Written Answers Written Answers To Questions Wednesday, 23rd March, 1949 Schleswig Holstein (Refugees) 3. Mr. Sorensen asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of serious unemployment in Schleswig Holstein, whether the Tripartite Refugee Commission will reconsider accepting the offer of the Government of Rheinland-Pfalz to accept the, transfer of a large proportion of these refugees; and whether the problem of South Schlesvig will be considered by the Three Power Conference. Mr. Mayhew The Tripartite Committee on Refugees has received no offer of the kind mentioned from the Government of Rheinland-Pfalz. It has, however, been publicly announced by the French Military Governor that the French zone will accept refugees who have relatives resident in that zone or who can show proof of employment available and offered by prospective employers in the French zone. As to the last part of the Question, the claims of Schleswig Holstein have received special consideration by the Committee. Food Supplies French Meat 52. Mr. S. Marshall asked the Minister of Food what chance there is of small quantities of beef being imported from France. Mr. Strachey The French authorities have informed us that there is no prospect of obtaining beef from France for some time, but we do hope to get a little pigmeat. We have reached agreement with the French authorities on the necessary safeguards against foot-and-mouth disease and other animal diseases. Bacon And Hams (Storage) 53. Sir J. Lucas asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that bacon and hams cured in British factories only remain edible for about six weeks, the method of covering the meat with lime as a means of preserving it for a longer period is recommended by his Department. Mr. Strachey I assume the Question relates to bacon and hams belonging to self-suppliers. These are usually hard-cured and, if so, remain in good condition for at least six months. Bacon should be dried for three months before being packed in slaked lime. This method of storage is not specially recommended as it needs care to avoid damage to the bacon. Domestic Pig Keepers 54. Sir J. Lucas asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the fact that small pig producers are entitled to retain half a pig every six months for the use of themselves and their families, he will issue instructions on the best method of making the resulting bacon last over that period, or if he will allow an increased bacon ration for those who do not retain their half pigs. Mr. Strachey Domestic pig keepers may kill two pigs yearly and either keep a side of each carcase for home consumption, surrendering no coupons, or surrender 52 bacon coupons for each pig and keep the whole carcase. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture has issued an excellent leaflet on home curing of pigs and I can let the hon. Member have a copy if he wishes. I am looking into the suggestion he makes in the last part of his Question. Potatoes (Agents' Allocations) Major Legge-Bourke asked the Minister of Food in how many areas allocations of tonnages of potatoes to his Department's agents are based on merchants' 1938–39 returns; in how many areas other methods have been adopted; and if he is satisfied that in both instances the long-established merchant and the new entrants into the trade have complete fairness in the light of the changes of conditions since 1939. Mr. Strachey The answer to the first part of the Question is none. There are 52 areas in which agents are employed. It is the general rule to allow the grower to nominate the agent, provided that the Ministry is satisfied that the nominated firm is equipped to do the business. Complaints of unfair apportionment of agents' tonnages are in consequence very rare but I will gladly investigate any that are brought to my notice. Section Trade Advisers Major Legge-Bourke asked the Minister of Food what are the average annual extra costs to the merchant who accepts appointment as a section trade adviser; how many extra persons are usually necessary on the staff employed by each section trade adviser; what is the average tonnage on which section trade advisers are partly remunerated by his Department; and what is the average increase since 1939 in this figure. Mr. Strachey Detailed investigation into costs and other matters would be necessary to get the information asked for in the first two parts of the Question; and, as I see no reason to review the rate of remuneration which was fixed some years ago, I do not propose to go to the expense of making a detailed costs investigation. Section trade advisers were not appointed until 1941. The average tonnage handled by a section trade adviser in recent financil years was-------------------------- | | -------------------------- |1944–45 |…| -------------------------- |1945–46 |…| -------------------------- |946–47 |…| -------------------------- |1947–48 |…| -------------------------- |1948–49 |…| -------------------------- |(to 28th February, 1949)||| -------------------------- Civil Aviationb Bovingdon Aerodrome 59. Viscountess Davidson asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement about the future of Bovingdon aerodrome. Mr. Lindgren For the time being Bovingdon will continue to be operated by my Department. Its ultimate future has not yet been settled. South-West Pacific Conference (Report) 60. Mr. Rankin asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make the report on the South-West Pacific Conference, recently made to his Department by Mr. Peter Masefield, available to Members. Mr. Lindgren No. National Finance Football Pools Mr. Nally asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the approximate total revenues that have accrued to the Treasury from football pool betting including and since the 1945–46 football pool season to the latest convenient date; and the proportion of such revenues accounted for by profits made in provision of postal facilities for pool firms and amounts collected under the operation of the pools tax. Mr. Glenvil Hall The estimated net profit accruing to the Post Office on football pool business, including the profit on letters and on postal orders, and the amount collected by the Customs and Excise as pool betting duty