asked the President of the Board of Trade how many film studios are idle at the present time; how many sound stages are idle; and what he estimates to be the footage of stage space unused.

Excluding stages which were damaged or disused during the war and have not yet been recommissioned, the only sound stages now idle at studios which regularly make feature films are two temporarily vacant stages at M.G.M. (British) Studios at Elstree, two at Hammersmith, and one at Southall. The approximate floor space of these stages is 40,000 square feet.

Is it not a fact that there are 148,000 square feet of floor space not being used a present, and can the right hon. Gentleman explain how it comes about that when the British film industry is protected virtually 100 per cent. there should be this appalling amount of unused space?

A number of stages are not being used, because they are not fit to be used. I have been giving careful consideration to the question of whether the British film industry is being fully used at present, and I am having a meeting in a few days with both sides of the industry, to make certain that they make full use of their productive capacity.

In view of the importance of this industry, would the right hon. Gentleman consider setting up a working party and getting something done?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many standards of constructional timber for houses were imported in the first six months of this year; and how many were imported in the corresponding six months of 1946.

Imports of hewn, sawn, and planed or dressed softwood were 374,476 standards in the first six months of 1947 as compared with 273,299 standards in the corresponding period of 1946. This material has a wide range of uses other than constructional, but a substantial proportion would be suitable for the latter purposes.

Is the Minister aware that houses cannot be built without timber, and that without houses it will not be possible for the export drive to be satisfactorily carried out? The workers must have houses in which to live, and they are not getting them.

Can my right hon. Friend say what proportion of these standards came from the United States and Canada?

Not without notice but a considerable proportion of the timber which has arrived in the last two or three months has come from the Western Hemisphere.

Knowing the great demand, why was more of this timber not imported?

It was a question of the amount available, the amount which could be obtained in the world.

Any amount of it was available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an approximate timber budget for the next 12 months, indicating the amounts required to cover the present housing programme, other building, allocations to the furniture industry and other uses; stating what amounts of imports, from which countries are already promised by contract or trade treaty; and from what other countries supplies are known to be available, at what prices or under what conditions.

I am afraid that it would be impracticable to prepare a timber budget such as that suggested at present as, apart from other considerations, the quantities of timber which will be available for export in several of our most important overseas sources of supply and also the level of prices are not yet determined. Our timber imports in the coming year are, however, likely to be limited by currency rather than by availability and the cuts which have already been announced will mean that imports will fall short of essential requirements.

While I appreciate the difficulties which my right hon. Friend has outlined, may I ask him if he will recall the approximate budget, and bear in mind that publicity given to specific targets and requirements is likely to be much more effective in stimulating the production drive in this country than overall figures?

Yes, Sir, but while we are in negotiation, and shall be in negotiation, with many of the countries from whom we need to get timber, I do not think that it would be helpful to publish too much detail of our requirements.

Is the purchase of timber from these countries by bulk purchase, and, if so, does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that if it were allowed to go through the ordinary trade channels he would get more timber at a cheaper price?

Timber is bought by the Timber Control by the method of bulk purchase. I am certain that if it were to go through the ordinary private channels of trade, our position, both with regard to timber supplies and timber prices, would be far worse than it is today.

Is my right hon. Friend able to say how much timber there is in the country at the present time?

I would like notice of that question, but there is at present rather more in stock than there was at this time last year.

Is the Minister satisfied that the stocks of timber will be sufficient to honour the licences given for building purposes?

Yes, Sir. With the stocks we now have, together with imports already on the way, or scheduled to arrive.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he proposes to name a date for the payment of agreed business war damage claims in respect of such things as plant and machinery, seeing that some of these have now been outstanding for over seven years.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 13th November to the right hon. Member for the City of London (Mr. Assheton).

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it is a great hardship to these people to have to wait so long, and if they are prepared to give an undertaking that they would not use their money for the purpose of buying plant and machinery, would he make arrangements whereby they could get the capital they require in order to live?

