asked the Minister of Food the date of the population figures on the basis of which unrationed foodstuffs are distributed in the Hillingdon, Ickenham, Ruislip and Eastcote areas of Middlesex.

The latest figures circulated to distributors related to the civilian resident population at 21st December, 1946.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider, giving an extra ration of tea during the present period of emergency.

I am afraid the supply is by no means good enough for this.

asked the Minister of Food what increase in the consumption of bread he anticipates as a result of the abolition of biscuit manufacture.

It will depend on the number of factories affected, the size of their stocks, and the length of the emergency. The total output of biscuits is 5 per cent. of bread production, by weight, but the electricity restrictions do not abolish biscuit manufacture; they only affect producers in some parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied, during the condition of emergency, with the arrangements for the supply of vegetables and particularly of potatoes; and what steps he is taking to prevent housewives purchasing more vegetables than are immediately necessary.

I am satisfied that everything possible is being done to distribute fairly such supplies of potatoes and other vegetables as can be lifted. A system of rationing for vegetables is not practicable and I think that during the present emergency any restriction on the purchases by the public may be left to the good sense of retailers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there have been any more cases of typhus on H.M.T. "Empire Deben" since her return to this country with four such cases; and if the suspected carrier has yet been traced.

No further cases of typhoid have been reported, and no "carrier" has been traced. I have written fully to the hon. and gallant Member about this case.

asked the Minister of Transport why a P. & O. ship, whose name has been given to him, recently took 2½ days to load in South Africa and 22 days to unload in London; and why 60 rifles which were in the cargo were unloaded by dockers at a cost of £20, though the Army had sent a small party of soldiers to do this work.

As the answer is necessarily a long one I am sending full information by letter to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Transport how many ships sailed to North America in ballast during the month of November, 1945; what price per ton was paid for ballast and what price was charged to British china clay exporters; what effect this charge has upon the dollar earning capacity of the china clay trade; and why he sends to North America ships in ballast at high cost and at the same time charges to the china clay exporters a rate which threatens the continuance of the North American china clay trade.

The number of ships which left for North America in November, 1945, was 132. The cost of ballast varied from a normal of about 6s. 6d. a ton to 15s. in exceptional cases. The rate of freight for china clay is not fixed by my Department, but is negotiated between the shippers and shipowners. I appreciate the importance of an economic rate of freight for the china clay trade, and am glad to see that a ship has recently been chartered for the business at 20S. per ton, which rate is, I understand, regarded as satisfactory by the exporters. My hon. Friend no doubt realises that the cargo is not one which is loaded or discharged very rapidly.

asked the Minister of Transport when he anticipates being able to operate the 9.15 p.m. omnibus from Oxford to Little Milton via the Haseleys.

This service started on the 26th January, as I informed the hon. and gallant Member by letter dated 24th January.

asked the Minister of Transport when action is likely to be taken to proceed with the improvement of the Stafford—Stone—Stoke-on-Trent trunk road, in view of the large amount of traffic on this road and its inadequacy to handle such traffic safely.

Schemes for widening and improving various sections of this trunk road between Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent are in preparation, but the commencement of constructional works must depend on the availability of the necessary money and labour.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the qualifications required of chief milk inspectors; what duties they perform and what remuneration they receive; how many such inspectors are there; and what percentage of these are people, such as retired policemen, who are already drawing superannuation payments from State schemes.

There are no posts of chief milk inspector in my Department, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars which will enable me to identify the posts she has in mind, I will do my best to provide the information she desires.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the administrative costs of the W.L.A. today as compared with June, 1945; and how many people were administratively engaged on those two dates.

The administrative and clerical staff of the Women's Land Army numbered 1,047 at 30th June, 1945, and 980 at 1st February, 1947. Expenditure on administration, including salaries, wages, travelling and subsistence expenses and general office expenditure, was £280,205 in 1945–46 and is estimated at £288,000 in 1946–47.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the advisability of altering the subsidy of £10 per acre on potatoes tilled to a subsidy on bags of potatoes harvested, in view of the many tons of potatoes that have been left in the ground to rot.

