asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent may German fishing boats now operate; to what extent the supply of fish for Germany is increasing; what offers of fish from other countries to the British Zone have been refused; and to what extent the prospective supply of fish will increase the amount of calories available and consumed.

German fishing vessels are permitted to fish in any waters declared free from mines, subject to the requirements of International Acts and Conventions. Present supplies of fish make possible a ration of 500 grammes a head per month, and the possibility of increasing supplies is being explored. Offers of white fish and herrings were received from Norway and the United Kingdom early this year. The white fish offers were refused in favour of herrings, which are less expensive and which have a much higher food value.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the circumstances under which Mr. Douglas Grahame, employed in the Public Relations and Information Services Control Centre, Lancaster House. Berlin, is detained in Berlin.

Mr. Grahame was recently convicted of currency offences and sentenced to six months imprisonment. He has appealed, and pending the hearing of the appeal has been granted bail on condition that he does not leave the British sector of Berlin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made to the Spanish Government concerning the continued detention of Augustin Zoroa, who is facing charges similar to those for which the death penalty has been imposed by the Spanish courts, and on which he has before intervened

His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Madrid, who has followed this case closely, reports that the trial of Augustin Zoroa Sanchez, on charges of illicit possession of explosives and conspiracy against the security of the State, is due to take place shortly My right hon. Friend must await the result of the trial before deciding whether any approach on this man's behalf is necessary or justifiable

asked the Secretary, of State for Foreign Affairs if he will obtain from the British representative in Hungary and make available in this country the Hungarian Government's White Paper published by their Ministry of Information relative to recent events in Hungary

I have received from the British Political Representative in Hungary a copy of the White Paper in question. I have also received a summary in English of this document. I have arranged for both the original document and the summary to be made available in the Library of the House of Commons; hon. Members will realise that the summary must not be regarded as official It is not the practice of His Majesty's Government to re-publish in this country White Papers issued by foreign governments for whose accuracy they can accept no responsibility

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which of the labour attachés appointed to His Majesty's embassies and legations abroad have had practical experience in the British trade union movement; and what official trade union offices they have held.

All labour attachés at present serving at His Majesty's Missions abroad, with the exception of the labour attaché at Brussels, who is a regular member of His Majesty's Foreign Service, have been chosen from the permanent officials of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. As I explained in my reply to my hon. Friends the Members for West Middlesbrough, (Mr. Cooper), Chelmsford (Wing-Commander Millington), and East Middlesbrougn (Mr. A Edwards), on 19th May, all of those appointed have been carefully selected for their knowledge and experience not only of the British trade union movement but also of industrial relations arid social administration in general. So far as I know none of them have held any trade union office.

asked the Minister of Food if he will include hospital cleaners in the schedule of trades entitled to additional bread rationing coupons as nurses are already included and duties of hospital cleaners are arduous and long.

My right hon Friend regrets that he does riot see his way to extend the Schedule to include hospital cleaners or workers with similar duties.

asked the Minister of Food what was the average price of tea per lb. at the Colombo auctions of 31st March, 1947; and how did this price compare with that paid last year when the Ceylon crop was bought by his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T Reid) on 28th April.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of potatoes, both seed or ware, have been condemned by his Department during the last four months after they had become the property of his Department.

In the last tout months, 15,000 tons of Ministry owned ware potatoes, less than 1.8 per cent. of the total, had to be sold for stock feed, and 212 tons of seed potatoes, 0.3 per cent. of the total, were rejected because of frost damage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make it clear to the Commissioners of Crown Lands that they should improve, modernise and convert into flats, where necessary, the residential properties in their charge, rather than leave such work to be carried out by tenants; and if he will accordingly give instructions that leases should not normally be granted in respect of flats for more than seven years.

Although in appropriate cases the Commissioners of Crown Lands now act as my hon. Friend suggests, a general instruction would not be practicable in view of the provisions of the Crown Lands Acts which bind the activities of the Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the serious agricultural loss occasioned in Kent by the strike of transport drivers of prisoners of war working on farms; and whether, in the light of this, he will reconsider his decision not to allow the prisoners of war to drive themselves to and from their work, thereby both helping agriculture and easing the housing situation.