from football pools (together with other similar pools included under the same heading) are as follows:----------------------------------------------- | | ----------------------------------------------- |1945–46 | ----------------------------------------------- |1946–47 | ----------------------------------------------- |1947–48 | ----------------------------------------------- |Period 1st April, 1948 to 28th February, 1949| ----------------------------------------------- Purchase Tax (Medicines) Mr. Blackburn asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the confusion caused to all concerned in the pharmaceutical industry by the accumulative and restrictive provisions of Part 11 of the Eighth Schedule to the Finance Act, 1948; the Purchase Tax No. 5 Order, 1948, S.I. 2462, the Purchase Tax No. 6 Order, S.I. 2720 and the Purchase Tax No. 1 Order, 1949, S.I. 46; and what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the position in the near future. Mr. Jay These provisions are intended to widen the scope of the tax exemptions for medicines in accordance with the wishes expressed on both sides of the House. When they are fully operative, their combined effect will be to exempt from tax most medicines supplied on a medical prescription, and to make available to the public tax-free a wide range of non-proprietary and unbranded remedies suitable for practically every complaint. The reliefs were worked out in collaboration with the trade associations of the pharmaceutical industry, and I have no reason to suppose that they will be unduly onerous in operation. Having regard to the requirements of the revenue, the alternative to the reliefs would be the reimposition of tax on all medicines, a step which I should not like to propose. Postal Packets (Customs Examination) Sir W. Darling asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for what reason small commercial envelopes addressed to the United States are opened by the Customs officials. Mr. Glenvil Hall Such envelopes, in common with other mail, are opened by postal officials for the Customs with the object of intercepting any sterling notes or other currency which may be enclosed in contravention of the export prohibition. Travel Allowances (Greece And Turkey) Mr. J. Lewis asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it has yet been possible to extend the list of countries for which the tourist travel allowance will be available during the 12 months beginning 1st May, 1949. Mr. Glenvil Hall Yes, I am pleased to say that Greece and Turkey have now been added to the list. Employments Strikes And Lockouts 63. Sir J. Mellor asked the Minister of Labour if he will identify the occasions upon which he has exercised his powers under Regulation 58AA to prohibit a strike or lockout; and in which cases prosecution ensued. Mr. Ness Edwards The Regulation in question only enables the Minister to make provision by order for prohibiting strikes or lockouts. In the exercise of this power he has made the Conditions of Employment and National Arbitration Orders, 1940–44, under which strikes and lockouts are prohibited in certain circumstances. There have been 109 cases of prosecution of workpeople (involving 6,281 individuals) and two prosecutions of employers in connection with illegal stoppages of work. Remploy Factories Dr. Stross asked the Minister of Labour by what means men and women are selected for employment in Remploy factories; and whether specific instructions are given to medical officers examining candidates so as to enable them to assess the suitability of any particular person. Mr. Isaacs Severely disabled persons classified as requiring sheltered employment are submitted by the employment exchange to the manager of the factory. They are interviewed by a panel consisting of the factory manager and a medical officer, with the disablement resettlement officer of my Department in attendance. The medical officer is expected to assess the suitability of candidates in the light of his knowledge of the conditions of employment in the factory. Unexploded Bombs (Disposal) 64. Mr. Janner asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many unexploded bombs have been found during the past 12 months; how many have still to be recovered; and what steps are being taken to locate suspected bombs. Mr. Younger During the year ended 28th February last 143 unexploded bombs were found. On 28th February last 171 remained to be disposed of. Each case is referred to the Bomb Disposal Service for investigation. Postal Packets (Customs Examination) Sir W. Darling asked the Postmaster-General under what authority ordinary corespondence addressed to the United States of America is opened by the General Post Office in Glasgow; and what is the significance of label O.E. 22. Mr. Wilfred Paling The authority is the Foreign Postal Packets (Customs) Warrant, 1948—Statutory Instrument 1948 No. 562. Label O.E. 22 is used for sealing packets which have been opened for examination by the Customs. British Troops, Burma (Compensation) Mr. Paget asked the Secretary of State for War what action he proposes to take to alleviate the position of Regular soldiers in married quarters, who lost the whole of their possessions during the Japanese invasion of Burma. Mr. Shinwell A scheme of compensation for Regular soldiers (including those in married quarters) who were serving with the British Army in Burma at the outbreak of war and who lost their possessions as a result of the Japanese invasion has been approved and out of some 130 claims received, about 80 have been dealt with. The remainder are under examination; in many of these cases, advances have been made pending final settlement of the claims. Royal Air Force Mechanics (Pay) Mr. N. Macpherson asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make an announcement regarding the negotiations that have recently been taking place with his Department for increased rates of pay for wireless electrical mechanics. Mr. A. Henderson The pay of civilian wireless and electrical mechanics and radio mechanics employed by the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Civil Aviation is one of a number of questions that have been under negotiation for some time between the two Departments and the