asked the Minister of Agriculture what information he is hoping to obtain from the new census of woodlands beyond a simple analysis of the present condition of existing crops; and why he is not obtaining this information by application to owners in the usual way.

The object of the census is to classify the woodlands, by area, according to species, age, type, stocking, quality and suitability for economic management. A strictly uniform classification on these lines is essential, and I am afraid it would not be practicable to obtain the information by direct application to owners.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the Forestry Commission's planting programme for the season 1946–47; and how many acres were in fact planted or regenerated naturally.

The planting programme of the Forestry Commission for the season 1946–47 in Great Britain was 30,000 acres, and the area planted or regenerated naturally to the end of April (the last date for which figures are available) was 15,467 acres. Planting is still proceeding in some districts, and it is expected that the area finally planted, including any natural regeneration, will be in the neighbourhood of 24,000 acres.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has received any reports upon the results of the recent efforts to introduce trade unionism in Malaya; and when he intends to make a report to the House on the subject.

Since the resumption of civil government, the encouragement of the trade union movement and of the institution of normal trade union practice and procedure has been the primary function of the responsible trade union advisers and the labour departments of Malaya. Up to the end of March this year over 200 organisations in the Malayan Union had been recognised and registered as trade unions. I have not received the corresponding figures for Singapore but the Governor is being asked for them. When this information is available I will inform the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that on Sunday, 27th April, 1947, officers of the Palestine police force searched the baggage of Mr. Emile G. Thouma, a Palestinian citizen returning from Great Britain, where he had been attending a conference; that his papers, comprising notes on the labour, trade union and progressive movements in Britain, were impounded for censorship; that those papers are still retained at C.I.D. head- quarters, Jerusalem, in spite of protests; and if he will issue instructions for the release of those papers.

The documents found in the baggage of Mr. Emile Thouma on his return to Palestine on 27th April were impounded by the Palestine Police and sent to Jerusalem for examination. After examination they were sent to the police station in Haifa, where Mr. Thouma resides, and were available for him to collect from 8th May. In spite of several requests, Mr. Thouma has so far neither called for the documents, nor has he made any protests concerning them to the Palestine Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the world shortage of sisal, everything possible is being done by the authorities in East Africa to assist owners of large and small sisal estates to extend their areas of cultivation and to aid them in the recruitment of suitable labour and in all other directions.

The Governments of the East African territories are fully seized of the importance of maintaining as high a production as possible of sisal and give all assistance to the industry which they properly can, to that end. I am assured that permission to extend acreages under sisal cultivation is invariably granted where the acreage is considered to be within the capacity of the grower and his equipment. As regards the recruitment of labour, the industry, which has its own recruiting organisation, is given full opportunity within the provisions of the law to engage its requirements of labour and I consider that the recent substantial increase in the purchase price of sisal should materially assist the industry to offer attractive terms and conditions to labour.

asked the Minister of Food in view of the fact that growers of English asparagus- were restricted in the matter of planting during the late war and that men from the Forces are anxious to take up the production of fruit and vegetables as a livelihood, he will consider removing the 5s. limit of charge for meals in hotels and restaurants when asparagus is served, or allowing asparagus to be served as a separate dish so as to provide a market at a reasonable profit for the home growers.

I am not prepared to allow it to be served as an extra dish nor to raise the maximum price of 5s. for meals which include asparagus.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now restrict imports of foreign asparagus, in view of the fact that our home product is ready and available in sufficient quantities to meet the public demand.

Our total supplies of asparagus at present, including the imported, are less than prewar and the demand is still very keen. I am not, therefore, prepared to restrict imports, especially as the bulk come from France, where the season is nearly at an end.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that fish delivered to retailers in Brentford and Chiswick arrives so late that it is not available for sale to the public until 11.30 a.m.; and whether he will take steps to ensure earlier deliveries to retailers in the borough.

