asked the President of the Board of Trade how many employees in the tyre-manufacturing industry have become redundant; and how many are likely to be unemployed in the next few months as a result of the shortage of carbon black;(2) if he will make a statement on the crisis which has recently arisen in the tyre-manufacturing industry due to the shortage of carbon black, including particulars as to the loss in tyre production as a result of this shortage and the loss which it is calculated will be suffered over the next three months.

I am not aware of any redundancy of labour in the tyre industry but a certain amount of short time is being worked at present owing to a shortage of some types of carbon black and other secondary materials. Supplies of channel black which are obtainable only from the United States have been barely sufficient to cover the great increase in tyre production during 1946, and the shortage has been accentuated recently by a strike affecting carbon black production in the United States. The strike is over but its effects are likely to be felt for some weeks. In the meantime, it is hoped that sufficient supplies will be available to keep tyre manufacturers operating at well above average 1946 levels. The shortage of secondary materials is holding back expansion rather than reducing recent levels of output, and it is not possible to estimate what greater production would be possible if more carbon black were available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cubic feet of natural gas which is available daily for export from the Middle East to this country and which, by the utilisation of suitable burning plant, could be converted into carbon black for use in the tyre-manufacturing industry.

I am not aware that any facilities exist for the export of natural gas from the Middle East for the production of carbon black or any other purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the present shortage of supplies of sail cloth, and that, as a result, there is a danger that overseas markets may be lost to British sail makers; and whether he will make a statement.

I am not aware of shortage of supplies of sail cloth made from flax, but supplies of cotton cloth generally are insufficient to meet all export orders. As I stated in reply to a similar Question by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight (Sir P. Macdonald) on 5th June, I hope that firms engaged on sail-making will be able to place fresh orders for future delivery of cotton sail cloth at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his Department is taking steps to ensure that an adequate supply of men's rubber Wellington boots, which are essential for certain kinds of work, will be available during next winter.

Yes. I will do everything possible to ensure that industrial and agricultural workers get the rubber boots they require.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new factories and extensions approved by his Department in course of erection and completed, respectively; the number of each in Great Britain and in each of the development areas, respectively; the number of persons employed in these undertakings; and the total potential employment in, respectively, Great Britain and the development areas from 31st July, 1945, to 31st May, 1947.

The total number of new factories and extensions of 5,000 square feet, or over, approved in Great Britain during the period 31st July, 1945, to 30th April, 1947 (the latest date for which information is available) is 2,483, of which 770 were in the development areas. It is estimated that when all these factories are in full production they will employ 159,940 men and boys and 129,240 women and girls, of which 76,380 men and boys and 75,320 women and girls will be employed in the development areas. Of the 770 new factories and extensions of 5,000 square feet and over approved in the development areas, 138 had been completed, or the firm was in occupation, by 30th April, 1947. Four hundred and sixty-one were in course of erection on that date. Statistics in regard to the current employment in the completed factories and extensions in the development areas are not readily available, but are being compiled, and I will send the information to my hon. Friend as soon as possible. Similar information in regard to factory building outside the development areas is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the number of factories built by the Commissioners for Special Areas and the number of Royal Ordnance Factories taken over, other Government factories taken over, wartime factories in Great Britain and the Development Areas, respectively, from 31st July, 1945, to 31st May, 1947, together with the number of persons employed and the total potential employment in those factories in Great Britain and the development areas, respectively.