staff association which represents this grade of staff. A pay offer made to the association in November, 1948, was rejected. A revised offer was sent to them on 7th March, and their reply to it has not yet been received. Engineering Dilutees, Shawbury Mr. Langford-Holt asked the Secretary of State for Air how many engineering dilutees are employed at No. 27 Maintenance Unit, Shawbury; how many similarly skilled are similarly employed; of the latter how many are former members of the Royal Air Force; and how many have been removed from the register of dilutees by agreement with the appropriate trade union. Mr. A. Henderson The number of engineering dilutees employed at No. 27 Maintenance Unit, Shawbury, is 87 and the number of fully skilled engineering craftsmen is 128. Of the latter, 50 have served in the Royal Air Force. The number of engineering craftsmen at present employed at the unit who have been removed from the register of dilutees, by agreement with the appropriate trade union, is 12. National Health Service (Chemists) Mr. Linstead asked the Minister of Health to what conclusion he has come upon his investigation of the claims made by a company carrying on chemist's businesses in various parts of the country that a service beyond the hours prescribed by local executive councils is being offered in some of their branches as an experiment to obtain data for the Ministry of Health; how far this experiment has in fact been sponsored by his Department; and whether he has yet obtained the disclaimer for which he has asked from the company concerned. Mr. Bevan The extended service referred to is not being given at my request, and I have been informed by the company in question that a letter from a branch manager implying that it was asked for by my Department was unauthorised and was a mistake. Royal Navy (Warrant Engineers) Lieut.-Commander Hutchison asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many promotions to the rank of warrant engineer were made during 1948; how many of such officers had previously failed to pass the examination for the rank of sub-lieutenant (E.); and why priority in promotion to the rank of warrant engineer is given to such officers over men who have passed the professional and educational examinations for this rank. Mr. Dugdale Twenty-three promotions to the rank of warrant engineer were made in 1948. None of these officers had failed to qualify at the examination for commissioned rank and no candidates who fail to pass that examination are accepted as warrant officers in the Engineering Branch without qualifying in the normal way. Before July, 1948, candidates for commissioned rank who passed the examination but failed to be selected by the final selection board were exempt from the educational test and professional examination for warrant rank, and were promoted to that rank after ratings successful in the normal way. Since that date they have been required to pass the professional examination in competition with the other ratings. Boiler Fuel Supplies Mr. Digby asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the serious shortage of anthracite in West Dorset; that coke is not a satisfactory substitute, as recognised by stove manufacturers until recently; that alternative cooking methods are seldom available; that serious loss of trade is being suffered by coal merchants; and whether he will divert more of the available supplies to country districts where the need is greatest. Mr. Gaitskell I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Joynson-Hicks) on 10th February. My regional officers and the local fuel overseers in West Dorset do not know of any householder who has an appliance in which coke cannot be burned satisfactorily and who cannot obtain supplies of anthracite. Mr. Cooper-Key asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that supplies of phurnacite and anthracite are are not available to householders in the areas of Hastings, Battle and Rye; what is the reason for this shortage; and what steps he is taking to remedy the consequent hardship suffered by people who rely on this type of fuel for their cooking and heating. Mr. Gaitskell I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Joynson-Hicks) on 10th February. My regional officers and the local fuel overseers for Hastings, Battle and Rye do not know of any householder who has an appliance unsuitable for burning coke and who cannot obtain supplies of anthracite or phurnacite. Education Swimming Instructors Mr. Lang asked the Minister of Education if he will undertake that where teachers are called upon to give swimming instruction as part of their duties, only persons holding the Amateur Swimming Association advanced certificate shall teach this subject. Mr. Tomlinson No. Swimming instruction is normally given by teachers who have, in addition to their general training, taken a course of specialised training in the subject or have other suitable experience. It is for employing authorities to consider whether any particular teacher possesses the qualifications and experience needed for giving adequate instruction in a particular subject in a particular post. Mr. Lang asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that there is a shortage of male instructors in swimming in some Cheshire schools due to the fact that there are about 10 weeks' holiday without pay between April and September; and whether he will suggest an increase of pay for qualified instructors to local authorities. Mr. Tomlinson I am not aware of such a shortage. Where swimming instructors are employed who do not hold general teaching qualifications, their salaries and conditions of service are primarily for settlement by their employing authorities. At present I know of no reasons which would justify my intervention with a view to influencing local authorities in the way suggested. Science Teachers Mr. K. Lindsay asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the shortage of science masters and mistresses in secondary schools; what steps he is taking to overcome the shortage; and whether he will make a statistical statement on this problem. Mr. Tomlinson I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 3rd February to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery).