asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what response he has had from the Greek Government to the representations made by His Majesty's Government in connection with the mass arrests of Left wing supporters in Greece.

Following His Majesty's Ambassador's representations to the Greek Government, regular magistrates were immediately sent to the place of exile to review the charges against the arrested persons. They were ordered to complete their investigations as soon as possible. An appeal court judge has also been appointed to supervise the work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, on 10th December, 1946, British military chiefs, including Generals Crawford and Rawlings and Rear-Admiral Talbot, attended a meeting of the Greek National Defence Council under the chairmanship of the then Greek deputy Prime Minister, General Goratas, where the reorganisation of the Greek Army to achieve more effective results against the Greek guerillas was discussed; and whether the attendance of these officers at this conference was authorised by His Majesty's Government.

Heads of the British Service missions attended a meting of the Greek National Defence Council on 10th December, 1946. Their task is to advise on the training and organisation of the Greek armed forces and it is in this capacity that they attend the councils of their respective services. They attend the Supreme National Defence Council only when specifically invited by the Greek Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions since 1st April, 1946, senior officers of the British Military Mission in Greece have attended committees or conferences held under the authority of the Greek Government at which plans for operations against the Greek guerillas were discussed; and whether the functions of these officers have included the tendering of advice on the conduct of such operations.

Meetings of the Greek Supreme National Defence Council are secret, as are the meetings of similar organisations in all countries. It would not therefore seem proper for me to disclose the subjects of their discussions. I am, however, assured that British officers do not advise on specific operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to find employment for British ex-employees of the Shanghai Municipal Council; and whether consideration has been given to the possibility of drafting them into the British or Colonial Civil Service with appropriate seniority and pension rights.

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for North Wembley (Mr. Hobson) on 23rd October last, the names of British ex-employees of the Shanghai Municipal Council seeking employment have been brought to the notice of those Departments of His Majesty's Government likely to be interested. A number of them have already secured employment under these Departments. I do not think that the suggestion in the second part of the Question would commend itself to my colleagues concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the negotiations with the Chinese Government on the constitution of the Commission to assess the claims of former members of the Shanghai Municipal Council have been completed; whether this Commission has started work; and when it is anticipated that the settlement of these claims will be made.

The Chinese Government have set up a liquidation commission for the former International Settlement at Shanghai. By agreement with His Majesty's Government and other Governments concerned, British and other advisers were invited to sit in the commission and assist in determining the official assets and liabilities of the Settlement. The first meeting of the full commission was held on 29th November last, and a sub-committee was then appointed to deal with the claims of the staff of the former council. Some progress has been made by this sub-committee but it is meantime impossible to predict when the work will be completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many names of alleged war criminals, quislings and traitors, have been submitted to him by Yugoslav Repatriation Missions; in the case of how many persons listed is he satisfied that a prima facie case has been made out for forcible repatriation; and by what methods he checks the evidence submitted by the Yugoslav authorities.

The Yugoslav Government have demanded the surrender of 936 alleged quislings and traitors. His Majesty's Government are satisfied that a prima facie case for forcible repatriation has been made out in the case of 77 of these. Investigation of the remaining cases is of course not completed. The evidence supplied by the Yugoslav authorities is checked from information in the records of His Majesty's Government and by examination where possible of the accused and of other Yugoslav displaced persons.

asked the Minister of Food the annual cost of the provision of orange juice, cod liver oil and rose hip syrup; and the annual return in the price paid by the purchasers.

For the financial year ended 3rst March, 1946, the gross cost of providing orange juice and cod liver oil under the Welfare Foods Service was £2,211,344. £1,307,816 of this was recovered, leaving a net cost of £903,528. Rose hip syrup is not distributed by the Ministry of Food.

asked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken to deal with dangerous or marauding game in, or adjacent to, the areas to be cleared for the groundnut scheme in Tanganyika.

A big-game hunter has been engaged to protect the people on the job during the initial stages. Later on it may be necessary to employ native game scouts as well in the outlying districts. The managing agents will be acting in the closest co-operation with the Game Department of the Tanganyika Government.

asked the Minister of Food whether requirements in the way of mechanical implements and appliances for the groundnut scheme in Tanganyika are being promptly met; and how much of the machinery necessary to start the Tanganyika scheme has arrived in that territory.

Mechanical equipment, appliances and stores to the value of over £100,000 have already arrived in Tanganyika, more is on the way. On the whole, and considering the difficulties of supply at the present time, I do not think that we should be too dissatisfied. At any rate a start has been made.

asked the Minister of Food how many Valentine tanks are at present being converted to bulldozers for use in the East African Groundnut Scheme.

One Valentine tank has been converted for bulldozing tests in connection with the East African groundnuts scheme. From preliminary trials it seems unlikely that these tanks will be suitable for the work.

asked the Minister of Food whether, when a British Restaurant acquires a licence on requisitioned premises, he permits the licence to belong to the owner of the building after the British Restaurant is closed down.

No Sir, licences are not transferable. If the owner wants to go into the restaurant business he should apply to the local food office for a catering licence in the usual way.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction concerning the allocation of turkeys, recently purchased in the U.S.A., to canteens, cafes and civic restaurants; and if he will consider allocating some of these turkeys to shops so as to enable housewives to purchase them.

Negotiations, for the purchase of the turkeys are still going on and no decision has yet been made about allocations. I will certainly take my hon Friend's view into account.

asked the Minister of Food if the price of the 35 tons of strawberries to be imported each week from Milan in Halifax aircraft will include the cost of the petrol involved.