No, Sir. The potato acreage payment is part of the price; it is not a subsidy, and my hon. Friend's proposal would defeat its object which is to encourage a high acreage by providing an insurance to growers in areas where there is a risk of a poor crop. If a crop goes to waste as a result of the grower's failure or delay in taking reasonable steps to keep it in good condition, he is liable to be charged with an offence under the Waste of Agricultural Foodstuffs Order, 1942.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why there is still a shortage of young fruit trees, in view of the long period that has elapsed during which there has been an increasing demand for more fruit; and what steps are being taken to secure an adequate supply to meet that demand.

A period of two to four years is required for the raising of young fruit trees. Sufficient time has not, therefore, elapsed to make good the losses due to the restrictions on fruit-growing imposed during the war. I am satisfied from inquiries I have made that the nursery trade is making every effort to increase the production of fruit trees, and arrangements have also been made for imports of suitable stocks from abroad.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government have yet made any plans for reviving the production of pigmeat and eggs in this country, with a view to lessening the drain on foreign exchange.

Yes, Sir. Since the closing stages of the war it has been generally recognised that an early revival of livestock production in this country is vital, alike in the interests of the national food supply, foreign exchange, and sound agricultural practice.A world wide shortage of feedingstuffs has, however, persisted owing to the need for vast quantities of the products normally available for animal feeding to be diverted to direct human use. This situation will continue, for cereals during the first half of 1947, and for protein feeding- stuffs, particularly oilcakes, for a much longer period. There is good ground for hope that we may be able to secure greater quantities of imported cereal feedingstuffs during the second half of the present year, and, further, that the general cereal position of the United Kingdom will be better in 1948 than in 1947. A continued steady improvement is expected in the succeeding years. For the present, however, it is as essential as ever that every farmer should reach and maintain the highest degree of Self-sufficiency in feedingstuffs. This applies particularly to all classes of cattle and sheep for which the lack of protein feedingstuffs can be made good by devoting more attention to such products as silage, peas and beans.Although in the circumstances it is not possible to give a firm assurance that full provision can be made for the necessary flow of feedingstuffs for the additional stock which will be bred, the need to plan now for the earliest practicable increase in the pig and poultry populations is so great that the Government have decided that it would be justifiable to take such steps as are possible forthwith and to announce their future intentions.Last December chick rearing rations for replacement purposes were increased to ¼unit for each 20 birds kept on 4th June, 1946, and the allowance made on application for each sow or gilt about to farrow was fully restored to 6 units. A small further quantity of feedingstuffs is now available and will be used to effect a further increase in chick rearing rations for replacement purposes during the period January to April to ¼ unit for each 15 birds kept on 4th June, 1946.Apart from supplies of feedingstuffs available on the ration, pig and poultry production on general farms has, during and since the war, been severely limited by the necessity to require maximum sales of millable wheat and barley off farms for human consumption. Farmers have been allowed to retain for feeding to their stock only a proportion of their non-millable wheat, 5 per cent. of wheat tailings and screenings, non-millable barley, and 5 per cent. or 10 per cent. of barley tailings and screenings. according to the time of year. These requirements must be maintained for the 1947 harvest, but it is intended to relax them so far as wheat and barley from the 1948 harvest are concerned, and in particular farmers will be allowed to retain if they wish a significant proportion, to be announced later, of their millable wheat and barley from the harvest of that year. In the meantime, strict compliance with the requirements of the Cereal Control Orders to sell all millable and potentially millable wheat and barley, must continue.A continued steady increase in milk production remains essential and dairy cows will still have a first call on feedingstuffs supplies, but in so far as the hoped for increase in supplies of cereal feedingstuffs this year is realised it is intended to devote a large proportion of any such increase to improvements in the basic rations for commercial pigs and poultry. A definite announcement will be made at the earliest possible moment. In any case it is the intention, as in previous years, that the basic ration during the summer months for poultry kept on a commercial scale shall be 50 per cent. above the present winter rate. Sympathetic consideration will at the same time be given to the position of domestic pig and poultry producers.The purpose of this indication of the Government's intentions is to encourage pig and poultry producers to begin forthwith a cautious, but steadily accelerating, increase in their breeding programmes and forward production commitments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of binders imported, or to be imported, into this country for the 1947 harvest; and what number of tractors manufactured in this country were exported in 1946.

