asked the Minister of Works what revision of the new Colonial Office building plans is contemplated.

I am considering the possibility of revising the plans, and will announce the decision as soon as it has been reached.

If I put down another Question in the near future, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement?

I hope to be able to make a statement, perhaps, next week.

asked the Minister of Works how much more metal is used in the British Waterworks Association's Standard tap, BS 1010, than in the Ministry of Health's Swan tap; what taps are now being used in the home market; and what taps are being exported.

Taps produced by different makers vary slightly in weight, but on the average the ½ inch B.S. 1010 tap is about 1½ ozs. heavier than the Ministry of Health's Swan tap, and the ¾ inch B.S. 1010 tap is about 2 ozs. heavier than the Ministry of Health pattern. Both B.S. 1010 and Ministry of Health taps are used at home and are exported.

Yes, but does not the Swan tap use very much less material, relatively speaking, than the other tap, and why is it not used more extensively in the home market at this time of shortage of materials?

Arrangements are being made to specify it so far as possible, but it takes time. But progress is being made in this direction.

Is this a case of a new standard being forced on the industry partly by the Ministry of Health and partly by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

Do I understand that it is definitely the Government's intention to go back to the Ministry of Health tap which was used in the last war to economise in the use of metal?

No; not entirely so.

asked the Minister of Works why additional buildings for the Foreign Office are to be constructed.

The existing building in Downing Street, which was adequate for the purpose of the Foreign Office in 1868, when the staff was approximately 150, and the annual intake of despatches was 26,000, is not adequate now when the staff is approximately 2,500, and the annual intake of despatches is 569,000. The Foreign Office is at present accommodated in six buildings, and this makes the conduct of business difficult.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the more despatches despatched, the greater the risk of war?

No. This is an intake of despatches.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that the space for the Foreign Office would be greatly increased if fewer despatches came in and more time were given to their consideration?

It is rather difficult to refuse to receive them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend to his colleagues at the Foreign Office that they should take over the enormous building at present occupied by the Ministry of Civil Aviation?

asked the Minister of Works the total value of private building works authorised by his Department in Scotland during 1950.

The total value of private building work licensed by my Department in Scotland during 1950 was £18,718,000. This figure includes work to industrial, commercial and agricultural buildings.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a large body of opinion in Scotland which thinks that the work authorised has been excessive and has had an adverse effect on housing output? Could he sub-divide the figures into cinemas, offices, and buildings of that kind?

I do not think there are any cinemas at all, but I will look it up if my hon. Friend wants to know. Of the £18 million, £12 million is for sponsored work asked for by other Departments, and about £5 million is for maintenance.

Since the figure which my right hon. Friend gives for 1950 reveals no diminution compared with that for 1949, will he undertake, in view of the shortage of building materials in Scotland, to impose a restriction on this semi-luxury building?

I do not think that any of it could be called semi-luxury. We have very close control on all this, and I can assure my hon. Friend that I keep a constant eye on it.

How many despatches have been received in this connection?

asked the Minister of Works what safeguards are taken by his Department in Scotland to ensure that the amount for which a building licence is granted by his Department is not exceeded.

Any complaints of irregularity are investigated, and there are limited arrangements for inspecting work in progress.

In connection with the inspection arrangements, is my right hon. Friend aware that many of us representing constituencies in Scotland are receiving complaints about work not being inspected, and about people doing just what they like after they have got licences? Could I have some information as to what method of review there is, once work is authorised?

I cannot give that, but I can assure my hon. Friend that a licensing officer satisfies himself, before a licence is granted, that the work can be carried out within the licence figure. I am not prepared to engage an army of snoopers to go around.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that in Glasgow there is a considerable increase of spending on luxury redecoration authorised by his Department?

If my hon. Friend will bring any particular case to my notice, I will gladly have it looked into.

asked the Minister of Works the number of prosecutions initiated by his Department in Scotland in connection with building activities where the interest concerned has exceeded the sum authorised by the building licence granted by his Department.

There have been nine such prosecutions in Scotland in the last two years.

What is the number of alleged infringements that have been reported to the Department, and how many prosecutions have been successful out of the number initiated by the Department?

I could not say anything about alleged infringements. In all there were 30 cases in which proceedings were taken, in 21 of which the free limit had been exceeded.

asked the Minister of Works what proposition was put before the Royal Fine Art Commission that a definite floor area was indispensable for the new offices with regard to the Westminster Hospital site.