I think that my hon. Friend knows that we have made it clear that the money can be paid where replacement or repair of goods destroyed or damaged is expedient in the public interest, or where payment is necessary to avoid undue hardship.

Is it not a fact that these people paid premiums for this insurance, and should not they receive the amount of their loss under it?

Yes, Sir, in time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he is aware that many persons whose business equipment and office furniture were destroyed by bombing as early as 1940 have long ago purchased all the furniture they needed to re-equip the new offices where they now conduct their business; and if he will arrange to pay war damage compensation under the business scheme in such cases without waiting for improvement in the supply position.

No, Sir. The Board of Trade are empowered to pay any claim in whole or in part only if they are satisfied that the replacement or repair of the goods is expedient in the public interest, but I am, of course, prepared to consider any particular cases which the hon. and learned Member has in mind.

Was not the whole object of withholding this compensation from those entitled to it, to discourage them from buying furniture and equipment, and where they have already bought it, what is the purpose of still withholding compensation?

If they were to be paid, it would involve paying out to a large number of other people who have not yet bought it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman address his mind to the Question? I did not ask about others, I asked about those who had already replaced their furniture and equipment.

As I have said, it would be, obviously, very unfair to pay it to some and not to others.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in spite of the increased demand on glass manufacturers for supplies of glass and glassware, especially bottles and jars, required by other industries for essential home requirements and in achieving their export targets, the glass industry's requirements for soda ash are still unsatisfied; and what steps are being taken to increase supplies of soda ash to enable new machines imported chiefly from the U.S.A. to be brought into operation.

I am aware that, although the allocation of soda ash for the manufacture of glass containers and general glass ware was raised last June, it is insufficient to meet in full the increasing requirements of the industry. The distribution of soda ash supplies is at present under review in the light of the expanding needs of the various consuming industries and of export. I regret, however, that there is no prospect of any appreciable increase in the total home production of soda ash until new capacity, planned to be ready in 1949, comes into operation.

Will the Minister give an assurance that there will be no diversion of soda ash for export until the needs of the home producers are fully satisfied?

No, Sir. I am sorry I cannot give that assurance, because soda ash is one of the most valuable goods in bilateral negotiations with certain of the countries with whom we are now in negotiation.

Has my right hon. Friend considered getting an extra supply of soda ash from Germany?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what negotiations have taken place with the Danish Government regarding the export of coal from this country to Denmark during 1948.

During the discussions held in London last September, the Danish Delegation referred to Denmark's wish to import various commodities, including coal, from the United Kingdom. No agreement was, of course, reached in these discussions because of difficulties over food prices, and there have been no subsequent trade negotiations with Denmark.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give this matter his further attention, and when the time comes to export coal, will he give Denmark a high priority, so that fats can be brought to this country in order to feed our people?

Coal was not an issue over which the recent talks broke down. We have coal very much in mind in connection with any exports which there will be next year.

Hare we handled these negotiations with greater courtesy than those that were handled by the Minister of Food?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, having regard to the importance of developing export trade, he will consider whether foreign buyers should continue to be left to their own devices in placing orders with individual firms as at present obtains or whether further facilities and guidance should be provided by instituting a Government export marketing agency, with full powers and responsibilities for canalising trade in accordance with the nation's requirements.

While export trade is conducted directly between United Kingdom firms and their overseas customers or their agents, a great deal of information and guidance is already provided by Government Departments, so as to ensure that these activities are conducted to the fullest extent in the national interest.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that individual buyers from abroad, visiting factories are being given the treatment they deserve, with a view to helping the export market?

I have been very much concerned with this question in connection with some of the bilateral negotiations, but I am quite satisfied now that the facilities given are the best that can be given without giving some countries undue priority over others.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider giving a few extra clothing coupons to people of adolescent age who, because of the fact that they have outgrown clothing bought during the rationing years, have no reserves which, by means of renovation, can be used again during the present emergency.