No licence is required to import strawberries and they are not price controlled. The transaction cited by the hon. Member must be a private one and I have no information about it.

asked the Minister of Food the estimated value of whale oil obtained by British whaling expeditions in the Antarctic during the current season; whether all this oil is to be available for Great Britain; and what steps are being taken to increase this potential source of oils and fats.

As the whaling season has not yet ended, I cannot give any figures at present. Total production is, of course, limited in the best interests of the industry by international agreement. The killings this year may reach the permitted total. The whole question of International Emergency Food Council allocations of oils and fats for this year is in suspense.

asked the Minister of Food in view of the good prospects of the next Argentine maize crops and the fact that stocks are lying at the ports and will inevitably deteriorate unless shipped or ventilated soon, what steps he is taking to try and get the export ban lifted and to ship some of this maize to this country.

There is no ban on the export of maize from the Argentine but there are delays in issuing export licences for individual shipments and through congestion at the ports due largely to strikes and other labour troubles. We are naturally making every effort to ship the maize which we have purchased.

asked the Minister of Food what he estimates is likely to be the annual total difference in cost between the amounts paid by him for tea, copra and coconut oil from Ceylon under the contracts just concluded and the previous contract, respectively, for the usual quantity of these imports.

In the case of copra and coconut oil the contract signed in 1946 is still in operation. It is not possible to estimate imports during 1947, but on the basis of imports in 1946 the estimated increase in total cost would be about £200,000 for copra and about £26,000 for coconut oil. Tea imports from Ceylon are estimated to cost £3,900,000 more in 1947 than in 1946, on the assumption that imports will continue at the same level.

asked the Minister of Food what instructions he has issued to local food offices to facilitate the issue of extra rations to farmers and farmworkers who, in the next few weeks, will be working overtime in the evenings and at weekends in their endeavours to cultivate and sow a full acreage for this year's harvest.

Because of the urgent need, I have approved the extension of the special allowances of rationed foods normally granted to agricultural workers only during specified seasonal tasks to all farming activities on which overtime or other intensive activity is necessary. This arrangement will continue until the end of April when I will review the position in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and the Trades Union Council Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that farriers employed in agriculture do not receive the increased rations granted to agricultural workers; and if he will look into the matter.

Travelling blacksmiths and agricultural maintenance engineers can obtain the special cheese and bread ration given to agricultural workers.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to ensure that miners will receive the extra rations allowed to them; what machinery he proposes to set up for the distribution of these rations; and if he is now in a position to make a statement on the matter.

Coalminers are entitled to the following extra rations:

(a) Underground workers only:

Is. worth extra meat per week.

(b) All coalminers:

(i) 6 extra B.U's. per week, in addition to the ordinary 6 extra B.U's. allotted to heavy manual workers.

(ii) Special ration scales for pithead canteens (as provided for all heavy industrial workers); or where these are not used an allowance is made to the miner himself of 12 0zs. of cheese instead of 2 0zs. and 6 further B.U's. a week.

Surface workers only get the extra bread and cheese if there is no canteen; underground workers can get them even if there is a canteen, provided that the majority of them do not use it.

If my hon. Friend knows of any instances of difficulties experienced by miners in obtaining their extra rations I should be most grateful if he would let me have particulars of them. They will be speedily put right; in addition to these extra rations, the areas, formerly depressed by unemployment and low earnings, which include practically all the coalfields, will receive as from 31st March additional supplies of sugar and fats for cake making; meat for the manufacture of meat products and oil for fish frying. This is because I found that since distribution was based upon a percentage of the supplies which these areas received in 1939, they were still, in effect, being penalised for their low prewar purchasing power.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to explain to the public the significance of the abolition of the butchers' allowance of meat of 5½ per cent. for manufacturing purposes.

A Press notice explaining the matter fully was issued on 10th March; I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, owing to the poor quality of meat recently received by them, butchers in Huntingdonshire are finding difficulty in meeting their obligation to supply the meat ration of the value of 1s. 4d. to their customers; and whether he will take steps to improve this situation.

Any butcher who cannot meet the ration should get into touch with his deputy meat agent.

asked the Minister of Food the total amount of subsidy paid on account of all livestock, meat and all animal products during 1946; and the total amount of subsidy for the same period for all other foods, with any details available.

The financial accounts of the Ministry cover the year to 31st March. During the year to 31st March, 1946, food subsidies were as follow:

	£ millions
Meat and livestock including canned meat	32.50
Bacon and ham	3.00
Eggs and egg products	31.50
Milk excluding National Milk and Milk in Schools Schemes	18.50
Butter	8.75
Cheese	9.50
Other foods including Welfare Schemes	132.00
	235.75
Acreage payments and fertilizer subsidies paid by other Departments	29.50
Total	265.25

Exact figures for the year to 31st March, 1947, are not yet available, although estimates can be given.

asked the Minister of Food whether he intends to import Dutch or Danish lager beer into this country.

I propose to allow some imports of lager beer from Continental countries. Details of the arrangements will be announced in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, why the Institute of Agricultural Engineering has been moved from Aston Bryant, Yorkshire, to Bedfordshire; the total quantity of goods to be moved; and the method of transport.

The National Institute of Agricultural Engineering will be moving from Askham Bryan, Yorkshire, to Bedfordshire because the present premises are required for their original purpose as a farm institute, and the new site is more suitable as a permanent location. The move cannot take place for some months, and I am unable therefore to supply the information asked for in the last parts of the Question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why A.E.Cs. do not issue permits for barbed wire during four periods of a fortnight each year.

