asked the Minister of National Insurance, how many letters he has received from Members of this House in the past six months complaining of delay in the settlement of pension claims; and when he expects that his Department will be able to give prompt service to the public.

flue are nearly 4 million contributory pensions now in payment and between 15,000 and 20,000 new claims and upward adjustments of existing pensions are dealt with each week. In the last six months I have received from 6,000 to 7,000 letters from Members of Parliament about individual cases, a substantial proportion of which referred to outstanding claims for uprating. I have explained to the House on a number of occasions the difficulties that have arisen owing to the unsuitability of the old centralised machinery for dealing with the new conditions introduced last October. As the House knows, I have introduced new procedure for the local handling through the officers of the Assistance Board of initial claims for pension and for increased pension on retirement. As a result of these measures, together with the strengthening of the central machinery of the Department to meet the new circumstances, these difficulties have been brought under control, the handling of new claims has been greatly speeded up and there should be no avoidable delay in the clearance of straightforward cases arising in the future. At the same time I should add that I cannot expect that the arrangements will be fully as efficient as I should wish until the full proposed network of local offices is in operation.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons, male and female, respectively, registered in the county borough of Stockport at the last convenient date.

1,149 males and 254 females at 12th May.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that manufacturers of scientific glassware in this country are losing their skilled glassblowers to firms who are able to offer them high wages, in view of the scope for selling domestic glassware at high prices under present conditions; and whether, in view of the vital importance to this country of an adequate supply of scientific glassware, he will take some remedial action in this matter.

I have no evidence that skilled glassblowers are leaving the scientific glassware industry to any extent. If my hon. Friend has particular cases in mind and will let me know I will make further inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is proposed to make any increase in the allowances to tuberculosis patients, many of whom are finding it difficult to make ends meet at the present rates.

I am not aware that the present rates of allowances to tuberculosis patients are inadequate, but if the hon. Lady would care to bring any particular case to my notice I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the operation of the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme with a view to eliminating the anomalies revealed since its inception.

I am not aware that any material anomalies have been revealed since this Scheme came into operation, but, in any case, it is now being reviewed with a view to merging it into the comprehensive plan of social service which is to come into operation in July next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many allowances were made in Ayrshire under the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme and how many applications refused in the years 1943 and 1946, respectively.

From the beginning of the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme on 1st July, 1943, up to the end of February, 1944, 149 applicants in Ayrshire (including Burghs) received allowances, while 60 applicants were refused. For the year from 1st March, 1946 to 28th February, 1947, 164 new applicants received allowances, while 27 applications were refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses were built by local authorities in Scotland in the period between 1918 and 1939; what were the numbers erected under each Housing Act; and how many were built by private enterprise for sale.

The number of houses built by local authorities in Scotland from 1919 to 1939, inclusive, was 227,347; the numbers under each Housing Act being as follow:

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men are being posted to the Corps of Drums at the Home Counties I.T.C., Shorncliffe; and if he is satisfied that this is the best use of this manpower at the present time.

A drum major and three drummers are held on the establishment of this unit. In addition, a small number of volunteers from among the soldiers who have completed their corps training and are for periods of a few weeks awaiting drafting are trained as drummers and buglers. Twenty-two men are so employed at the present time. Apart from this extra training they receive normal military training and are available for drafting as required. I do not consider this arrangement involves any wastage of manpower.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the British Legion have received no reply from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, to letters dated 3rd April, 2nd May and 31st May, concerning Mr. E. Parsons, 11, Semilong Place, Northampton; and why Mr. Parsons has received no communication since January.

I very much regret the delay in this case which has been caused by certain documents having been mislaid. I have now taken steps to have the case dealt with as a matter of urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for War why all mail addressed to 14025322 Staff-Sergeant R. G. Goldman, R.E., No. 50 Transit Camp, Italy, and No. 156 Transit Camp, Port Said, M.E.L.F. is returned; and what is his present postal address to which his relatives may write.