The supplements for young people between the ages of 16½ and 18 were increased for this purpose in 1946, and it is not possible to make a further increase.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to resume normal trade relations with Bulgaria; what approaches have been made to the Bulgarian Government in this connection; and with what success.

Yes, Sir. I propose to remove the wartime restrictions on trade with Bulgaria in the very near future and the Bulgarian Government has been so informed. Opportunities for trade are very limited since, according to my present information, Bulgaria has little to offer which this country needs.

Can the Minister state whether Bulgaria is in a position to export tobacco to this country?

Yes, Sir. In common with certain other Balkan countries, Bulgaria is in a position to offer tobacco, but, as I have informed the House, our stocks of Balkan tobacco are considerably more than the public want to take at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what approaches have been made to the Roumanian Government with a view to the resumption of normal trade relations; what progress has been made; and on what date the first such approach was made.

Wartime restrictions on trade in goods with Roumania were removed in April last. As to the possibilities of a fuller resumption of trade, I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the reply which my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Food, proposes to give to him today to a related Question.

To what extent is the Minister working in conjunction with the Minister of Food?

In very close conjunction. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman no doubt knows, a visit from a Ministry of Food representative disclosed the fact that there was a quantity of grain available for export to certain countries, but this export was made conditional on the supply of particular goods from whichever country was to receive the grain, and we are still awaiting a reply from the Roumanian Government who were requested for a list of the goods which they make a condition of agreement.

Can the Minister say whether anything has been arranged to try to get some of their surplus timber?

We have made a number of inquiries of them, but we cannot make any purchases or trade negotiations with them until we know the goods which they are making a condition of agreement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what experiments have been made in the production of ladder-proof nylon and artificial silk stockings; and, in view of the importance of such a process in saving yarn and coupons, whether he will take steps to make such hosiery available in the shops.

I understand that one engineering firm is engaged in the development of a machine for the production of ladder resisting stockings and if these, or any other experiments which manufacturers may be carrying on privately, result in a satisfactory method of producing more durable stockings, I will certainly do what I can to arrange for them to be produced for sale here and overseas.

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply, I can assure him that as stockings are liable to run at any time, their mending is the greatest single worry of every woman in this country.

I should not wish to raise hopes unduly, because the firm concerned say it will take some time to finish their researches and development.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many stockings were laddered this morning in the vicinity of Palace Yard?

Not without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, since, as a result of the failure to buy centrally and distribute all stores without the aid of middlemen, the costs of pitwood needed for coal production have been rising, and pitwood is now costing 4s. a ton of coal produced against 2s. 6d. a ton last year, what steps he intends taking.

Practically all imported mining timber is purchased centrally by the Timber Control and there has been no change in the controlled prices fixed by the Control of Timber (No. 45) (Mining Timber Prices) Order, 1947, which came into operation on 27th January last. The increases on that date, which were made with the agreement of the Ministry of Fuel and Power and the National Coal Board, were necessary to bring the prices of mining timber on to an economic basis. The price to the mines of both home-produced and imported mining timber had previously been subsidised. On the same date the discount allowed to merchants for distributing mining timber from National Stock was reduced and is now 2¼ per cent.

Would the Minister agree that if this pitwood were bought centrally by bulk purchase it would result in a lower price of coal?

This sort of timber is bought centrally by bulk purchase and distributed within this country on behalf of the Timber Control by these merchants. We have considered that so far it has been more economical to do it in that way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the method of marking the rolls of utility grade cloth and fabric used for the making-up of men's suiting, ladies' outer garments, men's shirtings, Manchester broadcloths, furnishing fabrics and net fabrics.

Utility cloth must under S.R. & O. 1942, No. 1012, be marked by means of a transfer or stamp at each end of a length, except in the case of lengths not exceeding 3¼ yards, when a mark at one end is sufficient. Utility net must under S.R. & O. 1946, No. 1296, be marked by means of a securely stitched label of durable material at each end of the piece, except in the case of pieces not exceeding nine square yards in area, when a mark at one end is sufficient. In the case of both cloth and net, the material may be marked at intervals throughout the piece.

