asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the uncertainty prevailing amongst road hauliers in Cumberland as to whether their businesses are to be wholly or partly nationalised under the Transport Bill, whether steps will be taken to make known to them in simplified form the effects of the Bill if passed into law.

As soon as the Bill was published copies were made available for inspection at the offices of the regional transport commissioners and district transport officers, and the staff of those offices were instructed to explain the provisions affecting them to road hauliers who inquired. I do not think that further steps are necessary at this stage.

While appreciating what the Minister has said, may I ask if he is not aware that there is a great deal of confusion in the country amongst road hauliers whether they will be nationalised or not; that that is impeding progress, development and improvement; and when the Bill becomes an Act will he consider publishing it in simplified form, so that they will know if they are in it, and if they are not, be able to get on with the work?

I have no evidence that there is confusion—

Oh, yes.

—but I think it is known 1947 generally throughout the industry that these facilities are there, and many people have taken advantage of them. I will take the second part of the supplementary question into consideration later.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to start work on the Dartford—Purfleet tunnel.

Tenders are about to be invited for the construction of this tunnel, but until they have been received and examined I am unable to say when the work will be begun.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that on 6th May of last year he stated that this project would come within the first two years of his Io-year transport plan; that a year has already gone by; and does he think that this project will be completed within the remaining year of the two years he had in mind?

It certainly will not be completed within the two years' period, but this is a rather substantial undertaking. Of course, I am hoping that I shall be able to start within the two years, but I cannot give any definite undertaking.

Could my right hon. Friend say that this project will be given every priority, having regard to its great industrial importance in the Purfleet area?

asked the Minister of Transport if he will have those side streets where motor cars are permitted to park suitably marked, so as to assist the private motorist in carrying out the law.

Authorised parking places on public highways are indicated by a standard sign. Elsewhere, no person in charge of a motor vehicle should leave it standing on the highway if it is likely to cause unnecessary obstruction.

What is the interpretation of "a highway"? It is clearly laid down where one may not park, but it is not laid down where motorists may park off main streets. It is most necessary that there should be somewhere to park?

Throughout London generally, the "free parking" sign is an official indication of a parking place. Motorists have been inclined to park all over the place.

Is it not a fact that motorists are permitted to park in certain side streets within 40 feet of the main road?

No, Sir. There has been a general inclination to park cars anywhere on the highway, and that is why these restrictions are being tried out at the present moment.

Would it be reasonable to suppose that we are permitted to park cars except where prohibited from parking cars?

Does the Minister give official approval and encouragement to the system of parking cars on one side of the street on even dates and on the other on odd dates? Certain local authorities have adopted this system but others have not. Has the Minister laid down any rule in regard to this system?

No hard and fast rule has been laid down, but co-operation is taking place with local authorities to develop a system of that character.

Will the Minister go so far as to say that he wishes this system to be encouraged and adopted more widely?

I certainly think it is an improvement.

Will the Minister consider allowing cars to park in very broad streets, such as Oxford Street, which would not inconvenience anyone in any way at all?

asked the Minister of Transport what is the amount of the cut in the Exchequer grant towards the maintenance of roads in the area of the Lindsey County Council; and what percentage of the original proposed grant this represents.

The grant will be less by about £10,000, or 4 per cent., than if the estimates of the county council had been accepted in full.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that this grant will be paid back to the county council?

Not paid back—but consultations are taking place between my divisional road engineer and the county surveyor; I cannot say whether it will lead to any modification in this case.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if, in the interests of the travelling public he will reconsider his decision to suspend the running of the 1 a.m. train from King's Cross to Edinburgh;

(2) if he is aware of the inconvenience that will be caused to the travelling public by the withdrawal of the 1 a.m. train from King's Cross to Edinburgh; and whether he will arrange either for one of the night trains to Edinburgh to leave King's Cross at 11 p.m. or for the 11.30 p.m. train from King's Cross to Newcastel to run on to Edinburgh.

