asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that whereas three-quarters of the total steel required is available for the next quarter and manufacturers of industrial equipment have only been allocated one-third of their requirements and, as such drastic cuts will necessitate the closing down of plant producing both home and export requirements, what steps is he taking in the matter.

Allocations of steel sheet for the first quarter of 1947 have been settled and authorisations have been or are being issued. Steel sheet is at present in very short supply and the tonnage available is much less than the three-quarters of requirements to which the hon. and gallant Members refers. As regards other steels, final allocations are now being determined and some authorisations already issued will be supplemented. It is necessary to make special provision for vital programmes and the steel available for less essential production is correspondingly reduced. Every endeavour is, however, being made to maintain a reasonable balance of distribution and to avoid hardships.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the licensing section of his Department, which is responsible for the issue of licences to enable cotton-spinners to obtain card wire, is at least four months behind with the necessary authorisations; and, as this reacts upon the quality of cotton yarn being spun and affects the earning capacity of the workers engaged on subsequent processes, if he will expedite the issue of licences and, if necessary, restrict the export of this material.

If my hon. Friend is referring to licences for card clothing, I regret that some delay has occurred where it has been necessary, owing to shortage of supplies, to make a physical examination of a customer's need, but arrangements have now been made to speed up the issue of licences. As regards the last part of the Question, exports of card clothing are kept under constant review in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade, who is concerned to ensure that the essential needs of the cotton industry are met, while at the same time maintaining supplies to overseas countries.

asked the Minister of Supply how many locomotives were built for Government use during the last few years; how many of these are still under the control of his Department; and how many are not in use though suitable for allocation to the railway companies.

Up to 1946 some 1,739 heavy freight and shunting steam locomotives, 4 ft. 8½ in. gauge, have been built in the United Kingdom to the order of the Ministry of Supply. The only locomotives coming under my control are those declared surplus. These have all been allocated, with the exception of 237 heavy freight locomotives which are at present awaiting repair before they can be used. In addition, a number of locomotives now abroad are available for disposal in North-West Europe. A few of these are suitable for immediate use on the home railways and are being brought back. Consideration is being given to the repair of the remainder for use in this country.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that Spedan Towers, a large house with two acres of land, in Hampstead, has been requisitioned by his Department for the use of German scientists; and whether he will consider using that property for rehousing

Item Unit. Annual Equivalent of October Production. Annual Pre-War Production. BRICKS: Common … Millions 5,912 4,222 Facing … Millions 846 922 ROOF TILES: Clay … Thousands of Squares 1,512 761 Concrete … Thousands of Squares 960 569 HOLLOW CLAY BLOCKS … Thousands of Blocks 51,264* 28,815 FLOOR QUADRELS … Thousands of Square Yards 1,740 1,514 * Pre-War Capacity: Production figure not available.

asked the Minister of Works how much expenditure has been incurred by the Government Hospitality Fund in respect of the visit to this country of Herr K. Schumacher.

£55 2s. 2d.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what steps have been taken by the British delegates to the General Assembly of U.N.O. to apply the provisions of

bombed-out people of London and placing the German scientists in Army Nissen huts.

Spedan Towers, Hampstead, was requisitioned by the War Department in 1940 when it was vacant. Recently it became surplus to the War Department's requirements. The Ministry of Health did not require the property for housing as it could not be readily converted into flats, and it has been taken over by my Department to house German scientists now occupying the Beltane School, Wimbledon, which is urgently required for a Teachers' Training College.

asked the Minister of Works the total number of face and stock bricks, roofing tiles, hollow clay blocks and floor quadrels produced in the last full year before the war; and the corresponding quantities now being produced per annum.

The information is as follows:

Article 82 of the United Nations Charter to territories in respect to which draft trusteeship agreements have been submitted to the Trusteeship Committee of the Assembly;

(2) in which cases the British delegates to the General Assembly of U.N.O. have proposed that the administering authority for trust territories shall be U.N.O. itself.

His Majesty's Government see no necessity to apply the provisions of Article 82 to any of the United Kingdom mandated territories in Africa, though provision is made in the terms of Trusteeship now approved by the United Nations' General Assembly, for the subsequent designation of areas as strategic areas if this should later be considered

necessary. His Majesty's Government have not proposed that the administering authority for trust territories shall be the United Nations itself, since we believe that the interests of the inhabitants are best preserved by maintaining continuity of administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will instruct His Majesty's Ambassador at Athens to observe and report on the trial of E.P.O.N., E.A.M. youth organisation leaders, which starts on 13th December.

