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Written Answers

Volume 488: debated on Wednesday 30 May 1951

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Written Answers To Questions

Wednesday, 30th May, 1951

Malaya (Broadcasts To China)

25.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make a statement on the progress of the new Singapore broadcasting station; and when it is anticipated it will start broadcasting to China.

The new broadcasting station in Malaya is now in full commission. It is employed for the B.B.C.'s broadcasts to the Far East including the service to China.

International Refugee Organisation

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what disbursement has been sanctioned by the International Refugee Organisation in favour of refugees excluded by the Five-Power Agreement of June, 1946, from compensation from German assets; and if he will press for a larger sum to be made available.

It is not possible to estimate the amount of International Refugee Organisation funds allocated to such persons since the accounting system of the Organisation does not place them in a separate category. The answer to the second part of the Question is, therefore, "No."

West Africa

West African Inter-Territorial Conference

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the future of the West African Council.

After consultation with the four West African Governors I have decided that the West African Council as at present constituted shall be dissolved, and that there shall be substituted for it a body which will be known as the West African Inter-Territorial Conference. The reasons for this change, and the composition and functions of the new body, are as follow:

The West African Council was set up in 1945 after the appointment of Minister Resident in West Africa had been discontinued. It consisted of the Secretary of State as Chairman and the four West African Governors as members, and was provided with a permanent Secretariat. Its functions were, in general, to deal with matters which were of common interest to the four West African territories.

The objects and functions of the Council have recently been reviewed by my predecessor and myself, in consultation with the four Governors and the Chief Secretary to the Council, in the light of experience of its working and of developments in West Africa since it was set up. In this review particular regard has been paid to the recent or impending constitutional changes in the territories, which make it desirable that, concurrently with the assumption of greater responsibility for executive government in their territories, Africans should take a greater part in inter-territorial consultation and collaboration.

I have now decided, with the full agreement of the four Governors, that the West African Council as at present constituted shall be dissolved. In its place there will be set up a new body to be known as the West African Inter-Territorial Conference. This body will consist of two members of the Executive Council (or Council of Ministers) from each territory nominated by the Governor in Council; such nominees may vary from meeting to meeting according to the business for discussion. The Chairman of the Conference will be the Governor of Nigeria or a deputy nominated by him after consultation with the other Governors. The first meeting will be held in 1952.

The Conference will meet not less than once a year and its functions will be:

  • (a) to receive from the Secretariat a report on inter-territorial collaboration on research matters and to review the progress made thereon;
  • (b) to receive from the Secretariat a report on inter-territorial collaboration in other social and economic matters as expressed in reports of conferences held during the previous year or in other convenient form and to make recommendations thereon;
  • (c) to consider international collaboration on matters covered by (a) and (b) and to make recommendations thereon;
  • (d) to consider the estimates for the West African Inter-Territorial Secretariat;
  • (e) to consider any other matters referred to it by any West African Government.
  • The Conference will take over the permanent Secretariat which at present serves the West African Council. That Secretariat, under its new title, will continue to be charged broadly with its present duties including in particular those of fostering international collaboration with other non-British territories in West Africa, organising inter-territorial collaboration on technical subjects, supervising the administration of joint research services and co-ordinating the military and civil aspects of West African defence. The headquarters of the Secretariat will remain at Accra.

    The cost of the West African Council and its Secretariat, which had hitherto been borne on United Kingdom funds, has been taken over by the four West African Governments with effect from April, 1950, and those Governments have agreed that the cost of the new organisation should be borne by them from its inception.

    The setting up of this new body will not affect the holding of periodical conferences of the four West African Governors as may be necessary, and the attendance at such conferences of myself or one of my Ministerial colleagues if circumstances make it desirable.

    Gold Coast (Volta River Project)

    35.

    asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now able to make a further statement on the Volta River project.

    I have nothing to add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for St. Albans (Mr. J. Grimston) on 9th May.

    Service Pensions

    49.

    asked the Minister of Defence if he is now able to make a statement on the revision of Service pensions.

    My right hon. Friend hopes to make an announcement on this subject fairly soon.

    Food Supplies

    Diabetics (Rations)

    57.

    asked the Minister of Food whether diabetics are automatically entitled to priority eggs.

    No. The Food Rationing Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council, which advises me on these delicate problems of special diets, do not consider that diabetics need any special extra ration of eggs.

