asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the fact that the existing state of street naming and numbering is a factor in causing road accidents; and what steps he can take to bring about an improvement.

Yes, Sir. Unsatisfactory street naming and numbering may increase the risk of road accidents by distracting the attention of drivers. I have circulated to local authorities, on whom responsibility in this matter rests, the report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs, 1944, which includes an important paragraph on this subject, and asked them to have regard to the recommendations made. I intend to issue a circular in the near future giving additional guidance on the design of street name plates.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that he must show more imagination and drive in this matter? It has been hanging fire for seven years, and unless there is more effort than is now being made the present situation will probably continue for another four or five years.

Yes, but it is really a matter for the local authorities, and it is not always easy to get a general movement throughout the country.

Would the Minister try to bring about some uniformity so that motorists and others will know where to look if they want to find the name of a street or a number?

That was the purpose of the Departmental Committee, and the intention behind my reply is to give general guidance towards uniformity.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an assurance that he will not assent to any further increase in railway passenger fares until this House has had the opportunity to consider them.

The British Transport Commission have not sought my authority for higher railway passenger fares. They have, however, submitted to the Transport Tribunal, for confirmation under Part V of the Transport Act, a draft scheme dealing with all passenger fares on London Transport and on British Railways. If confirmed by the Tribunal, who have invited representative bodies of users to submit their objections or other views on the scheme, it will be brought into force by an Order of the Tribunal and will not require to be approved by Parliament or by me.

Whatever the technical position may be, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a further increase in passenger fares, coming only a year after the last increase, would have such serious economic repercussions as to be of the greatest public importance? In those circumstances, should not the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will exercise his powers to prevent any such increase unless and until the House has approved it?

It is something much more than a technical matter.

No.

There is the constitutional position. Parliament laid this responsibility clearly on the Tribunal, and removed it from the jurisdiction of the Minister. Surely the hon. Member will appreciate that the procedure for investigation here is much more thorough and complete than that which exists respecting any rise that takes place in the cost of any other services or commodities.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that the present machinery is so restrictive of railway operations that to add any further restriction would make the position almost intolerable for the adjustment of separate rates for railway fares?

I do not intend to impose any further restriction. This procedure was very thoroughly considered and debated, and I know of no other service or of any other business concern that is subject to such rigorous price investigation procedure as are the railways in respect of freights and fares.

On the constitutional point, having regard to the fact that virtually no questions—of any importance—about the conduct of transport can be asked in the House, and having regard to the recurring increases in fare and freight charges, is the right hon. Gentleman giving further consideration, which he promised, to the suggestion that there should be a full inquiry into the administration and economics of the railways before any further increases are made?

That is another matter. The question of an inquiry was debated fully here a few nights ago. I do not agree that Parliament does not have an opportunity to consider these things. During the last two or three years there have been many full dress debates on this subject.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that while, by statute, responsibility is laid upon the Tribunal to consider the commercial aspect of the fares, the question—an important question—of whether passenger fares should be subsidised by the State is a matter for consideration of the House?

I entirely agree, but that hardly arises now. If Parliament wishes at any time to deal with the matter it would not deal with it in the form suggested at the moment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his second supplementary answer indicates that railway fares are about the only charges which are not now controlled by Ministers responsible to the House?

What about the newspapers?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will call upon local authorities to review the lengths of road under their control that are restricted to the 30 miles per hour speed limit in order that sections that are not built up or dangerous may be freed from the limit, thus increasing the respect of the motorist for the speed limit and reducing and easing the task of the police.

I have already brought to the notice of local authorities the importance which I attach to the observance of sound principles in the imposition and removal of speed limits and I have expressed the hope that they will periodically review all the roads in their areas.

Is it not a fact that many local authorities, out of zeal on behalf of their local inhabitants, impose limits on stretches of road which cannot conceivably be called "built-up," thereby severely prejudicing through-traffic? Will the Minister give this tricky subject a good deal of attention to try to reduce the number of stretches of such road in order that the regulations, as in the case of pedestrian crossings, may be more honoured?