No factories have been built by the Commissioners for Special Areas since June, 1945, when the Distribution of Industry Act was passed repealing the Special Areas (Development and Improvement) Acts, 1934 and 1937. Following are particulars about Government factories which have been allocated for civilian production since 31st July, 1945, to the latest date for which the information is available.During the period 31st July, 1945, to 30th April, 1947, 52 factories were completed by the Board of Trade under the provisions of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945. The number of Royal Ordnance Factories allocated for civilian production between 31st July, 1945, and 30th April, 1947, totalled 13, of which eight are in the development areas. The employment being provided in the eight factories in the development areas on 31st March, 1947, was 11,000 men and women against an employment potential of 28,000 when they are in full production. The potential employment of the Royal Ordnance Factories allocated outside the development areas is 8,500 men and women, but no figures are available in regard to current employment.The number of other Government owned factories allocated for civilian production between 31st July, 1945, and 30th April, 1947, totalled 256, of which 48 are in the development areas. The employment being provided in the factories in the development areas at 31st March, 1947, was approximately 18,000 men and women against an employment potential of 45,000 men and women when they are in full production. The potential employment of other Government factories allocated outside the development areas is 000,000 men and women, but no figures are available in regard to current employment. The 16 wartime "standard" factories in the development areas were all allocated before the 31st July, 1945, but only one had been completed by that date. Employment at 31st March in these factories totalled 6,520 men and women against an employment potential of 12,000 men and women when in full production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that shortage of soda alkali threatens to cause production hold-ups in the woolcombing section of the wool textile industry; that the present allowance of 100 per cent. of the quantities bought last year is insufficient this year in view of the increased labour force; and whether, to keep all the available combs running, he will permit an allocation of 120 per cent. on last year.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp) on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the procedure adopted and the basis upon which the assessment is made when determining whether to grant a shoe depôot receiving licence; and by whom he is advised in determining the needs of a particular locality.

Applications for licences to open boot and shoe repair receiving depôts should be made to the Board's regional controller of the district in which the depôt will be situated. Licences are granted automatically to ex-Servicemen or others who were in business previously and were forced to close because of the war, and now wish to re-open at their former place of business. If the shop is in a completely new district, the local facilities are taken into consideration. If the applicant has not been in business previously and is taking over an existing business, a licence is also granted automatically. If the applicant has not been in business and wishes to open a new business, a licence is granted only if there is a need for an additional receiving depôt. The need for additional repair businesses is assized on the basis of the population of the area concerned, and the number of operatives actually on repairs, the average waiting period, distance from the nearest repairers, and other relevant information bearing upon each individual case. Each regional controller has a competent technical staff who advise on whether a licence should be issued.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how long drilling operations for coal have been going on at Melville, near Edinburgh; what seams have been disclosed; and whether any are operable.

Drilling operations for opencast working started at the end of February, 1947. So far a series in the lower coal measures has been disclosed comprising the Splint, Parrot Rough, Jewel, Upper Melville and Lower Melville Seams. It is too early to say whether these seams are workable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if future allocations of coke to Sheringham, Norfolk, merchants can include supplies to Sheringham Cooperative society, whose customers have been unable to purchase coke for the past six months, due to non-deliveries to the society.

As my hon. Friend has been informed by letter, the Sheringham Co-operative society received last year over 90 per cent. of its allocation and has only recently applied for a higher allocation. The allocation is being increased.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) how much coal Great Britain is arranging to purchase from the U.S.A.; and what is the price per ton that is being paid for this;(2) how much per ton will have to be spent, in addition to the actual purchase price of the coal brought from the U.S.A., to provide for transport, handling and all other charges, before it is finally delivered in this country.

As regards the amount of coal to be purchased from the U.S.A. I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the question asked today by my hon. Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton). No contracts have yet been entered into regarding the supply of coal to the United Kingdom under the allocation. No firm estimate is, therefore, yet possible of the, cost of that coal or of the freight and other handling charges although estimates varying between £5 and £8 a ton have been mentioned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much of the global sum payable for coalmining assets is applicable in Scotland.

This is a matter which has to be decided by the Central Valuation Board which has been appointed in accordance with Section 12 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946. The Board's decision is unlikely to be made for some considerable time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements have been made by the National Coal Board towards finding employment for the staff of the Coal Commission; and whether all such employees are now receiving salaries and allowances equivalent to those enjoyed by them under the Coal Commission.

Under Section 38 of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act the property and functions (other than interests in coal) of the Coal Commission were transferred to the National Coal Board at 1st January, 1947, and I made an order dissolving the Coal Commission as at 31st March, 1947. The staff of the Commission were taken over by the National Coal Board and, I understand, have been retained in the Board's service under conditions not less favourable than those enjoyed by them under the Coal Commission.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has any plans for the development of the Scottish shale-oil industry.

I want to see an increase in the output of the Scottish shale oil industry. More men are needed and I trust that with the improved terms and conditions of employment recently introduced by agreement between the two sides, the industry will be able not only to retain but to expand its labour force.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of police who have been shot or wounded on duty in the Metropolitan area in the last six months; and in how many cases the assailant has been captured or is believed known to the police.

