asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in connection with the distribution of coal which is to be imported from the U.S.A., it is the Government's intention to continue the recent practice of allowing the arrangements to be made by the National Coal Board; and if he will give favourable consideration to adding to the number of distributing firms as, at present, four such firms have been given a virtual monopoly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the reasons for the appointment by the National Coal Board of four firms only to import coal from U.S.A.

As announced in the Press some weeks ago, it has been decided in present circumstances to entrust the handling of coal imports to the National Coal Board, who are, of course, responsible for the distribution of coal in this country. In deciding to appoint four British firms as their agents, the National Coal Board have, no doubt, taken all relevant factors into consideration, including the volume of business to be handled.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if this practice is continued it will amount to nothing more or less than a monopoly? Surely, the Government were pledged at the time of the General Election against monopoly and cartel arrangements. Can the right hon. Gentleman give a little more information with regard to this very unfortunate matter than he has given in the past?

There is no question of monopoly in the selection of these four firms. If coal imports continue it may be that some other firms would be appointed to undertake this job. In view of the volume of coal to be handled, it was thought that four firms were quite sufficient for the purpose.

Is the Minister aware that only about a dozen firms were normally engaged in this business, and these firms have been excluded by the decision of the National Coal Board, whereas one of the firms selected has had hardly any American business during the last 20 years?

No firms are engaged in this business at all. This is the business of importing coal, and the firms to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers export coal.

Is this not the first time in the history of this country that it has been necessary to import coal and is it, therefore, surprising that the right hon. Gentleman is not familiar with distributive problems?

That is not so; the hon. Member is misinformed. There have been occasions when coal has been imported.

Before agreeing to import coal from the U.S.A., will my right hon. Friend see that it is suitable for British industrial purposes, particularly having in mind our experiences during 1921 and 1926 of importing coal—an experience which cost the Glasgow Corporation £20,000 for renewal of its gas plant.

It is precisely because we are anxious about the quality of the coal to be imported that the National Coal Board have sent over their marketing experts to deal with the matter.

May I ask whether there is a doctor in the House?

rose—

I want a doctor, and perhaps he would be kind enough to advise the Government against the danger of monopoly.

I think that the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is rather frivolous.

Is it in Order, Mr. Speaker, for an hon. Member to get up and ask a question such as that asked by the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère), which is rather an abuse of the House?

I rose at the time, and said that I thought it was rather frivolous.

May I express my regret, Mr. Speaker. It was frivolous. Nevertheless, I feel very strongly about it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he took to ensure that the price to be paid per ton of coal he has recently arranged to purchase from the U.S.A. is the lowest and that no other arrangements could have been made to avoid this loss to the Treasury.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is in a position to give details of the price of U.S. coal to be imported into this country.

As I stated on 12th June in reply to the hon. Member for Maid-stone (Mr. Bossom), no contracts have yet been entered into regarding the supply of coal from the U.S. to this country. Negotiations with American authorities are continuing and I have no doubt that the National Coal Board, to whom the task has been entrusted, can be relied upon to make suitable arrangements.

Is it not a fact that the Minister anticipates importing 600,000 tons of this coal at a price which is as much as £8 a ton? Is it not a regrettable thing that we have to import coal at this tremendous price when we have plenty of coal here waiting to be hewn?

As regards the price of this imported coal, there is a question on the Order Paper which I shall answer later on, but as regards importing coal, I was under the impression that there was a demand from the Opposition that we should seek every means in our power to import coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what grounds he anticipates paying £8 per ton for coal from the U.S.A.; what is the breakdown of this probable cost; and why he disclosed the high price he was prepared to pay before opening negotiations with the U.S.A.

The negotiations for the purchase of U.S. coals are in the hands of a representative of the National Coal Board now in the U.S.A. and these negotiations have not yet been completed. The figure of £8 per ton was an estimate of the approximate cost of importing certain coals offered from the American West Coast ports and should not be taken either as typical or as indicating the price we were prepared to pay.

Is the Minister aware that foreigners may know him as "Mr. Paywell" if he continues to shout the odds about the inflated prices he is prepared to pay for foreign coal?

I do not understand the hon. and gallant Member's language, but if he means that a definite price was given he is quite wrong. It is quite impossible for anybody, even an expert, to know what the price is likely to be when the coal arrives in this country. It depends on many factors, including freight charges which are very variable.