Does the President of the Board of Trade realise that fabrics bought on Government account during the war were marked all along the selvage edge and the fact was a deterrent to the misuse of the material? Could he say if the same process of marking cloth could not now be used as a reasonable safeguard?

That has been very much considered, but I am prepared to look at it again.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the basis on which the decision was made to allocate supplies of raw materials for gramophone records recently ordered by the American publishers, caused by the pending strike of the American Musicians Union announced for 1st December; and what is the quantity of the annual production at the present time of records being manufactured in this country from the present shellac allocation required for the issue of recordings made by British artistes of British copyright songs and music.

Raw materials for gramophone records are in free supply and there is no system of allocation. The first part of the Question does not therefore arise. No separate figures are available to show the production of recordings made by British artistes of British copyright songs and music.

If there is any intention to make raw materials available for gramophone records for export in the future on account of the suggestions made in the Question, would he see if it is possible to persuade purchasers to accept British compositions on one side so as to earn royalties for export purposes as well as for raw materials?

There is no question of making an allocation of raw materials available for they are a free supply, but I will be glad to take up the second suggestion made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what is the pit head cost of saleable coal for the eight divisions of the National Coal Board for the six months ended 30th June; and what profit or loss per ton has been made in each division;

(2) what is the cost per ton at the pit head of saleable coal raised for the northern division for the six months ending 30th June, 1947; and what were the comparative costs for Northumberland, Durham and Cumberland, separately, for the six months' period to 30th June, 1946.

With the hon. Member's permission, I will answer this Question and No. 27 together by referring him to the reply I gave him on 13th November.

Does that mean that the Minister has not the information, or that he has the information and will not publish it? If it is the second, why is he afraid to give the public the information?

No, Sir, I have not got the information, but it will all be published in due course.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give details of the record production by Glen Rhondda miners for September this year; if he will state the percentage of increase over the average production per man which this shows; and what steps are being taken to take national advantage of the example of Glen Rhondda.

The average output per manshift (overall) at Glen Rhondda mines during the five weeks ended 4th October, 1947, was 1.007 tons compared with 0.839 tons in the comparable period of 1946, an increase of 20 per cent. Information about the splendid performance of the Glen Rhondda mines was featured in the November issue of the magazine "Coal" which is circulated throughout the industry.

As example is very important, could not more use be made of this good example, and could the Minister say how it is that these men were able to obtain this total with no mechanical cutting at all and why there is the disparity between the national level and this one?

The hon. Member is mistaken if he does not appreciate that there is a considerable spurt going on at the national level at the moment, and while I strongly endorse the suggestion in regard to this splendid output at Glen Rhondda, I would not have him think that there are not others who are also doing well.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many tons of anthracite coal, required for Aga, or similar cookers or stoves, have been shipped into the Maidstone district in the last six months.

One thousand, eight hundred and two tons of anthracite and manufactured fuel were delivered to merchants in the Maidstone district during the coal summer. I regret that information is not available showing separately the tonnages suitable for Aga or similar stoves.

Does not the Minister realise that this is totally insufficient to enable people who are using this type of cooker to cook their own food and that in the near future they will be unable to cook their rations which the Ministry of Food permits them to have?

I realise that there is a shortage of anthracite, but if any merchant in the hon. Member's constituency is short he should approach the local fuel officer who will do all he can to help.

Is the Minister aware that this shortage is not peculiar to the Maidstone district, but that all country districts are short of anthracite and that people cannot get any for their stoves while they see unlimited supplies going into Service camps?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he proposes to make a statement on the payment of compensation to coalowners whose mines have been nationalised.

The procedure laid down by the Coal Industry Nationalisation Act, 1946, for the valuation of the assets of former coalowners and the payment of compensation therefor will necessarily take some considerable time. I propose to circulate a summary of the present position in the OFFICIAL REPORT and I am prepared to make further statements on the position from time to time.

