Written Answers To Questions
Monday, 7th May, 1951
Ministry Of Supply
Steel-Making Scrap
3.
asked the Minister of Supply what quantity of steel-making scrap was imported into the United Kingdom from Germany in the first quarter of 1951.
Approximately 168,000 tons.
Non-Ferrous Metals
5.
asked the Minister of Supply what savings in non-ferrous metals have been effected by the prohibited end users in those cases for which he is responsible.
I regret that I am unable to give a figure.
asked the Minister of Supply what priorities have been established for the allocation of non-ferrous metals; and what exceptions have been made to the list of prohibited end users, in those cases in which he is responsible.
As stated by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 15th February, 1951, during the debate on defence, no over-riding priorities have been established, but of course there must be no doubt in the minds of all those engaged on defence production that it is essential that they should fulfil as rapidly as possible the contracts placed with them. No general exceptions have been made to the list of prohibited end uses in the Copper and Zinc Prohibited Uses (Minister of Supply) Order, 1951. Exemption licences are granted in some special cases and for export orders, subject to the conditions announced by my right hon. Friend the then President of the Board of Trade in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Sheffield, Park (Mr. Mulley) on 8th March.
Forks And Spoons (Nickel Content)
asked the Minister of Supply what is the nickel content of forks and spoons now being ordered for the Service Departments; and how this compares with the nickel content of forks and spoons manufactured for export.
Forks and spoons ordered by the Ministry of Supply for the War Office and Air Ministry have had a 20 per cent. nickel content in unplated nickel silver and 15 per cent. in plated nickel silver, but no further orders are being placed to specifications involving the use of nickel. Those ordered by the Admiralty in plated nickel silver have a 15 per cent. nickel content. I am informed by my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade that the nickel content of plated forks and spoons manufactured for export is usually between 12 and 14 per cent. by weight of metal and of unplated between 15 and 30 per cent.
National Insurance
Clergymen
17.
asked the Minister of National Insurance if, under her regulations, ministers of religion are entitled to the full benefit of old age pensions irrespective of the amount they receive from the church as retirement allowances.
I assume that the hon. Member is referring to non-contributory pensions payable at age 70 subject to a test of need. I am sending the hon. Member a leaflet describing the conditions under which these pensions are payable. There are no special rules about the allowances mentioned by the hon. Member which would be taken into account in the same way as other resources.
Vagrants
11.
asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps she takes to see that tramps and vagrants fulfil their obligations under the National Insurance Scheme.
There are no special arrangements for dealing with this very small class.
Coal Prospects, Lanarkshire
22.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what seams of coal were found in Lanarkshire by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company when boring for oil during the last war; what are the thicknesses of the seams, and at what depths; and what are the prospects of development in that area.
A bore hole was put down in Lanarkshire by the D'Arcy Exploration Company in 1945, but no valuable seam of coal was found at any depth. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will send him in writing such detailed information as I possess.
Food Supplies
Leaflet (Cost)
41.
asked the Minister of Food what is the cost of issuing the monthly leaflet, "Keeping in Touch"; how much paper is used; and why it is considered necessary to post copies to those actually engaged in issuing orange juice and cod liver oil at child welfare centres.
The cost of "Keeping in Touch" is on average £34 11s. 3d. an issue. The paper used for each issue amounts on average to 2.4 hundredweight. This leaflet is an economical way of keeping all the people engaged in the distribution of welfare foods, many of whom are voluntary helpers, informed of the activities and progress of the service.
Foreign Ships (Victualling)
44.
asked the Minister of Food why the Canadian Pacific Railway Company's steamers are allowed to obtain subsidised foods for their ships as stores while the company's profits are not retained in the United Kingdom.
Subsidised foods are at present supplied to all vessels taking on stores in United Kingdom ports, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Renfrew, East (Major Lloyd), on 2nd May.
Sausages
66.
asked the Minister of Food when the hon. Member for Orpington may expect to receive a reply to a letter sent to him recently containing evidence of overcharging in the case of sausages.