I learn that this trial has been postponed at the request of the defence until 17th January. His Majesty's Ambassador will keep my right hon. Friend adequately informed about it, and I am not prepared to instruct him to send an observer.

asked the Prime Minister if he has considered the cable sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife, from the Joint Passive Resistance Council of Natal and Transvaal Indian Congresses, protesting against the British attitude at U.N.O on the question of colour discrimination in South Africa; and what reply he has made.

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt) on 12th December.

asked the Prime Minister the total acreage of land in Wales held by the Service Departments for purposes of practice, training, schools, camps, &c what is the total acreage in Wales of land included in the proposals communicated by the Ministry of Town and Country Planning to planning committees, or otherwise contemplated, for acquisition or retention; and the comparative figures under both headings for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The land held by Service Departments, including that over which training rights only are exercised, is as follows: Acres. Wales … 500,940 England … 1,247,580 Scotland … 681,100 N. Ireland … 54,890

The general question of Service land requirements is at present under review, and I regret that the remaining figures asked for by the hon. Member are not therefore available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the names of the Advisory Sub-Committee for Wales set up under the Hill Farming Act, 1946.

The Committee in question has not yet been appointed. I hope, however, to be in a position to make an announcement in the near future

asked the Minister or Agriculture if he is aware of the delay in paying tradesmen's accounts for grant-aided farm water schemes in North Lincolnshire; and if he will expedite the work of the water officers in this respect.

I am not aware of any such delay generally, but the matter seems to be primarily one between the farmer or landowner and the contractor he employs. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, perhaps he would write to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture an estimate of the amount of the British potato crop of 1946; how it compares with 1945; and what arrangements are being made to ensure that the large proportion of potatoes which are unlikely to keep well, in view of the season, are distributed before they go bad.

The figures are as follow: ESTIMATED PRODUCTION OF POTATOES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. (Thousand tons). — England and Wales. Scotland Northern Ireland. United Kingdom. 1945 … … … 7,106 1,596 1,089 9,791 1946* … … … 6,966 1,616 1,367 9,949 * Preliminary estimate based on information at 1st November.

It is the responsibility of the grower to take the necessary steps to store his crop so as to minimise deterioration and to market as soon as possible potatoes which show signs of deterioration. The Ministry of Food prohibits the marketing of good keeping varieties of potatoes in the early months of the season in order to facilitate the disposal of varieties that do not keep well. Any grower who finds that his potatoes are beginning to deteriorate should communicate at once with the local officer of the Ministry of Food, who will assist him to dispose of them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of the costs received by the plaintiff in the action Lindner versus Moon and Another; the amount of costs incurred in defending the action; and under what authority agents of his, who have been found by a court of law to have instituted proceedings without justification, are indemnified at the cost of the taxpayer.

The sum of £401 1s. 7d. was paid as the taxed costs recoverable by the plaintiff and the sum of £471 3s. 11d. was incurred by my Department in defending the action. As regards the last part of the Question, no agents of mine were found by a court of law to have instituted proceedings without justification. Owing to certain irregularities of procedure a requisition notice was held by the court to be invalid. As to why my agents were indemnified, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 1st August, 1946.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why his Department undertook to indemnify the defendant in the recent libel action of Odium versus Stratton; what were the terms of the indemnity; when was it given and by what person's authority; how much money falls to be paid under the indemnity; what public position the defendant held at the time of the libel action; and what public position he holds now.

As regards the first three parts of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg) on 1st August. The damages awarded amounting to £500 have been paid, but the amount of the costs to be paid cannot yet be stated as the plaintiff's solicitors have not yet delivered their bill of costs. In answer to the last two parts of the Question, the defendant was at the time of the action the Chairman of the Wiltshire War Agricultural Executive Committee. He has recently resigned that position.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why elections have once more been postponed to the River Clyst Drainage Board.

