is being experienced by relatives sending parcels to personnel in Korea by reason of the air mail postage rates; and whether he will make concessions in this matter especially in regard to the sending of local newspapers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Miss Burton) on 7th February and to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 31st January.