Traders make their own arrangements for deliveries and those who can use their own vans should be able to open their shops in Brentford and Chiswick between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Others, who are in the majority, are dependent on carriers and if a carrier does not leave Billingsgate Market until 10 a.m., when police regulations compel him to leave, delivery would not be effected before 11.15 or 11.30 a.m.

asked the Minister of Food whether, during the strike of milk roundsmen in various parts of the Metropolitan area, mothers of small children can have released to them supplies of National Dried Milk powder through local food offices.—

Supplies of National Dried Milk were available at local food offices in the areas affected' by the recent strike of milk roundsmen in the Metropolitan area for mothers of small children to meet cases of hardship.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give a list of the long-term

UNITED KINGDOM LONG-TERM CONTRACTS FOR FOODSTUFFS.
Commodity.	Country.		Expiration Date.	Quantity.	Review Clauses.
Meat (Beef, Lamb, Mutton, Veal, Pigmeat, Offals Canned).	New Zealand	…	30.9.50	Exportable Surplus.	Prices are negotiated in May of each year.
Meat (Beef, Lamb, Mutton, Veal, Pigmeat, Offals Canned).	Australia	…	30.9.48	Exportable Surplus.	Prices are negotiated in May of each year.
Meat (Beef, Lamb, Mutton, Veal, Pigmeat, Offals Canned).	Argentina	…	30.9.50	1947/8:—Exportable Surplus less agreed percentage	Prices and quantities for Seasons 1948/9 and 1949/50 will be negotiated in 1948 and 1949 respectively.
				1948/50:— To be negotiated.
Meat (Beef)	Canada	…	31.12.48	Fixed annual quantities.	Prices for 1948 will be negotiated in 1947.
Bacon & Ham	Canada	…	31.12.48	Fixed annual quantities.	No review clause but there is an understanding that either party may re-open the question of price.
Bacon	Denmark	…	30.9.49	1947/8— 90 per cent. of Exportable Surplus	Prices for 1948/9 will be reviewed in 1948
				1948/9— Fixed quantities.
Butter and Cheese	New Zealand	…	31.7.50	Exportable Surplus.	Prices are negotiated annually.
Butter and Cheese	Australia	…	31.7.48	Exportable Surplus.	Prices are negotiated annually.
Butter	Denmark	…	30.9.49	Percentage of Exportable Surplus.	Prices and quantities for seasons 1947/8 and 1948/9 will be negotiated in 1947 and 1948 respectively.
Cheese	Canada	…	31.3.49	Fixed annual quantities.	No review clause but there is an understanding that either party may reopen the question of price.

The information for which the hon. Member asks is set out in the table below:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many collieries in Northumberland, Durham and Cumberland have offered employment to Poles; whether at all these collieries the miners are willing to accept them, or at which collieries the miners are unwilling to do so.

Subject to the agreement of the local lodge the National Coal Board are prepared to employ Poles at, any colliery where suitable vacancies exist which cannot be filled by British workers. Negotiations with miners' lodges in Northumberland, Durham and Cumberland are still in progress and I am informed by the Board that agreement has so far been reached locally in respect of the employment of Poles at five collieries in the coalfields concerned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that since the National Coal Board- came into being there have been complaints about the quality of coal supplied for domestic purposes; and if he will make it an offence to supply house coal with a greater ash content than 15 per cent.

I am aware that there has been some complaint which has not been limited to the period since the National Coal Board took over. As I have previously stated, the Board is giving close attention to the improvement in standards of quality, but under present conditions it is not practicable to specify that only coal of a particular standard shall be supplied for domestic use.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that unless Mr. G. B. Rimmington, the village blacksmith, of The Forge, Cottesbrooke, Northampton, can obtain supplies of washed smithy breeze, he will shortly have to close his forge and deprive the villages of Creaton, Cottesbrooke, Haselbeech and Maidwell of his services as blacksmith and repairer of agricultural implements; and whether he will take steps to avert such a misfortune, which would interfere seriously with agricultural production in the district.