The reason is that the River Clyst Drainage Board have not been able to complete their register of electors, owing to inability to find a suitable clerk to the board until May last. As it was not possible to complete the register in time for an election to be held in October, it was necessary to extend the life of the existing board for a further year.

asked the Minister of Food if he will extend the agricultural workers' cheese ration to the small working farmer who is himself primarily engaged on outdoor agricultural work.

The special ration of cheese is allowed to certain categories of employees for whom it is impracticable to provide canteen or other catering facilities, and who are obliged to take a packed meal with them to their work. My right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to extend the concession to farmers who can usually return home for a mid-day meal if they wish.

asked the Minister of Food if he will inquire into the refusal of the Liverpool Food Control Committee to grant a licence for sweets and groceries to J. W. Gillen, 19a Everton Valley, Liverpool; and if he is aware that Mr. Gillen is an ex-Serviceman and has reopened an old-established business but his renewed application has been recently turned down, which is resented by the residents of the district.

The rules governing the granting of licences have been relaxed since the refusal of this application. The Liverpool Food Control Committee are today reconsidering Mr. Gillin's application under these revised instructions. If his application is again refused he may appeal to the divisional food officer.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make arrangements for the direct exchange of bread rationing coupons for oatmeal, in view of his recent decision to discontinue the exchange of bread rationing coupons into points.

I regret that I am unable to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. Divisional food officers in Scotland may, at their discretion, authorise the issue, against cancellation of the appropriate number of bread units, of a special form for points which may only be used for the purchase of oatmeal.

asked the Minister of Food if he will reconsider the abolition of the transfer of bread rationing coupons into points to the extent of permitting all wheaten products to be obtained with bread rationing coupons or points.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see his way to depart from his recent decision. It was never practicable to allow bread unit coupons to be used for the purchase of points foods or points coupons for the purchase of bread unit foods.

asked the Minister of Food the effect on the price and supply of tea in this country of the Government of India's decision to discontinue from 1st January the tea block purchase scheme.

I am unable at present to forecast what the effect will be. Every endeavour is being made to secure this country's requirements at a reasonable price but some time may elapse before the position can be fully assessed.

asked the Minister of Food what deduction is made in the price of barley paid to farmers in the North of England to allow for conditioning; and what percentage of Northern barley is conditioned.

The maximum deduction which may be made for conditioning potentially millable barley is 2s. 6d. per cwt. It is not possible to say what percentage of barley has to be conditioned, either in the North of England or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount in Canadian dollars that has been expended on demurrage by ships awaiting cargoes of grain for this country in Canadian Atlantic ports since 1st September, 1946.

I have been asked to reply. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of a reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Ludlow (Lieut.-Colonel Corbett) on 18th Novem- ber. I can give no further information at present.

asked the Minister of Food the average quantity of stocks of wheat in tons of 2,240 lbs. in the United Kingdom: the number of weeks supply which those stocks represented at the then current extraction rates, what extraction rates were current for each of the following periods: 1938, 1939, 1945, the first six months of 1946, July, August, September, October, and November, and the first week of December, 1946.

As regards that part of the Question which relates to stocks of wheat I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Northern Dorset (Mr. Byers) on 10th July last. The extraction rates which were current for the periods named in the Question are given below: 1938 and 1939—Extraction was not controlled but the average rate was probably about 70 per cent. Per cent. 1945 80 1st January, 1946, to 23rd February, 1946 80 24th February, 1946, to 9th March, 1946 82½ 10th March. 1946, to nth May, 1946 85 12th May, 1946, to 30th June, 1946 90 July, 1946 90 August, 1946 90 1st September to 21st September, 1946 90 22nd September to 30th September, 1946 85 October, 1946 85 November, 1946 85 1st week of December, 1946 85

asked the Minister of Food under what powers he has issued a notice, a copy of which has been sent to him, that when a milk business closes down the registered customers are compulsorily transferred to the Co-operative Society.

The hon. Member has misinterpreted the notice. Where as in the case to which this notice relates, a milk retail business is purchased by one private retailer from another, registrations are automatically transferred to the purchaser, but any customer who wishes may transfer to a Co-operative Society of which he is already a member. No one is compelled to do so. The authority is given by Article 10 of the Milk (Control and Maximum Prices) (Great Britain) Order, 1945, S.R. and O. 1945, No. 410.

asked the Minister of Food how much of the five and a half tons of gift food recently received at Gravesend for free distribution was sold on his instructions; and to what account was the money received credited.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the absence of parcel post arrangements between the United Kingdom and Albania, Bulgaria and Roumania, he will make special arrangements for delivery of food parcels to these countries from citizens of the United Kingdom desirous of sending such gifts in accordance with his scheme.

