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Written Answers

Volume 523: debated on Tuesday 2 February 1954

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Written Answers To Questions

Tuesday, 2nd February, 1954

Cotton Workers (Byssinosis Research)

12.

asked the Minister of Labour how far progress is being made towards the prevention of byssinosis amongst those who work in cotton mills.

Extensive research has been carried out for some years into the problem of preventing the emission of dust in cotton mills which may cause byssinosis. This has been done under the auspices of a joint committee appointed by the Chief Inspector of Factories with assistance from the Shirley Institute and individual cotton mills. Some progress has been made though the problem has not yet been finally solved. Improved methods of dust exhaustion are now the subject of further experiment to determine their suitability for general application.

County (1)Number of cases referred to Advisory Panels in 1953Number of cases allowed deferment in 1953
First Applications (2)Applications for extension (3)First Applications (4)Applications for extension (5)*
Lancashire450149375582
Cheshire …370281333430
Staffordshire29038269396
Derbyshire31612295403
* The figures in column (5) include those cases referred to anAdvisory Panel (column (3)). Applications for extension of deferment can be granted by a National Service Deferment Board without reference to a Panel.

Scotland

National Congress Letter (Agents Provocateurs)

35.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the terms of the letter he has received from the Secretary of the Scottish National Congress on the question of the employment of agents provocateurs in Scotland; and what was the nature of his reply.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to a circular letter, of which he will have a copy, sent to all Scottish Members on the 22nd January. I have not replied to it.

National Service (Farmworkers)

asked the Minister of Labour how many agricultural workers in the counties of Lancashire, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire, respectively, registered for National Service during 1952 or 1953 under the National Service Acts; how many cases were referred to the advisory panel; how many were granted deferment; and how many were called up.

I regret that information is not available as to the number of agricultural workers registered in a particular county nor is it possible to say, without expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time, how many agricultural workers in each county were called up.Information in reply to the remaining part of the Question is as follows:

Forestry And Agriculture, Highlands

36.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in what respects there has been any departure from the policy announced by former Secretaries of State for a consistent improvement in the well-being of the Highlands by a co-ordinated development of forestry and agriculture under his guidance.

There has been no departure from the policy to which the right hon. Member refers. Within the last two years further surveys in the Highlands, covering more than half a million acres, have been put in hand, and some 24,000 acres of plantable land have been acquired in Highland survey areas.

37.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the delays in the development of the Strathoykel scheme for a joint forestry and agriculture improvement; to what extent this delay is occasioned by the opposition of a minority of the local landowners; and what steps he proposes to take to see that the plan is carried to fulfilment at the earliest possible date.

The development of the Strathoykell area is being pushed ahead. Sufficient land has been acquired to permit of a planting programme of 1,000 acres a year for the next five years—a reasonable programme in relation to the ultimate forest area envisaged. In addition to the 8,300 acres of plantable land already acquired or for which terms have been agreed, negotiations are in progress for the acquisition of considerable further areas. The landowners and tenants concerned have naturally their own views as to which areas can be spared from agricultural use and modifications of the original outline plan are necessary from time to time. I can assure the right hon. Member however that every effort will continue to be made to ensure the full success of the scheme.

Uk General Services (Contribution)

51.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why Scotland is now making a greater contribution towards the general services of the United Kingdom.

A comparison of the figures in the recent return with those for 1934–35 shows that Scotland's share of local expenditure has remained practically constant but that she has increased her contribution to total revenue. As a result the balance available towards meeting the cost of the general services has increased.

Empty Houses (Local Authority Acquisition)

38.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many local authorities have, of late, exercised their powers to acquire empty houses; how long a delay there has been in awaiting arbitration decisions; and what factors are taken into account by the district valuers in fixing the value of such houses.

I have no information about the first and second parts of the Question. As regards the last part, the basis of valuation is laid down in the statutes and, broadly speaking, would be the market value of the house as a house with vacant possession.

Eggs (Marketing)

52.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland to make a statement on the long-term arrangements for the marketing of eggs in Scotland.

Discussions are proceeding with the farmers' representatives on the outline of proposals submitted last December by the National Farmers' Unions for a producers' egg marketing scheme. Until these are completed, I regret that I cannot make an announcement.

Land Reclamation And Drainage Equipment (Use)

53.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, to achieve more economic use of land reclamation and drainage equipment, he will take steps to secure the agreement of landowners for land reclamation schemes by areas.

