asked the Minister of Education if he will consult the appropriate Department with a view to reducing the paper allowances for non-essential publications displayed on bookstalls and increasing the amount available for the publication of text-books for educational purposes.

No separate quota for educational text-books exists. But my right hon. Friend the Minister is in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to see what can be done to improve the supply of such books.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that Flight-Lieutenant Roger Hoggarth, of the C.E. school, Market Rasen, has been asked to pay £48 9s. 10d. superannuation contributions, from April, 1942, to January, 1946, by the local education authority from a salary which he never received; and if he will prevent this injustice to an aircrew volunteer.

As Flight-Lieutenant Hoggarth's war service pay was equal to or exceeded his salary as a teacher he can preserve his pension rights for his period of war service only by paying the contributions required by the Teachers (Superannuation) Acts. My Department, not the local education authority, asked him for the arrears and has offered to accept payment by instalments. There is no compulsion on Flight-Lieutenant Hoggarth to pay, but, if he does not, his period of war service will not count towards his pension.

asked the Minister of Education how many of the ex-Servicemen accepted as suitable for training as teachers are now awaiting entry to an emergency training college; and how many of these have been waiting for a period of six months or more.

On 20th March about 15,000 Servicemen selected for training had been released from the Forces and were awaiting allocation to colleges. About 10,000 of these had been waiting six months or more from the date of their release.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in order to encourage students to spend their summer vacation helping the national effort to recovery, he will waive the condition that any improvement in the financial situation of ex-Servicemen students who are recipients of further educational and training grants must be reported to his Department and that an adjustment of the grant will follow in consequence.

It will not be possible to dispense altogether with the statement of improved financial circumstances which is at present required from students; but the question of earned income is under active consideration by the Departments concerned and I hope that an announcement will be possible after Easter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of camera films and plates are now available to the public or are sold for export compared to 1939; and when he expects an increased supply to be available to home users.

No separate figures for films and plates are available but, of the total supplies of sensitised photographic materials other than to Government order, some 35 per cent. in value at prewar prices were exported last year as compared with 12 per cent. in 1939. Production now is just under half of what it was before the war but there is an increased demand for industrial and medical purposes. I hope that supplies for the private user will progressively improve.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated loss of pairs of silk stockings of all makes as a result of two weeks closing down of the hosiery trade.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers to losses caused by the cutting off of electricity supplies on 10th February which lasted for two weeks in the Midlands and for three weeks in other areas. The loss of output of pure silk stockings due to this cause is estimated at about 16,000 dozen pairs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Belgian basketware is being imported into this country at prices with which British manufacturers cannot compete; and if any steps are being taken to assist British basket manufacturers.

I am aware that basket-ware is being imported from Belgium but I have no evidence as to the prices of these imports compared with home-produced baskets.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the work of the Council of Industrial Design is being extended; and what is the number of staff employed by the council in 1945 and 1946, respectively.

During 1946 a large part of the work done by the Council of Industrial Design was connected with the organisation of the "Britain Can Make It" Exhibition. Since the beginning of this year, there has been a steady development of the council's work in fulfilment of the other main functions assigned to it on its formation. Excluding staff engaged temporarily for work on the Exhibition, the council employed on 31st December, 1945, and 31st December, 1946, staffs of 67 and 89, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of rubber tyres, suitable for use on agricultural tractors, are allocated for use on newly-manufactured vehicles and as replacements on existing vehicles.

Of the tractor tyres manufactured in 1946, 49 per cent. were allocated for use on newly-manufactured vehicles and 47 per cent. for home replacement needs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of tractors, suitable for agricultural use, and of rubber tyres appropriate to those tractors are allocated for export and for home consumption, respectively.

As a result of arrangements that have just been made to meet present emergency conditions in this country, exports of agricultural farm tractors during the next few weeks will not exceed 15 per cent. of output as compared with about 33⅓ per cent. previously. The tyres for these tractors will be drawn from the allocation made to new equipment which represents about 50 per cent. of total production of tyres for agricultural tractors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of new factories and other industrial installations established in the county of Caernarvon between 1st September, 1939, and 1st March, 1947; and what were the respective numbers of males and females employed therein on 31st December, 1945, 31st December, 1946, and 1st March, 1947, respectively.

The total number of new industrial undertakings established in the county of Caernarvon between 1st September, 1939, and 1st March, 1947, is nine, of which two are in new factory premises erected during the period. The remaining seven have established themselves in existing premises. In addition, there are 17 new industrial undertakings in process of being established in the county of Caernarvon. Information in regard to the employment provided by these undertakings on the dates specified by the hon. Member is not immediately available, but I will write to him as soon as it has been obtained.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the offer for sale, coupon free, of new boots, officers, at 65s. per pair, to the general public; and how such quality boots are available coupon free.

