asked the Minister of Health (1) how he proposes to recruit trained audiometrists to ensure the suitable allocation of the aural aids to be provided under the National Health Service Act; and whether he intends to utilise the personnel of reputable firms already providing hearing aids in this essential service;(2) whether he has arranged for the purchase of a sufficient number of pure tone audiometers for testing purposes in the scheme for the suitable allocation of hearing aids under the National Health Service Act.

I am arranging for the production of a new type of pure tone audiometer which can be used after a short and simple training. This will be given as may be necessary to the staff of hospitals providing the service.

asked the Minister of Health what priority he proposes to give to the Kidlington and Gosford and Water Eaton drainage scheme, in view of the grave danger to health in this area which has increased in population so much since 1939.

I have approved the scheme but I have not been able to authorise commencement of the work because available labour in the district is fully absorbed by other urgent schemes. It will be given a high priority when labour is available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will re-establish the Welfare Centre Babies' Clinic, at Waltham, near Grimsby, which was closed down in 1939, and which is more urgently needed now that large numbers of families are occupying R.A.F. huts in the village.

I understand from the county council that an infant welfare clinic is still held fortnightly.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that on Sunday, 30th November, a little girl was brought to a London County Council hospital, the name of which has been supplied to him, was sent away without examination by any doctor on the ground that she was not a casualty, and was then taken to Putney Hospital by bus where she was operated on at once for acute appendicitis; and whether he will ascertain the reasons for the action taken by the first hospital and satisfy himself that steps will be taken to prevent a repetition of a similar case.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health why Middlesbrough builders who sent their staffs to London for War Damage Repairs during the emergency, have not yet received payment of accounts rendered two years ago.

If my hon. Friend will supply details, including the names of the builders and the local authority by whom they were employed in London, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases in which since 1st August, 1946, he has granted a dispensation to enable members of a local authority who are members of co-operative societies to vote on particular proposals under consideration by that authority.

Two hundred and forty-nine.

asked the Minister of Health what is the average rate of completion of houses in Cardiff during the past six months; and what quota he proposes to permit the local authority to build during the ensuing twelve months.

On the first part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the Monthly Housing Return, Appendix B. As regards the second part, I am sending him a copy of a circular which was issued to local authorities on 29th October. I am not yet in a position to say what fresh contracts the Cardiff County Borough Council will be allowed to enter into during the next 12 months.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to secure a radical change in designing of houses, in that the plumbing layout should feature as of major importance and so prevent the recurring problem of burst water pipes during the winter months.

Recommendations on this subject have been made in the Housing Manual, 1944.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider allowing some increase in the allocation of expenditure to the local authorities in North Oxfordshire, in view of the increased cost of stone work.

Where it is necessary to build in local stone in order to secure harmony with surroundings, I am ready to consider applications from local authorities for approval of tenders at prices higher than normal.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that his Nottingham Regional Office employs three building labour supply inspectors, six senior officers, and many clerks in the building labour supply section; and since the building programme has been curtailed, if he will consider transferring these men to more productive work.

The staff is less than that stated and is not more than is required. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the estimated number of trained nurses employed in industrial and commercial concerns; and whether the number is increasing or decreasing.

Current statistics are not available, but it is estimated that the number is now considerably less than in 1943 and in 1944, when the figures were about 8,400 and 7,800, respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the shortage of blacksmiths in rural areas; what steps he has taken to provide training schemes; what is the number trained; and the number placed in agriculture.

After consultation with representatives of the industry and the Rural Industries Bureau, my right hon. Friend has established training classes at the Government Training Centres in Sheffield, Letchworth and Springburn and at the Rural Industries Bureau at Wimbledon. The number of men already trained is 101, of whom 93 have been placed in employment in agricultural districts.

asked the Minister of Labour what method of call-up for the Army is proposed under the provisions of the National Service Act, 1947.

The National Service Act, 1947, does not involve any substantial change in the existing method of calling men up to the Army.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an overall statement showing the main items of imports in sterling values from each country in the hard currency area and showing by how much each is to be reduced in 1947 and 1948 as compared with 1946.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement of the imports of the more important commo-

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in those cases where trading accounts with other countries are kept in terms of sterling, His Majesty's Government have arranged with those countries for any debit or credit balance on current transactions to be held in sterling.

As regards countries with which we have Payments Agreements, the normal arrangements provide for settlements in sterling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what are the total balances, credit and debit, now standing in gold or hard currency with other countries as a result of financial agreements entered into by His Majesty's Government;(2) the drain upon our hard currency and gold resources entailed since 10th August, 1947, by maintaining partial convertibility.

I am not dear as to the meaning of these Questions, and in any case I am not prepared to add anything to the statements of gross sales of gold recently published.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what allowance to cover travelling expenses is made to those leaving this country on long distance flights.

Business and other authorised travellers get exchange to cover reasonable outgoings on a long distance journey, according to circumstances. There is no such provision for holidaymakers.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the withdrawal of the basic petrol ration, he will give instructions that official cars used by Ministers and other servants of the Crown shall only be used for official duties and not for any private purpose; and if he will indicate that strong disciplinary action will be taken for any breach of this rule.

Ministers of Cabinet rank may, on payment, use official cars for non-official journeys when such use contributes to the efficiency with which a Minister discharges his public duties. Other official cars may not be used for private purposes. Since the withdrawal of the basic petrol ration the attention of those concerned has been drawn to the need for strict observance of these rules.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the principal United Kingdom exports which are liable to be affected by the recently agreed reductions in Imperial Preference.