Where the possibility of carrying out a specific arterial drainage or reclamation scheme depends on securing the agreement of all interested proprietors, my officers do in fact try to promote such agreement. The question of organising a sufficient volume of field or hill drainage work in a particular area to enable a private contractor to operate his machinery economically raises of course quite different issues and I should not feel justified in making the services of my officers available for that purpose.

Silica Rock And Dolomite (Resources)

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on the recent investigations into the mineral resources of Scotland, particularly silica rock and dolomite.

I understand that the Mineral Resources Panel of the Scottish Council has recently completed an inquiry into the deposits of dolomite in Scotland, and the possibility of their utilisation, and that a report is being prepared; the council also has in hand an inquiry into the resources of silica rock.

Ministry Of Defence

Military Hospital, Paris

54.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence what plans he has made for building a military hospital in the neighbourhood of Paris to serve British troops; when it will be completed; and what the cost will be.

It is not proposed to build a hospital. By agreement with the committee of management, the Hertford British Hospital, in Paris, is being taken over. In addition, the French Government have made available a small section of a French hospital at Fontainebleau.

National Service Men (Regular Engagements)

55.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence the nature of the inducement offered to youths called up for National Service to serve for a longer period than that required by the provisions of the National Service Acts.

Men joining the Forces on Regular engagements enjoy a number of advantages over National Service men, including higher rates of pay from the outset instead of after 18 months, and more generous leave scales. Generally speaking, their prospects of advancement are better and, provided they have the necessary qualifications, they are more likely to secure entry in the branch or trade of their choice. These advantages are normally brought to the notice of men called up for National Service.

Armed Forces (Homosexuality)

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence if his attention has been drawn to the recent disclosures of homosexuality in the Royal Air Force; to what extent this is prevalent in the three Services; and what action is taken by his Department and those concerned to stamp out homosexuality when this is discovered in Her Majesty's forces.

If the hon. Member is referring in the first part of his Question to evidence given by two airmen in a criminal case which has recently been committed for trial at the assizes, he will not expect me to comment while the matter is sub judice. There is no reason to suppose that homosexuality is prevalent in the Services.As regards the remainder of his Question, he will find a statement of the attitude of the Service Departments towards offences of this kind in Annex 36 on pages 388–390 of the Report of the Select Committee of this House on the Army Act and the Air Force Act. The Select Committee accepted these views.

British Army

Military Conduct, Kenya (Inquiry)

59.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has decided not to publish the report of the court of inquiry into military conduct in Kenya.

As I explained before this court of inquiry was set up, and later, following my statement last Tuesday, the proceedings of a military court of inquiry are privileged.

68 and 69.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what charges have been preferred against Captain Griffiths as a result of disclosures to the court of inquiry into recent incidents in Kenya;(2) how soon he expects to be able to make a statement on the disciplinary action to be taken as a result of the investigations by the court of inquiry on incidents in Kenya.

Captain Griffiths is now under arrest. Until the summary of evidence has been completed, I cannot say what charges the Commander-in-Chief, East Africa, may prefer against him. General Erskine has considered action in another case, but, after examining the summary of evidence, he has decided, on legal advice, that no case lies.

Personal Cases

63.

asked the Secretary of State for War why National Service man 22872618 Private Godfrey Rudge, Winson Green, Birmingham, was sent to Egypt with perforated ears; what is his present medical condition and grade; and why he is not discharged from Her Majesty's forces.

Before entry, this soldier was examined by a civilian specialist who found no perforation and no evidence of active ear disease. Two later examinations by Army medical officers revealed no change in his condition and he was, therefore, sent to Egypt. A fresh infection of his left ear developed there and he was brought back to this country. His ear condition is improving under treatment and he is fit for service, so long as he does not serve in the Tropics or on front-line duties.

64.

asked the Secretary of State for War why National Service man 22149853 Daniel Kemmings, Ladywood, Birmingham, having commenced his National Service nearly five years ago is not yet discharged; how many days this soldier has spent on active service; how many days in detention; and when it is proposed to discharge him.

Although this man joined on 23rd June, 1949, he has had only one year and 145 days' service counting towards his statutory liability of 2 years' whole-time service. The remainder of the time he has been serving sentences for civil and military offences and he is now serving a sentence of nine months' detention. After that he will not be held.

National Service Men (Maintenance Cost)

65.

asked the Secretary of State for War the financial cost per week of maintaining a National Service man on active service; and the financial cost per week of maintaining such a soldier during detention.