I am aware that a small quantity of officers' Service boots is being offered for sale, coupon free. To facilitate the rapid disposal of surplus goods, it was decided, as announced in the House on 10th July last, that Government surplus clothing bearing identifying marks should be sold free of coupons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what conditions must be satisfied before wholesalers may be members of the Surplus Textiles Corporation, Limited; and what arrangements are made to ensure a fair distribution to retailers.

The Articles of Association provide that wholesalers may be admitted by the Council of the Corporation if they had a turnover of at least £25,000 in the wholesale distribution of textiles and clothing in the last financial year before the war, if they have been continuously engaged in this trade since and carry stocks which are substantial in relation to turnover, and if they maintain a regular organisation for selling to the retail trade. Further, not more than 25 per cent. of the capital of the company must be held outside the British Empire. In addition, any person or company must be admitted at the request of the Board of Trade. The Corporation has instructions to see that its members distribute goods fairly to their customers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a doctor applying for a vacuum flask for a patient and being required to furnish four different certificates, which caused so long a delay that the patient was forced to obtain a flask from an agricultural worker; and, in view of this, if he will issue a further instruction to ensure that permits are issued immediately to all applicants furnishing a medical certificate.

Yes, Sir. My preliminary inquiries indicate that this case arose during the time when vacuum flasks were in the shortest supply, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to him on 26th February last. I will write to the hon. Member fully in a few days when my inquiries will have been completed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many looms have been stopped from making agricultural corduroy in order that they may be used to make utility cloth.

No looms are stopped for making corduroys suitable for agricultural use in order to make types of utility cloth not suitable for such use. Much utility corduroy is suitable for this purpose and production of these qualities is maintained at the highest possible level. Whenever practicable, additional production of non-utility heavy-weight corduroy is arranged.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the 26 additional clothing coupons granted to ex-Servicemen will be available for Group 25.

I cannot yet say when the issue will be made. It must necessarily be delayed as a result of the reduction in the output of clothing caused by the fuel shortage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered a petition to the hon. Member for Canterbury, of which a copy has been sent to him, signed by 58 expectant mothers and drawing attention to their inability to purchase supplies of baby wool in the town; and if he will take action to relieve this shortage.

Supplies of baby wool are short generally due to shortage of labour and fuel in the wool industry, but I am not aware that the Whitstable and Canterbury district is less well supplied than other areas. In view, however, of the petition sent to me by the hon. Member, I am asking my regional distribution officer to make inquiries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why dockets are provided to hoteliers for the purchase of Dutch imported furniture and not to individuals; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to give priority to hoteliers over private persons for the purchase of imported furniture.

No dockets are required for this furniture either by hoteliers or private individuals. The Dutch furniture was imported specifically for the rehabilitation of war damaged and requisitioned hotels, and those quantities, which are not now required by hotels, are being made available to the public without restriction so long as supplies last. As has been announced, it is the Government's policy to give what assistance is possible to enable hotels to provide accommodation for home holiday makers and overseas visitors. This necessarily involves a measure of priority, which may be for either imported or home produced goods, depending on considerations of supply and suitability.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why allocations of Dutch imported furniture are limited to the undertakings which will take a minimum of 10 suites, since such a restriction makes it impossible for small firms to apply for an allocation.

Dutch furniture is imported not by the Board of Trade, but by the Furniture (Emergency) Import Association who are responsible also for its initial distribution. I understand, however, that a proportion of the furniture is allocated by the Association to wholesalers, from whom it is possible for small firms to acquire less than 10 suites in accordance with normal trade practice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value and volume of Dutch furniture imported into the United Kingdom during 1946; and whether the value of such imports is included within the original limit of £5,000,000, set for imports of furniture.

During 1946, 900 Dutch bedroom suites were imported to a c.i.f. value of £33,570. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Dumfries (Mr. N. Macpherson) on 4th December. The value of the Dutch furniture is included in the figure of £1,000,000 authorised for expenditure on furniture suitable for the rehabilitation of hotels.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make trusses coupon free and thus remove the discrimination between wearers of trusses and of elastic stockings.

Trusses made to conform with certain standard specifications are coupon-free. Persons who are compelled to wear any other sort of truss may apply for a supplementary issue of coupons.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the average price for lumber paid by the British Government Commission headed by Sir Archibald Harris, in Canada, compared with the ceiling price fixed by the Canadian Government for sales within that country.

I have been asked to reply. The basis price paid in Canada by the British Timber Mission headed by Sir Archibald Harris was approximately £32 10s. 0d. per standard for merchantable lumber. This price, though well below the level of prices paid for Canadian lumber in other overseas markets, is considerably in excess of ceiling prices fixed by the Canadian Government for sales within that country. No accurate information on these latter prices is, however, available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many applications have been received by his Department from persons wishing to take up hand-loom weaving; and how many of these have been granted.

One hundred and twelve applications were received during the 12 months ended 28th February, 1947, from persons wishing to take up hand-loom weaving, and the necessary authority was issued in 60 cases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the need for further electricity, the potential energy obtainable from water supply in the Welsh hills has been considered; and whether he will further investigate this source.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes, Sir."

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total value of local authority electrical undertakings in Scotland; and the total amount of debt thereon.

No information is readily available on the total value of local authority electricity undertakings in Scotland. The loans outstanding (less the balance on sinking funds) for the local authority electricity undertakers in Scotland amount to approximately £9,500,000 at the end of the year 1944–45, which is the latest date for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proportion of Power produced in Scotland by water is consumed in Scotland; and what amount is exported.

In 1946 twenty-five per cent. of all the electricity generated by authorised undertakings in Scotland was generated by water power, and 1.2 per cent. of all the electricity generated was exported to England.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will increase the basic petrol ration for the summer months.

I regret that in present circumstances this will not be possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many men he estimates have been taken off productive work in industry to become full-time fuel watchers in factories to carry out the duties recommended by his Department.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give the percentage of dirt weighed and raised in the mines in the years 1938 and 1946, respectively, for comparison.

Saleable coal was 3.25 per cent. below the quantity of coal raised and weighed in 1938 and 6.23 per cent. below in 1946.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the quantity of briquettes made in Scotland; and what steps have been taken to increase production.

The quantities of briquettes made in Scotland in 1946 was 118,000 tons. Most of the briquettes manufacturing capacity in Scotland has now vested in the National Coal Board who have informed us that their future production policy is at present under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will instruct the Cost-of-Living Advisory Committee to weight the new index in favour of the basic necessities of the poorest paid workers rather than the luxuries of the higher paid workers, seeing that wage levels will continue to be affected by the cost-of-living index.

No, Sir. The new Interim index will be designed to show future changes in the level of retail prices weighted according to the prewar pattern of consumption, disclosed by the 1937–38 family budget inquiry. This inquiry related to the expenditure of working-class households.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will now widen the regulations and expedite the arrangements for ex-Italian prisoners of war who wish to return to this country to work on farms and to marry English girls who would otherwise go to Italy to be married.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Stafford (Mr. Swingler) on 10th February, and to the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. W. Shepherd) on 4th March, copies of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the position of dock labour on the Clyde in view of the present strike position.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the unemployment figures for the North-Western Region of England for the weeks ending 16th and 22nd February, and 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th March, respectively.

The table below shows the numbers of insured persons registered as unemployed in the North-Western Region at each date in February and March for which figures are available, together with the estimated numbers who were stood off from employment but were not claiming unemployment benefit.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will include in the unemployment statistics figures of underemployment caused by part-time working in industry resulting from the coal shortage.

The employment returns rendered by manufacturing employers for the end of March include information about the numbers stood oft or on short time from all causes, but without distinguishing separately the part due to coal shortage. I propose to include information on this subject in the statement on employment' and unemployment to be issued next month.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed in the Clyde district.

At 10th March, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 37,201 unemployed insured persons on the registers of employment exchanges in the Clyde area.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will provide in his regulations for release that selected university students in the three groups higher than those due for release in October, 1947, may be released in or before October, so that they may join the universities at the beginning of the university year.

No, Sir. Any such arrangements would endanger the age and service scheme, because a great many other men could claim similar treatment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) how many ex-Servicemen of the 2 1914–18 war were engaged as temporary civil servants during the course of the last war; and on what grounds the preference in retention given to such ex-Servicemen prior to 1939 has been continued for those recruited since 1939;(2) how many temporary civil servants have received discharge notices; how many of these are ex-Servicemen of the last war; and how many are ex-Servicemen of the 1914–18 war.

A pledge was given after the 1914–18 war that ex-Servicemen of that war should have preference in retention in temporary Government employment. The pledge, therefore, is of long standing and has never been discontinued. I regret that no information is available centrally on the other points in my hon. Friend's Questions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Government Departments in Blackpool are serving members of their clerical staff with notices terminating their employment on the grounds that they are inefficient, whereas the real reason is that they are redundant; and if he will issue an order that this unjust stigmatisation ceases forthwith.

The National Whitley Agreement governing discharge of redundant clerks lays it down that those below standard in efficiency shall be discharged first. This rule governs the first selection of staff for discharge, but notices specify that discharge is on grounds of redundancy. One Department in Blackpool which has redundant staff is proceeding accordingly. But another Department, where there is no redundancy, has notified certain members of the staff that they are regarded as inefficient and, subject to appeal, may be discharged on that ground.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what claims for revised scales of pay submitted by civil servants' organisations are outstanding; what were the dates of lodging these claims; and what progress has been made in the negotiations.

, pursuant to his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 12th March, Vol. 434, c. 215], supplied the following particulars:As the information has now been collected, but is too voluminous to print in the OFFICIAL REPORT, I am sending a copy to the hon. Member and am placing another copy in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered conscientious objectors who are at present subject to direction orders; and of this number how many are at present, respectively, in non-combatant units, on essential work and on non-essential work or serving prison sentences.