Is it not fantastic that we should buy coal from America at £8 a ton at a time when we are introducing the 40-hour week?

In view of the tact that the cost of producing soft coal in America averages 2.69 dollars a ton, wherein lies this very wide discrepancy between that figure and the general price of £8 a ton to which the Minister has referred?

I am sorry that I cannot oblige the hon. and gallant Member by giving him the details. I am in the hands of those who say that they know all about it—the exporters and the people who are engaged in the business, the marketing people mainly represented by hon. Members opposite. I have to rely on what they say and they tell me that the price varies according to a number of factors, a great many of which are unpredictable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the resentment felt by coal exporters in the U.S.A. by their virtual exclusion from business with the United Kingdom by the appointment of a cartel of four firms for the purchase of coal from the U.S.A.; and what steps he proposes to take to meet these objections.

I have entrusted this matter to the National Coal Board and am sure that they will make appropriate arrangements for the purchase of U.S. coal for importation into this country.

Is the Minister aware that he may well not obtain all the coal he wants from America if he antagonises the American trade?

There is not the slightest indication that the American trade has been antagonised. We have had no indication of it in the Department nor has the National Coal Board, and I must assume that the hon. and gallant Member is using his imagination.

Has not the Minister seen the reports in both the American and British Press about this matter?

I have seen them but one does not accept every one of them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the total cost to date of propaganda and entertainment to bring to the notice of miners the importance of maintaining output under the five-day week.

It is quite impossible to give any such figure.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give the House information as to the expense, and the result in increased output of the production-drive conducted under the auspices of Joe Baksi and his wife throughout the mining areas?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down that Question, I will do my best to give an answer.

How can that be, when the right hon. Gentleman has said that he has no knowledge whatever of the cost of these various curious forms of entertainment?

I said that I would do my best to give the hon. and gallant Gentleman an answer.

Is the Minister satisfied that, whatever the amount expended, it was a good investment, seeing that we have in the industry greater harmony and increased output as a result of it?

As regards the result of the propaganda under which this expense was to some extent incurred, we have succeeded in inducing a large number of men and boys to enter the industry since nationalisation.

Would not the Minister agree that there is no section of the community who deserve a little entertainment more than the miner and his wife?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is intended to compensate merchants and workers who lost business and wages, on terms similar to the compensation to be paid to the miners who were recently thrown out of work by a strike, through no fault of their own.

No, Sir.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that that answer contrasts strikingly with the attitude which he has adopted towards these miners who lose wages through no fault of their own? Why should they receive compensation any more than the unfortunate merchants who suffer equally with their employees? They have got no compensation whatever. Is that democratisation and a fair share for all?

The miners referred to by the hon. and gallant Member are in the employ of the National Coal Board and the Coal Board are responsible for their own employees in the interests of efficient coal mining and production, but they are not responsible in respect of the merchants.

Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that the merchants have also a responsibility towards their employees?

I have no doubt they have and that they will fulfil their responsibility.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what number of coal-winding shafts have gone out of commission since 1st January, 1935, up to, and including, 30th June, 1945.

Information is not available regarding the number of shafts used specifically for coal-winding. Since 1st January, 1935, and up to and including 30th June, 1945, it is known, however, that a total of 541 coal mines went out of commission.

Will the Minister set as his target the establishment of the same number of pits during the next ten years as were put out of commission during the past ten years?

It does not follow that it is to the national, advantage to open pits. It is much more important to concentrate them and use them efficiently.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what number of new sinkings for deep-mined coal have been started since 1st July, 1945, up to, and including, 31st May, 1947; and in what' part of the British coalfields they are situated.

The number of new coal mines opened between 1st July, 1945, and 31st May, 1947, was 103. Most of these are drifts or small mines. I propose to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list showing the coalfields in which these new coal mines are situated.

Would the Minister consider putting in the Library the plans of the new Rothes coal mines which would be interesting for the Members?

I shall consider that but it is primarily a matter for the National Coal Board.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of new sinkings for deep-mined coal which are contemplated in the long-term programme of the National Coal Board.

The amount of investigation and planning required to formulate a comprehensive programme for the reorganisation of the coalmining 'industry is very great and it would be unreasonable to expect the National Coal Board yet to be in a position to give me details of such a programme.

Is the Minister aware that many of the seams in Lancashire lie at what we call the deep level, and it is absolutely essential that work should be proceeding now with a view to winning that coal, because it takes four or five years, with the best methods possible, to reach these seams of coal?

