asked the Minister of Food what steps he proposes to take this summer to enforce the regulations regarding the cost of icecream, particularly in relation to street vendors.

I welcome this opportunity of making clear that the price limitation scheme for ice cream will operate in 1947. Under the scheme an ice cream maker who persists in charging an unreasonable price for his product may have his allocations of controlled ingredients withdrawn. We should ordinarily regard as unreasonable a price more than 50 per cent. above the prewar price for a comparable amount of ice cream. The scheme has proved difficult to enforce against street traders, who frequently are not the makers of the ice cream they offer for sale. I should like to make it clear, however, that we regard the manufacturer who is in receipt of Ministry allocations as responsible for seeing that the public is not exploited; and that he will jeopardise his allocations if he allows his product to be distributed through unsatisfactory channels.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider improving the food, both in quantity and quality, which is served in British aircraft operating from Great Britain to foreign countries.

Special allowances of foods are already made to British air lines which operate on the long distance routes outside Europe. We have recently been asked to extend these allowances to the remaining British air lines and are meeting them in the next few days. I hope to be able to give them a favourable answer.

asked the Minister of Food how much lard has been imported from Denmark to this country since 1st January, 1946.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Food the average food consumption per person per day, expressed in calories, in 1938.

We have no figure for 1938 alone. An average for the years 1934–38 is available, however, and is normally used for purposes of comparison, since it has the advantage of minimising the effects of year-to-year variations in supplies and annual stock changes before the war, about which information is not fully available. The average calorie intake per head per day in 1934–38 was 3,000.

asked the Minister of Food whether changes in the price of sugar to bakers and others will be conveniently made to coincide with the end of the allocation periods.

No; the trade prefer us to make price changes when a new allocation becomes available, that is two weeks before the end of the eight-week allocation period.

asked the Minister of Food the aggregated sterling value of retail butchers' permits in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland at the latest available date, when the figures were computed for the following types and groups, namely, multiple retailers, private retailers and co-operatives in Groups I, II, III, IV and general butchers.

The total wholesale value of retail butchers' permits in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland was approximately £2,860,000 at the beginning of this month. I regret that I am not clear as to what information the hon. Member seeks in the latter part of his question.

asked the Minister of Food what percentage of the total trade undertaken by retail butchers is now being done by the following types of traders, respectively, and what is the basis of computing the figures: multiple retailers, private retailers and Co-operatives.

By applying the results of inquiries into representative butchers' accounts to the respective aggregates of ration meat permits, it is estimated that the percentage of trade is approximately —private retailers 76¼ per cent., Co-operative retailers 15 per cent., and national multiple retailers 8¾ per cent.

asked the Minister of Food, whether he will reconsider his decision to restrict the quantity of flour delivered to trade users for the period 27th April to 7th June to 95 per cent. of their weekly average deliveries during the eight weeks ended 29th March, 1947, in the case of users in popular holiday resorts, having regard to the fact that during the period of restriction the population of such holiday resorts will be greatly increased by an influx of visitors and the restriction will be based on a period during which the average weekly deliveries will have been low.

I can assure the hon. Member that arrangements will be made, where necessary, to maintain essential food supplies at holiday resorts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to give easy credit terms to parish pools to encourage and assist in the purchase of more agricultural machinery.

I am prepared in suitable cases to extend the Agricultural Goods and Services Scheme to parish pools in order to assist them to purchase more agricultural machinery, provided that adequate security for repayment is given.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that grants obtainable by internal drainage boards are not made by his Department until the work which they are intended to cover has been done and receipts obtained; that this practice seriously handicaps drainage boards in getting necessary work started; and whether he will take steps to make such grants in advance

Where my Department's grant takes the form of direct payments towards capital expenditure, a drainage board whose accounts are satisfactory and not in arrear may apply for monthly advances of my Department's share of the estimated net cost of a scheme to the end of the period covered by such application.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why a nurseryman working two acres in 1939 is allowed to impart £25 per acre of nursery stock per annum, whereas a nurseryman working one acre is allowed to import £39 of nursery stock per annum.