    58.

    asked the Minister of Food whether he will allow diabetics an additional meat allowance over and above three times the normal ration which they at present receive and which his Department regarded as necessary when the normal ration was 1s. 10d. worth.

    I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, North (Mr. W. R. A. Hudson), on 7th February, 1951.

    Livestock (Slaughtering)

    60.

    asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made to handle the peak kill of livestock in the United Kingdom this year; and what additional numbers of stock are anticipated above last year's kill.

    The seven area advisory committees, including representatives of the meat trade, the farmers' unions and the slaughtering industry, which were set up to advise on last year's arrangements and did excellent work have been called together again and I will await their advice. It is estimated that in the last six months of this year the stock to be handled at Government slaughterhouses, will be 90,000 cattle, 250,000 sheep and lambs, and 55,000 pigs, more than last year.

    Milk (Quality)

    61.

    asked the Minister of Food if his scientific advisers can recommend the ideal percentages of butter fat and solids-not-fat in milk from the stand point of nutrition.

    This is one of the matters which will be considered by the Joint Working Party on Milk Quality, details of which were announced yesterday, and I feel it would be better to await its report before expressing any opinion.

    Meat

    62.

    asked the Minister of Food when the Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Meat Inspection will be published; and what action he proposes to take.

    The Report is being published today and I hope that all concerned will study it closely. The Committee's findings will be considered in consultation with representatives of local authorities, professional and trade associations and we shall welcome their comments. Our decision, as to action, of course, must await consideration of the views of all those affected by this report.

    66.

    asked the Minister of Food what arrangements have been made for the distribution of chilled meat shortly to be imported from Argentina; and, in particular, what quantities will be allocated for domestic consumption as against the allocation to hotels and restaurants.

    We intend to distribute chilled beef when it arrives direct from the ship. At first it will be available only in areas near the ports of arrival. Catering establishments will have no preference. Chilled beef will be shared on the same basis as all other kinds of meat.

    73.

    asked the Minister of Food the grounds of his recent refusal to grant an additional meat ration for agricultural workers.

    The reason is that I could only meet this, and the consequential claims that would be made by other groups of workers, at the expense of consumers generally. Agricultural workers already get other allowances.

    asked the Minister of Food why there is a time-lag of at least 10 days before butchers receive replacement of meat supplied to schools; and if he will take steps to reduce this delay.

    There need be no time lag. There is an established procedure, well known to butchers, whereby, on notifying their district meat agent, they can obtain forward issues of meat to fulfil their contracts to schools before evidence of the exact quantity supplied is given to the local food office.

    Meat Products Order

    63.

    asked the Minister of Food whether he will revoke the Meat Products Order in the summer when supplies become plentiful, so that meat manufacturers may be able to produce better quality articles and thus compete with imported supplies; or alternatively what other measures he proposes to take.

    I do not think that it would be in the public interest to revoke this Order outright. I am considering how it can be improved by amendment but I cannot yet say what form the changes will take.

    Prunes

    65.

    asked the Minister of Food why there are no prunes for sale in shops at the present time; and when they can be expected to be available again.

    There have been no imports of prunes into the country for the last 12 months, and remaining stocks are negligible. Supplies in any quantity can only be obtained from the United States of America for dollars, and until we can spare dollars, I am afraid that no prunes will be available for domestic consumers.

    Clean Food Display Stands

    68.

    asked the Minister of Food why the application for the exhibition of the food hygiene display stand at the Camelford Agricultural Show was refused; and what was the estimated cost of showing it there, including the cost of transport, erection and dismantling.

    I am sorry that we were not able to send our display stands to the Camelford Show. The reason is that it was designed for use at local Clean Food Exhibitions lasting for a week or more, and it would be impracticable, because of the high cost of transport, installation and dismantling, to send it to exhibitions lasting only for one day. We are, however, considering the production of a smaller display for use at one-day shows and I intend to get in touch with the Camelford authorities in the hope that we may be able to co-operate with them in their future activities.

    Eggs

    69.

    asked the Minister of Food what has been the proportion of home-produced eggs to imported eggs released for distribution during the past two months as compared with the corresponding period of last year; and what is the reason for the difference.

    The figures for the eight weeks ended 16th May this year are 86 per cent. home-produced and 14 per cent. imported. The figures for the corresponding period last year were 69 per cent. and 31 per cent. respectively. The difference has largely been due to this year's bad weather, which resulted in smaller supplies from overseas. Another factor is that this year we arranged for increased quantities to be oil-dipped and stored overseas so that they could be distributed later in the year and so help to even out the level of supplies.