Shots were fired at four members of the force, one of whom was not injured. The assailant in this case escaped and his identity is not known to the police, but the others were all captured.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why a station inspector is never replaced when on leave or sick; and whether he will arrange for such replacement in the interests of further promotion in the police force.

A station inspector absent on leave or through sickness is replaced temporarily by a junior officer as and when necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of police stations in the Metropolitan area where cleaners are paid at least an equal amount to an ordinary police constable; and whether a rise in constable's pay will now be considered in view of this state of affairs.

Even excluding other police emoluments such as rent allowance, no cleaner employed to clean Metropolitan police buildings is paid for cleaning duties only as much as the minimum pay of a constable; in the summer, four, and in the winter, six cleaners, who act also as stokers, may with overtime receive as much as the minimum pay of a constable. The position with regard to cleaners' pay does not afford any ground for reopening the question of police pay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of police constables who have passed the promotion examination to sergeant, but for whom, owing to the working of the service, no promotion is possible and have left to join the teaching profession in the last two years, respectively.

Only three out of 37 such constables who have resigned from the Metropolitan Police Force during the last two years are known to have intended to join the teaching profession.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the duties of the post of Inspector-General of Civil Defence now held by Sir John Hodsell; and with what degree of authority did he make a speech at Bath relating to the preparations for another world war.

The duties of the post of Inspector-General of Civil Defence are largely in abeyance. The holder of the office amongst his other civil defence duties is, however, addressing a series of meetings at which members of the former Civil Defence services are informed of new methods of air warfare and the likely effects of attack upon the civil life of the country. In this way the technical interest of the clubs and associations catering for ex-members of the services is maintained until the Government are in a position to make known their proposals for the reorganisation of Civil Defence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any independent inspection of vivisectional laboratories is made at any time by other persons than officially-appointed inspectors, or if he will provide for facilities to be made for other persons as well.

As I told my hon. Friend in reply to his Question of 28th February, 1946, I have no power to require laboratory authorities to admit persons other than inspectors appointed under the Act of 1876.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the reason for the delay in completing His Majesty's prison at Askham Richard; and what action he proposes to take to complete the necessary work at this prison which is already accommodating 25 women prisoners.

The work necessary to enable this building to be occupied has already been carried out, and the building can accommodate more than its present population. What remains to be done is in the nature of the provision of additional amenities and improvements and steps are being taken to have this work done as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what type of classes are held in the hall in the grounds of Holloway prison, how frequently such classes are held; to what category of prisoner this instruction is given; and whether the hall will be fitted up as a lecture or concert hall.

It is not proposed to fit up this hall as a concert or lecture hall, because it is intended for use as a prison workshop and is not large enough for permanent use as a lecture or concert hall. In the meantime it is being used for physical training classes, lectures and discussion classes for all categories of prisoners. These activities take place on most nights of the week, but whether they are held in the hall depends upon the numbers attending and the weather conditions: physical training classes are often held in the open air.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons in Wales and Monmouthshire, respectively in October, 1946, and for the latest month for which figures are available, together with the areas and industries in which they occurred.

I am having the figures extracted and will send them to my hon. Friend

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers of registered dock workers for handling cargoes at the following ports of the United Kingdom, giving in each case the similar figures for March, 1939, and distinguishing lightermen from those workers: London, Liverpool, Glasgow, Hull, Southampton, Bristol and Dundee.

The numbers are as follow:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will consider the advisability of continuing the grants made to students on Government training courses to cover the period after the completion of training during which they are awaiting appointment.

No.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases, as at the last convenient date, of furnished lettings in which the dwellinghouses concerned were within the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1939, which dwellinghouses were then let at the first rental which had been charged for them, respectively, have been reported under the provisions of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, to the various tribunals, respectively; in how many cases has each of them reduced the rents payable by the tenants; and by what approximate percentages.

I regret that this information is not readily available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement on the renewed efforts he is promoting in dealing with the housing problem in Birmingham.