I am having the available information extracted and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total imports of raw materials, other than food, came from dollar countries in 1946; what is the percentage to which he is working for 1947; and what is the volume and cost in dollars of these proportions.

I have been asked to reply. Twenty per cent. of our raw material imports in 1946 came from U.S.A. and Canada at a cost of 275 million dollars. The proportion in 1947 will be higher, and the cost may be around 500 million dollars.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the value of national property, including R.N., Army, R.A.F., G.P.O., lands and buildings, coalmines, electricity, transport, etc., and local government property, lands and buildings, public utilities, undertakings, etc.

I fear that enormous labour, which I am not prepared to have undertaken, would be involved in any attempt to compile an estimate such as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on the conclusion of a monetary agreement between this country and Spain.

A Monetary Agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Spanish Government was signed on 28th March. The existing Anglo-Spanish Clearing Agreement of 18th March, 1940, is now abrogated. The new Agreement provides a more flexible mechanism and will assist us to pay for essential imports of foodstuffs and raw materials from Spain. The text of the Agreement is being presented to Parliament and copies will be available in the Vote Office today.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much the Central Office of Information or other Departments concerned spent in 1946 on the production and display of posters; and whether he will divide the total to show, respectively, the amount spent on the campaigns to increase production and to restrict present-day private expenditure.

, pursuant to his answer [OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th March, 1947; Vol. 435, c. 172], supplied the following particulars:The amount spent on poster advertising in 1946 was £582,965. This covers all campaigns. Campaigns expressly to increase production cost £52,000. The National Savings Campaign (the only one solely devoted to restricting private expenditure) cost £112,075.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Herr Bruno Decarli, about whom information was sent to him on 11th July, 1946, has not yet been permitted to join his relatives in this country.

On the information given about this case it does not appear that this man is within the categories of persons covered by the Distressed Relatives Scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has called upon Dr. Sochy, a Stateless refugee resident in this country since 1938, whose name is on the Ministry of Labour's Central Register of Aliens with special qualifications and who was certified as a refugee from Nazi oppression, together with his wife, his child and his aged refugee mother, to leave this country by 25th April.

This man came to this country in 1938 as a business visitor, but was allowed to remain as a refugee pending the completion of his arrangements for emigration. The conditions on which he and his wife and his mother were last given leave to land have been varied from time to time and at present expire on 25th April. He has, however, recently informed me that they hope to emigrate by the end of this year, and their landing conditions will be varied to enable them to remain until then.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Atom Research Station at Didcot is registered under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, for experiments on living animals; if so, whether he will give the names of the experimenters who hold a licence to perform experiments there; how many experiments were performed there last year with and without anaesthetics and on what animals.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." The other parts of the Question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to institute an inquiry into the conditions obtaining at the Standon Farm school before the crime of 15th February was committed.

I would refer to the reply which I gave today to a Question by my hon. and learned Friend the Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Hector Hughes).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of persons tried at Assizes, the number found guilty and the number acquitted for the following offences: unnatural offences, attempted indecency with males, rape, indecent assaults on females and on girls under 16 years of age, together with the sentences imposed, for the years 1925, 1935 and 1945; and the like information in respect of adults, adolescents and boys tried in courts of summary jurisdiction.

As the figures are very voluminous, I am sending my hon. Friend the information for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Health if it is his intention to adhere to the target figure of 240,000 new permanent houses to be built during 1947; and if this target figure is in accordance with the number of houses allocated to local authorities in the country.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 13th March to my hon. Friend the Member for Acton (Mr. Sparks), of which I am sending him a copy. The programmes of local authorities are being based on the figure of 240,000 houses, which, however, is in no sense a target.

asked the Minister of Health the housing programme for Newark Borough and the rural districts of Bingham, Southwell and Newark for 1947 as now amended by his Department; and in what respect the new targets differ from those of the local authorities concerned.

I hope to publish the programmes for each local authority with the housing return for the month of March.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases have been dealt with by the Furnished Houses Rent Tribunals during 1946; and in how many of such cases was the rent reduced or increased.

The number of cases referred was 4,819, of which 986 were withdrawn or found incompetent and 1,588 were pending at the end of the year. Decisions were reached in the remaining 2,245, reductions in rent being made in 1,793 and increases in nine.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of furnished lettings, as at the last convenient date, have been referred, under the provisions of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, to the various tribunals, respectively, by the local authorities and by private individuals; and in how many cases have each of them, respectively, reduced the rents payable by the tenants and by what approximate percentage.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a statement showing the position on 28th February.

asked the Minister of Health if, when making the extra allocation of temporary houses to mining areas, he will give special consideration to such areas suffering from mining subsidence, in view of the fact that many houses are constantly being rendered unfit for habitation.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Piratin) and my hon. Friend the Member for Neath (Mr. D. Williams) on 27th March. If the areas my hon. Friend has in mind are included in those selected by the National Coal Board as of special need they will receive special consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider giving some preference in housebuilding to the St. Austell area in view of the shortage of workers in the china clay industry as this industry is now the largest raw material exporting industry in this country.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 27th March, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that local building labour will not be used for the erection of the 288 permanent prefabricated houses on Blandford military camp and that this project will not conflict with the Blandford civilian building programme, since there are still 450 unsatisfied applicants for houses in the surrounding district.