I agree with my hon. Friend, but the National Coal Board are now preparing plans of re-organisation. They are in an advanced stage in certain areas, but they have to fit into the national programme.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider enabling those householders or tenants who only have a small space for keeping coal to have their allocation of coal reserved on special dumps particularly when they are willing to pay for this in advance.

No, Sir. During the summer merchants are required to put a proportion of their receipts into stock in their own yards to ensure the maintenance of supplies during the winter, particularly to small consumers with inadequate storage space. All merchants are asked to give preference in deliveries to those consumers during the winter.

Is the Minister aware that there are a large number of people with very small space for storage and that they are put at a disadvantage during the winter compared with those who have storage space? Will the Minister consider that?

I am afraid it would be inadvisable and indeed impracticable to set aside coal on order for the winter for certain consumers during the whole of the summer period. It seems to me much better to continue the existing practice of leaving the question of deliveries to be dealt with by the coal merchants and by the local fuel overseers.

Is the Minister aware that in the large industrial towns and cities there are thousands of these small houses where there is no accommodation whatever; and would it not be possible to make arrangements for the local fuel office to see that small merchants have an extra stock as compared with the merchants who supply people who have room to store their coal? We all know what happened last winter and in other winters in connection with these small people who have no storage space.

I think, apart from the fiscal aspect of the question, that was the substance of my reply.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that a form was sent by the Coke Directorate of his Department to Churcher's College, Petersfield, Hampshire, informing them that their previous allocation of coke had been cancelled and that their basic allocation for the 12 months, 1st May, 1947, to 30th April, 1948, is nil tons; that it is possible only to allocate nil tons, divided as to nil tons per month in the summer and nil tons per month in the winter; that the name of the supplier is also indicated; and whether he will eliminate such unnecessary form filling and substitute a shorter form of intimation in cases where no allocation of coke is made.

Requirements for Churcher's College, Petersfield, have been included in the allocation made to the Hampshire County Council. I regret that the notification that their previous allocation had accordingly been cancelled was sent out in the manner stated and steps have now been taken to see that this does not occur again.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statements he has made will give considerable satisfaction to those affected, but will he consider the simplification, and possibly the elimination of some more of the forms issued by his Ministry?

I must make a confession to hon. Members. I had not seen this form before and when I did see it for the first time I was appalled.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has now considered the resolution passed by the Chamber of Commerce, a copy of which has been sent to him, referring to the large proportion of stone and dust in the coal delivered in Teignmouth; what reply he has sent; and whether, in this connection, he will submit a monthly progress report with regard to the improvement of screening and washing facilities for coal in this country.

As regards the first part of the Question the Teignmouth Chamber of Commerce have been advised of the steps to be taken by a consumer who receives a delivery of coal containing an undue proportion of stone and dust. As regards the second part of the Question the answer is in the negative. As I explained in the House on 2nd April there is inevitably some deterioration in the quality of coal at the present time. The National Coal Board are giving the matter urgent consideration as part both of their long term policy, for the installation of additional cleaning plant, and of shorter term arrangements to reduce the quantity of dirt.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that in the days when the industry was run by private enterprise coal sold as coal was really coal; and does he also realise that in those days I was not bombarded by letters from my constituents?

I am afraid that in the days of private enterprise a lot of dirt was spread, and in many directions.

In view of the terms of the right hon. Gentleman's original reply, will he state what he considers a due proportion of stone and dust?

I did not say "a due proportion." I said "an undue proportion."

Yes, but what does the right hon. Gentleman mean by that?

More than is liked by the consumer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of houses purchased by the National Coal Board at prices in excess of £5,000.

I have no information about properties purchased by the National Coal Board other than what I have seen in the Press.

Does that characteristically helpful reply mean that the right hon. Gentleman is blissfully ignorant of the expenditure of large sums of money on the purchase of large and luxurious houses for senior officials, or does it mean that he does know but does not care two hoots?

I could hardly be regarded as ignorant after reading the daily Press.

Is the Minister aware that if the officials are indeed accom- modated in luxurious premises, this will be the first time in the whole of my connection with the public service that that has been true.

While this is primarly a matter for the National Coal Board, it should be made known to hon. Members, who are apparently unaware of the fact, that houses are provided—whether luxurious or otherwise I cannot say—for the higher salaried employees of the Board under contractual obligations which are imposed upon the Board by the terms of an Act of Parliament.