The withdrawal of this train is part of the 10 per cent. reduction in services this summer. I am informed that the 11 30 p.m. train to Newcastle is already fully loaded and could not take extra coaches for Edinburgh passengers, and that if tilt sleeper train for Edinburgh were to leave at 11 p.m., arrivals at certain important destinations in Scotland would be from two to five hours later owing to re-timing difficulties.

Does the Minister realise that he could scarcely have taken off a train which is wanted more, not only by members of the public, but also by Scottish Members of Parliament; and in view of that fact will he not reconsider this decision? This is a most important train, and it would make a great deal of difference to a lot of people if it could be put on again.

I am always ready to look into matters referred to in the House, but on this question affecting the 10 per cent. reduction one must be guided, on the whole, by the practical experience of the railway administration.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether all Scottish interests were consulted before this decision was made?

No, Sir. I do not think it would be practicable to discuss it with all the interests, over the whole of the railway system, affected by any particular train.

Would the right hon. Gentleman undertake to restore this train in the autumn when the 10 per cent. cut ends?

Of course, at the moment it is only for the summer period, to assist in the restocking of coal. I have no reason to anticipate that it will continue beyond that period, but I will bear that point in mind.

Would the Minister also bear in mind that a 10 per cent. cut on the Scottish system is a much more severe one than a 10 per cent. cut on the English system?

I, of course, always appreciate the special need of Scotland, and never overlook it.

This is a special disadvantage.

asked the Minister of Transport how many freight trains were cancelled on Saturday, 7th June, in order that additional passenger trains might be provided for passengers attending Epsom races on Derby day.

None, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that it has been announced that the Elham Valley line of the S.R. is to be closed to both goods and passenger traffic as from 16th June; that this closing down will cause great hardship to farmers, traders and the public in general; and if he will make a statement.

I am informed that the Elham Valley line will be officially closed to passenger and goods traffic as from today. The number of passengers using the line averaged only about a dozen a day in each direction, and the district is well covered by bus services. Parcels and "smalls" traffic can be delivered from Canterbury and Shorncliffe stations. Thu, railway company will continue to provide facilities on the branch for dealing with the small quantity of full truck load goods traffic until satisfactory alternative arrangements have been made.

Will the Minister represent to the railway company that the cutting off of present supplies of coal and agricultural supplies will cause the greatest inconvenience over a considerable area?

I am informed that only six wagons a day come in and only one wagon a day goes out on this particular line, but in any case I have indicated that the company are going to see that that continues until other arrangements are made.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied with all the tests made on the Victory-type lifejacket.

Yes, Sir. This lifejacket was, of course, fully tested before it was permitted to be used on merchant ships, and further tests recently carried out have confirmed that it is very efficient.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that specialists, the Norwegian Government, and the evidence arising out of the loss of the "Samwater" all throw considerable doubt upon the efficacy of this lifejacket, which it is alleged has a tendency to raise the heels and submerge the head? Does he not think that it is a rather unsatisfactory posture with which to face the future?

On more than one occasion one has been confronted with a difference of opinion among the experts, but the majority of experts on this occasion appear to be satisfied with the tests, which have been thorough, and that the equipment is efficient.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are all very dissatisfied with the Victory-type strait-jacket?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what will be the position if the life of a Norwegian is lost as a result of this jacket, in view of the fact that the Norwegian Government refuse to accept it as being satisfactory?

I could not say what the attitude would be.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider issuing regulations to compel all British ships to carry breeches-buoy apparatus for saving life.

No: Sir, the breeches-buoy must be worked from the shore, but all sea-going ships of 80 tons gross and over, and all fishing boats of 50 feet or more in length are required by the Merchant Shipping (Life Saving Appliances) Rules to carry an approved type of line throwing appliance.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that large numbers of Ulster people, resident in Great Britain, are at present unable to secure bookings to Northern Ireland for the bank holiday period of 12th July; and whether he will authorise sufficient additional sailings to accommodate those who wish to travel on this occasion.