The question of building houses on Blandford military camp is still under consideration. Due regard will be had to the points to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Health if he will send an inspector from his Department to view 7, and 8, Market Square, Bicester, where several families have been crowded into one house of 10 rooms with only one inside lavatory and wash in a room which serves as kitchen, dining-room and sometimes bedroom, where the only standpipe is on a landing and has no basin or wastepipe underneath it; and if he will ensure that these conditions are improved.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Health upon what basis housing allocations are being made within a zone; and how far these have regard to need, existing commitments, available labour, the achievement of equity in 1947 or 1948, available material or the desirability of giving preference in house building to areas where there is a shortage of labour in essential industry.

I would refer my hon. Friend to paragraphs. 22 and 23 of the White Paper on the "Housing Programme for 1947" and to the Circular on the subject issued to local authorities, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Works what is the cost of the temporary houses which at present are being erected by his Department for the Harrow Urban District Council.

The cost is estimated at about £115,200 for 96 houses. This excludes the cost of land and of site development work for which the local authority is responsible.

asked the Minister of Health if the embargo on the publication of local population statistics still exists; and if he will arrange, in the future, for the regular publication of local population statistics, based on national registration figures.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "No, Sir." Estimates of local civilian populations in England and Wales, based on national registration records, are published by the Registrar-General, in respect of all local authority areas, in his Annual Statistical Review and, in respect of administrative counties with associated county boroughs, 126 great towns and 148 smaller towns, in his Quarterly Return.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the widespread complaints from Oxford residents it; the vicinity of the Oxford electricity works, protesting against the smoke, fumes and grit from the chimneys of the works; whether he will make a statement; and what steps he proposes to take in consultation with other Ministries.

Yes, Sir, and I am in touch with the Electricity Commissioners and the Minister of Fuel and Power. The trouble is due to over-loading of boilers, lack of the most suitable grades of coal and an insufficiently high chimney. Every effort will be made to see whether any improvements are possible, but it is unlikely that more than limited improvements will be practicable at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health how many specialists, general practitioners and dental surgeons he estimates will be required to implement the National Health Service Act, 1946, to provide a 24-hour medical service, domiciliary attendance by specialists, augmented staffs for the general and specialist hospitals and other fresh commitments.

I regret that I am unable at this stage to make such an estimate.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some doctors issuing certificates to patients requiring priority milk are charging fees for such certificates; and what action he will take.

There is nothing at present to prevent the charging of fees for these certificates. The legal position is, however, altered by the National Health Service Act and the precise arrangements to be made in the new service are now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the administration of the Portwey Hospital, Weymouth, where an inquiry by an official investigating committee revealed that the cost from 1st April to 31st December, 1946, per patient per week was £17 6s. 3d.; that the hospital with 150 beds contained over the period surveyed an average of 38 patients at a time; that the medical superintendent with 38 patients had three full-time clerks, the matron had an assistant matron, housekeeper and clerk and the steward had three clerks; and what action he is prepared to take in the matter.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will instruct local authorities to grant licences for alterations to existing buildings and houses, and supplementary licences for proposed houses and houses in the course of erection, to cover such work as may be necessary to improve the insulation of houses and to save fuel, as recommended by the Egerton Report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

Where the local authority decide that a licence can properly be issued, having regard to the available labour and materials, there is nothing to prevent this work being carried out.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he will send an inspector to view Rutland House and Oxford House, Bicester, both of which are requisitioned and empty: and why several families living in overcrowded conditions cannot be put into them;(2) if he will send an inspector to view the Garth, Bicester; how many families could be housed there; why it is only occupied by the borough surveyor; what is the total number of rooms; and how many of these are occupied.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to be in a position to announce when the restriction on street lighting will be discontinued.

My right hon. Friend is not able at present to say when the restrictions on street lighting can be discontinued, but hopes shortly to be in a position to give further guidance to lighting authorities on this matter. In the meantime my right hon. Friend looks to authorities throughout the country to co-operate with the Government by observing the principles which he has indicated should be followed for the time being.

asked the Minister of Transport how many new applications have been made over the past six months for C licences; the number of vehicles involved; and how many were granted.