Permits for barbed wire for immediate delivery are not issued during the last fortnight of each quarterly period because it is unlikely that suppliers would be able to meet them by the end of the quarter. Permits may, however, be issued during the last fortnight of each quarter for delivery in the next quarter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the cost of publishing in the Press the advertisement, "Every farm a better farm."

The estimated cost is £940. The advertisement to which the hon. Member refers was one of four introducing a weekly series of technical advisory advertisements for farmers appearing in the farming Press and in the country weekly newspapers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made towards implementing the recommendation in the report of the Committee on Farm Buildings, Post-war Building Studies No. 17, published in 1945, that his Department should discuss with the manufacturers the mass production of standard framed buildings of certain suggested dimensions.

The recommendations of the Farm Buildings Committee are being followed up by a committee of the Agricultural Improvement Council under the chairmanship of Sir Frank Engledow. The preliminary proposals of this body for securing the mass production of standard framed farm buildings have now been received and are being given urgent consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many farm tractors are to be imported during 1947.

It is hoped to obtain 1,706 agricultural tractors this year under the 1947 import programme. This is the maximum number for which orders could be accepted owing to production difficulties in the U.S.A. In addition, on 1st January, 1947, there were 315 tractors still to come from last year's programme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the production programme of farm tractors for 1947; and what proportion of them is to be exported.

The 1947 production programmes of farm tractor manufacturers, excluding market garden types, is over 70,000 or about 2½ time actual 1946 output. Production difficulties are expected to prevent the full programme from being completed, but supplies in 1947 should be substantially above those of 1946. In view of the present urgent needs of home food production, the export arrangements for the next few months for those machines which are suitable for us in this country have been, and some still are, under review with the manufacturers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to which countries the 8,787 farm tractors were exported in 1946; and what quantities were exported to each of these countries.

The information is not available for farm tractors separately, but only for all types of agricultural tractors including the small market garden types. Following is a statement relating to all tractors:

Number and Destination of Agricultural Tractors of all Types Exported from the United Kingdom in 1946.
Country				Number
Australia	…	…	…	1,656
Denmark	…	…	…	1,106
Poland	…	…	…	1,091
Eire	…	…	…	1,084
Finland	…	…	…	1,059
Sweden	…	…	…	742
Belgium	…	…	…	737
Union of S. Africa	…	…	…	692
Netherlands	…	…	…	593
Austria	…	…	…	555
Germany	…	…	…	487
Czecho-Slovakia	…	…	…	410
New Zealand	…	…	…	381
Other Countries	…	…	…	2,377

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make such arrangements with the Great Ouse Catchment Board as will lead to their taking every step open to them to prevent a repetition of the inconvenience and distress caused to the citizens of Bedford as a result of the recent flooding brought about by the River Ouse bursting its banks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to combat the floods in the Fenlands; and whether plans are being prepared to assist in the repair of the damage to agricultural land and houses, and preventive measures against similar disasters.

I would refer my hon. Friends to a statement I made at the end of Questions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of Agricultural Wages Board inspectors; and if it is his intention to increase the number.

There are at present 18 inspectors engaged on work arising out of the Agricultural Wages Acts, and the question whether this number should be increased is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that 33 oil stoves were brought into the rooms used by the A.E.C. in Eagle House, Friar Lane, Leicester, and that 200 gallons of petrol were set aside for their use, whilst the rest of the tenants in the building had to work in the cold; and if it is his policy to allow priority to civil servants at a time when people in rural areas with no other means of heat and light are finding it difficult to obtain paraffin supplies.

Oil stoves were supplied for the committee's offices after the central heating system in the building, for which the owners were responsible, had been out of action for several days through lack of fuel. Application was made by the local executive officer to the Petroleum Board for the necessary paraffin, and supplies were obtained. No request was made for priority and there is no reason to suppose that the paraffin was supplied at the expense of people living in rural areas.

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

There has been a little difficulty in completing the membership of this sub-committee, but I hope to announce the names at an early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what acreage of tobacco has been grown in this country during 1943–45; whether the produce has been suitable as cigarette or pipe tobacco; and whether it is possible to extend the acreage in 1947 Or 1948.

One-quarter of an acre in 1943 and 1944 and none in 1945. The 1943 crop was sent to a tobacco manufacturer; the 1944 crop failed. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 17th March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement indicating the effect of the recent blizzards and the present floods upon the production of food in the country as a whole; and to what extent the contribution of home agriculture in feeding the nation and saving foreign exchange is affected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be able to give some general estimate of the effect on our food supplies of the weather catastrophes which we have recently experienced.

I am not yet in a position to make a full statement. In addition to the usual quarterly farm census on 4th March I have called for special reports from my local officers. This material is now coming in and is being summarised. From the preliminary information available it appears that losses of hill sheep have been severe and that the lamb crop will be heavily reduced. Less serious losses have occurred among lowland flocks, and a certain number of cattle have also been lost in hill districts. It is too early to assess the effect of floods, frost and snow upon livestock generally and crops, but substantial loss and damage has undoubtedly occurred and the serious delay in spring cultivations and sowing must impair the ability of farmers to attain the production targets set before them for the current year and hence to make as large a contribution as we had hoped to the saving of foreign exchange. I hope to make a further statement at a later date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the abnormal sheep and cattle losses sustained by North Wales sheep farmers during recent weather conditions and to the danger of further losses through malnutrition, he is in a position to increase temporarily the allocation of hay, straw and artificial feedingstuffs for sheep and cattle in the North Wales area.