Arrangements have been made to meet the requirements of Mr. C. B. Rimmington, and I understand that one ton of washed breeze is being delivered to him immediately.

asked the Minister of Health if, he is aware of the overcrowding in the village of Gotham, Nottinghamshire; whether the Basford Rural District Council has made any application for some of the permanent prefabricated rural houses, which are piled up in Government depots, to meet the need for houses in their area; and if he will inquire into the reasons why this rural district council is so slow in building permanent houses.

Yes. The Council have recently been offered and have accepted 150 permanent prefabricated houses. Difficulty in acquiring sites has caused delay, but the Council now have a substantial building programme in hand.

asked the Minister of Health what types and sizes of permanent and temporary houses, other than 10-year temporary bungalows, are being erected by untraditional methods by local authorities; and if any of them are being designed to meet the special needs of the many elderly people who are in urgent need of accommodation.

There are no temporary houses other than those under the 10year scheme. The permanent non-traditional houses are listed in Table 11 of the Monthly Housing Return. None of these types has been specially designed for elderly people, but the bungalows are very convenient for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is made for the inclusion of a period of hospital training in the system of post-graduate courses offered to demobilised doctors who are specialising in particular subjects; and if the maintenance grant offered to them covers such hospital training.

The post-graduate training specialists under my Department's scheme for ex-Service doctors is provided entirely in the form of salaried hospital posts. The appointments are for six months in the first instance and may continue for such longer period as is appropriate in the individual case. Additional assistance may be made available by grants from the Ministry of Education under the Further Education and Training Scheme. These grants are available mainly for practitioners undertaking junior posts until their suitability for specialist training is determined.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain publicly-owned water undertakings have laid down as a requirement the installation in every class of dwelling in the areas they serve of copper or lead piping, instead of gal-vanised iron; and whether, in view of the shortage of these imported and expensive metals he will instruct those authorities to install adequate water-softening plants.

Water undertakings have been pressed to allow their consumers to use substitutes including galvanised steel, where this is practicable, but I am advised that the chemical constituents of the water in some areas may render the use of lead or copper essential.- A sub-committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee is considering policy in respect to watersoftening by the undertakings.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what quantity of petrol was granted to operators of private-hire services in the towns of Luton, Dunstable, Hitchin and St. Albans during the first quarter of 1946 and the first quarter of 1947 respectively.

The following quantities of petrol were granted to operators of private-hire services in the towns concerned during the first quarter of 1946 and the first quarter of 1947.

—		First Quarter, 1946.	First Quarter, 1947.
	…	(Gall.)	(Gall.)
Luton	…	5,449	6,343
Dunstable	…	2,048	2,286
Hitchin	…	1,665	2,146
St. Albans	…	1,549	3,078

asked the Minister of Fuel, and Power how many new applications for an allowance of petrol for the conduct of a private-hire service have been approved since 1st August, 1945, in the towns of Luton, Dunstable, Hitchin and St. Albans, respectively.

The following numbers of new applications for a petrol allowance for a private-hire service in the towns concerned, have been' approved since 1st August, 1945:

Luton	…	…	…	12
Dunstable	…	…	…	4
Hitchin	…	…	…	3
St. Albans	…	…	…	8

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will ensure that there are sufficient police on duty near schools in the borough of Brentford and Chiswick to escort schoolchildren across streets on their way to and from school.

I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that police perform duty at a number of school crossing places in the Borough of Brentford and Chiswick, but owing to the manpower shortage and the pressure of other duties it is not possible for police to be present at all schools.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will set out in the form of a table the areas that are being considered for factory sites in the development areas, indicating how much land is being taken from agricultural production and recreation and what number of houses will be required to accommodate the workers in each of the county districts.