I understand that, except on 5th July, sailing tickets for Northern Ireland are still available on the sailing dates before 12th July by one or other of the routes. The London Midland and Scottish Railway have already provided for additional sailings for the Belfast holiday, and there is no additional tonnage available to augment sailings further.

Are additional sailings available on this bank holiday on the same scale as for other bank holidays?

I could not say "Yes" or "No" to that question, but I will look into the point.

Is the Minister aware that the congestion is contributed to by people desiring to go to Eire by this indirect route? Will he take some steps to obviate the congestion between Holyhead and Dun Laoghaire?

It is rather difficult for me to tell people which route they should use.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that B.E.A.C. have indicated their intention to sell reconditioned ex-Service motor cars to their employees; and what steps he is taking to see that such vehicles are not supplied to B.E.A.C. until all the priority demands of disabled ex-Service men and women are satisfied.

No vehicles are being supplied to B.E.A.C. for resale to their employees.

Is it not true to say that these vehicles are being supplied to B.E.A.C. for use by the corporation, and if so, will the Minister give an undertaking that no such vehicles will be supplied in future until the needs of disabled ex-Service men have been met?

That is quite a different question. Government Corporations and Departments obviously have a claim on certain vehicles, but these are usually of a different type from those required by ex-Service men.

Why should not disabled ex-Service men get these vehicles before these octopus corporations?

asked the Minister of Supply how many amendments have now been effected in the Control of Iron and Steel (No. 46) Order, 1945, S.R. & O., 1945, No. 1660; and when it is his intention to introduce a consolidating Order.

There have been 10 amending orders. A consolidating order is now being drafted, but I cannot yet say when it will be ready.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a statement concerning the acquisition by His Majesty's Government of the business of Messrs. Thorium, Limited; whether he will publish the terms; and whether he will state the annual amount of the management fee with details of the managerial functions performed.

The business and premises of Thorium, Ltd., at Amersham, have been acquired on the basis of agreed valuations of the freehold property, equipment, stock-in-trade and goodwill. The company is responsible, as my agent and under my direction, for running the Radiochemical Centre for the processing, packing and distribution of natural and artificial radioactive substances required for medical, scientific and industrial purposes. It would be contrary to the usual practice to disclose either the terms of the acquisition or the management fee.

asked the Minister of, Supply the names of persons and bodies to whom licences have been issued under Section 10 (1) of the Atomic Energy Act, 1946, and the number and character of such licences.

No order has yet been made under this Subsection and, therefore, the question of issuing licences does not arise.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is making any provision that will permit the indispensable bicycle spare parts, now required, being made, and the proposed cuts in raw materials essential for these parts being revised.

I fully appreciate the importance of the bicycle industry, especially in the export field, and the industry is receiving and will continue to receive all the steel that the supply position allows.

Does the Minister realise that this Question does not refer to exports, but to people in this country who want to go to and from their work? Is he aware that many thousands of people cannot get their bicycles repaired, and will he do something about it?

I am well aware of that, but there is a great shortage of steel and there are large numbers of surplus bicycles coming on the market in disposal sales.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that men do not want new bicycles, but spare parts? What is he going to do about it?

The matter is being kept fully in mind.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent he is responsible for specifying forward designs of aircraft for British civil air lines; and what steps are taken to ensure that the user is fully consulted at every stage.

The Airways Corporations are primarily responsible for specifying future requirements of civil aircraft. The requirements are agreed with all interested parties, including the Ministry of Supply, and I am satisfied that my Department is fully consulted at all stages in the development of this aircraft.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement with regard to specifications for civil aviation designs submitted to manufacturers which aim to copy the four-engine Lockheed Constellation with Bristol Centaurus engines; how many aircraft of this type it is proposed to order from the constructors; and by what date it is expected that such aircraft will be available for service on our airline routes.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the requirement which was received some time ago from the British Overseas Airways Corporation for a new medium range aircraft for use on the Empire routes. Tender designs prepared by various aircraft firms are now being examined, and until this examination is complete it is not possible to make any statement.