About 1,000 new imported binders arc expected to be available for the 1947 harvest. During 1946 the number of home-produced tractors allocated for export, including the small market garden types, was 14,671 or 31 per cent. of total production.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now reveal the amount of costs in Odium v. Stratton paid to Mr. Odium's solicitors; whether these were a full indemnity to Mr. Odium; what amount of the costs of the action was charged to his Department; what other cost were paid under the indemnity; whether those are the full indemnity costs; and what precautions he proposes to take to avoid similar incidents in future.

In answer to the first part of the Question, the costs, which have now been taxed and will shortly be paid, amounted to £4,965 6s. 11d. No indemnity was given to Mr. Odlum. The whole of the costs of the action will be charged to my Department. The costs were taxed in accordance with usual practice on a party and party basis, and consequently, as in all actions, they do not necessarily amount to a full indemnity. In answer to the last part of the Question, committees are, of course, aware that statements should not be made which can be construed as libellous and no doubt the result of this case will make them more careful in future.

asked the Minister of Supply what reports or recommendations he has received from the Motor Advisory Council; and whether he will publish them.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for East Coventry (Mr. Crossman) on 15th July last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Supply how many meetings were held during 1946 by the Motor Advisory Council; and if he will publish the minutes.

The council held six meetings in 1946. Its deliberations are confidential and it would not be appropriate to publish the minutes.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) how many ex-Service diesel generators his Department now holds; and whether these have been offered to, or asked for by, the Ministry of Fuel and Power, with a view to relieving the present crisis;(2) if he will release any portable diesel generators held by his Department, for immediate sale or hire, in order to assist industry in the present crisis; and if he will have any necessary repairs made as soon as possible.

My Department holds about 1,000 sets of various types and sizes, from which sales are being made immediately. Users sponsored by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Fuel and Power are being given special consideration. Where repairs are necessary, they will be carried out by the purchaser.

asked the Minister of Supply why there has been a decreased production of rain-water pipes, gutters and fittings since October, 1946.

The small decrease in production for November may be regarded as a normal monthly fluctuation, whilst the drop in production in December was clue to the Christmas holiday period.

asked the Minister of Supply if he has received any report from the Steel Board in respect of the proposed new strip mill at Port Talbot and cold reduction plant at Llanelly and Swansea; and when the scheme is likely to be approved.

Not yet, Sir. The scheme was submitted to the Board on 30th January and is receiving urgent examination.

asked the Minister of Supply how many differing types and sizes of baths for domestic use are at present in production in this country; and if he has considered the advantages both in production and distribution if the number of types could be reduced.

Ninety-five per cent. of the baths now manufactured in this country are of two types, each type being in three sizes.

asked the Minister of Supply how many persons are employed at his Department's depot at the anti-aircraft site, East Boldon, Co. Durham; the weekly cost, of keeping the depot open; and what average amount of traffic was received and dispatched each week over the last three months.

Twelve men are employed at this depot, which costs us about £70 a week to run. Over the last three months an average of 23,000 ammunition components has been received and 15,400 dispatched each week.

asked the Minister of Supply if it is his intention to continue to encourage the manufacture and sale of electric heating appliances during the shortage of fuel and power.

The manufacture of these appliances is controlled by the Electrical Appliances (Control of Manufacture and Supply) Order, 1942. In agreement with my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade, we are restricting production for the home market to essential requirements, whilst at the same time encouraging maximum production for export.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that building materials required for housing by local authorities have been delayed in delivery owing to the rail traffic ban in the Eastern area; and what steps he is taking to overcome this ban in so far as it affects such materials.

Yes, Sir. When any interruption of normal rail traffic occurs, my regional officers immediately make every effort to obtain from the railway company an alternative routing for building materials required for priority work. If this is not practicable, they endeavour to arrange road transport. I am satisfied that everything possible is done to reduce such delays.

asked the Minister of Works the quantity of baths, basins, sinks or any type of component in Government stores which are surplus to requirements of the temporary housing programme; and for what purpose these are being held.