The Royal Fine Art Commission was informed that the architect's plans only just met the requirements of the Colonial Office.

Does not the Minister recognise that they were given information which made it impossible for them to make modifications, with the result that there will be a building there which will dominate Westminster Abbey, to the great detriment of this part of London?

I think it would be best if the hon. Gentleman awaited the statement I hope to make next week.

Will the Minister publish the exact information given to the Royal Fine Art Commission on this point?

I will consider it, but I cannot promise.

Will the statement the Minister is going to make be the final word on this matter, or will it be open to discussion after he has made his statement.

It will be as final as anything is final.

asked the Minister of Works the registered number of building workers in Edinburgh; and what proportion of these were working in Edinburgh, and what proportion were registered in Edinburgh, but resident and working elsewhere, respectively.

On 15th May, 1950, the latest date for which figures are available, the total number of building workers employed by contractors with business addresses in Edinburgh was 15,113, of which it is estimated that about 8,000 were working in Edinburgh. I have no information as to the place of residence of the remainder, but many of them were employed on hydro-electric and other large schemes scattered over Scotland and would be engaged locally.

Is the Minister aware that the figure of 15,000 gives the impression that in Edinburgh they are not using the full amount of building labour available, and that the present system of registration misleads the public, as apparently 7,000 of those registered workers are employed outside the city.

asked the Minister of Works if he will consider installing in the Members' Lobby the five brass chandeliers, originally in Sir Christopher Wren's 18th Century House of Commons and acquired by his Department in 1946, in place of the five existing fluorescent lights.

The chandeliers which are believed to have hung in the temporary House of Commons fitted up after the tire of 1834 cannot be adapted for the fluorescent lighting used in the Members' Lobby. I propose to hang three of the chandeliers on the staircase leading from the Lower to the Upper Waiting Halls. One is already temporarily in suspension.

Everyone in the House appreciates the interest the Minister takes in these questions and the action which he is already thinking of taking in regard to these chandeliers, but does he not realise that at the moment the fluorescent lights in the Members' Lobby are so bright that there cannot be more than two on at a time, and would it not be worth while considering putting in the more old-fashioned types of lighting instead?

No, that is not the case. The reason only two are lighted is in the interests of fuel economy. I know that there is criticism of the fluorescent lights, but it would be quite impracticable to change them to the old candelabra; they just would not work at all. If the fluorescent lighting were changed, it would cost a very considerable sum of money, and it would have to be reviewed.

Apart from the practical consideration of saving fuel, is my right hon. Friend aware that there is no great difference between neo-Gothic fluorescent lighting and electrically equipped 17th Century chandeliers?

My hon. Friend had better try that one on the architect.

Is the right hon. Gentleman still absolutely convinced that it is pleasant to sit under this beastly fluorescent lighting? Would not something in the nature of chandeliers be very much more easy on the eye?

That really has nothing to do with this Question. Before the new Chamber was opened, I had the lights completely changed round so as to improve the colour, and I think we had much better endure this a little longer and see how we get on.

asked the Minister of Works the number of units of electricity consumed in the Palace of Westminster during the two weeks ended 3rd February.

Information on electricity consumption at the Palace of Westminster is only available for periods of a month. No information for February is yet available. The consumption for the month ending 27th January, 1951, was 141,274 units.

Do I understand from that reply that nobody is capable of reading a meter in this building?

No, Sir. The routine arrangement is that the meter is read once a month.

Why could not they do it once a fortnight? I want to know what is consumed when we are sitting.

It is quite absurd to suggest that we should alter the routine every time a Question is asked.

It is a matter of two minutes' work.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that less electricity might be consumed if the windows were cleaner?

asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange to leave the Lion and the Unicorn statues in the Westminster Hall in their present position.

No, Sir. As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Enfield, West (Mr. lain MacLeod), on 6th February, it is proposed to remove the Lion and the Unicorn this month when the curtain in Westminster Hall is taken down.

What is to take the place of the present statues?

The Stone of Scone.

Nothing. The figures were made for a particular celebration, and they are not of a durable character. If it were desired to put up durable statues, they would have to be in stone and would take some time to make.

Will the Minister consider replacing them with permanent stone figures?