Housing in Birmingham is making steady progress and I am taking all practicable steps to assist the local authority.

asked the Minister of Health (1) why, out of 407 permanent houses for which he has approved tenders for the Huyton Urban District Council, only 31 have been completed, having regard to the fact that 190 out of 304 being built under licence by speculative builders have been completed in a much shorter time: and what steps he proposes to speed the construction of houses to let in this district;(2) Why out of the 288 permanent houses under construction for the Widnes Borough Council, none have yet been completed except seven houses for staff, having regard to the fact that 56 out of 120 being built under licence by speculative builders have been completed in a much shorter time; and what steps he proposes to speed the construction of houses to let in this borough;(3) Why out of 168 permanent houses for which he has approved tenders for the Whiston Rural District Council, only 20 have been completed, having regard to the fact that 16 out of 122 being built under licence by speculative builders have been completed in a much shorter time; and what steps he proposes to speed the construction of houses to let in this district.

In the three districts in question the erection of houses by licence began before the erection of houses by the local authority. The issue of further licences by the councils, except with the approval of my Department, has been prohibited and as indicated in the figures given in Appendix B of the March return, the completion of substantial numbers of houses by the local authority during this year is expected.

asked the Minister of Health if all houses built for agricultural workers are, for the purpose of the four to one ratio between local authority building and private enterprise building, treated as local authority houses; and how many houses in this category have so far been built.

Houses built with subsidy under Section 13 of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1946, rank as local authority houses for this purpose. The number approved for subsidy is 294.

asked the Minister of Health what is the reason for the number of claims for the agricultural subsidy for houses dropping from 607 houses on 6th March, 1947, to 410 houses at 31st March, 1947.

The figure of 410 relates to the number of completed houses in respect of which local authorities have applied for agricultural subsidy. At 6th March my Department had been informed of 607 houses in respect of which local authorities had expressed an intention to let to agricultural workers when seeking approval for building. Neither figure fully indicates the proportion of new houses intended for agricultural workers and I am considering how a more representative figure can be obtained.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the acute position that will be created in Hartley, Kent, and outlying areas, by the call-up to the Forces of Dr. J. L. Jenman; and if he will take steps to have the call-up of this medical practitioner cancelled.

The Central Medical War Committee, who were aware of all the circumstances, recommended that this young practitioner should be called up. While appreciating the difficulties, I do not feel justified in disturbing their recommendation; but, as my hon. Friend is aware, I have arranged for the call-up to be postponed to allow time for other arrangements to be made.

asked the Minister of Health under whose authority are slaughter houses licensed where horses and ponies are slaughtered for human consumption and the licence of the local authority for a knacker's yard does not cover permission for these animals to be destroyed for this purpose; and what Department is responsible for supervision and ensuring that proper legal obligations for humane slaughter are enforced.

Horses or ponies whose meat is sold for human consumption are slaughtered in slaughter houses licensed by local authorities who also have sole responsibility for enforcing the legal obligations for humane slaughter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of medical and surgical equipment at hospitals throughout the country; and whether the equipment no longer required by the armed forces has been, or will be, made available at an early date.

I know there is a shortage of some items. A start has already been made on the lines of the latter part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Health what information he has to show that his deprecation of the employment of girls at too early an age in hospitals has had an effect, particularly in sanatoria; and whether he is satisfied that hospital authorities now fully recognise the unwisdom of this.

I regret that detailed information is not available. The unwisdorn of employing young girls is, however, generally recognised, and every opportunity is taken of discouraging the practice.

asked the Minister of Health why his Department has given instructions that certificates enabling an expectant mother to purchase sheets for a confinement at home must not be issued until a month before the confinement is due; whether he is aware that the expectant mother may be thereby compelled to travel long distances in public conveyances in the last month of her pregnancy in order to make her purchases; and whether, in view of the unnecessary anxiety, hardship and injury to health which are involved, he will immediately withdraw or modify these instructions.

No such instructions have been given by my Department. If the hon. and learned Member has an individual case in mind I shall be glad to have particulars.

asked the Minister of Education what instruction is given in schools as to the importance of preserving bird-life and with a view to discouraging children from wantonly taking birds' eggs or destroying or removing birds' nests.

The instruction in the schools is a matter for the teachers. Nature study normally forms part of the school curriculum, and teachers are well accustomed to encourage a humane attitude to animal life.

asked the Minister of Education at what date he proposes to open the Cardiff Emergency Training College for Teachers; how many students will be catered for; and how many of these will be day students.

I hope that this College will open in the Autumn. The exact date depends on progress with building works. It will accommodate about zoo students of whom about 90 will be day students.

asked the Minister of Education in what areas of Middlesex the special responsibility allowances awarded to teachers for the years 1945–46 and 1946–47 have not yet been paid; and if he will take action to ensure a uniform method of payment throughout the county.