A reply is being sent.
Canned Meat
67.
asked the Minister of Food if he can arrange for supplies to the home market of tins of braised steak produced by a firm in Manchester of which he has been informed which are now being exported overseas.
Manufacturers may produce meat products for the home market within the provisions of the Meat Products and Canned Meat Order.
Eggs
68.
asked the Minister of Food whether, during the time eggs are on ration, he will consider allowing children over two years of age to get an adult meat ration.
The rations for children have been designed to meet their nutritional needs. I am assured that the needs of all children under five, who receive a child's meat ration, are covered by the rationed and unrationed foods available to them, even while eggs are rationed.
Fish Prices
69.
asked the Minister of Food if, in view of his promised consideration of fish prices, he will give figures showing recent examples of discrepancies in these prices, as between producer and consumer.
It is impracticable to compare the prices of particular parcels of fish at the various stages of sale; there are wide variations every day at each stage on account of size, quality and other factors. Taking a broad survey of prices over a period, I am satisfied that firsthand prices fall with increased landings, and that retail prices, after a certain time lag, follow the first-hand prices.
70.
asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the periodical reviews of fish prices which he has promised, he can now give recent examples in figures where the landing prices of white fish have fallen below the controlled prices of last year; and if he is satisfied that all such cases of lower first-sale prices have been closely reflected in current retail prices.
For a period in February and March both cod and haddock were sold at the main ports below the old controlled prices of 4s. 9d. and 6s. per stone. The lowest prices recorded at Grimsby and Hull for cod ranged from 3s. 6d. to 4s. 7d. and for haddock from 4s. to 5s. 9d. per stone. I am satisfied that, with some allowance for time-lag, reductions in port prices are reflected in the retail prices.
Meat
71.
asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that dischargees from tuberculosis sanatoria suffer from the lack of meat substance obtainable in their homes; whether he will arrange for them to be given an extra food allowance comparable to the diet they obtain in sanatoria; and whether he is aware that Miss Langridge, 56, Stanmer Park Road, Brighton, has had two breakdowns since leaving the Benenden, Kent, sanatorium directly attributable to the impossibility of purchasing enough meat.
On these matters my right hon. Friend takes the advice of the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council, who have considered the effect of the present level of the meat ration on all invalids. In view of the liberal supplies of milk and fish they did not recommend that tuberculosis patients should receive extra rations of meat. Those suffering from active tuberculosis at home receive the same special rations as similar patients in sanatoria; namely, three eggs a week and a double ration of butter. My right hon. Friend has received no information about Miss Langridge and is not aware of her case.
asked the Minister of Food what action he proposes to take in order to ensure that Cardiff gets its fair share of chilled meat from the Argentine; and what proportion of this meat it is proposed to transmit through Cardiff Docks.
I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Angus, North and Mearns (Mr. Thornton-Kemsley) on 24th April. It is too early to get to say definitely where, apart from London, the first shipments of Argentine chilled meat will be distributed.
Rations
asked the Minister of Food to what extent the latest increases in the price of fats and meat invalidates his forecast that the cost of weekly rations will not rise by more than 8½d. per ration book during 1951.
This forecast in fact took account of the forthcoming increases in the prices of fats and meat, and is in no way invalidated by them.
asked the Minister of Food if he will inform the House what extra rations expectant mothers can receive today; and what changes in this ration have taken place over the last five years.
In addition to their ordinary ration, expectant mothers at present receive an extra half-ration of meat and an extra shell egg per allocation. There has been no change during the last five years in the basis on which allowances of these foods to expectant mothers have been fixed. Under the Welfare Foods Service, expectant mothers may also receive, in addition to the vitamin supplements provided, seven pints of milk per week at 1½d. per pint (or free if they cannot afford to pay). When milk supplies were restricted this quantity was allowed on a priority basis, in addition to the ordinary consumer's allowance.