Yes, if there were really considerable feeling in favour of it.

asked the Minister of Works what steps are being taken to make known to the people who will visit the Festival, particularly those from abroad, the principles of our Parliamentary institutions, by the display of models and the sale of literature in or near the Palace of Westminster.

As announced by you, Sir, on 21st November, 1950, an exhibition describing the history and functions of Parliament is to be held in the Grand Committee Room during the Summer Recess. Arrangements for the sale of literature throughout the period of the Festival are under consideration.

Is the Minister satisfied that the exhibition in the Grand Committee Room will meet the requirements of the large number of people who are coming to this country and who will take an interest in our Parliamentary institutions?

Yes, I think so. It is the best we can do, anyway. The alternative was Westminster Hall, which I resisted because I think it desirable that Westminster Hall should be kept empty.

Is the Minister considering establishing a literature stall so that people can buy literature dealing with our Parliamentary institutions?

I thought I made that clear in my reply. That is under consideration. It is a question of making detailed arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour how many European volunteer workers are engaged in the Lancashire cotton textile industry; and how many have sought permission to return home.

The number at present employed in this industry is not available but approximately 9,000 have been recruited. This includes 1,200 Austrians and Italians who came on a temporary two-year engagement of whom about 250 have gone home. Permission to return home is not needed.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that these people are being absorbed into the Lancashire cotton towns without difficulty; and is it intended to bring more of these voluntary workers into the Lancashire cotton towns?

There may well be small instances of difficulty in this sort of thing, but I have not heard of any difficulty of any size in the absorption of these people. I do not know that there is at the moment any question of bringing more in.

Is it not a fact that these people have done admirable work?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received the report of the sub-committee of the National Joint Advisory Council, which was set up in April, 1949, to examine restrictive practices in industry.

This question was discussed at the recent meeting of the National Joint Advisory Council on 31st January, when it was agreed that in the present critical conditions it would be preferable for each industry to examine what could be done in the circumstances of that industry to increase productivity to the full and to remove any obstacles to full production. This new positive approach to the question has the support of both sides of industry, and I am confident that it will prove to be the most effective way of tackling the problem.

Is the Minister aware that it is now nearly two years since the Lord President of the Council promised the House that a full investigation would be made into this question, and can the House be given fuller information about this?

It is not a question of a Government inquiry. It is a question for both sides of the National Joint Advisory Council and there has been no attempt by the Government to stop it. There are difficulties, and both sides are co-operating very well to try to overcome them.

Does the information at the Minister's disposal enable him to state whether Luddite practices are increasing or diminishing?

I think that they diminished long ago.

asked the Minister of Labour what were the average hours worked per week in the metal-working industries in April, 1945, and at the latest available date.

The average number of hours worked in the metal, vehicles, engineering and shipbuilding industries by manual wage-earners covered by returns received by the Ministry of Labour and National Service was 47.2 in the last pay-week of January, 1945, 47.5 in the last pay-week of July, 1945, and 45.8 in the last pay-week of April, 1950. Information is not yet available for any later date.

asked the Minister of Labour how many times Order 1305 has been invoked against employers and employees respectively.

From the inception of the Order in July, 1940, up to 7th February, 1951, there were 4,029 reports made under the Order by or on behalf of workers; 97 were made by or on behalf of employers, and 16 were made jointly by employers and workers.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the amount of subsistence allowances, and any other grants, made to building labourers from Ireland.

No such allowances are payable by my Department as this matter is covered by an industrial agreement within the industry.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the committee which was set up last year to investigate conditions in the London Docks has yet reported; and whether it is his intention to publish the report.

I am informed by the Chairman of the Committee that the report will be available early next month. The report will be published.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there must be something badly wrong with labour relations in this industry, and that if this Committee can open the way to an improvement of these relations, this report will be very welcome to the whole nation?

I am quite sure that the report will be very welcome.

Is it intended to set up a similar committee to make a report on other disputes?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will publish the report on fuel economy submitted to him by the Electricity Sub-Committee of the National Joint Advisory Council.

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Sub-Committee's report on electricity load-spreading. This document was not printed, but I am sending a copy of it to the hon. Member and am placing copies in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to enable unemployed persons over 50 to have greater opportunity of employment in both public and private service.

I and my Department are with the full support of the National Joint Advisory Council, taking every opportunity to urge the employment of older workers as far as possible. So far as the Government service is concerned, there is no age limit of 50, and workers over that age who are suitable are accepted.

Is it not the case that at the age of 65 all established civil servants are forced to retire, and does not the hon. Gentleman think that the time has come, in view of the ageing population, when this antiquated practice should be reviewed?

We have an Adjournment debate on this subject tonight, and we shall value the opinions of the hon. Gentleman.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer my question?

Is it not a fact that when civil servants retire on pension they are restricted in the amount which they are permitted to earn, which discourages them from taking other employment, and will the Parliamentary Secretary consult his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter?

I gave a full answer in the Adjournment debate on 19th July last on the question of employees in Government service, and I think that if the hon. and gallant Member will look at the report of the debate, he will find that the Government's record compares very favourably indeed with that of private industry.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that the total amount involved in the strike of boilermakers in Bristol, who have been out for a month, is only £4 2s. 6d.; and if he will make a further attempt to settle this dispute.

I am informed that one of the two questions in dispute has now been resolved and that agreement has been reached between the parties to discuss the outstanding question immediately work has been resumed. It is hoped that work will be resumed tomorrow.

Is the Minister aware that the secondary cause of the dispute was the refusal of the men to use a ladder which did not conform with the regulations, and will he see that in future an inspector is there to ensure that the regulations are carried out? Is he further aware that during the month the men have lost £1,600 wages as a result of this strike?

I do not want to comment now on this particular dispute. I think that we are nearing the end of the dispute. I hope that it will end tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will introduce legislation to extend to all Territorial Army personnel the Government's proposals with regard to reinstatement in civil employment and holiday with pay.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now consider taking steps to ensure that no Territorial soldier is made by his employer to count periods spent at camp against his normal holiday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that the same protection as to paid holidays is given to all who attend 15 days camp with Territorial Army units this year whether they are volunteers, National Service men or Class Z Reservists.

There is at present nothing to add to the answer to a similar Question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross), on 6th February.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain why it is that the benefits and privileges which are granted to conscripts are being denied to those who volunteer to serve their country?

I should have thought that the answer was obvious. When a person volunteers, it is difficult to ask an employer to continue to give certain benefits. On the other hand, the whole question is under discussion at the moment, and I hope that hon. Members will not press for an answer now.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that this is a difficulty which could quite well be surmounted, and does he not think that this is imposing on the goodwill and loyalty of volunteers who are supporting the Government's present scheme for re-armament?

No, Sir. I do not think that we are imposing upon them at all.

Does the Minister not know that the Territorial Army are trying to do all that they can to get Class Z persons to volunteer, and is not this refusal of his Department obstructing the policy of the War Office? Cannot he get together with the War Office and devise a suitable plan?

I am not aware that I have refused anything.

Does not the difficulty, quite rightly raised by hon. Members opposite, give an opportunity to employers to demonstrate their patriotism by providing for volunteers exactly the same conditions as are provided for conscripts?

Is the Minister aware that if the Government do not settle these points quickly when they arise, this will have a most serious effect on the volunteer effort in this country?

In view of the unsympathetic reply, I beg to give notice I will raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour what consideration has been given to the further dilution of skilled labour in engineering in view of the re-armament programme.

At a recent meeting, the National Joint Advisory Council agreed that schemes of training, upgrading and dilution should be developed by different industries in order to overcome the scarcity of skilled workers. So far as the engineering industry is concerned, existing agreements already provide for dilution, and the amount of it can be extended as the need arises.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that there are many men who have acquired considerable skill over a period of years and are still regarded as dilutees, and would it not be worth while to clear up that matter first before considering taking on further persons?

That is a matter entirely between the trade unions and the employers concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the number of cases of fraud perpetrated on ex-Service men and women, he has considered the advisability of introducing a system of licences for private employment agencies; and, if not, what action he proposes to take to safeguard the interests of those who are seeking employment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will take steps to control, by a system of licensing or otherwise, the activities of private employment agencies charging exorbitant fees or commission.

Many local authorities already have powers under local Acts to control by licence the activities of private employment agencies. The question whether further powers should be sought is under consideration. Meanwhile, persons seeking employment can best safeguard their own interests by using the free services provided by the employment exchanges.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information as to whether these frauds are as commonplace as appears to be thought in many quarters?

I know there are some, but I am afraid I could not give any definite number.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the time for bringing to an end this undesirable form of private enterprise is long overdue?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that his Department has been in existence for 40 years organising employment and unemployment, and that private persons still prefer to go to these private agencies?

I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman's question is misleading or not, but during the time of this Government they have been organising employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of students who have completed their training in the four years since the National Institute of House Workers was set up.

Seven hundred and eleven.

Since the cost involved, as I understand, is nearly half a million pounds, could my hon. Friend say what the Government's policy is in regard to the future of this Institute; and could he also say whether these women take the training to go into domestic work or to increase their matrimonial prospects?

I should have thought that the service was doing admirable work indeed, and if my hon. Friend looks at the very fine results obtained, I think he will agree that it was well worth while.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the expenditure of half a million pounds to train 700 people works out at something of the order of £700 per person trained? Is that economy?

I hope that the hon. Gentleman will offset against that the very great benefit that is done to the people employing these girls and to the girls themselves.

I hope my hon. Friend will keep in mind how very important it is not to have household work made into casual labour, and how very important indeed is the work done by this Institute.

asked the Minister of Labour what information he has been able to obtain from the regional and local offices of his Department on the future trend of employment among railwaymen as a result of the cuts in train services; and what steps he is taking to provide other employment for them.

I have had no information from the regional and local offices of my Department reporting an unfavourable trend of employment among railwaymen.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the report that the train services are being cut, and has he called for any information from the branch offices with regard to this? Secondly, will he tell the House whether he agrees with the estimate of his hon. Friend the Member for Reading, North (Mr. R. Mackay), that there are already 90,000 men redundant on British Railways? Does he agree with that estimate or not?

I would rather take the word of the Railway Executive on the question of those people who are redundant.

Does the Minister agree that this is a matter which can well be taken care of by the trade unions catering for the industry, and would it not be well to leave it to them?

Yes, I think it is a question to be decided between the trade unions and the industry.

Is the Minister aware that recently 30 men were stood-off at Lancing railway works and that another 16 followed?

The hon. and gallant Member is giving information rather than asking for it.

asked the Minister of Labour what weight is given in the cost-of-living index to butcher's meat, cooked ham, poultry and rabbit, respectively.

In the Interim Index of Retail Prices beef, mutton and lamb carry a weight of 37 out of a total of 1,000 for all items. Expenditure on all other meat (excluding bacon and ham), carries a weight of 23 out of 1,000. To represent the wide range of meat products covered by this group, the prices of seven items, each having the same weight, are taken. Two of these items relate to pork and one to rabbits. Cooked ham and poultry are not included in the list of items for which prices are obtained in compiling the index.

Does not that somewhat misleading reply really mean that the Government are forcing the housewives to purchase what the bureaucrats would call non-index meat in order to protect their precious cost-of-living index, and how much longer will the public be asked to believe in this fraudulent fetish?

It depends on how one looks at it. I think that it is the Question which is intended to be misleading and not the answer.

Can the Minister give the figures for fish?

asked the Minister of Labour how many appellants, who have appeared as conscientious objectors, have had their appeals dismissed, with a list of the grounds given for dismissing the appeal and the numbers in each case.

I understand that this question relates to Scotland only. 1,743 out of 2,760 appeals were dismissed between the first sitting in December, 1939, and the end of 1950. The Appellate Tribunal is not required to state the grounds for its decisions.

Does this number include the case of a well-known Scottish Nationalist whose appeal was dismissed on the ground that he was a Scottish Nationalist, and who was asked whether he had stolen the Stone of Destiny? Has the Minister any power at all to instruct these tribunals to review their decision?

I do not know if it included the Scottish Nationalist whom my hon. Friend has in mind, but if he will give me details of the case, possibly I can find out something about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many fishings are owned by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.

The only fishings of any consequence owned by the Board are the Brahan and Scatwell fishings on the River Conon and the fishings at Invergarry. The Board also own fishing rights in Loch Faskally, the new reservoir at Pitlochry, and six minor fishings.

Will not the Board be owning many more fishings as new schemes develop, and are not these very valuable assets so far as the tourist industry is concerned? Does the hon. Lady know what the Board intends to do about them?