Staff-Sergeant Goldman was transferred to M.E.L.F. at the end of April. So far his posting to a unit in M.E.L.F. has not been notified to this country. The overseas command has been told to report by cable his present postal address, which will he notified to his next-of-kin.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the order that civilian clothing can be worn off duty, he will reconsider A.C.I.375, of 1947, in order to allow the issue of clothing coupons to Regular Army personnel on deferred engagements.

This Army Council Instruction puts into effect the arrangement announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Winchester (Mr. Jeger) on 13th March, and I do not consider that it needs revision. Personnel who have deferred their release or discharge under the release regulations are not serving on a Regular engagement and will on release receive the normal clothing benefits including coupons.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the purpose of holding large numbers of military vehicles along the verges of German autobahnen and in similar parks; how many usable or repairable vehicles are standing out in all weathers; and how and when it is proposed to dispose of all such vehicles.

The purpose of holding a large number of vehicles in Germany is to enable the Army to continue to operate with its existing vehicles for as long as possible without recourse to civilian production. The number of usable and repairable vehicles on Army charge on the sites mentioned in the Question is 81,000. In order to ensure that the best conditioned vehicles are kept in the Service it is necessary to inspect and classify all vehicles before disposal. This process of inspection and classification is constantly being carried out and all surplus vehicles are disposed of by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply At the moment some 10,000 of these vehicles are in course of being handed over.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps have been taken to obtain recognition by the trade unions concerned of trade qualifications acquired by soldiers while serving, so that on leaving the Service they may be able to find civilian employment in their trades.

The recognition of Service tradesmen for admission as skilled men into industry on leaving the Services means that the trade unions concerned, after due consideration of the nature of the Army trades under review, agree to accept the tradesmen as members. Such men are therefore recognised as being as equally skilled as their civilian counterparts in industry. It also means that the soldier tradesmen concerned are eligible to apply for, and to be admitted to, trade union membership shortly before leaving the Service, should they so desire.The recognised soldier tradesman is therefore not debarred from the advantage of trade union membership in civil life.The following agreements have so far been negotiated:(

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has now received the Report on the Conservation of Wild Life promised early in 1947; and when it will be published.

My right hon. Friend has received the Report, and I hope that it will be published before the end of July.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount of postwar credits will remain unpaid on 30th June; and if he will arrange for interest at the rate of 2½ per cent. to accrue on these outstanding sums.

The answer to the first part of the Question is £740 million, and to the second part, "No."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of people who have paid Entertainment Duty at mid-week sporting events and entertainments since greyhound racing was confined to Saturdays only.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that there is dissatisfaction about the method of calculating the unearned income of old age pensioners, non-contributory, that, after ignoring £25, it is assumed there is an income of 5 per cent. on the rest of the capital up to £375, and above this a return of 10 per cent.; and as this is beyond the actual income in the majority of cases, if he will consider amending this arrangement so that the result is more favourable to the aged people.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply on 24th January to the hon. and learned Member for Chester (Mr. Nield) Ten per cent represents the approximate annual yield of capital applied to the purchase of an annuity at the age of 70.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that no address is printed on the forms issued by the War Damage Commission giving notice of value-payment declaration which claimants are required to sign and return; and if he will alter this

A letter with the address of the Commissioner's regional office is issued with the "share" form to one of the owners entitled to share in a value payment. All other known owners are separately advised, on a form which also bears the address of the regional office.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Members of Parliament asked for a night service of omnibuses to be provided for them; and, in view of the fact that this service before it was suspended incurred a loss of over £700, if he will arrange for this loss to be met by those who asked for the service rather than he paid by the taxpayer.

When the provision of this service was first suggested, about 300 Members of Parliament said they would travel by bus if available. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No."

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the present system for engaging staff for the various research organisations controlled by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research is slow, cumbersome and insufficiently sensitive to ensure that the right men and women are quickly fitted into the scientific posts for which they are best suited; and whether arrangements will be made to revise the procedue so that the efficiency of these research institutions can be maintained and increased.

The present system of centralised recruitment by the Civil Service Commision of scientific staff was introduced for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in common with all other Departments employing scientific staff, in accordance with the White Paper on the Scientific Civil Service (Cmd. 6679). The introduction of the new system during the difficult period of reconstruction aggravated the inevitable teething troubles. Close consideration will be given to the experience gained during this period in formulating future recruiting arrangements.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the result of his consideration of the representations made by the Civil Service Clerical Association on 17th October, regarding conditions of pay and the status of depot clerks.