Russian Salmon
asked the Minister of Food how much compensation has been paid in respect of Russian salmon declared unfit for human consumption.
£1,485.
Exports To China
45.
asked the Prime Minister what representations have been received from the United States Government by His Majesty's Government that further measures should be taken to prevent the export of warlike materials from Hong Kong to Communist China; and what further measures have been adopted or are in contemplation by His Majesty's Government.
I would ask the hon. and learned Member to await the detailed statement by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade at the end of Questions which will cover the points he has raised.
46.
asked the Prime Minister what steps he is taking to co-ordinate the policies of the Foreign Secretary, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Supply and the President of the Board of Trade, with relation to the export of strategic materials to China.
Questions of policy relating to the export of strategic materials to any destination are considered by Ministers at meetings at which all the Ministers to whom the hon. Member refers are normally present. In addition, full and continuous co-ordination between Departments is secured by means of a committee of officials which meets at frequent intervals.
Festival Of Britain
47.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied, as a result of observation of the first week-end of the Festival of Britain, that the arrangements for the control of crowds and traffic approaching and leaving the South Bank and other London exhibitions are adequate.
I have been asked to reply. At this early stage it would be premature to express any final views as to the adequacy of the special arrangements for the control of crowds and traffic in connection with the Exhibitions, but I understand from the Commissioner that so far they have proved generally satisfactory, although in the evenings when ordinary traffic is light large crowds have assembled at Westminster and Waterloo Bridges and on the Embankment to look at the floodlighting and some temporary traffic diversions have in consequence been operated.
Steel Supplies
48.
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied that enough steel will be available for all our needs as well as the re-armament programme.
I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 13th April.
China
Hm Consul, Nanking (British Protest)
49.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what circumstances Mr. North, a Foreign Service official at present in China, has been required to apologise to the Chinese authorities; and what reply he has made.
His Majesty's Consul at Nanking was, on 21st April, compelled by the Chinese authorities to apologise for intervening on behalf of the Mother Superior of a Catholic orphanage, who is a British subject. This action on the part of the local Chinese authorities was quite unwarranted. Under instructions His Majesty's Charge d'Affaires at Peking has protested to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am circulating the text of the protest in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is text of protest:
"His Britannic Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires presents his compliments to the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and on the instructions of His Majesty's Government has the honour to bring the following matter to his attention.
On the afternoon of 26th March Mr. North learned that Miss Langren, a British subject, had been detained by the local authorities at Nanking. He accordingly at once proceeded to the Foreign Nationals Control Section of the Public Security Bureau in Nanking to make inquiries and to see if he could assist the lady. Unfortunately the normal hours at which the Foreign Nationals Control Section hold interviews was past and Mr. North's interpreter was not available. Because, however, the matter was urgent Mr. North nevertheless asked for an interview with the Section and at the same time in view of his limited command of the Chinese language asked if there was an official who knew English to whom he might the more readily explain his business.
Over three weeks later, on 17th April, Mr. North was summoned to the Foreign Nationals Control Section and told that he must apologise for his intervention in the case of Miss Langren, for having called at the Section out of interviewing hours, for having asked for someone to speak English to him, for being drunk and for having described himself as British Consul. Mr. North explained the circumstances of his intervention and the reasons why it was incumbent upon him to take action and denied the charges of inebriation, but after an interview of over three hours the authorities continued to insist that he must sign an apology. On 21st April the authorities still continued to insist that Mr. North should sign an apology and compelled him to do so on unreasonable terms composed by themselves.
Mr. North's action in attempting to assist a British subject who was in difficulties was entirely justified both on humanitarian and official grounds. His Majesty's Government have accordingly instructed His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires to convey their dissatisfaction at this arbitrary behaviour on the part of the authorities at Nanking and to record a formal protest against the treatment to which Mr. North was subjected."
