Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 29th February, 1952
Hampshire Regiment War Memorial
asked the Minister of Works why a licence has been refused by his regional officer at Reading for the completion of the Royal Hampshire Regiment War Memorial at Winchester; and, in view of the disappointment caused thereby, whether he will authorise its completion.
A licence was refused because the work was not considered essential. As, however, the small amount of work necessary to complete the Memorial is predominantly stonework I am arranging for a licence to be issued.
Queensland Food Corporation
asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the fat cattle sold by the Queensland Food Corporation is shipped as meat to this country; and what proportion is consumed in Australia.
My Department buys the whole of Australia's exportable surplus of beef to which the production of the Queensland Food Corporation contributes, but as the Corporation's cattle are sold to local slaughterers it is not possible to distinguish the Corporation's beef from other beef imported from Australia.
asked the Minister of Food to what extent his Department is being consulted regarding the choice of the individuals who are to be invited by the Queensland British Food Corporation to confer on the problems confronting the Corporation.
The choice of the individuals rests with the Corporation, but I have no doubt that my Department and the Queensland Government will be consulted before a final decision is reached.
asked the Minister of Food how far the high variability of rainfall in Central Queensland was considered when it was decided to establish the Queensland British Food Corporation; and what has been the effect of the season's drought on the corporation's crop, cattle and pig production, and on its exports to this country.
I understand that rainfall figures for the area were studied by the mission which visited Queensland in 1948 to investigate the possibilities of starting an agricultural enterprise. The severe drought last year reduced the yield of sorghum to 430,000 bushels as compared with 1,200,000 bushels in 1950. Exports are likely to be correspondingly lower. Sorghum stubbles and residues provided a valuable supplementary feed to the pastures during the dry weather. Cattle production was virtually unaffected. I have already dealt with the export position in reply to my hon. Friend's earlier Question. Some losses of pigs were sustained. As regards exports, the position is substantially the same as that of cattle.
asked the Minister of Food whether he is satisfied with the progress achieved by the Queensland British Food Corporation now that it has passed half its testing period of seven years.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) on 27th February. It would be premature for me to express any view about the Corporation's achievements at this stage.
Employment, Wales
asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements exist for employment exchanges in Wales to submit workers direct for employment at Capenhurst and at De Havilland's Broughton factory.
At present there are sufficient workers available locally for the vacancies arising at Capenhurst. Vacancies for De Havilland's Broughton factory have been notified to local offices in North Wales and are being brought to the notice of suitable applicants for employment. During 1951 out of 910 workers placed with De Havillands, 530 were from North Wales.
asked the Minister of Labour to ensure that the fullest use will be made of redundant workers in Flintshire when workers are recruited by his exchanges for Capenhurst and for De Havilland's Broughton factory.
Yes, whenever the need arises to recruit labour from outside the areas in which the factories are situated.
Telephone Service
Lincoln
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of telephones installed in Lincoln in 1930, 1931, 1950 and 1951, respectively; and how many applicants are now on the waiting list.
The net increase in exchange connections in the four years mentioned were 60 in 1930; 44 in 1931; 294 in 1950; and 291 in 1951. At 31st December, 1951, 267 applications were on the waiting list and 134 applications were being met or under inquiry.
Stoke-On-Trent
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of applications outstanding for telephones in Stoke-on-Trent; and what is being done to overtake the arrears.
1,782 applications were outstanding on the 31st December, 1951. Additional equipment is being installed and we should be able to meet many of the outstanding applications by the end of the year.
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General the number of applications outstanding for telephones in Burslem and Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent; what is holding up the provision of the service; and how the arrears will be overtaken.
561 applications were outstanding on 31st December, 1951. Some new plant will be brought into service towards the end of the year, but in view of our limited resources I cannot say when we are likely to be able to overtake all arrears.
Post Office
Savings Accounts (Interest Rate)
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will increase the interest rate on Post Office savings accounts in a similar manner to the recently announced increased bank rate.
No. Money deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank is virtually on call and a higher rate of interest is not justified. The rate has remained unchanged at 2½ per cent. since 1861.
Northwood Sorting Office
asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of bringing the whole of the district known as Northwood Hills under the area covered by the Northwood sorting office.
Such an arrangement would mean later deliveries as well as over-crowding of the accommodation at the Northwood Sorting Office. I am, therefore, unable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.