Arrangements have been made with the organisation "Save Europe Now" to allow them to ship gift parcels to relief organisations in Albania, Bulgaria and Roumania, but "Save Europe Now" is unable to send parcels to particular individuals in those countries.

asked the Minister of Food what was the datum-line throughput of eggs by redundant packers; and how much compensation they have received from the central pool into which operative packers have been paying since zoning of British shell eggs came into force.

Egg packers whose licences were suspended on redundancy grounds, excluding those who are known to have amalgamated with existing packers, handled some 210,000 boxes, each of 360 eggs, during the datum period of 26 weeks ended the 31st December, 1941. Proportionately, this represents about 555,000 boxes for the full year ended 30th June, 1942. The Packers' Compensation Scheme is not administered by the Ministry of Food, but I understand that these redundant packers had received approximately £67,000 up to the end of October, 1946, either from the present unified pool or from the separate area pools which were previously in operation.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of cranberries are being imported; from what countries and at what prices; and what is the ceiling price of these imports here.

Up to the end of November about 10 tons of cranberries have been imported from the U.S.A. and 5 tons from Finland. They are imported by private traders and no information about the import price is available. The price of cranberries is not controlled.

asked the Minister of Transport why it is necessary for applicants for a B or C licence to forward registration books showing that their vehicle or vehicles are taxed, since until the application is agreed to these vehicles cannot be used for a commercial purpose.

Licensing authorities are not concerned with questions of vehicle taxation but the scrutiny of the Registration Books often discloses errors in applications and facilitates the issue of the appropriate licence under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the delay and congestion caused to passengers on the tramcars and omnibuses in Sheffield; and if he will take action to enable the authority to obtain spare parts needed before additional vehicles can be put into service.

There is no control over the sale and distribution of spare parts for omnibuses and tramcars. I will, however, have inquiries made and see what I can do to help in this case, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the observations of the regional transport commissioner at Dundee, on 6th December, on an application by Alex Bickerton for permission to run motor-omnibus tours from Killin, which were offensive to the city of Glasgow; and if he will issue directions to commissioners to perform the duties for which they are employed without such comments.

I am assured that the Commissioner's remarks were not intended in any offensive sense and I do not think that any action on my part is called for.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider running an additional train from Manchester to Macclesfield, Congleton and Stoke, between 6.05 p.m. and 7.05 p.m.

The possibility of running this additional train has been considered, but in view of the difficulties experienced by the railway companies in maintaining existing services its introduction would not be justified at present.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to meet the needs of those owners of omnibuses whose vehicles were requisitioned during the war and who are now urgently needing them to continue their services in rural areas such as Norfolk.

I understand that it is the practice of the Ministry of Supply, when requisitioned coaches become available for disposal, to offer them first to the operators from whom they were requisitioned, if such operators can be identified. Vehicles not re-acquired under that arrangement are offered by the Ministry of Supply for sale by auction. I no longer have any control over the acquisition of new vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of square yards of increased road surface made available, at what expense and at what number of man hours per square yard, as a result of road improvements in the last six months on the Wickham Market-Saxmundham road and the Needham Market-Bury St. Edmunds road, respectively, carried out on instructions from his Department.

Reconstruction work on the Wickham Market-Saxmundham Road involves re-aligning, strengthening and resurfacing at an estimated cost of £120,000. Surfacing work has only just started and £58,900 has so far been expended. 10,680 square yards are to be added to the carriageway and to date the cost per square yard of the widening is 18s. 7d. and the man hours 2¼. On the Needham Market-Bury St. Edmunds Road improvement of a vertical sight line is being carried out on the Needham Market-Stowmarket section. On the Stowmarket-Woolpit section the reconstruction work is estimated to cost £50,000. No surfacing work has yet been started and expenditure so far is £11,200. The work includes adding 3,580 square yards to the carriageway and to date the cost per square yard of the widening is 17s. 11d. and the man hours 2¼.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider prescribing that any vehicle which carries a Road Fund licence should also be covered for third party liability irrespetive of whether the driver has been authorised to drive the motor car or otherwise.