Can my right hon. Friend say if it is intended to use American designs? If so, is it not likely that the new designs produced by this country will have superseded those American designs by the time they are ready for the routes?

I think this will be found to be a quite advanced design.

Will my right hon. Friend place the utmost stress on our own constructors producing the most modern designs at the earliest possible moment?

Most certainly.

asked the Minister of Supply, how many motor disposal parks there are under his Department; who is responsible at these parks for seeing that the vehicles are looked after to prevent unnecessary deterioration; and how many vehicles at the Dorchester-on-Thames motor park were found with cracked cylinder blocks, due to exposure during the winter, through failure to drain the radiators and water jackets.

Six sites are at present used for the storage of vehicles. Standing instructions provide for the emptying of the cooling systems on arrival and vehicles are sold as quickly as possible to prevent deterioration, but owing to the shortage of labour and the number of vehicles involved, we cannot carry out repair and maintenance work on the sites. It is not possible to say whether any vehicles at Dorchester-on-Thames had cracked cylinders due to exposure, but the number of complaints received from all sources has been negligible.

In cases which come to my right hon. Friend's attention, can he give an assurance that if there is neglect damages will be recovered from the contractors concerned, or that disciplinary action will be taken if any member of his staff is concerned?

I should have to look into a particular case.

How does my right hon. Friend expect any complaints to come to him about these motor cars and their condition if nobody is allowed to see them?

asked the Minister of Supply, what is the total value of Government surplus stores in India and Egypt, shown separately; and what are the arrangements for their disposal.

All surplus stores in India were transferred on 1st April to the Government of India who are responsible or their disposal; the price to be paid for them has not yet been fixed. As regards Egypt, substantial surplus stocks have yet to be disposed of, but it is not possible to give an estimate of their value. Disposal is carried out by my Department's Disposal Mission. Stores in short supply in this country are returned here, and the remainder are sold locally, mainly by auction or tender.

Will my right hon. Friend use his best endeavours to get a rather better bargain for this country for these surplus stores than was the case of those disposed of in Italy and Greece?

We shall get the best bargain we can.

Is it not a trifle unorthodox to transfer wholesale large quantities of goods without deciding beforehand how much is wanted for them?

In some cases, this is the best method of disposal.

asked the Minister of Supply, whether he will take steps without delay to remove the present disquiet in Woolwich Arsenal at the failure to use the plant available there to manufacture machinery and other essentials in short supply, and the consequent waste of both plant and labour.

The matter has been considered by the Ministry of Supply Joint Industrial Council, and has been referred to the Central Production Committee for further consideration.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is considerable disturbance of mind among the employees at Woolwich Arsenal when they are called upon to "work or want" and at the same time see the resources of their workplace not being fully used?

asked the Minister of Supply if he will assure the House that, before reaching any decision on the proposal to establish an atomic power station at Drigg, Cumberland, he will give full weight to the statements regarding a temporary factory in that place which were made by his predecessor in 1939; whether he is aware of the objections to the use of this site on the seaboard of a national park for this purpose; and if he will give an undertaking that he will not proceed with the proposal without the consent and approval of the Minister of Town and Country Planning.

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the tenants of the M.A.P. bungalows at Page Moss, Huyton, are threatening to strike against their rents which they regard as extortionate; what steps he is taking to meet their grievances; and if he will receive a deputation.

This matter is at present under consideration. I am fully aware of the position, and I do not think it necessary for me to receive a deputation.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he is not also aware that all the M.A.P. tenants in my constituency are in a similar position? Will he take steps to put all on the same basis?

We are doing our best.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will take steps to remedy the shortage of potato forks and other agricultural tools, at present unobtainable by cultivators of allotments and smallholdings.

Supplies are limited by the lack of skilled labour in the industry and by the shortage of steel, and I am afraid there is no prospect of any immediate improvement. I am, however, very ready to help by asking manufacturers to distribute increased supplies to areas where a particularly acute shortage is brought to my notice.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that both in London and areas outside I have been trying for months, without success, to buy a potato fork? Will he tell me where I can get one?