I do not know what payments have been made by this local education authority in accordance with the general schemes for the distribution of special posts carrying allowances which have been agreed for 1945–46. The proposed arrangements for teachers in primary and secondary schools for the year 1946–47 have not yet been submitted by the authority. The allocation of special posts to teachers in schools in any district within the authority's area and the method of making the payments to the teachers are matters primarily for the local education authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Education what sums of money it is proposed by the Cardiff educational development scheme to spend on grammar schools, technical schools and primary schools, respectively.

The capital expenditure estimated to be incurred under the Cardiff development plan on the schools mentioned is approximately as follows, grammar schools, £700,000; secondary technical schools, £11,000; primary schools, £826,000.

asked the Minister of Education whether in view of the fact that the Essex education committee are not satisfied that sufficient priority has been given to the provision of schools in connection with the L.C.C. plans to build over 5,000 houses at Aveley and 6,000 houses at East Tilbury, he will arrange priorities so that the rate of construction of schools will keep pace with that of houses.

I am informed by the Essex local education authority that at East Tilbury no steps have yet been taken to develop the L.C.C. estate. At Aveley the lay-out of the whole L.C.C. estate has not yet been settled. Plans for a new junior school at Stifford Road, Aveley, have recently been received from the local education authority and are being considered urgently. Steps will be taken at the appropriate stage to secure the necessary priorities for this and other school accommodation required on these estates.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent progress has been made in meeting the expanding demand for adequate primary and secondary school accommodation in new housing areas in the county of Essex; and whether the Essex education authority are now satisfied with his plans for 1947 and thereafter.

Plans for 20 new schools or extensions to existing schools have been approved by the Ministry under the 1947 school building programme for Essex, and work has been started in 10 of these projects. Plans of one other school are now being considered at the Ministry, and further schools are being planned by the authority. Most of these new schools will serve new housing areas. The school building programme has been drawn up in consultation with the local education authority and I have no ground for thinking that the authority are dissatisfied with it, having regard to the limitations imposed by the shortages of labour and materials available at the present time.

asked the Minister of Education how many students entered universities and university colleges in the sessions 1946 and 1947, respectively, who were in receipt of further education grants.

It is not possible without an undue expenditure of time and labour to answer the Question in the form in which it is asked. During the session 1945–46 approximately 8,000 awards were made under the Further Education and Training Scheme to enable students to attend universities and university colleges. Since the beginning of the session 1946–47 a further 11,800 awards have been made.

asked the Minister of Education whether the 200 English teachers due to leave for the U.S.A. this year under the exchange plan will not be requested to supplement their English salaries out of their own money, but arrangements made for them to draw the salaries of their U.S. colleagues whilst in that country and for payment to be made in sterling to their U.S. colleagues visiting England, or other means taken to secure adequate funds for the English teachers cost of living in the U.S.A.

It is estimated that the number of teachers for whom it will be possible to arrange exchanges this year will be of the order of 130. The financial arrangements suggested by the hon. Member would not be practicable. I am, however, arranging to place a special sum at the disposal of the British Interchange Committee, which will enable the Committee to assist each of the teachers from this country to the extent of £100. I am taking steps to ensure that no teacher accepts an interchange post without being made fully aware of all the financial implications involved in acceptance.

asked the Minister of Education when he anticipates that the additional classrooms and boarding facilities at Bishop Fox's school, Taunton, will be available for the admission of those children who reached a sufficient standard for further consideration in the Somerset county examination for entrance to secondary grammar school in 1945, but who failed to obtain admission to such schools, and to whose parents a circular letter offering admission to Bishop Fox's school if boarding facilities could be arranged was addressed by the Somerset county education committee in February, 1947.

It is hoped to have the building of the classrooms and the adaptations to the boarding house completed in time for the beginning of the autumn term.

asked the Minister of Education if he has considered a letter signed by members of the sixth form at the county grammar school at Foots Cray, revealing serious shortages in school equipment; and what reply he has returned.

My reply is on its way to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Education the names and number of local education authorities in Wales which have refused to grant equality of status with regard to holidays for primary schools; and whether he will consult with these authorities with a view to obtaining equality of treatment.