The information asked for by the hon. Member is only available in respect of sites for factories to be built by the Government under the provisions of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945. The area of land under consideration, or already acquired, for this purpose in the development areas is set out in the following table:

Development Area.	Acreage for factory site.	formerly used for agriculture, allotments or recreation.
1. W. Cumberland	124	59
2. N. Eastern	644	387
3. S. Wales and Monmouthshire.	779	549
4. S. Lancashire	92	57
5. Scottish	1,127	796
Total	2,766	1,848

The actual definitions of the boundaries in respect of 14 other sites have not yet been finally settled and are got, therefore, included in the above totals. Since one of the primary aims of the Government's distribution of industry policy is to establish industry in areas where labour is already available, special steps to provide houses to accommodate workers required for these factories are not normally necessary. But the Board of

Development Area.		County.				Number of key workers houses sponsored by Board of Trade.	Number of Executives houses authorised by Board of Trade.
W. Cumberland	…	…	Cumberland	…	…	91	—
N. Eastern	…	…	Durham	…	…	679	149
			Northumberland		…	83	13
			N. Riding of Yorkshire			97	1
S. Wales and Monmouthshire			Brecknock	…	…	66	1
			Carmarthen	…	…	6	1
			Glamorgan	…	…	516	47
			Monmouth	…	…	372	5
			Pembroke	…	…	11	—
Wrexham	…	…	Denbigh	…	…	117	—
S. Lancashire	…	…	Lancashire	…	…	12	—
Scottish	…	…	Lanark	…	…	208	20
			Ayr	…	…	35	2
			Dumbarton	…	…	14	1
			Renfrew	…	…	11	—
			Linlithgow	…	…	3	—
			W. Lothian	…	…	1	—
			Angus	…	…	74	—
			Totals		…	2,396	240

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of large sizes of men's shirts and other underwear in the Isle of Wight; and whether he will take steps to ensure that increased supplies are made available to retailers in that area.

There is a general shortage of these garments but there is no evidence that supplies are worse in the Isle of Wight than elsewhere. Everything practicable is being done to increase total supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to carry out the policy of digging for prosperity, he will release sufficient paper to enable growers to obtain copies of "The Grower," which tells them how to do it.

The "Grower" is allowed to use 40 per cent of the amount of paper used prewar but some 'difficulty may be experienced in obtaining their

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in the 12 months ended 30th April air passengers to Britain from North America totalled 27,615 and those in the reverse direction 36,135; and, in view of this indication that air travel-space is available to a substantial degree to bring more U.S. tourists to this country, what steps are being taken to ensure that its availability is made known to these tourists.

During the period mentioned by my hon. Friend, we were not actively encouraging tourists to visit Britain, but so far as the present season is concerned I understand that most of the places in aircraft carrying passengers from North America to Britain have already been booked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what principle the values of clothing coupons for children in relation to those for adults were decided; and whether any reconsideration has been given to this subject in relation both to the amount of materials relatively required and the length of wear.

The coupon rates for children's and adults' clothing are in general based on the average material content. As regards the second part of the Question, my information does not suggest that reconsideration of these rates is -necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now satisfied that some adjustment of the retail margins on cloth and clothing which were reduced in January is necessary in view of the reduction in the clothing ration; and if he will take steps accordingly.

Yes. After making allowance for consequential reductions in the original estimate of retailers' expenses, which were based on the larger turnover anticipated and in particular in numbers employed, I am satisfied that some increases in current margins are justified, for the time being. I am not yet in a position to announce the precise changes in the margins, but details will be made available, and the changes brought into force, as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the subsidy payments on utility cotton sheets, towels, pillow-cases, blankets, tickings and quilt cloth.

Yes. It has been decided to discontinue these subsidies as from 2nd June, in 'accordance with the general policy outlined in the Budget Speech of my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of concentrating the subsidies on a smaller number of commodities. The consequential increases in maximum prices for goods on which subsidy has hitherto been paid but will not in future be paid, will be of the order of 20–60 per cent.—The new maximum prices for manufacturers will be authorised by directions issued by the Board of Trade to come into force on 2nd June and the changes in wholesale and retail prices will be made shortly thereafter.

asked the hon. Member for West Walthamstow, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if he will make special efforts during the Whitsun recess to secure new teapots for the Members' smoking-room.

