asked the Minister of Food how much pig meat was obtained from home production in 1950; and what is his Department's policy of distribution.

About 246,000 tons for the commercial market and about 38,000 tons under the self-suppliers scheme. Generally, we use as much suitable pig meat as possible for bacon production, but fortunately at present our total supplies of bacon, both home-produced and imported, enable me to direct some pig meat to the fresh meat market.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an estimate, at current rates of purchase, of what would be the retail price of lamb, beef and pork, if no consumer subsidy was paid by the Government.

As the costs of meat vary widely, not only as between the different types, but according to sources of supply and, not least, differing qualities, it is impossible to give an answer which would not be very misleading. It would be even more misleading to give an estimate at any particular time as the full incidence of the subsidy on prices can only be measured over a full year in the light of changing seasonal supplies, and the offset against the subsidy of the sales of hides, wool and other by-products from home-killed animals.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present retail price of reindeer meat; and what quantity has been imported.

This meat is not the direct concern of the Ministry of Food. It is imported entirely by private traders and sold free of price restriction. I understand that it is selling at from 2s. to 4s. 6d. per lb., according to the cut. Imports are not separately recorded in the official trade returns, but the quantity is quite small.

asked the Minister of Food how much beef and pork was received from East Africa and Rhodesia in 1950; and what action he is taking to increase the purchase by the United Kingdom from these territories.

No carcase beef was imported from these territories in 1950, but we obtained about 10 tons of tinned beef privately under licence from East Africa and about 600 tons of pork sides for bacon production from Kenya, in addition to a very small quantity of pork offals from Southern Rhodesia. We have a five-year contract for the supply of pork or bacon by Kenya. Carcase beef could not be imported at present from East Africa because of the prevalence there of rinderpest disease. There is no exportable surplus of carcase meat in Northern Rhodesia and only a small surplus in Southern Rhodesia. This is absorbed by neighbouring territories. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies is, however, doing everything possible to encourage meat production in the area, the successful results of which will contribute to reducing imports by these territories from United Kingdom sources of supply.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of his recent decision to divert pigs from bacon curers to the fresh meat market, it is now his policy to provide more pork and less bacon.

These measures are only temporary. It will remain our policy to use as many suitable pigs as possible for bacon production, but I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture what can be done to encourage the increased production of pigs in the early part of the year so as to make some available for consumption as fresh pork.

asked the Minister of Food how much beef, veal, pork and ham he has purchased from France; and if deliveries are now being made.

My Department has recently bought 4,800 tons of beef from France, but no veal, pork or ham. Deliveries of the beef are expected to be completed by the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Food if he will prohibit the sale of rabbits mangled by trapping.

Whilst I have every sympathy with the object behind the hon. Member's Question, it would be quite impossible effectively to enforce any legislative prohibition on the lines suggested.

asked the Minister of Food whether he intends to amend the maximum price order relating to table jellies to permit a higher price in view of the rise in the cost of the essential ingredients.

I am discussing this matter with the Food Manufacturers' Federation.

asked the Minister of Food how much meat has been exported to the Argentine since 1st January, 1950; and whether he will give details of the types of meat exported.

There is no record that any meat of any kind has been exported to Argentina since 1st January, 1950. I hope that I have by now emphasised this fact sufficiently to dispose of the quite unfounded reports to the contrary which have been given wide circulation lately.

asked the Minister of Food whether, instead of increasing the sweet ration, he will increase the sugar ration to enable housewives to make more home-made jams and to bottle fruit.

My aim must be, in consultation with all the interests concerned, to maintain a fair balance between manufacturers and the domestic ration in these matters. The sugar ration has already been increased, and the extra sugar being given to sweets manufacturers is much too small to enable me to increase the domestic ration further.In reply to a written Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Coatbridge and Airdrie (Mrs. Mann), I am today announcing details of this year's programme of six special issues of sugar for jam making, which should enable housewives to plan their preserving in advance.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now able to announce whether there will be any bonus issues of sugar for jam making; and if these will be in addition to the recent sugar increase.