Licences will be granted to nurserymen to import nursery stocks during the forthcoming season up to the value of £35 where their 1939 acreage to nursery stocks did not exceed one acre, £25 per acre where the 1939 acreage did not exceed five acres and £20 per acre where the 1939 acreage was over five acres. These allowances have been fixed for consultation with the organisations representing the nursery trade and are considered adequate to meet the respective needs of the different classes of nurseries concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in regard to 'he selection of a smallholding known as Bull's Piece at Kedington village as a housing site, which was approved by the rural land utilisation officer, what steps this officer took to inspect the site in question or otherwise ascertain its agricultural value.

My rural land utilisation officer personally inspected this site in September, 1944, and in view of its location in relation to existing development and its eminent suitability as a housing site it was decided that the council's proposal could not, reasonably be opposed on agricultural grounds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what tonnage of cocksfoot grass seed has been purchased for import to this country since 1st January, 1946.

The quantity of cocksfoot seed purchased abroad since 1st January, 1946, for use in the United Kingdom is 1,079 tons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it will be possible to introduce, during the current Session, the Bill dealing with the subject of veterinary practice by unregistered persons.

I am afraid not.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of dispossessed farmers and smallholders who are not getting rental compensation; and if he will write to all dispossessed farmers to indicate that they are entitled to compensation and the steps they should take to secure it and that all reasonable expenses will be paid.

Information is not obtainable, without undue expenditure of time on investigation, as to the character of all the land taken into possession by county war agricultural executive committees, and the following information relates to areas of five acres or more. There are 811 cases in England and Wales in which persons entitled to compensation rental under the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, are not yet receiving such rental. Whenever the person entitled is known, he is informed by the county committee of his right to compensation and is supplied with the necessary forms for making a claim. The procedure is now well-known, and I do not consider that any further special notification is called for.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the extent to which the output of agricultural machinery was interrupted by the February coal crisis.

The estimated average value of the output of agricultural machinery fell from £116,000 a day in January, 1947, to £90,000 a day in February. It is not possible to say whether the whole of this reduction was due to fuel difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport why, on 29th March, on the 9.15 a.m. train from Paddington to Gloucester, one compartment, reserved for the Minister of Agriculture, was left unoccupied in a full train.

A compartment was reserved for my right hon. Friend. Unfortunately, owing to a misunderstanding, he was given a seat elsewhere on the train, and the reservation label was not removed until Reading.

asked the Minister of Transport why, on 29th March, on the rear of the Bristol train from Paddington which left Reading at approximately 9.50 a.m., two adjoining first-class compartments were marked as reserved, one having on the outside window Movement Control with a red crown above and occupied by one man and the other having a label Admiralty, but empty.

The single occupant of one compartment was an Admiralty courier travelling in charge of bags containing official documents. The second compartment was reserved for the Admiralty under standing instructions relating to members of the Board of Admiralty and Naval commanders-in-chief travelling on duty when Service matters are to be under discussion during the journey. As the reservation was not taken up the label should have been removed. I have these instructions under review.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will ensure that a footbridge, connecting up and down platforms, will be installed at Sidcup, Southern Railway station, for the safety and convenience of passengers.

There is a separate booking office on each platform with entrance from and exit to the public highway, which passes under the railway. The provision of a footbridge does not appear to be necessary on grounds of safety, and I should not feel justified at the present time in pressing the company to provide one as an added convenience.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now make a statement on the suggestion of the hon. Member for Chislehurst that hand straps attached to luggage racks be provided on Southern Electric trains for the safety and convenience of standing passengers, especially on the Bexleyheath and Dartford loop lines.

I understand that the Southern Railway Company are considering the installation of a horizontal hand rail in compartment coaches of new electric stock now about to be constructed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will grant rail transport facilities to the Swanley, Kent, Working Men's Club for a children's out- ing to Margate, on which matter correspondence has already been submitted to him by the hon. Member for Chislehurst.

No, Sir. As I have already informed my hon. Friend, I regret that I am unable to lift the embargo on special trains for sporting and social outings for events of this kind, owing to the need to economise in coal.

asked the Minister of Transport why the L.M.S. propose to close the Bacup—Rochdale branch line to passenger traffic from 14th June next; and if he will reconsider this matter, in view of its effect on the livelihood of many railway workers and the inconvenience it will cause to the travelling public.