The weekly cost of maintaining a National Service man on service outside Europe varies from about £9 to £12 according to the theatre. The corresponding figure for such a soldier in detention in a corrective establishment is £5.

Soldiers' Duties (Monetary Inducements)

69.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent his regulations permit the offering of monetary rewards for the killing of capture of members of hostile forces.

This matter is not dealt with in any regulation, since it has long been understood within the British Army that a soldier needs no special monetary inducement to do his duty.

Strategic Materials (Imports From Ussr)

71.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and values of manganese, platinum, iridium, silver and other strategic materials imported into the United Kingdom from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1953.

Of the items mentioned by the right hon. Member, we imported from the Soviet Union, in 1953, 27,600 tons of manganese ore valued at £501,000; 20,900,000 troy ounces of silver bullion valued at £6,383,000; and 94,900 troy ounces of platinum valued at £3,142,000.

National Finance

Electrically Operated Washing Machines (Tax)

75.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, when he made his recent reductions in Purchase Tax, he did not include electrically operated washing machines, particularly in view of their time and labour-saving advantages to the housewife.

This would involve singling out electrically operated washing machines from the wide range of electrical domestic appliances which are taxed at the same rate. I am aware of no sufficient reason for doing so.

Pensions (State Liability)

72.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered information, details of which have been sent to him, concerning the increasing liability of the State with regard to pensions; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in this matter.

Yes. I am aware of the facts given in the articles sent to be my my hon. Friend. The Government have appointed an independent committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Thomas Phillips, to consider the economic and financial problems involved in providing for old age, and Government policy will be determined when this report is available.

Bank Of England (Treasury Control)

76.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what authority the Treasury control and direct the policy of the Bank of England, especially with regard to alteration of the Bank rate.

The only authority is Section 4 (1) of the Bank of England Act, 1946.

Local Authority Grants

79.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will, having regard to the burdens falling upon ratepayers following expanding social services give consideration to increasing grants to local authorities.

Football Pool Duty (Receipts)

81.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decline there has been in the revenue received by the Treasury since the higher duty on football pools was instituted in 1949; and what the receipts were from this source in 1950, 1951 and 1952.

There has been no decline. The receipts in 1950 were £15,681,896; in 1951, £17,218,392; and, in 1952, £19,772,642.

Post-War Credits (Conversion)

82.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will convert post-war credits into tax-free convertible bonds in order to make them negotiable.

Non-Woollen Textiles (Tax)

83.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of Purchase Tax has been collected on non-woollen textiles from the passing of the Finance Act, 1953, to the latest available date; and what was the amount collected in the same period of 1952.

Purchase Tax is collected quarterly, and I can, therefore, give quarterly figures only. For the quarter ended 31st December, 1953, the sum was between £5 and £5½ million. This corresponds approximately to the same figure as for a similar period in 1952.

84.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the recent reductions in Purchase Tax on certain articles, he will now make concessions in regard to Purchase Tax on non-woollen textiles.

Fuel Oil (Tax)

85.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration he is giving to the high rate of tax on Derv fuel oil; and if he will make a statement.

Full consideration is being given to the representations which have been received about the level of this duty, but, obviously, I cannot anticipate the Budget statement.

Australian Wheat (Imports)

86.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far it is the policy of the Government to encourage the import of Australian wheat into this country in order to save dollars.

It is the Government's policy that wheat for consumption in the United Kingdom may be imported freely by private traders from any part of the world. Traders, naturally, go to the source offering the most favourable prices, terms and conditions for the types and qualities of wheat they require. Australian wheat is, in the main, a "softer" wheat. To make satisfactory bread flour, it is necessary to include a fairly high proportion of "hard" wheat. The Government trusts that Australia will continue to secure her fair share of the trade.

Banks (Dividend Policy)

87.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the large amounts borrowed by the Government from the clearing banks, what steps he has taken recently to draw the attention of the banks to the need for restraint in dividend policy.

I am satisfied that Her Majesty's Government's policy is well known to the banks; the need for reiteration does not therefore arise.

Greyhound Racecourse Totalisators (Duty)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of pool betting duty received each month from tolalisators operated upon greyhound race courses for the period January to June, 1952, and 1953.