    Special Diets (Committee)

    70.

    asked the Minister of Food if he will give the names of the medical advisers to his Department on the adequacy of rations and on food allowances for special diets; whether these advisers may proffer unrequested opinions; and how many times their views have been sought over the past year and on what matters.

    Following is the information. On all matters concerning extra rations and supplies of controlled foods for invalids and persons on special diets, I am advised by the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council. The members of this Committee are:Dr. H. P. Himsworth, M.D., F.R.C.P. (

    Chairman).

    Professor L. S. P. Davidson, F.R.S.E., M.D., F.R.C.P.

    Professor Sir Francis Fraser, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.P.E.

    Lord Horder, G.C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.P.

    Dr. R. D. Lawrence, M.D., F.R.C.P.

    Professor R. A. McCance, M.D., F.R.C.P.

    Dr. Norman Smith, M.D., F.R.C.P.

    Professor Sir James C. Spence, M.D., F.R.C.P.

    Professor M. L. Rosenheim, M.D., F.R.C.P. ( Secretary).

    I am always willing to consider any matters which the Committee wish to refer to me and, like my predecessors, I have been grateful for their assistance in dealing with invalid rations, and have been guided by their advice. On numerous occasions over the past 11 years they have initiated proposals which have been adopted. During the past year the Committee's advice has been sought on numerous individual applications for extra rations on medical grounds, as well as on the following broader issues:

  • 1. The allowances of rationed foods needed under current conditions by patients with active tuberculosis.
  • 2. The question whether the reduction of the meat ration made it necessary to grant supplementary allowances to any invalid or person on a special diet who needed meat on medical grounds.
  • 3. Revising the memorandum issued to doctors on the arrangements for granting extra rations on medical grounds.
  • Salvaged Goods

    72.

    asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are made by his Department for the disposal of salvaged goods and sweets which are in danger of becoming unfit for consumption.

    These arrangements are set out in the Salvaged Goods Order, 1948, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

    Royal Navy

    Retired Personnel (Pay And Pensions)

    76.

    asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the increase in the cost of living, he will consider a review of the retired pay and pension rates of retired officers and men of the Royal Navy.

    If my hon. Friend has in mind the increase of pensions and retired pay already in issue, I would refer him to the answer given on 24th April by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble). Although the pensions then under discussion were different, the principle involved is the same.

    280 Rifle

    asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if the Royal Navy and Royal Marines will also be equipped with the.280 rifle.

    Power Cuts, Nottinghamshire

    asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that power cuts in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are causing dislocation of production for export in the hosiery trade; and for how long these cuts will continue.

    I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to a Private Notice Question on 10th May.

    Post Office

    Facilities, Morleigh Cross

    78.

    asked the Post master-General whether, in view of the number of visitors to be provided for during the summer months, he will arrange to place a letter-box at Morleigh Cross, near Stanborough, in south Devon shire.

    Staff (Committee Report)

    79.

    asked the Postmaster-General when he expects the Committee on Recognition of Post Office Grades to present its report.

    I understand from the Chairman that, in view of the mass of written evidence already received and of the numerous requests to give oral evidence, it is likely to be some months before the Committee will be in a position to present a report.

    AIR MAIL
    LETTERS
    DatePostage Rates from U.K.Postage Rates to U.K.Transit times
    1939 to 1945Letters: 1s. 3d. each ½oz. From 1941 onwards—Letters: 1s. 3d. each ½oz. From 1941 onwards—
    "Thin postcards"3d."Airgraphs"3d.Until late in the war, ordinary air mail letters were sent part of the way by sea, the transit times sometimes being as much as 8 weeks.
    "Airgraphs"3d."Air Letters"3d.
    "Air Letters"6d.
    From 1945 onwards—From 1945 on wards—Conveyed all the way by air: 5–14 days.
    "Forces Air Letters"1½d.
    Letters:Letters:
    1 oz.1½d.1 oz.Free
    1½oz.6d.1½ oz6d.
    Each additional ½oz.6d.Each additional ½oz.6d.
    Present"Forces Air Letters" 2½d. Letters:"Forces Air Letters" Free Letters:8–10 days
    1½oz.6d.1 oz.2½d.
    Each additional ½oz.6d.1½oz6d.
    Each additional ½oz6d.
    PARCELS
    "NO SERVICE" at any time

    Office, Tynygroes

    80.

    asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to reopen the post office at Tynygroes, Con-way, Caernarvonshire, which has now been closed for over 12 months.

