asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why no explanatory memorandum is attached to S.R. & O., No. 952, of 1946, entitled the Police (Women) Regulations.

These regulations, which are made under the Police Act, 1919, after consultation with the Police Council, are not of general public interest and are not subject to affirmative or negative resolution of this House. An explanatory circu- lar was sent to all police authorities and other parties interested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that S.R. & O., No. 951, of 1946, amends 28 earlier Orders, covering a period of 26 years; and whether he will take steps to issue an up-to-date consolidated Order.

Consolidated prints of the Police Regulations made under Section 4 of the Police Act, 1919, are issued from time to time, and the last consolidation, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, was issued as recently as March, 1945. A further consolidation will be made at the first convenient opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers who joined the police forces from 1st July, 1919, to 28th August, 1921, have had to serve 30 years for a maximum pension instead of 26 years as was the case previous to the Police Pensions Act, 1921; and how many persons have been adversely affected by the retrospective provision of the Act of 1921.

The Police Pensions Act, 1921, provides that ail men joining the police service on or after 1st July, 1919, have to serve 30 years for a maximum pension, which is two-thirds of their pay. Figures for the whole country are not available, but the number of men who joined the Metropolitan police force between 1st July, 1919, and 28th August, 1921, was 6,043, of whom 1,506 are still serving.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to permit registered voters employed by the Allied Control Commission, British Element, in Germany and Austria, to exercise their vote should the occasion be necessary, in municipal and parliamentary elections.

Voters in the service of the Allied Control Commissions may vote By proxy at parliamentary and municipal elections or alternatively, if they should happen to be in this country on the day of the poll, in person, provided the personal vote is cast before the proxy has voted.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the memorandum by the clerk to the justices for the borough of Colchester on the subject of the administration of the probation service, forwarded to him on 25th July by the hon. Member for Colchester; whether he is aware that the clerk has written to his Department on five occasions on this matter since 9th February, 1945, and has received no acknowledgment or reply; and whether he will communicate to the justices his decision on the point submitted.

I have considered the memorandum sent to me by the hon. Member. I greatly regret the delay in replying to the representations made by the Colchester Probation Committee, and I will see that an answer is sent as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason he has decided that a medical qualification is more necessary than a veterinary one for his inspectors operating under the Cruelty to Animals Acts, in view of the fact that the welfare and condition of the animals involved are just as much a part of their responsibility as the requirements of medical research.

I have two main duties under the Act. One is to see that places where experiments are performed are properly inspected, and medical men are well able to do this. The other is to decide whether authority should be given for proposed experiments and, as the vast majority of the experiments are for the purpose of alleviating human suffering, an inspector without medical qualifications would rarely be in a position to give me the advice I require in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to state the result of his discussions on the recommendations of Mr. R. Moelwyn Hughes, K.C., as a result of his inquiry into the disaster at the Bolton Wanderers football ground on 9th March, 1946; and what steps he is taking to expedite a decision having regard to the fact that the football season will be commencing in about a month's time and the consequent urgency of this matter.

These recommendations involve legislation which clearly could not be effective in time for the beginning of the football season. I am not at present in a position to announce any decision on the recommendations, but I will do so as soon as I can.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many medically-qualified psychiatrists are employed full time and how many part time in British prisons; and what percentage of prisoners who are sentenced with the assumption that they will receive treatment by a psychiatrist are, in fact, so treated.

Of the 28 whole time medical officers at present in the Prison Service, six hold the Diploma of Psychological Medicine, and all the more senior medical officers in the Prison Service have had considerable experience in psychiatry. There are three medically qualified psychiatrists attached to the Prison Service for part time service. It is not possible to answer the second part of the Question. All cases in which there is any reason to think psychiatric treatment might be beneficial, whether a court has or has not suggested such treatment are investigated, and if it appears likely that such treatment will be advantageous during the prison sentence, it is provided.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners who were sent to Walton Gaol, Liverpool, in 1945, were recommended when sentenced for treatment by a psychiatrist; what percentage of the total number of prisoners this constituted; how many received such treatment; for what periods of time and at what intervals.

The number of persons who received psychiatric examination at the prison during 1945, was 607, including 168 who were remanded with a request from the Court for a Mental report. Of the 607 a number received treatment. The number of persons who, when sentenced, were recommended by the court for psychiatric treatment was six of whom two were found suitable for such treatment. It is not possible to state for what periods and at what intervals the treatment was given. The total number of receptions at the prison in 1945 was 4,026.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) in view of the decision of the Edinburgh Court of Session on 19th July, 1946, what he now proposes to do about the cases in which, on a basis inconsistent with the principle there enunciated, pensions were refused;(2) If he is aware of the decision of the Edinburgh Court of Session, on 19th July, 1946, to the effect that predisposition to a disease is not a disease and that unless his Department can prove beyond reasonable doubt that the service conditions of an applicant for a service pension played no part in producing the disease in respect of which the applicant claims, a pension must be awarded to the applicant; and if he will award future pensions on that basis.

As regards cases disallowed by a Pensions Appeal Tribunal before today, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply, of which I am sending him a copy, to the hon. and gallant Member for Edinburgh, West (Lieut.-Commander Clark-Hutchison) on 25th July, 1946. In reconsidering a claim, or in considering a new claim, I shall, of course, give full weight to the recent judgments of the Court of Session in Scotland and the High Court in England.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will now grant a marriage allowance to the ex-Serviceman whose name has been sent him and who married 36 days after the maximum permitted period.

As the hon. Member was informed on 27th June, this pensioner is not eligible for the award of a family allowance as his marriage did not take place within the time limit laid down in the Royal Warrant.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will ensure that the marriage certificate and birth certificates in respect of two children, which have been in the possession of his Department for over five months, are returned to Mr. James Gilhooly, 28, McAslin Street, Glasgow, without any further delay, in order that he may be able to claim maternity benefit before the six months entitlement period has elapsed.

The certificates in question were returned to Mr. Gilhooly on 4th June. When the hon. and gallant Member informed me on 3rd July that Mr. Gilhooly had not received them my Department proceeded to obtain duplicates and in the meantime sent him a statement which would enable him to pursue his application to the approved society. A letter was yesterday received from Mr. Gilhooly saying he had found the original certificates.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will take steps to have the terms of the Dispensing Warrant widened so as to make it clear that the power to grant in exceptional cases allowances at rates, or to persons, other than those mentioned, or under conditions other than are laid down in any existing warrants or regulations, shall cover all cases of pensions and allowances payable through his Department.

The scope of the Dispensing Warrant is limited to members of the Military Forces. There are similar instruments covering members of the Naval and Air Forces. Where exceptionally it has been necessary I have obtained special authority to admit individual cases which are not strictly covered by the existing Mercantile Marine and Civilian Schemes. I have also obtained extra statutory authority to make awards to the limited number of civilians disabled as a result of internment abroad and to the dependants of those who have died, although some of the cases are outside the scope of the Personal Injuries Act.

asked the Minister of Health why no sites have been chosen for the building of houses at Fritwell, Ploughley rural district area, Oxfordshire; when it is anticipated building will commence; and when a piped water supply will be laid on to the village, as the water is unfit for drinking.

The site at Fritwell originally proposed by the Ploughley Rural District Council for the building of houses was considered unsuitable on planning grounds. Another site has recently been submitted for approval but it is not yet possible to say when building will commence. With regard to the last part of the Question, I understand that the parish is included in the scheme for a piped supply of water which the Rural District Council have under consideration but I am unable to say when the supply will be afforded.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average rental now being paid by the occupant of a prefabricated house.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health what are the latest figures of the average overall cost of completely fitted prefabricated houses; how much of such figure represents the cost of site and services; and by how much such figure exceeds the original estimates.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the temporary houses. I am not in a position to add anything to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works on 29th November last.

asked the Minister of Health how many types of prefabricated permanent houses have been approved by his Department; and how many have been erected up to the last convenient date.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnard Castle on 30th May, 1946. In reply to the second part of the Question, 248 permanent prefabricated houses of various types had been completed on 30th June, 1946. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a note showing distribution between the various types.

asked the Minister of Health how many types of permanent prefabricated dwellings have been approved for erection; and how many of each type have been ordered, delivered to site, are in course of erection and have been completed, respectively.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Lavers), on 30th May. 1,380 Howard houses and 23,538 B.I.S.F. houses have been allocated to local authorities. Applications have been received from local authorities for components for 9,362 Airey houses. Tenders have been approved for 2,933 Easiform, 2,108 Orlit, 2,000 Bell-Livett, 1,786 Swedish and 2,650 of various other types of permanent prefabricated house. Figures for deliveries of components to sites are not available. Houses under construction and completed are as follow:

asked the Minister of Health if he will refuse his consent to the compulsory requisitioning of land on Wan-stead Flats by the West Ham authority for the purpose of erecting permanent houses.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to her by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Town and Country Planning on 30th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will increase the maximum expediture permitted on houses erected by private enterprise where it can be shown that abnormal site conditions exist or where in rural areas it is desired to install sewage disposal plant, respectively.

Local authorities were authorised in a circular issued on 6th March, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, to allow the normal maximum selling price to be exceeded by the amount by which the cost of a developed site exceeds the normal, where they are satisfied that the cost is reasonable and unavoidable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will agree to increase the maximum expenditure permitted on houses erected by private enterprise in cases where he approves a higher rate of expenditure per house than the £1,100 without site by the relevant local authority for the erection of its own houses.

No, Sir, for reasons which were given in full in the course of the Debate on 30th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause a special investigation to be made of the latest housing plans in the area of the Gloucester Rural District Council; and indicate to this authority how much progress must be made before they can expect to resume the issue of private building licences.

My principal housing officer for the area is in constant touch with the Gloucester Rural District Council about their housing plans and I do not think that any special investigation is called for at present. It has been made clear to the council that they should not issue further licences without the approval of my Department until their housing programme is more advanced and an adequate supply of labour is assured for its execution.

asked the Minister of Health what is holding up plans by the Gloucester Rural District Council for houses at Eastington.

I am not aware that the plans of the Gloucester Rural District Council houses at Eastington are being held up. A tender has been approved for the erection of two houses on one site and a layout plan for the development of a much larger site has just been submitted to my Department by the Council and is being considered.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities submitted housing plans to him for approval during the first three months of 1946.

I would refer the hon. Member to the Housing Return for June, 1946 (Cmd. 6870). The information desired is contained in Table 9 of Appendix A.

asked the Minister of Health on what date the control of the camp known as Shapter's Fields, Plymouth, passed into his hands; what use he intends to make of the premises; and on what date his representative entered into negotiations with the Plymouth City Council regarding the use of a portion of the camp for housing purposes.

Actual control of the Shapter's Fields Camp has not so far passed to my Department. The question of its use for housing will be further discussed with the Plymouth Corporation in the immediate future. With regard to the last part of the Question, the Corporation inquired about the use of the camp for housing earlier this year but deferred consideration of the question until a decision had been reached on a possible alternative; use.

asked the Minister of Health why the soil cart visits Kidlington, Oxfordshire, in the middle of the day; and what steps he will take to abate this nuisance.

My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter. I understand, however, that the Rural District Council are unable to obtain the services of a full time scavenger to undertake this service and that the present collections by a part time employee can be carried out only when he is not engaged at his ordinary occupation: The Council have submitted a sewerage scheme for this area and I hope to be in a position to arrange a public inquiry into the scheme at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health when it is anticipated that a water supply will be laid on to Islip, Oxfordshire; and whether it will be piped water or standpipes.

A Scheme for the provision of a piped supply of water to the Parish of Islip was approved on the 12th June. I understand that the work will be put in hand without delay.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that Bracebridge Mental Hospital has 345 female patients with only 18 nurses for all duties night and day, of whom five have resigned, three are married and two are over age; that these nurses work from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. six days a week; that in a ward of 96 bedridden and epileptic patients only two nurses are on duty; that, because there is a possibility of the whole staff resigning and a complete breakdown of the hospital, the committee disclaim responsibility for the present position; and what steps he will take as a matter of urgency to provide adequate staff.

Yes, Sir; I am aware of the serious shortage of nurses at this Hospital. The Ministry of Labour are making special efforts to provide staff, and senior officers of that Department and of the Board of Control are visiting the Hospital today in order to confer with the Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will indicate the method of assisting financially small local hospitals in South Wales which have no capital reserves and will be unable So meet their obligation as they have insufficient income to do so.

Application should be made through the Welsh Board of Health, when I will consider each case on its merits.

asked the Minister of Health what steps will be taken to link the work of the Medical Research Council of Great Britain with the research activities of the new World Health Organisation; and whether he can give any indication of the range of research which is to be undertaken by the new organisation.

The World Health Organisation is in too early a stage of development for a decision to be given on these questions.

asked the Minister of Health what procedure should be adopted under the National Health Bill to ensure that a war memorial fund specifically earmarked to provide an extension for the South Molton and District Cottage Hospital is used for this purpose.

I cannot, on the information available, advise the hon. Member. He may think it desirable to seek legal advice on any specific case he has in mind. I have dealt with the general policy involved, in the many Debates on the Bill.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases in which he has granted dispensations to a local authority permitting members who are members of cooperative societies to vote on a particular proposal before the authority.

Seventy-five.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement about the proposal to establish a large-scale reservoir in Mosedale, the valley between Loweswater and Crum-mock Water; and if he will insist that all alternatives to this scheme are explored before giving his sanction to it.

I understand that the Cumberland County Council are considering the recommendations of their consulting engineers for the improvement of water supplies throughout the county, but that no definite proposals based on their recommendations have yet been formulated, and that the County Council are not, therefore, committed to any particular scheme. If an application is made to me, I will ensure that all practicable alternatives are considered before I approve any scheme.

asked the Minister of Health if when the increased old-age pension is paid, he will consult with county councils with a view to arranging the payment of 6s. a week pocket money to all men and women in public institutions, whether over the retirement pension age or not.

The proposal would require legislation, and I have noted it for consideration in that connection.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will grant his approval for the use of the Gatehouse, Chiswick, as a youth centre as soon as possible, in view of the fact that delay in doing so may hold up the opening of this centre which is planned for October.

My approval is not required. I understand, however, that the Middlesex County Council at their meeting yesterday passed a resolution approving of the use by the Education Committee of the Gatehouse for youth service purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many broadcasting stations there are in the British zone in Germany; where are they situated; and how many hours a day and on what wavelengths do they broadcast.

There are four German broadcasting stations in the British zone. Each station broadcasts 14½ hours per day from Mondays to Fridays, 15 hours on Saturdays and 17 hours on Sundays. Their location and wavelengths are:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any machinery has yet been established whereby persons resident in the British Commonwealth and British subjects elsewhere who lost their property in Germany as a result of Nazi persecution or discrimination, can forward claims to Germany for the restitution of such property.

Arrangements have now been made which will enable such persons to forward through official channels, claims in respect of property in any of the zones in Germany. These claims will be placed on record with the appropriate authorities in Germany pending the establishment of machinery for dealing with them—a matter now under joint con- sideration by the occupying Powers, A Press notice has been issued giving full particulars of the form in which such claims should be made; copies of this notice can be obtained on application to the Control Office for Germany and Austria, Norfolk House, St. James's Square, S.W.I.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why only a repatriation permit was issued to a person, details of whom have been furnished, whose application for priority British naturalisation is pending and who wishes for business reasons to visit the British zone in Austria; and whether a permit to travel to, and return from. Austria will be granted in this case.

This Gentleman's original application was in terms of repatriation to Austria for the purpose of administering his property and performing other useful services in the reconstruction of that country. There was no mention of British naturalisation or of a temporary business visit in his letter. A permit was issued on 18th July for him to enter Austria for the purposes stated in his letter. If it is now his desire merely to visit Austria for business reasons, his application must be judged by different criteria and he should apply to the Export Promotions Department of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the interests of the recruitment of nurses, the same facilities as regards railway warrants will be extended to volunteer nurses as are given to conscript nurses to enable the former to visit their homes which, unless these facilities are extended to them, they are unable to afford to do.

The distinction in the provision of this and other facilities available to nurses taking employment or training away from home is between those who were placed at the instance of my Department and those who were engaged direct by hospitals, and was made after consultation with the National Advisory Council on Nurses and Midwives. The facilities have not been linked with compulsory direction to hospital work, which was applied in only a small minority of cases and, since the removal of all labour controls on 20th June last, is no longer exercised.

asked the Minister of Labour how many scaffolds and stagings were inspected by factory inspectors in the years 1936, 1937, 1938, 1944 and 1945; and, what proportion did the number inspected bear to the total in use.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many vacancies for employment with football pool firms have been registered with the employment exchanges; and whether he has issued any guidance to exchange managers as to the method by which such vacancies should be filled.

Information is not readily available regarding the number of vacancies with football pool firms that have been notified to employment exchanges. My local officers have instructions that they may bring these vacancies to the notice of suitable applicants together with any other vacancies that may be available for them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if his attention has been called to the recent conviction at the Old Bailey of Alex Canning Kostanda, who was sentenced to four years' penal servitude for housebreaking and assaulting a police constable; if he is aware that although this person is an alien, he was employed, from March to December, 1944, as an assistant Press censor at the Ministry of Information; and what inquiries the Ministry made before employing him in that capacity.

I have had inquiries made, and my information is that Kostanda is not an alien, but that the facts in regard to his employment by the Ministry of Information are as stated. The usual inquiries as to record and references were made before this man was engaged, and the results were satisfactory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the main factors responsible for the recent two point rise in the cost of living; and how much higher will it be allowed to go before food subsidies are reduced.

The seasonal rise in potato prices due to new potatoes coming on the market, and increases in clothing prices and rail fares. On the second point, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newbury on 18th July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the sterling balances estimated to amount to £3,500,000,000 at 31st March, 1946, are included in the accounts of the National Debt given on page 6 of the Financial Statements for 1945–46 and 1946–47.

No, Sir, not as such, but part of these balances arise from direct expenditure out of the Budget, which has been met by Government borrowings, and a large part is held in the form of Treasury Bills and other British Government securities forming part of the National Debt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he expects to be able to take any action this year about the duty on imported fuel oil.

Yes, Sir. After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, I have decided to propose in next year's Finance Bill that the import duty of 1d. per gallon should be removed from heavy fuel oil and gas oil. In the meantime, from 1st October, 1946, until the date when the import duty is removed, a subsidy of £1 per ton will be paid to consumers in this country of such oils, whether imported or home-produced. The procedure for paying this subsidy and the precise grades of oil to which it will apply will soon be announced. These arrangements will afford an appreciable relief against the higher operating costs of oil-burning plant as compared with coal-burning plant, and I hope they will result in conversions from coal to oil to the maximum extent possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will publish a quarterly report setting out the proportion of dollars obtained under the U.S. Loan used in the purchases of consumer and capita] goods, respectively.

No, Sir. It is impossible to separate the proceeds of dollars from the United States Loan from those of dollars otherwise obtained.

asked the Minister of Education if it is intended to provide in the near future a canteen at Saltfleetby School, Lincolnshire, since the problem was first raised about 12 months ago.

Yes, Sir. The authority's scheme for a canteen at this voluntary school, has been delayed owing 1:0 difficulty in securing the agreement of the managers. The scheme has now been-submitted to the Ministry and will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have drawn her attention to the injustice done in the new salary scales by the calculation of the salaries of the heads of the smaller grammar schools throughout the country purely on a capitation basis; and what steps are being taken to remedy this state of affairs.

The salary scales of these head teachers are not in fact determined purely on a capitation basis, though there is provision for allowances in addition to the scales in respect of the number of pupils on the roll of the school who are over fifteen years of age. My right hon. Friend is aware that some local education authorities in particular cases consider that the emoluments so payable are insufficient, but, in considering their representations, she cannot go outside the provisions of Section 9 (d) (iii) of the report of the Burnham Committee on scales of salaries for teachers in primary and secondary schools.

asked the Minister of Education whether the eight to 12 months waiting period for service candidates for the teaching profession starts from their release date or the termination of their period of D.O.V. deferment.

Candidates who apply while still in the Service are put on the waiting list for emergency training colleges according to the date of their Class A release.

asked the Minister of Education by whose authority and on what conditions are schoolchildren attending Amersham Common School permitted to act as washers-up at the British Restaurant, Amersham; and if she has approved such employment during school terms.

Inquiries will be made into this matter. In the meantime, I have received an assurance that the Buckinghamshire local education authority would not countenance and have not countenanced any arrangements for the employment of school children to wash up at a British Restaurant.

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made towards changing the dates of external school examinations as a means of facilitating the staggering of holidays.

As my hon. Friend will see from paragraph 10 of Circular 103, of which I am sending him a copy, my right hon. Friend is asking the Secondary School Examinations Council to consider this question at an early date.

asked the Minister of Education whether she has yet been able to get W.B.A. priorities for work on school canteens, kitchens and dining rooms, so that the scheme for feeding children in schools may be implemented.

For the School Meals programmes, W.B.A. labour priority is granted to a limited number of projects which are exceptionally urgent and where labour for the work would not otherwise be forthcoming. Where, however, the contractor has all or most of the labour needed, or the number of men required is small, W.B.B. priority is accorded in the first instance and has, so far, been found sufficient in nearly all cases. For materials, W.B.A. is the only priority and is granted for all school canteen work, provided that in each case the quantities of materials in short supply are reduced to a minimum.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if a decision has yet been reached about the future of the Social Survey.

Yes, Sir. The Social Survey will be continued under the Central Office of Information.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what significance was intended for the symbols which appear on the 3d. edition of Victory stamps; and why this particular stamp in the series was selected for this purpose.

The design is symbolic of peace and reconstruction and was selected as suitable for the stamp most in use on correspondence to foreign countries.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many sub-postmasters are authorised for the county of Norfolk; and how many of these appointments are vacant at the present time.

There are 526 authorised sub-postmasterships in Norfolk, of which eight are at present vacant.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when a better service of postal delivery may be expected be-tween London and North Wales, in view of the fact that some recent letters posted by the hon. Member for Denbigh in the House of Commons after 3 p.m., have taken two days to reach their destination.

Letters posted up to 5 p.m in the House of Commons box and up to 5.30 p.m. at the House Post Office should be included in the first distribution in North Wales the following day; my noble Friend hopes to provide better posting facilities towards the end of the year. If the hon. Member will let me have details, of any specific cases of delay, including if possible the envelopes of the letters, I will gladly have inquiry made.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether he is aware that French newspaper correspondents in London are being handicapped by the inadequate telephone service between London and Paris; and whether, in view fo the fact that these corespondents must be assured of a connection with their newspapers at specified times related to their edition times in France, he will make arrangements to give them the necessary facilities.

No complaints of the telephone service between London and Paris have been received by the Post Office from French newspaper correspondents in London, but a complaint has been made by the "Daily Express," Generally speaking, delays do not exceed one hour, but heavier delays occur during the midday period when, on account of staff difficulties in Paris, the number of circuits worked has to be reduced. This matter has been represented strongly to the French authorities who promise an improvement in the near future. The question of reintroducing fixed time telephone calls on the Anglo-French service has already been taken up with the French Administration and their reply is awaited.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will consider the introduction of facsimile broadcasting as a means of supplying listeners with an economical and reliable printed news service which they may contrast with the daily Press.

I will look into the suggestion, and write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements he has made or will make in the immediate future for the purchase of animal feedingstuffs with the aid of the loan from the U.S.A.

The purchase of feedingstuffs is a question of supplies rather than dollars and there is little prospect of additional supplies while the food shortage lasts. My right hon. Friend will not lose any opportunity to purchase whatever supplies are available.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider opening branch food offices for a limited period each week or month in villages not at present supplied.

My right hon. Friend cannot undertake to set up sub-food offices for temporary periods in villages throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being made to see that adequate supplies of bread are available for hop pickers.

Arrangements for the supply of bread to hop-pickers are under discussion between representatives of my Department and of the Hops Marketing Board.

asked the Minister of Food if the Government propose to reimburse the bakers for the extra expense which has been imposed on them to operate bread rationing.

The bread subsidy paid to bakers is adjusted from time to time in the light of costings surveys made at regular intervals. Any additional expenses incurred by bakers are, therefore, taken into account. An announcement was made on 30th July that any increase in the subsidy found to be necessary as a result of the rationing of bread will operate retrospectively to the commencement of the rationing scheme.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that over the weekend, 26th to 29th July, there were long queues of housewives and a shortage of bread in St. Marylebone; and what steps he proposes to take to make better provision of bread in St. Marylebone; and the abolition of queues.

The sharp increase in demand following upon the low level of buying during the first few days of the rationing scheme resulted in temporary shortages in a few areas, but as the bakers and the public become more accustomed to the rationing scheme, the queues for bread and confectionery will be, if not entirely eliminated, far less common than before the introduction of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is in a position to state the amount of wheat saved in the first week of bread rationing.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 31st July to the hon. and learned Member for Daventry (Mr. Manningham-Buller).

asked the Minister of Food whether:he will arrange for the manual workers' bread ration to be given to private gardeners whose work is wholly manual.

Gardeners employed as such for periods of 22 hours a week or more are eligible for the manual workers' ration.

asked the Minister of Food why a farmer's son who is employed on his father's farm is not entitled to the additional six bread units issued to agricultural workers, having regard to the fact that he usually works longer hours than the agricultural employee and does not usually return home for his midday meal.

The fanner's son who is employed on agricultural work is entitled to 15 bread units a week if over 18 and 19 bread units a week if under 18. In addition, he is entitled to his share of allowances at periods of seasonal activity. I am advised that these quantities should be generally sufficient for his needs. But it necessary he can secure more bread unit foods by the surrender of points coupons.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that at the slaughterhouse at Stonehouse, Plymouth, during the course of last week two cows were slaughtered while in calf; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such waste of potential milk and potential livestock.

Both cows were sent direct to the slaughterhouse for slaughter as casualties, and the carcases were condemned as unfit for human consumption.

asked the Minister of Food the quantity of olive oil which he estimates would be required annually to provide the reasonable requirements of the people for salad oil.

My right hon. Friend estimates between 2,500 and 3,000 tons per annum would be sufficient for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Food why certain proprietary brands of oatmeal and oatflour are still off the ration when other oatmeal and oatflour is now sold on points.

The proprietary brands of oatmeal and oatflour mentioned by the hon. Member are invalid and infant foods.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that "Food for Britain " packages, namely: 1,472 cases of tinned meats, cooking fats and oil which arrived on 3rd April, 1946, 39 cases of powdered milk which arrived on 17th April, 1946, 283 cases of tinned jam and meat which arrived on 10th May, 1946, and 467 cases of cooking fat which arrived on 29th May, 1946, are now lying in 4A shed at Tilbury Docks; that no efforts have been made to distribute these goods which are rapidly deteriorating; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter.

Distribution of the first two consignments is already proceeding, but in view of my hon. Friend's information I have called for a report on the condition and storage of this food, and hope to communicate with him shortly.

asked the Minister of Food how many trade indents for potatoes of the 1945 crop his Department were unable to execute; the total tonnage involved for the period over which these indents were lodged with area potato supervisors; and at what date the trade was advised that his Department would be unable to supply.

9,296 indents for 1945 crop potatoes were not met; the quantity involved was approximately 55,800 tons; and the trade was informed on 12th July that supplies of old potatoes were exhausted.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, when the present non-tuberculin-tested milk supplier of a person who wishes to have tuberculin-tested milk is unable to supply it, it must first be found out whether he is able to do so through an agent; that should he be able to do so through an agent but be unwilling, registration must be changed; while should he be willing to supply the customer with tuberculin-tested milk through an agent but be unable to do so, registration may not be changed; and if he will explain the reason for the difference.

So long as milk deliveries are rationalised transfers of consumer registrations can be allowed only in exceptional circumstances. A change is allowed when a consumer wishes to have tuberculin-tested milk and his retailer is unwilling to provide it although supplies are available to him. Where, however, a retailer is willing to meet his customer's wishes but cannot get supplies, a change is not allowed as the retailer would thus be deprived of business for reasons beyond his control, and at the same time would be precluded from securing other customers because of the delivery restrictions. In such circumstances every effort is made to help the retailer to get supplies of tuberculin-tested milk but this is not always possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the allocation of dried fruits on the basis of part sugar registrations inflicts hardship on grocers and customers where the number of sugar registrations has been increased; and whether he will make the allocation on the basis of current sugar registrations.

Commencing with the four-week period commencing 13th October next the allocations will be based upon the current sugar registrations. It is not possible to introduce this revised basis at an earlier date.

asked the Minister of Food the factors which now prevent the abolition of sugar rationing; what are the present stocks of sugar in this country; and if he will give an indication when sugar rationing is likely to be abolished.

The world shortage in relation to requirements is the reason for maintaining the rationing of sugar in this country; I am not prepared to publish the figures of present stocks for the reasons I gave in the Debate on bread rationing on 3rd July; I cannot say when sugar will be taken off the ration.

asked the Minister of Food what medical advice he has obtained as to the adequacy of food ailoca-tions at present made to tubercular sanatoria.

I am guided on all medical matters by the Food Rationing (Special Diets) Advisory Committee of the Medical Research Council and the Committee has always kept in very close touch with the Tuberculosis Association and the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, on all matters pertaining to this disease. The Special Diets Committee is satisfied with the provisions which are being made for tubercular sanatoria under present circumstances, and these provisions are approved by the assications I have mentioned.

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking to prevent white flour stored by his Department from going bad.

It is our practice to release the flour which has been longest in store and to make periodical inspections.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the contribution in food supplies made by Northern Ireland to Great Britain as at the last convenient date since the close of the war with Japan.

pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 18th July, 1946, Cols. 257 and 258, Vol. 425], supplied the following statement:The information required by the hon. Member is now available and is shown in the following table:

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that children in the Saltfleetby School, Lincolnshire are being given powdered milk to drink when there is a model dairy only 30 yards away; and if he will arrange for fresh milk to be used.

There are two producer-retailers in the vicinity of the Saltfleetby school but I am informed that neither is willing to supply the school with milk. A supply of full cream milk powder was arranged in February, 1945.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied that adequate transport facilities have been, or are to be, provided to enable perishable foodstuffs, such as haggis, which are un-rationed, to reach the South of England from Scotland, in a fresh condition.

Yes, Sir

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the allocation of soap to grocers on the basis of soap coupons returned inflicts hardship on districts where the population is increasing, as it prevents the grocers in such districts from increasing their supplies of soap and thus compels the inhabitants of those districts to travel considerable distances to buy soap; and if he will reconsider this method of allocation.

The present method of allocating soap takes into account increases in population and thus provides additional supplies in areas where the population is increasing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons formerly employed on the Liverpool Cotton Market have now been given employment in the Cotton Control organisation or earmarked for employment in the proposed cotton purchasing commission.

Sixty-three males and two females formerly employed on the Liverpool Cotton Market are now in the employ of the Cotton Control, and others will be engaged as required.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will arrange for an increase in the supply of doth to book publishers for binding purposes to enable them to take full advantage of the recent increase in the paper quota.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedford (Mr. Skeffington-Lodge) on 3rd June. The allocation of cotton yarn for book cloth was increased in March and again in July, and I hope that further increases will be possible as the supply of cotton yarn improves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now give a firm date by which the Chiswick premises of Messrs, 20th Century Productions will be available for reoccupation by the owners.

They should be available by the end of December, 1946.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present functions of the Home Timber Production Department; what are the present numbers employed; and what further early reductions he is considering.

The Home Timber Production Department is at present responsible for the production of mining timber by direct labour and assisting the timber trade to obtain equipment. The present numbers employed are 698 non-industrial and 8,154 industrial workers, of whom 2,981 are prisoners-of-war. These figures represent reductions of 343 and 3,524 respectively, over the last six months. Further reductions will be made as supply considerations permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of flax, representing what quantity of linseed oil, is now lying unthreshed in this country.

It is estimated that on 30th June, 1946, there were 41,000 tons of flax crop waiting to be processed, the seed of which may contain some 800 tons of oil. The seed obtained during processing is, however, mainly required for future sowings. If there is any surplus seed, it will be made available to the oil crushers, but the quantity is likely to be small.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has reimposed control on the supply and acquisition of animal glue, gelatine and size.

Control of the supply and acquisition of these materials has been re-imposed after consultation with the Trade Advisory Committee to ensure that available supplies, which are considerably less than the total demand, are distributed to the best advantage in the national interest. All practicable steps are being taken to increase supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how often the Import Advisory Committee has met since the war.

The functions of the Import Duties Advisory Committee were suspended at the outbreak of war. Under the Import Duties (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, the Treasury were empowered to exercise, without a recommendation from the Committee, all powers which that Department could ordinarily exercise in pursuance of such a recommendation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give an assurance that the Permanent Cotton Buying Commission will be free to decide at its own discretion the most economic method of buying raw cotton without direction or restriction being laid down by his Department.

That is the intention, subject to any general conditions that may be necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to ensure that an adequate labour force is available for lifting this year's potato crop; and if he is satisfied with the response to the call to the holiday camps for this harvest.

All practicable steps are being taken, on much the same lines as during the war, to ensure that an adequate supply of labour is available for lifting the potato crop. There has been a fairly good response to date to the appeal made by my Department for volunteers for harvest camps but more recruits for the later months would be welcome.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the position of farmers in the vicinity of Aylesbury, whose wheat was bought and paid for last year, left to be bagged and collected, still remains in the barns, is being eaten by rats, and occupies space urgently needed for other purposes; and what action he proposes to take to clear this wheat.

