asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give an undertaking not to preclude British Civil Air Survey contractors from being selected by his Department for Colonial Air Survey work.

The question of air' surveys in the Colonial Empire is one aspect of the subject of Colonial geodetic and topographical work which is, at the present time, under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to take any decision in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that during the last six years medical applicants for British Colonial appointments have been interviewed by the appointments private secretary alone; and whether, as this official has no means of judging medical qualifications, this method of selection or recommendation will now be abandoned; and what administrative changes are contemplated in this connection.

At all formal interviews with applicants for appointments in the Colonial Medical Service it is the practice for one or more members of my Medical Advisory Staff to be present. I do not see any reason for changing this procedure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the vaccination Ordinance and regulations for Ceylon, any unvaccinated persons exist in the island except those infants under three months.

I am informed by the Governor that, apart from infants under three months, the only persons remaining unvaccinated in Ceylon would be any who may have succeeded in evading the law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the purpose of S.R. and O., No. 241 (Finance).

The full title of this Order is "The Importation of Notes (Foreign) Order, 1945," and, as the explanatory note printed with it indicates, it restricts the quantity of French, Belgian and Dutch notes which may be brought in by travellers to the aggregate value of i5 sterling, and prevents other imports of these notes except by Treasury consent. It is hoped by this limitation to check trafficking in such notes, including their acquisition by exchange manipulations, or from holders of doubtful antecedents.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of civil servants employed in 1939 and at the present time, distinguishing them from workmen employed in Government factories and dockyards, etc.; and how the number now employed compares with that employed at any other time during the war.

On 1st April, 1939, the number of non-industrial civil servants, counting each part-timer as a half, was 399,599, including 208,429 Post Office employees; the corresponding figure for 1st January, 1945, was 716,044, including 218,846 Post Office employees. The number has declined during the past eighteen months. The Service reached its peak on 1st July, 1943, when the figure was 730,625. Workmen employed in Government factories and dockyards are included in Government industrial employees and confusion is sometimes caused by adding the industrial figure to the nonindustrial. On 1st April, 1939, the number of Government industrial employees was 240,181 and on 1st January, 1945, it was 675,326.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if all civil servants who have endured evacuation from their homes for more than five years will be given an opportunity of returning to their home town after the war, in fulfilment of the assurance given in 1939.

No assurance has ever been given that civil servants evacuated from London in the early years of the war would eventually be brought back to London. As my hon. Friend is aware, some of the work which has been evacuated will have to remain in the provinces for a considerable time after the end of hostilities in Europe, and it has been decided that one branch of the Ministry of National Insurance will be located permanently in the provinces. It is obviously not possible to promise an opportunity of return to London to all civil servants working in these Departments if they wish to retain their posts, although efforts will be made, in consultation with staff representatives, to provide for such exchanges as are practicable.

asked the 'Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether in view of the figures published by the Ministry of Labour showing that industrial wages are now 82 per cent. above the pre-war average, he will publish similar;statistics showing how much Civil Service salaries have increased over the same period.

I regret that this information is not available. In any event I am advised that in view of the very great changes which have taken place in the composition of the Civil Service during the war no valid comparison could be made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the War Damage Commission, in making payments for work in progress, deduct 25 per cent, from the total cost of the work executed instead of 10 per cent., which is the usually accepted practice, and that by so doing cause hardship, particularly to small builders, and whether in future he will ensure that the usual practice is observed.

I regret that it would not be possible for the War Damage Commission (who are not, of course, in the position of the ordinary building owner) generally to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. In cases where the Commission are consulted by the owners in advance in order to agree the work to be done and the basis of contract, they are prepared, as stated in their explanatory pamphlet ROD. I, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, to make instalment payments as the work progresses, retaining only the usual 10 per cent. This procedure is impracticable, however, where the claim submitted with the builder's account after the work has been executed is the first intimation to the Commission that the war damage has been wholly or partially made good. To meet these cases it is the Commission's normal practice in claims over £100 to make an immediate payment on account up to 75 per cent., pending final examination of the claim, but they are satisfied that they could not safely go further. I am not aware that hardship results, but if my hon. Friend has any individual case or cases in mind and will send me particulars, the Commission will be glad to have them investigated at once.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he anticipates that the Reid Report on the Coal Mining Industry is likely to available to Members.