I understand that the strike to which the hon. Member refers was of very brief duration and occasioned no serious loss to agriculture.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if a procedure has yet been devised for making and considering claims for compensation in respect of grassland compulsorily ploughed up, as envisaged in leaflet No. W.A.C. 1510, issued by his Department in December, 1939.

In the present food situation, it would not be desirable to take any step which might hasten the laying back to permanent grass of farm pastures which have been compulsorily ploughed up. I do not, therefore, propose for the present to set up machinery for making and considering claims for their restoration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the position of proprietors of sports grounds who voluntarily made their land available for allotments during the war; how they will be assisted to re-seed and level the ground; and whether any discrimination is exercised between them and owners of land compulsorily taken over for allotments, particulars of which have been sent to him.

Owners who voluntarily let their land for allotments during the war have not in any sense acted as my agents, and although I appreciate their co-operation in the food production campaign, I have no authority to pay for the restoration of the land to its original condition. Owners were presumably in a position to charge rent for the land and, in the case of sports grounds, will have saved costs of maintenance. Owners of land requisitioned for allotments have a statutory right, upon relinquishment, to compensation for any damage done to the land during the period of the requisition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number of cases of Colorado beetle since 1st January, 1947; what was, in each case, the suspected method of infection; in how many of these cases has the infection been completely stamped out; whether he is satisfied that the situation is under control; and what has been the effect of the stopping of imports of spinach from Holland.

Up to 3rd July last, 11 small infestations of the Colorado beetle have been found on potato crops this year. In addition 142 single beetles have been found and destroyed. In almost all the cases of infestation it is probable that the beetles have been introduced from the Continent, though in two instances they may possibly have arisen from colonies undetected last year. It is believed that the drastic measures taken to stamp out the outbreaks have been fully effective, and that the situation is under control. The stoppage of Dutch vegetable imports, including spinach, which does not comply with the requirements of the Importation of Plants Order, 1947, is a safeguard against possible infection from that source.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what measures he proposes to take to prevent flooding and safeguard agricultural interests in the Kyrnwy and Severn Valleys, resulting from his consultations with the catchment boards.

File engineer to the River Severn Catchment Board will be making an inspection of this area shortly and pending consideration of his report by the board, there is no statement I can usefully make.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to increase the number of tractor tyres and supplies of baling wire available in Shropshire.

Manufacturers of tractor tyres and of baling wire are endeavouring to increase their output in order to meet the greatly increased demand, but until current shortages of materials can be overcome, it will not be possible to meet full requirements. In the meantime, available supplies are being distributed as fairly as possible and I am afraid any particular area could only be helped at the expense of another.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has considered the report on river pollution prepared by the British Field Sports Society. a copy of which has been supplied; and what steps tie proposes to take in the matter.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Darwen (Mr. Prescott).

asked the Minister of Agra culture how many applications have been made by owners, councils and other representative organisations, respectively under Section 3 of the Access to Mountains Act, 1939; and how many of these have resulted in orders granting access being made by his Department.

No applications have been made by owners, councils, or representative organisations under Section 3 of the Access to Mountains Act, 1939, and no Orders have been made under the Act.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will arrange for workmen's weekly return tickets to be issued to the inspectors working on nightshift when they travel from Weston-super-Mare to the Bristol Aeroplane Company, Patch-way, on the G.W.R., seeing that these inspectors are not members of the managerial staff but work the same hours and are governed by the same rates and conditions as all other manual workers.

The issue of shift work men's tickets is limited to artisans, mechanics and labourers. Inspectors can be brought within the scope of these arrangements if they perform only manual work of the character performed by artisans and mechanics, and are never employed in a supervisory or technical capacity.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will furnish the figures of the following grades of railway staffs of the main line companies, appointed and unappointed, who have resigned their employment since the withdrawal of the Essential Work Order excluding retirements under age rules or deaths: footplate staff and cleaners, locomotive shed staff signalmen, guards, shunters, goods cartage staff, goods handling staff, permanent way staff, signal and telegraph staff, other conciliation staff, railway workshop staff, clerical staff and supervisory staff.