Local authorities have not full power in this direction. I have to confirm the order, and I can assure the hon. and gallant Gentleman that very great care is taken over every proposal.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, while there may be certain places where de-restriction could take place without danger to local inhabitants, there are others where the present regulations make it impossible to impose a 30 mile-an-hour limit which is very much required, as at Burwash in East Sussex?

No, that is not the case. While we conform to the general conditions laid down in the Traffic Act, if there is sufficient evidence of the need for a speed restriction order outside the built-up area, then, provided I have the evidence of the police and local opinion, and the justification of road statistics, I do not hesitate to deal with exceptional instances.

Am I to understand from that reply that the Minister has discretion to define what is a built-up area, and that it does not necessarily mean that there are houses on both sides of the road?

No, I would not say that I have power to define what is a built-up area. Nevertheless, there are exceptions to the rule.

Will my right hon. Friend nevertheless leave as much discretion as possible to local authorities?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a regulation made by his predecessor in 1933 makes no provision for property found on a London Transport vehicle or station and handed to an official to be returned to the finder if unclaimed; and whether, in view of the nationalisation of London Transport, he will alter the regulation so as to assimilate it with the rule of the Metropolitan Police that unclaimed property shall be returned to the finder.

These regulations relate to property accidentally left in any vehicle or premises belonging to the London Transport Executive as successors of the London Passenger Transport Board. On the point referred to they are on similar lines to those which apply generally to public service vehicles and to railways, and I see no reason to alter them in the manner suggested.

Does the Minister not realise that the public do not appreciate these subtle distinctions between nationalised transport and nationalised police? He has not really answered the question why there should be a difference. Would he take a little more time than I have allowed him in order to look into the matter?

It is not merely a question of nationalised transport. If the hon. Gentleman looks at my reply he will see that it applies to all public service vehicles.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman say that it refers to railways when he ought to know that for property lost on the railways the existing regulations allow no reward at all to the finder, and that anyone who loses anything on the nationalised railways is, therefore, very unlikely to get it back?

I was dealing not with the reward but with the return of the property to the finder.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that if the name and address of the owner are clearly ascertainable no steps are taken to get in touch with him?

No, that is not the point. The question is whether the property should be returned to the finder if the owner is not found.

asked the Minister of Transport when regulations requiring bicycles to be fitted with red reflectors and white mudguards are to be restored.

I am unable to forecast when it will be practicable to make the order bringing this requirement into force. At present, manufacturers are not in a position to meet the demand which it would create without detriment to their export and other essential commitments.

Does the Minister not agree that the restoration of this simple and relatively inexpensive device would greatly add to the safety of bicyclists at night, as their rear lights are frequently missing or otherwise ineffective?

Yes, I am inclined to agree with that. The hon. and gallant Gentleman should look at the further note to my reply.

Since the question of red reflectors and white rear mudguards is about the only aspect of transport policy for which the right hon. Gentleman accepts responsibility, will he leave no stone unturned and no avenue unexplored in order to reach a satisfactory conclusion of the matter?

That appears to me to be typical of the usual ineffective interventions of the hon. Gentleman.

Is not one of the troubles the right hon. Gentleman is suffering from that he has just lost his chief "red reflector"?

asked the Minister of Transport when regulations are to be introduced requiring motor vehicles subject to speed limit to be fitted with rear reflectors.

A requirement that motor vehicles should carry one or more reflectors in addition to a rear light could be imposed only by new legislation, and I cannot say at present if or when such legislation will be introduced.

Did the Minister not inform the House some years ago that a committee was examining this question? Have they come to any conclusion yet?

No more than I have just stated.

asked the Minister of Transport the powers of the Stopping Places Advisory Committee; who are the members; and what is the statutory authority for its existence.

