asked the President of the Board of Trade how many wool blankets were recently released for sale by retailers; whether, for purposes of retail trade, the areas to which they were distributed was prescribed by his Department; and why the retailers of such commodities in the borough of St. Helens were not granted an allocation of these blankets, as the need for such bedding in that town is great.

The number of wool blankets surplus to Government requirements which, in addition to the small current production, have recently been released for distribution through trade channels is 100,000. This very limited supply was distributed on the instructions of my Department to places where the shortage of blankets was known to be exceptionally severe. All these, according to my information, were worse supplied than St. Helens, but I have called for a special report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consult representative bodies in the trade before issuing his proposed new regulations dealing with the sale, of second-hand furniture.

Yes, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulties experienced by deaf persons in obtaining high-tension batteries and spare parts and that improved appliances of small size are now manufactured in the U.S.A.; and if he will permit the importa- tion of a limited number for issue against a medical certificate for serious cases of deafness.

Limited imports of deaf-aids are admitted under licence from the United States, and I am advised that these should be sufficient for the small proportion of deaf persons whose needs cannot be met by British appliances. The existing programmes for the production of batteries and spare parts should provide for all reasonable requirements. But I shall be glad to look into any case of difficulty if my hon. Friend will send me particulars.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in his negotiations regarding the State Medical Service, he is ascertaining the views of or consulting osteopaths who enjoy a measure of public confidence.

No, Sir, but I am always prepared to consider any views upon the proposed National Health Service which may be submitted to me by any organisations or persons who are interested in the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has now decided to extend the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement for a further 12 months.

The position remains as stated in the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on f9th January last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to restrict sightseers on the occasion of fires due to enemy action.

It is the duty of the police to prevent obstruction by sightseers at fires: this is well understood by the police, and my information is that they discharge their functions adequately within the limit of their available resources.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether county badges for the Army Cadet Force authorised under W.O. letter No. 54/Gen/9604/H.G.3, dated 23rd November, 1943, can be supplied free of the 33⅓ per cent. Purchase Tax and the 25 per cent. uplift, having regard to the fact that the cost of these badges is being met from private funds and, that if these badges could be supplied through Ordnance, that no such tax would be paid.

These badges, like regimental flashes, are private property, and their purchase even through Ordnance would constitute a private transaction liable to Purchase Tax and uplift. The County Committees may meet the cost of the badges from the capitation grant.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the total number of farms and market gardens in Great Britain that are without a piped water supply.

Statistics on this subject are being collected. The investigation is not yet complete, but it is roughly estimated that there are altogether about 180,000 farms above five acres in England and Wales without piped water supply to the farmhouse, and altogether about 210,000 without piped water supply to the farm buildings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give instructions to the various war agricultural executive committees that they should inform all farmers in their areas of the grading of their farms.

I see no occasion for the issue of any such instructions. The grading of farms by committees is undertaken solely for the guidance of committees in considering what advisory administrative or other action would be appropriate. Any farmer whose case calls for any such action is apprised of that fact and of the reasons for the action, and is thus made aware of the committee's view of his standard of farming, even if he is not informed of the actual grading.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is prepared to release larger quantities of fish to caterers during Easter and other national holidays, in view of the reduced household demand at such holiday periods.

Yes, Sir, provided that the supply position justifies this course.