I have been unable to discover any place in this area where the situation described by the hon. Member exists. At present there is a strong unsatisfied demand for wheat from the local merchants. If the hon. Member will give me the address of any farmer or merchant concerned the matter will receive immediate attention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will arrange for the British Growers' Union, as representing horticultural interests, to have a seat on the Agricultural Wages Board; and what are the reasons that this body has not been represented on the Board in spite of repeated requests made on its behalf.

No, Sir. The employers' representatives on the Agricultural Wages Board are nominated by the National Farmers' Union which, I am satisfied, adequately covers the interests of all classes of employers whose employees are subject to the minimum rates of wages fixed by the Board.

asked the Minister of Works if any share of baths, hot-water system and sanitary accessories is allocated to existing houses which have no such accessories or whether he will consider making some such allocation.

Although supplies are limited and must be reserved in the main for new houses, there is a margin available for meeting the most urgent of the requirements of existing houses.

asked the Minister of Works if he will increase supplies of plaster of paris for surgical and dental use.

The output of all types of gypsum plaster is limited both by the supplies of gypsum and by manufacturing capacity, but steps are being taken to overcome these difficulties. Meanwhile manufacturers of plaster have been asked to give preference to dental and surgical requirements.

asked the Minister of Works the value of the work for which licences have been issued by his Department in respect of repairs to the dog-racing track at Harringay.

A licence for £200 has been issued in respect of repairs to the dog racing track at Harringay with the approval of the local authority who requested that the repairs should be carried out immediately in order to ensure the safety of the public. The licence is subject to the condition that the work shall be carried out by the stadium's own staff, and no controlled materials have been issued or applied for.

asked the Minister of Works on what grounds a licence was granted for the repair of damage at Harringay Stadium resulting from recent disorderly behaviour there; why it was considered that this work merited priority; and what is the cost of the repairs.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter). I would add that no priority was given for the work.

asked the Minister of Works how many people are occupying how many rooms in the requisitioned portion of Rechabite Chambers, Brighton; and why he has ignored the offer of the trustees of the charitable fund, which now requires the premises for the use of ex-Servicemen, to provide him with alternative accommodation.

Rechabite Chambers contains nine rooms and is occupied by 11 staff of the Ministry of Labour. Part of the accommodation is used for interviewing and waiting purposes. We did not pursue the offer of the trustees of alternative premises as we had a scheme for rehousing which we were fairly confident would be acceptable to the Departments concerned. Our proposals have now been accepted and arrangements are in hand which will I hope enable Rechabite Chambers to be vacated and surrendered in about two months time.

asked the Minister of Works if he will, where there is a number of contractors engaged on a building site, some of whom employ only a small number of men, issue instructions for joint arrangements to be made by them, where practicable, for the erection of a central canteen for the use of the whole of the men employed by all the contractors on the site.

Provision for welfare, including adequate and suitable accommodation for taking meals, is contained in the draft Regulation recently published by the Ministry of Labour. I am also in consultation with both sides of the building industry with regard to the provision of welfare facilities and will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that some 50 persons per year are killed as a result of the inefficient electrical wiring of domestic premises; and whether he will consider the introduction of such wiring regulations as will prevent this loss of life.

I am not aware of the number of fatal accidents resulting from inefficient electrical wiring, but I believe these accidents are generally due to the use of portable instruments or interference with an installation rather than to the installation itself. It is the general practice for electricity undertakings to supply current only when installations comply with the rules of the Institute of Electrical Engineers. It would not be practicable to enforce regulations prohibiting the improper use of installations.

asked the Minister of Works when he intends to set up in Liverpool, for Merseyside area, a building licensing office and also a regional material office; if he is aware of the dissatisfaction expressed in this area regarding delay; and if it is intended at an early date to set up a regional centre there, in direct contact with London.

Arrangements have been made to open a building licensing office in Liverpool on 1st October and the setting up of a building materials office there is under consideration. It is not intended to set up a regional centre in Liverpool.

asked the Minister of Works when he will derequisition 160, Chiswick High Road.

I regret I am unable to say when these premises will be derequisitioned.

asked the Minister of Works the cost to the public of services rendered by his Department, heating, lighting and maintenance in Government industrial hostels for the last accounting year.

I regret that the records of my Ministry are not kept in a form which would make this information readily available at present.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) the price at which penicillin is supplied by the manufacturers; and if any price agreement exists between them;(2) which firms are engaged on the manufacture of penicillin in this country; and the output of each concern during the months of May and June.

Glaxo Laboratories Limited, operating commercially, and Distillers Company Limited, operating a Government factory as agents for the Ministry of Supply, are the main producers of penicillin in this country. Production on a smaller scale is undertaken by Boots, Limited, Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, and Kemball Bishop and Company. The great bulk of the output of these concerns is purchased by the Ministry of Supply and it would be contrary to established practice to disclose details of the contracts. There is no price agreement among the manufacturers.