How long will it be before we know the worst about the compensation that has got to be paid to the coalowners? Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is one forecast that one big coal combine is to get £11 million in compensation, which represents £2 for every pound share? When will my hon. Friend be in a position to tell us something definite?

My hon. Friend surely is aware that the global sum for compensation in the coal industry was settled by the tribunal some time ago, and there remains the figure to be paid for the ancillaries. That will take some time.

Would the Minister consider withdrawing the global sum in the meantime?

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total acreage of land requisitioned for opencast coal on which work is in progress, has not yet begun and has not yet been restored; how much of this land was agricultural at the time of requisitioning; what additional acreage of land is to be requisitioned; what proportion of this will be agricultural; what is the total acreage requisitioned since 1941 and what proportion was agricultural.

As the answer contains a large number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the Minister give an assurance that when agricultural land is to be requisitioned the decision will be notified to the farmers concerned, so that they may have some idea "of their prospects for the next few years?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of the annual allocation of domestic coal supplied to the northern and southern regions, and the London region, respectively, during the coal year 1st May, 1946, to 30th April, 1947; what should have been the annual average delivery per registered consumer in each of these regions; and what are the likely annual average deliveries for domestic consumers during the present fuel year, in view of the increased coal output and increased stocks in merchants' yards.

As the reply includes a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the allocation of coal for London has always been low and has caused a considerable amount of hardship? As the position is now easier, would he consider increasing the allocation per registered customer by half a hundredweight per week, which would only amount to 1,500 tons per week, and would help considerably?

I would naturally be extremely glad to increase the allocation of house coal if that were possible, but we have to balance against other needs, including the needs of the export trade.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of domestic coal consumers in the Borough of Wandsworth registered with Hall and Co., Battersea Rise; the number to whom the full 15 cwt. summer allocation was delivered between 1st May and 31st October; the number who received less than the London average delivery of 10 cwt. and the reasons; and whether he will have the records of this coal office examined to ascertain how available coal has been disposed of, with a view to a more equitable future distribution to registered consumers.

Messrs. Hall and Company have 1,430 domestic registrations in the borough of Wandsworth. Of those who placed orders, 77 received 15 cwt. of coal and coalite, and 567 less than 10 cwt. I am informed that the latter consist largely of persons who, owing to lack of storage space or for other reasons, are accustomed to draw the bulk of their supplies during the winter. With regard to the last part of the Question, I am informed that the local fuel overseer has received comparatively few recent complaints from consumers registered with this merchant and I am not satisfied that an examination of the kind suggested is called for.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the amount of coke supplied to registered domestic consumers in Hull, out of the 20 cwt. allocation, during the summer six months, 1st May to 31st October, by the British Gas Light Company, East Hull Gas Company and other merchants, respectively; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the supply of coke to prefabricated houses in Hull with boilers made to burn coke.

During the period referred to, deliveries of gas coke to all controlled premises registered with the British Gas Light Company and the East Hull Gas Company averaged 10.6 cwt. and 13.0 cwt., respectively. Average figures of deliveries to coke consumers by other merchants are not available. With regard to the second part of the Question, my regional officer is ascertaining particulars of the registration of prefabricated houses with each merchant, so as to ensure fair and equitable distribution to these houses of the limited supplies of coke available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the total tonnage of American coal imported to date, and the cost of same in dollars.

Six hundred thousand tons, costing 6,355,000 dollars f.o.b. Freight charges amounting to 668,000 American dollars and 292,000 Canadian dollars were also incurred. The remaining freight charges were paid for in sterling.

What proportion of this coal is allocated to British railways? Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that it is of the high quality necessary to meet the need?

Why could it not all have come over in British bottoms, and so save a considerable amount of dollar expenditure?