These representations were addressed to the Minister of Works, in whose Department this class of officer is employed. The Minister of Works consulted the Treasury and was answered on 15th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about his discussions with the National Hosiery Manufacturers Federation for an increase in non-utility goods and for the import of stockings and knitwear from Europe.

No. Discussions with the National Hosiery Manufacturers' Federation are proceeding on both these points, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what value of textile machinery for the woollen-worsted trades has been exported during 1947 to hard currency countries and other countries.

Exports of textile machinery used only for the woolen-worsted trades are not recorded separately. Exports of textile machinery of all kinds in the first four months of this year were £6·7 million of which £1·9 million went to hard currency countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why frame sawn marble may be freely imported into the United Kingdom, but carborundum sawn marble requires an import licence.

Frame sawn marble is covered by an open general licence for imports of rough sawn marble from certain countries in order to make raw material available to United Kingdom workers in marble. Carborundum sawn marble is a further stage in the production of worked marble and is not covered by the open general licence. Licences for its import are not issued because we are satisfied that essential needs are met by imports of the rough sawn material.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to review controls generally at a stated time twice yearly and invite those concerned to represent to him which controls should be considered for removal, and why.

The controls under this Department are kept under constant review in order to adjust them to changing conditions and to remove or reduce any that may become unnecessary or needlessly elaborate. I do not think there would be any advantage in substituting review at a particular date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is prepared to consider the issue of working aprons, pinafores and overalls without coupons, in view of the fact that these are the essential costume of the working woman at home.

Aprons made of plastic material are already free of coupons. To take all aprons and overalls off the ration in the present state of supplies, would lead to unfair distribution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that laundries, because of shortage of staff and cleaning agents are restricting their services to the public; what steps he intends to take to improve this serious menace to public health; and if he is prepared to consider increasing the soap ration for persons who are not able or desirous of availing themselves of the restricted laundry service.

We are aware that laundries, owing to labour difficulties, are only able to give restricted services to the public, but all possible steps are being taken to increase the labour force in the industry and to improve the supply of cleaning agents so far as raw materials will permit. Sympathetic consideration is also being given to applications from laundries for licences to enable them to import labour saving machinery. As regards the last part of the Question, I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food that the supply of oils and fats will not permit of an increase in the domestic soap ration at the present time, and that it would be administratively impracticable to grant a differential soap ration according to whether or not the consumer makes use of the services of laundries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he will have inquiries made into the supply of giant tyres and ploughshares in North Lincolnshire, and increase the supply of both to the agriculturalists in that area.

I have no reason to suppose that North Lincolnshire is not getting a fair share of the production of giant tyres. I hope that increased production will enable more to be distributed to all areas. As regards ploughshares, I understand from my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, that there are no special difficulties regarding supplies in North Lincolnshire, but that certain types are short in the country generally.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulty of local authorities in obtaining tyres for their ambulances; and whether he will take steps with the manufacturers to satisfy wherever possible. their urgent demands.

I am aware that there is a shortage of tyres of the sizes required for some types of ambulances. Tyre manufacturers give special attention to the requirements of ambulances and where a supplier is unable to obtain immediate delivery he should report the facts to the Tyre Manufacturers' Conference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a West End firm is able to advertise 6,000 yards of coupon-free curtain material at 22s. 9d. per yard; and why so much of this limited material was allocated to this firm.

The distribution of this type of material is not subject to control and retailers are free to obtain through normal trade channels a share of such supplies as are available

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to provide for channel black for motor car tyres to be manufactured in the United Kingdom.

An Interdepartmental Committee is exploring schemes for the production in this country of carbon blacks, suitable for motor car tyres.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement about the new trade agreement between this country and the U.S.S.R.

Discussions are now proceeding with the Government of the U.S.S.R. with a view to the resumption of negotiations at an early date. I hope to leave for Moscow in the very near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of perambulator canopies for babies in Newport which is causing considerable inconvenience, especially during the hot weather; and what is being done to augment the supply.