The reserves of rationed cereal feedingstuffs allocated to county War agricultural executive committees in North Wales for distribution at their discretion have recently been increased for the purpose of assisting farmers with starving sheep and cattle. Hay and straw are not rationed, but committees are giving every possible assistance to farmers to obtain supplies. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Food is doing all he can to put traders in need of hay in contact with other traders who have supplies. Quantities of hay are on the way, but although this traffic has priority, movement has inevitably been impeded by the recent weather conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the delay in delivery caused to farmers ordering concrete silos by having to obtain M forms for the necessary steel bands; and whether steps will be taken to dispense with this requirement.

Control of the consumption of steel, by the use of "M" forms, is essential to ensure that supplies available are put to the most urgent and important uses. Farmers requiring steel for silos should apply to my Department through county war agricultural executive committees when they are advised to do so by suppliers, and applications supported by the committees will be dealt with speedily and sympathetically.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many ex-Servicemen are being trained in agriculture in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and how many are awaiting training.

There are at present 52 ex-Servicemen and women undergoing training in agriculture in the West Riding under the Vocational Training Scheme. Seventeen applicants have been accepted under the scheme but have not yet started training, and another nine are awaiting interview by the selection panel of the county war agricultural executive committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what information he has with regard to instances of hypomagnesemia amongst cattle in this country; what number are estimated to have died from it in the last six months; and what steps are being taken to conduct research on this disease.

Some hundreds of cases of hypomagnesemia in cattle in this country have been reported to my Department by veterinary practitioners during the last six months, but as the disease is not compulsorily notifiable I have no actual figures either of its incidence or of fatal cases. Research into the disease has been carried out for several years at the Veterinary Laboratory of my Department at Weybridge and the results of this research, which has yielded a successful treatment, have been published from time to time in veterinary journals.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give information about the pooling of machinery among farmers; how many parish pools are still being operated; and whether he is considering any action to promote and encourage such pools having regard to their value to the small farmer who wishes to mechanise his farm but cannot afford the expense of buying and operating his own machinery.

No very recent information is available, but last autumn there were 14 machinery pools operating in seven counties in England and Wales. Attempts to stimulate organised pooling of machinery resources have had only limited success, but I shall continue to do what I can to encourage this. The machinery service provided by county war agricultural executive committees will also continue to give help needed by the smaller farmers.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that no further cuts will be made to transport facilities, already inadequate, serving North-west Devon, in view of the fact that the tourist season during the summer months is of such importance to holiday resorts in that area.

I can give no assurances that particular train services will not have to be reduced in order to save coal consumption, but any necessary reductions will be made as fairly as possible. Road transport services in North Devon have been increased substantially since the end of the war, and I know of no proposal to reduce them.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is granting any special priority or making special provisions for the distribution of manures and seed potatoes to the farmers of Kent on account of the recent bad weather.

Yes, Sir. I have asked the railways to free the movement of seed potatoes from embargoes, and to pay special attention to the supply of wagons for this traffic. It is not yet possible to exempt fertilisers from embargoes, but every effort is being made to move as much as possible. I have taken steps to ensure that sufficient shipping is available to cover coastwise movements, and road vehicles will be used to supplement rail and water, if necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take immediate steps to ensure that the buffet and refreshment rooms at London Road, Manchester, remain open until 1 a.m. each morning including Monday morning, for the purpose of serving hot drinks to travellers including soldiers.

The railway company are considering whether the demand would justify keeping some of these rooms open until 1 a.m. provided that they can obtain the necessary staff.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of broken rails on the Main line railways in 1946, compared with 1938; and what were the causes of the increased number of breakages in 1946.

Owing to a change in the basis of classification and reporting of broken rails on the systems of the main line companies and London Transport, the latest figures comparable with 1938 are those for 1944, namely, 120 and 225 respectively. The figures for 1945 and 1946, on an altered basis which includes certain types of fractures not previously reported, were 345 and 519 respectively. The causes of the continuing deterioration are restricted maintenance and renewals since the beginning of the war, due to shortages of steel and other track components and of labour.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of locomotive failures on the railways in 1946 compared with 1938; and what were the main causes of the failures.

There were 10,152 locomotive failures on the railways in 1946 as compared with 5,724 in 1938. The principal causes were fractures, hot bearings and failures of injectors, joints, boiler tubes and vacuum brakes.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the railway tickets in general use inscribed "Not transferable, issued subject to the bye-laws, regulations, notices and conditions published in the companies bills and notices," operate unfairly upon passengers; and if he will revise the obligations to, and exemptions from, liability to passengers.

No, Sir. I am not aware that the conditions under which railway tickets are issued operate unfairly to passengers.

asked the Minister of Transport if, when increasing railway fares, he will make some concessions for weekend travel to workmen who have to live in lodgings away from home and can visit their families only at such times.

I regret that, in prevailing circumstances, it is not practicable to introduce concessions for weekend travel, even if they could be limited as contemplated by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the effect of the further electrification of parts of the Southern Railway in the light of the shortage of generating equipment; and if he is prepared to make a statement of the Government's policy on the immediate and long-term programme of electrification of the railways generally.