    As soon as a suitable candidate for the vacant sub-post-mastership is forthcoming: meantime, the sub-postmaster of a neighbouring office is attending in the village for 2½ hours on Fridays to pay pensions and allowances and transact other classes of Post Office business.

    Troops, Korea (Facilities)

    82.

    asked the Postmaster-General in what ways the existing postal and telegraph facilities to and from British troops in Korea, particularly the time involved and the cost of telegrams, letters and parcels, differ from those in force during the 1939–45 war between the United Kingdom and troops in the Far East or South-East Asia.

    SURFACE MAILS
    LETTERS
    DatePostage Rates from U.K.Postage Rates to U.K.Transit times
    1939 to 19451½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce.Free up to 2 ounces. Above 2 ounces charged, on full weight, at 1½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce.South East Asia: 28–47 days.
    Present2½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce.1½d. for first ounce and 1d. for each additional ounce.Japan:
    40–50 days
    Korea:
    40–60 days

    PARCELS
    DatePostage Rates from U.K.Postage Rates to U.K.Transit times
    1939 (October) to 1945.3 lb.9d.3 lb.9d.South East Asia:
    7 lb.1s. 6d.7 lb.1s. 6d.28–47 days.
    11 lb.2s. 0d.11 lb.2s. 0d.
    22 lb.3s. 6d.22 lb.3s. 6d.
    Present3 lb.1s. 3d.3 lb.1s. 3d.Japan:
    7 lb.2s. 3d.7 lb.2s. 3d.40–50 days.
    11 lb.3s. 6d.11 lb.3s. 6d.Korea:
    22 1b.5s. 6d.22 lb.5s. 6d.40–60 days.

    TELEGRAMS
    DateRates to and from U.K.Average transit times between London telegraph station and Telcom unit*
    To U.K.From U.K.
    During 1939–45 warSOUTH EAST ASIA:
    Ordinary 1s. 3d. per word
    Deferred—7½d. per word
    Commonwealth Social telegram 5s. 0d. (13 words) (GLT)No records available.
    Letter telegram 10s. 5d. (25 words) (LT)
    EFM—2s. 6d. per telegram
    1951KOREA:
    Commonwealth Social telegram 5s. 0d. (11 words) (GLT)8 hour5⅓ hours
    Letter telegram 11 s. 0d. (22 words) (LT)
    EFM—2s. 6d. per telegram

    * The Army Postal Services in Korea are responsible for conveyance of telegrams between the Telcom Unit and the troops

    Dog Licences

    asked the Postmaster-General how many dog licences were issued in 1900, 1940 and 1950.

    The number of dog licences issued during the years quoted is as follows: 1900, 1,343,913; 1940, 2,801,025; 1950, 3,089,583.

    General Offices (Opening Hours)

    asked the Postmaster-General if he will give a list of towns in which the General Post Office is open all night and at week-ends; and a corresponding list for 1939.

    London (London Chief Office and Leicester Square Branch Post Office) and Glasgow. In 1939, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Plymouth.

    Complaint

    asked the Postmaster-General what reply has been sent to the complaint made by Mr. J. E. Jones of offensive words spoken to him when he asked for a number in Welsh; and what action he has taken to prevent a recurrence.

    Mr. Jones' letter, which reached me on 21st May, has been acknowledged and his complaint is being investigated. As soon as the inquiries have been completed, I will write to the hon. Member.

    Stamps

    asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the confusion that has been caused by the transposition of the colours of the postage stamps valued ½d. to 2½d; and what was the reason for this change.

    As explained in the Press notices which have been issued on this subject the recent changes in the colours of our postage stamps have been made in order to comply with the requirements of the Universal Postal Convention. A change of this character was bound to cause some initial difficulty, but this is rapidly disappearing as the public use up their stocks of stamps in the old colours.

    asked the Postmaster-General what he proposes to do with the old issue of stamps now being replaced by the Festival issue.

    Unsold stamps of the old issue in the lower denominations will be pulped. The 2s. 6d., 5s., 10s. and £1 stamps of the old design will remain on sale until exhausted.

    Education (Lcc Plan)

    87.

    asked the Minister of Education to what extent he has modified the London school plan in respect of the proposals to create over 60 comprehensive secondary schools, each for 2,000 pupils.