The withdrawal of passenger services is a temporary measure designed to save fuel. I understand that the trains were lightly loaded and that adequate alternative transport exists.

asked the Minister o:: Transport what experiments are being carried out with radiolocation devices as an aid to greater mobility in times of fog and darkness in relation to railway trans port operations.

This matter has been under investigation for some time. Present known devices, however, are less suitable for this purpose than existing methods such as continuous track circuiting, automatic train control, and colour light signalling. Research is being continued.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce cheap tickets by electric trains on Sundays for the benefit of Londoners who cannot avail themselves of the cheap mid-week fares.

No, Sir. Any such measure would be likely to attract a big increase in traffic for which even on suburban services neither the staff nor the fuel is available at present.

asked the Minister of Transport how many locomotives have been fully converted to oil firing on British railways; how many are in use by each of the main line companies; how many are out of service awaiting conversion; and what is the present total figure for the entire conversion programme.

Twenty-three locomotives Have so far been equipped for oil-burning, 19 on the G.W.R., one each on the L.N.E.R. and L.M.S.R., and two on the S.R. Eight are at present undergoing conversion. It is proposed eventually to equip in all 1,229 engines.

asked the Minister of Transport when the shipping service between Fishguard and Rosslare will be resumed.

The Great Western Railway steamship service will be re-opened on 23rd May, with three round trips per week. It will be increased to six sailings a week as soon as a new steamer now nearing completion is brought into service.

asked the Minister of Transport the reasons for the comparatively low cargo tonnages for February, 1947, of foreign imports and exports at the port of Glasgow.

Tonnages of imports and exports through particular ports are liable to considerable fluctuation from month to month and February is a short month. The reduced imports into Glasgow during February were due principally to smaller imports of iron ore, shipment of which was delayed by bad weather. The reduction in exports was due to a decline in the quantity of iron and steel goods and other cargo for shipment.

asked the Minister of Transport why cheap day excursions from British ports to France have been banned during the summer.

There is no ban, but it has not been found possible this year to give facilities for excursions without passports and I understand that for this reason the companies concerned do not contemplate the resumption of cheap day excursions at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of complaints of the pollution by oil of the foreshore and sea-wall at Ryde, Isle of Wight; whether he will take steps to ensure that all shipmasters using the Solent waters are made aware of the regulations governing the discharge of oil or oily water; and whether he will give an assurance that the appropriate action under the Oil in Navigable Waters Act is taken to deal with offenders who may be detected in a breach of these regulations

Yes, I was recently informed of this. In 1938 a special notice was issued to masters in regard to the prohibition of oil discharge within territorial limits, and the attention of masters was recently called to this notice. I am however making arrangements for the mercantile marine office at Southampton to call the special attention of shipmasters using the Solent to that notice. Proceedings for offences committed in or in relation to a harbour in England can be instituted only by the harbour authority, and in other cases by persons authorised by the Minister of Agriculture or by myself and I have no reason to doubt that appropriate action will be taken against any person detected offending against the Act.

asked the Minister of Transport why the Norfolk County Council's estimate of £24o,955 for Class III roads has been cut by his Department by 53 per cent. to £114,000 for grant purposes; and if he is aware that the £114,000 will barely cover the cost of routine maintenance on Class III roads in Norfolk.

I am aware of the figures quoted by my hon. Friend in regard to Norfolk, and with his permission I will refer him to the answer I am giving to Question No. 96 in relation to classified roads generally.

asked the Minister of Transport what preliminary warning he gave to local authorities of his intention drastically to reduce expenditure on classified roads in the current year; and on what grounds he came to such a decision.

The county surveyors were given as early an indication as possible of the amount of their allocations. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Janner) on 5th May and to the answers I am giving to Questions 92 and 96 today, of which I ant sending him copies.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has reconsidered the grants to county councils for the maintenance of classified roads in the current year; and if he will make a statement.

