asked the Minister of Labour how many men employed in the mining industry annually reach the age when they are required to register for National Service; how many are totally exempted; and how many are called up.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to coalmining. The answers to the first and second parts of the Question are an estimated figure of 14,000 and none, respectively; information regarding the last part of the Question is not available, as records are not compiled on an industry basis.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will grant exemption from National Service to Merchant Navy officers who have obtained their second mate's certificate or their second engineer's certificate.

No, for the reasons given in my reply to the hon. Member on 25th February.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he will enumerate the health authorities in England and Wales who make a charge to invalids for the use of invalid chairs;(2) under what powers certain health authorities in England and Wales make available invalid chairs to invalids needing them, whilst other health authorities make varying charges per week for the use of the same type of chairs.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the names of the health authorities in Wales who make charges for hire of invalid chairs; and what are the charges made;(2) what guidance he can offer to invalids who require the use or hire of invalid chairs; and to which authority should applications be made.

All local health authorities are empowered to provide, through their arrangements under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, invalid chairs and other appliances for use by people who are or have been ill. They have discretion as to the appliances they make available, and they can make charges according to means. Complete information as to the practice in individual areas is not available. Invalid chairs can also be supplied through the hospital services on the recommendation of a specialist to patients who are likely to need them for long-term disability.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to encourage research into the causes of spastic complaints among children and methods of dealing with the sufferers.

Work of this kind is in progress in London and a number of provincial centres, most of it at or in association with teaching hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the case in which a man suffering from a haemorrhage due to a perforated duodenal ulcer was refused admission to four hospitals and subsequently died, details of which case are in his possession; and if he will make a statement.

I have asked the Regional Hospital Board to make full inquiries and report to me, and I must ask my hon. and gallant Friend to await the result.

asked the Minister of Health the average number of National Health Service patients to each service doctor in Sunderland.

On 1st January, 1954, the average number was 2,732.

asked the Minister of Health how many spastic and paralysis cases, caused by poliomyelitis, are registered in London and Great Britain; and how many new cases arose in 1952 and 1953.

I regret that this information is not available. In 1952, 2,740 cases of acute paralytic poliomyelitis were notified and in 1953 the provisional figure was 2,970. Only a small proportion of these would cause any permanent disability.

asked the Minister of Education the total cost to local education authorities of grants to students in training at universities and training colleges for 1952 and 1953, respectively; and whether she will relieve local education authorities of this cost by taking over the entire responsibility for such grants.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind only the grants for incidental expenses paid to intending teachers. I am circulating the figures below. They relate to the academic years 1951–52 and 1952–53 which are the last years for which figures are available. The whole of the cost of the professional year at university departments of education is now borne by the Exchequer. Apart from this, the answer to the second part of the Question is "No."

—	Academic Year, 1951–52	Academic Year, 1952–53
	£	£
Incidental expenses grants at Training Colleges	409,811	452,667
Incidental expenses grants paid to intending teachers during the period of their degree courses at Universities*	37,399	20,279
	£447,210	£472,946
* These relate to students admitted to universities before the abolition of the system whereby grants were paid under the Training of Teachers Regulations for "four year" courses of t raining at universities.

asked the Minister of Education how many dentists have entered the school dental service in Wales in the last 12 months; to what extent the service is now below establishment; and what steps she will take to improve recruitment.

The equivalent of two and a half more full-time officers were working in the school dental service in Wales at the end of 1953 compared with the end of 1952. For the present school population, the equivalent of some 87 additional full-time officers would be required in Wales to give a ratio of one dentist to 3,000 children. The Government's policy has brought the total number of school dentists up to the highest figure yet reached and will, I hope, lead to further increases; it is, however, the primary responsibility of local education authorities to take the measures necessary to recruit the dentists required for the service in their own areas.

asked the Minister of Education how many dentists have entered the school dental service in Glamorgan in the last 12 months; to what extent the service is now below establishment; and what steps she will take to improve recruitment.

There were the equivalent of one and a half fewer full-time dentists employed in the Glamorgan school dental service at the end of 1953 compared with the end of 1952. For the present school population the equivalent of some 31 additional full-time officers would be required in Glamorgan to give a ratio of one dentist to 3,000 children. On the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer 1 have given him to his previous Question today about the school dental service in Wales.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the success which has rewarded the experimental work at the Education Centre for Spastic Children at Swansea; and whether she will circularise local education authorities encouraging them to follow this example.