Consular Posts
57.
asked the Secretary of State for Foregn Affairs in what circumstances His Majesty's Consulates at Amoy, Chunking, Hankow, Kunming, Nanking and Tsingtao, are being closed; and whether permission to leave China has yet been given by the Chinese authorities to His Majesty's Consul-General in Shanghai.
For the first part of the Question I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Edge Hill (Mr. Irvine) on 21st March. The answer to the second part is, "Yes; he has now left China."
Asiatic Petroleum Company
64.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any official communication from the Chinese Communist Government regarding their intention to requisition all property belonging to the British-owned Asiatic Petroleum Company in China.
No.
Ussr And China (British Trade)
50.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions he has given to His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington in regard to the presentation in the United States of America of British policy for trade with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and China and for replying to propaganda such as that of which a transcript has been sent to him.
His Majesty's Ambassador in Washington is kept fully informed about the policy of His Majesty's Government in respect of trade with the Soviet bloc and China; and the British Information Service in the United States do their best to get wide publicity for it. In the case of the critical article which the hon. Member sent me, it so happens that a reply written by Mr. Paul Bareau of the "Economist" was published by the newspaper shortly after the appearance of the original criticisms.
Middle East And Korea (Relief Organisation)
51.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the continuing refugee problem not only in Germany, but more particularly in the Middle East and now in Korea, His Majesty's Government will press the United Nations Organisation for the reprieve and continuation of some such organisation as the International Refugee Organisation so that the experience and skill gained during past years may not be wasted.
No. These refugee problems are completely different in character from that with which the International Refugee Organisation has dealt so successfully and require quite different measures for their solution. With regard to the Middle East and Korea, there are already United Nations bodies in existence to deal with the problem.
54.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what organisations are now permitted by the United Nations Organisation to administer relief to the population of South Korea and of North Korea; what assistance he has given and is contemplated by His Majesty's Government; and whether he will make a full statement.
At present all relief operations in Korean territory under United Nations control are organised by the United Nations Civil Assistance Command. The staff of the Civil Assistance Command includes a number of teams organised by bodies such as the World Health Organisation and the British Red Cross. His Majesty's Government have on request contributed salt and medical supplies, and £10 million have been included in the Estimates for future relief and reconstruction.
British Antarctic Territories
56.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at how many points British territory is at present occupied by foreign armed forces or other organised groups of aliens without permission of His Majesty's Government; and what action he has taken to secure their removal.
There are five Argentine and three Chilean posts in the Falkland Island Dependencies. I do not know whether all these are manned by armed forces. As regards His Majesty's Government's attitude towards this problem, I have nothing to add to the statement I made on 23rd April.
58.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the Argentine has now set up a fifth naval base on British territory, the Government contemplate any action to preserve our position in the Antarctic.
His Majesty's Government have protested to the Argentine Government against the establishment of the Argentine bases at present maintained on British Antarctic territories. I described the general policy of His Majesty's Government towards this dispute in my answers to Questions on 23rd April and have nothing to add.
European Agricultural Pool
59.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to make a statement about the invitation from the French Government asking His Majesty's Government to attend talks on the proposed European agricultural pool.
Yes. His Majesty's Government consider that the proposals of the French Government should be examined in detail before decisions on them are taken by governments. This examination would in their view be most conveniently conducted by the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation, which is technically equipped for such a task, and is already engaged in studying methods of increasing agricultural production in Europe, including organised marketing arrangements.If the examination of the French Government's proposals were entrusted to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation, His Majesty's Government would be glad to take part in it. Until they have been fully examined, His Majesty's Government would consider it premature to express any opinion as to their merits. A reply in this sense has been sent to the French Government's invitation.
Foreign Ministers' Conference
60.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to put a time-limit on the discussions in Paris between the Foreign Ministers' Deputies, after which he will order his representative to return to this country.
No.
Japan
Peace Treaty
65.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the proposed peace treaty with Japan; and whether he can assure the House that no decisions will be taken during the Whitsun Recess.