If that is so, is it not about time that Parliament had some control over this expenditure?

Parliament, including the hon. Gentleman who has asked me this supplementary question, decided in its wisdom that this power should be conferred on the National Coal Board, and I have no authority to vary it.

Would my right hon. Friend ascertain the number of houses purchased and owned by the coalowners prior to nationalisation?

Can the Minister say whether these are tied houses or not?

They are just as much tied under the Coal Board as under private ownership.

If the Minister does not know how many houses have been purchased, does he know how many have been burned down?

I have read in the newspapers that one was burned down.

Can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it is that he knows the terms on which the houses are held but does not know how many are in fact concerned?

I know of the terms because I happen to know the provisions of the Act of Parliament.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the current output of oil from the British oil com- panies in Rumania; what steps he is taking to facilitate any increase in their output; and what contribution they are making towards the fuel requirements of this country.

The crude oil production in 1946 of the oil companies in Rumania in which there are British interests was 2,100,000 tons, out of a total Rumanian production of 4,200,000 tons. The current rate of production of the companies concerned is slightly below the 1946 level. There is little that I can do to facilitate any increase in the output of these companies. The main factor responsible for the recent decline in production is shortage of essential oil production equipment and other materials which are not procurable in Rumania and which cannot be purchased abroad owing to the lack of foreign currency. There can be no alleviation of this position until Rumanian oil exports to the West are resumed. The answer to the last part of the Question was given in my reply of 9th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid).

Does not the Minister of Fuel and Power agree that the difficulty of obtaining foreign currencies for these companies would be overcome it we were to buy oil fuel from them in order to supplement our reserves?

At the moment we do not require to buy oil from these sources.

Would the Minister say how much of that oil came through to this country?

I will if a Question is put upon the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the reason for the continued delay in providing an exit permit for Anne M. Alpers, 22A, Krefeld-Traar, Kullpfad, 64, British zone, Germany, to come to this country to get married, in view of the fact that the consent of her parent has now been given and of the continued assurances that she would be permitted to come to this country.

As I informed the hon. Member on 18th March an exit permit was issued before 18th February. On receipt of the parent's consent to the marriage a visa was granted on 6th May.

In that case will the Minister explain why there has been this delay because I have heard only in the last week that this lady cannot come here; is there the proper co-ordination between his Department and others?

The difficulty is overseas. I may say that I have had the same trouble with regard to constituents of my own and I am trying to make contact with the appropriate people—over whom no Department responsible to this House has any control—with a view to having these movements expedited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Mr. Herbert Schoen, 71 Claims Commission, Headquarters Land Forces, Greece, whose application for British nationality was rejected by his Department on 5th May, enlisted as a volunteer in His Majesty's forces at Sarafand on 21st February, 1941, was taken prisoner by the German forces at Kalamata on 29th April, escaped on 13th June, 1941, joined elements of the British Military Mission in Greece in 1943, served wth the mission until 1945, taking part in six operations against German troops, being awarded the British Empire Medal; that he was finally released from His Majesty's forces on 12th January; and, as this former Hungarian is now without nationality and wishes to continue in the service of the Crown if he will reconsider his decision.

I am giving further consideration to Mr. Herbert Schoen's application for naturalisation and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, on humanitarian grounds, he will consider introducing legislation to amend the Adoption Acts to enable British subjects to adopt war orphans alien origin.

As indicated in the reply I gave on 28th February, 1946, to my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. Rees-Williams) this question has been noted for consideration when there is an opportunity for amending legislation, but I am not in a position to hold out hope of legislation in the near future.

In the meantime, what is the state of such children in this country? Will they remain stateless and parentless indefinitely?

No, Sir. Their nationality will depend on the nationality of their parents in the normal case.

Could the same end not be achieved without legislation by allowing such children to be naturalised and get the British nationality of their intended adopted parents?

No, Sir. I am quite willing to consider that matter, but the naturalisation of infants is a matter of some complication.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths there have been in the past 10 years through persons accidentally being shut into refrigerators; and if he will give consideration to the introduction of a regulation compelling the fitting of interior handles.

Figures as to deaths from this cause are not available, but I fully agree that the suggested precaution is most desirable. I have no power to make a regulation, but I hope that publicity given to a recent tragic accident and to this Question and answer may impress the importance of this matter on all makers and users of large refrigerators.