The Stopping Places Advisory Committee is appointed informally by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee constituted under Section 1 of the London Traffic Act, 1924. It is composed of representatives of the licensing authority, the police, London Transport, the Transport and General Workers' Union and my Ministry. Its main function is to advise on the provision and siting of stopping places for the trams and buses of London Transport in the special area as defined in the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933. I will circulate the names of the present members in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is the Minister aware that when it was recently desired to move a bus stop in Reigate a matter of 100 yards or so, his Ministry convened a meeting of this committee on the spot, involving the attendance of seven officials from London plus three local officials? Is not this matter best left to local authorities to deal with?

I am not aware of the circumstances of each case, but it is of great advantage to have a small expert committee of this kind to advise on the multitudinous arrangements for stopping places.

Does that mean that every time a bus stop is moved anywhere in the very large London Transport area, 10 officials have to come together to settle the matter?

How does this committee work if a local authority wants to alter a bus stop? When one writes to the London Passenger Transport Board one is told that it is not convenient and cannot be done. How does this Committee function? Where does it start from?

That is the type of conundrum that I should have to look at separately.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will ensure that the machine tools being imported into this country for our re-armament programme are adequately supplied with spare parts; and if he will ensure that these tools are delivered as quickly as possible.

Yes, Sir.

Can the Minister give an absolutely categorical assurance that there have been no instances where machine tools have arrived slightly damaged and without the necessary spare parts, so that there has been some loss of time in getting to work?

I am not aware of any such instance.

asked the Minister of Supply whether arrangements are in hand for creating strategic reserves of high-speed steel and tungsten-carbide engineers' cutting tools for use in connection with machine tools under the defence programme; and if he will make a statement.

No, Sir. The normal arrangements of the industry are such as to provide a reasonably effective reserve.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the maximum utilisation of our available machine tool capacity and the extension of shift working in the engineering industry for the defence programme depend entirely on adequate supplies of high-speed steel and tungsten-carbide engineers' small tools, and in view of our experience in the last war, even as late as 1944, would it not be propitious to expand this capacity and install reserves?

I agree with the first part of that question. This matter has been discussed with the industry. They are satisfied that they are able to provide a reasonably effective reserve.

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the other end of the problem, which is that unless the makers of cutters and other machine tools are supplied with the right type of steel from the nationalised steel industry they cannot make the tools? Will he give an assurance that they will receive those supplies?

That is rather a different question.

asked the Minister of Supply whether arrangements are now completed to secure adequate machine tool capacity of all descriptions to meet the requirements of that part of the defence programme scheduled for completion during the year ending April, 1952; and if he will make a statement.

Machine tool capacity will be adequate to meet that part of the defence programme scheduled for completion by April, 1952.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the new machine tools which are at present being installed in British engineering factories will be to the detriment of our essential export trade, or will the export trade continue unabated and will those tools sent overseas be replaced by American and other imported machine tools?

That is rather a broad question to answer in a single sentence. If brief, we are maintaining, and hope to be able to maintain, our export trade. Most of it goes either to Commonwealth countries or to countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. We are anxious not to cut down any of the exports to these countries.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement at Crayford last Friday evening on the subject of importing European machine tools, can he tell us what he is doing to prevent German machine tools going East, behind the Iron Curtain, instead of westwards to this country?

That is a rather different question. We are buying all the machine tools we can in Western Germany.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the American machine tools required for the re-armament programme have been secured; and if the delivery position is satisfactory.

Priority ratings have already been granted for the majority of the orders for machine tools placed in the United States, and it is hoped that discussions now proceeding with the United States Government will result in satisfactory deliveries of all the American machine tools needed for the defence programme.

Will the right hon. Gentleman add to that reply and at least say that at the moment the programme of American machine tool procurement is going to plan and that there are no unforeseen hitches which may result in the machine tools on order not reaching us when we expect them?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) whether the Hawker P.1081 experimental aircraft in which Squadron Leader Trevor Wade lost his life was equipped with a Martin-Baker ejection seat, or what make of seat was fitted;

(2) whether the Martin-Baker ejection seat will in future become a standard fitment in all single-seat, high-speed experimental aircraft; and whether he will issue instructions for all such existing aircraft at present equipped with ejection seats of another make to be modified at once to take those of Martin-Baker design.

asked the Minister of Supply what type of ejector pilot seat was used by the pilot when the Hawker P.1081 aircraft exploded and killed the pilot.

asked the Minister of Supply what type of ejection seat was used in the Hawker P.1081 experimental aircraft in which Squadron Leader Trevor Wade lost his life; whether this type of seat is standard equipment in Service aircraft; and how many live drops have been completed with this type of seat.