Copies of this Report will, I hope, be made available to Members on Wednesday 28th March.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is with the approval of his Department that miners who have partially recovered from sickness or injury and who may be temporarily engaged in other work are called to the Forces instead of being allowed to return to the mining industry; and what steps is he taking to prevent this happening.

I appreciate my hon. Friend's concern, which arises however from an exceptional case, at the possibility that fit miners may be called-up for military service from the mining industry. Cases of miners who are temporarily released from the coalmining industry and placed in other employment because they are not up to the standard of physical fitness specified for work in the mines are reviewed from time to time and medical reports are referred to my mines medical officers. I am instructing my officers to watch closely the position in regard to such men. My hon. Friend will appreciate that where it is clear from the medical evidence that a man is likely to be permanently unfit for coalmining, my Department could not oppose release from the industry.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what guarantee has been given for the supply of coal to Portugal; in what quantities; and for what period.

Provision is made in an Agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom and Portuguese Governments for a programme of supplies, including limited quantities of coal, to Portugal, in return for Portuguese goods required for the war effort of the United Nations. The present Agreement expires at the end of June next. At present, as my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, the Government is not publishing any figures of exports of coal to individual countries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the Bentley, Doncaster, No. 2 Hostel, which was completed in October, 1944, has not been put into use; what was the cause, nature and extent of the recent damage which now affects its use; whether other nearby hostels are being used to full capacity; and, if not, whether he will consider the transfer of the Bentley, No. 2, Hostel to

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of persons employed in and around coalmines in 1918 and at the last available date, respectively, in each of the several coalfields of this country.

Information is given in the table below:the Minister of Health for adaptation and accommodation of dishoused families in the nearby mining villages.

Bentley No. 2 Hostel has not been brought into use because it has been possible to place fewer men at Bentley Colliery than was planned. Further, of those men allocated to Bentley Colliery a larger proportion have succeeded in making arrangements to live at home or in lodgings than was an- ticipated. On 13th March there were 925 residents in the Askern, Doncaster and Bentley No. 1 hostels. The total capacity of these hostels is 1,350. The damage to the hostel was caused by a sudden and severe drop in temperature one night in January. I am informed that the stoker employed by the Ministry of Works failed to carry out his instructions, as a result of which a number of the hot water pipes and radiators 'were fractured by frost. I have come to the conclusion that, in present circumstances, this hostel is not now required for the accommodation of miners. The question of its re-allocation is being considered by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal householders were entitled to receive for the months of March and April in the London area; and how far the London area extends from Charing Cross.

Not more than 5 cwt. of coal and coalite may be supplied during March to premises in the London Civil Defence Region. The maximum is not a quantity to which all consumers are entitled, but within the maximum merchants will have regard to the needs of consumers, giving priority to any without coal. Supplies are prohibited to any premises where the stock exceeds 5 cwt. The maximum for April will be announced shortly. The London Region, which approximates to the Metropolitan Police District, covers the counties of London and Middlesex with parts of Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he intends to issue in the near future a White Paper giving the district figures for manshifts and tonnage lost, by causes, in the third aid fourth quarters of 1944; and, if not, whether he will publish these figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The figures for tonnage lost by causes in the third and fourth quarters of 1944 will be published in the forthcoming Statistical Digest. I am, however, proposing to suspend publication of manshifts lost because the present series is not comparable with figures for earlier years.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) if he will give an assurance that in future when he has charges to make against any specific person he will do so through a court of summary jurisdiction where evidence must be publicly disclosed and not through officers of his Department;(2) under what authority one of his enforcement officers from the Northern Region cross-questioned a member of the public, whose name has been supplied to him, on evidence undisclosed as to its source alleging improper use of petrol, made inquiries at a hotel and refused when the allegation proved unfounded to tender an apology.

In this case, information was received by officers of my Ministry that the individual concerned had travelled from his home to the seaside and was believed to have used his private motor-car for the purpose in circumstances suggesting a contravention of the Control of Motor Fuel Order. Inquiries were made into the matter by my officers in the ordinary course of their duties, first, in order to confirm the fact of the visit, and secondly in order to give the person concerned an opportunity of furnishing any information or explanation he wished. I have no reason to think that the inquiries were not made with courtesy and discretion. As a result of these inquiries, it did not appear that the Order had in fact been contravened. If, as a result of information received and of inquiries made by my officers, there is reason to believe that there has been a breach of the law, and 1 am advised that the case is one for prosecution, a charge against the person concerned is only made in a Court of Law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Members of Parliament, up to date, have balloted for the visit to France.

The ballot is conducted not by me but by Mr. Speaker, but as I have been notified of only six successful applicants, since the beginning of the scheme on 30th January, I presume that only six hon. Members have applied.

asked the Minister of Health how much land suitable for permanent housing is in the possession of the local authorities; for how many houses this is adequate; and how much of this area already contains roads and sewers.

Housing authorities in England and Wales hold approximately 25,000 acres of land which should be capable of providing sites for some 250,000 houses. Sites for approximately 36,000 of these houses are developed with roads and sewers.

asked the Minister of Health how much land suitable for temporary housing is in the possession of the local authorities; for how many houses this is adequate; and how much of this area already contains roads and sewers and is otherwise ready for the erection of temporary houses.

Local authorities now hold 3,170 acres, sufficient for about 32,000 temporary houses. 1,140 acres are fully developed and ready for the houses, subject to the completion of the layout drawings, etc. More land is being rapidly acquired.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the present quota of interpreters in German prisoners of-war camps;(2) whether, in view of the difficulties experienced in separating Nazi from other German prisoners of war, he will employ more interpreters, many of whom could be found in the Pioneer Corps.

Camps with less than 500 prisoners have one interpreter. Camps with 500 to 1,500 have two and camps with over 1,500 have three. The numbers who are suitable are limited. Moreover, interpreters are also needed for Missions, work with Control Commissions and other such employments. It is not, therefore, possible to allot more interpreters to these camps except at the expense of other demands which must.be met.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the German prisoner who died recently from injuries received in a clash between Nazi and other German prisoners at a certain camp received his injuries during the Canning Town disturbances.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the names and designations of the batteries of R.A. at the evacuation of Dunkirk, at El Alamein, with the 8th and 1st Armies in North Africa, at Singapore, and in the retreat through Burma, have been released yet; and, if not, will be give the reasons.

The designation of the batteries which were at Singapore and those which were with the B.E.F. at Dunkirk have been released. As the batteries which took part in the campaigns in North Africa and Burma were shortly afterwards once more engaged with the enemy no releases were made except for batteries which had taken part in special exploits. This is in accordance with the normal practice followed by Commanders-in Chief, but there is now no longer any objection to a general release as desired by my hon. and gallant Friend, and arrangements are being made accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the statistical records of his Department show the numbers of building trade craftsmen serving in the Army.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that in the unit of which he has been informed men have had their leave postponed twice this year; and will he inquire into the reason for this.

I understand that men of this unit have not had their leave postponed except on occasions when sailings were cancelled. This contingency may affect the leave of members of any unit of the B.L.A.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the maximum use is being made of military camps and establishments in Dorset for the purpose of housing troops returning for demobilisation; and if not, whether he will arrange for such accommodation to be fully utilised and release from requisition private and commercial houses now held for this purpose in order that hotel and boarding-house keepers and others may start up their businesses.

I can assure my Noble Friend that the maximum use will be made of military camps and establishments in this and all other areas at the end of the war in Europe. It will nevertheless be necessary in the immediate post-war period to retain many of the buildings at present requisitioned, although the accommodation position will continue to be kept under constant review to ensure that properties which are not needed are de-requisitioned as early as possible.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the anomalies which arise under the Administration of Estates Act, 1925, when several members of one family are killed simultaneously by enemy action; and will he cause legislation to be introduced so that property owned by intestates shall not pass away from their next-of-kin.

I am not clear as to what are the anomalies which my hon. Friend suggests exist. One aspect of this matter is dealt with in an appeal in which the decision of the House of Lords will shortly be given. I am not satisfied legislation is necessary, but if my hon. Friend will let me know his suggestions I will consider them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state his policy with regard to the release of suitable British personnel to assist the various organisations concerned with the rehabilitation of liberated countries.

My right hon. Friend is very sensible of the importance of this matter and of the desirability, from every point of view, of facilitating the provision of assistance in the rehabilitation of the liberated countries. He is therefore making every effort to assist the Associations concerned, whose needs are well known to our Department, by securing the release of suitable men and women provided that these are not engaged on vital war work.

asked the Secretary of State for War what will be the nature and nationality of the court which will try the Dutch subject suspected of treachery who was arrested towards the end of last year.

This Dutch subject will be tried by a Dutch court. The nature and constitution of the court will be a matter for the Dutch authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the cost to the taxpayer of producing utility suits, socks and other similar articles of clothing; what quantities of these articles are still undisposed of; and to what countries have any of these articles been exported.

The direct subsidy on utility cloth, the purpose of which is to prevent an undue rise in prices, amounted up to the end of last month to about £440,000. Utility clothing stocks are held by traders in the normal course of business, and, like other clothing stocks, are now low. The export of utility clothing is prohibited, except under licence, and only small quantities have been sent to certain British communities abroad.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered a recent Press advertisement, a copy of which has been sent to him, in which a person not at present engaged in retail trade offered a partnership to an ex-Serviceman who might be able to obtain a retail licence; and whether he proposes to permit the entry into retail trade of newcomers who take an ex-Serviceman into partnership in order to obtain a licence which they would not be granted in the ordinary way.

I'am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this matter. It is certainly not my intention that licences under the Location of Retail Businesses Order shall be granted to such applicants, and I have given instructions accordingly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many bespoke tailoring businesses have been closed down between 1st September, 1939, and the latest available date.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if it is proposed, under the Distribution of Industry Bill, to place any obstacle in the way of a new industry being started in an area not included in the schedule of Development Areas, should there be an existing factory already available but which is not at present being used for industrial purposes;(2) whether existing factories in areas not included in the First Schedule to the Distribution of Industry Bill will be permitted to proceed with extensions in excess of 3,000 square feet where such extensions form part of a reorganisation planned before the outbreak of war but not proceeded with owing to the war;(3) if it is his intention to prevent the erection of a new factory in an area not included in the Schedule, even although the ground has already been acquired and plans prepared and the area is particularly suitable for the type of industry proposed, namely, an agricultural industry in an agricultural centre.

There are no restrictions on the erection of extension of premises under the Distribution of Industry Bill, except in regard to any area to which Clause 9 may be applied by a Board of Trade Order. In administering any such Order, due regard would be paid to such considerations as those mentioned by my hon. Friend, There is no provision in this Bill restricting the use of an existing building.

asked the Minister of Supply why under S.R. & o. 1944, No. 404, he prohibited the retail sale of typewriter oil in any container smaller than a one gallon tin when the normal container is an ounce or two-ounce bottle; and whether this has had the effect of increasing the consumption of the oil or reducing the number of the containers, or both.

The prohibition on the sale of light lubricating oils in pre-packed small containers was made to relieve the strain on the metal container and small bottle industries, which even now are unable to meet the full demands for essential packing of medicines and food preparations. The restriction has enabled many millions of metal containers and bottles to be diverted to more essential uses, and should not have appreciably increased the consumption of lubricating oils. It will be removed as soon as the situation permits.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether Dr. Archibald Guelph H. Smart, C.B.E., late chief medical adviser to his Department, draws a pension for his services in the Colonial Office in addition to his previous pension as a retired colonial medical officer; and if this post is permanent or temporary;(2) whether the post of Chief Medical Adviser to his Department, now held by Dr. William H. Kauntze, the former Director of Medical Services in Uganda, is temporary or permanent; what is the present remuneration of this post and from what time it dates; whether it is pensionable; and whether the post was advertised and opportunities given to the many efficient British medical officers in the Colonial Medical Service to apply for the post.