Six 1 lb. bonuses of sugar will be issued for jam making this spring and summer—the same as last year. The first will be available in April and can be drawn at any time after 25th March. The second will be issued towards the end of May, to be followed by further bonuses in June, July, August and September. I hope that this early announcement will help housewives to plan their arrangements for jam making and preserving to the best advantage.

asked the Minister of Food what restrictions he places on the sale and distribution of dried eggs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Egg Products (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1946, as amended, which prohibits the purchase or sale of dried egg for domestic consumption unless pre-packed in small containers, fixes maximum prices and contains various licensing and other provisions.

asked the Minister of Food why, since no evidence of any substantial increase in the cost of production has been produced by the growers of colonial and other suppliers of coffee, the prices for 1950–51 and 1952 crops have been increased by an average of 100 per cent.

These prices were increased in exchange for the right to re-sell the coffee to earn dollars.

asked the Minister of Food why foreign ships at United Kingdom ports are permitted to purchase foodstuffs which are subject to price control and therefore at subsidised prices; and what was the total cost last year of subsidising these foreign purchases.

There are serious administrative difficulties in recovering the subsidy on food supplied for oceangoing vessels, while maintaining subsidised prices for coasters and fishing-boats, but I am still examining what can be done to solve these difficulties. In the meantime foreign ships may only take on food supplies at ports in this country sufficient to take them to the first foreign port of call. There are no separate figures for the subsidy on supplies going to foreign ships, but figures obtained for foreign passenger ships during the last three months of 1949 showed a subsidy figure of just over £3,000 or £12,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Food why, in view of the food shortages, foreign ships in British ports are allowed to avail themselves of the food subsidy paid for by the British taxpayer when purchasing certain foodstuffs.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave today to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne).

asked the Minister of Food how many tins of brisling, sild and sprats have been bought from Holland and Denmark in recent years; and how many tins he has left unsold.

About 30 million tins. I am unable, for reasons of elementary commercial prudence, to give the figure of unsold stock.

asked the Minister of Food how many tins of foreign brislings, sild and sprats his Department holds; what has been the cost of advertising these sprats; and how much public money has been lost upon bulk purchase of foreign sprats in the last two years.

About £10,000 was spent last year in advertising canned brisling, but this covered brisling generally and did not refer to foreign brisling. I cannot yet say what will be the ultimate financial outcome of these transactions; and in the meantime it would not serve the public interest if I were to give stock figures.

asked the Minister of Food when the salaries of the chairman, deputy-chairman and other members of the Overseas Food Corporation were last increased; by how much; and to what figure.

There have been no increases.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent shipping companies' trans-Atlantic liners on regular passenger services and cruises are being victualled in United Kingdom ports in greater numbers than they were less than 12 months ago; and why liners are not taking supplies in the United States of America and Canada as they formerly did.

My Parliamentary Secretary has already written to my hon. Friend to explain that it has been our considered policy since early 1949 that British liners sailing to hard currency areas should take on stores in this country for the round voyage in order to save dollars. I am advised that there has been no material increase in the number of liners victualled in United Kingdom ports during the last 12 months.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of improving world supplies of sugar, he will now enable old age pensioners to exchange sweet points for extra sugar; and whether he will give an estimate of how much this concession would involve.

As I told the hon. Member on 13th November last, this proposal, although at first sight an attractive one, has many practical difficulties. I hope, however, that he will agree that the recent increase in the sugar ration and the six sugar bonuses announced today, will materially relieve the difficulties of old age pensioners.

asked the Minister of Food what was the cost to the taxpayer in 1949–50 of the 13 per cent. of the milk production supplied to beneficiaries under the welfare foods and milk-in-schools schemes.

asked the Minister of Food how much of the £17,600,475 spent by his Department in administrative expenses in 1949–50 was spent for the administration of enforcement of control and rationing, respectively.

The work of rationing is so closely linked with the work of procurement and distribution that its cost

About £21,500,000 for milk under the welfare foods service, and £8 million for the milk-in-schools Scheme.

asked the Minister of Food to state the comparative prices paid in 1950 for home-produced and imported wheat, barley, sugar, beef, mutton, lamb, pork, bacon and shell eggs.

:cannot be estimated separately. The salary cost for enforcement was £494,000.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give details of services received from other Departments without cash reimbursement amounting to £4,900 in 1949–50.