The experimental Hawker P.1081 aircraft was fitted with an ejector seat made by M.L. Aviation Ltd., and preliminary indications are that the seat functioned properly. Two makes of ejector seat, this and the one made by Martin-Baker Ltd., have been approved for use in Service aircraft and it would be undesirable to have a monopoly of either of them. Live test ejections from aircraft are not called for by my Department and I am not aware of any having been made with the M.L. seat. I cannot accept the statement in Question No. 15 that the aircraft exploded.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the same measure of safety is afforded by the M.L. seat as is afforded by the Martin-Baker seat, in view of the fact that no live drops have been effected by the M.L. seat?

No live drop is called for before the device is accepted. I have no reason at the moment to doubt that the M.L. ejector is as good as the other one.

Has my right hon. Friend any evidence to show that the seat which, as I understand it, was fitted in this aircraft, which had not proved itself by a live drop, has been given any preference by the officials of his Department either for ordering or for development, compared with the seat which has proved itself with a live drop?

They have both been approved and considered by the technicians concerned to be reliable, and preliminary investigations have shown that on this occasion the seat did function properly. No preference is given to this ejector compared with the other one. Some seats are fitted with this and some with the other.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree, as a matter of principle, that in experimental flying, safety devices such as ejection seats shall be of the very best? Is it not a case that this seat, through which Squadron Leader Wade lost his life, had not had a live drop made from it?

That is quite true. I am advised that there is no need to have a live drop. There were dummy drops. I am advised that this is a very technical matter, but there was no need to have a live drop to prove to the satisfaction of my Department that this seat was good, and there is no reason at the moment to doubt that it was good.

In view of the high fatality rate among civilian test pilots, will the right hon. Gentleman go into this, matter in rather more detail and have proper tests carried out on both seats to establish which is the better, so as to give the test pilots the best equipment available?

The advice given to me was that both seats are equally good.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether any emergency exits have been successfully made by means of this type of seat?

I have said that no live drops were made with this type of seat.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements are made for the insurance of the lives of his Department's test pilots; in what sums are such lives insured; and upon whom rests the responsibility for the payment of premiums.

Test pilots employed by my Department are covered by the National Insurance Industrial Injuries scheme. Payments under this scheme may be supplemented by awards made by the Treasury under the Civil Service Injury Warrants, which make special provision for flying accidents.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these meagre provisions are really satisfactory, in view of the hazardous nature of the flying that these test pilots daily undertake?

That is a difficult question to answer. A claim has been put forward for increased pay by these pilots, which is now being considered by the Treasury and my Department.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will take steps to expedite the supplies of steel plate and castings necessary to maintain the plant and equipment of the Malayan tin industry.

I am making inquiries about the particular orders involved to see what help can be given.

This state of affairs has been in existence for a long time. Can the Minister tell the House whether something can be done, as the rate of conversion to dollars of steel supplied to the Malayan tin industry is probably the highest rate of conversion of any use to which steel can be applied?

I am not aware of that and I am seeing if anything can be done.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has agreed a maximum price for zinc scrap with representatives of the zinc users; on what date the agreement was made and from what date it had effect; and what the price agreed was.

Maximum prices of zinc scrap have been fixed by Statutory Instruments. Prior consultation with the trade interest concerned took place through the Ministry's Scrap Advisory Committee, on which the zinc users are represented. The current prices are set out in the Non-Ferrous Metals Prices (No. 3) Order, 1951.