Yes. Orders were placed some time ago for new tea pots, and we are awaiting delivery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in granting naturalisation to Mr. Ludwig Heinsheimer, of Mirfield, Home Office reference, No. H 15219, and his daughter, Miss Maria Brigitte Heinsheimer, who served four years in the W.A.A.F. and whose application has been recommended by the inter-Services Naturalisation Board; and when he estimates that the naturalisation certificates will be issued.

Mr. Heinsheimer's application for naturalisation has been recognised as a case deserving a measure of priority, but owing to the very large numbers of priority cases it has not yet been possible to take it up. It is due, however shortly to be put in hand and I hope to be in a position to reach a decision on the application in-two or three months' time. Inquiries on Miss Heinsheimer's case are nearly completed and I hope to be able to let her know the result of her application during the next few weeks

asked the Minister of National Insurance when the hon. Member for Brentford and Chiswick may expect a reply to his letter, reference 0971/5E, of 2nd April, about the case of Mr. D. Wildbore, 29, Hamilton Road, Brentford.

I am sending my hon. Friend a reply almost immediately which will explain the reason for the delay.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether it is proposed to allow retired policemen who take up insurable employment after retirement to pay contributions and receive benefits under the national insurance scheme.

The retired policemen to whom the hon. Member refers will, like all other employed persons, be required to contribute under the National Insurance Act, and will be entitled to the benefits of that Act, subject to fulfilment of the statutory conditions.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make a statement with regard to the publication of the Report of the Cement Costs Committee.

Yes. The Report is being published today and will, I think, serve a useful purpose in making better known the financial arrangements of the industry. I am discussing the Report with representatives of the industry, particularly its recommendations with regard to control of price, the efficiency of individual firms, and the question of further research.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that about 1,000 empty coal wagons remained standing in the sidings at Grimsby throughout the week end of 26th April, 1947; and whether, in view of the shortage of wagons, he will take steps to avoid such delays in future.

These wagons, which had discharged bunker coal, formed a reserve to meet the needs of collieries and also for imports, particularly pit props, through the port of Grimsby. During the week following 26th April, however, sufficient empty coal wagons were available to all collieries and no loss of output occurred nor was any tonnage put to ground because of a temporary shortage of wagons.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the approximate number of steel mineral wagons now in use of a capacity of 15 tons or greater, and the percentage this bears to the total number of mineral wagons; what is the present monthly rate of production of such steel wagons; and the total anticipated production during 1947.

About 52,000, representing 7.3 per cent. of the total stock of mineral wagons. The present monthly rate of production is nearly 1,700, and the anticipated output for 1947 is 26,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now able to make a statement in pursuance of the inquiry he promised into the allegations of inhuman treatment by British representatives of terrorist prisoners, notably of a certain Mordecai Alkachi.

No, I have no information at present. I will inform the House as soon as my inquiries are complete.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why no licence is obtainable from the British authorities in Germany to import a first consignment of 250,000 herring, which is ready to be shipped from Holland to the industrial areas in the British zone of Germany, the cost of the consignment being borne by charitable organisations and private persons in the U.S.A.; and whether he will review this decision.

In spite of inquiries which have been made in Germany I have been unable to trace the offer referred to. If my hon. Friend will let me have any further information in her possession, in particular to whom the offer was made, I shall be glad to have further inquiries made and to communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the announcement by Dr Rudolf Agartz, head of the Central! Economic Office in the British zone, that a directive from London prohibited the entry into Germany of large quantities of fat which were freely offered by the Swedish consumer co-operatives; and if he will explain the reasons for this directive.