In view of the horrible consequences which must result and, in fact, have resulted already from someone being enclosed in a space like this, is there no method by which the Minister or some other Department can give orders for some device to be fitted into the inside of the doors of these refrigerators?

No, Sir, no one has any power at the moment to deal with this. I have made inquiries, however, and I find that most of the firms who possess large refrigerators are in fact making arrangements whereby there shall be a handle which can be operated from the inside. I hope that other firms will follow their example.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider doing what is done in Scandinavia—that is to have a light outside the door which is on when the door is locked and someone is inside?

As I have said, no Minister has power in this matter. I can only hope that the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Gentleman will be noted by those who possess these refrigerators.

Will the Minister consult with his colleague at the Board of Trade to ensure that before permission is given or materials are authorised for the purpose of the manufacture of these commodities an undertaking shall be given that that kind of handle or a light shall be provided?

I am quite sure that my hon. Friend will appreciate that before one can attach conditions, one has to be quite sure that one has the power to do it; and I am advised that no one has such power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times cases of burglary or housebreaking into the Soviet Embassy or other properties in London belonging to the Soviet Embassy have been reported; and what answer he has made to the protest received from the Soviet Ambassador that the Metropolitan Police have not taken sufficient trouble to prevent such offences and to arrest the offenders.

The only such reports are statements recently made by the Soviet Embassy that two flats, occupied respectively by a, First Secretary of the Embassy and by a member of the Soviet Naval Attaché's staff, had been broken into and property stolen, and that the Soviet Embassy School at Hampstead had been broken into. Only one of these incidents had been reported to the police at the time of its occurrence. As regards the second part of the Question, no such protest has been received.

Do I assume from that that the reports which have appeared in the Russian Press, including "Pravda," that there have been seven burglaries are incorrect, and will the Minister say if any special request has been made by the Soviet Embassy in London for the special protection of their premises?

With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, only three burglaries alleged to have occurred on premises occupied by Soviet officials or used for their purposes have been reported to my Department. It is alleged that a burglary occurred at one place on 23rd May, but that was not notified to the Police until 9th June. It is quite clear that any effort to trace a burglary which occurred on 23rd May is very difficult if it is not reported until 9th June. I do not want to go into the other two cases, but that is one of the difficulties that confront us in dealing with this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question? Has any special application been made by the Soviet Embassy in London for the extra protection of their premises?

Not that I am aware of, but if the hon. Gentleman will put that question down, I will see that he has an answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if it is correct that certain volumes of a publication called "Keep to the Left" were stolen?

If they were, they will be replaced by Hatchard's.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how soon he anticipates giving permission fat midweek racing to be resumed at Boundary Park greyhound track. Norwich.

I do not anticipate giving such permission.

Is the Minister aware that at a nearby speedway track mid-week fixtures have been taking place for the last month attracting many more spectators than greyhound racing does, and what is the justification for discrimination against the greyhound track?

Greyhound racing is a racket.

I will have the speedway visitors tabulated and consider the statistics.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to whom owners of property should apply for the cost of demolishing air-raid shelters which were erected compulsorily, under statute, upon private land.

Any question in connection with the demolition of shelters provided by local authorities for the protection of members of the public, whether upon private or public land, should be addressed to the local authority responsible for their erection.

In view of the fact that some of these shelters are rather large and were put up compulsorily, that the cost of demolition is rather heavy and that the space is required for factories and houses, would the right hon. Gentleman see to it that the cost is borne by someone else instead of it being on the shoulders of private employers?

If the persons concerned make application to the local authority, they will then ascertain whether the local authority, as is the case in some instances, is responsible for the demolition.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the number of persons reported missing to his Department during 1946 who were not subsequently found.

I regret that the figures are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if administrative officers of the N.F.S. who are to be taken over by new county and county borough authorities will be guaranteed posts of at least equal salaries to those they now hold.

Discussions are proceeding with a view to securing the best practicable arrangements, but I regret that it is not possible to give such a guarantee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not give an assurance that these men can face the future with confidence under the new set-up? Many of them are very concerned about what is likely to happen, and they have rendered very good service in the National Fire Service.

I am in negotiation with individual county councils and county boroughs with a view to getting these men absorbed. I will do the very best I can for them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that adequate supplies of streptomycin are reaching this country for the use of hospitals and general practitioners.