Has the Minister received any evidence that these maximum prices have been infringed? If I show him an alleged case of infraction will he look into it?

I certainly will.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is now able to make a statement on the prospects for steel production and supplies in the current year.

As the answer is rather long I will with your permission, Mr. Speaker, read it at the end of Questions.

asked the Minister of Supply what difficulty he anticipates in obtaining the necessary raw materials for the armament programme; and what action he is taking to overcome them.

asked the Minister of Supply what arrangements he is making to ensure that the necessary materials, particularly steel and non-ferrous metals, are made available to manufacturers engaged in important rearmament projects.

The re-armament programme will make increasing demands on the supplies of raw materials available for all purposes. Action is being taken to increase supplies wherever possible, to promote economies in use and to eliminate use for less essential purposes. A solution of the difficulties is also being sought through international discussion.

Does the Minister share the view on raw materials and rearmament expressed recently in the "Tribune," in which he is a nominee shareholder?

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the progress of international meetings about raw materials?

They are still proceeding, but I should like to have seen a conclusion reached much earlier. We are still hopeful that the outcome will be successful.

asked the Minister of Supply why his form of contract for the manufacture of pick-axes for the War Office specifies that they shall be protected with corrugated paper and tied in two layers of unproofed hessian.

This packing is used to prevent damage to other stores with which the pick-axes are subsequently packed when they are despatched from War Office stores, but in view of the present shortage of materials I am considering whether this specification can be relaxed.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the concern at the recent sale of Government surplus stores at a public auction at Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, when new equipment which could be used by the Services was sold for £103,500 allowing substantial profits to dealers; and what were the principal items auctioned.

No, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in reply to Questions on 29th January last. The stores, which were practically all second-hand or obsolete, were mainly well-used items of contractors plant and second-hand clothing.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that there is a good deal of disquiet about some of these sales of stores? Would he give more careful attention to this matter?

I can assure my hon. Friend that a great deal of attention has been given to this problem, and that no stores have been sold which have not been checked and counter-checked by all the Service Departments to make sure that they are no use to them now and not likely to be of use to them in the future.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that his answer to that supplementary question applies particularly to the disposal of machine tools, many of which are of great use to sub-contractors?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he has taken in the last 12 months to acquire the British- owned supplies of tungsten ore which have been available.

The acquisition of tungsten ore, whether British-owned or not, for current consumption, has been the responsibility of private enterprise, but in recent months my Department have also bought.

How can the right hon. Gentleman square that answer with the fact that over the last 12 months more tungsten ore has gone to Sweden and Germany from Burma than has come to this country? If he was buying through private channels how is it that the men concerned have not paid the equivalent of the price got from the Swedes and Germans?

I do not know to what mines the hon. Member refers.

Consolidated Tin Mines of Burma shipped double the amount of tungsten ore to Sweden and Germany that came to this country in the last 12months. How can the right hon. Gentleman therefore say that he has done his best to get a better supply to this country?

As I said, the import of these ores is in the hands of private enterprise—a state of affairs the hon. Gentleman likes. They have the responsibility for buying all the ores which are available and which they think it is right to buy, but recently, since the Korean war, my Department have tried to buy, and we have succeeded in buying, various parcels which private enterprise did not want.

Could the Minister say how much he paid?

Yes, Sir, but I would rather not, because we do not want to disclose the stocks we hold.

Was there a limit on the price which the Minister advised should be paid?

Yes, we do not buy regardless of price.

The Minister has contradicted the statement he made as recently as 20th April, when he said:

"Purchase and import are entirely in private hands. But that does not mean that the Government are not buyers through existing channels."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 20th April, 1951; Vol. 486, c. 2171.]

If the Government are buying through existing channels, why have they not bought?

I have just said that they have bought.

asked the Minister of Supply what British-owned stocks of tungsten ore are available in Burma; and what steps he is taking to acquire these stocks through private channels.