Very few baths, basins and sinks are held in Government surplus stores and most of them are secondhand and not suitable for the temporary housing programme. If these articles cannot be brought into use for other Government purposes they will be put up for disposal in the usual way. I am not clear what other type of component the hon. Member has in mind, but if he will give me details I will see whether figures can he made available.

asked the Minister of Works if a licence to rebuild shops and flats situated at 166 to 180, Halfway Street, Sidcup, has now been granted.

No, Sir. My regional licensing officer is still waiting for further necessary information from the applicants

asked the Minister of Works if he will name the four small hotels and three large hotels which he expects to retain under requisition in North Blackpool in 1948; and for what purpose these hotels will be requisitioned.

I am not yet in a position to give the names of the few hotels in North Blackpool which will have to be retained in 1948. The hotels will be required mainly to accommodate certain staffs of the Ministry of National Insurance who have to remain in Blackpool for the time being.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that completion of new factories is being held up by shortage of plate glass; and what steps he is taking to remedy the position.

I have not been informed of any specific cases of delay due to this cause but if the hon. and gallant Member will let me have particulars I will make immediate inquiries.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the inconvenience undergone by hon. Members who have to walk through the intense cold of Westminster Hall on their way to and from the Chamber, after leaving their coats in the Members' cloakroom; and whether he will arrange for this temporary cloakroom to be moved to the vicinity of the Central Hall.

I am aware of the disadvantages of the present Members' cloakroom, but I regret that there is no space in the vicinity of the Central Hall to which it could conveniently be moved.

asked the Minister of Works what quantities of coal and coke, respectively, have been delivered in the last three months to the houses in Onslow Gardens at present occupied by his Department and by the Ministry of Health; what amount of coal and coke would have been available for these houses if they had been in the occupation of private householders; and what steps are taken to ensure that there is no waste of fuel, whether in the form of half-burnt coke thrown out as cinders or otherwise.

During the three months to the 31st January 82 tons of coal and 28 tons of coke were supplied to the 25 houses in Onslow Gardens occupied by M.O.W. and Ministry of Health staff. The amount of coal and coke, if any, above the per- mitted ration which would be made available to these houses if they had been in the occupation of private householders would be a matter for the local fuel overseer. The houses are, of course, much more fully occupied than they would normally be if they were used as private residences. Instructions have been given to all Departments to exercise the greatest possible economy in the use of fuel and periodical inspections are made by my technical officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether he will make a further statement respecting the political situation in Burma.

The conclusions reached in the recent conversations between His Majesty's Government and the delegation from the Executive Council of the Governor of Burma were accepted by the Executive Council on 5th February, after having been previously accepted by the Working Committee of the A.F.P.F.L. The Supreme Council of the A.F.P.F.L. has been meeting this weekend to consider them. Thakin Ba Sein has tendered his resignation from the Executive Council and I have seen a Press report that U Saw has done likewise.At the Panglong Conference representatives of the Frontier Peoples and of the Executive Council concluded an agreement on 12th February, the text of which is given below. This agreement is clearly of great significance for the future of the Frontier areas and I hope shortly to be in a position to make a statement in regard to it, after the recommendations of the Governor have been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma whether he will make a statement on the agreement reached at the Panglong Conference.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I am giving to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of nations represented on U.N.O. Military Staff Committee and the number of officers which the United Kingdom have attached to this committee.

Article 47 (2) of the Charter of the United Nations states that the Military Staff Committee shall consist of the chiefs of staff of the permanent members of the Security Council, or their representatives. Any member of the United Nations not permanently represented on the committee shall be invited by the committee to be associated with it when the efficient discharge of the committee's responsibilities requires the participation of that member in its work. The United Kingdom delegation to the Military Staff Committee consists of 17 officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the original terms of reference of the Military Staff Committee of U.N.O.; whether this body has yet made a report; and what are the present terms of reference.

The Statute of the Military Staff Committee, which is still under discussion and has not yet been approved by the Security Council, at present states that the Military Staff Committee is organised to perform these functions:

(a) To advise and assist the Security Council on all questions relating to the Security Council's military requirements for the maintenance of international peace and security and, in particular, the prevention and suppression of aggression.

(b) To prepare for the Security Council plans for the application of armed force.