I have the Southern Railway Company's proposals under consideration and the point raised by my hon. Friend will be borne in mind. It is premature to make a statement with regard to railway traction generally.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the Report of his Department's Inspecting Officer of Railways on the accidents on the L.N.E.R., in July, 1946, and on 10th November, 1946, when considerable loss and damage occurred; and what steps he has taken, and will take, to obviate such avoidable accidents and to ensure the safety of the travelling public.

Yes, Sir. The steps which are being taken to prevent similar accidents are those mentioned at the end of the report on the accident at Marshmoor on 10th November.

asked the Minister of Transport the actual loss of coal output from collieries for 1946, 1945 and 1944, owing to the inability of the railway companies to move it.

The loss of coal output through rail transport difficulties in these years was approximately as follows:

				Tons
1944	…	…	…	588,000
1945	…	…	…	617,000
1946	…	…	…	350,000

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the ships employed during the present fuel crisis for carrying passengers from Great Britain to the Continent of Europe are, respectively coal burning or propelled by liquid fuel.

Of the five British vessels employed during recent weeks on purely passenger services on these routes four are oil burning.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now state when the present system of licensing control of vessels engaged in the coasting and short sea trades will be terminated.

So long as the available tonnage is insufficient to ensure the regular carriage of all essential cargoes in these trades, I have no alternative but to maintain the present system of licensing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that by substituting the R.M.S. "Princess Victoria" for the R.M.S. "Princess Margaret" on the Larne-Stranraer route he is further reducing an already diminished means of transport to Ireland and, further, that he is depriving third-class passengers by that service of their sleeping accommodation; and what action he proposes to take to restore this accommodation.

This substitution has not reduced the total carrying capacity. Sleeping accommodation for third class passengers is not provided, but owing to the short journey the demand for such accommodation is small. By substituting the "Princess Victoria" there is a saving of 260 tons of coal a week.

asked the Minister of Transport why the s.s. St. Merriel," which is to be sent out to South America to exhibit British craftsmanship and British goods, is being fitted out in a foreign shipyard.

I am informed by the owners of this ship, who are responsible in this matter, that they reached their decision to carry out this work in Antwerp, the vessel's final port of discharge, after approaching British repairers who were unable to give any definite date for taking the work in hand, whereas the Antwerp firm undertook to put the work in hand immediately upon completion of the ship's discharge, and quoted a definite time for completion.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of first class pas- sages and the number of tourist class passages allotted on passenger ships sailing from this country to Australia since January, 1947; and in what proportion the accommodation for first class and tourist class passages is allotted.

During the period 1st January to 22nd March, 541 first class and 732 tourist class passages were booked by the shipping lines concerned in commercial sailings to Australia; in addition, 114 saloon class passages were booked in cargo ships. The proportion of accommodation allotted to first and tourist class respectively is determined by the shipping company according to the accommodation available. During the same period, 964 passages were also provided in a civilian transport.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any steps are being taken to acquire more efficient equipment for clearing away snowdrifts than exists at present in this country.

Experiments have been carried out with numerous types of equipment, including jet engines mounted on Valentine tanks, and Canadian snow blowers, and in the light of the experience that has been gained I am considering what is the most efficient equipment that can be provided for snow clearance in the future.

asked the Minister at Transport what effect the recent severe frosts have had upon road accidents.

In February, 223 persons were killed and 6,925 injured in road accidents as compared with 377 killed and 11,356 injured in the previous month and 371 killed and 9,903 injured in February last year. This reduction was, no doubt, largely due to the effect of the severe weather on the volume of traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that some local authorities are concreting bridle tracks in their areas; whether, in view of the fact that such tracks were specifically provided for the use of horse riders and that it is obligatory upon the authorities or owners concerned to maintain them for that purpose, steps will be taken to advise all concerned that the action of concreting them is not only unlawful but is liable to cause damage to horses and riders; and what is the policy of his Department with regard to bridle tracks over land owned by the Government.

I am advised that the question whether there is an obligation to maintain a bridle track for the use of horse riders depends on whether it has been dedicated as a highway, and if so on the circumstances and conditions of dedication. The matter is not one in which I have any jurisdiction. As regards bridle tracks over land owned by my Department, I will consider any representations the hon. and gallant Member may wish to make.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement regarding the time when the work on the Severn bridge will commence.

It is expected that in about three months' time the trial borings will be finished and that it will then be possible to begin the drawings for the foundations of the piers. The aim is to carry out during the summer certain accommodation works to enable the ferry to continue running while the piers of the bridge are under construction, and to start work on the piers themselves by the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Transport the total number of prosecutions for failure to comply with the conditions attached to the issue of C licences under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, since its operation; and the number of convictions.

The only figures available are in respect of prosecutions of "C" licence holders for the carriage of goods illegally for hire or reward during the year ended 30th September, 1938, when there were 268 prosecutions, 225 of which were successful.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated cost of the proposed new road between Ystradgynlais, Breconshire, and Onllwyn, Glamorganshire; how this cost is to be met; and when it is expected that operations will commence on this project.

This scheme involves difficult engineering works and when it was first proposed it was thought that the cost would be of the order of £200,000, of which 75 per cent, would be met from the Road Fund, 20 per cent. from the Exchequer under the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945, and the remaining 5 per cent. by the County Councils of Glamorgan and Brecon. As a result of a survey, I am now advised that the cost is likely to be of the order of £300,000, and I have the whole matter under review.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will extend the distance for which workmen's tickets can be issued so as to get a better distribution of labour pending the easing of the housing shortage.