Up to 30th April, the figures were: Footplate staff and cleaners, 7,127; locomotive shed staff, 2,665; signalmen, 890; guards, 821; shunters, 1,723; goods cartage staff, 2,280; goods handling staff, 7,454; permanent way staff, 6,110; signal and telegraph staff, 585; other conciliation staff, 10,337; railway workshop staff, 9,971; clerical and supervisory staff, 6,500–56,463.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the condition of long stretches of the main road between Conway and Bangor, rendering them dangerous to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, he is in a position to authorise his agents, the Caernarvon County Council, to institute major surface repairs and improvements forthwith; and when it is his intention to commence the construction of the new main roads, already approved, through the townships of Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr on that route.

Whilst I do not agree that long stretches of the main road between Conway and Bangor are dangerous to vehicular and pedestrian traffic, arrangements have already been made for essential repairs to this road. It is expected that one length of widening of the road from West Gables to the west of Penmaenmawr will be put in hand this year.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of level-crossings on public roads for whose working and upkeep the railway companies are responsible.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th June, 1947, Vol. 439, c. 117), supplied the following statement:The number of level crossings on public roads for whose working and upkeep the railways are responsible is 4,449.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of bridges on public roads conveying traffic over railways for whose upkeep the four main line railway companies are responsible.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 30th June, 1947, Vol. 439, c. 117), supplied the following statement:The main line companies and the London Passenger Transport Board are responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the structure of 12,448 bridges carrying public roads over the railways. Of this number, 705 bridges carrying trunk roads have been transferred to me under the Trunk Roads Act, 1946, but the companies are continuing to maintain the bridge structures on my behalf.

asked the Minister of supply (1) what is generally regarded as the minimum monthly rate of production of motor cars to secure the full economies of mass production; and how many models have been produced at that rate in any month since the beginning of 1946;(2) if he is satisfied that the motor car industry will take effective co-operative action to ensure for the future the production of a much reduced number of models on a scale sufficient to ensure that all the economies of mass production are obtained.

So many factors have to he taken into account that it is not possible to give such a figure. I am satisfied that the industry is fully aware of the advantages to be gained from reducing the number of types.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that John Lysaghts, Limited, have been producing wide sheet-steel for over 50 years and that the plant was modernised during the war by a capital expenditure of £2,000,000, he will consider developing the present site and establishing the proposed new machinery from the U.S.A. at the Orb Works in the Development Area of Newport, particularly in view of the serious dislocation of industry, unemployment and other sociological factors that may otherwise ensue and because about one-tenth of the population of the town at present depends on it.

No decision has yet been taken regarding the location in South Wales of the proposed cold reduction capacity for sheet steel, but the Government will certainly take into account the considerations mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that the shortage of raw materials for the manufacture of electrical materials is becoming so acute that even orders carrying W.B.A. priority are being refused by some firms and accepted only tentatively for 12 months' delivery by others; and what action he is taking to remedy the situation.

Whilst it is true that lack of raw materials is restricting production, the total output of electrical accessories is in general sufficient to meet essential requirements, although there are local shortages of certain types. Anyone unable to obtain reasonably satisfactory deliveries against orders carrying W.B.A. priority should take the matter up with the Ministry of Works regional materials officer.

asked the Minister of Supply what degree of priority is at present being given to the manufacture in this country of machinery for the tin-mining industry of the Empire; and whether, in view of the important dollar-earning potentiality of this industry, he will arrange to expedite the production of this machinery by all possible means.

The importance of the industry is fully appreciated and every effort is being made to maintain deliveries of machinery. Special priority is, however, given only to programmes directly contributing to the expansion of fuel and power resources.

asked the Minister of Supply how many employees of the Royal Arsenal, at Woolwich, have been regraded to lower grades of appointments during the past 12 months; how many have been discharged on grounds of redundancy; of those discharged, how many were ex-members of His Majesty's Forces; and how many were in receipt, as far as is known, of disability pensions as a result of war service.

