ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL
asked the Prime Minister if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the opinion of the Royal Fine Art Commission on the proposed Roosevelt Memorial.
, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th December, 1946; Vol. 431, c. 1332], supplied the following -information:
The statement by the Chairman of the Royal Fine Art Commission is as follows: 'The design for the statue and its setting as first presented to the Commission, showed a standing figure in a cleared space in Grosvenor Square. The Commission on being informed by the Memorial Committee that the site had been determined and that the sculptor had been asked to portray a standing figure, limited their observations to those arising from the design itself, the relation of the statue to its setting, and the layout of the Square. The Commissioners were shown a small plaster cast of the figure by the sculptor; and they discussed the pedestal, the base, the exact location of the statue and the treatment of the Square with the committee's architect and the representative of the Ministry of Works. They also visited the Square accompanied by the architect and the Ministry of Works representative. After full consideration they recommended certain revisions, including the retention of more trees, an alteration in layout, and an amended design for the pedestal. At this stage, in order not to delay the appeal, the Commissioners gave general approval to the scheme as subsequently illustrated in the Souvenir Books published by the committee, and stated that in their opinion the plaster cast would be a suitable model for the eventual figure in bronze. At a further meeting with the committee's architect and the Ministry of Works representative the amended layout was accepted as appropriate, subject to further modifications in the design of the paths and basins The pedestal has still to be finally approved, and discussions with the committee's architect on this point are proceeding.
NATIONAL SERVICE (CALL-UP)
asked the Minister of Labour in what types of case will men born before 1929 be called up after the end of 1946 under the call-up arrangements for 1947 and 1948.
The following are the only cases in which men born before 1929 will be considered for call-up after 31st December, 1946: ( a ) Men born in 1927 and 1928 who are in process of being called up in December, 1946. This includes those whose call-up has been deferred and whose period of deferment expires not later than 31st December, 1946. (See paragraph 4 of Cmd. 6831.) ( b ) Students (including medical and dental practitioners who have been allowed to complete their training and to obtain up to 12 months' hospital experience) at the expiry of their period of deferment. (See paragraphs 10 and 11 of Cmd. 6831.) ( c ) Coalminers who entered the industry through ballot, or through option at the time of medical examination or later, in so far as they may leave the industry without good cause before completing their period of national service. ( d ) Any men who may be found to have been due to be called up before the end of 1946 but who were not so called-up through their own failure to comply with their obligations under the National Service Acts.
CLASS B RELEASES
asked the Minister of Labour whether he will now make a statement regarding the future of the scheme for release from the Forces in Class B.
The Class B release scheme has now, in the main, fulfilled the purpose for which it was intended. It was essentially an interim measure designed to make available a nucleus of skilled workers and key men to the reconstruction industries pending large-scale demobilisation. By the end of this month about 4,300,000 men and women will have been released or discharged from the Forces since June, 1945, and, therefore, subject to such special arrangements as may be necessary in 1947 for certain students, offers of release in Class B will in future be restricted to a limited number of key individuals, including experienced underground miners and experienced agricultural workers, who are shown to be really urgently required. Such release will not normally be granted to men called up after the end of the war in Europe.
WIDOW'S PENSION
asked the Minister of National Insurance why Mrs. E. Wharton, 25, Jeremy Lane, Heckmondwicke, whose husband died on 9th May, 1946, is still without the widow's pension to which she is entitled; and why his Department now state that the pension application form acknowledged under reference 48701304 and the death certificate acknowledged under reference 01517605 dated 16th May, 1946, cannot be traced and that a new application must be made.
I am having inquiries made and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
WAR DAMAGE CLAIM
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that Mr. W. T. Cuckney, 72, Old Road West, Gravesend, has been informed by the Regional War Damage Commissioner that responsibility for rebuilding his completely bombed house has been accepted by the War Damage Commission, subject to a payment of £170 by him, on the ground that the foundations of the original house do not conform with local by-laws subsequent to its erection; and under what authority this sum has been demanded.
I am informed by the War Damage Commission that they have written to my hon. Friend, explaining that they have accepted liability for the full reasonable cost of making good the war damage to this house, but that they have no authority to pay for the work on the foundations which were not damaged.
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give particulars of the constitution of the Civil Service Commission and the dates of appointment of the various members at present in office; whether these appointments are subject to periodical review; and whether he is satisfied that the members are suited for the task of selecting recruits to meet the needs of the Civil Service under modern conditions.
The members of the Commission and dates of appointments are as follow: Sir Alexander Percival Waterfield, C.B., First Commissioner. March, 1939. Frederick Milner, Director of Examinations. April, 1946. Charles Percy Snow, C.B.E., Scientific Adviser. April, 1946. Colonel John Ryland Pinsent, D.S.O., Chairman of the Civil Service Selection Board. April, 1946
The members of the Commission hold office at the pleasure of His Majesty, with no fixed period of appointment. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "Yes, Sir."
TOURIST TRAFFIC
asked the President of the Board of Trade what special steps are being taken to attract tourists to Great Britain from the hard-currency countries during 1947.
The Travel Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which is a grant aided body, in making known the attractions of the United Kingdom as a tourist centre by means of publications sent abroad, articles for the overseas Press and broadcasts on the overseas services of the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Publications are in course of being distributed overseas to travel agencies. Copies are also being made available overseas with the help of the British Overseas Airways Corporation, British European Airways Corporation, British South American Airways Corporation, and the United Kingdom Railway Companies and Shipping Lines.
His Majesty's Government wish to attract visitors from all countries, other than ex-enemy countries, as while they realise that visitors from certain areas are important to our balance of payments, they also realise that exchanges of visits between the peoples of different countries can contribute largely to improved international relations.
SCOTLAND (LICENSED PREMISES)
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of premises licensed to sell intoxicants in Scotland in 1925, 1935, 1938 and 1946, respectively, giving separate figures for hotels, public houses, restaurants, British Restaurants and clubs.
The following table shows the number of certificates in force under the Licensing (Scotland) Act, 1903, and the number of registered clubs for the years 1925, 1935, 1938 and 1945, which is the latest year for which figures are available. Separate figures are not furnished to my Department of the numbers of licensed restaurants. Holders of certificates for an inn and hotel or for a public house may carry on such restaurants, subject to the approval of the premises by the licensing courts, without any additional certificate. I am informed that there are 58 British Restaurants in Scotland, none of which is licensed.
LICENSING (SCOTLAND) ACT, 1903. Year. No. of Certificates in Force. Registered Clubs. Inns and Hotels. Public Houses. Grocers.* 1925 1,401 4,531 2,818 597 1935 1,460 4,257 2,534 687 1938 1,506 4,203 2,435 700 1945 1,486 4,080 2,188 681 * Licensed Grocers' Certificates permit only sales for off-consumption
Tinned Fruit
asked the Minister of Food what is the present allocation of tinned fruit to Sunderland; and how this allocation compares with the average for the country.
Each area of the country receives an allocation based approximately on population; I am afraid I neither decide nor know how much goes to any particular town.
Imported Fruit
asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that there is not a sufficient supply of bananas, oranges and other fresh fruits in the city of Aberdeen; if he will take steps to share fairly with Aberdeen the supplies arriving in Great Britain; what supplies are now available; what further supplies are likely in the near future; and when they are likely to arrive.
The distribution of the staple imported fruits already ensures that Aberdeen receives its proper share. Supplies are allocated according to population. During the current quarter and the first quarter of next year, the whole of Scotland and the North of England will have more frequent allocations of, oranges and larger allocations of imported apples than will the South to compensate for their smaller share of home grown fruit. A further allocation of Canadian apples will soon be distributed in Aberdeen and I hope to provide an allocation of oranges before the end of the month and one of grapefruit and lemons in the near future.
Sources of Supply
asked the Minister of Food the percentages of our food supply derived from home and overseas sources, respectively, in the first nine months of 1946, with particular reference to wheat and flour, meat, sugar, milk, butter, cheese, potatoes, raw fruit, vegetables and eggs.
I regret that figures for the first nine months of 1946 are not available. For the 12 months ending 31st July, 1946, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his previous question on 22nd July last. I shall be able to supply the corresponding figures for the 12 months ending 31st December, 1946, early in 1947.
TRANSPORT (MEMBER'S LETTERS)
asked the Minister of Transport when the hon. Member for Hornsey may expect to get a reply to his letter of 15th October regarding the omnibus service from Crouch End to Highgate; to his letter of 30th October regarding an increase in the service of L.N.E.R. trains to Alexandra Palace; and to his letter of 9th November regarding the train service from Muswell Hill to Broad Street.
I replied to the hon. Member's letter of 15th October on 10th December and to that of 30th October on 11th December. Possible increases in the train service from Muswell Hill, requested in his letter of 9th November, are being examined to determine their effect on other services and I hope to reply shortly.
BUILDING LICENCE
asked the Minister of Health if he will expedite the issue of a licence to build a new farmhouse for which an application was made to his Department on behalf of Mr. H. Pinson, Whitehams, Hemyock, Devonshire, on 22nd May, 1946, as the existing house on this farm has been assessed by the local council as totally unfit for habitation.
Yes, Sir, and the licence is being issued.
L.P.T.B. (OFFICIALS)
asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interests of the efficient operation of the L.P.T.B., he will take steps to secure the immediate appointment of a full-time vice-chairman, general manager and chief engineer.
The matter is under consideration by the Board and I am awaiting their proposal.
PERSONAL CASE
asked the Minister of Health the result of his investigation into the case of Mr. Percy Walker, particulars of which were sent to him on 3rd December.
I have had inquiries made and am writing to the hon. Member.