The places between which workmen's tickets are available are limited, by distance and otherwise, to those where there is a reasonable demand by such workmen. Any relaxation of these limitations would present serious operational difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements have been made to provide transport for workers engaged upon staggered hours of duty, including night-work, arising from the resumption of work in industry following the fuel crisis.

The regional boards for industry and their district committees consult the transport undertakings concerned, so that the necessary adjustments may be made in transport services. The area traffic commissioners and the railway companies are giving full co-operation.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of ex-Servicemen now employed in his Department's depots; the number dismissed in the last six months on the grounds of redundancy; the number of men from Southern Ireland; and the number of men registered as conscientious objectors now employed in such depots.

I regret that the information is not available centrally, and could not be obtained without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and labour.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that in July, 1946, Messrs. Bell Brothers, Wellington, Somerset, having received an urgent request from the Director of Medical Supplies to increase their output of penicillin vials and other glassware, commenced negotiations with the disposals branch for the purchase of surplus glass-working machinery which was available in the neighbourhood; that letters, telephone calls and personal visits to London and elsewhere have failed to produce a result; that the firm have been forced to inquire for similar machinery in the U.S.A.; whether the machines for which cheques were sent last January will be supplied; and whether the other offers have been accepted or declined.

This machinery is of a type needed by Government Departments and research and educational establishments and until recently none has been available for other users. One machine has already been sold to Messrs. Bell Brothers and they will be invited to tender for the remainder which are being offered for sale immediately.

asked the Minister of Supply when the application by Messrs. Richard Klinger, Klingerit Works, Sidcup, for a revision of their solid fuel quota will be dealt with.

This application has been dealt with by the regional fuel committee and the firm have been notified of an increase in their coal allocation.

asked the Minister of Supply why practically all surplus Government stocks go to the large multiple shops and none to the small trader.

No preference is given in the disposal of surplus stores. All sales are competitive, except where certain types of goods are disposed of through normal trade channels under agreed schemes.

asked the Minister of Supply what mining machinery, and in what quantities, is being produced in royal ordnance factories; and whether he will consult with the Minister of Fuel and Power to ensure the fullest use of royal ordnance factories for this purpose.

The royal ordnance factories have orders for over 20,000 components, a large proportion of which has already been produced. I have been in constant touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power to ensure that full advantage should be taken of suitable capacity in the royal ordnance factories.

asked the Minister of Supply what degree of priority is to be given to the supply of steel plates for coal-oil conversion schemes; and whether the instructions he has given to steel makers to give such priority have any statutory authority.

Coal-oil conversion is one of the schemes which receive the highest priority. It has not been necessary to invoke statutory powers in issuing instruction to the steel industry, although such powers are available under the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the procedure whereby subsidies on iron ore freight charges are paid by his Department; whether such payments are made to the producers, the shipping companies, or to the railway companies; and what is the approximate subsidy per ton of iron ore which this payment represents.

The freight subsidy, which represents the difference between current freight rates and prewar rates, plus 50 per cent., is paid by the Ministry of Supply to ore importers and averages about 19s. per ton of ore imported.

asked the Minister of Works if he will now arrange for the Big Ben clock to be illuminated.

I understand that the lighting of the clock will be resumed tonight.

asked the Minister of Works if, in view of the recommendations of the White Paper on the Welsh Slate Industry, he is now in a position to give a decision as to the future of the Rhiwarth quarry, West Llangynog.

The Committee's report states that this quarry is not likely to re-open without financial assistance. The only Fund at my disposal is the Building Materials and Housing Fund and as at present advised I do not consider that I would be justified in using ft for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Works if he will institute an investigation into the costs of all materials used in the building industry and the profits made by the material merchants and builders.

It is already the practice to conduct investigations into the costs of the main building materials in connection with the operation of the Government price control. The whole question of distribution of the materials is at present being considered by a Committee of Inquiry under the Chairmanship of Lord Simon.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that builders are unable to obtain permits for plasterboard and are told they must use insulation board as a substitute but that builders' merchants are unable to supply insulation board, although they have supplies of plasterboard available; and if he will amend these regulations which are causing delays to building contracts.

Permits are issued up to the limited amount of plasterboard available and I am not aware that merchants have any surplus stock. In cases where permits for plasterboard cannot be issued, suggestions are made for the use of alternative materials including insulation board, which is in easier supply and for which permits can usually be obtained for essential work. The present arrangements are designed to ensure that limited supplies are used for the most urgent work and to avoid the delay that would otherwise arise in its progress. I should be glad to inquire into any specific instance that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind where the arrangements are not working satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Works why the windows in the Central Lobby have not been repaired in accordance with his promise nearly six months ago; and, since labour and materials have been made available to repair public—houses and beauty parlours, why they have not been supplied for repairing the Palace of Westminster.

The glass for the windows of the Central Lobby has to be specially made and the capacity for its production is extremely small. This difficulty does not arise in the other types of repair work to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Works what will be the greatest height of the proposed new Colonial Office on the site now occupied by the old Westminster Hospital, overlooking the Abbey; and what will be the height of the main wall head nearest to the Abbey.

The plans and dimensions of the new building have still to be considered. The height of the main wall-head nearest to the Abbey is restricted to 75 feet by the Westminster Hospital Act, 1913, and this provision is not varied by the Site Bill now before the House.

asked the Minister of Works what is the present output of building bricks in North Staffordshire; how this figure compares with 12 months ago; and whether all the brickyards are in production.