The discussions I referred to in my answer to the hon. Member for Hitchin (Mr. Fisher) on 30th April took place in Washington on the official level from 24th April to 4th May. From reports so far received, the discussions appear to have been most useful. A number of issues have now been clearly defined and comments have also been received in the last fortnight from the Governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ceylon and South Africa. The results of these discussions are now being examined.With regard to the second part of the Question the Japanese peace treaty is being negotiated through the diplomatic channel, and when final decisions have been taken and a treaty has been agreed a copy of the document will be laid upon the Table before ratification in accordance with the usual procedure.
Prisoners Of War (Compensation)
61.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have taken place with Commonwealth Governments and with the Government of the United States of America on the question of obtaining compensation from Japan for ill-treatment of prisoners of war; and what has resulted from any such discussions.
This question has been under consideration with Commonwealth Governments and with the United States Government within the framework of the current discussions on the Japanese peace treaty. These discussions are still proceeding. I understand that this subject is to be fully debated on Thursday, when I hope that His Majesty's Government will be able to make a statement of their views.
Eritrea
62.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that police and military forces in Eritrea are adequate to ensure law and order until September, 1952.
The police and military forces in Eritrea are considered to be adequate to maintain law and order at the present time. The size of these forces is reviewed at frequent intervals in the light of changes in the situation.
Hungary (Mr Edgar Sanders)
63.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he now has any further statement to make regarding the continued imprisonment by the Hungarian Government of Mr. Edgar Sanders.
No, we have made a good offer to the Hungarian Government and stand by that.
Transport
Fares
72.
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the hardship which an increase in passenger transport fares will cause to many sections of the community; and whether he will give consideration to the problem of a national transport subsidy in order to prevent such an increase.
I assume that my hon. Friend has in mind the proposals in the draft Passenger Charges Scheme which the British Transport Commission have submitted to the Transport Tribunal. The actual levels of fares under the Scheme will not be known until it has been settled by the Tribunal after a public inquiry. The clear intention of the Transport Act is that users of the services and facilities provided by the Commission should pay an economic price for them, and I see no justification for departing from this principle.
Charges Schemes
74.
asked the Minister of Transport whether he will formulate an interim transport charges scheme prior to the introduction of the full scheme as required under the Transport Act, 1947; and, if so, when this will commence to operate.
No. I have no power to formulate charges schemes under the Transport Act. The duty of preparing draft charges schemes and of submitting them to the Transport Tribunal for confirmation is placed by the Act on the British Transport Commission.
Accidents, Cardiff
75.
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the public concern at the fact that during March, 19 accidents in Cardiff were attributable to unleashed dogs on the carriage way; and what further action he proposes to take to reduce the number of accidents caused in Cardiff and else where by unleashed dogs on the roads.
I understand that these particular accidents involved no personal injury or damage. I am, however, anxious that all dog owners should realise the dangers of letting dogs stray in the streets, and national and local propaganda is assiduously directed to this end.
Road Repairs, London
76.
asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to expedite the completion of road repairs in the West End of London, in view of the dislocation of traffic and the extra volume of traffic due to the Festival of Britain.
I have made arrangements to ensure that no resurfacing works will be carried out on the main roads in the central area of London, including the West End, before the end of September. Where small patching works of less than 50 square yards have to be done the work will be carried out at weekends. The various undertakers have also been asked to avoid works on the main roads during the Festival of Britain period.
School, Felbridge
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the action he proposes to minimise the danger to children attending the Felbridge School, Surrey, from traffic is more expensive than the proposals made to him by Godstone Parish Council; and whether he will reconsider his decision not to permit the speed limit area to be extended to include more adequately this school.
My interest is that children should get safely across roads to and from school. In my opinion speed restriction here is not justified and would not safeguard the children so well as an adult patrol.
Stopping Places Committee
asked the Minister of Transport how many staff of his Department are employed full-time or part-time on the work of the Stopping Places Advisory Committee.
One executive officer, part-time.
Trade And Commerce
Sacks
77.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the present shortage of sacks, indispensable for the collection of waste paper: and if he will see that these are made available.
