asked the Postmaster-General, on what instructions telephone operators in completely Welsh-speaking parts of Wales refuse to put through telephone calls in the Welsh language.

No such instructions exist. On the contrary, in Welsh-speaking districts it is the normal practice to accept telephone calls in Welsh and connect them without question.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider raising the age limit for the engagement of male telephonists, in view of the exceptional need to employ all available men in essential work.

Yes, I am looking into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reasons for their resignation were given by the four members of the Greek Orthodox Board of Education, Cyprus, who resigned in June; and whether he is satisfied with the educational policy pursued by the Government of Cyprus.

Four out of six unofficial members of the Board of Education for the Greek orthodox schools resigned on the ground that the Cyprus Government had not reconsidered its education policy to accord with their views, and that changes made and contemplated by that Government did not accord with their opinion, in particular because that Government would not abandon its ultimate responsibility under the law for educational policy in Cyprus. With regard to educational policy, the Governor is acting with the Secretary of State's knowledge and approval.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the price of meat, poultry and fish in Cyprus is prohibitive for the majority of the population; and whether he is satisfied that the local population is not placed at a disadvantage in regard to food supplies by the presence of large numbers of troops and refugees in Cyprus.

The prices of meat, fish and poultry in Cyprus are admittedly high, but there has been no increase in the cost of locally-produced meat during the last year, some prices having indeed decreased; and the existing prices are so far from being prohibitive that consumption per head is today higher than it was in 1939. The Army uses only imported meat. Such restricted quantities of locally-produced meat as are used as Kosher meat in the camps for illegal Jewish immigrants are replaced by imported frozen meat, which is unrationed and sold at a lower price than local meat, so helping to keep the prices of local meat within bounds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what regulations in Cyprus restrict imports of certain types of goods to imports from the United Kingdom; and to what extent this policy has the effect of raising prices in Cyprus.

Cyprus, like other sterling area countries, is making every possible economy in foreign exchange and, so far as is possible, is confining its imports to those of United Kingdom origin. I have not heard of any consequent rise in prices. The tightening up of import control at first occasioned some holding up of stocks, but I hope that a recent local announcement about import policy will have allayed anxiety about the maintenance of necessary imports.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why Mr. Makhan Singh, an Indian National, resident in Kenya for 13 years, has been refused entry into Kenya; why an order has been issued banning his entry; and whether he will rescind the order.

Mr. Makhan Singh has been excluded from Kenya under Section 5 (f) of the Immigration Ordinance by reason of his activities when he was resident there. The matter is within the discretion of the Governor in Council and I see no reason for asking him to rescind the order.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the justification for the recent increase in the price of Gold Coast cocoa by about 70 per cent.

The Gold Coast Cocoa Marketing Board, which is now solely responsible for the marketing of the Gold Coast crop, has fixed the seasonal price payable to the farmers for the 1947/1948 crop at 40s. a load of 60 lb., an increase of 45.4 per cent. over last year's price of 27s. 6d. This is hardly remarkable in view of the fact that the world market value of cocoa has more than doubled since September, 1946. Any difference between the fixed price and the price realised on sales overseas will, of course, be retained by the board for the future benefit of producers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how long has elapsed since the East African Power and Lighting Company made its application for permission to raise additional funds to cover existing and future commitments; and whether in view of the vital contribution which East Africa can make towards solving the problem of commodity shortages, steps can be taken to accelerate a decision in this matter.

The company's application was made at the beginning of this year but I am informed by the Kenya Government that it is in abeyance, with the agreement of the company. I am in communication with the Governments concerned in regard to accelerating a decision in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the increased production of many commodities in East Africa is being threatened by the drastic reduction of imports of machinery from America; and whether consideration will be given to maintaining all such imports as are directly or indirectly essential for increasing the production of commodities in that territory.