3,778,000 building bricks were produced in North Staffordshire in February of this year and 2,505,000 in the same month in 1946. Twenty-one out of a total of 31 brickworks are in production.

asked the Minister of Works why his Department has not provided the 50 temporary houses for the Chapel-en-le-Frith Rural District Council which it undertook on 14th November, 1945, to provide; what is the present position; and when the people of the district may expect to have the houses ready for occupation.

The Council asked my Department to undertake on their behalf the construction of roads and other site development works, and the necessary drawings and specifications were received during September and October, 1946. Bills of quantities have now been prepared and printed, and tenders will shortly be invited. It is too early yet to make any promise about the date for completion of the work.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will organise a mobile labour force for the erection of permanent houses in the mining areas.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for the Drake Division of Plymouth (Mr. Medland) on 3rd and 17th March as to the housing work on which the Mobile Labour Force is already employed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now made representations to the War Office with regard to the release for local housing of the hutments in Gunnersbury Park; with what result; and when he will inform the borough council of Brentford and Chiswick, and the other local authorities represented on the deputation with which he discussed this matter on 28th February, of the result.

Yes, Sir. My right hon, Friend the Secretary of State for War hopes to be able to make the hutments available temporarily for housing at the end of July. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the letter sent on 18th March to the Solicitor to the Gunnersbury Park joint Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the number of British officers of police in the service of Indian local governments; and whether he will ensure that when the Government of India is handed over these officers are given the opportunity to retire on full pension and with compensation for the termination of their engagements before the due date.

The total number of Europeans serving in the police forces in British India is approximately 750, of whom about 300 are officers of the Indian Police. Members of the Indian Police, as members of the Secretary of State's Services, when their appointments under the Secretary of State are terminated owing to the transfer of power will be eligible to retire on the pensions admissible under the rules applicable to them. As regards compensation, I must ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the statement on the subject which it is hoped to issue very shortly. As regards those police personnel who are appointed by and under the control of Provincial Governments, in the event of their appointments being terminated, it will be for the Provincial Governments to decide the terms of retirement to be granted to them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India when it is expected to revise the pensions of British officers of the Royal Indian Navy on the same terms as those given in Cmd. 6750.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is aware that a lieutenant-commander's pension after 22 years' service in the Royal Indian Navy is £270 10s., whereas in the equivalent rank in the Indian Army it is £475; that these discrepancies occur at all ranks; and, in view of the impending constitutional change in India, if he will reconsider the question of pensions and revise those pensions which are out of line with today's cost of living and which compare unfavourably with those of sister Services.

I am aware of the existing discrepancy between Royal Indian Navy pensions and those of the Indian Army. The question of applying the new 1945 British pension scales to the Royal Indian Navy as they have been applied to the Indian Army is under consideration by the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many charges have, since 1st January, 1946, been brought against Indian members of the Secretary of State's services in India arising out of the events of 1942; how many against British members of the same services since the same date; and if he will circulate a detailed statement showing the charges, the names of the officials concerned and the result of any trial held.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd March, 1947; Vol. 434, C. 15.], supplied the following information: There have been no trials or inquiries arising out of the events of 1942 since the 1st January, 1946

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma what is the strength of the Burma Army now; what is the target strength to be reached before a new Constitution comes into force; how many infantry battalions of the Burma Army are now in existence; and how many it is hoped to have at the time referred to.

The Burma Army at present contains II battalions, and in addition two battalions of the Burma Regiment. These two battalions are due for disbandment during 1947–48 and the future target strength at present under consideration is one of 11 battalions; but it is not expected that a final decision in regard to this target can be taken until after the elections.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma how many British battalions and how many Burma Army battalions, respectively, have been employed in offensive operations against dacoits since 1st October, 1946; and for what periods.

The number of battalions employed on offensive operations against dacoits in Burma since 1st October, 1946, is as follows:

(a) British—

1. during October and November, 1940;

2. during December, 1946, and January, 1947;

1. in February, 1947; and

2 since the beginning of March

(b) Burman—

1. continuously since November, 1946, and in addition portions of 10 other battalions have been used in various strengths up to two companies at various dates since October, 1946. On an average at any one time portions of at least two battalions have been and are engaged.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is aware that the Indian Army Order No. 12 of 1947 prevents the entry of Indians to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; that these terms also apply to the enlistment in the officer ranks of the R.A.F., and why this is so.

The Order in question does not alter the long-standing regulations regarding the nationality and descent of applicants for regular commissions in the British Army. Indians who intend taking commissions in the Indian Army attend their own military academy. Indians can enter the R.A.F. college at Cranwell without any restriction on grounds of descent if they are eligible in all other respects.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage increase in units of electricity sold in 1945–46 compared with 1938–39; what is the gap between available generating plant capacity and the demand for electric power; when it is intended that the gap shall be bridged; what kilowatt plant had been planned to come into use in 1946; and what was provided.

The increase in electricity units sold in 1945–46 as compared with 1938–39 is 50 per cent. The gap between available generating capacity and maximum demand for electric power is approximately two million kilowatts. As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Pollok (Commander Galbraith) on 29th January as at present estimated the gap will be bridged by 1950–51. The installed capacity of generating plant planned to come into use in 1946 was 990,000 kilowatts. The capacity actually brought into commission in that year including plant planned for earlier years was 305,000 kilowatts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the hardship caused to old people, asthmatical housewives with shopping bags and to tradesmen delivering heavy laundry baskets, crates of vegetables and other heavy packages to the upper floors of high blocks of flats, by the prohibition of the use of electric lifts during the restricted hours; and if he will authorise such persons to use passenger lifts at all times during the day at least to the upper floors of high residential buildings.