Secondhand sacks and bags are normally used for the collection of waste paper. They are not subject to allocation, but I am aware that there is keen competition for them. Those responsible for collecting waste paper should, however, be able to secure their requirements through normal trade channels. Owing to the shortage of new sacks, I should not be justified in diverting them from the essential purposes for which they are at present being used.
Generating Equipment (Export)
78.
asked the President of the Board of Trade if the export of independent electrical generating equipment to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has now ceased; and when the last of these generating sets were exported to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
I am informed that Russian orders for the smaller types of generating sets to which the hon. Member refers were completed before the end of 1950, and that no contracts have been placed since.
British Army
Salisbury Plain (Trees)
asked the Secretary of State for War what acreage of trees has been planted in the Salisbury Plain area; what acreage of this total is for amenity purposes for camps; and what acreage is to afford cover for training.
During the last forty years about 650 acres of trees have been planted on Salisbury Plain, roughly 400 acres for amenity and 250 acres to improve training. A number of trees had to be cut down when the aerodromes at Netheravon and Upavon were laid out and others, in areas used for training, were destroyed by firing. Of the 650 acres, some 500 acres remain planted with trees.
Class Z Reserve
asked the Secretary of State for War whether the official pronouncement by Lieut.-Colonel Loewen, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Anti-Aircraft Command, to the effect that Z Reservists could retain their beards and grow their hair long was made with his approval.
Instructions have been issued to the effect that a Z Reservist who rejoins his unit with a beard will not be required to remove it. Hair is required to be reasonably short and this, I understand, was emphasised by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Anti-Aircraft Command.
asked the Secretary of State for War whether Z reservists called up with Anti-Aircraft Command are now using equipment which is less up to date than that used by Anti-Aircraft Command in 1945.
Anti-Aircraft Command now hold a considerable quantity of modern equipment which has been introduced into the Service since 1945. No items are held which are less up to date than equipment in use at the end of the war.
Home Guard
asked the Secretary of State for War if it is proposed to allocate the.280 automatic weapon to the Home Guard in place of the.303 rifle used in the last war.
Issues to the Regular, Reserve and Auxiliary Forces will receive priority, and these will take a considerable time.
asked the Secretary of State for War if the number of Home Guard to be enrolled at the outbreak of hostilities has yet been decided upon; and whether there are sufficient rifles and ammunition available to equip this number without taking away such weapons from other services.
The answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes."
Divisions (Strength)
asked the Secretary of State for War, in so far as the information has already been published, what will be the total number of divisions of United Kingdom troops by the end of 1951; how many of these will be armoured; and how many will be allotted to Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe.
At the end of 1951 there will be the equivalent of ten active Army divisions, of which three will be armoured. The equivalent of four divisions, two armoured and two infantry, will be allotted to Supreme Headquarters, Allied Powers in Europe.
Stores, Middle East
asked the Secretary of State for War what Government stores are at this time being shipped from Mombasa to Egypt; and for what purpose.
A number of stores, mainly vehicles and engineering stores, which are required by the Army in the Middle East, are being backloaded to Egypt following the decision, referred to by my hon. Friend in his reply to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) on 22nd November, 1950, to close down the store-holding organisation at Mackinnon Road.
Planning
Building By-Jaws (Committee)
asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will give an assurance that the committee which is to advise him on the revision of the model building by-laws will include at least one sanitary inspector.
No. I have invited 15 Associations, including the Royal Sanitary Institute, each to nominate a member of the Committee, and I must leave it to them to choose whomsoever they think best qualified for the task. I cannot add to the Committee's present numbers without making it unwieldy, but the Committee will be free to take evidence from any body with special knowledge and experience.
asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning the names of the professional associations invited to nominate representatives to serve on the committee which is to advise him on the revision of the model building bylaws.