The merits of this drug have not yet been established and it is still under clinical trial by the Medical Research Council. The only supplies which have been obtained by the Government are for the purpose of these trials.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the increasing number of S.O.S. broadcast appeals for streptomycin, and in view of the fact that it is apparently readily obtainable from drug stores in the United States, is the shortage of supply here in any way due to our dollar difficulties, or is it through opposition in high medical quarters?

The answer to the last part of the supplementary question is that there is no restriction on the dollar side to the purchase of whatever amount of streptomycin is necessary for the tests, but in view of the fact that this drug has not yet been proved, I am very glad to know that it cannot be obtained in drug stores in this country.

As these appeals cause a great deal of alarm, cannot the Minister do something to stop them taking place?

I have made an announcement in this House deploring these appeals and deploring all appeals for drugs which are not properly tested beforehand. I regret very much that the B.B.C. is giving facilities for these appeals.

Is the Minister aware that in the United States the sale of streptomycin is not through drug stores and that it is controlled by the National Control Council there as it is here?

asked the Minister of Health if he will review, with a view to early amendment, the regulations regarding the certification of the insane.

As soon as opportunity permits, it is intended to undertake a restatement of the law relating to mental treatment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement will give some satisfaction to the people who are feeling seriously concerned about this matter?

Is the Minister aware that it is almost impossible for a person who has been certified to get release even when he has recovered from his sickness—

That is another question and has nothing to do with this one.

In considering this matter, will the Minister take into account not only the original certification, but also the duration of the sickness and recovery, for the purpose of release of the people concerned, because there have been several cases of abuse?

There is a large body of information and evidence on this subject and, of course, it will all be taken into account when the regulations are being prepared.

Is the Minister aware that a person who has been certified finds it almost impossible to get release even when he has recovered from his sickness, and that even after the visiting magistrates have recommended release, it takes six months before the patient is released from the institution, and then only with a six months' licence?

I am afraid I cannot accept what appears on the face of that supplementary question and I would warn hon. Members that this is a very difficult thing indeed and they ought not to take things at their face value, because there is such pressure on institutions for additional accommodation that I cannot believe that superintendents keep anybody there longer than is necessary.

asked the Minister of Health if he will set up a committee of inquiry into the conduct and administration of institutions and hospitals for the mentally deficient.

These institutions and hospitals (which for the most part will be taken over in the new Health Service) are subject to regular inspection, and I am not aware of the necessity for setting up a committee of inquiry. If, however, my hon. Friend has in mind any particular institution or hospital in regard to which he considers that inquiry is necessary, I will look into the matter.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the overcrowding now existing in a great many of these places, and the difficulty of building, whether he will have a survey made to show the bad effect which this overcrowding has on the patient?

I am well aware of that, and I think hon. Members will know that even if we had additional buildings, we would not be able to make use of them, because we have not enough staff. When the new Health Service is in operation, I hope we shall be able to make far better use of existing accommodation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consult the Board of Control on this matter before making any fresh arrangements??

I think the hon. Gentleman can take it for granted that the Board of Control were consulted before this reply was drafted.

In view of the general concern over this matter, may I ask the Minister if he can give an assurance to this House that the report he has received from his inspectors will not justify any serious cause for anxiety in regard to the conditions in the majority of these institutions?

I am well aware, as hon. Members are aware, that conditions in these institutions are not anything like as good as we would like them to be, and it is because of the overcrowding of accommodation and the lack of nursing and domestic staff. We are doing our utmost to build up the staffs, and we are having some success.

asked the Minister of Health if, as a means of encouraging cleanliness and improving public health, he will arrange to make a reasonable grant to local authorities that provide, as a public service, the free use of lavatory and wash basin facilities with soap and towels in public conveniences for men and women.

I have no power to make such grants.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiries as to the number of deaths that are caused by diarrhoea and similar complaints, and is he aware that most local authorities and medical officers of health would desire the powers sought here and that it would save a great number of lives if they were given?

The local authorities have their powers and many of them exercise them, and it would be difficult for me to make an inquiry of the roving kind suggested. It would be very hard to prove that illness was due to a particular cause of infection received in a public convenience.

Can the Minister say what is the difference, if any, between lavatory facilities and wash basin facilities?

I think the distinction is fairly obvious.

asked the Minister of Health the steps he proposes to take to prevent the River Hayle in West Cornwall from flooding the districts of St. Erth and Relubbus in future.

I have no powers to take direct action. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply has accepted respon- sibility for restoring the river near St. Erth as it was before the wartime operations for recovering tin. He has suggested that the West Penrith Rural District Council should carry out the work as his agent. I understand that the Council wish to include this in a larger scheme to prevent flooding along the whole length of the river and we await their proposals.