The general shortage of pram sun canopies which I regret, is due mainly to the difficulty in obtaining sufficient material for the covering. I am afraid that increased supplies of cotton cloth cannot be made available at the present time but some manufacturers are experimenting with alternative materials

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the value of import licences issued since July, 1945, for the importation from the U.S.A. of film-studio equipment, including sound-recording apparatus, 16-mm. and 35-mm. cinematograph projection equipment, film printing and developing equipment, and the comparable figures of British production retained for home use and exported.

the value of the him studio equipment for which licences to import from the U.S.A. were granted from 1st August, 1945, to 31st May, 1947, was £448,000. I understand from my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Supply, that no comparable figures for production are available. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT such information as is available in respect of the exports of film-making equipment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Agfa colour process patents and materials have been made available to the British film industry; and what use has been made of them.

All but one of the German-owned United Kingdom patents which have been identified as relevant to the Agfa colour process expired during the war owing to non-payment of renewal fees. The exception is one patent, concerned with sensitising dyes, in which a British concern was interested as a licensee; but the German rights in this patent too are now extinguished and cannot be revived. Other United Kingdom patents are also believed to be relevant to the Agfa process developed in Germany, but how far that is in fact so I am not able to say. Various necessary ingredients for the process are not yet produced in this country in commercial quantities; but, given time and assured demand, that situation can no doubt be remedied. I understand that certain British firms of standing are engaged on experimental work with a view to exploiting the process commercially.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a considerable amount of metal and rubber is now being used in the manufacture of catapults; and whether, in view of present shortages and damage and cruelty which can be caused by these instruments, he will consider withholding supplies.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "No."

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will encourage the output from the boot factories of size nine shoes as they are practically unobtainable in this country.

I am not aware of any particular shortage of men's shoes, size nine. As regards women's shoes, I understand that a very small proportion of women take this size, and not all retailers stock sizes for which the demand is so limited. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any case he has in mind, I will see whether there is anything the Board of Trade can do to help.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that we are losing export orders for casein products, due to the fact that the world price of raw casein is £120 as compared with £270 per ton charged by his Department to manufacturers; and what he proposes to do to enable British manufacturers to recover the trade.

Discussions are taking place with the manufacturers concerned, with a view to meeting the point raised by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for what reasons the factories recently occupied by Grantham Productions, Limited, now in liquidation, have been allocated to a syndicate headed by Mr. Cotton; and why no application from other companies has been given equal consideration.

The group in question have acquired the assets of Grantham Productions, Limited, from the liquidators with the view to continuing the production of the tractors for which those factories are already substantially equipped, and we have accordingly agreed that the allocation should continue to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement on the work of the Northern Regional Board for Industry during the past year.

During the past year the Northern Regional Board for Industry has been mainly concerned with the allocation of the regional pool of coal to supplement the basic allocations of firms engaged in work of particular importance; the production drive campaign; measures for the spread of the industrial electricity load; assisting and supporting the Export Drive, National Savings Campaign; arrangements for industrial salvage and recovery; and for the week-end unloading of goods by firms conditioned to a five day week. The Board has also considered a wide variety of subjects concerning local industry, such as staggering of working hours to meet local transport difficulties, shortages of materials for industrial establishments and for factory building, coke supplies, houses for key workers and public services. Many of these problems were resolved in the Region and in those cases which were not capable of local solution, they have been referred with the Board's recommendation to the appropriate Department. The activities of the Northern Regional Board for Industry have, in general, been similar to those of the other Regional Boards throughout the country, and I should like to take this opportunity of expressing the gratitude of His Majesty's Government for the valuable work they are doing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider issuing industrial coupons to working women and housewives on the same terms as industrial clothing coupons are issued to factory and other industrial workers.

No. The basic ration is intended to make provision for clothes for working as well as for leisure hours. Women factory workers, many of whom do housework as well, are given extra coupons because of the abnormal wear and tear on their clothes through working in a factory.

asked the Minister of Works what are the principal shortages holding up factory construction in the South Wales development area; and what steps he is taking to improve supplies.