The grants so far indicated to county councils were based on the provision made in the Road Fund estimate already presented to Parliament. Since that estimate was prepared the highway authorities have been faced with a heavy burden of additional and unforeseen expenditure on snow clearance and the repair of extensive damage caused by frost and flood. I have reviewed the position so created with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and to help meet this additional burden it has been decided to increase the funds available for grants towards the maintenance of classified roads during this financial year. I am instructing my officers to open discussions with the highway authorities as to the work to be undertaken under this arrangement.

asked the Minister of Transport what estimates were submitted by each of the highway authorities in respect of expenditure on trunk roads, for the year ended 31st March, 1947; what was the approximate annual expenditure during that year; and what estimates have been submitted in respect of such expenditure for the current financial year ending 31st March, 1948.

As the Minister of Transport is the highway authority for trunk roads, the annual estimates of expenditure are drawn up on the basis of information supplied by my divisional road engineers, who are in constant touch with the local authorities appointed as my agents for trunk road work. The estimated expenditure on trunk road maintenance for 1946–7 was £6,000,000 and the approximate expenditure was £6,530,000. Provision is made in the Road Fund estimates already presented to Parliament for an expenditure of £7,000,000 during the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the numbers of powerful headlights on motor vehicles are on the increase and that drivers seldom dip their lights; and if he will introduce regulations controlling the power and height of headlights and making dipping obligatory on all motorists, with a view to reducing the number of road accidents.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to his Question on this subject on 15th April. Every effort is being made to find a solution to this difficult problem.

asked the Minister of Supply the cost to his Department in effecting on 24th January, 1947, by draft V.32243A., a payment of the sum of id. to Venner Time Switches, Limited.

No, Sir; I trust that the hon. Member would not wish me to waste time and money in trying to estimate the cost of this gaffe.

asked the Minister of Supply when the Control of Iron and Steel (No. 58) Order (S.R. & 0., 1047, No. 796), which was dated 28th April and came into force on 2nd May, was published; and why it was not presented to Parliament until 5th May.

The Order was published on Friday, 2nd May. Presentation copies were sent to the House the same day, but arrived after the House had risen.

asked the Minister of Supply why the Control of Iron and Steel (No. 58) Order (S.R. & O., 1947, No. 796) did not consolidate the principal Order with the ten Orders amending it.

I hope to consolidate the existing Orders shortly, but I did not think it appropriate to do so in this par titular Order.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the collection of metal salvage is still required; and what means are being taken for its collection in rural districts.

Special arrangements made during the war for the salvage of domestic scrap metal were discontinued some time ago and it is not proposed to re-introduce them.

asked the Minister of Supply how the cost of repairs is agreed in connection with work on housing estates under his control carried out by the Ministry of Works; and where such costs are debited.

The Ministry of Works is entirely responsible for carrying out these repairs. The cost is not previously agreed between the two Departments, although it is finally borne by the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied with the method of accounting carried out in relation to housing estates under his control when housing managers are not made aware of the cost of repairs carried out by the Ministry of Works.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply how many non-industrial civil servants of all grades were employed by his Department on 1st August, 1945, 1st August, 1946, and 1st February, 1947, respectively.

The numbers on 1st August, 1945, are not available, but the numbers employed in the former Ministries of Supply and of Aircraft Production on 1st July, 1945, were 79,645. The numbers employed in the Ministry of Supply on 1st August, 1946, and 1st February, 1947, were 43,852 and 41,648, respectively.

asked the Minister of Supply how many serving officers there are representing each of the Service Departments in his Department at the latest convenient date.

On 30th April the numbers were; Royal Navy, 101; Army, 538; R.A.F., 233.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will publish as a White Paper the recent Report of the National Advisory Council of the Motor Industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Widnes (Mr. Shawcross) on 21st April.

asked the Minister of Supply how many men are employed on his Department's depot, No. 9 Storage and Disposals Transit, Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

Sixty-five.

asked the Minister of Supply- what progress has been made in the adoption of efficient standardised domestic fuel appliances, as recommended by the Fuel Advisory Council; to what extent he has placed blanket orders for approved types; and whether he still permits the allocation of steel and other materials for the manufacture of appliances which waste fuel.