I have no power to do what my hon. Friend asks, but I think that reasonable safeguards for victims of uninsured drivers are provided in the agreement into which I entered in June last with the Motor Insurers' Bureau, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to have shelters erected for omnibus travellers at East Finchley near the Underground station and at Bounds Green opposite the Underground station, where queues of people have to stand for long periods exposed to the inclemency of the weather.

The London Passenger Transport Board are seeking the consent of the local authorities concerned to erect shelters at both places, as soon as shelters of the existing pattern become available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on railway stocks on which no dividends, or dividends of less than 2½ per cent., were paid in the peacetime years 1936, 1937 and 1938.

The nominal amount of railway stocks of the main line railway companies on which no dividends were paid in respect of the years 1936, 1937 and 1938 amounted to £78 million, £78 million, and £363 million respectively. The corresponding figures in respect of stocks on which dividends of less than 2½ per cent. were paid are £193 million, £193 million and £43 million respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the representations of Briston, Norfolk, Parish Council asking for a halt on the Yarmouth line of the L.N.E.R. at Briston and for a daily omnibus service between Briston and Norwich; and with what result.

The request for a halt at Briston has been considered, but I am advised that the passenger traffic would not be sufficient to justify the expenditure on building and staff. The bus company regret that they cannot run a daily service between Briston and Norwich owing to shortage of staff, but they have strengthened the service on Sundays and Mondays.

asked the Minister of Transport how many junior and senior officers of all classes at present employed by the railway companies are above the normal retiring age of 60 years; and what proportion do they bear to the total number employed.

I regret that it has not been possible to compile the information in the time available, but I will circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport why the 1.10 p.m. train from King's Cross to Leeds and Bradford on 6th December was 15 minutes late departing from King's Cross and 75 minutes late in arriving at its destination.

I am informed that the start of this train was delayed for 13 minutes because the preceding 1.0 p.m. express to Edinburgh was held up by engine trouble in the tunnel outside King's Cross. In addition 27 minutes were lost through speed restrictions imposed by permanent way operations and 29 minutes through poor locomotive performance and to the fact that the train was running so much out of schedule.

asked the Minister of Transport who were the passengers, other than a Member of His Majesty's Government, for whom seats were reserved on the 1.10 p.m. train from King's Cross to Leeds and Bradford on Friday, 6th December.

I am informed that under the authorised arrangements accommodation was reserved on this train for an invalid lady. As she was unable to travel the label was taken down and the compartment made available to other passengers before the train left.

asked the Minister of Transport for what purpose he proposes to occupy the Fordingham Hotel, Hunstanton, which has been vacated by the military authorities.

I assume the hon. and gallant Member refers to the Sandringham Hotel. This is the property of the London and North Eastern Railway Company and in due course will pass to the British Transport Commission under the Transport Bill. Meanwhile it remains in the occupation of the company.

asked the Minister of Transport what reasons prevent the introduction of provincial railway fares on a par with omnibus fares for similar journeys and the inter-availability of tickets.

Bus fares are related to individual services and local conditions and vary widely in different localities. Railway fares are, generally, on a standard basis applicable throughout the country so that local adjustments would create anomalies as between different parts of the railway system. Even if parity of fares were established, inter-availability of tickets would not in many cases be practicable for operational reasons.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied that the recent underground railway accident on the Stratford line was not caused through neglect; what inquiry into the cause is contemplated; and if he will make a statement in connection with this matter.

This accident occurred when one empty train overtook and collided with the rear of a stationary one between Stratford and Leyton; the section of line on which the collision occurred is not yet opened for passenger traffic. I regret to say that one of the Board's staff was killed and three seriously injured. An inspecting officer of railways has been appointed to hold an inquiry into the accident, and until his report has been received I must reserve any statement upon the cause or causes.

asked the Minister of Transport why the s.s. "Shirrabank," of the Bank Line, left Liverpool on 16th November last for the U.S.A. to be dry-docked and overhauled; why, during 1946, A. Holt & Company, Blue Funnel Line, sent a ship to be overhauled and reconditioned in a German port and Harrison Line (Liverpool) sent ships to be reconditioned in Antwerp; and why arrangements were not made for this work to be carried out on Merseyside.