Services received from other Departments without cash reim- bursement in 1949–50 amounted to nearly £4,900,000. The details are as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the importance from the defence point of view of maintaining the small ports on the West Coast of England in an operational condition, he will convene a conference of Departments concerned with the use of such ports to ascertain what can be done to ensure their maintenance and development.

I am, of course, fully aware of the part played by the small ports on the West Coast and elswhere in the United Kingdom. The defence aspect is under consideration by the Departments concerned, and I do not see any need for a special conference to be convened.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to provide more adequate shipping services between England and the British Colonies in the West Indies.

Shipping space between this country and the West Indies is adequate for the cargo offering. I am aware that at present there is considerable pressure on the passenger accommodation available on this route and the position is being examined by the Colonial Office and my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking on the Report on the London and Home Counties Advisory Committee on preventing congestion in Central London.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet considered the Report of the Advisory Committee on Traffic Congestion; and whether he will make a statement.

This Report is now under consideration and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport when he intends to publish the Report of the Sub-Committee of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport when he is to publish the report of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on measures for the relief of traffic congestion in London.

The report of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee will be published about the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Transport whether all the Consultative Committees have now been set up as provided for under Section 6 of the Transport Act, 1947.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now supply the names and qualifications of the members of the Transport Users Consultative Committee for the north-western area.

As I have previously informed the House, I have appointed the Central Transport Consultative Committee and Committees for Scotland, Wales and London, and I am in course of appointing eight further committees to cover the remainder of the country. Those for the North-West North-East, West Midland and East Anglia areas are about to be set up. I give below the names of the chairmen and of the persons who have accepted my invitation to serve:

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that the Government's policy is to encourage the employment of people to the oldest possible age, why a decision has been reached that members of His Majesty's Coastguard are to be compulsorily retired at 60 years of age.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the fact that the Government's policy is to encourage the employment of people to the oldest possible age, why a decision has been reached that members of His Majesty's Coastguard are to be compulsorily retired at the age of 60.

Members of His Majesty's Coastguard have normally retired at 60, but last May I agreed that, if a member of the Force wished to stay to the age of 65, he might do so subject to a satisfactory report on his physical condition and general efficiency. Since then I have decided on certain changes in the disposition and strength of the Coastguard which will reduce its numbers by about 100, and, in order to run down the Service to its new strength within a reasonable time, the modification of the rules made last year must be suspended. I propose, however, to reintroduce the extension to 65 as soon as the necessary reduction in strength has been achieved.

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he intends to give to the protest sent him by the Sowerby Bridge Urban District Council against the delay in reaching a decision on the council's application with respect to the improved lighting scheme for the main street; and when a decision will be reached.

I regret that there has been some delay in dealing with this case. The council were informed on 1st November, 1950, that while I was willing to agree to Group A lighting I could not, on the ground that it would involve unnecessary expense, approve the use of fluorescent lighting. At the council's request I gave the matter further consideration, but reaffirmed my decision on the 31st January last.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent he has delegated his powers of improving trunk roads by the construction of bus shelters to local highway authorities and how far he carries them out himself; and what are the responsibilities of his Department and local highway authorities, respectively, in this regard.

I have no powers to construct bus shelters on trunk roads. Some local authorities may have such powers under local Acts.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the continued obstruction to traffic caused by cars parked on both sides of the streets in the London area; and if he will now arrange for an immediate experiment in unilateral parking in all the streets in Central London with a view to lessening the serious congestion in that area before the opening of the Festival of Britain.

I am aware that difficulties are caused by indiscriminate parking and I am now considering proposals for unilateral waiting in certain streets in Central London. Further suggestions are contained in the Report by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee on traffic congestion in inner London which I have recently received and which will shortly be published.

asked the Minister of Transport what decision he has reached in regard to the methods to be employed to reduce the number of traffic accidents; and whether he has given further consideration to the suggestion of forbidding the sounding of a horn in built-up areas as promised.

By far the most important source of road accidents is human error and there are limits to what can be done by central or local authorities to counteract it. I cannot within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary Question indicate the numerous measures which have been and are being taken to promote road safety but in reply to the last point of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, I may say that so far as I am aware I have not undertaken to give further consideration to the suggestion to which he refers. I do not think that it would be likely to effect any appreciable reduction in accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a further statement on the subject of safe crossing facilities on the North Circular Road, London, at the Brook Road point; and if he is aware that the neglect to this dangerous road point is causing concern in the area.

I have arranged for the extension of the central wire fence in the North Circular Road westwards from the junction with Brook Road and the 'bus stops near this junction are being re-sited. Other measures for the improvement of traffic conditions there are being examined by my engineers.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the danger of children crossing from the new housing estate to school, he will impose a speed limit on Sevenoaks Way between the Sidcup By-pass and the bottom of Chipperfield Road.

Conditions in Sevenoaks Way are under examination by my technical officers. On receiving their report I shall consult the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any steps have yet been taken to fix the day upon which the Highways (Provision of Cattlegrids) Act, 1950, is to come into force.

Before bringing this Act into operation, I propose to send a memorandum to the highway authorities explaining its provisions and giving technical advice about the construction of grids and works connected with them. As I undertook during the passage of the Bill, I have consulted a number of representative bodies concerned. Their suggestions have been studied by my technical officers, who are also carrying out some experiments, so as to ensure that we give the authorities the best advice we can. I intend to send out the memorandum, and to fix the day for the coming into force of the Act very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to take following the recommendations made by Colonel Walker in a report on a fire in a Birmingham to Glasgow express when five people lost their lives.

The recommendations contained in the report are in the first instance a matter for consideration by the Railway Executive. I have accordingly asked the Executive for their observations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the deterioration that is taking place in many roads under county council administration due to a 50 per cent. increase in road motor traffic and to the heavy percentage reduction in the grant given to local authorities from the Road Fund for the maintenance of such roads; and if he will increase the grant this year so avoiding the expenditure in the near future of large sums to bring these roads back to a safe and proper condition.

I am aware that traffic on some roads is substantially higher than before the war and that with the restricted funds that can be made available the volume of maintenance work that can be carried out is considerably lower than it was before the war. Some deterioration is inevitable in the circumstances. I cannot at present indicate the final amounts of classification grant to be allocated to local highway authorities for the next financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered the application made by the Glasgow Corporation in connection with the preparation of plans for the Linthouse— Whiteinch tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12th February to a question by the hon. Member for Glasgow, Central (Mr. McInnes).

asked the Minister of Transport what developments have taken place on the proposed improvements of the narrow bridge and level-crossing on the Snaith—Rawcliffe road; when the work will commence; and how long it is estimated to last.

Negotiations for entry on the land required have now been completed and the work is about to start. It will take about three months.

asked the Minister of Supply if, in order to conform to the spirit of the new covenant, instituted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, he will refrain from ordering new cars for the use of civil Departments in replacement of cars already supplied since the war.

New cars are ordered to replace those supplied since the war only in exceptional circumstances, for example, damage beyond repair of an existing vehicle.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements are now being made to ensure a sufficient supply of scrap for the iron and steel industry now that the industry has been taken over by the Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain.

The supply of scrap for the steel industry is primarily a matter for the steel industry itself. I understand that it has been agreed between the Iron and Steel Corporation and the Iron and Steel Federation that the latter will continue to act in this matter on behalf of the industry as a whole. The Federation is importing as much scrap as possible and, in conjunction with the National Federation of Scrap Merchants, is engaged in an intensive scrap drive in this country.

asked the Minister of Supply how many draughtsmen are employed on the Brabazon project.

I am informed by the Bristol Aeroplane Company that the number is 70.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has yet received the resignations of those members of the Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain who were appointed primarily for the purpose of securing the vesting of the privately owned industry; and what steps he is taking to appoint new members to the Corporation to enable it to carry out its functions.

I cannot accept the implications of this Question. I have not received, nor do I expect, any resignations from members of the Iron and Steel Corporation, whose appointments with one exception, run from three to five years. In reply to the last part of the Question, I am not at present making further appointments to the Corporation.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the present position in regard to the development and construction of helicopters in Great Britain; how many are under manufacture; and what is the position in regard to the Bristol 173 in particular.