The answer is as follows: Association of Municipal Corporations, British Standards Institution, Federation of Associations of Specialists and Sub-Contractors, Federation of British Industries, Incorporated Association of Architects and Surveyors, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Municipal Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, National Federation of Building Trades' Employers, National Federation of Building Trades' Operatives, Royal Institute of British Architects, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Rural District Councils Association, Royal Sanitary Institute and Urban District Councils Association.
Royal Air Force (Craftsmen)
asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will state the number of civilian hourly-rated mechanics employed at No. 33 Maintenance Unit, Lyneham, No. 22 Maintenance Unit, Silloth, and No. 38 Maintenance Unit, Llandow; how may of these are employed as registered dilutees; and how many were formerly so registered who are now classified as craftsmen.
Figures for metal working craftsmen employed on the repair and modification of aircraft at the units stated are:
Unit | Number of craftsmen | Number of registered dilutees | Number of craftsmen recognised as fully skilled who were formerly registered as dilutees |
33 M.U., Lyneham. | 167 | 82 | 5 |
22 M.U., Silloth. | 213 | 128 | 12 |
38 M.U., Llandow. | 249 | 151 | 4 |
Housing (Waiting Lists)
asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he is aware that there were at least 10 people waiting for every house that was built in the year 1950–51; and what fresh proposals he has for overcoming this situation.
The answer to the first part of the Question is "No." As to the second part, I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular which I addressed to local authorities on 28th April.
Raw Materials And Food (Stocks)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total stocks in volume in April, 1945, of cotton, wool, tea, sugar, meat, rubber, tin, copper, grains, lead and zinc, respectively.
The total stocks, Government and private, in the United Kingdom of the undermentioned commodities at the end of April, 1945, as published in the Monthly Digest of Statistics, were, in thousand tons:
Cotton | … | 339 |
Wool | … | 245* |
Natural rubber | … | 41 |
Tin | … | 34† |
Virgin copper | … | 245 |
Virgin lead | … | 142 |
Virgin zinc | … | 170 |
* Actual weight, mainly greasy. | ||
† Tin metal and metal content of tin ore. |
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of stocks of cotton, wool, tea, sugar, meat, rubber, tin, copper, grains, lead and zinc, sold in the years April, 1945, to April, 1946, April, 1946, to April, 1947, and April, 1947, to April, 1948, respectively; and the amount received for the sale of these stocks, giving in each case profit or loss on each transaction, and basing the estimate on such profit or loss on the average cost of the stocks less the price realised on sale.
I assume that the hon. and learned Member's Question refers to trading on Government account. Sales of these raw materials ex-stocks cannot be segregated from total sales; nor can the profit or loss be given on the basis referred to. The following table, however, gives total sales of the commodities concerned by quantity and value, and the profit or loss on the basis adopted in the published Trading Accounts. The quantity and value figures are not in all cases comparable, principally because complete quantity figures were not maintained for the less important items in the trading controls' accounts.