    The modifications my right hon. Friend made in the London County Council's Development Plan when he approved it in February, 1951, did not, speaking generally, affect the Council's proposals for the establishment of comprehensive high schools. The proposed number of these schools which will cater for 2,000 pupils is, in fact, 35.

    Scotland (Population Statistics)

    asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to give the population of Scotland, and of each county and large burgh in Scotland according to the recent census.

    I understand from the Registrar-General for Scotland that according to the summaries of population received from the registrars the information desired by my hon. Friend is as set forth in the following table. The figures are provisional and subject to correction when the Census returns have been examined in detail, but are believed to be substantially correct. The figures relating to counties include the populations of the burghs situated therein and the 1931 figures given for comparison relate to the areas of the counties and burghs as they were at the time of the recent Census.

    SCOTLANDPopulation 1951Population 1931Increase 1931–1951Decrease 1931–1951
    Counties, Cities, and Large BurghsBoth SexesMalesFemalesBoth SexesMalesFemalesActualPer Cent.ActualPer Cent.
    SCOTLAND5,095,9692,434,7492,661,2204,842,9802,325,5232,517,457252,9895·2

    Counties(Cities and Burghs included)

    Aberdeen308,055144,523163,532300,436141,928158,5087,6192·5
    Angus274,870126,797148,073270,190122,581147,6094,6801·7
    Argyll63,27030,64232,62863,05030,45632,5942200·3
    Ayr321,184153,056168,128285,217136,658148,55935,96712·6
    Banff50,13523,80126,33454,90726,56928,3384,7728·7
    Berwick25,06012,17212,88826,61212,77213,8401,5525·8
    Bute19,2859,03610,24918,8238,15310,6704622·5
    Caithness22,70510,92911,77625,65612,47113,1852,95111·5
    Clackmannan37,52817,97719,55131,94815,19116,7575,58017·5
    Dumfries85,65641,27744,37981,22038,47942,7414,4365·5
    Dunbarton164,26379,45384,810146,72371,58675,13717,54012·0
    East Lothian52,24025,62926,61147,33823,00124,3374,90210·4
    Fife306,855150,220156,635276,368134,515141,85330,48711·0
    Inverness84,92442,54042,38482,10841,10940,9992,8163·4
    Kincardine47,34122,72924,61239,86519,03020,8357,47618·8
    Kinross7,4183,5313,8877,4543,5493,905360·5
    Kirkcudbright30,74215,00315,73930,16814,55115,6175741·9
    Lanark1,614,125773,728840,3971,587,663775,877811,78626,4621·7
    Midlothian565,746263,263302,483526,296243,391282,90539,4507·5
    Moray48,21124,69623,51540,80619,37121,4357,40518·1
    Nairn8,7194,0644,6558,2943,9094,3854255·1
    Orkney21,25810,35510,90322,07710,61711,4608193·7
    Peebles15,2267,0448,18215,0516,8228,2291751·2
    Perth128,07260,47067,602120,79356,65264,1417,27960
    Renfrew324,652153,787170,865287,991138,050149,94136,66112·7
    Ross and Cromarty60,50329,07831,42562,79929,82032,9792,2963·7
    Roxburgh45,56221,40624,15645,68520,78824,8971230·3
    Selkirk21,7249,94811,77622,71110,35912,3529874·3
    Stirling187,43292,03395,399166,44783,82582,62220,98512·6
    Sutherland13,6646,6437,02116,1017,9658,1362,43715·1
    West Lothian88,57644,03444,54281,43141,99339,4387,1458·8

    SCOTLANDPopulation 1951Population 1931Increase 1931–1951Decrease 1931–1951
    Counties, Cities, and Large BurghsBoth SexesMalesFemalesBoth SexesMalesFemalesActualPer Cent.ActualPer Cent.
    Wigtown31,62515,89115,73429,33113,94015,3912,2947·8
    Zetland19,3438,99410,34921,4219,54511,8762,0789·7

    Counties of Cities:

    Glasgow1,089,555519,010570,5451,093,337526,912566,4253,7820·3
    Edinburgh466,770213,900252,870439,010199,350239,66027,7606·3
    Aberdeen182,71483,63699,078169,80378,05491,74912,9117·6
    Dundee177,33381,14496,189177,17979,54197,6381540·1

    Large Burghs:

    Paisley93,70444,02249,68288,38441,59846,7865,3206·0
    Greenock76,29936,92939,37079,01239,22539,7872,7133·4
    Motherwell and Wishaw68,13733,16834,96965,61133,39432,2172,5263·8
    Kirkcaldy49,03723,47825,55944,74521,13923,6064,2929·6
    Coatbridge47,53823,33724,20143,51322,66520,8484,0259·3
    Dunfermline44,71022,64522,06535,05816,59618,4629,65227·5
    Clydebank44,62521,97722,64847,03323,79523,2382,4085·1
    Ayr43,01119,90123,11038,90518,21720,6884,10610·6
    Kilmarnock42,12019,94722,17338,68118,30720,3743,4398·9
    Perth40,46618,74021,72635,06016,00219,0585,40615·4
    Hamilton40,17319,50320,67038,11219,28418,8282,0615·4
    Falkirk37,52818,38419,14436,56618,69817,8689622·6
    Airdrie30,30814,69315,61526,73413,31613,4183,57413·4
    Inverness28,11513,17214,94323,55010,98812,5624,56519·4
    Stirling26,96012,69214,26824,54711,58912,9582,4139·8
    Dumfries26,32012,19214,12823,01310,45312,5603,30714·4
    Rutherglen24,22511,21613,00925,18211,94213,2409573·8
    Dumbarton23,70311,39912,30421,76410,87810,8861,9398·9
    Port Glasgow21,61210,51211,10019,8269,9669,8601,7869·0
    Arbroath19,5038,84310,66017,7017,9219,7801,80210·2
    TOTALS—Cities and large Burghs2,744,4661,294,4401,450,0262,652,3261,259,8301,392,496102,0003·59,860

    Royal Air Force

    Aircraft, Kent (Flying Height)

    83.

    asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the mini mum height at which aircraft are allowed to fly over Dover and Deal; and whether any special instructions have been issued, in view of the noise of jet aircraft and the consequent fear caused to children in the area.

    Royal Air Force aircraft are not permitted to fly over towns at less than 1,000 feet except in emergency. No special instructions have been issued in regard to flying over Dover and Deal. As I am very anxious to ensure a minimum of disturbance to residents in any area in which jet flying is taking place, I should be glad to investigate any cases in which it is alleged that the regulations were not being observed.

    Dilutees

    84.

    asked the Secretary of State for Air which part of the Relaxation of Customs Agreement prohibits the Air Ministry from promoting dilutee employees to the position of chargehand, or insists upon the demotion of such dilutees where promotion has already been granted, as in the case of Mr. Cyril Edwards, No. 8, Maintenance Unit, Royal Air Force, Little Rissington.

    The Relaxation of Customs Agreement of 1939 between the Air Ministry and the Amalgamated Engineering Union does not prohibit the promotion of dilutees. But in conformity with the Agreement, it is Air Ministry policy in filling vacancies for chargehand craftsmen not to select dilutees if suitable fully skilled craftsmen are available. I have already explained in my reply on 2nd May to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) why it was necessary to downgrade Mr. Edwards.

    Manston Station (Security)

    85.

    asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Royal Air Force or the United States Air Force is respon- sible for security arrangements at Manston Aerodrome.

    Overall responsibility for security arrangements at R.A.F. Station, Manston, rests with the Royal Air Force.

    British Army

    16 Paratroop Brigade

    90.

    asked the Secretary of State for War why the 16th Independent Paratroop Brigade received an urgent call-up; and if he will make a statement.

    16 Independent Paratroop Brigade did not receive an urgent call-up. The Brigade has had one battalion at 14 days' notice and the rest has been at 28 days' notice to move for some time. The Brigade received orders on 11th May, 1951, for the whole Brigade to be brought to 14 days' notice to move, and is moving shortly to the Mediterranean as a reinforcement to the garrison.

    Casualties, Malaya And Korea

    asked the Secretary of State for War the total British casualties up to date in Malaya and Korea; the number of men under 20 years of age on the date they were killed or wounded: and their average length of service.

    Pursuant to the reply given to Question No. 5, 13th March [OFFICIAL REPORT, c. 129–130, Written Answers]. In Malaya from 1st May, 1948, to 31st March, 1951, 47 men under 20 years of age, with an average length of service of one year 74 days, had been killed; 69 men under 20 years of age, with an average length of service of one year 115 days, had been wounded. In Korea from August, 1950, to 31st March, 1951, 24 men under 20 years of age, with an average length of service of one year 27 days, had been killed; 81 men under 20 years of age, with an average length of service of one year 105 days, had been wounded.