They were not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether an invitation to address the Ratcliffe Open Forum on behalf of the Labour Party on 29th October, 1947, in his capacity as Labour Director, North-West Region, National Coal Board, was accepted by Mr. C. Plover; and what were the reasons for his non-attendance.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave the hon. Member on 13th November.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman's reply, to which he has invited my attention, was merely a statement that the gentleman in question did not attend, will he now answer the question as to whether he accepted the invitation to take a place on a party platform in his official capacity?

No, Sir, the question of whether or not Mr. Plover accepted the invitation is not my concern, nor is it for me to conduct an inquisition into the reasons why he chose not to attend, if he did not attend.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that in respect of senior officials of the Coal Board using their official positions to forward party ends, he does not care two hoots?

Since Mr. Plover took no part in any political activity, it is quite clear that there can be no question of the kind suggested by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what saving he anticipates obtaining in the consumption of petrol from his recent decision to cancel the petrol allowance previously granted to civilian and military personnel on leave from overseas.

No estimate can be given without a detailed examination of the records of the Regional Petroleum Offices, which would not be justified in present circumstances.

Does that answer mean that the right hon. Gentleman came to his decision to abolish the grants without knowing how much could be saved, and, if that is so, how could he possibly have balanced the anticipated saving which he did not know against the inevitable hardship which he has caused?

Obviously if no estimate was available it could not have been taken into account when a decision was made. As I have already pointed out to the hon. Member on earlier occasions, this decision was taken because, in view of the abolition of the basic ration, it was not considered reasonable and fair that this special allowance should continue to be granted.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent allocations of petrol are being made to shooting parties for the purpose of travel to and from coverts and for bringing back game; and whether a condition is attached to any such allocation that the food so procured is made available either to the general public or to public institutions.

Where the use of public transport is not practicable, limited allowances of petrol are granted to shooting parties for short journeys when a substantial amount of game is likely to be made available for human consumption or where damage to crops would otherwise occur. No other conditions are attached to the allocation.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that such game as is obtained by this means would add a very useful item of variety to the diet of sick and convalescent people? Therefore, will he enter into discussion with the Minister of Food in regard to the matter?

I do not think it is really for me to decide what should happen to the game, but I will certainly draw my right hon. Friend's attention to that point.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether car owners who live in towns and who wish to lay up their cars in the country are being granted a supplementary allowance for this one journey.

Yes, Sir, in bona fide cases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many additional staff were recruited by his Department to deal with the increased number of applications for supplementary petrol allowances; and what training they were given before they entered upon their duties.

An additional 197 staff have been recruited during the past two months, and 60 officers borrowed from other branches of the Ministry and other Departments. Selected officers already serving in regional petroleum offices have been given a special course of training in assessment work, and been replaced in more routine duties by the new recruits.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware of some of the extraordinary decisions that are being made in the regional petroleum offices at present?

No doubt from time to time mistakes are made but, on the whole, they are doing very good work.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what changes of policy have taken place in connection with the issue of permits to convert domestic and industrial heating plants from solid to liquid fuel.

My predecessor explained on the 12th June that the Government had decided against any further general extension of the coal-oil conversion scheme for the time being. The schemes already authorised will considerably increase our fuel oil requirements over the next few years and there is little prospect in present circumstances of being able to authorise more schemes.

Could the Minister say if he anticipates having sufficient liquid fuel to give the same ration next year as he did last year to existing plants and to plants that will come into use?

Yes, Sir, I anticipate that there will be sufficient fuel in the country for those schemes which have been authorised.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will state the total petrol requirements of the sterling area; and what quantity he purchased from areas outside the sterling group.

For the year 1948, the requirements of motor spirit for the whole of the sterling area are estimated to be 9,400,000 tons. Three and a half million tons will be bought from American companies distributing in the sterling area. British companies whose production is estimated at nearly eight million tons are expected to distribute six million tons in the sterling area and to export 2½ to 3 million tons to other countries. This will involve the purchase of an additional half to one million tons from America.

Is it not a fact that Abadan alone produces 20 million tons of crude oil a year, which in turn provides 16 million tons of petrol, so what happens to the other 7 million.

The question relates to motor spirit and not to crude oil and I have given the right figures.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me how much petrol comes from Abadan, and, if he cannot do so now will he tell me if I put the Question down?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether hire cars are, in future, to be restricted to any particular radius; and whether the radius is the same for urban and rural districts.

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give permission for a reasonable increase in shop lighting for window displays in the Christmas season.

No, Sir.

Would the right hon. Gentleman amplify that answer, because shopkeepers are having a very difficult time and people are looking forward to a little cheerfulness?

It would be very nice to have more lighting in the shops, but I do not think we can afford it at present.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what progress has been made towards laying an oil pipeline from Abadan to the southern shore of the Persian Gulf to link up with the Trans-Iraq oil pipelines, and thus save four weeks on the round voyage of each tanker proceeding around the coast of Arabia through to the Mediterranean.

The throughput capacities of existing oil pipelines from Iraq to the Mediterranean are already fully taken up and there is no proposal to connect them with the Abadan Refinery.

Does not the Minister agree that there is a strong case to be made out for laying down these pipelines?

A pipeline to run from Abadan to the Mediterranean has been approved, but it is not linking up with other pipelines.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that this is long overdue, and will he arrange to give it a high priority?

It does not depend only on me; it is a joint affair between ourselves and the Americans.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give an estimate of the potential yield of new wells already bored in the neighbourhood of Masjid-i-Suleiman in Southern Persia; and if he is satisfied that these wells are being fully developed.

I am not aware that any new wells have been bored in the immediate neighbourhood of Masjid-i-Suleiman. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

Will the Minister make some further investigations into this matter, as part of his efforts to restore the basic petrol ration?

The restoration of the basic petrol ration would not, I think, be greatly affected by the boring of any new wells in that part of the world at the moment.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on how many days oil has had to be pumped back into the wells of the Anglo-Iranian oilfields in southern Persia owing to lack of tanker tonnage and storage capacity; and what was the total quantity involved.

I am informed that in the nine months ending 30th September, 1947, the quantity of oil products which has been pumped back into the wells of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company in Persia amounts to approximately 1,000,000 tons. This is largely due to lack of tanker tonnage and storage capacity. I have no information as to the number of days on which this operation took place in the period mentioned.

Is it not really scandalous that any oil at all should be pumped back into the wells? Is, it not as grotesque as having to put coal down a mine shaft?

It is not quite so grotesque as my hon. Friend supposes. It is, in fact, although not always on such a large scale at the moment, quite a regular operation, which has been adopted in the past, whenever a particular oil product was in surplus supply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how he justifies giving detailed information about the administration of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, which the Government do not control, although they own the majority of shares, while at the same time refusing to answer similar questions about coal mines in which they hold 100 per cent. of the capital?

It is because I consider this of sufficient public importance to warrant my doing so.

asked the Minister of Labour if any plans are under consideration whereby the coal-needy European nations should arrange to supply the labour force necessary to dig coal from British mines under British technicians.

No, Sir, apart from any proposals received from the Italian Government to which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power referred in his reply on 6th November to the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport). Arrangements have, however, been in operation for some time for the recruitment of Poles and European Volunteer Workers for the coal-mines, and some 6,500 have so far entered the industry or are in training. The intention is to continue these schemes to provide the maximum number which the industry is prepared to absorb.

Does not the Minister think that here is a chance of much-needed international co-operation, and would he consider putting these views before the International. Union of Mineworkers so that the raising of coal throughout the world would become a matter of international consideration?

The National Union of Mineworkers have already agreed to the importation of 30,000 from the Continent, and it is on that scheme that we are at present working.

Of the 6,500, how many are in training and how many are already working in the mines?

