asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the estimated tonnage of coal now being exported; and what action is being taken to cease exportation during the fuel emergency.

None, Sir, except in a few cases where ships were loaded or loading and transhipment could not conveniently be effected or would involve a waste of shipping and/or wagons, and in very special cases where refusal of supplies would prejudice the working of a pit or would block the clearance of wagons. It is not possible to give any estimate of the quantity which may be involved by these special cases as they arise, but the quantity will be negligible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the names of the chairman and members of the Committee appointed to inquire into the compensation claims arising from damage to property by mining subsidence; whether Members of this House representing areas seriously affected by subsidence will be called on to give evidence before the Committee; and if notification will be given to such Members before visits are paid to their areas by the Committee in order that material given to Members by interested constituents can be brought before the Committee.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Ince (Mr. L. Brown) on 12th December, of which I am sending her a copy. Since then I have appointed one more Member to the Committee, Mr. R. Clegg, Town Clerk of Chesterfield. With regard to the second and third parts of the Question; these are matters for the Committee itself which I have no doubt will receive their most sympathetic consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, what is the total amount of capital outlay expended by the Government and Department of Opencast Production since 1941 to 31st December, 1946, for opencast mining; what is the future estimate for capital expenditure for the next two years for opencast mining; and what rate of depreciation has been allowed per year.

Capital expenditure from 1941 to 30th September, 1946 (the latest date for which figures are available) amounted to £3,500,000 on Services: purchases of Plant (omitting supplies received under Lend/Lease) amounted to £860,000. It is estimated that by the end of September, 1948, these figures will have increased by £750,000 and £150,000 respectively. Depreciation has been written off on differing cases. Broadly speaking about me-third of the capital cost is written off annually.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the machinery purchased and/or loaned by the Government for opencast coalmining since 1941 is at the moment not in normal active use on sites

On 28th January, 1947, the latest date for which figures are available, about go excavating machines of a total of some 230 owned by the Government for opencast coal mining were out of service for overhaul. A considerable proportion of the repairs would be minor repairs involving the machine being out of use only for a few days.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, what is the average individual cost per ton sold for the 12 months ended March, 1946, of opencast coal, for the removal of over burden, for the pro- duction of the coal, for the restoration of the land, for reserves for future restoration, for reserves for compensation, for winter bonus, for depreciation of machinery belonging to the Government, for interest on borrowed money and for welfare, and what is the total average cost per ton sold all these items over the same period.

Cost records are related to tonnage produced and not to tonnage sold. The average individual cost per ton for opencast coal produced in the year ended 31 March, 1946, is estimated at 31s. 2d. for removal and replacement of topsoil and overburden, extraction of the coal, and any related welfare costs, and at is. 4d. for compensation and royalties (including where required expenditure on cultivation, fertilisers, seeds, etc.) Depreciation of Government owned plant (including machine received under Lend/Lease) is estimated to have been equivalent to 5s. 6d. a ton. The total cost per ton of the production of coal, including the above items together with such items as transport to Disposal Point, screening and establishment charges is estimated for the year in question to have amounted to 49s. 9d. a ton No winter bonus was paid.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the present average cost of production per ton of opencast coal.

the average cost producing opencast coal for the six months ended 3oth September, 1946, was 27s. 10d. a ton. This includes the removal and replacement of topsoil and overburden and the extraction of the coal. In addition expenditure in respect of prospecting, royalties and compensation, operation of screening and loading plants and stocking grounds, maintenance and amortisation of cost of plant, and establishment charges, is estimated to amount, during the same period, to approximately 16s. 3d a ton

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the highest price per ton paid by his Department for opencast coal during the last financial year.

Payments made during the course of producing opencast coal are usually subject to adjustment later, and those made luring one financial year include adjustments in respect of work done in previous years. In some cases also sites are abandoned on account of dis- appointing conditions and consequent rising costs. The highest production tender accepted in the financial year ended 31st March, 1946, was 44s. 10½. a ton.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average cost per ton of producing opencast coal during the last three financial years.

The average cost of production per ton of opencast coal was: for the period November, 1941 to 31st March, 1944, 27s. 3d.; for the year ended 31st March, 1945, 30s. 1d.; for the year ended 31st March, 1946, 31s. 2d. These costs are comparable with the figure of 27s. 10d. for the six months to 30th September last, which I have furnished to the hon. Member in reply to an earlier Question.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the balance of the Coal Charges Account at 31st December., 1946; and what steps are proposed to be taken regarding it.

There are many transactions relating to the account which will not be settled for some months. The balance is estimated to be a debt of some £27 million to the Exchequer. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that under the Coal (Charges) (Termination) Order, 1947, the coal charge was abolished in respect of any period beginning on or after 1st January, 1947. The Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, made no provision for the assumption by the National Coal Board of this debt which is a legacy of the emergency financial arrangements adopted under the wartime system of control. The Government have accordingly decided that, with the transfer of the industry to the National Coal Board the debt as finally ascertained should be written off.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will permit domestic consumers of coal to change their coal merchants whenever they wish to do so

No, Sir. If there are special reasons for a change in any particular case application should be male to the local fuel overseer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the recent reduction of 15 per cent. in the supply of house coal to merchants in North Staffordshire is intended to have the effect of reducing the present low ration to householders.

The permitted quantities are maximum quantities up to which consumers may buy without a licence if supplies are available, but, unfortunately, supplies have not been sufficient to deliver these quantities in full. The reduction in supplies to landsale merchants in North Staffordshire does no more than bring their supplies into line with those available generally to merchants supplied from this coalfield.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the specialised nature of the husbandry of laboratory animals and of the necessity for ensuring the minimum waste of, and cruelty to such animals, he will, during 1947, appoint one or more inspectors under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, who have qualified by training, to give advice to biological research workers on the improvement of conditions with regard to experimental animals.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has had his attention drawn to the methods adopted by the Swedish Government in controlling football pools and to their experience gained since 1929; and whether he will consider sending another mission to Sweden to study these methods on the spot in view of the large sums involved in this form of gambling and the lack of supervision over the administration of these competitions.

The Government are cognisant of the Swedish system, and I do not think any purpose would be served by sending a mission to obtain further information.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is yet able to announce a date for general demobilisation.

No, Sir. Demobilisation is a continuing process under the age and service scheme. The term "general demobilisation" has no statutory significance.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can give the ratio of medical officers to total personnel of the Army at the close of the war in Europe and at the present time.

The ratio on 31st May, 1945, was 3.75 medical officers per 1,000 troops and at 31st December 3.4 per 1,000. In each case Colonial Forces, Women's Services and military families are excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for the immediate repatriation from Germany of the wife of Acting Quartermaster-Sergeant T. Tiller, 158th Infantry Brigade Workshops, R.E.M.E., who was permitted by a board of officers at Army H.Q., B.A.O.R., on 13th January, 1947, to accept a posting to the permanent cadre of the T.A. in the United Kingdom, on the understanding that his wife would return to the United Kingdom with him, but was repatriated alone on 25th January to R.E.M.E. mobilisation and holding centre; and what arrangements can be made for providing money and kit for Mrs. Tiller in the meantime.

Members of the Services must normally move from one Command to another as soon as postings are arranged, and only exceptionally is it possible for families to travel together. Acting Quartermaster-Sergeant Tiller was told that it was hoped that his wife would be able to accompany him but, unfortunately, his wife's passage could not be arranged in time. Mrs. Tiller was due to sail on the next available "family" ship, on 8th February. In such circum- stances it is part of the Command's normal responsibilities to ensure wife's well-being.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the food and administration costs in the British zone of Germany have to be provided in dollars.

In the calendar year 1946, about 33 per cent. of the net expenditure on essential imports, including food, had to be provided in dollars. The dollar expenditure of the administrative expenses of the Control Commission is very small.

asked the Minister al Food what proportion of the total cost of bread is now borne by the consumer; what proportion borne by the taxpayer; and what were the equivalent average figures for 1938, 1939, 1940, 1945 and 1946.

At the present time b4 per cent. of the cost of production of bread is borne by the consumer and 30 per cent. by the taxpayer. The corresponding figures for (a) 1938 and 1939 are 100 per cent. by the consumer; (b) 1940 85 per cent. by the consumer and 15 per cent. by the taxpayer; (c) 1945 70 per cent. by the consumer and 30 per cent. by the taxpayer; (d) 1946 71 per cent. by the consumer and 29 per cent. by the taxpayer.

asked the Minister of Food whether it is his intention to release for public consumption the white flour washed up from the sea on the East Suffolk coast recently and now stored in huts alongside the coast.

It is my intention to use for human food, after reconditioning, as much as possible of the white flour recovered from the s.s. "North Eastern Victory" recently wrecked on the Goodwin Stands. The recovery of this flour is in the hands of the London Salvage Association and the Local Receivers of Wreck.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the case of Mrs. Brandon, detained as insane at Brentwood Mental Hospital since 1943 until 1946, when she made her escape for 14 days and was able to consult an independent specialist who certified her sanity and, on approaching the mental hospital for an explanation, she was told the staff was too busy to deal with external inquiries; and what action he proposes to take.

I have inquired fully into this case and I understand that the Board of Control, by whose Commissioners this lady was seen on two occasions, are satisfied that she was at no time improperly detained. Having been at large for 14 days she was discharged by the automatic operation of Section 85 of the Lunacy Act, 1890. I am informed that she did not herself approach the mental hospital authorities but that an inquiry was made by a Press representative. On the information before me there does not appear to be any action which T could properly take.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made in the water schemes for the Horn-castle and Spilsby rural districts.