RESULTS OF GOVERNMENT TRADING SERVICES IN CERTAIN RAW MATERIALS AND FOODSTUFFS | |||||||||
(1ST APRIL, 1945, TO 31 MARCH, 1948) | |||||||||
Commodity | 1945–46 Sales (a) | Profit (+) or Loss (-) | 1946–47 Sales (a) | Profit (+) or Loss (-) | 1947–48 Sales (a) | Profit (+) or Loss (-) | |||
Quantity | Value | Quantity | Value | Quantity | Value | ||||
£ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||||
Tin (b) (c) | 49,374 tons | 13,955,573 | 916,668 | 74,015 tons | 23,061,889 | +109,299 | 79,703 tons | 31,988,495 | +1,692,037 |
Copper (b) (c) | 382,252 tons | 23,572,076 | -1,892,172 | 329,304 tons | 24,193,394 | -238,398 | 383,251 tons | 44,023,731 | + 2,567,425 |
Lead (b) (c) | 217,108 tons | 6,037,634 | 918,813 | 165,029 tons | 7,284,335 | -1,107,253 | 183,489 tons | 13,864,529 | + 1,355,906 |
Zinc (b) (c) | 347,159 tons | 6,397,817 | -1,280,400 | 363,686 tons | 10,241,222 | 704,925 | 240,784 tons | 15,545,654 | + 1,045,534 |
Cotton (d) | 2,034,796 bales | 43,981,332 | -2,106,238 | 2,140,310 bales | 55,257,807 | +3,148,310 | 3,071,423 bales | 118,571,493 | + 27,982,686 |
Rubber (e) | 296,000 tons | 44,628,690 | -2,989,169 | 348,000 tons | 40,583,214 | -2,253,442 | 103,000 tons | 4,580,172 | -2,308,039 |
Wool (f) (g) (h) | 454,371,000 lbs. | 34,671,872 | + 1,574,706 (f) | 238,661,000 lbs. | 14,144,103 | + 918,086 (i) | 58,000,000 lbs. | 6,407,061 | + 640,699 |
Tea (j) (k) | 328,518 tons | 74,491,300 | -2,902,496 | 324,885 tons | 74,625,709 | -4,833,517 | 173,605 tons | 47,083,210 | -9,173,628 |
Sugar (j) | 2,365,089 tons | 54,032,417 | -15,666,776 | 3,049,765 tons | 57,258,957 | -23,625,481 | 2,782,135 tons | 85,771,643 | -28,357,933 |
Meat (j) (l) | 2,093,143 tons | 219,242,029 | -32,409,329 | 2,127,938 tons | 230,964,527 | -35,856,693 | 1,835,333 tons | 200,644,648 | -53,967,982 |
Cereals (including flour) (j) (m) | 8,305,419 tons | 153,699,230 | -59,048,000 | 8,895,928 tons | 151,619,781 | -57,371,707 | 8,032,477 tons | 187,613,033 | -89,641,659 |
NOTES |
(a) Sales figures include sales in the U.K., shipments abroad ex U.K. stocks and direct shipments from countries of procurement. |
(b) The quantities given cover the metals in their various specifications, including ores and concentrates. |
(c) The profit or loss excludes administration charges and interest on capital, which are not apportioned to the individual non-ferrous metals in the published Trading Accounts. |
(d)The quantity figures cover raw cotton, waste, linters and non-spinning cotton for 1945–47. For 1947–48 the figures cover nine months trading in raw cotton and twelve months trading in waste and linters, as responsibility for raw cotton passed to the Raw Cotton Commission from 1st January, 1948. Stocks transferred to the Raw Cotton Commission have been included in "sales" at valuation on transfer. |
The quantity figures exclude but the value figures include farina, oils and fats, samples and warehouse sweepings, plus some yarn transactions in the last period. |
(e) The quantity figures include crude rubber and latex, synthetic rubber and latex, reclaimed rubber and scrap rubber. The quantity figures exclude and the value figures include carbon black, silene, compounding materials, tyre fabric materials, rubber gloves, and certain acid sales in Ceylon. |
(f) The figures relate in the main to the home clip, but cover e.g. wool, sheepskins, salvage and clippings, matchings and tops, broken tops, noils and comber waste. Pelts, farrier and other skins, spetches, wool dirt residue, bagging and tares are excluded from the quantity but included in the value figures. |
(g) Periods: 1945–46…August 1945 to July 1946 (Board of Trade). |
1946–47…August 1946 to July 1947 (Board of Trade). |
1947–48…May 1947 to April 1948 (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries). |
(h) The figures exclude transactions by or on behalf of U.K.-Dominion Wool Disposals Ltd., whose accounts for the period were published in Cmd. 7714 and 7867. |
(i) Subsidies were paid in these years and the figures given include them. |
(j) The figures quoted in the profit or loss columns are the deficits incurred, i.e. subsidies given. |
(k) Direct shipments abroad under international allocation ceased in 1946–47. |
(l) Includes poultry and rabbits. |
(m) Deficits include subsidies paid direct to certain processors. |