No, and in spite of inquiries I have not been able to trace the announcement, the directive or the offer referred to. if my hon. Friend will let me have any information in his possession, I will make inquiries and write to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why a prohibition has been placed on the activities of the Polish Association of Former Political Prisoners in Concentration Camps and Prisons.MR. MCNEIL,

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to speed up the resettlement of displaced persons in countries neighbouring on Germany which are short of labour and are willing to accept large numbers of displaced persons.

The present position is that agreements have now been concluded between the British and American military authorities in Germany and the Belgian Government, whereby the latter will recruit large numbers of displaced persons for work in the Belgian coal mines. The French Government also intends to recruit large numbers of displaced persons in Germany and Austria and it is hoped that an overall agreement will be signed shortly. A French selection team has already visited Austria. 4,900 displaced persons or "European Volunteer Workers" have already arrived in this country under the "Westward Ho" scheme and recruitment is continuing. I understand, also, that an agreement has been signed between the American military authorities and the Dutch Government whereby the latter will take several thousand workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons serve on Lord Killearn's staff in South-East Asia; how are the numbers divided between Europeans and non-Europeans; who pays the costs of this staff; and how do the rates of pay compare with those of the Malayan Union and the Singapore Government.

I have no later information than that contained in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. W. Fletcher) on 12th March last, in which the total number of staff was given as 542. This includes, however, approximately 200 persons employed by the British Far Eastern Broadcasting Service. I am making inquiries as to how this number is divided as between Europeans and non-Europeans and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as the information is received. The cost of this staff is borne by His Majesty's Government. We are investigating at the moment every possibility of reducing this staff below its present figure. It is not possible to compare the rates of pay of the majority of the staff with those of the Malayan Union and the Singapore Government as the types of work are not readily comparable. The rates of pay of Lord Killearn's staff vary according to the grade of the individual and to whether he is recruited locally or, sent out from this country. Insofar, however, as it is possible to make a comparison, e.g. with shorthand-typists, typists, drivers and mechanics, the rates of pay are approximately the same.

—	1943–44.	1944–45.	1945–46.	1946–47.	1947–48.
	£	£	£	£	£
British Council (General grant in aid)	1,882,346	2,460,000	1,817,000	2,454,000	2,913,000
Do.: (Payment for services on behalf of Colonial Office, and, in 1947–48, India and Burma Office)	—	—	342,490	491,000	587,000
U.N.E.S.C.O	—	—	10,836	185,000	154,000
Arts Council of Great Britain (formerly C.E.M.A.)	115,000	175,000	235,000	350,000	390,000
British Academy	1,000	1,000	1,000	2,500	2,500
Medical Research Council	215,000	250,000	295,000	465,000	698,000
Bureau of Hygiene and Tropical Diseases	1,000	1,000	3,000	2,800	3,000
Council of Industrial Design	—	4,000	55,000	100,000	164,000
The table excludes (on the analogy of the organisations expressly excluded in the terms of the Question) grants to museums, art galleries, libraries, schools of music, dramatic art and archaeology, and to responsible bodies recognised for direct grant by the Minister of Education under the Further Education Regulations, e.g., in the Adult Education field.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if stock and share brokers who are licensed dealers in securities, registered with the Board of Trade,

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number and name of each separate organisation, society or association which claims to sponsor the interests of, or improvements in the practice of, art, music, industrial design, medicine, fine arts and education, receiving a direct Exchequer grant from public funds, such as the British Council and the Arts Council, but excluding hospitals, universities and colleges of art and technology; and also the amount of such grants in each case covering any one period of 12 months or by way of lump sum grant during the last five years.

The following table shows grants made in the three years 1943–44 to 1945–46 and the amounts included in the Estimates for 1946–47 and 1947–48.may now stamp and sign declarations as required by Defence (Finance) Regulations, 1939, on the back of transfer deeds; or when they may be so authorised.

This matter is at present under active consideration