(c) To make recommendations to the Security Council for the employment and command, including the designation of commanders of forces placed at its disposal.

(d) To advise and assist the Security Council on all questions relating to the regulation of armaments and possible disarmament.

(e) Under the Security Council to be responsible for and to exercise the strategic direction of Armed Forces placed at the disposal of the Security Council.

(f) With the authorisation of the Security Council and after consultation with appropriate regional agencies, to establish regional Military Staff Sub-Committees and to direct their activities.

(g) To perform such other functions as the Security Council may require.

On 16th February, 1946, the Security Council directed the Military Staff Com-

	1st January, 1947.	1st April, 1947.	1st April, 1948.
Regular British officers of the Indian Army	2,583	2,200	1,100
Regular British Service officers attached to the Indian Army.	751	500	350
British E.C.O's of Indian Army	6,348	3,700	2,200
British Service E.C.O's attached to the Indian Army.	7,686	5,000	350

The above figures do not include medical and dental officers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in spite of the dissatisfaction expressed by him with the conditions of the recent elections in Poland as not being compatible with the terms of the Yalta Agreement, he proposes to negotiate with the Polish Government for the settlement of all outstanding questions as soon as possible.

My right hon. Friend is naturally anxious to settle Anglo-Polish

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many British officers there were in, or attached to the Indian Army at 1st January, 1947; how many there will be on 1st May, 1947; the number it is now planned to retain at 1st May, 1948; and whether, in giving these figures, he will specify separately the officers with Regular Indian Army commissions and officers with emergency commissions, respectively.

The Government of India have supplied the following estimate. The figures are for 1st April and not for 1st May as requested by the hon. and gallant Member.differences as soon as possible, but the Polish Government must show the necessary goodwill and disposition to keep its engagements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements are contemplated to make available for the general reading public in Japan an adequate supply of British newspapers and periodicals.

A central library and reading room has been established in Tokyo by the United States Occupation authorities. Our information officer has always been able to have our newspapers, books and periodicals accepted here and they are available for all who care to make use of the premises. Under new regulations issued by Occupational G.H.Q. the importation and sale of books and periodicals will be facilitated 'and we are in touch with publishing houses in this country with a view to taking advantage of these facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what stocks of rubber and other commodities looted by the Japanese from British possessions have been found in Japan; and what arrangements have been made for the restoration of these goods or for payment in compensation.

On the occupation of Japan about 10,000 tons of rubber were taken over. This was allocated by the Combined Rubber Committee to the United States of America. Of the 6,000 tons so far shipped to the United States, 2,652 tons have been identified as probably British and negotiations are proceeding for payment in compensation. About 10,000 tons of tin and 15,000 tons of lead were also found. Of 10,000 tons of lead so far shipped to the United States, 4,000 tons have been identified as of Burmese origin, and discussions as to its disposal are in progress. The tin has also been shipped to the United States for grading and identification, but I have no information as to the amount which has so far been identified as of British origin.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken in accordance with Article 11 of the Potsdam Declaration, to render Japan permanently incapable of waging another aggressive war by the elimination or pruning of those industries which contribute directly and substantially to a war-making potential.

At the time of the surrender of Japan orders were issued for the immediate cessation of the manufac- ture and distribution of all arms, ammunition and implements of war. Capacity in the main war supporting industries which is in excess of Japan's peaceful needs has been defined by the Far Eastern Commission, and the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers has earmarked plant and machinery in this category for destruction or removal as reparations. The Commission is now studying the wider question of long-term controls over industry which are necessary to prevent Japan from being able to wage aggressive war again.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Austrian Government have expressed their willingness to receive a number of Austrian Jews from Palestine who are anxious to be repatriated; and what steps he is taking to enable these people to return.

I am aware of this most welcome decision on the part of the Austrian Government. The repatriation of 323 victims of Nazi persecution is already being undertaken by U.N.R.R.A., to whom His Majesty's Government are prepared to give such co-operation as may be required.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the serious situation in the Ukraine and White Russia caused by drought and the winding up of U.N.R.R.A. relief, he will take steps through U.N.O. to secure a continuation of such relief to these areas as is possible.