The principal shortages holding up factory construction in the South Wales development area are steel and timber. With a view to assisting development area projects to obtain timber and steel the licensing of other building work of less urgency is being restricted.

asked the Minister of Works what quantity of steel is estimated to be required for factory construction in the South Wales development area for 1947; and how much of this is likely to be delivered.

The quantity of steel estimated to be required for factory construction in the South Wales development area during 1947 is 50,000 tons. I am not able to say how much is likely to he allocated or delivered.

asked the Minister of Health what effect the operation of the National Insurance Act will have upon the Tuberculosis Allowances Scheme.

The increased sickness benefits payable under this Act will be available to the tuberculous in common with other sick persons. The question of further financial help on the lines of the present Scheme is being considered in connection with the National Assistance Bill which is to be introduced next Session.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that while there were 9,000 nurses in employment in the prewar year, that number has grown to 13,000; that a conservative estimate places the minimum figure now required at 30,000; that, while at the voluntary hospitals there are long waiting lists, at the municipal hospitals large numbers of beds have been closed for lack of nursing staff; that this disparity in the attraction exercised by these two types of service is due to the uniform rate of pay in all branches of that service occasioned by the Rushcliffe Report; and what proposals he has to increase the incentives for nurses to enlist in the municipal hospitals in a ratio proportionate to the number in the voluntary hospitals.

The whole question of recruiting sufficient hospital nursing staff will be reviewed when I receive the report of the Working Party on the Recruitment and Training of Nurses. In the meantime, every effort is being made to increase the number employed and much help is being obtained from part-time nurses. The shortage is by no means confined to the municipal service.

asked the Minister of Health it, in view of the fact that at present no cottages built by untraditional methods are suitable for old people, he will arrange for some to be designed, so that a proportion of old people's dwellings shall be included in all new council housing schemes.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his Question of 23rd May. I hope to see a progressive increase in the provision of dwellings suited to aged persons and I shall certainly consider what contribution these methods can make.

asked the Minister of Supply what quantities of magnesium from the Dead Sea sources of supply have been made available for use in the United Kingdom annually since 1937.

None.

asked the Minister of Supply which areas off the coast of Dorset are being considered for use for bombing practice or by rocket-firing aircraft.

The Ministry of Supply's requirements now being considered by the Inter-departmental Committee on Services Land Requirements include an area of approximately 400 square miles off Lyme Bay, the nearest points of which are more than three miles from the coast, and an area of one square mile adjacent to Clouds Hill, Dorset.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that arrangements for the reception at Tilbury of German girls who have been given permission to marry British Service or ex-Service men are not always satisfactory owing to telegrams not reaching the receivers in time; and if he will look into the matter in order to avoid these girls being temporarily stranded on arrival.

Telegrams are despatched to the girls' fiancés immediately their time of arrival is known; this is about two days ahead. Longer notice cannot be given since, owing to the uncertainty of travel in Germany, it is not possible to say in what ship a girl will travel until she actually arrives at the port of embarkation. Steps have already been taken to ensure that girls are not stranded if their fiancés are unable to meet them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst the staff of the Control Commission for Germany concerning the failure of the appropriate authorities to implement the married families scheme as a priority measure; that this failure, which affects some 1,600 families, is having an adverse effect on morale, resulting in resignations from the Commission; and whether he will institute an inquiry on the basis of a detailed memorandum submitted to him by the hon. Member for London University.

I am aware that the delay in sending to Germany the families of all members of the Control Commission for Germany who have applied for them has caused dissatisfaction, but the number of resignations received on this account has not been large. This question is at present under review, and I do not consider that a special inquiry is necessary. The points raised in the memorandum submitted by the hon. Member are, however, being examined, and I will communicate with him later.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the facts that the Russians are dismantling the remaining factories in their zone in Germany and are sending the essentials of life to the U.S.S.R. and that the food shortage in Germany is acute, he will make representations for the cessation of these activities, details of which have been sent to him, which are militating against the recovery of Germany because she is not treated as an economic whole.