This is an interesting experiment which I am watching, along with other developments in the education of children suffering from cerebral palsy. Authorities are aware of their duty to provide special educational treatment for physically handicapped pupils, including those suffering from cerebral palsy, and I do not think that they need specific encouragement from me.

asked the Minister of Education if she will accede to the request of the Graduate Teachers' Association for a public inquiry into the salaries, status and supply of graduate teachers.

No. I have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) of 18th February.

asked the Minister of Education (1) the total number of grants for students at universities made by each of the English education authorities during 1953;(2) the average value of grants for students at universities made by each of the English education authorities during 1952.

The answer contains a table of figures too voluminous for circulation in the OFFICIAL REPORT and I am writing to the hon. Member giving the information requested.

asked the Minister of Education whether she has completed her discussions with the School Broadcasting Council regarding the proposed school television service; and whether she will make a statement.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "No."

asked the Minister of Education if she will give a list of existing comprehensive schools in England and Wales.

The term "comprehensive school" is used in a number of different senses. For the purposes of the Ministry's statistical returns, secondary schools are classified as comprehensive where they are intended to provide all the secondary education facilities needed by the children of a given area, but without being organised in clearly defined sides. Following are the schools so classified at the end of 1953:

asked the Minister of Education how many of the 235,000 teachers, now in the schools under her jurisdiction, are actually in charge of a class, excluding head teachers and specialist teachers, such as wood work, metal work and domestic science teachers.

Of the 226,618 teachers in maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools other than nursery or special schools in January, 1953 (the last date for which figures are available), 12,278 head teachers and 173,101 assistant teachers were in charge of a class.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will arrange to place in the Library copies of the Hansards containing the records of the opening of various Parliaments by Her Majesty during her present tour.

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what respect the case of Super Oil Seals and Gaskets, Ltd., of which he has full information, who have been refused assistance under Section 3 (1) of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1950, differs from the two other cases which, in principle, are being given this assistance.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which my right hon. Friend gave him on 17th December, 1953, and 4th February, 1954. The distinction which my hon. Friend now asks me to draw would involve the disclosure of confidential information relating to the affairs of the other companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the sterling values of exports of British cinematograph films in the latest period of 12 months for which figures are available, to France, Western Germany, Italy and Spain, respectively;(2) the sterling value of the exports of British cinematograph films to Western Europe in each of the last five years.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the overseas earnings of British films. No reliable figures of such earnings are available. The Board of Trade have tried to obtain such information for all countries, but no practical method has been found. Film royalties are invisible earnings and are not recorded in the Trade and Navigation Accounts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the proposal of the Government of India to abolish the preference on British motor cars and parts; and what representations he is making.

Yes. This action is the final stage in the gradual elimination of the preference margin on motor cars and parts to which Her Majesty's Government gave their concurrence during the tariff negotiations held at Geneva in 1947. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of goods which were exported from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong for re-export to China during the year 1953; and how this figure compares with 1938.

I regret that, owing to the fact that Hong Kong trade statistics do not distinguish re-exports, the figures are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement regarding the specific steps that Her Majesty's Government are now taking to expand East-West trade.

Her Majesty's Government have actively encouraged visits by business men to Moscow and we are studying Mr. Kabanov's list of Soviet requirements. We shall be sending a representative to the meeting in April at Geneva of experts on East-West trade, which has been arranged by the Economic Commission for Europe. Trade and financial negotiations with Poland began today and will start shortly with Hungary and, at a date to be agreed, with Czechoslovakia.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the substantial increase in mushroom imports from Eire, if he will take steps to regulate these imports.

No. It would be contrary to our general commercial policy to impose quantitative restrictions for the purpose of protection.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will review the tariffs on cut flowers and pot plants in accordance with the suggestions already put to him by the National Farmers' Union; and if he cannot revise them before the forthcoming summer, if he will see that imports do not exceed those of 1953.

The applications by the National Farmers' Union for revised tariffs on cut flowers and plants are still under consideration. Until whatever decisions that may be taken can be implemented, the current import arrangements will be maintained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied that the revised tariff on imported tomatoes will prevent a recurrence of the serious position regarding these imports which arose last autumn.

The tariff is the proper method of protection and should prove more satisfactory for all concerned than the arrangements in operation last year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when framing his Budget, he will consider the relief from Income Tax of school fees paid by parents.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 8th December by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Hertford (Mr. Walker-Smith).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amounts held in State superannuation funds; and if he will give consideration to the introduction of legislation with a view to their amalgamation with those of local government authorities in order to consolidate benefits and equalise contributions.