I am not aware of any available British-owned stocks of tungsten ore in Burma. I understand that there are some stocks in that part of Burma which is under Karen control, but that they cannot be brought out at present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am not referring to the stocks under Karen control, but to the 50 tons of tungsten ore that have been available in the last three weeks, belonging to the Consolidated Tin Mines of Burma, and for which not a single bid has come from this country?

I will find out through the private importers, whose duty it is to buy ore, why they have not bought this ore.

On what grounds does the right hon. Gentleman say that the ore cannot be brought out? Has he made any effort?

Yes, Sir. I am advised that there may be small quantities of ore at this mine, which is isolated, that there is no labour available, and that for physical reasons it is, therefore, impossible to get hold of it.

If private enterprise are not doing the job, would it not be better to sack them and put in somebody who will do it?

Did the right hon. Gentleman's first answer mean that he was relying entirely on private enterprise to tell him whether or not there is a supply of metals available? If that is so, how can he say that he is responsible for steel hardening alloys when he does not know the facts himself?

I did not say I was responsible. The import of many of these alloying elements is the responsibility of private enterprise. They keep us advised of what they are doing and about parcels, which are available but which they do not want to buy themselves. They have not advised us of this particular parcel and I will make inquiries immediately.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the recent increase in railway freight charges, it is proposed to increase the amount allowed to accredited iron and steel scrap merchants under the Iron and Steel Scrap Control Order.

Under the Iron and Steel Scrap (No. 2) Order, 1951, the controlled maximum prices for iron and steel scrap were increased from 21st April to cover the recent increase in railway freight charges.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many applications have been received by the pneumoconiosis panels to the nearest available date since the Industrial Injuries Act was implemented; how many of the men examined were assessed as suffering from loss of faculty; how many were assessed at 5 per cent. or less; and if she can also give the figures for North Staffordshire.

I am having the available information extracted and will send it to my hon. Friend.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for the trouble she is taking, may I refer her to the last part of the Question and ask whether she is aware that in some cases men who are assessed at 5 per cent. or less may deem it advisable to leave the industry in which they are exposed to this danger? In such cases does she not feel that they should be allowed hardship allowances?

I will consider that point.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the conclusions of the Pneumoconiosis Research Unit now published by the Medical Re search Council (Memorandum No. 25) which prove that the 5-year limitation in awarding compensation to pneumoconiosis sufferers is unjust, she will now take steps to abolish this injustice.

I do not think that the Report to which the hon. Member refers throws any fresh light on questions connected with the 5-year limit. But I am, in fact, considering those questions in consultation with the T.U.C.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that on page 2 of this Report, which I presume she has seen, it says plainly that this condition is nearly always progressive, independent of continued dust exposure, which I consider to be appropriate medical evidence? Secondly, is she aware that I was assured by the Parliamentary Secretary as long ago as 2nd February that she was discussing this matter? Can she say when these discussions will come to a satisfactory conclusion?

The evidence the hon. Member has just quoted was known to the medical profession many years ago. It may be new to the hon. Member, but it is not new to the medical profession. I would remind the hon. Member, who has put down many Questions on this subject, that the representatives of the miners are very anxious to try to arrive at a solution of this problem. I met a deputation last week, and I propose to meet a deputation on Wednesday. I think the hon. Member will agree that it will be most satisfactory to the sufferers to have their own representatives discuss this matter.

I happen to be one of the representatives of these men, some of whom are in my constituency. As to what the right hon. Lady has said about the medical profession, I have always given her Ministry credit for the fact that until two years ago the doctors were not agreed?

The hon. Member is quite right in that he represents a number of miners in his constituency. If he likes to come to my Department to discuss this matter with me, I shall be glad to see him at any time.

Since these facts have been known to the medical profession for some years, why is it that the Medical Research Council has only just published them?

Facts are known about all sorts of things, but they are not necessarily reported in that form.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she will amend the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act so as to ensure that no workman misses a day's compensation owing to the fact that he is on a shift which starts before and ends after midnight.

The effect on a claim to injury benefit by a night shift worker of the rules for determining what constitutes a day of incapacity varies with the circumstances of the case. I hope to find a solution of the difficulties, but legislation would be needed to alter the rules.