I could not say at this moment how many more the Board will be owning, but from the policy carried out by the Board it is very evident that they realise the importance of these fishings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the conflict of opinion expressed by correspondence between the Scottish Herring Producers' Association and the Herring Industry Board, copies of which correspondence have been passed to him, regarding the financial state of the herring trade; and what steps he proposes to take to bring about a united effort on the part of all those engaged in the catching and sale of herring.

I have seen this correspondence. It relates to the Government's refusal of an application for a subsidy, which was made and strongly pressed by the Board on behalf of herring catchers, and to certain measures proposed by the Board and accepted by the Government to improve the general position of the industry. I understand that the Board intend shortly to submit further proposals to the Government.

In view of the high point which this controversy has reached, does not the hon. Gentleman think that perhaps he ought to invite the Herring Producers' Association to meet him and the Board and settle what is, after all, a very important matter, which is causing great trouble?

I think that the Secretary of State and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries must accept that the Board is the instrument selected by Parliament to act as its agency, and we have to await the initiative coming from the Herring Industry Board.

Will the hon. Gentleman remind his colleague the Minister of Food that Parliament intended the Herring Industry Board to be its instrument, and that the Ministry of Food should not be interfering all the time in the most deleterious way in the affairs of the Board?

Is the Minister aware that one of the grievances of the herring fishermen in my constituency is that they are liable to the Class Z call-up and that the miners and agricultural workers are not? Will he make representations to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour so that the fishermen can be exempted from any call-up of Class Z Reservists?

Do I take it from the hon. Gentleman's answer that he has definitely turned down any suggestion that the Herring Producers' Association should send a deputation to meet him?

Not at all. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the herring producers have been frequently to see my right hon. Friend, but it was the hon. Gentleman who said to me just now, in a supplementary question, that we should arrange for the producers to see the Board and have a meeting with them and the Minister, and I have said in my original answer that I understand that the Herring Board is about to submit further proposals. We shall receive and consider them.

In view of the fact that I have received no reply to my supplementary question, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what decrease has taken place in the number of meals provided for school children since the charge per meal was increased.

The decrease is about 16,800 meals, or under 6 per cent.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this decrease in the consumption of school meals is causing serious concern among local authorities in Scotland, and will she look into the matter, because it is felt that it is imposing hardship on school children?

I have already gone very closely into this, and I can say that the whole of this decrease cannot be attributed to the rise in the cost of living. At the present time, each meal is subsidised at the rate of 8½d. and when there is more than one child in the family. at more than 8½d.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is prepared to take steps to enable retired teachers, who so desire, to return to duty without loss of pension.

The draft of the Superannuation Scheme, which was published in December, 1949, contains proposals under which the pensions of retired teachers returning to service will be suspended and the teachers may be awarded increased pensions on final retirement and may receive an addition to their lump sums. No objection has beer taken to these proposals.

Is my hon. Friend aware that my information is that there is very serious discontent in the teaching profession in Scotland with regard to the cut in pension which takes place when a teacher resumes teaching, and in view of the shortage of teachers will she look at this matter again?

Can the hon. Lady assure the House that in all cases the salaries paid will exceed the pensions?

I cannot give that assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of the present uncertainty, it is proposed to give any further consideration to the rates of pay and conditions of service of unqualified nursing staff employed in the National Health Service.

I understand that the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council are awaiting a claim from the staff side in respect of unqualified nurses, other than those in mental hospitals who have already been dealt with by the Council.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the unqualified nurses will be very gratified with her reply, because they have been waiting so long and were beginning to feel that they were nobody's babies? Will the Minister ensure that the question of retrospective payment is considered?

I am afraid that at the present time I cannot give them that assurance. The decision is made by the Whitley Council, on which the staff side is represented.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has sent to the Scottish Herring Producers Association in response to the appeal in connection with tinplate supplies contained in their letter to him of 7th February.

Although tinplate is in very short supply and many industries are having to accept cuts in their allocations, it is hoped to allocate to the fish canners the same supplies as in 1950. The canners have been told this and invited to get in touch with the Ministry of Food at once should they run into any difficulties. My right hon. Friend is writing to the Association accordingly, and is sending the hon. Member a copy of his letter.

Is not this a matter for the Herring Industry Board to take up with the canners, and not for the Government? Why is the Board excluded? Why must it be done by the Ministry of Food?