The post of Chief Medical Adviser in the Colonial Office was instituted in 1926 and is a permanent part of the Colonial Office staff. The salary is £1,500 a year. No holder of the post has served in a pensionable capacity, and no pension in respect of service in the post is therefore being paid to Dr. Smart, the late holder. The qualifications and records of officers in the Colonial Medical Service who might merit consideration for this post are known to the Colonial Office, and it has not been considered necessary or desirable to advertise a vacancy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the Regional Organisation during the last year for which figures are available; and how many persons it is expected will be engaged whole-time in this organisation during the forthcoming year.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Petersfield (Sir G. Jeffreys) on 14th December last as to the annual cost of the Regional Organisation. Since that date there has been a further reduction of approximately II per cent. in the staff of Regional offices, but in view of the time and labour involved I do not feel justified in ascertaining the precise reduction in annual cost that this has effected. With regard to the latter part of the Question, it is estimated that upwards of 1,83o persons will be engaged whole time so long as the danger of air raids continues, after which the staff will be reduced by more than two-thirds.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when this House may expect a Bill to be brought before it for the preservation of the hill-sheep industry in Britain.

A Bill dealing with the hill-sheep industry in the United Kingdom is in preparation. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and I hope that it will be possible to introduce it during the present session.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has now come to a decision regarding the publication of the Reports or recommendations of the Fishing and Amenities Committees on the Garry-Tummel Hydro-Electric Scheme.

I am arranging that the recommendations of the Amenity and Fisheries Committees with regard to constructional schemes shall be published immediately the period for the laying of objections is over but in good time prior to the opening of any public inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, of the 1, 000 houses authorised in the spring of 1943, how many are occupied, how many completed but not yet occupied and how many are in the course of construction; if there are any upon which work has not yet begun or for which tenders have not yet been approved; and if he will give the comparable figures for the 1,000 houses authorised in the spring of 1944.

Under the 1943 programme, finally fixed at 98o houses, 231 houses have been occupied, eight completed but tot occupied, 701 are under construction, and 36 have hitherto been postponed owing to siting difficulties. Under the 1944 programme, seven have been occupied, 737 are under construction and 396 have not been begun, labour difficulties being the chief cause. Tenders have been approved for all houses under both programmes.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the zoo temporary houses now building in Greenock were authorised; when work began; if any are yet occupied; and if he will give comparable figures for any other houses of similar type built or building, elsewhere in Scotland.

Tenders for the houses referred to were approved on 25th September, 1943, and work began on 144 in October, 1943, and on the remaining 56 in July, 1944, after site difficulties had been overcome. One hundred and fifty-eight of the houses are under construction and 42 have been completed, but, pending an examination this week of the results of remedial work, these have not yet been passed as fit for occupancy. Tenders for 400 similar houses in Clydebank and Dumbarton and Lanark counties were likewise approved on the 25th September, 1943, and these houses have all been occupied. Remedial work on the outside walls has been necessary and this is nearing completion. A comprehensive inquiry into the condition of all these emergency houses is in progress by the Scottish Special Housing Association, the Department of Health and the local authorities concerned and any further steps which this inquiry may show to be desirable for making the houses satisfactory from the point of view of the tenants' comfort, will be authorised.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the recommendation in the Medical Research Council Report on Mass Miniature Radiography of Civilians, that the scheme of allowances for patients suffering from acute pulmonary tuberculosis should be extended to all notified cases of tuberculosis; and if he has any statement to make.

I am aware of what is said in the Report to which the hon. Member refers. The present special arrangements for payment of tuberculosis allowances under emergency powers at the cost of Exchequer funds are designed to encourage persons to give up work and to seek early treatment and were not designed to meet the needs of the chronic sick or in non-pulmonary cases. The question of financial assistance to persons suffering from incapacity, including tuberculosis, is, as the hon. Member is aware, under consideration in connection with the proposals on Social Insurance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give the yields of the 1944 crop of wheat, barley, rye and oats.