I have no information with regard to the holiday arrangements adopted by local education authorities for primary schools. Subject to compliance with the regulations of the Ministry, these arrangements are within the discretion of the authorities.

asked the Minister of Education the number of children eligible for attendance at nursery schools in Cardiff and the actual nursery school accommodation available.

There are at present eight nursery schools in Cardiff, accommodating approximately 400 children between two and five years of age. The total number of children in these age groups is estimated at nearly 10,000.

asked the Minister of Education the number of primary schools where paid clerical assistance is available for the headteacher.

Separate information for primary schools is not available. The total number of clerical assistants employed in primary and secondary schools in July, 1946—the latest date for which figures are available—was 5,918.

asked the Minister of Education how many black-listed school buildings were in use as primary and secondary schools, respectively, on 1st April, 1947, as compared with 1st April, 1946.

The number of buildings on the 1925 black list which were still in use for school purposes on 1st April, 1947, was 663 as compared with 667 a year previously. Separate figures for primary and secondary schools could not be given without a considerable amount of work, which would not be justifiable since the list is out of date. Local education authorities have been carrying out a fresh survey of school premises in connection with the preparation of their development plans.

asked the Minister of Education whether the Basic English Foundation has yet been constituted; what are its aims and who are its members; and whether any grant-in-aid has yet been made to it.

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The main object of this charitable trust is to propagate the teaching and study of Basic English as an international and educational medium, and thereby to increase the knowledge of English among mankind. The trust deed specifies various ways in which this general object can be carried out. The trustees are Mr. Arthur N. Coleridge, Mr. Percy Good, C.B.E., Lieut.-Colonel Mervyn O'Gorman, C.B., D.Sc., and Mr. C. K. Ogden. Provision for grant-in-aid to the Foundation is included under Subhead D.3 of my Department's Estimates for the current financial year.

asked the Minister of Health whether, when framing the proposed alteration in the system of valuation for rates, he will maintain the right of aggrieved ratepayers to appear before a committee consisting of fellow ratepayers elected for that purpose.

I can assure my hon. Friend that this point will be kept in mind.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that a number of posters affixed to hoardings in various parts of the country and purporting to be issued by the railway companies and the Road Haulage Association in pursuance of an anti-nationalisation campaign, display no particulars of the name and address of the printer; and what action he proposes to take in instances where no particulars of the printer, as required by law, are displayed.

My attention has not previously been drawn to this matter. Such inquiries as have been made have so far failed to disclose any breach of the law. If, however, my hon. Friend will give me further particulars of the location of the posters to which he refers, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Attorney-General when the Lord Chancellor's Committee on the Law of Defamation is expected to report.

From inquiries I have made, it does not now seem likely that the report will be available until October of this year.

asked the Minister of Works the number of building licences issued by the Glasgow office of his Department between August and December, 1945, and between January and November, 1946; and the value of the work authorised, exclusive of housing.

I am assuming that the hon. Member is referring in particular to the City of Glasgow where during the period August to December, 1945, 652 licences for non-housing work costing £1,183,433 were issued. The correspond- ing figures for the period January to November, 1946, are 2,181 and £3,200,610.

asked the Minister of Works when the Simon Committee, appointed to report on the cost of building materials distribution, are expected to produce their report.

The Committee on the Distribution of Building Materials and Components is expected to report about the end of this year.

asked the Minister of Works the reason for retaining the licensing of building and civil engineering contractors, in view of the fact that no application for such a licence has been rejected in the last 12 months.

The main reason for maintaining a register of building and civil engineering contractors is to identify the employers and thereby to obtain information as to the numbers of employers and operatives in the industry and their distribution throughout the country according to the type of work on which they are engaged; it is on this information that the planning of the building programme and the control of building operations depend. Registration is also required at present to secure the observance of certain conditions specified in Defence Regulation 56AB.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the Inter-departmental Committee on Services Land Requirements has reached any decision regarding the final disposal of Beaver's Lane Camp, Hounslow; what is the nature of the decision; and when it is proposed to inform the Heston and Isleworth Borough Council thereof.