Five types of helicopter are being developed by firms in Great Britain under contracts placed by my Department and three more, basically of foreign design, as private ventures. Of these eight, two types of 4-seater helicopter are in production. Trials of the Bristol 173, which is covered by a Ministry of Supply development contract, are expected to begin in the near future.

asked the Minister of Supply how many British jet aircraft were sold to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1947; and of what make and design.

None.

asked the Minister of Supply what companies named in the Iron and Steel Act were actually vested in the British Iron and Steel Corporation on 15th February; what named companies were not vested, and the reasons therefore; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the transfer.

I give below a statement giving the names of the companies and the reasons for which the hon. Member asks. The arrangements for the transfer of securities to the Corporation were set out in the notice published by the Corporation in the Press on 30th January.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give an assurance that steel production figures will continue to be published on the same basis as heretofore.

Statistical returns on the activities of the publicly-owned companies are primarily a matter for the Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain, and I understand that arrangements for future comprehensive returns are at present being considered. I have no doubt that adequate production figures will continue to be published.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that Form BF. 11C asks whether a child is adopted or a step-child; that this causes embarrassment to parents; and if she will have this question discontinued.

I am obliged to my hon. Friend for bringing this point to my notice. I am having the form examined to see whether his point can be met by an appropriate amendment.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the accumulated resources of the National Insurance Fund, she will now relax the limits on widows' and old folks' earnings.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the balance shown in the recently published account of the National Insurance Fund, she will raise the maximum limit of weekly earnings permissible without reduction of pension to persons drawing the full retirement pension.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Boardman) on 12th February.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons of pensionable age are not drawing retirement pensions because they are in regular employment; and what proportion they represent of those qualified.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to insured men between the ages of 65 and 70 and insured women between the ages of 60 and 65 who have deferred their claims to retirement pension because they are in regular employment. Exact information is not available because such persons are under no obligation to inform my Department of their position. It is estimated, however, that of all insured persons now reaching pensionable age 60 per cent. of men and 45 per cent. of women are continuing in employment beyond that age. Taking the whole group of insured men between ages 65 and 70, at the present time approximately three out of seven have not yet claimed retirement pension. The corresponding proportion of insured women between ages 65 and 65 is two out of seven.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what would be the annual cost of increasing old age pensions by an amount sufficient to cover the increased cost of living, since the last change in old age pensions rates was made;(2) what would be the annual cost to increase old age pensions from 26s. to 30s. per week.

I have been asked to reply. The immediate cost of putting up pensions to 30s. with a proportionate increase in the rate for dependent wives would be about £43 million a year, rising rapidly in future years with the number of pensioners.

asked the Minister of National Insurance to state the cost now, and in 20 years' time, of allowing persons who have attained pensionable age and paid the required number of contributions to draw pensions irrespective of retirement from regular employment.

The hon. Member's proposal seems to involve fundamental changes in the principles on which the scheme is based. I am advised that it is not possible to give any estimates of the cost without knowing what consequential alterations he would propose in other parts of the scheme. I am therefore writing to him.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley are in receipt of old age pensions; how many are in receipt of supplementary pensions; and how many applicants for supplementary pension were refused in 1949 and 1950.

At 19th December, 1950, in the area administered from the office of the National Assistance Board at Leigh, which includes the Borough of Leigh and the urban districts of Atherton and Tyldesley, 430 non-contributory old age pensions were in payment and 2,850 non-contributory and retirement pensioners were receiving regular weekly grants of national assistance. I regret that the other information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give an assurance that sufficient coal will be made available to keep all the electricity generating stations in Scotland in full operation.

Allocations of coal to power stations in Scotland, as in other parts of the country, are fixed, and will continue to be fixed, by reference to the estimated full consumption requirements and stock position at those stations.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that coal and coke in the Borough of Ilford have been in exceptionally short supply for some weeks; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the supplies to Ilford are augmented.

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

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power by how many tons he expects his allocations of coal and coke to industrial users from 1st May to 1st November, 1951, to exceed deliveries during the comparable period in 1950.

The principles upon which the allocations of coal to industry will be made this summer will be those stated by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary on Monday last in answer to Questions by the hon. Member and the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Watkinson). It is not yet possible to state what those allocations will amount to in terms of tonnage.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will introduce legislation enabling miners who do not wish to take all their concessionary coal to take money instead.

Today, in many districts of the coalfields, the miners can, and do, surrender part of their concessionary coal for cash, and there is no need for any change in the law.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has now assessed the results of the experiments in the underground gasification of coal at Newman Spinney, near Chesterfield; and whether it is now proposed to continue these experiments on a larger scale.

Yes. My Scientific Advisory Council has assessed the results of the experiments and has recommended an expansion of the work at Newman Spinney and further experimental work in other coalfields with differing geological characteristics. This is now being planned. The National Coal Board is actively cooperating in the programme of work.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what quantities of coal he has recently authorised to be purchased from Calcutta.

The National Coal Board's purchases of coal from India amount to about 10,000 tons. The Board have been authorised to make further purchases, provided that they do not prejudice India's exports to normal markets.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the 1,073,300 tons of coal bought from overseas countries has been ordered from India and Nigeria, respectively.

The National Coal Board's purchases of coal from India and Nigeria amount to about 10,000 tons from each country. The Board have been authorised to make further purchases from India provided that they do not prejudice India's exports to normal markets.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the report into the Knockshinnoch mining disaster is to be published.

I understand that the report will be completed and submitted to me very shortly. It will be published as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the concern felt in the slate quarrying industry, particularly in North Wales, about the delay in the delivery of dust suppression plant to the quarries; and if he will take steps to expedite delivery.

Experiments with improved methods of dust suppression were only completed in September, 1949, when the slate-mine and quarry owners agreed that dust extraction equipment should be installed generally at undertakings. Three installations have been completed and other places are partially equipped. There have been delays at some undertakings, the reason for which is not quite clear. The matter is under investigation by H.M. Inspectors of Mines, with a view to improving the rate of progress.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the concern felt at the length of time that consideration has been given to the banning for a limited period of mid-week horse racing during the fuel shortage; and if he is yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department, and the Government's decision will be announced as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take to prevent the deliberate waste of fuel and power in many parts of the country.

I have seen reports that some people are deliberately wasting fuel and power, and, in particular, electricity and gas. I find it difficult to believe that any but a very small minority would adopt a course so detrimental to the national interest at the present time, and I do not, therefore, think that any action is now required.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what Departments are consulted when it is proposed to build a new power station both from a point of view of defence and the accessibility of coal supplies.

Before applying for my sanction to the construction of a power station, the British Electricity Authority discuss the availability of coal with the National Coal Board and the Railway Executive. Before I sanction the construction of a power station, I discuss all relevant considerations, including those relating to defence, with those of my colleagues who are concerned. The necessary co-ordinating machinery exists for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of the electrical power in the national grid is now derived from the Scottish Hydro-Electric Board; and how does the price compare with power generated in coal-fired power stations.

For the last week for which figures are available the North of Scotland Board supplied 4,464,500 units which was equal to 0.36 per cent. of the total supplied by the Grid. The price at which the power is sold to the national grid is fixed by Section 16 of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act, 1943, and Section 38 of the Electricity Act, 1947, at a cost equal to the cost of production at the most economical steam generating station of the British Electricity Authority, subject to certain adjustments.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the amount of the permit or licence applied for or granted to the Yorkshire Electricity Board for extensions or alterations to its buildings at Bramhope, near Leeds; what was the date of such authorisation; and what is the amount which has been actually spent or the value of work done to date.

No licence has been issued to the Yorkshire Electricity Board for extensions or alterations to its buildings at Bramhope near Leeds. I am inquiring whether any work has been done there which should have been authorised and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken by the British Travel and Holidays Association to bring to the attention of West London theatre managers and transport authorities the considerations in favour of later opening of theatres in London during festival year.

I understand that the British Travel and Holidays Association have examined, in consultation with organisations representing the theatre, hotel, catering and transport interests, the suggestion that it would be advantageous to the tourist and holiday trades if the opening of theatres in London were postponed until 8 p.m. or thereabouts. The Association inform us, however, that the Society of West End Theatre Managers has not felt able to recommend its members to adopt this suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the total output of tinplate in Great Britain is exported in the form of flat sheets; what proportion of that amount could be exported in the form of filled tinplate containers; and if consideration has been given to this alternative form of export.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Edinburgh, West (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison) on 8th February. With regard to the rest of the Question, no precise information is available; but while considerable success has been achieved in increasing our exports of commodities packed in tinplate, these cannot be regarded as an alternative to exports of tinplate in the form of flat sheets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider increasing the outsize allowance to manufacturers of ladies' garments, with hip measurements over 48 inches, in view of the fact that there is a demand for larger garments which are in short supply.

I have no evidence that the present allowances are inadequate to cover the additional cost of making the largest sizes in women's garments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the high prices now charged for the limited amount of greaseproof paper now available for the grocery and provision trade, he will take action to bring down the price by increasing supplies of the paper or providing an effective substitute.

The high price of greaseproof paper is mainly due to the greatly increased cost of woodpulp, coupled with heavy world demand for the limited supplies available. The possible substitutes for it are vegetable parchment, imitation parchment and glazed transparent paper. Home production of these papers, as well as of greaseproof, during 1950 was at about the pre-war level and is practically at full capacity, while imports are on open general licence from the principal soft currency sources. There is little, therefore, that can be done in the short-term to increase supplies.

asked the Minister of Works at what date he consulted the Minister of Town and Country Planning or the Minister of Local Government and Planning with reference to the proposals of his Department for reconstructing Carlton House Terrace.

The proposals for reconstructing Carlton House Terrace were approved in principle by the Government in 1946. Detailed drawings were sent to the Ministry of Local Government and Planning in December, 1950.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the disadvantages associated with the building-lessor scheme; and whether it is his intention to bring this to an end.

Nearly all these building-lessor schemes were planned in order to release requisitioned accommodation as quickly as possible. I am aware that they have certain disadvantages and no new schemes are being authorised. The position is under review having regard to the needs and effect of the defence programme.

asked the Minister of Works if he will publish his proposals for the registration of plumbers as envisaged in paragraph 92 of the Working Party Report on the Building Industry before making the necessary order.

The Report of the Building Industry Working Party referred to a voluntary scheme of registration of plumbers at present operating in this country and expressed the view that it is probably desirable to continue some form of registration in that trade. The Report itself did not necessarily envisage any change in the existing arrangements but the National Joint Industrial Council for the Plumbing Trade have in fact submitted to my Department proposals for the statutory registration and licensing of plumbers. These proposals have been circulated to the other industrial and professional organisations concerned and I await their considered views.

asked the Minister of Works what was the number of bricks produced in Kent brickfields each year since 1945.

The totals in millions were 132 in 1947, 133 in 1948, 157 in 1949 and 162 in 1950. I regret that figures before 1947 are not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a case of smallpox was in a ward at Bevendean Hospital, Brighton, for 10 days before the presence of smallpox in that hospital was confirmed; and why smallpox was not suspected at the start of the illness of this person, in view of the fact that she had been in contact with a Royal Air Force officer recently home from India who had developed an illness which was subsequently found to be smallpox.

Yes, I am aware of the facts referred to. But I understand that, while the diagnosis of smallpox even in normal circumstances may give rise to difficulty, in this particular case the officer contact himself—who had a very modified attack—had not at the time been suspected of the disease.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases were on the tuberculosis registers of local authorities in England and Wales at the latest convenient date.

This information is obtained from annual returns, and at present I can only give the figure for 1949, which was approximately 272,000.

asked the Minister of Health on what date the Haddon Isolation Hospital at Bakewell was transferred to the Derbyshire County Council.

Arrangements for the formal transfer have not yet been concluded, because terms have not been agreed. I am, however, informed that the county council obtained possession of the premises last March.

asked the Minister of Health how many applications for hearing aids are outstanding in the area of the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board; and what is the average period of waiting.

About 9,800 last November, the latest date for which figures are available. The waiting period varies very widely according to whether or not the patient is granted priority and as between the different distribution centres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture either the number of acres, or the approximate tonnage of green vegetables, that were ploughed back in Kent in 1950.

About 20,000 tons of green vegetables were ploughed-in or fed to livestock in Kent in 1950. I am unable to make a separate estimate of the quantity ploughed in.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the urgency of a speedy increase in the production of home-grown pork, he will consider giving increased incentives to farmers for this purpose.