The production of the crops in question in 1944 is estimated to have been as follows:

asked the Postmaster-General how many aeroplanes are required to enable him to extend to troops in the C.M.F. and M.E.F. the privilege of the twopenny Forces air-letter recently instituted for troop in S.E.A.C., Ceylon and India.

The additional air lift required for letters is based on a series of estimates basically dependent on the number of troops, etc., in any given theatre of war, and it is not in the public interest to disclose any figures from which such a number could be deduced.

asked the Minister of Food what is the estimated extent of the waste in the distribution of bitter oranges from Spain.

The quantity of bitter oranges available for distribution to the public is small. I am satisfied that there is a good demand for these oranges and have received no evidence of any appreciable waste. Every effort is being made to avoid waste.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British subjects still reside in France; and whether there is any reason why, in view of the shortage of food there, many of them could not return to this country.

Precise figures relating to the number of British subjects in France are not available but it is estimated that there are nearly 20,000. About 1,000 British subjects, nearly all from the northern part of France, have been repatriated and such repatriation is still continuing. It must be borne in mind, however, that most British subjects in France have been long resident there and do not wish to leave. Shortage of food exists mainly in the south of France. From there, unfortunately, lack of transport and difficulty of communications makes repatriation as yet almost impracticable. Every effort, however, is made to take advantage of facilities as they become available. In cases where the British subjects concerned have insufficient money of their own, public funds are advanced, against undertakings to repay, for the purpose of the journey.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Governments have now declared war against Germany and Japan; and what countries have broken off diplomatic relaticns.

The Governments of the following countries are at war with Germany and Japan:

• Australia.
• Belgium.
• Bolivia.
• Canada.
• China.
• Costa Rica.
• Cuba.
• Czechoslovakia.
• Dominican Republic.
• Egypt.
• Ethiopia.
• France.
• Greece.
• Guatemala.
• Hayti.
• Honduras.
• India.
• Iraq.
• Lebanon.
• Liberia.
• Luxemburg.
• Mexico.
• Netherlands.
• New Zealand.
• Nicaragua.
• Panama.
• Paraguay.
• Persia.
• Peru.
• Philippines.
• Poland.
• Salvador.
• Saudi Arabia.
• Syria.
• Turkey.
• Union of South Africa.
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
• United States of America.
• Uruguay.
• Venezuela.
• Yugoslavia.
• The U.S.S.R. is at war with Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any intimation has yet been received from any of the Governments concerned that they accept the tentative proposals recommended by the Dumbarton Oaks Conference.

The hon. Member's question appears to be based on a misapprehension, since the tentative proposals agreed on the official level at the Dumbarton Oaks Conference have not been submitted to any Government for acceptance. The terms of the invitation to the San Francisco Conference, issued by the United States Government on behalf of the four sponsoring Governments, have been published in the Press. The invitation suggests that the Dumbarton Oaks proposals, as supplemented at the Crimea Conference, should be considered by the inviting Governments as affording a basis for the Charter of a World Security Organisation, which it is hoped will be drafted and agreed upon at the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the approximate total value and proportion of building and structural work carried out for his Department in the United Kingdom during the past five years and controlled by civil or structural enginers acting as the principal co-ordinators.

The value of building and structural work carried out for the Air Ministry under the supervision of civil or structural engineers acting as consultants and principal co-ordinators during the last five years has been roughly £9,000,000. This sum represents approximately 2 per cent. of the total value of Air Ministry works executed in the United Kingdom during the period.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what price is being paid for land for the Heathrow aerodrome, which is to be a civil airport for London; if he will publish a list of the holders; and how long the land has been in their possession.

It would not be in the public interest, pending completion of the numerous purchases to be made at Heathrow, to state what prices are being paid for the land. Negotiations ale, however, on the basis of 1939 values as modified in favour of owner-occupiers by the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act for compulsory purchases. The land is divided between thirty-five ownerships, particulars of which I am sending to the hon. Member. I have no information as to the various periods during which the land has been in those ownerships.