I am not aware that the increased production of essential commodities in East Africa is being held up as the hon. and gallant Member suggests. Every effort will be made to maintain all imports which are indispensable for such production.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why in spite of the decision to end multilateral reparations on 27th September, Messrs. Heidenreich and Harbeck of Hamburg were informed on 9th October that eleven machines, in addition to the eight already seized on 23rd September, would be removed shortly from their factory.

27th September was the date on which searching for plant for the multilateral reparations scheme ended. Requisitioning of such plant continued until the 16th October. The answer given on the 27th October to a similar Question was not strictly correct. Requisitioning and delivery are clearly different things. The answer I have just given puts the matter straight.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British soldiers have been killed and how many have been injured in Palestine due to terrorist activities during the three months to 20th October, 1947.

During the three months preceding 20th October, 1947, eight British soldiers were killed and 82 injured by terrorist activities in Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the owners of ships endeavouring to take illegal immigrants to Palestine have borne the cost of diverting their passengers elsewhere; and what action is now being taken to recover such costs.

It is not practicable to recover such costs, except through the forfeiture of the ships. Proceedings to that end are taken whenever possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the cost to the British Exchequer of the employment of three troopships and their escorts for conveying Palestinian illegal immigrants, from the date of embarkation to their arrival in Hamburg.

The cost of the troopships is borne by the Government of Palestine and not by the British Exchequer. Questions regarding the cost of the naval escorts should properly be addressed to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what circumstances Mr. Fooi Hong, previously acquitted of murder, has been banished from Malaya.

Mr. Fooi Hong was deported under the Banishment Enactment because the Governor had satisfied himself by careful inquiry that he was an active member of a gang which had been concerned in murders, robberies and extortion. Before his acquittal by the Supreme Court on a charge of murder, and after the preliminary hearing by a magistrate, the principal witness for the prosecution at that hearing was murdered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken during the past six months to assist tin producers in the British Colonies to increase their output and sales overseas; and what priority is now being given to this matter.

The Government of the Malayan Union has provided finance for re-equipment to the Malayan industry, and the Colonial Office has provided support in obtaining delivery of machinery and equipment. A steady increase in Malayan output has resulted. The matter is still dealt with as one of high importance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the recent changes in the Seychelles constitution, with details of the qualifications for the franchise and the numbers expected to qualify.

The changes to which my hon. Friend refers have not yet been made. The position is that a statement setting out the proposals was published in Seychelles on 1st September and has since been discussed in the Legislative Council. As a result of these discussions a few amendments have been suggested, and are now awaiting consideration in the Colonial Office as soon as the great pressure of other urgent constitutional work permits.As the details of the qualifications for the franchise are rather long I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, include a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I have no recent estimate of the numbers expected to qualify for the franchise under the new proposals but I am asking the Governor for information on this point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what percentage of eligible persons registered as voters recently in Singapore; and why the majority declined to register.

22,387 voters registered which is about 20 per cent. of those eligible. As regards the second part of the Question the Governor is forwarding a full report, and I will write to my hon. Friend when this is received.

asked the Minister of Defence how many of those men now serving in the Royal Navy, the Army and the R.A.F., respectively, are serving otherwise than as volunteers.

I regret that it is not possible to give precisely the figures asked for by the hon. Member, since our records do not distinguish between those who were called up and those who enlisted voluntarily on purely war-time engagements. I can give the combined figures for other ranks in these two groups, which were, at 30th September: Royal Navy, 64,500; Army, 510,000; Royal Air Force, 173,000 (approximately). These figures exclude men who, although they were called up under the National Service Acts in the first place, have subsequently deferred their release voluntarily.

asked the Minister of Defence when he proposes to publish a White Paper on Service Land Requirements.

asked the Minister of Defence what are the reasons for the long delay in the issue of the White Paper on land requirements of the Armed Forces; whether the original demands have now been drastically reduced; what is the approximate acreage now involved; and when a full statement on the proposals will be made.