The procedure for dealing with relief needs in 1947 was laid down by the General Assembly's Resolution of 11th December last. Under this, the pro' vision of relief was left to individual countries in a position to assist, but a Special Technical Committee was set up to assess relief needs for 1947. All countries which had been receiving U.N.R.R.A. help and which considered that their relief needs would continue after the end of U.N.R.R.A. were invited to submit estimates to this committee. I am informed that no information was submitted by the Ukraine or by Byelo-Russia. It remains open to these countries to inform the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to whom a co-ordinating function has been given, if they find themselves in need of further relief assistance. It would then be for the Secretary-General to inform member governments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what principle governs the maintenance or abandonment of travel schemes in special omnibuses with reduced fares for projects in country areas.

That of common sense.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the terms of the final settlement between Britain and Holland concerning Indonesia.

There have been no negotiations between Great Britain and the Netherlands in regard to Indonesia. As my hon. Friend is aware, the British commitment in Indonesia which resulted from the liquidation of the war with Japan ceased when our forces were finally withdrawn on 30th November, 1946. If my hon. Friend is referring to the draft agreement which was initialled by the Dutch and Indonesian Delegations at Batavia on 15th November, 1946, the position is that this agreement was subsequently approved by a majority vote in the Dutch Parliament subject to the acceptance by the Indonesians of certain points of interpretation. These points have now been examined by the Indonesian Government who have announced that their delegation has been authorised to sign only the original draft agreement and the elaborations contained in the minutes and official correspondence between the two delegations. A further delay in signing the agreement is therefore considered probable.While it is true that, at the request of both parties. His Majesty's Government authorised Lord Killearn to use his good offices in bringing about the agreement which was initialled in November, we have in no way been a party to the actual terms of the agreement. At present the discussions are being conducted direct between the Dutch and the Indonesians.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of duplex lamp glasses in East Norfolk; and if he will arrange to make supplies of these articles available as a matter of urgency.

There is a general shortage of these lamp glasses but I have arranged for the supply position in East Norfolk to be investigated immediately, and if it proves to be worse than that in other parts of the country I will endeavour to arrange for a special consignment to be sent there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate steps to abolish the import duty on steel imported from Belgium, not on public account, but by private companies who have been authorised to acquire the material by the Ministry of Supply.

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply is importing on public account supplies that are essential, and we can see no sufficient reason to recommend remission of duty for other supplies that his Department authorises to be imported privately.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to make a full report on the national position respecting raw materials for all British industries.

A general survey of the raw materials position is published in the "Board of Trade Journal" from time to time. An up-to-date survey will be published as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Bosbury Road factory, near Ledbury, Herefordshire, has remained empty for many months; and whether he is prepared to consult local opinion about its future use.

This factory was allocated to Messrs. F. C. Swift & Co., on 12th instant. It was not possible to allocate this factory earlier since it was expected that it would be required for other purposes of great national importance which can, however, now be got by other means.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the comparative figures of imports of tobacco from the U.S.A., Rhodesia and other main sources since 1938 to the present time; and what prospects there are of increasing the supplies obtained from Rhodesia.

Imports of tobacco in each year from 1938 to 1946 were as follow:

Year.	United States.	Rhodesia.	Other Sources.
	million lbs.
1938	257	20	69
1939	129	16	68
1940	59	24	59
1941	13o	20	64
1942	180	25	60
1943	291	21	42
1944	180	13	36
1945	310	21	39
1946	366	24	44
	1,902	184	481

The prospects of increasing our supplies from Rhodesia depend primarily on the available output. We have always imported as much tobacco as Rhodesia has offered us on suitable conditions as regards Price and quality.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1), what was the stock of coal in hand at electricity generating stations in England and Wales on 14th February; what was the aggregate consumption at these stations during the week ending 14th February; and how much coal was delivered to them during the same period;(2) what was the stock of coal in hand at the Hams Hall electricity generating station on 14th February; what was the consumption during the week ending 14th February; and how much coal was delivered to this station during the same period;(3) what was the stock of coal in hand at electricity generating stations in the central England area on 14th February; what was the aggregate consumption at these stations during the week ending 14th February; and how much coal was delivered to them during the same period.