No, Sir. The policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the treatment of Germany as an economic whole was made abundantly clear during the Moscow conference, and this question will be discussed again at the next meeting of the Foreign Ministers in November. It would not serve any useful purpose to make representations to the Russians on this subject at present.

asked the Minister of Food if he will extend Article 12 of the Flour and Confectionery Order, 1946, to cover golden weddings where applications are supported by satisfactory evidence.

Arrangements are being made for the issue of licences to obtain wedding cakes free from price control for the celebration of golden weddings. No extension of the article to which my hon. Friend refers is necessary.

asked the Minister of Food, whether, with a view to assisting in safeguarding land cleared for cultivation under the Groundnut Scheme in East Africa from dustbowls and other forms of erosion, he will ensure that all possible preparations are made in advance for the planting of shelter belts once clearing and lay-out has been completed and that the best obtainable forestry experts are employed to supervise this task.

Yes. I can assure the hon. Member that the planting of shelter belts, which is only one of many anti-erosion measures, will be adopted where-ever necessary, and that the advice and guidance of the best experts is already being obtained.

asked the Minister of Food, what is the calorie intake per head shown by his most recent dietary survey; arid what was the figure for the nearest corresponding date last year.

The latest available figures are for March, 1947. As explained in my previous replies of 24th March and 21st April, the summary is based on a small working-class sample representative of working-class families (adults and children) and covers only food consumed in the home. The figure is 2,340 calories, compared with 2,310 calories in March, 1946.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is able to announce any change in the position of men registered, under the National Service Acts, in one of the agricultural occupations as regards eligibility for entry into university departments of agriculture and agriculture colleges.

Yes. Such men have hitherto been permitted only exceptionally to leave agricultural employment to take full-time courses, but any born in or before 1928 who are no longer liable for military service and can obtain places, will be free to enter universities and agricultural colleges next session for courses at the degree or diploma level. Applications from men with at least three years employment in agriculture at 31st August next since reaching the age of 18 will be given preference next session if they are accepted by the university or college concerned as fully up to the proper standard for admission. It is hoped that universities and colleges will not normally accept applications from men wishing to take agricultural courses unless they have spent, by 31st August, 1947, at least two years in agricultural work since the age of 18, in view of the very heavy demand for places from men with longer periods of employment in the industry. Similar arrangements applicable to Scotland are being recommended by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what sum of money has been spent since 1st January, 1947, on new machinery for coalmines: of this sum what is represented by coal cutting, coal transporting and other types of mining mechanised equipment; and of the total how much was purchased abroad.

Information as to expenditure by the National Coal Board under various heads will become available when the Board's accounts are made up at the end of the financial year and could not be made available by the National Coal Board at an earlier date without extensive investigation. I would remind the hon. Member that, unless Section 31 (4) of the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, a copy of the Board's annual statement of accounts will in due course be laid before each House of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements have been made for the recruitment of engineering graduates and other students qualified in engineering into the mining industry; and whether he will make a statement on the subject, in view of the large number of students now undergoing and completing engineering training in technical educational establishments throughout the country.

I am informed by the National Coal Board that under present arrangements the great majority of graduates in mining engineering are recruited into the coalmining industry of this country. The present requirements of the industry for mechanical and electrical engineers are being satisfied without difficulty. Plans are being made with a view to increasing the output of graduate mining engineers and also graduates in other engineering subjects who have studied the application of these subjects to coalmining.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is proposed to purchase any fuel oil from the U.S.S.R. in the near future; and what quantities are likely to be imported.

The U.S.S.R. have offered to supply for consumption in the United Kingdom a quantity of Russian produced black oils including fuel oil, roughly corresponding to Russian Oil Products Limited's share of pre-war requirements of the United Kingdom. The offer has been accepted. The quantity of fuel oil involved is not yet known but will be small.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give the number of schoolchildren receiving free dinners, dinners on payment, and no dinners, respectively; and the number of schools providing free dinners, dinners on payment, and no dinners.

Last October there were, in round numbers, 340,000 children in grant-aided primary and secondary schools who received free dinners, 1,920,000 who had dinners on payment, and 2½ million who did not receive dinner at school. Dinners were being provided at over 24,000 out of 29,000 schools or departments, and it may be assumed that at practically all of these free dinners were available in case of need.