The Horncastle Rural District Council's comprehensive scheme is at present being reconsidered by the council's consulting engineer on the basis of an alternative source of supply. The interim scheme for Stixwould, Horsing-ham and Bucknall has been approved in principle and is now going to tender. The possibility of an interim scheme for Lusby is being explored. The Spilsby Rural District Council's coastal scheme has been authorised. The Fen scheme as previously authorised is now 90 per cent. complete. Eighteen further small extensions have recently been submitted and are under consideration

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that nuisance by noise is not one of the nuisances for which a summary procedure is provided by public health legislation; and whether, in view of the growing menace to health of nocturnal noise from factories, especially in poorer urban areas where the residents cannot afford the expensive process' of common law, he will introduce amending legislation at an early date.

As regards the first part of the Question, nuisance from noise is not a statutory nuisance within the scope of the summary procedure in the Public Health Act, 1936, except in a number of areas where the local authorities have secured special provisions in their local Acts. As regards the second part, I can hold out no prospect of general legislation amending the nuisance provisions of the Public Health Acts in the near future.

asked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Rural Housing Sub-Committee of the Central Housing Advisory Committee will be published.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to the Question by the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Amory).

asked the Secretary of State for Burma what number of members will be returned from the Anglo-Burman constituency in the elections for the Burma Constituent Assembly

The intention of the Conclusions agreed with the Delegation of the Governor of Burma's Executive Council is that the indigenous constituencies in the House of Representatives under the Act of 1935 which are to be used to return members to the Burma Constituent Assembly shall return twice the number of members that they would have done had the election been for a Legislature under the Act of 1935 Under the Act of 1935 the Anglo-Burman constituency in the House of Representatives is a double-member constituency. Four members and not two will accordingly be returned from this constituency to the Constituent Assembly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what are the latest known population figures for each of the Andaman Islands; and what is the racial constitution of each island population.

According to the 1941 Census of India the population of the Andaman Islands in that year was 21,316, and that of the Nicobar Islands (which with the Andaman Islands form a single administrative unit) 12,452. The published Census figures do not show the racial constitution of these populations, nor the population of the individual islands comprised in these two groups.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-Ethiopian Treaty has been extended, or whether a new one is being negotiated; and if so, how far these negotiations have proceeded.

No, Sir. Under Article XIII of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of 19th December, 1944, this Agreement remains in force until replaced by a treaty between the two High Contracting Parties, although either party may give three months' notice of termination at any time after 19th December, 1946. Neither party has given notice of termination, and the Agreement accordingly remains in force. No new treaty is being negotiated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the numbers of civil servants and the Departments to which they belong now located in provincial towns throughout the country; and whether he will give, in the form of a table, the regional centres of various Departments or branches of Departments, stating the town in which they are located, the type of accommodation they occupy and the dates when such accommodation is likely to be evacuated.

The approximate numbers of civil servants outside London, and the Departments which employ them, are set out in Table I. In addition to the Departments shown in the list, the Service and Supply Departments employ considerable civilian staffs outside London, but separate figures for this part of their staff are not readily available. The Departments having Regional organisations, and the towns in which the Regional centres are located, are shown in Table II. They occupy accommodation of all types (Crown owned, rented, leased, requisitioned, temporary, etc.), but it would absorb more Civil Service manpower than is justifiable in present circumstances to attempt a catalogue of the further particulars requested. I understand that the Minister of Works will supply specific information, so far as practicable, in respect of any particular town or Department if the hon. Member will communicate with him.

TABLE 11. LOCATION OF REGIONAL CENTRES

Department.

Newcastle upon Tyne

Leeds

Nottingham.

Cambridge.

London.

Reading.

Bristol.

Cardiff.

Birmingham.

Edinburgh.

Manchester.

Glasgow.

Tunbridge Wells

Admiralty

…

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

X

—

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

Assistance Board

…

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

—

Ministry of Food

…

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Ministry of Health

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

Home Office

…

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

National Savings Committee

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

—

—

Ministry of Supply

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

X

—

Ministry of Town and Country Planning

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

Board of Trade

…

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

X

—

Ministry of Transport

…

…

X

X

X

—

X

—

—

X

X

X

X

—

—

War Damage Commission

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

—

Ministry of Works

…

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

Post Ofiice

…

…

…

—

X

—

—

X

—

X

X

X

X

X

—

—

Ministry of Pensions

…

…

X

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

X

X

X

X

X

Ministry of Fuel and Power

…

X

X

X

X

X

—

X

X

X

X

X

—

—

"X" indicates that the Department has a Regional Centre at the town concerned.In addition National Savings Committee have Regional Offices at Conway and Croydon.Ministry of Transport have Divisional Offices at Bedford and Exeter.Ministry of Pensions have Regional Offices at Exeter and Liverpool.Ministry of Fuel & Power have a Regional Office at Rochester.Admiralty and Ministry of Supply have Regional Offices at Sheffield.Ministry of Food has Divisional Offices at Chelmsford, Aberdeen, Dundee and Caernarvon.