It is estimated that about 70 per cent. of 1947 production will be of approved types compared with approximately 40 per cent, in the last quarter of 1946. Blanket orders have been placed with four firms and further orders are under negotiation. The introduction of new designs takes time, and meanwhile essential requirements must be met by existing types.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give details of all civilian goods manufactured by Royal Ordnance factories in the past 12 months and sold at a loss.

Complete information for the period is not yet available, but there

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the completion of the block of flats in Shoreditch, known as the Stonebridge Estate, started in 1945, is being held up by lack of essential sanitary materials; that a promise was made in November that all materials lacking, except one, would be delivered before the end of that month; that this promise has not yet been kept; and if he will give the local authority a definite date when the materials required for completing the flats will be available.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give details of the number and categories of persons employed at each Royal Ordnance factory.

The following are the figures:

My Department was called upon for assistance in this case. All the materials asked for in November have, with two exceptions, been delivered, a and in these two cases delivery promises have been obtained from the suppliers which will meet the contractor's programme.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that, during the 1O-week period from 1st February to 12th April, the borough of Shoreditch issued civil building licences for 26 per cent. of the total value of licences for work within its boundaries, the majority of which were in connection with housing; whereas his Department issued licences in the same period for the remaining 74 per cent., these being for commercial work; and if, as this liberal granting of licences for commercial work is gravely handicapping re-housing progress in an area where the need for this is desperate, he will, in future, consult the local authority before issuing further licences.

Figures for the months of February and March show that the building licences issued on my behalf by the Borough of Shoreditch amounted to 33 per cent. and those issued by my Department to 67 per cent. of the total value of the licences for this area. When account is also taken of the housing work carried out by the local authority direct which does not require a licence, I am advised that more men were employed on housing than on non-housing work. I cannot agree that licences have been issued too freely or that it is necessary to consult local authorities in every case.

asked the Minister of Works how many cases of infringement of building licence regulations have been discovered during the last three months; how many taken to court and fines or convictions imposed; and what percentage were instituted by local authorities.

In the three months ended 31st March, 1947, 4,054 cases of possible infringement were brought to notice, 52 cases were taken to court and there were convictions in 48 cases. Within these totals the figures for local authorities were 667, 3 and 2, respectively, but local authorities did not begin to undertake prosecutions until February and the figures for the March quarter give no indication of the effect of that change.

asked the Minister of Works if he will, as an experiment, instal loud-speakers under the back benches above the Gangway in the same way that they are installed below the Gangway, so that the chances of back benchers hearing their own spokesmen may be increased.

There would, be technical difficulties in increasing the number of loudspeakers with the present sound amplification system. Experiments will be undertaken to improve the system during the Whitsun and Summer Recesses and I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Works why the gates in the Victoria Tower Gardens were closed at 9.35 p.m. on Sunday, nth May; and if he will consider leaving these gardens open to the public and thereby relieve the park-keeper of having to stay late.

The gates of the Victoria Tower Gardens are closed at this time of year at 10 p.m. but it is the practice to close one half of the gates before this hour as a warning to the public that the gardens are about to be closed. I do not think it would be desirable to leave the gardens open all night.

asked the Minister of Works why he has supplied, or authorised the supply, of timber for the construction of racecourse grandstands at Waverley Abbey, near Farnham.

asked the Minister of Works whether his attention has been called to a proposal to build a racecourse at Waverley Abbey, Surrey, involving the construction of wooden stands for 30,000 spectators; and whether this expenditure on timber has been sanctioned by his Department.

As I stated in the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Epping (Mrs. Manning) on 15th May, no building licence has been granted, nor has the use of timber been authorised, for the building of a racecourse at Farnham.

asked the Minister of Works, why, in view of the urgent need for food production, a licence to repair a barn, particulars of which have been sent to him, has not been granted to Mr. M. C. Houlder, Wheddon Cross. near Exford, Somerset.

A building licence for this work was issued on 8th May.

asked the Minister of Works, where, and when, is it proposed to re-erect the statue of General Gordon.