As stated on 12th August, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for South-West Norfolk (Mr. Dye), the issue of the White Paper has been held up to enable the requirements to be reviewed in the light of the decisions affecting the size of the Armed Forces taken to meet the economic situation. Considerable progress has been made on this review, but I cannot at the moment reply to the points raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp). I hope that the publication of the White Paper will not be much further delayed.

asked the Minister of Defence how many Service men now on Regular engagements were given the option of discharge by purchase at the time of their enlistment; and when he will restore to these men the right which was arbitrarily taken away from them in 1939.

I cannot, without imposing an unjustifiable amount of work on the Service Departments, say how many men who joined the Services before 1939, when the system of discharge by purchase was terminated, are still serving. The re-introduction of this system is under consideration. There is no question of a right being arbitrarily withdrawn; the Army and Air Force Acts have always provided that discharges by purchase would cease during an emergency, and Admiralty regulations provide for the suspension of the system at any time at the discretion of the Board. The regulations of all three Services further provide for the withholding of approval in individual cases.

asked the Minister of Defence how much petrol has been used for the last recorded 12 months by the Army and the Royal Air Force; and what are the amounts to be allotted to them for the coming 12 months.

During the 12 months ended 30th June, 1947, the consumption of motor spirit by the Army was about 891,000 tons, and that by the Royal Air Force in the neighbourhood of 130,000 tons. Estimates for the 12 months ending 30th June, 1948, are 530,000 tons and 66,000 tons respectively.

asked the Minister of Food how many inspectors are at present employed by his Department for the purpose of discovering breaches of the regulations; and whether these inspectors are authorised to endeavour to trap people into committing such breaches.

The number of inspectors at present employed is 1,571. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No."

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider granting extra bread-rationing coupons to caretakers of public buildings, who in addition to long hours have heavy stoking duties during the winter months.

Caretakers in public buildings qualify for the manual worker's bread ration during those months in which they are regularly engaged in stoking boilers for an average of not fewer than 22 hours each week.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that pigs weighing 12 stone and upwards are being sold as store pigs in auction markets at prices in excess of those which could be obtained if the pigs were sold to the Ministry of Food for conversion into bacon; and whether he is satisfied that these pigs are not being diverted into the black market.

We know that some of these sales may be the prelude to black market transactions, and all practicable steps are being taken to prevent such transactions.

asked the Minister of Food for how long pigs must be fed by their owners before a licence to slaughter for their own consumption is granted; and whether he is satisfied that the regulations on this matter are being complied with.

Pigs intended for consumption by their owners must be kept for four months before a licence to slaughter may be issued. I am satisfied that all practicable steps are taken to ensure that the Ministry's Regulations in this regard are carried out.

asked the Minister of Food how many pigs were slaughtered during August and September, 1947, under self suppliers and cooperative pig clubs licences; and how many were slaughtered in bacon factories to provide bacon for the ration during the same period.

The number of pigs slaughtered under licence by self-suppliers and co-operative pig clubs during August and September, 1947, was 6,441, compared with 85,742 pigs slaughtered in bacon factories in the same period.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied that the dislike of grocers to handle large sides of bacon over 90 lbs. has not resulted in unnecessarily early slaughter of pigs and loss of home produced bacon.

With feedingstuffs supplies so limited, I am satisfied that we get the maximum quantity of food and also the type of bacon which the public prefers by discouraging the production of sides of bacon larger than 90 lbs.

asked the Minister of Food what has been the result of the negotiations for the purchase of turkeys from the U.S.A.

The greatly reduced quantity finally available rendered it impracticable to issue these turkeys as part of the meat ration. In view of this and the decision to stop further dollar purchases, no turkeys were bought.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangement he is making this year for the import of turkeys.