Will the Minister give an undertaking that while these implements are required at home they will not be exported?

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the acute shortage of wire rope; that wire drawers are in great difficulties for lack of wire rods; if he is aware that insufficient supplies of colliery ropes are hindering the National Coal Board in its production of coal; and what action he proposes to take.

Production is 20 per cent. more than in 1938, but is still insufficient to meet the greatly increased demands. Expansion of production is dependent on an increase in the supplies of steel, particularly in imported semi-finished material. We are doing all we can to improve the position, and the needs of collieries have been given special priority.

If the production of steel is dependent on coal, and the supply of coal is dependent on getting these ropes, will the Minister say what he intends to do about it?

In view of the tact that Germany was a fairly good source of supply before the war for this type of wire, would my right hon. Friend's Department, in collaboration with other Departments, see that we get a fair share of the supplies which may be available in Germany now?

We are doing all we can to get what there is.

asked the Minister of Supply how many firms contracting at his Depot No. 121 at Aston Cross, Tewkesbury, are on a cost-plus basis; and if he will inquire into the case of at least one contracting firm who have employees at this depot unnecessary lengths of time without any work to do.

Only one contractor is employed by my Department at this Depot, and he is paid a fixed management fee. I am satisfied that the work is properly supervised, and that time is not being wasted.

asked the Minister of Supply if he has considered the B.I.O.S. Final Report, No. 1007, Instrumentation and Control in the German Chemical Industry; and what action he proposes taking to implement the recommendations of this Report.

Yes, Sir. The recommendations are now being examined in detail with the industry.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he intends to maintain the present allocation of steel to the motor industry during the third and fourth quarters of 1947.

Yes, Sir. I hope to be able to maintain the present allocation during the third quarter; it may indeed be possible to improve the allocation for the fourth quarter.

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that he will make available sufficient steel to maintain full production and employment until the end of the year?

That is going a bit further than I said. We shall do our best to maintain as high an allocation as is consistent with the needs of other requirements.

Is the Minister alive to the embarrassment which prevails throughout the industry in Coventry and Birmingham, owing to the restricted allocation of steel? Can he do anything to improve the situation?

We are very much alive to it, and the need for steel in other industries. We are doing our best to make it go all round.

Will my right hon. Friend continue to do everything in his power to assist those who will use this steel to produce models suitable for export?

asked the Minister of Works whether requisition rents fixed in accordance with 1939 values are still being paid by his Department in respect of properties held by it on requisition; and in respect of what percentage of the total property so held by his Department are rents so fixed now paid.

The compensation rentals being paid correspond with few exceptions to the 1939 value.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give a list of undertakings in order of priority for receiving cement allocations.

Special priority has been given to power stations (including hydroelectric stations), gas works, coal/oil conversion plants, projects to assist the production and transport of coal, and atomic energy projects. In addition, special action is taken to arrange for supplies for housing work, development area factories, and other urgent work where special difficulty arises.

Is the Minister aware that owing to his interference with the law of supply and demand there is now no cement for housing?

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's statement that no supplies of cement are available for housing. There is the question of the distribution to sites but I am sure that if we left it to the law of supply and demand the needs of housing would get small consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the tile works which require cement get some, because if builders cannot get the tiles they cannot complete the houses?

We are giving special consideration to that.

Would the Minister agree that if the cement industry was as efficient as it should be, there would not be this shortage of cement?

Did the Minister intend to assure the House that there is no shortage of cement, apart from its distribution?

I was not asked to deal with the question of shortage of cement, but with its distribution. There is a shortage of cement arising out of the fuel difficulties in the early part of the year. Production is now increasing, and by the end of the month I think that we shall have overcome our difficulties.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that cement to the value of £1,093,000 was exported in the four months ended 30th April, 1947; and if he proposes to continue the export of cement at this level.