I have not yet settled the future site of the statue.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma what arrangements now exist for the financing of the Rice Project Board, Burma; and what alterations to these provisions are contemplated.

The temporary finance required by the Agricultural Projects Board, which includes the Rice Project, is provided by advances from the Government of Burma which will normally be repaid within the current year. No alteration to this arrangement is proposed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the latest details of the plan for the transfer of power to Indian hands; and what steps are being taken to protect the Indian Empire from external aggression.

As the House is aware, the Viceroy is now in London for discussions with His Majesty's Government on policy in regard to the transfer of power. I am not in a position to make any statement at present. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Blackpool, North (Brigadier Low), on 25th February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to have reasonable supplies of Soviet and Canadian timber in this country, suitable for all purposes,

Though it is too early to give a forecast of supplies for 1947 I c give some indications of the position as it has so far developed. As regards Canada, the Timber Controller during his recent visit was able to make agreements under which we should receive 394,000 standards of softwoods and 40,000 standards of sleepers from Western Canada during the 16 months March, 1947, to June, 1948. Agreements had been previously reached with producers in Eastern Canada, under which 125,000 standards of softwood should be shipped during the present calendar year. On this basis, it is reasonable to expect that total imports from Canada during the period July, 1947, to June, 1948, will be not less than 400,000 standards of sawn softwood and 34,000 standards of sleepers. As regards the United States, the Timber Controller was able to place contracts for very substantial quantities both of softwood and of sleepers; but as exports from the United States are at present subject to export licences, which are not granted far ahead, I am unable to give an estimate of shipments.As regards the Baltic countries, agreements have been made with Finland, under which we should receive 175,000 standards of sawn softwood of regular specifications during the latter half of this year. Negotiations with Sweden are still in progress. As regards Germany, though both production and transport have been gravely hampered by severe weather and the general deterioration of economic conditions we expect that arrivals before he end of May will amount to 75,000 standards, mainly in the form of logs which will be sawn here. For the rest of the year, the various arrangements for resettlement of displaced persons must have their effect on the amount of labour available for production, but we may still hope to obtain substantial quantities of timber. As regards the U.S.S.R., my hon. Friend the Secretary for Overseas Trade, dealt fully with the position in the reply he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 12th May. All these purchases are, of course, subject to the availabilities of shipping and to accidents, such as labour disputes in the producing countries of which we have had experience in the past.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is a shortage of timber-getting machinery in the U.S.S.R. and Finland; and what arrangements have been made by Great Britain to supply those countries with such machinery and to obtain supplies of timber from them.

As regards Russia, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer given on 12th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) about the recent trade mission to Moscow. In the case of Finland, contracts are at present being concluded for the purchase of timber and the question of timber-getting machinery has not arisen. I would also refer my hon. and learned Friend to the statement about supplies of timber to this country, which I have made today to the hon. Member for South Aberdeen (Lady Grant).

asked the Secretary of State for Air why workers employed at the Waterbeach R.A.F. station have been made redundant and the work handed over to contractors.

Six men who were employed as assistant groundsmen at Waterbeach by the Air Ministry works department became redundant when the work of keeping the airfield in good condition was handed over to a contractor. This kind of work is frequently put out to agricultural contractors, who can make good use of the grass they cut from airfields. These contracts enable the contractors, who are often farmers as well, to work over a wide area and to use their labour to the best advantage at all times.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when airmen serving on home stations may expect to receive the issue of clothing coupons promised last November; and how many coupons will each airman receive.

I hope that clothing coupons will be issued to airmen on home stations next month. As, however, I said in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 26th March, I am afraid that this year we can only give coupons to regular airmen. They will receive thirty coupons for the year beginning 1st October last, and most of them will also receive five coupons for each complete year of service from 1941 to 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what British Colonies is the production of cassava starch being encouraged; to what extent in each; and when is an exportable surplus from each expected

Cassava is grown widely in East and West Africa, Ceylon, Malaya, Mauritius, certain of the West Indies and the Dependencies in the Western Pacific. Its roots, from which either starch or edible tapioca can be prepared, are a staple element in tropical diets, and its production is being primarily encouraged in the Colonies to supply the deficiencies in imported food supplies due to the world food shortage. This and the claim of more essential food exports on the labour available have generally limited the opportunities for export. The Governor of British Honduras has, however, informed me that he is considering obtaining expert advice on the possibilities of restarting the factory formerly engaged in starch production in that territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if he will give comparative figures for the incidence of amoebic dysentery in Kenya Colony in 1936 and 1946; and whether he is satisfied that everything practicable is being done to counter this widespread disease.