Detailed information as to consumption and deliveries of coal will not be available until tomorrow. The following are provisional figures of stocks of coal held at electricity generating stations on 14th February:

	Tons
England and Wales	920,000
Central England	190,000
Hams Hall Station	52,400

asked the Minister of Education how the 4,000 to 5,000 students now employed as temporary teachers while awaiting training as emergency teachers, but without having undergone any training, are distributed in the national schools; how many are allotted to primary and to the three categories of secondary schools, respectively; and what is the remuneration offered and the duration of their contracts.

On 1st January, 1947, candidates engaged as temporary teachers while awaiting admission to emergency training colleges were employed as follow:

	Primary (including infant and nursery schools).	Secondary Schools.	Special Schools and Further Education.
Men	3.561	1,161	39
Women	1,064	91	6

No information is available regarding the distribution between different types of secondary school. Salaries are paid in accordance with the Burnham scale for temporary teachers. The type of contract under which they are employed is a matter for determination by the local education authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Education whether the Interim Committee, the formation of which has been announced, is designed to supersede the recommendations of the McNair Committee, which reported in May, 1944; to what extent it is intended to over-ride the McNair Committee's recommendation that the normal teachers' training course should he three years, not two; and whether the teachers' associations had been consulted before this announcement was made.

the recommendations of the McNair Committee are in no way affected by the setting up of the Teachers' Interim Committee. I endorse the acceptance in principle already announced by my predecessor of the particular recommenda- tion that the normal course for students entering upon their training at about 18 years of age should be extended to three years Teachers' associations were consulted in connection with the establishment of the Teachers' Interim Committee and are represented on it.

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been called to the fact that in the brochure, "Suggestions on Health Education", published by his Department, which deals with the hygiene of food and drink, no statement appears as to the value of apple and other fruit juices which are prepared in this country and which are prepared in this country and which are prepared in this country and which are recognized as of real food value; and if he will take steps to have this information included in future editions.

I realize that this brochure, which was issued eight years ago, is not in all respects up-to-date. I will bear in mind the need for including the best possible advice on matters of nutrition in any revision of the brochure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations have been made by the Wholesale and Retail Dry Goods Association of Jamaica regarding the maximum selling prices of luxury goods; and if he is aware of the danger of the growth of black marketing if the present price continues.

Representations have been made to the Jamaica Government by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce on behalf of traders in textiles, clothing and footwear about the recent reductions in the margins of profit permitted on such goods. These reductions were made by order of the Jamaica Government in December, 1946, and affect a wide range of goods upon which it was considered that excessive profits were being made. Representatives of the trade have particularly complained of reductions in the margins of profit permitted on luxury goods. There is no evidence that a black market will be created, as the luxury goods affected are mostly in good supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount of rates lost by way of derating since the operation of the derating provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929; the amount of the element of the block grant in lieu of such rates; and the actual gain or loss to local authorities.

It was estimated that, on the basis of the expenditure and valuation for 1928–29, the loss of rates resulting from the derating provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, was £3,341,403, and this sum formed part of the block grant of £6,128,844 payable in the fixed grant period 1930 to 1933. The block grant payable in subsequent fixed grant periods has been increased, by reference to the expenditure of local authorities, to its present figure of £8,339,500; but there has been no fresh estimate of de-rating losses.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware that the telephone kiosks at Abererch and Chwilog, Caernarvonshire, are still without lighting facilities; that this is causing hardship to the population of these rural localities in present weather conditions when these kiosks are frequently used for summoning medical and veterinary aid; and whether he will take immediate steps to remedy the position.

Lighting was installed in the Abererch kiosk on 21st January, 1947. Arrangements are now in hand for lighting the kiosk at Chwilog.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he is aware of the hardship caused to the population of the rural district of Lleyn, Caernarvonshire, particularly during the hard weather, by the lack of lighting facilities in telephone kiosks, which are frequently tire only means of summoning medical and veterinary assistance to outlying farms; and if he will take immediate steps to remedy the position.

Of the 61 telephone kiosks in the Lleyn district of Caernarvonshire, 27 have lighting. In 29 cases, no electric power supply is available. In the remaining five, arrangements will be made for lighting as soon as the necessary components are available.