The quantity exported in this four months was 303,750 tons. This rate of export has now been reduced to about 50,000 tons per month, almost all of which is for destinations specially approved by the Government.

Is the Minister unaware that there was a fuel crisis when he decided to export this cement, and is he aware that in Cornwall and the West of England the housing programme is considerably curtailed because of the lack of cement?

If this cement had not been exported other difficulties might have arisen.

Can the Minister give the destinations which received special Government approval?

In the main, it was destined for projects in the Colonies sponsored by the Colonial Governments and supported by the Colonial Office.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the programme of building council houses and other vital buildings is being seriously interfered with by the shortage of cement?

I am quite aware of that, and I will do all that I can to see that difficulties arising in special areas, due very largely to transport difficulties in the South-West, are overcome.

May I ask the Minister whether the difficulties of distribution to which he has referred are not due to centralised control by a totalitarian Government?

Will my hon. Friend say whether the cement was exported by a Government Department specifically, or by private enterprise manufacturers?

asked the Minister of Works why so long a time elapsed between the presentation to him of the Report on Cement Costs and its publication.

The interval is accounted for by the consideration of the Report and its preparation for publication.

Is it not an unhappy coincidence that all the reports presented to the right hon. Gentleman's Department have had a very long period of delay, and if the right hon. Gentleman must go on taking up the paper so badly needed for book publication, cannot he at least publish these reports in adequate time?

They are published after due consideration, and consideration of the needs of other publications.

asked the Minister of Works why the certificate of registration as a builder, under Defence Regulation 56AB, was withdrawn from Mr. F. C. Bath, Camberley, Surrey, on 3rd October, 1946, while he was engaged upon a contract to build 10 houses for the Easthampstead Rural District Council in Park Road, Sandhurst, and not re-issued until April, 1947.

The registration certificate was revoked on the recommendation of the Registration Panel because of failure to observe industrial agreements. Mr. Bath was subsequently prosecuted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and was fined on 22nd March, 1947. The certificate was re-issued in April on the recommendation of the Registration Panel.

Is the Minister aware that the only reason why this dispute arose was because the Building and Civil Engineers Employment Holidayswith-Pay Company refused to honour an old holiday-with-pay card, because they alleged that it was presented after its validity had expired?

That was the subject of consideration by the registration panel who removed the certificate.

Is it not a fact that what the Minister said in his first answer casts a reflection upon a gentleman who is a constituent of mine, was not the case one of extreme prejudice, and is it petty for his Department to hold building in this small-minded way?

What I said on the matter cast no aspersion on the person concerned. All I said was that he was subsequently prosecuted and as a result was fined.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the prosecution only took place several weeks after the company had agreed to cash such out of date holiday-with-pay cards as were presented?

That is not my responsibility.

asked the Minister of Works whether the decision to erect a new Embassy building in Rome at the cost of 350,000 was taken before or after the present building suffered bomb damage; and what alternative sites were considered and found to be unsuitable.

The existing Embassy at Rome stands on an excellent site of seven acres which has been the property of His Majesty's Government for the past seventy years. Even before the bomb outrage the buildings were, however, in-adequate for modern requirements. It had been proposed to build new offices on a portion of the site and to exchange the remainder of the site and buildings for a more suitable property. This is no longer possible and it is now proposed to demolish the existing buildings and erect a new Residence and offices on the same site. I am advised that no more suitable site than that already owned by His Majesty's Government is available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why in Rome of all the capitals of Europe it is necessary to have a new Embassy instead of converting the existing palace for a sum of money less than £350,000?

That is the advice which has been given to me, and I see no reason to doubt its wisdom.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us why the exchange to which he referred cannot be carried through? It would have avoided this vast expenditure.

No, Sir, it would not have avoided the vast expenditure as far as I can see, because the building was damaged and, therefore, a new building must be erected; but I will look into the question of exchange again.

If the right hon. Gentleman will look at his answer he will see that he himself talked about an exchange contemplated with another building, and that is why I am asking him why the exchange was not carried through.