The matter referred to is still under consideration by the Interdepartmental Committee.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning for what reason his Department has been placing obstacles in the way of the construction of agricultural cottages in the parish of Edworth, Bedfordshire

The rural district council of Biggleswade submitted this proposal only on 29th April and there has been no obstruction. Some difficulties are seen over the site they propose and this is under discussion with them the matter will be settled very shortly

asked the Secretary of State for Air why those serving in Malcolm Clubs attached to the R.A.F. in Germany are not being treated as war workers abroad for the purposes of electoral registers; and if he will add the Malcolm Clubs to the list of authorities empowered to attest declarations.

I am grateful to the hon. Member for raising this matter. I regret that the employees of the Malcolm Clubs have been overlooked, and I am arranging for the authorities of the Malcolm Clubs to have power to attest declarations

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a large number of the R.A.F. personnel stationed at Malta complain that they were not consulted with regard to the cancellation of home leave; and if he will consult all the personnel stationed on the island.

We decided to introduce a shorter overseas tour without home leave after sounding the general opinion in overseas commands, but we did not, of course, consult every member of the R.A.F. overseas. I am satisfied that it would not be in the interests of the Service as a whole or of those airmen who are required to serve a full tour of duty overseas, to revert to a longer tour in order to introduce home leave.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give a table of all the airfields that were in use at the end of the war in the United Kingdom, indicating the number that are being retained for service operational use; the number on a care and maintenance basis; the number returned to the landowners to be used fully for agricultural purposes; the number reserved fat civil flying purposes; the number returned to municipalities and local authorities who originally constructed them; and the number about which no decision has yet been finally taken.

The table is being prepared and will be published in HANSARD as soon as possible

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that ex-miners are being asked to pay a fee of £8 before they can have a third and final examination for the medical board set up by the Government; and whether he will take steps to remove this injustice.

The whole question of fees for this purpose is being examined in connection with the new Industrial Injuries Scheme. In the meantime I would like to make it clear that the third examination mentioned by my hon. Friend is in no sense a final one, but if a man who has twice been examined without finding any trace of the disease applies again within a short period the full fee is charged. If, however, he is then certified as suffering from the disease, all except 10s. of the fee is refunded to him.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma if he will make a statement on the outbreak of lawlessness in the Arakan district.

The situation in Arakan has for some months been disturbed. The ring-leader is U Sein Da who took part in the resistance movement against the Japanese and subsequently used his organisation to establish a parallel administration and terrorise wide areas. The Governor's Executive Council in December last offered U Sein Da and his followers a special amnesty provided they surrendered with their arms. On 17th January U Sein Da with 67 of his followers surrendered but the number of arms given up was insignificant. Since his surrender U Sein Da has shown no desire to co-operate with the Government of Burma despite many conciliatory approaches. He attacked the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the delegation from the Governor's Executive Council stating that Burmese independence could only be attained by violence. Meanwhile, he continued to strengthen his force and extract money and supplies from the villages. There has been widespread lawlessness including murders and attacks on the police. Some parallel courts have been established and sentences of whipping and death carried out. At rallies and conferences culminating in an All-Arakan Conference on 1st April resolutions have been passed urging non-payment of taxes, cancellation of agricultural debts and open rebellion. U Aung San's personal intervention at this Conference was without effect. On 9th May a mob of three thousand surrounded the court house at Ramree demanding the release of 18 criminals arrested for illegal possession of arms. It was about to disperse when U Sein Da arrived and by intimidation secured the release of the criminals and the return of their arms. He and his followers were shortly after arrested. Documents found in U Sein Da's possession revealed connection with the Communist Party (Burma)—an unlawful organisation—and also elaborate plans to seize power. The Government have sent a strong force of military and police to Arakan where the situation is now well in hand.

asked the Minister of Food whether it is expected during the treaty negotiations with the U.S.S.R., to be able to obtain any further quantities of linseed oil.

Owing to the shortage of fats in the U.S.S.R. there is no immediate prospect of our obtaining supplies of linseed oil there.

asked the Minister of Food the total weekly amount of extra manufacturing meat which is being allocated to meat manufacturers in the areas of prewar heavy unemployment and in the mining areas under the scheme which was introduced on 30th March, 1947.

The additional allocation of extra manufacturing meat to the areas of heavy prewar unemployment and low earnings was about £14,000 per week. Since then, however, there has been a 20 per cent. nationwide cut in all manufacturing meat allocations, which has had the effect of reducing the net increase to these areas to some £11,500 per week This represents about 103 tons weekly.

asked the Minister of Food whether any regulations have been made to prohibit the provision of horseflesh with normal meat being served in catering establishments; and whether any obligation rests on managers of such establishments to declare that horseflesh is being served to customers.