, pursuant to his reply [OFFICIL REPORT, 10th March, 1947; Vol. 434, c. 133], supplied the following statement:In the six months ended 28th February, 1947, new applications over the whole country were received for 52,111 "C" carrier's licences or defence permits, and for additions to existing "C" licences or defence permits, involving in all 65,123 vehicles. Of these, grants were made in respect of 64,680 vehicles. Two hundred and twenty-six applications involving 443 vehicles were outstanding at that date but have since been granted.The apparent difference between the number of applications and the number of vehicles is due to the fact that although several vehicles may be included in one. application form, a separate defence permit is issued for each vehicle.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps with the railway executive to have the dirty condition of passenger carriages on main line trains, particularly the G.W.R. trains from Plymouth to London, remedied.

The companies are doing their best to restore prewar standards of cleanliness on all routes but are handicapped by shortage of rolling stock, which reduces the time available for cleaning, and shortage of staff.

asked the Minister of Defence the names of the outside experts and representatives of employers and workers appointed to the manpower inquiry committees of the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry, respectively; and the number of Departmental representatives on each committee.

The Air Ministry Committee consists of two outside members, a representative of the Ministry of Labour and five Air Ministry representatives, in addition to the chairman, who is Air Marshal Sir Norman Bottomley. The outside members are Mr. A. A. M. Durrant, C.B.E., Chief Mechanical Engineer of the L.P.T.B. Road Service, and Mr. E. W. Bussey, C.B.E., nominated by the T.U.C. One of the Air Ministry members is a civilian scientific expert with experience in applying operational research to problems of organisation and manning. As I informed hon. Members during the Defence Debate on 20th March, I have invited my right hon. Friends the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War to set up corresponding Committees. This is now being done, but I am not yet able to announce the exact composition or the names of the outside members.

asked tile Secretary of State for Scotland the names of the members of the committee he has appointed to inquire into the threat to shopkeepers in Glasgow and other parts of Scotland of greatly increased rents, or eviction from their premises if they refuse to purchase them; and, in view of the urgency of steps being taken to prevent the evictions before the May term, when the committee is likely to hold its first meeting.

The Chairman of the Committee is Professor T. M. Taylor, C.B.E., K.D., Sheriff of Renfrew and Argyll, and I will circulate the names of the Committee in the OFFCIAL REPORT. The letters of appointment were issued on 29th March and I understand that consultations are now proceeding with a view to an early meeting of the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce the names of the chairman and the members of the committee of inquiry to investigate the tenure of shop premises.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bridgeton (Mr. Carmichael) today.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any estimate has been made by the Forestry Commissioners of the amount of sawn scrap timber left over from forestry operations in Scotland; and if any steps are being taken to have this sawn and transported for fuel purposes.

The operation of sawmills is now, generally speaking, in the hands of private enterprise and the Forestry Commissioners have no means of making a precise estimate of sawn scrap timber. The utilisation of waste wood as fuel is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, who informs me that all practicable steps will continue to be taken to secure the fullest use of all suitable material for fuel purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 14574803 Rifleman Pentland, 2nd K.R.R.C., M.E.L.F., whose compassionate home posting was granted in his Department's letter dated 14th February, 1947, and regarding whose non-arrival in the United Kingdom the hon. Member for Central Newcastle made inquiries on 11th and 25th March, 1947, has not yet arrived in the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement on the delay in the home posting of this soldier.

I regret the delay in the return of this soldier and have taken steps to expedite it. I hope to let my hon. Friend know very shortly when he may be expected to arrive.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 6200912 Warrant Officer, Second Class, E. G. Pountney, Middlesex Regiment, whose war substantive rank is warrant officer, second class, regarding which case the hon. Member for Central Newcastle wrote to him on 25th March, 1947, has been refused reinstatement in his former war substantive rank although he is anxious to rejoin the Army on the long service Regular re-engagement.

Mr. Pountney was informed last July that he could be accepted for a three years' engagement in his war substantive rank of Warrant Officer Class II. He did not, however, apply for enlistment until six months later, when no vacancy for him in that rank any longer existed. He was, therefore, informed that he could be accepted as a war substantive sergeant.

asked the Secretary of State for War why instructions have been issued to Middle East Command that married officers, whose wives are in the Command, may only take L.I.A.P. within the Command; and for what reason such officers are forbidden to take their leave in England even if they pay their own passages.

The object of L.I.A.P. is to enable officers and men serving overseas to have a break with their families at home, during their overseas tour of duty. Where the family is resident with the husband the necessity for leave to the United Kingdom disappears. It has, therefore, been ruled that no one whose wife is living in his overseas command will be eligible for United Kingdom leave at public expense. Equivalent leave may be taken locally, and free travel is authorised within the local leave entitlement. There is no objection to an officer who has his family living with him, taking L.I.A.P. to the United Kingdom, providing he makes his own passage arrangements through normal civilian channels and travels at his own risk and expense Military transport may not be used for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department have the obligations of a repairing lease lessee as regards matters such as necessary outside painting and repairs to pipes damaged by frost.