Arrangements have been made for imports of 4,000 tons of turkeys from South America, 1,074 tones from Australia, and 1,500 tons from Hungary. The bulk of these are expected to arrive in good time for distribution for Christmas. In addition, there will be the usual supplies from Eire, estimated this year at about 2,400 tons.

asked the Minister of Food what was the f.o.b. value of those improvements in the nation's diet which had been planned for the winter of 1947–48, and have now been abandoned as part of the programme to reduce imports of food from hard currency countries by £12,000,000 a month.

The improvements in diet which had been definitely planned for the 12 months ending 30th June, 1948, compared with the previous 12 months, and which will not now be possible in view of the cuts in imports, amounted to approximately £21 million. It is impossible to say what proportion of this would have applied to the winter months.

asked the Minister of Food what estimated monthly saving in purchases from hard currency countries the recent cut of 2d. in the meat ration represents in fresh meat and in canned meat, respectively.

The saving is entirely in carcase meat and represents approximately £3 million per month.

asked the Minister of Food what estimated monthly saving in purchases from hard currency countries is represented by the reduction of the monthly allotment of points from 32 to 28 and by the latest adjustment of points values.

Imports of hard currency points foods have been cut by approximately £2 million a month.

asked the Minister of Food whether he proposes to send representatives to Australia to consult with Australian experts with a view to drawing up a scheme of development to produce increased supplies of beef and butter.

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has recently accepted an invitation from the Prime Minister of Australia to send representatives to consult with the experts there on the measures which might be taken to increase the supplies of a number of foodstuffs from Australia to the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the present meat ration is home produced and what are the respective proportions of mutton and beef.

At present, when supplies of home-produced meat are at their peak, they represent about three-quarters of the meat ration. Over a whole year the percentage is only about 43 per cent. The total meat ration is made up of about 25 per cent. mutton and 75 per cent. beef.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that no tractors were available for the clearing of the ground for the Tanganyika groundnut scheme before 1st May, and what was the reason for this delay.

The first ten heavy tractors arrived at the site of operations on 20th April, and from May onwards a continuous flow of tractors has been arriving in Dar-es-Salaam. Arrivals could not begin earlier because the only immediate source of supply of suitable tractors at the beginning of this year was from military surpluses in this country, and the fuel crisis delayed the overhaul of the machines and their transport to port.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of building workers in rural areas are now receiving the promised extra rations of cheese; and if he is satisfied that this scheme operates fairly

We do not know the number of building workers in rural areas, but the extra cheese ration has been granted to 87.6 per cent. of the workers on whose behalf applications were received up to 30th September last. There are undoubtedly difficulties in working the scheme but my right hon. Friend is satisfied that every effort is being made to operate it fairly.

asked the Minister of Food if catering establishments will be supplied with tinned and dried milk only, so that the full ration of fresh milk may be restored to infants and children.

I regret that the supply of tinned and dried milk is so short that it makes it impossible for us to consider my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Food the function of the new fruit and vegetable marketing scheme; and whether he can give an assurance that in this matter he will maintain close consultation with the established organisations of wholesalers and retailers concerned.

The functions of the fruit and vegetable organisation were described in the announcement issued jointly by the Ministry of Food and the Agricultural Departments on 1st October. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of that announcement, from which he will see that any person or body wishing to make representations to the organisation is invited to do so. I am also sending him a copy of the terms of reference.

asked the Minister of Food the calorific value of the daily food of an adult in Great Britain reckoned in terms of rationed and point foodstuffs.

The calorie value of the rations, including points rationed foods of the ordinary adult, is about 1,530 calories per day.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the detrimental effect on food production of the present unfair conditions for working farmers who work seven days a week without the supplementary rations received by agricultural workers who only work five-and-a-half days a week; and whether he will direct labour to relieve farmers from such conditions, and treat them in the same way as their employees with regard to cheese rations.