Arrangements for repair and maintenance of their ships are the responsibility of owners. As regards the particular cases quoted by my hon. Friend, I am informed by the shipping companies concerned that no dry dock was available in the Mersey without several days' delay for the "Shirrabank"; that no Blue Funnel ship has been sent to a German port for repair during 1946; and that the Harrison Line ship sent to Antwerp required extensive survey which could not be undertaken at the time in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the large unsatisfied demand for passages for British civilians who wish to return to Ceylon and the East; what number of passages are likely to be available during the next three months; and what steps he is taking to increase shipping accommodation.

I am aware of the large numbers of British civilians awaiting passages to Ceylon and the East. Every effort is being made to provide accommodation for these passengers, as for those to other destinations, within the limits imposed by our shipping resources. I expect more accommodation than hitherto to be available for Ceylon and the Far East in the next few months. I cannot at present give figures beyond the end of January, but before that date there will be some 300 berths available for Ceylon, and about the same number for Malaya and the Far East.

asked the Minister of Transport how many tons of bunkers have been purchased by British shipping in hard currency in the last six months; and what was the cost expressed in dollars.

Exact figures are not available but I estimate that in the six months ended 30th November, 1946, British ships purchased about 200,000 tons of bunker coal in ports in the United States and Canada. The cost would be about 2½ million United States and Canadian dollars.

asked the Minister of Transport why men over the age of 40 years are not considered to be eligible for appointment to his Department as assistant engineers, mechanical engineering.

The regulations governing the competition for appointment of assistant engineers in my Department were made by the Civil Service Commission, with the approval of the Treasury. The upper age limit of 41 was fixed after consideration of all factors one of which was the fact that this grade is the junior grade of the engineering staff of the Department and is designed to provide, in due course, candidates for advancement to the senior grades of that staff. The suspension of recruitment throughout the war years has led to an unbalanced age distribution and but for the desire to make good opportunities lost to potential candidates by the war, the upper age limit would have been 35 as it was before the war.

asked the Minister of Health if he will prohibit the use of penicillin for the production of lozenges which, apart from civilian requirements, are absorbing 250,000,000 units for the Service Department requirements, in view of the fact that a lozenge containing only 500 units of penicillin is useless for the treatment of throat infection.

No, Sir. I am advised that lozenges of this strength are quite effective.

asked the Minister of Transport how many tied houses and cottages will become State property under the nationalisation of transport.

I have no precise figures of such properties, but on the information available about 28,000 houses and cottages, owned by the railway and canal companies specified in the Third Schedule of the Transport Bill, for occupation by their employees, will be transferred to the British Transport Commission under Part II of the Bill. This estimate does not include properties forming part of any railway or stations.

asked the Minister of Health what research has been undertaken by his Department with regard to the application of modern engineering methods to the problem of coast erosion in this country; and whether he intends to develop such work in the near future.

It has not been the function of my Department to carry out research of this nature, but the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is in process of establishing a Hydraulics Research Organisation which will cover the problems of coast protection, to which high priority is being assigned.

asked the Minister of Health whether any decision has yet been taken with regard to the production of the two-storey steel house.

I regret that owing to the shortage of steel it will not be possible at present to proceed with the pressed steel two-storey house.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will direct that Government Departments shall, like private passengers, pay a fine when the notice of cancellation of seats booked for their staff in outgoing aircraft is too short for the seats to be filled.

As I informed the hon. Member on 4th December, the proportion of seats booked for members of Government Departments is very small and, as it very rarely happens that one of these is cancelled too late to be resold, I am satisfied that the number of such cancellations would not have been reduced if a system of fines had been in force. Moreover, in present circumstances any fines paid by Government Departments in respect of such cancellations would merely reduce pro tanto the deficiency grants received by the corporations from the Exchequer. As from 1st April next year, however, the corporations will be financed under the Civil Aviation Act, 1946, by predetermined grants and in these circumstances the question of whether Government Departments should pay fines clearly requires reconsideration. In consultation with my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, I am accordingly reconsidering the whole question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, whether he has any further information relating to the formation of the Advisory Council for Northern Ireland.