No amounts are held in State superannuation funds as all State superannuation schemes are unfunded. I am however circulating the latest audited figures for the four of these schemes which maintain statutory accounts. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, when framing his Budget, he will give consideration to putting into effect the statement made by him during the Committee stage of last year's Finance Bill as to reducing the entertainments tax on cinema seats; and if he will give first consideration to the popular-priced seats in the small cinemas and cinemas in industrial areas.

I regret that I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give consideration in his forthcoming Budget in dealing with the question of entertainment tax on cinemas, to the fact that only some 50 to 58 per cent, of the takings, after payment of the tax, is left to cinemas to meet their costs which have currently largely increased; and whether he will take steps to ease this burden.

I regret that I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the National Debt in 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950 and 1953, giving the amount per head of the population for each of those years.

The required figures are:

—	Debt Outstanding, 31st March*	Amount per head of population†
	£000	£
1900	628,979	15
1910	713,245	16
1920	6,846,663	147
1930	6,424,387	140
1940	7,899,214	164
1950	25,802,287	512
1953	26,051,213	515
NOTES:
* Excluding external debts arising out of the war of 1914–18.
† Based on estimated population.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will give the numbers, for the present session and the previous three sessions, respectively, of first-year entrants on courses in the Scottish universities in pure science and applied science, respectively; and whether he will give the corresponding numbers for degree courses in the Central Institutions.

I have been asked to reply. The numbers for the Scottish universities were:

	Pure Science	Applied Science
1953–54	487	306
1952–53	476	264
1951–52	464	271
1950–51	509	365

I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that the corresponding numbers for degree courses at the Central Institutions were:

1953–54	29	148
1952–53	36	158
1951–52	43	193
1950–51	34	253

asked the Minister of Agriculture who is now responsible for administering the Flood Relief Scheme at Penybon, Radnorshire, which was originally devised by the River Wye Catchment Board; and what schemes the Wye River Board have for preventing the river Ithon from flooding.

The former River Wye Catchment Board prepared a flood relief scheme for the Radnor County Council, but I understand that the council did not proceed with it because they considered it too costly in relation to the benefit it would afford. As the River Board have decided not to add any of River Ithon to their main river, they have no responsibility for improvement works on it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) how many horses were imported from Eire in 1953 through Welsh ports; what proportion was inspected by his inspectors on arrival; and how many were condemned as unfit to travel further;(2) how many officials are employed to inspect horses arriving at Welsh ports from Ireland; what hours they work; and what arrangements are made to inspect animals arriving during the night and early morning.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Northfield (Mr. Chapman) on 25th February. On landing in Wales, three horses were detained as unfit to travel further.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average price of distant water fish in January, 1953, and in January, 1954; and the respective landings in each of those months.

Landings of distant-water fish in January, 1953, were 549,000 cwt. at an average price of 48s. 11d. per cwt.; and in January, 1954, 438,000 cwt. at an average price of 67s. 5d. per cwt. The differences are due to the far worse weather experienced at sea in January this year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, how much money is being provided from public funds for research into the causes of cancer of all types; and if he will assure hon. Members that research into the causes of this disease is not restricted through lack of funds.

Research on cancer forms an important part of the programme of the Medical Research Council and is expected to cost more than £400,000 in the current year. In addition, clinical research on the disease is supported from public funds in the course of treating hospital patients under the National Health Service. Research on cancer is also undertaken under the aegis of two important voluntary bodies, the British Empire Cancer Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. These two bodies are dependent on private funds but work in close touch with the Medical Research Council. It can therefore fairly be said that research in this field is not restricted through lack of funds.

asked the Minister of State, Board of Trade, as representing the Minister of Materials, what steps he proposes to take to deal with the shortage of certain types of strawboard, particulars of which have been sent to him, which is resulting in a loss of export orders for Sheffield firms.

The Ministry of Materials no longer exercises detailed control over the distribution of strawboard. In some cases they have been able to assist firms by putting them in touch with suppliers in this country, and in some others supplementary import licences have been granted. In the case referred to by the hon. Member, the particular type of board required is not manufactured in this country, and I am advised that the foreign mill which does make it is fully booked up and will not accept further orders. There is therefore nothing which the Ministry can do to help.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will appoint a working party to consider the law relating to the sale of old metals.

Yes. In view of representations which I have received from various quarters, I have decided to set up a Working Party with the following terms of reference:

To consider and report what changes, if any, in the law relating to the sale of old metals and the control of dealers in old metals are practicable and desirable.

The Working Party will comprise representatives of the Home Office, the Ministry of Supply, the local authorities and the police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Poisons Board has now considered the suggestion that calomel be put on Schedule 1 of the poisons list; and what advice has been tendered to him.

No. The next meeting of the Board will probably be after Easter.