This special ration is allowed to certain categories of employees who cannot be provided with canteen or other catering facilities and who are obliged to take a packed meal with them to their work. I regret that I am unable to extend the concession to working farmers who can usually return home for a mid-day meal if they wish. The Question about direction of labour should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour.

asked the Minister of Food why his appointed buyers, to whom farmers are compelled to sell their produce, are allowed to fix the price at which the farmer must sell to them; and whether he is satisfied that this arrangement does not hamper food production.

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension. In no case do appointed buyers fix the prices at which farmers must sell to them. The price-fixing procedure for the main farm products is as laid down in the Agriculture Act, 1947. Prices for these products are fixed by His Majesty's Government after price reviews carried out by the agricultural departments, in consultation with the Treasury and my Department and with the farmers' organisations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what proportion of the strength of the Royal

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on Monday last on the future strength and composition of the Royal Navy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men and boys have joined the Royal Navy on long-term engagements and on short-term engagements; and how many men have re-engaged for extended service, per month since January, 1946.

The particulars asked for are:Navy at the outbreak of war was comprised of personnel serving in the Fleet Air Arm.

In August, 1939, approximately 6 per cent. of the total Naval strength were serving with the Fleet Air Arm. This includes R.A.F. officers and men lent to the Royal Navy and borne in Naval Vote A in lieu of Naval officers and ratings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now make a further statement with regard to Prize Money.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the Hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 25th June last to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of employees in each of the Royal Dockyards, respectively: and what is the total pay-roll involved.

The numbers of employees in each of the Royal Dockyards at Home at the latest date for which figures are available, are as follows:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many persons have been discharged from the Royal Dockyards at Portsmouth between the ages of 60 and 65 years since 31st March, 1947, to the nearest convenient date, distinguishing between those discharged on medical grounds, on grounds of redundancy, and for other reasons.

The numbers of persons between the ages of 60 and 65 who have been discharged from the Royal Dockyards at Portsmouth since 31st March, 1947, are as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make on the reduction in the active strength of the Home Fleet to one cruiser and four destroyers.

I have nothing to add to the statements made by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Defence on Thursday. 23rd October, and on Monday last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the system of immobilisation now being operated in His Majesty's Navy.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on Thursday. 23rd October, and on Monday last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will make a statement as to the future of the "Nelson."

The future of H.M.S. "Nelson" has not yet been decided.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why his Department are proposing to place certain restrictions on the use of Loch Goil in Argyllshire; what these restrictions will involve; and what effect they will have on civilian sea communications on that loch.

The Admiralty require facilities in Loch Goil mainly for the purpose of carrying out research work into the measurement of noise made by submarines and surface vessels. Loch Goil is the only known stretch of water in which such work can be carried out successfully and without undue delay, and the work in question has been going on there since 1942. The detailed requirements both for sea and land areas are now being examined by the Interdepartmental Committee on Services Land Requirements and negotiations are proceeding between the Departmen of Health for Scotland, the Admiralty, the local authorities and other bodies to consider the full implications of the Admiralty's proposals and how Admiralty and local interests can best be accommodated.

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that many ex-Service men have invested their savings in petrol filling stations and small garages, and that as a consequence of the abolition of the basic petrol ration, they will be deprived of their living; and what steps the Government propose to take to compensate these people for the loss they will incur.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave yesterday to the hon. Member for East Norfolk (Mr. Medlicott).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many aircraft have been placed at the disposal of His Majesty's Ministers since 13th August last for the purpose of transport to Cabinet meetings, and what was the mileage flown by these machines, the amount of petrol consumed and the total cost to the taxpayer.

Aircraft have been used by His Majesty's Ministers for transport to and from Cabinet meetings on 18 occasions since 13th August. The mileage flown was 4,387, the amount of petrol consumed 876 gallons, and the total cost to the taxpayer £998.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury in view of the enthusiastic response to the film, "The World is Rich," at a showing of it on 27th August to the delegates of the F.A.O. Conference at Geneva, and its public showing at the Edinburgh Festival on 7th September, what steps have been taken by his Department to secure the showing of this film, which was sponsored by the Ministry of Food, in the public cinemas of this country.