I am glad to be able to say that members of the Northern Ireland Advisory Council have now been appointed by Sir Harold Hartley, Chairman of British European Airways Corporation, after consultation with the Government of Northern Ireland and my noble Friend. The appointment of the Council under the Act is a matter for British European Airways acting on behalf of the three Corporations, and their Chairman, Sir Harold Hartley, has been fortunate in securing the agreement of Mr. W. A. Edmenson to an invitation to be Chairman of the Northern Ireland Advisory Council: I am glad to say that Mr. Edmenson has also accepted my noble Friend's invitation to be a member of the Board of British European Airways. Mr. Edmenson, whose main business interest has been in cargo shipping was during the late war, the representative of the Ministry of Transport in Northern Ireland. He has for many years, dating back to the 1914 war, taken a practical interest in aviation matters. The other members of the Northern Ireland Advisory Council will be: Air-Commodore Churchman—formerly Air Officer Commanding Northern Ireland and now Chief Inspector in the Northern Ireland Ministry of Health and Local Government. Sir Basil Macfarland—Mayor of Londonderry. Mr. J. P. Mackie—Director of a Belfast textile engineering company. Mr. George Porter—National Federation of Building Trades Operatives. Mr. F. Storey—Chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Association.

The terms of reference of the Council will be to advise the British Overseas Airways Corporation, British European Airways Corporation, and British South American Airways Corporation on cavil aviation matters affecting Northern Ireland with the right of access to the Minister of Civil Aviation, if necessary The Council will thus be in a position to make full representations to any of the Corporations, and if necessary, to my noble Friend on matters covering the whole field of air services of interest to Northern Ireland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to publicise the need for, and encourage the training of geologists for, work throughout the Commonwealth and Empire.

I reply in respect of the Colonial Empire. As regards these territories all university appointments boards and committees in this country, as well as other recognised bodies, have been informed of the present and probable future vacancies in the Colonial Geological Survey Services, and they have been asked to give all possible assistance. I myself have also referred to our need in reply to Parliamentary Questions.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General why notice has been given for the termination of the contract with Messrs. Macnamara for the carriage of mails in London, having regard to the fact that this firm has given satisfactory service for many years at a lower cost than that at which the Department itself could handle the traffic.

The general policy of the Post Office over a long period has been to provide its own road services for mails, and consideration has on various occasions been given to the question of terminating the contractual arrangements with this company. When the time came to review the special arrangements in force during the war period, my noble Friend was satisfied that it would make for efficiency and economy if these services were to be undertaken by the Department.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the text of the Treasury's guarantee of the principal of, and the interest on, the L.P.T.B. 3 per cent. Guaranteed Stock of 1967–72.

I am circulating the text of the Minute in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The Minute is as follows: My Lords read the Finance Act, 1934, 24 & 25 Geo. V, Cap. 32, which Act empowers the Treasury, subject to the conditions therein mentioned, to guarantee a loan raised solely for the purpose of providing for the redemption of a loan which has been guaranteed by the Treasury and is redeemable before maturity at the option of the borrower. My Lords have before Them an application from the London Passenger Transport Board that a guarantee be given in respect of an issue by that Board of £12,905,641 of London Transport 3 per Cent. Guaranteed Stock 1967– 1972 about to be issued by the Board. The terms of the said issue and the conditions of the said guarantee as arranged with the Board are contained in an Agreement dated 24th September, 1942, and made between the Board and My Lords. My Lords are satisfied that the conditions laid down in the said Act are fulfilled in the case of this proposed issue, and They accordingly give Their guarantee for the payment of interest at the rate of three per cent. per annum on the said sum of £12,905,641 of London Transport 3 per Cent. Guaranteed Stock 1967–1972 and for the repayment of the said sum of not exceeding £12,905,641 of principal moneys secured by the said Stock on the due dates. This guarantee is conditional upon the said proposed issue being made in accordance with the provisions of the said Agreement dated 24th September, 1942.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for the introduction of a scheme to cover insurance against floods and the natural catas-trophies known by insurance companies as "acts of God."

No, Sir; insurance against storm damage to crops can be effected through a farmer's mutual insurance society, and other facilities are also available for insurance of the kind referred to.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appointments have been made for the 50 vacancies in the administrative grade of the Home Civil Service, and what number of them went to members of the Services.