The, matter is under consideration and a further statement will be made at an early date.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will at once call together the competent authorities who proposed the Severn Barrage Hydroelectric scheme, and the civil engineers, with a directive to start the construction as soon as possible, to ask for anti-Nazi and anti-Fascist engineers to co-operate in carrying out the construction of the Severn Hydro-electric scheme, and to assist in the preparation of others, as part of our reparation payments.

No, Sir. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton) on 10th February, I am arranging for a tidal model of the Severn Barrage Scheme to be constructed as soon as facilities are available. This is a necessary preliminary to further consideration of the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the ss. "City of New York" which completed loading in the Royal Albert Dock, London, on 8th March, a quantity of imported new planed floor boarding was used for stowing purposes; whether it is a general practice to use such timber for stowing purposes; and if he will take steps to see that such use of timber, valuable for housing, is discontinued.

I am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. In the meantime perhaps he will be good enough to let me have any further information in his possession likely to assist my investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how often regional fuel allocation committees meet and whether such committees have power to take immediate decisions especially on the question of revising fuel allocations to individual industrial undertakings.

The regional fuel allocation committees meet as often as may be necessary and have power to take immediate decisions in the matters entrusted to them. In some regions, owing to the very heavy pressure of work, those committees have been meeting daily for several weeks. Under the present arrangements for the allocation of coal to industry, the general level of the basic coal allowance is determined by the Government centrally. In addition, a pool is available in each region for distribution by the fuel allocation committee, acting in accordance with broad guidance from headquarters on priorities, to supplement the basic allowance of firms engaged on specially important production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that collections of waste paper have fallen by half since 1942, despite the increased amount of paper in circulation, and that waste paper has now to be imported, what steps are being taken to reinvigorate the paper-salvage campaign.

I recently set up an interdepartmental committee to consider what steps could be taken to improve collections, not only of waste paper, but of kitchen waste and other materials, and I am expecting their report shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of gloves and mittens for trawler fishermen in Grimsby; and whether he will arrange fur an adequate supply to be sent there in view of the increased number of men now going to sea.

This matter was raised last summer, and special measures were taken to see that the necessary gloves were made available to fishermen. I was not aware that this arrangement had proved inadequate, but I will certainly look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether a revision of boot and shoe laces prices may shortly be expected, in view of the fact that the trade association notified him over six months ago that an increase in the controlled price to meet increases in cottor prices and wages was required

I expect to receive very shortly a recommendation on this matter from the Central Price Regulation Committee whose accountants have just completed a full cost investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what decision he has reached regarding the allocation of newsprint to national and provincial daily newspapers and to weekly newspapers, respectively; and whether this amounts to a discrimination against weeklies.

As from 17th March newspapers are divided broadly into two classes for purposes of paper rationing: (1) those selling at less than 2d. which are allowed up to five pages, except in the case of weeklies, which are allowed six pages; (2) those selling at 2d. or more, which are allowed eight pages. All newspapers (other than sporting papers) are allowed sufficient paper to cover all the copies they sell. On this basis weekly newspapers generally receive a higher proportion of their prewar consumption than the daily papers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the erection of factories for disabled ex-miners in South Wales; and what stage of construction has been been reached on each of the nine sites.

Good progress was maintained on the nine factories until the bad weather set in, when building operations were suspended for six or seven weeks. Work has now been resumed on all sites. The two factories at Llwynpia are the most advanced, having reached the roofing stage. Brickwork is well advanced at Ammanford, where steel erection is complete, and at Aberbargoed, steelwork is well in hand. Foundations are now complete at Ponthenry and one of the Ferndale factories. The remaining factory at Ferndale and those at Tumble and Garnant are not yet ready to take steel, but the foundations are nearing completion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many natives will have to be moved from their homes on account of the groundnut schemes in Tanganyika; and what are the terms of compensation.

The areas to be developed in Tanganyika have not yet been surveyed in sufficient detail to enable me to state the number of Africans likely to have to be moved from their homes, but the number will be small. The terms of compensation will be settled by officers of the Tanganyika Government in accordance with local practice, and the circumstances of each case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who controls the Magadi soda deposits in Kenya; what is the present annual output; and, with a view to relieving the shortage of sodium carbonate in this country, whether this production can be increased.

The Magadi soda deposits are worked by the Magadi Soda Company Limited, a subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Industries Limited, under lease from the Kenya Government, The present annual output is between 70,000 and 80,000 tons; and I understand that the Company is doing its best by the renewal of plant to increase production to a maximum of 90,000 to 100,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the need for the workers to play the leading part in carrying through the Government's economic plan, the establishment of joint production machinery in national, regional, local and factory levels in all industries will now be made obligatory on all employers.

No, Sir. Joint production machinery at any level depends for its success on the voluntary support and adherence of both employers and work-people. It is much to be hoped that, in the light of the facts as disclosed by the recent White Papers, both employers and workpeople will realise the advantages to be derived from machinery of this kind. The National Joint Advisory Council is at present considering the whole subject.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of men and women in the city of Worcester who were registered as unemployed at the end of February, 1947, or on the latest convenient date.

The numbers of unemployed insured men and women aged 18 and over on the register of Worcester Employment Exchange at 26th February were 392 and 202 respectively.