In the case of property held on requisition under Defence Regulations, there is neither a covenant by the Department nor a Statutory obligation to do any work of maintenance. The obligations are to pay compensation under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, which, by Section 2 (1) (b) of the Act, is limited to a sum equal to the cost of making good any damage which may have occurred during the period for which possession is retained, no account being taken of fair wear and tear

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the current periods of primary training and of subsequent corps training for R.A., R.E., Royal Signals, Infantry, R.A.C., R.A.S.C., R.A.M.C., R.A.O.C. and R.E.M.E.

The period of primary training for all arms is six weeks. The time spent on corps training varies greatly, not only by arms, but also by trades, of which there are a very large number. As an example, corps training in the infantry takes To weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the high percentage of losses and thefts of parcels sent home by members of the Forces from France and elsewhere on the Continent; whether, in view of this, he is prepared to relax the regulation which does not allow the registration of parcels weighing more than 4½ lb. and whether, to avoid pilfering, he will arrange that duty-free labels and declarations of contents of parcels shall be placed inside instead of on the wrapper.

I am not aware of any widespread loss of parcels posted by the Forces in Europe which would justify the introduction of additional registered parcel facilities. The purpose of duty-free and declaration of contents labels is to facilitate clearance through Customs, and this object would not be attained if the labels were placed inside the parcels.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for a stone from the destroyed House of Commons to be presented, with a suitable inscription, to each Legislative Assembly or Council in the Dominions and Colonies.

I shall be glad to consider this interesting suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Poles who have declined to join the Resettlement Corps have been sent to Germany to fend for themselves; how many more Poles it is proposed to send; and whether His Majesty's Government will reconsider this policy, as there is evidence that there are many Poles to whom the intention of the corps has not been clear from the wording of the attestation form

Sixty-tour nave been sent to Germany How many more will ultimately be sent depends on the Poles. There should be no doubt in the Poles' minds about terms of service in the Resettlement Corps.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) when Mrs. Fanny Barnes, 1 Grantham Road, Chiswick, W.4, will receive the old age pension to which she is now entitled, in view of the fact that an application on her behalf was made to his Department, Ministry No. 23476688, in October;(2) whether he has now received the necessary particulars of Mrs. Elizabeth E. Merritt, registered No. 47564580, 36 Brook Road, Brentford, forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick and when Mrs. Merritt may expect to receive her increased old age pension in view of the fact that he first applied last summer.

Inquiries into these cases are in hand and I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when the hon. Member for Canterbury may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 5th February regarding the outstanding pension claims of Mrs. E. R. Debney, pension book No. 03564156 and Mr. R. F. Balls, pension hook No. 01474524.

The hon. Member will be glad to learn that both cases have been settled and that I am writing to him today.

asked the Minister of Works who is the plasterboard allocation officer responsible for distribution in the county of Cornwall; what are his functions; and under whose authority he works.

There is no plasterboard allocation officer for Cornwall. Any difficulty in obtaining plasterboard for priority orders should be reported to my Regional Materials Officer at 23, Richmond Hill, Clifton, Bristol, 8.

asked the Minister of Works why electrical accessories are available in chain stores and yet cannot he supplied for Scottish housing schemes.

Many of the accessories on sale in retail shops are below the standards approved for the housing programme. Arrangements have been made for the supply of electrical accessories for priority work through normal trade channels, and if my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular difficulties in Scotland I shall be glad to inquire into them.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now state the composition of the Advisory Subcommittee for Wales set up under the Hill Farming Act, 1946.

Yes, Sir. I have appointed the following to constitute the Advisory Sub-Committee for Wales:

• Mr. Harry Lewis (Chairman).
• Mr. J. V. Allen, J.P.
• Captain G. L. Bennett Evans.
• Mr. F. LI. Griffith.
• Mr. Edward Jones.
• Mr. Morgan Jones.
• Mr. David Lewis, M.B.E.
• Mr. G. G Muir.
• Professor J. E. Nicholls, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S.E.
• Mr. Robert Richards, M.P.
• Colonel J C. Wynne Finch, M.C.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the regulations concerning schemes for improvement under the Hill Farming Act are going to be published.

A leaflet explaining the conditions under which grants may be made under the Hill Farming Act towards the cost of carrying out improve- ments to hill farms and the procedure to be followed in submitting improvement schemes is now possible to issue it within the next two or three weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes retaining the W.L.A. as now organised until at least the end of 1948.

The future of the Women's Land Army is now under consideration, and I hope to be able to make a statement shortly. Meanwhile, my expectation is that the present organisation will be kept in being until after the 1948 harvest.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent materials including civilian type motor cars, C.A.V. electrical equipment, tarpaulins and waterproof sheets, paid for out of Treasury funds, have been destroyed at breakdown depots, in particular at Depot No. 54, Sheffield, without having been offered for sale; what is the estimated total value of these articles at current prices; whether any order to destroy such goods is still operative; and if he will hold a public inquiry forthwith into the disposal of all stores at breakdown depôts over the past two years.