The amounts of pool betting duty received from greyhound racecourse totalisators for the months in question were:

19521953
££
January489,884431,971
February406,143388,497
March478,003445,212
April539,896576,243
May619,237531,780
June598,626550,667

Public Boards (Members' Allowances)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for what purposes the allowances shown in Command Paper No. 9025 are paid to certain members of public boards; and how these allowances are treated for tax purposes.

Apart from the personal oversea allowance paid to the Chairman of the Overseas Food Corporation, who is also the Corporation's chief General Manager in Tanganyika, the allowances shown in Command Paper No. 9025 are paid to cover expenses incurred by board members in the performance of the duties of their office. As explained in the note on allowances in the White Paper, they compound for travelling and subsistence expenses in certain cases.

The allowances are, in general, chargeable to Income Tax, but a deduction may be claimed of any part of an allowance which is expended wholly, necessarily and exclusively in the performance of the duties of the office in respect of which it is paid.

Purchase Tax Changes (Cost)

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the gross revenue expected to be raised per year by the increases in Purchase Tax embodied in Purchase Tax Orders, 1954, Nos. 1, 2 and 3; and the gross revenue expected to be lost by the reductions in these Orders.

I estimate that, in a full year, the increases in tax imposed by these Orders will yield approximately £1 million, and the reductions will cost approximately £3 million.

Tate Gallery Pictures (Location)

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many, of the 4,321 pictures in the National Gallery, are on view at the Tate Gallery; how many are exhibited in provincial galleries and museums; how many are in store, or in buildings other than galleries or museums; and how many rooms in the Tate Gallery, suitable for exhibiting pictures, are at present not being used for this purpose.

At 28th January, there were 4,321 works in the keeping of the Tate Gallery, including 344 sculptures. The location of the 3,977 pictures was as follows:

At the Tate Gallery
On view1,167
In the Reference Section (available on due notice)2,252
Elsewhere
On loan to provincial galleries219
On loan to foreign galleries15
On loan to national museums and galleries8
In buildings other than galleries and museums316
All rooms suitable for exhibiting pictures are in use for that purpose.

Housing (Ex-Service Men)

91.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will consider issuing a further circular to local authorities with regard to provision of housing accommodation for members of Her Majesty's Forces on completion of their service.

Yes. My right hon. Friend will consider whether there is any further action which he can usefully take to follow up his Circular of 31st January, 1952.

Local Government

London Development Plan

92.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he expects to announce the result of the inquiry into the London Development Plan, in view of the fact that the delay in announcing this is causing difficulties to people who desire to dispose of their properties which may be affected by his decision on the report of the inquiry.

It will be some time yet before my right hon. Friend can announce his decision on the Plan. This will be dealt with as quickly as possible, but, as the hon. Member will be aware, there were nearly 7,000 objections which have to be considered, as well as many important questions of general policy.

Rights Of Way, Swindon (Closure)

94.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will refuse the application made to him by the British Transport Commission for permission to close the public rights of way across railway lines at Swindon.

My right hon. Friend has received no such application. He understands that the British Transport Commission have submitted to the Wiltshire County Council a number of objections to the draft footpath map prepared by the County Council in carrying out a survey of rights of way under the National Parks Act. These objections must be dealt with in the first place by the County Council, and thereafter there are provisions for appeals by people who are dissatisfied.

Equal Pay Increases (Exchequer Grant)

93.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give an assurance that the implementation of the recent agreement with the National Association of Local Government Officers making pay increases equal between the sexes will be allowed to be reckoned for Government grant purposes in all cases.

In so far as salaries are admissible for grant in services for which my right hon. Friend is responsible, he will be prepared to admit expenditure incurred as a result of this agreement.

School Board Members (Loss Of Earnings)

95.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government, in view of the hardship caused through loss of earnings by members of managing or governing bodies of schools, if he will take steps to enable them to be reimbursed in the same manner as is now possible for representatives serving on other public bodies.

My right hon. Friend has carefully considered the hon. Member's suggestion, but cannot see his way to adopt it.

Essex County Council (Footpath Inquiries)

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that the Essex County Council propose to hold footpath inquiries under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, concurrently with the public inquiries into the objections to the Essex County Development Plan; and whether, in view of the resulting difficulty to landowners and other persons interested whose professional advisers will be engaged at the latter inquiries, he will consult the Essex County Council with a view to postponing either his own or the county council inquiry so as to avoid a clash of dates.