Has not the Minister power to remedy this obvious defect?

I am quite prepared to amend the regulations, but the statutory authorities must administer them as they stand at present.

Would it not be a simple matter to bring in a new regulation?

I will consider that.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what concession will be made to those pensioners who are now in receipt of payments from the National Assistance Board, but who will in due course have the amount of the increased pension deducted from their grant.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she will give an assurance that where an old person, including the blind, receives an increase of retirement pension under the Budget proposals, this increase will not be adversely affected by a decreased supplementary allowance from the National Assistance Board.

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement I made about National Assistance on the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill on 26th April.

Is the right hon. Lady aware that that statement did not take us very far? In view of the great anxiety felt by pensioners in this category, will she not give an assurance that she will try to make a statement at the earliest possible moment, so that they shall know where they stand?

If the hon. Member reads my speech, he will agree that I have said all that I can say in view of the fact that I am awaiting a proposal from the National Assistance Board?

Is it not true that the right hon. Lady has considerable influence, including, of course, influence with the Treasury—the influence of the purse—over the actions of the National Assistance Board? Will she make sure that no old or blind people will fail to get a rise owing to the taking away with the one hand of the benefit which has been given with the other?

I thought I made it clear on Second Reading that that would be the case.

Does my right hon. Friend expect to get an early report from the National Assistance Board on this question?

I hope so.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many copies of the poster entitled, "Moving Home," have been ordered by her Department; how many have been distributed; and what is the cost to public funds.

The number is 150,000, all of which have been distributed. The cost was £533.

While appreciating the necessity for a notice of this sort, may I ask the right hon. Lady if she is aware that this is a highly-elaborate printed poster, and that it is a little tactless at present to put out posters which tend to suggest that everyone has a home to go to?

I do not agree. I think that it is a most appropriate poster, and my only objection to it is that it is coloured blue.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she is aware that unemployment insurance benefit has been refused to West Ham Borough Council workers who are rendered redundant and given their holiday pay, and that in consequence they are forced to have their holiday in the early part of the year instead of the normal summer period; and whether she will take the necessary action to remedy this.

The only case of this kind I can trace is that of a man who did not proceed with his claim when asked for further information. If my hon. Friend cares to send me details of any cases I will look into them. But the rules governing the treatment of holiday pay are of long-standing.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when she expects that the negotiations now in progress with the Federal German Republic with the object of securing reciprocal national insurance arrangements with that country will be completed.

Agreement has already been reached on general principles and a legal instrument is being drafted. A number of detailed points are outstanding which it is intended to discuss at a further meeting this summer. Thereafter, I hope that an agreement can be concluded.

Does the right hon. Lady realise that the present arrangements are working to the serious detriment of relatives of British personnel serving in Germany who visit their relations in the Forces? Will she do her utmost to expedite this matter before the summer to enable them to visit their relatives?

I am doing everything that I can. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that when one has bilateral discussions a lot depends upon the other side. If he will give me the details of any case, I will try to do what I can to help him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish a summary of the evidence upon which it was decided to withdraw Lord Russell of Liverpool from his appointment in Germany.

As my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member for Brightside (Mr. R. Winterbottom) on 17th April, Lord Russell is to be withdrawn from Germany because it was felt that in consequence of the publicity already given to the case he may find himself, however much he may desire to avoid it, becoming a focus of political feeling in Germany, and it was considered wise to take account of this possibility. Lord Russell is not being withdrawn because of the original traffic incident, in regard to which the Lord Chancellor takes the view that it would be unfair to blame him.

There is no evidence to publish with regard to the withdrawal of Lord Russell because the whole matter was dealt with by the Lord Chancellor who subsequently had discussions with my right hon. Friend. I may add that the High Commissioner and Lord Russell have agreed between themselves that the incident should be regarded as closed and I would commend this conclusion to the hon. and learned Member as eminently sensible.