Standing instructions to all breakdown depots provide that no materials should be destroyed if they are of value for civilian or Government purposes, and so far as I am aware these instructions have been carried out. I do not consider there are any grounds for a public inquiry.

asked the Minister of Supply why he objects to the export of corrugated iron sheets to dollar currency countries.

My Department has been obliged to restrict all overseas sales of these sheets in order to maintain supplies for essential home needs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in how many cases during 1946 His Majesty's Consulates in America have refused visas to American subjects desirous of coming to the United Kingdom; and for what reasons such refusals have been made, in view of the necessity of encouraging visitors, particularly from hard currency areas.

62,803 persons were granted visas in the U.S.A. during 1946 for travel to the United Kingdom. 423 United States citizens were refused visas for travel to the United Kingdom during this period. Most of these refusals were in the earlier part of the year, when there still were restrictions on travel to the United Kingdom. Since the removal of the restrictions, the monthly refusals have dropped to an average of 26, the majority being based on grounds personal to the individual, including in some cases inability to maintain himself during his visit.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General if the amount spent by his Department in Scotland can, in future, be separated in the annual Estimates.

It would be impracticable to separate the estimated expenditure in Scotland in the case of various Subheads of the Post Office Vote. Where it would be possible, a considerable expenditure of time and trouble would be involved and I do not feel that this would be justified.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General when he intends to reopen facilities for State life insurance business through the Post Office and, if not, on what grounds.

It is not proposed to restore the facilities for life insurance business through the Post Office, which were discontinued in 1929 mainly on the recommendation of a Select Committee on Esti- mates. The life insurance business transacted by the Post Office was always very small compared with the transactions of the insurance companies, and I do not think it is either necessary or desirable for the Post Office to re-enter this field.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many B.B.C. transmitters there are in Great Britain; and how many there are in Scotland.

For Home programmes the B.B.C. have 50 transmitters on 37 sites in Great Britain—of these 10 transmitters on 6 sites are in Scotland. In addition, there are six B.B.C transmitting sites in Great Britain used for broadcasting overseas services, but none of these is in Scotland.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many television transmitters there are in Great Britain, and how many there are in Scotland.

There is only one B.B.C. television transmitter in Great Britain. It is at the Alexandra Palace in London

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the approximate number of displaced single males and unattached females over 14 years of age, or the nearest convenient age group, in the British zones in Germany and Austria, differentiating between the principal nationality groups and between Jewish and non-Jewish.

No figures giving this information are at present available in respect of the British zone of Germany. In the case of Austria, the required information is appended in respect of single male and single female displaced persons over 16 years of age in the British 'zone; it is not possible to differentiate between unattached single people and those who have family dependants such as parents, brothers and sisters. The figures include aged persons and those who are infirm.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many acres of productive woodland in the British zone of Germany have been felled since VE-Day; what percentage this represents of the whole area; and what acreage of the felled area has been replanted or regenerated naturally, or will be replanted or regenerated during the current season.

One hundred and sixty thousand acres, representing 3.1 per cent. of the total area, have been felled. Seventy-six thousand acres have been replanted or will be replanted during the current season. It is impossible to give any figures for natural regeneration because this method normally requires many years to complete.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many S.P.D. members, so far elected by popular vote in the British zone, have not in fact taken their places; and haw many Christian Democrats have been similarly treated.

One S.P.D. and one C.D.U. representative elected to the Gemeinde and Kreis Councils were found to be ineligible and have not taken their places. Two S.P.D. members and one C.D.U. have not taken their places for private reasons. I am not aware of any other cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is satisfied that the German bizonal economic and food committees have enough independent power to make their own proposals and put them into force without the prior approval of the British and U.S. Military Governments.

Since 1st January these bi-zonal agencies have taken over responsibility for the internal economic administration and for the allocation and distribution of food, and they do not require prior British and American authority for their proposals. As they are still nominated and not elected bodies, and therefore have no direct political power to enforce their decisions, they are dependent for the enforcement of their recommendations upon legislation by the respective Land Governments or alternatively by Military Government Ordinances. Pending a decision on the future constitution of Germany and the degree of centralised political authority to be permitted, the British and American authorities are taking such steps as are necessary to ensure the execution of the policies approved by the German bizonal agencies.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the special measures now being taken to move food to the Ruhr and Rhineland areas were initiated before or after the outbreak of disturbances in that area.

These measures were taken by the British authorities after the disturbances, which were largely due to dislocation in the German food collection and distribution arrangements caused by recent severe winter conditions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why Turnhouse, Edinburgh, is unable to receive aircraft while Renfrew can, in view of the fact that their equipment is similar.

Charter aircraft have been able to use Turnhouse for some months and regular services from London and Aberdeen with medium size aircraft will start as soon as the full necessary range of navigational aids for such aircraft has been installed and is in working order. Renfrew has been open for use by regular services with smaller type aircraft requiring fewer navigational aids and its use will be extended as further aids are installed.