I should have thought it fairly obvious that the canners should get into touch with the Ministry of Food, and not with the Herring Industry Board.

Is the Minister not aware that a very small reduction in the amount of the tinplate we are now exporting would satisfy the requirements of the canners in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to encourage the making of silage in Northern Scotland.

I can assure the hon. Member that very active steps to encourage silage making are being taken both in Northern Scotland and elsewhere.

In view of the importance of this matter, could the Under-Secretary of State give us more information about what the steps are?

Certainly. The North of Scotland College, for example, have arranged lectures and demonstrations, and there are exhibition films and feeding trials. I believe that the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society have arranged a special exhibit for June next. There has been a great increase in silage making in Scotland in recent years. There has not been the same increase in Orkney and Shetland, but I hope that the position will improve there.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take, in view of the recommendations of the Cameron Committee, to alleviate the burden of transport costs in the Highlands.

The recommendations of the Cameron Committee relating to transport costs are primarily matters for the British Transport Commission. I understand that the Commission have informed the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) that the recommendations will be considered in connection with the charges schemes now being drafted which will be submitted to the Transport Tribunal in due course.

Is the hon. Lady aware that the charges scheme will not be out till late this year and that in the meantime the burden is continuing? Is she further aware that the Cameron Committee recommended that there should be a deliberate policy of decreasing the charges? Will she ask her right hon. Friend to consult the Minister of Transport and to try to get a policy which will help the Highlands now?

All the suggestions have been forwarded to the only body which can consider them at the present time, and we must await the decision made by that body.

Can the hon. Lady say whether the Cameron Committee's Report has been published, and if not, whether it will be published soon, because we get many inquiries in this matter, and the Committee's recommendations may go a long way to help organisations in the North of Scotland?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the average price per pound paid by his Department for the 1950 Scotch wool clip; and what selling price was obtained by his Department.

The overall average price paid for the 1950 clip in the United Kingdom was 27.05d. per pound. As the hon. and gallant Member knows, in accordance with the wool marketing scheme approved by Parliament last year, the clip is now being sold by auction under the authority of the British Wool Marketing Board. Prices have increased greatly in recent months and the latest figures range from 126d. to 153d. per pound.

If this money is not being used for an equalisation fund, is it not obvious that a large profit is being made by the Government by monopolistic control and that the cost of living is thereby increased, while the difficulties of cloth manufacturers in the Highlands and Islands are being made much more severe?

The hon. and gallant Member must not have heard me correctly. The wool is being sold by the British Wool Marketing Board, which is not an instrument of the Government but an instrument of the producers. If a profit is being made, it is being made by them.

asked the Minister of Pensions what are the numbers of pensioners of the 1914–19 war and the 1939–45 war, respectively, who have tuberculosis; and the total numbers of those two categories who are classified as 100 per cent. disabled.

The numbers are estimated to be 17,000 and 52,000 respectively; of these pensioners 3,800 and 28,700 respectively are estimated to be in receipt of pension at the 100 per cent. disablement rate.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many pensioners are now receiving the 100 per cent, rate, plus both the unemployability supplement and constant attendance allowance.

Four thousand five hundred and fifty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the maximum holiday and sick leave with pay allowed annually to the three highest grades of civil servants, respectively.

For established staff in these grades, annual leave is allowed, subject to the needs of the Service, up to 36 days a year, in addition to public and privilege holidays not exceeding nine a year. Saturday absence, however, counts as a full day's leave. The corresponding allowance before the war was 48 days, in addition to the public holidays. The reductions made during the war have thus not so far been fully restored.

Sick absence, supported by a medical certificate of incapacity, may be granted to any established civil servant up to six months on full pay in any 12 months, followed by six months on half pay. This is subject to an overriding limit of 12 months' sick leave in any period of four years.

In view of the present difficulties, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this leave is rather excessive?

The hon. Member will no doubt bear in mind that there is not a five-day week in the Civil Service administrative grades, and further that it would not be right to suppose that all or by any means all civil servants in those grades take the maximum amount of leave.

Would the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that any period served in a Territorial camp will not count against the annual holiday?

I will look into that point.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds he has agreed to pay men typists one and a quarter times as much as women typists for the same work, while he continues to pay women civil servants less than men civil servants for equal work in other grades; and if he will remedy this position.

This agreement was reached in the light of a recent award of the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.