During the past twelve months 76 non-industrial employees of the Royal Ordnance Factories; Woolwich, have been regraded to lower posts Comparable figures of industrial employees are not available. During the same period 306 employees (industrial and non-industrial) have been discharged on grounds of redundancy and, of these, 27 were ex-Service men, three being in receipt of disability pensions as a result of war service

asked the Minister of Supply whether his proposal to use an area of 400 square miles off Lyme Bay for aircraft practice will necessitate an embargo on fishing vessels and other shipping in this area; and what kind of firing or bombing practice it is intended to carry out there.

The Ministry's proposals would only involve an embargo on shipping within the area during actual bombing and firing trials. The bombing trials would be infrequent and would be confined to specified areas within the main area. The firing trials might at times amount to three per week in suitable weather. It is intended that these trials should be the experimental dropping of bombs and firing of various kinds from air to sea

asked the Minister of Supply how many motor vehicles and drivers were at the disposal of Ministers On 1st May, 1945, 1st May, 1946, and 1st May, 1947, respectively.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 9th June, 1947; Vol. 438, c. 58–9], supplied the following information: The numbers of motor vehicles, with drivers, at the disposal of Ministers were, on 1st May, 1945, 34; on 1st May, 1946, 37; on 1st May, 1947, 38.

asked the Minister of works what materials, in order of importance, he estimates will still be a main factor limiting the rate of housebuilding in six months' time; and what steps he is taking to ensure a supply sufficient to employ the present manpower in the building trade at full and steady output thereafter.

I anticipate that timber may be the main limiting factor in house building in six months' time. The materials for which I am responsible will not, I hope, be in short supply providing sufficient coal is available for their manufacture. Special steps are being taken to encourage the recruitment of additional labour for the building materials industries, and my officers are in regular and close contact with the industries in order to give all possible help towards expansion of production.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that, under present conditions, it is necessary for local authorities to include in the weekly total amount which they can authorise for building repairs the sums necessary for works undertaken on the statutory notices and also electrical work which has to be carried out on the statutory directions of the electricity undertakings; and whether, in view of the serious inroads which these sums make in the weekly total, he will reorganise the procedure in the near future.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my answer to his Question on 30th June. The weekly totals to which he refers represents all the repair work that the local authorities can authorise with the available supply of labour and materials, and I do not think that any change in procedure would reduce the proportion that has to be assigned to work under statutory notices or statutory directions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the electrical industry in Aberdeen cannot procure plain plastic bell shades to complete housing programmes, while drapers, upholsterers, radio dealers and general merchants have these goods exposed for sale to the general public.

Neither the manufacture nor the distribution of plastic lampshades is subject to statutory control and the electrical industry has the same opportunities as all other would-be purchasers to obtain supplies; but, if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of any case of difficulty. I will have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among British firms regarding the proposed facilities for the renewal of private trading with Japan; whether any geographical limitation in Japan will be placed on the activities of British representatives; and what currency arrangements will apply.

I know that British interests concerned are anxious about the arangements for the renewal of private trade with Japan. This has been a difficult matter, but now that agreement has been reached in principle, every effort is being made to come to a settlement of the many details involved on the best basis that can be secured. I hope that the first party of business men, those representing the essential services such as banks, shipping and insurance will be able to leave for Japan shortly. As far as I am aware, business men will be able to travel within metropolitan Japan on business affairs as freely as the transport situation allows although the shortage of accommodation may limit the number of places at which they can stay Currency arrangements are still under discussion with the other Governments concerned and it would obviously be in appropriate, therefore, for me to discuss them at this stage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of alkaline powder required for medicinal purposes; and if he will make a statement on the shortage of bismuth metal which is an essential ingredient.

I am aware of a shortage of alkaline powder due to the shortage of bismuth metal but I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is being made to obtain increased supplies of this metal.

asked the Minister of Health if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government that the making of valuations for rating purposes should be transferred from local authorities to State-employed officials; and whether local authorities have been consulted on this matter and what views they have expressed.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 5th December, 1946, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the anxiety expressed by employees of local authorities in their poor law departments as to their future, when the contemplated changes in the Poor Law are likely to be effected.