I think the vast majority are in work. A very small minority are in training.

asked the Minister of Labour why ex-servicemen and women studying a course of photography under the vocational training scheme at the L.C.C. School of Photo-Engraving and Lithography, who have at their own expense, and on their own initiative, and with the acquiescence of his Department, taken the Intermediate examination of the Institute of British Photographers in order to improve their professional standing, have been informed by his Department that their training cannot continue if they are successful; and whether he will reverse this decision.

Training under the vocational training scheme is provided only to the extent necessary to enable trainees to obtain suitable employment. I am advised that the Intermediate Examination of the Institute of British Photographers is recognised as a standard qualification for employment as a photographer. Accordingly, training under the vocational training scheme is terminated when the trainees have passed that examination and steps are taken to place them in suitable employment.

Is the Minister aware that the ex-Service men students concerned were given a written promise that they should have a full two years' course and that many of them were promised jobs afterwards on the strength of completing the course, which was the qualification required by employers? Will the Minister consider reversing this highhanded action on the part of his officials, which is really a breach of faith with the ex-Service men concerned?

I should not agree about high-handed action and a breach of faith until I have seen the written instruction to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but I will have it looked up. However, if these men have now reached a status in the industry entitling them to take up employment in it, it is useless to continue their training.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have a letter in my hand from one of my constituents who has a two-year grant from his Department? Only one year has elapsed. This student hopes to pass his intermediate examination. What is he to do with the other year's grant?

I have not the slightest knowledge what the hon. Gentleman has in his hand, but if he will let me have a look at it I shall be able to examine it.

Is the Minister aware that I placed all the facts in front of his Parliamentary Secretary so that he should have them before him in order to answer my Question?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will agree that he sent them to the Parliamentary Secretary on the 18th, that they reached the office at 2 o'clock on the 19th and that I have not yet had an opportunity of looking at them.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the hardship caused to 22 girls employed in Cheltenham and district by the announcement on nth November that his Department's hostel at The Garth, Eldorado Road, Cheltenham, was to be closed on 22nd November; and as it is not possible for them in the short time available to obtain acceptable alternative accommodation, if he will postpone the closing of the hostel to the date originally announced, 30th January.

My inquiries are not yet complete and I will write the hon. Member.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that these girls will not be asked to leave the hostel at the end of this week? They have to go somewhere.

I cannot give an assurance but I ask the hon. Gentleman to accept from me that I will do whatever I can to prevent this hardship occurring.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the shortage of hospital accommodation in this country, he will do everything possible to assist private registered nursing and maternity homes to obtain nursing and domestic staff.

Yes, Sir, but I should point out that in October last my Department had particulars of over 32,000 vacancies for nurses and over 6,500 vacancies for domestics, most of which were in hospitals.

Does the Minister realise that nursing and domestic staff are much more economically used in a large institution like a hospital than in a series of small nursing homes?

Yes, Sir. That is why we are at the moment concentrating on getting all the available staff we can into institutions

Is the Minister aware that if our health services were based on natural methods for the prevention and cure of disease instead of on the administration of poisonous medicines drugs and injections our present hospital accommodation would already be 10 times greater than is necessary?

How does the Minister reconcile the reply he has just given indicating his preference for the larger hospitals with the assurance in his first reply that he is doing everything possible to assist private registered nursing and maternity homes?

That is easily reconciled. Under the operations of the Ministry of Labour, which have been somewhat criticised during the last 24 hours, we are endeavouring to get people into the most suitable employment, and, therefore, if there should be an opportunity for a private institution to take somebody in a locality where there is no vacancy in a national institution, we shall endeavour to get people in there.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements he has made for the consideration of appeals by persons refused permission by his officers, under S.R. & O. 1947, No. 2021, to take up employment desired by them.

Full consideration is given to the desire of an applicant to take up any particular job which is in fact available for him, if it is in essential work. Further, every applicant is afforded a considerable range of choice of jobs, and has a right of appeal against direction to any particular job. In my view this affords adequate protection to the worker.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's answer mean that in a case where his officer refuses a man permission to take up a job the man wants to take up, there is no appeal whatever from the officer's decision?