A finished copy of "The World is Rich" was received by the Central Office of Information on 29th August. In accordance with usual practice it is being submitted to film distribution companies for acceptance for distribution to the cinemas on a normal commercial basis.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the cost of the advertising posters put up all over the country calling upon men to go into the mines; how many men have been recruited in consequence; and whether the men engaged in this advertising work will be directed to more productive work.

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend has no doubt in mind the large 16 sheet posters which are exhibited in selected areas throughout the country. These posters were first displayed during the week ended 22nd March, 1947, and the total cost from that date until 30th September, 1947, is estimated at £19,000. During that period approximately 51,000 men have been recruited to the industry. In my view, advertising is an important part of the campaign for recruitment to this vital industry and the question of directing the men engaged in this advertising to other work does not arise.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will look into the machinery set up for dealing with disputes in the mining industry; whether he is aware that nearly all the strikes are in consequence of the delay in getting a final settlement; and to what extent disputes settled at the collieries by local officials are turned down by those in higher positions and cause strikes.

I have been asked to reply. The responsibility for operating the joint machinery in the coalmining industry rests upon the two sides and it is important to avoid any action that might impair the confidence of the industry in the value of its own machinery. I cannot assume that in the exercise of the responsibility both sides are not fully alive to the need for a prompt settlement of differences as they arise, but I would add that my officers are always available to give any assistance which may be helpful to the parties.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has considered the comments on the Whitehaven explosion by Mr. Bryan, Chief Inspector of Mines, recommending the amendment of the Mines Act as regards shot firing; and what steps he proposes to take to mitigate the dangers of this necessary practice.

Yes, Sir. Amendments of the Explosives in Coal Mines Order, based on the recommendations of the Chief Inspector's Report, are being drafted for discussion with the parties concerned. In the meantime, I have asked the National Coal Board to take whatever steps they think appropriate to give effect to the Chief Inspector's recommendations.

asked the Prime Minister what are the intentions of the Government with regard to employees of nationalised undertakings joining the Territorial Forces.

My right hon. Friend, the then Secretary of State for War, in a statement made on my behalf on 21st July, emphasised the importance of the non-Regular Forces, stressed the Government's wish that no obstacle should be placed in the way of those who wish to volunteer for service in them, and urged all employers, following the example of the Government, to grant additional leave to their employees who join these Forces, for the purpose of attending annual camps. This statement applied equally to nationalised industries.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will give an estimate of the numbers of personnel of the Royal Air Force at present engaged in disposing of war surplus stores.

About 6,800 members of the R.A.F. are employed in the United Kingdom solely on the sorting of war surplus stores and declaring to the disposal authority those that are not needed by the R.A.F. It is not possible to estimate how many are employed on similar duties overseas, where the disposal of surplus stores is part of the general task of dealing with wartime stocks.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the delays in necessary repairs and reconstruction of farm buildings caused by the small and irregular deliveries of cement and plaster now being received by local merchants; and what action his Department is taking to ensure larger and more even deliveries.

There are arrangements in the case of both these materials for giving preference to essential work and any difficulty in obtaining supplies for necessary work upon farm buildings should be reported to my regional materials distribution officers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why the air service between London and Prestwick has been discontinued.

I am informed by the British European Airways Corporation that the traffic on the London—Prestwick service does not justify its continuance in present economic conditions. The twice daily Viking service to Renfrew will, however, be maintained.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what action he now proposes to take in view of the breakdown in dental benefits in Kingston and the adjacent part of the County of Surrey.

There may be individual cases of difficulty arising out of the fact that it has always been open to dentists to decide for themselves whether or not they will accept a dental letter under the present health insurance scheme; but I have no evidence that insured persons living in the area who are members of Approved Societies which provide dental benefit are unable to obtain treatment in accordance with the regulations.