I do not know that I have said it could not be done, but what I have said is that it is proposed to build new offices on a portion of the site. I am not saying that is not being carried out. All that I am saying is that it is now proposed to demolish the existing building and to rebuild. If there is any question of exchanging part of the site, I Will look into it again.

The original proposal, when I was at the Foreign Office, was to exchange our Embassy for another building and to build on part of the site. Why has that exchange not gone through?

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the spending of £350,000 at this time might cause great public indignation?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter as soon as possible on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that negotiations for the transfer of the M.A.P. bungalows at Page Moss, Huyton, from his Department to the Huyton with Roby Urban District Council have been proceeding for nearly two years; that his regional property agent failed to refer the matter to the district valuer, thus wasting to months; and when will this transfer be completed.

These negotiations began in February, 1946. Such sales are made at a valuation assessed by the district valuer, but it was not found possible until January, 1947, to agree with the Council the basis of a joint submission to the valuer. It is hoped to have the decision of the valuer shortly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that these negotiations are concluded as soon as possible in view of the grave discontent that exists in this district?

As soon as we get a decision from the valuer we shall attend to the matter.

asked the Minister of Works why no steps have been taken to repair the potholes caused by the frost in the roadway in St. James' Park, especially near the Horse Guards; and how much longer this road will be left in its present dangerous condition.

The road across the Horse Guards Parade from the Mall to Birdcage Walk is to be entirely resurfaced this summer. In the meantime any potholes considered dangerous to traffic are being patched up.

Would it not be better if these and similar roads were given over to the Westminster City Council or at least the responsibility for their repair be farmed out to that authority?

I see no reason to believe that at all.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a look at some of the potholes in Bird Cage Walk as well?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that many country houses are still under requisition housing land army workers; and what steps he is taking to make permanent provisions for such workers and thus release these houses to their owners.

Yes, Sir; I am aware that a number of houses are held on requisition for use as hostels for agricultural workers, including the Women's Land Army. Houses are released whenever this is consistent with my duty to ensure maximum food production. Provision of permanent accommodation is not practicable or desirable in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to the exceptionally severe winter, there has been a considerable reduction in the bird population of the British Isles, with the result that the danger of insect pests has been increased; and what steps he is taking to bring to the notice of the pubic the importance of preserving bird life.

Yes, Sir, and I am sending the hon. Member copies of Press notices that have been issued on this subject by my Department. There has also been a broadcast talk by one of the Ministry's technical advisers.

Can the Minister say whether his efforts have met with any result?

Would it not be a good thing, in order to encourage the preservation of valuable bird life, to take active steps to destroy jays and magpies?

That is a matter of opinion.

Is the Minister aware of the damage done by caterpillars to many trees, and can he say what steps are being taken to deal with them?

As I have indicated, certain forms of publicity have taken place, and there has also been a broadcast by one of the Ministry's technical advice I do not quite see what else can be done.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the losses suffered by hill sheep farmers due to the abnormally bad winter conditions; and whether, in view of the time which must necessarily elapse before the agricultural fund now being raised on a voluntary basis is completed, advance payments will be made by His Majesty's Government in cases of urgency.

Of the estimated total of more than 4,000,000 sheep and lambs lost in Great Britain, it is estimated that the losses of hill sheep and lambs are of the order of 3,000,000, representing a value of about £5½ million. I understand that provisional payments from the Agricultural Disaster Fund to meet urgent cases will be authorised as soon as sufficient information is available to enable this to be done. Farmers can also apply for advance payments in respect of next year's hill sheep subsidy.

Will the Minister, while appreciating the very grave losses suffered, also recognise that in a number of cases the question of immediate help is of vital importance? In such cases, if help came later, it might not really be of any value because the men concerned might have been put out of business.

That is why immediate steps were taken, and are being taken, to deal with the matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an estimate in value or quantity of the extra amount of dairy and poultry produce which could be raised in this country if an extra 50,000 tons of barley were allocated to the industry.