Amoebic dysentery is a notifiable disease in Nairobi only and no figures exist of its incidence in the Colony generally. There are, however, no grounds for believing that the disease is now more prevalent than it was in 1936. Active counter measures against it include publicity in both urban and rural areas of the means of combating the disease, increasing attention to other preventative measures such as improved sanitation, the extension of safe water supplies throughout the Colony, the more hygienic production and handling of foodstuffs and the use of the new D.D.T. insecticides to reduce fly incidence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how the estimated surplus on the sale of Gold Coast cocoa for the current season compares with the estimated revenue of the Gold Coast for the current year; and how the estimated total surplus in the hands of the West African Produce Board at the end of the current season compares with the reserve funds held by the Gold Coast Government.

The surplus on the sale of Gold Coast cocoa this season is estimated at £7,000,000 and the revenue of the Gold Coast for 1947–48 at £9,320,740. The total surplus in the hands of the West African Produce Control Board at the end of the current season will amount to about £13,450,000, of which about £8,140,000 will be payable to the Gold Coast. A further £4,500,000 has previously been paid over to them. Reserve funds of the Gold Coast Government on 1st April, 1947, totalled £6,210,673.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what surplus funds have been accumulated by the West African Produce Control Board; and for what purposes these will be applied.

I estimate trading profits accumulated by the West African Produce Control Board since 1939 to amount to £20,300,000. These profits are held in trust for the producers and are intended to be used for purposes of benefit to them, especially price stabilisation, as set out in Cmd. 6950 entitled "Statement on Future Marketing of West African Cocoa" which I presented to the House last November.

asked the Minister of Health when sanction will be given to the Finchley Borough Council to borrow the sum required for the making up of a number of private roads in the Hampstead Garden Suburb, of which he has had particulars.

I hope to be in a position to issue loan consent very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount realised by the sale of surplus Government stores up to the last convenient date; and what further amounts he anticipates will be realised from further sales.

The total value of such disposals to 31st March is £435 million. A reliable total estimate of future disposals is not yet possible, but the receipts estimated in 1947–48 are £95 million.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it has been arranged for Great Britain to pay for coal imported from Poland the same price as that paid by the U.S.S.R.

The price to be paid for any Polish coal imported into the United Kingdom is not yet fixed, and with the quality of the coal and other technical matters will be the subject of expert negotiation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the L.C.C. has a number of air-raid shelters on its White City estate which are in an extremely dangerous condition and have recently caused grave injuries to a number of children; that the council has failed to take any steps either to render the shelters safe, or to fence

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to release 143324O1 Private Bird, R.A.M.C., now

My right hon. Friend has had inquiries made but these do not support the suggestion of failure on the part of the London County Council to take reasonable steps in the interests of safety. Nevertheless, additional precautionary measures are being adopted. Further tenders are being invited for the demolition of the shelters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what are the numbers and types of aircraft in use on the passenger services of B.O.A.C.. B.E.A.C. and B.S.A.A.C

The following is a statement of the numbers and types of aircraft in use on the passenger services of the three Corporations on 2nd May, 1947.stationed at 97 General Hospital, British Forces in Greece; and what is the reason for the delay in disposing of this man, who is now overdue to return to this country for Class A release with other members of his age and service Group 49.

I have called for a report on this case by cable and will write to my hon. and learned Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Yugoslavs who had served in the Royal Yugoslav Army under British command are still accommodated in camps in the Middle East; and where the Yugoslavs previously in the El Arish camp were sent before this camp was closed down in 1945.

Four hundred and thirty are still accommodated in camps in the Middle East. When the camp at El Arish was closed down those who had not opted to return to Yugoslavia were transferred to El Shatt.