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that there is grave apprehension among other British officials in Germany that their task will be made much harder if they do not have behind them the backing of the British Government? Does he realise that we do not get the respect and co-operation of the German people by showing weakness?

Is not my hon. Friend aware that incidents of this kind may give rise, rightly or wrongly, through misapprehension, to a feeling that British representatives are not behaving properly in the occupied territories—I have particularly in mind Austria—that this can only be removed by such direct action as has been taken in this case, and that this will receive the approval of the more responsible members of the occupation authorities?

I do not want to add to the trouble which has been caused by this incident, but I repudiate any suggestion that this is a case of the Government not standing by officials. I said in my answer that the Lord Chancellor took the view that it would be unfair to blame Lord Russell for the incident; it was not the incident but the publicity and the inevitable results of the publicity which had to be taken into account.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the encouragement of industrial undertakings to install generating equipment which is independent of mains electricity supplies; and what steps he is taking to arrange for the removal of impediments and restrictions imposed by the electricity supply authorities, upon the installation of such independent electrical generating equipment.

With the hon. Member's permission, I will answer this Question at the end of Questions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now say what steps he has taken to secure extra supplies of household coal for next winter.

Yes, Sir, I have arranged that during the six summer months the National Coal Board shall supply to the house coal merchants enough coal to enable them to sell 350,000 tons more than last summer to their customers for current needs and for the provision of private stocks. In addition, the merchants will have supplied to them enough coal to build up their own stocks at the end of October to 2½ million tons, that is, to half a million tons more than they had at that time last year. I have assurances from the merchants that, if the coal is made available to them, they will dispose of it in this way.

Does my right hon. Friend recognise that his reply will give great satisfaction throughout the country and is also a recognition that a shortage of domestic coal can cause as much hardship as even a shortage of industrial coal?

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that there is to be a reduction of prices during the summer months?

That is another question.

Can my right hon. Friend say what provision is being made for those householders who have no storage facilities, many of whom live in flats and bungalows?

Last winter, the merchants undertook to ensure that such people should get supplies of coal, and I believe that these assurances were carried out throughout the winter.

The right hon. Gentleman has not referred to supplies of coke which many householders require. Will he say whether the arrangements for coal cover the coke situation as well, or will he give a separate assurance that coke will be available?

This is a Question about coal. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a Question about coke, I will answer it.

Will the Minister remind the House, and particularly hon. Gentlemen opposite, that the miners have got their three million tons extra?

I hope to have the exact figures tonight.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what the increased figures which he has given mean in terms of extra allowance to the average consumer?

I would like to have notice of that question. It will be a total increase in the household coal market of, I hope, 800,000 tons, or perhaps a little more.

What does that mean?

The supplies last year were about 30 million tons. It is 800,000 tons compared with that.

When my right hon. Friend publishes the figures, will he note that the Scottish miners have produced the greatest amount of the coal?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will take urgent steps to see that sufficient coal is delivered to merchants to enable them to meet the priority needs of permits issued to invalids and the aged; and whether he is aware that in many districts, including the Stafford area, these permits are still not being met by coal merchants, owing to decreased deliveries.

As I have said in answer to earlier Questions, priority needs are given a first claim on household-coal supplies. The current supplies to Stafford, as to other areas, are being well maintained, and I am advised by the local fuel overseers in the Stafford area that they know of no case in which a priority need has not been met. If, however, the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any case of hardship which he has in mind, I will cause inquiries to be made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these cases are often met only after weeks of delay? The local fuel overseers are paid servants and their order is not accepted and has to be passed to the regional department in Birmingham. As a result, that means weeks of delay. The coal merchants are informed that they must draw on their stocks but they have no stocks. Is the Minister aware that the effect of the proposed increase of 800,000 tons will not in any way meet the shortage of coal to the average-consumer?

No, Sir. Throughout the winter months the merchants meet 70 to 80 per cent. of all their customers orders from current supplies. There are, therefore, always ample supplies to meet priority needs, and I am assured by reports from all regions that priority needs are, in fact, being met.