While appreciating the steps which the local authority and the Minister of Health have taken in this matter, may I ask the Minister to do his best to ensure that the steps are effected before next winter, as these are recurring floods and they occasioned particularly acute distress last winter?

I will certainly give all the help that my power and material permit but the floods have been happening for a long time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the report on the subject of proprietary medicines, submitted to him by [he Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain; and what steps he proposes to take to implement the Society's recommendations.

I have given the report preliminary consideration. The Society's recommendation would involve legislation, for which I am afraid there is no early prospect.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree, particularly in view of what was stated by the Parliamentary Secretary last night, that this is a matter of far-reaching importance, which becomes ever more urgent with the approach of a national medical service.

I agree that it is of the utmost importance, but there are very large numbers of matters of great importance that are awaiting legislation also, and it is a matter of priorities. I can assure my hon. Friend that it is always present in my mind.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, in view of the interest of Members in this report, it could be made available in the Vote Office or in any other way? I understand that it is a private document which has been given to the Minister.

I believe that it is d private document. Therefore, I cannot promise to make it available.

Is the Minister in a position to say why it was left to the Parliamentary Secretary to make this interesting statement last night.

The Parliamentary Secretary is a very able and competent individual.

Could not my right hon. Friend approach the Society to ascertain whether they would not object to the publication of this report, so that Members of the House could study it, in view of the national interests involved.

I will certainly make inquiries.

I am much obliged.

asked the Minister of Health why no reply has been sent from his Department to numerous letters from Immingham Parish Council requesting sanction to an agreement with the Grimsby Rural District Council to use 12 acres of land as a playing field and a community centre; and if he will give this sanction forthwith.

I have no trace of the receipt of any letter from the Immingham Parish Council. I am, however, in communication with the Grimsby Rural District Council, and consent will be given on the receipt of certain necessary documents.

But the communication was sent by the rural district council of Grimsby months ago. Because there has been no answer from the Minister's Department, the working class children of Immingham have been denied the use of these playing fields. Will the Minister expedite a decision in this matter?

I have answered that, as soon as the necessary documents can be obtained, the matter will be further considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will direct an inquiry into the circumstances under which as many as 60 permanent houses out of 90 for which he had approved tenders for the Prescot Urban District Council were completed within 12 months, in order that the methods employed may be applied to the housing schemes of the other local authorities in the parliamentary division of Widnes.

The Prescot Urban District Council are to be commended on the prompt start they made in housing, and this explains their good progress; the other local authorities referred to are in general making satisfactory progress now.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the performance is even better than these figures appear to indicate, having regard to the small size of the district, and is not that clue at least to the fact that there has been no excessive licensing of private speculative building by this authority?

I think that is certainly the case, and it quite often happens that many local authorities are now having difficulties with their housing programme because they were far too liberal with licences earlier.

asked the Minister of Health in how many cases of contracts for furnished lettings reported under the provisions of the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, to the tribunals in Leicester and Leicestershire, respectively, have those tribunals reduced the rents payable by the tenants; by what approximate percentages; and in how many of these cases were the dwellinghouses concerned within the provisions of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions Act, 1939, being dwelling-houses which were then let at the first rental which has been charged for them.

Up to 31st May, the Tribunal for the city and county of Leicester has reduced rents in 69 cases in the city by an average of 29 per cent. and in three cases in the county by an average of 14 per cent. I regret that the informa- tion asked for in the third part of the Question is not readily available.

Will my right hon. Friend, in view of the case which is before the courts at present, try to ascertain from the various tribunals how many houses in Leicester and Leicestershire and otherwise come within the last paragraph of the Question I asked, particularly in view of the far-reaching effect an adverse decision may have upon the position?

I am reluctant to ask for further statistics from these tribunals. They have long lists of applicants waiting to have their cases tried, and the officials are overworked. Hon. Members must realise that, if they press the Government to give all kinds of detailed information, it must add to the size of the Civil Service.

asked the Minister of Health how many permanent local authority houses have been erected in the borough of Darwen since July. 1945.

I would refer the hon. Member to Appendix B of the Monthly Housing Return.

Is it not a fact that no houses whatsoever have been erected? Why cannot the right hon. Gentleman say so in public?

I have said it in public in many thousands of documents every month.

Why not say it now?