The hon. Member is no doubt referring to the competition for direct entry to the Principal grade which was announced in November, 1945. Sixty appointments have been made, 53 of them going to men who have served with the Armed Forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of volunteers enlisted in the Regular Army since the recruiting drive started.

The figures for the months from May, in which the recruiting drive began, to October were given in my reply on 3rd December to my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp). I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. The figures for November are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give details of the special arrangements whereby officers who are married, under the age of 25 years, may qualify for marriage allowance or other financial assistance.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 19th November to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East St. Pancras (Dr. Jeger).

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. Member for Silvertown can expect a reply to his letter of 18th November, 1946, relating to 19000477 Private Fretwell, 1st Parachute Regiment, I.T.C.

A reply was sent to my hon. Friend today.

Year. On-licensed Premises. Registered Clubs. England. Wales Total. England. Wales. Total. 1925 … … 75,576 4,844 80,420 11,396 384 11,780 1935 … … 71,108 4.420 75,528 15,070 587 15,657 1938 … … 70,025 4,301 74,326 15,920 643 16,563 1946 … … 68,777 4,183 72,960 14,911 679 15,590 Separate figures are not available for hotels, public houses and restaurants.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why R.A.F. police on 5th December, 1946, called twice at the home of 1649269 L.A.C. T. Byatt, 9, Knowle Road, Brixton, London, S.W.9, alleging that this airman was absent without leave, though he was at his duty station that day; and whether, in view of the anxiety and distress caused to the airman's wife by this and a similar mistake five weeks previously, he will make a statement and take steps to prevent such mistakes in future.

This airman was absent without leave from nth to 30th November. His unit did not inform the R.A.F. Police of his return until 6th December; meanwhile the R.A.F. police had called at his home. The unit ought to have reported his return more quickly and I am sorry for any distress Mrs. Byatt has suffered. No mistake was made on the earlier occasion to which my hon. and gallant Friend has referred: A.C.2 Byatt on that occasion was absent from duty when the civil police made inquiries for us at his home.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of premises licensed to sell intoxicants in England and Wales in 1925, 1935, 1938 and 1946, respectively, giving separate figures for hotels, public houses, restaurants, British Restaurants and clubs.

The following table gives the number of on-licensed premises and registered clubs in England and Wales on 1st January:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the principal sources of supply of oil for Great Britain

Source 1930 1938 1945 Thousands of Gallons Thousands of Gallons Thousands of Gallons U.S.A 814,354 575,998 3,275,430 Dutch West Indies and Venezuela 348,216 1,227,266 842,293 Trinidad 73,495 235,222 91,501 Iran 530,953 626,629 56,075 Iraq — 141,796 346 Rumania 128,493 109,176 — U.S.S.R 264,431 79,351 — Mexico 149,370 59,560 — Other Countries 94,440 148,507 57,770 TOTAL 2,403,752 3,203,505 4,323,415 The figures for 1945 are provisional and it will be appreciated that Lend/Lease was in operation for the first eight months of 1945.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why the editors of the Social Democratic newspapers in Berlin and the British zone have been prohibited from publishing information they have with regard to the forcible deportation of German workers from the Russian zone.

There has been no prohibition of the publication of facts regarding these events, but all German editors have been informed that they should not spread unverified rumours.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have adopted an agreed syllabus of religious instruction in their schools; how many of these schools are county schools; how many are voluntary

in the years 1930, 1938 and 1945; and the quantities secured from each source.

The principal sources of supply of petroleum to the U.K. in 1930, 1938 and 1945, and the quantities from each source were as follow:

schools; how many local education authorities have adopted more than one syllabus of religious instruction; and how far these relate to certain pupils only.

So far as I am aware all local education authorities have in operation syllabuses of religious instruction which are deemed to be agreed syllabuses during the transitional period under Section 114 (4) of the Education Act, 1944. The period during which local education authorities are required to cause an agreed syllabus to be prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Fifth Schedule to the Act does not expire until 31st March, 1947. Agreed syllabuses apply to all county schools and to those voluntary schools which become controlled schools. The number of controlled schools will not be known until the managers and governors have had an opportunity of exercising their options under the proviso to Section 15 (2) of the Act, after the Development Plans for the respective areas in which they are situated have been approved.