The Horseflesh (Control and Maximum Prices) Order, 1941 (S.R. & O. 1941, No. 1862) provides that no person shall sell or expose or deposit for sale any horseflesh for human consumption in any premises where other than horseflesh is sold or offered for sale for human consumption, and the same Order prohibits the manufacture or sale for human consumption of any meat paste, soup, meat roll or gelantine, ready or prepared meal, sausage, meat pie or other meat product or compound article of food containing horseflesh. Further, Section 38 of the Foods and Drugs Act, 1938 provides that no person shall sell any horseflesh for human consumption unless a notice stating that horseflesh is sold there is conspicuously displayed, and also provides that no person shall supply horseflesh for human consumption to a purchaser who has not asked to be supplied with horseflesh.

asked the Minister of Food (1) what are the approximate total amounts of extra food above the basic ration allowed, respectively, to workers hav- ing no access to canteens who are entitled to extra bread and cheese; to male manual workers, including the above, who are entitled to the six bread-rationing coupons issued to manual workers; to female manual workers entitled to extra bread; and to young persons aged 11 to 18 years entitled to extra bread;(2) what are the approximate total amounts of extra food above the basic ration allowed, respectively, to miners who are entitled to an extra shilling's worth of meat and to six extra bread-rationing coupons in addition to the six bread-rationing coupons allowed to all heavy manual workers; to miners who have access to a canteen but who exercise the option of drawing extra bread and cheese instead of canteen meals; and to miners who draw an extra three-quarters of an ounce of dripping in packed meals;(3) what are the approximate total amounts of extra food above the basic ration allowed, respectively, to adolescents entitled to National Milk Cocoa, to industrial workers entitled to extra milk or National Milk Cocoa, to outside workers entitled to extra tea, milk and sugar and to office workers entitled to tea and milk;(4) what are the approximate total amounts of extra food above the normal basic ration allowed to seamen, etc., engaged in home and coastwise traffic who are fed on R.B. 6 scale.(5) what are the approximate total amounts of extra food above the basic ration allowed, respectively, to agricultural workers entitled to extra rations at harvest and other times and to country people entitled to rural pies.(6) what are the approximate total amounts of extra food above the basic ration allowed, respectively, to vegetarians who get the extra 2 oz. per week of vegetable margarine, to persons suffering from certain complaints and invalids who get extra foods and eggs, to old persons entitled to extra tea, to expectant mothers and mothers of young children entitled to extra meat, bread, milk, and other food, and to children entitled to extra liquid or dried milk.

There is no precise information about the total amount of food allowed to the named classes of consumer over and above the quantities allowed against their ordinary rations. Foodstuffs are distributed primarily on the basis of calculated entitlements of both ordinary rations and special allowances together and no attempt is made to keep separate records of distribution for each. The only way to find out what food is actually purchased against the special entitlements for the various classes of consumer mentioned would be by large scale detailed investigations which could not be undertaken because of the cost and manpower involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will now publish, as a White Paper, the full text of the Secret Protocols of 23rd August and 28th September, 1939, to the treaty by which Germany agreed to the annexation by the U.S.S.R. of the Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, since the terms of these protocols have already been partly disclosed.

No, Sir. It was stated on 23rd January in reply to a Question by the hon. Member that the publication of captured documents was being undertaken jointly by His Majesty's Government and by the Government of the United States. Since then arrangements have been made for the French Government to be associated with the work of publication and they have nominated two distinguished French historians to share in the task of selecting and arranging the documents. In these circumstances it would be inappropriate to arrange for separate publication by His Majesty's Government of the documents referred to in the Question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what limitations have been placed upon the rebuilding of the German trawler fishing fleet; and whether any further relaxation of the present restrictions is contemplated in the immediate future.

The Allied Council have authorised a rebuilding programme of 100 fishing trawlers. Of these 66 are to be of less than 350 gross registered tons and 34 of from 350 to 400 gross registered tons. No modification of these restrictions is contemplated at present.

asked the Minister of Transport if the proposal to close the L.M.S. line between Rochdale and Bacup has been cancelled, in view of the representations from residents throughout the districts concerned.

No, Sir.