I am aware that the Essex County Council propose to hold footpath inquiries during the period when the inquiry into the objections to the Essex County Development Plan will be held, but I am assured by the council that they will so arrange matters that the dates they fix for footpath inquiries will be convenient for those who wish to be heard.

Department Of Scientific And Industrial Research (Expansion)

97.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he will make a statement on the future policy of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in respect of expenditure on research in Government establishments and grants to industrial research associations.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8th December last to the hon. Members for Newton (Mr. Lee) and St. Marylebone (Sir W. Wakefield), in which I referred to the planned expansion of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research during the next five years. This includes increased provision for industrial research associations (including any that may be formed over the next five years) as well as for the research establishments of the Department.

Graving Dock, Clyde (Discussions)

98.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how far plans have been advanced for the provision of a large graving dock for the Clyde; what decision has been reached as to its site; and if he will make a statement on the matter in view of its urgency.

Discussions about the construction of a large graving dock on the Clyde are proceeding between the local bodies concerned, and I understand that the stage has not yet been reached when firm proposals can be made.

Agriculture

Heneage Committee (Report)

100.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what representations he has received from the several river boards in the country, calling his attention to the need for amending legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Heneage Report; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

I have received representations from the Wear and Tees River Board about the Heneage Committee's Report and on this I would refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Mr. C. Hughes) on 17th December, 1953.To avoid misunderstanding, I should add that river boards are already empowered to secure contributions from owners of land within internal drainage districts, where they have been constituted, towards the cost of works on main river from which they derive benefit or avoid danger. The Heneage Committee recommended an extension of the river boards' land drainage functions to cover channels additional to those for which they are at present responsible as main river; and it was in this context that they proposed a new charge on all land in the river board area that is not subject to local or drainage rates.

Fatstock (Guarantees)

asked the Minister of Agriculture how it is now proposed, under the meat marketing scheme, to pay farmers moneys due to them on account of the sale of their livestock; and how soon after the sale they will receive the money.

The methods of payment to implement the system of guarantees for fatstock set out in the White Paper on Decontrol of Food and Marketing of Agricultural Produce (Cmd. 8989) are now being worked out with the farmers and other interests concerned. Proposals have been made that would enable payments to be effected within a week or so of the actual sale.No difficulty need be expected in any necessary adaptation of these proposals in the event of a Producers Fatstock Marketing Board being established.

Wales

Welsh-Speaking Magistrates

asked the Attorney-General the number of Welsh-speaking magistrates in each of the Welsh counties; and whether he is satisfied that sufficient consideration is given to the appointment of such magistrates in the Welsh-speaking areas of Wales.

No record is available of the number of Welsh-speaking magistrates in each of the Welsh Counties. When making appointments to the Commissions of the Peace for these Counties my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor always endeavours to select persons with a knowledge of the Welsh language to staff the magistrates' courts in the Welsh-speaking areas.

Service Pension Appeals, Cardiff

asked the Attorney-General the number of Service pension appeals heard at Cardiff during each of the years 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953, respectively, and the comparative figures of those appeals granted.

Appeals heard by a pensions appeal tribunal fall into two categories:(1) Appeals on the issue of entitlement to pension; and(2) Appeals against assessment of disability.The figures asked for in relation to appeals heard at Cardiff during the years 1950 to 1953 are as follows:

ENTITLEMENT APPEALS
HeardAllowed
195039045
195132136
195232927
195329438
ASSESSMENT APPEALS
HeardAllowed
195027078
195126761
1952275104
1953316115

Cyprus (New Constitution)

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Her Majesty's Government will introduce a new Constitution for Cyprus bearing in mind the result of the plebiscite of January, 1950, organised by the Ethnarchy, when 96 per cent. of the Greek people of Cyprus voted for union with Greece.

His Majesty's Government, in 1948, made an offer of a new Constitution subject to certain conditions. This offer remains open. The so-called "plebiscite" of 1950 has no relevance to the question.

Disabled Pensioners, Cardiff (Motor Tricycle Equipment)

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the delay in Cardiff in the provision of all-weather equipment for open type motor tricycles used by disabled pensioners; and what steps he will take to expedite the delivery of this equipment.

According to my information there is no exceptional delay, and at present only one war pensioner is waiting. Steps have already been taken to meet the needs of this patient.

Cycle Tracks (Accidents)

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation in what circumstances accidents on tracks reserved exclusively for cyclists are included in road accident figures; and in what circumstances they are excluded.

All accidents on tracks which form part of a public highway are included.