As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for West Willesden (Mr. Viant) on 9th June, 1947, a copy of which I am sending the hon. Member, it is expected that the changes referred to will take effect on 5th July, 1948.

asked the Minister of Health ii he will give the names of chairmen from local authorities and voluntary hospitals appointed to serve on Regional Boards 13 and 14.

The names of all the members of all the Regional Hospital Boards are set out fully in the National Health Service (Constitution of Regional Hospital Boards) Order dated 24th June, 1947 (S.R. & O. 1947, No. 1297), copies of which are available to hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Health how many person were nominated, and their names, for the No. 13 Manchester regional hospital area and No. 14 Liverpool regional hospital area.

Members of Regional Hospital Boards are not nominated, but are appointed in the light of suggestions made in response to formal consultation or otherwise. The numbers of names suggested to me for these two boards were upwards of 130 and go respectively. It would not be appropriate to publish them, having regard to their confidential nature.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when he expects to advertise for applications for appointments under the Industrial Injuries Insurance Scheme.

My right hon. Friend expects to be ready in the early autumn to advertise for applications for appointments in the Department from persons with special experience in dealing with claims for workmen's compensation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Glasgow Corporation dealing with the issue of building licences and its effect on housing and if he will make a statement.

This matter was raised at a meeting which I had with representatives of the Corporation on 3rd May when I asked for details to be submitted to me. I received these last week, and have asked my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to make the fullest inquiries. If the hon. Member will repeat his Question in a week's time, I shall arrange to have a statement made on the subject.

asked the Minister of Education why he has advised school governors, through local education authorities, that they have no power to grant leave of absence during term to masters or boys for attendance at camps conducted by the A.T.C. or other pre-Service training organisations; and whether, in view of the recent promise of Government support for such organisations, he will revoke any regulations which restrict the discretion of governors in this respect.

While I am anxious that schools should assist pre-Service organisations by offering them accommodation and other reasonable facilities for their training, I am afraid I could not regard attendance at camps conducted for the purpose during term time as a justifi- able encroachment on the school curriculum. I am advised that the cadet forces do in fact try to avoid sending cadets of school units to camp during the school term.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give an assurance that he will continue to encourage the holding of A.T.C. camps in July, so as to reduce the strain on R.A.F. stations in August.

The camps for A.T.C. cadets at R.A.F. stations are open from the beginning of April to the end of September. Efforts are made to spread the attendances as evenly as possible; in particular, school units are encouraged to go to camp in the Easter holidays rather than during the summer holidays.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider making the reduction of Stamp Duty on articles of clerkship retrospective so as to include these at present serving under articles, or, as a gesture to ex-Service men, grant a refund of Stamp Duty to those who paid the £80 on entering into articles after war service.

I regret that I cannot make this concession retrospective.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of depots and stores in use by his Department and the number of persons employed, indicating how many are Service and how many civilian personnel; and how many of these depots or stores were in use as such prior to the war.

There are at present in the United Kingdom 185 Admiralty stores and depots, employing approximately 300 Naval and 39,000 civilian personnel. There were 65 depots in use before the war.

asked the Minister of Labour how many textile firms in Lancashire operate training schemes.

Complete information is not available, but under the Government's Vocational Training Scheme 27 training arrangements have been agreed with firms in the cotton industry, and it is known that many of the firms operate training schemes without Government financial assistance. Firms have also taken considerable advantage of the Ministry of Labour's scheme of Training Within Industry for Supervisors and with the assistance of the Cotton Board, some 5,000 workers in supervisory grades have received training with the object of improving their methods of instructing those engaged in learning new operations.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the popular history of Paiforce, written two years ago, is going to be published.

I understand that it was intended to publish this book in the style of the illustrated official war books, and the Central Office of Information was preparing the manuscript for press on these lines when the winter fuel difficulties made reconsideration of the proposed paper consumption necessary. The Central Office is at present discussing with His Majesty's Stationery Office a proposal to publish a small edition, and it is hoped that the book will appear in this form before the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the total number of male and female volunteers, respectively, who have enrolled into the T.A. during the period 1st January to 30th June, 1947, inclusive.

Up to 15th, June approximately 17,500 and 1,900 respectively.