Some reduction in Imperial Preference has been agreed over part of the field in most of the important export industries, such as textiles, motor cars, chemicals and pottery. But the reductions have been spread as widely as possible to avoid undue risk to any particular industry, and tariff concessions have also been secured in both Commonwealth and foreign markets. I have every confidence, therefore, that our exporters will be able to deal with the new situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will issue civilian clothing coupons to non-regular soldiers due to be released in an age and service group and who have deferred their release to general demobilisation, owing to the hardship caused to these men, who frequently have no civilian clothes.

No, Sir. It will be realised that these non-regular soldiers who deferred their releases were aware that they were also deferring their right to clothing benefits on release.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if a survey can be made of stocks of timber throughout the country which can be made available for house building; if he is aware that wagons laden with timber have for long periods been awaiting discharge at certain railway stations; and if he will make a statement on the immediate timber requirements of approved housing schemes.

Stocks of softwood which is normally used for building purposes, are published in the "Monthly Digest of Statistics." I am not aware of any long delays in unloading timber wagons but if the hon. Member will supply particulars of any case I will investigate it. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 27th November by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Renton).

asked the President of the Board of Trade, when he will deal with the complaint of Messrs. A. J. Philcox and Company Limited, of Stockwell Road, S.W.9, regarding timber quotas, details of which were forwarded on 27th October last.

My hon. and gallant Friend will by now have received the reply I sent him on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade at what price per ton his Department sold their stocks of Tung Oil to paint manufacturers in October and November and at what price it was available on the free market; why he made it obligatory on manufacturers buying in the free market to purchase an equivalent quantity from the Government at a higher price; and by what authority he compels citizens to buy Government stocks at higher prices than ruling market prices.

Tung Oil was sold by the Board of Trade during October and November at £250 a ton ex store. Market prices varied considerably but a fair average price was about £200 per ton cost and freight. The acquisition and sale of tung oil is subject to control under the Control of Drying Oils (No. 1) Order, 1942. In view of the improved supply position it was decided to discontinue import on Government account as from 1st October. In order, however, to secure an orderly liquidation of Government stocks during transition to full private trade, it was arranged, after consultation with representatives of importing firms, to allow firms to import quantities equal to their purchases from Government stocks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will see that adequate supplies of gumboots for agricultural workers are available in North Oxfordshire.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies on this subject given to my hon. Friend the Member for Lowestoft (Mr. Edward Evans), on 4th December, and to the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère), on 9th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will alter the regulations to allow new footwear to be sent as presents to individuals in Germany and Austria if the donors give up their own coupons for them.

I am afraid that present supplies of new footwear are not sufficient to permit arrangements on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend; but applications for export licences will be considered for small gifts to any destination.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the proposals now before his Department for the introduction of a new industry to the unemployment area of Nantlle Valley, Caernarvonshire, will not be adversely affected by the programme of cuts in capital expenditure.

I have much sympathy with these proposals but they involve the building of a new factory. Since the purpose for which such a factory would be used is undecided, I cannot hold out any hope of an early start in view of the policy laid down in the White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948 (Cmd. 7268). If, however, I were assured that this factory would make a substantial contribution to exports or import saving, the case would be on an entirely different footing. I hope, therefore, that a suitable firm may be found willing to take over the factory when it is built.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the maximum percentage of tobaccos from non-dollar sources now blended in well-known brands of English cigarettes; and if he will approach the manufacturers with a view to increasing this percentage in order to conserve stocks of tobaccos from hard currency areas.

I cannot say what proportion of tobacco from non-dollar sources is used in any particular brand of cigarettes, but I understood that some well-known brands are made entirely from such tobacco. I am satisfied that manufacturers are well aware of the tobacco supply prospects and will make all possible use of non-dollar tobacco, subject to the limitations imposed by the amounts available which are suitable in quality and price.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will increase the proportion of utility goods offered for sale as against non-utility goods, especially in the clothing trade.

It is our policy while shortage conditions persist to maintain a high proportion of utility goods in the production of cloth and clothing. The present percentage, however, is on average between 75 and 80, and I do not think any substantial increase above this would be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has for the re-organisation of the furniture industry; and if he will make a statement on the future of the industry.

Comprehensive recommendations about the furniture industry were made by the Furniture Working Party and discussions on these are in progress with both sides of the industry. I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the outcome of these discussions. As regards the immediate future, my hon. Friend will be aware that there is still an acute shortage of the industry's raw materials; so long as this shortage persists, it will be necessary to maintain the Utility furniture scheme, making such modifications in it as are required from time to time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent large stocks of women's outerwear are held by wholesale and retail houses.

Wholesaler's stocks of women's outerwear are equal to about six-eight weeks sales and the value of retail stocks has increased by 44 per cent. over that of last year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what variations there were in different submitted versions of the Geneva Tariff Agreement; what was the reason for these variations; and whether steps will be taken to collate all versions before the submission of this Agreement to the various Parliaments concerned.

The text of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which was published in Command Paper 7258, is the text which all participating countries authenticated by the Final Act adopted at the end of the Conference. It is the only authentic text.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the effect of the ban on the import of bird seed on the pre-ban export of 50,000 birds a year to America and other countries; and what action he is taking to revive and extend this export trade.

The ban on imports of bird seed applies only to private imports, as purchases for essential purposes are made on Government account. If private imports were allowed, it would be impracticable to ensure that these would be used mainly or solely for breeding birds for export. Our balance of payments position does not admit of imports of bird seed for non-essential home consumption.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will increase the supply of mending wool in the Cheltenham area where there is acute shortage.

There is a general shortage of mending wool but I am not aware that it is greater in the Cheltenham area than elsewhere. Steps were taken in June last to raise the production of mending wool and, though the full effect will not be felt for some time, supplies for the July to September period showed an increase of 10 per cent. over the corresponding quarter of 1946.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many books of fiction by American authors have been printed and published in this country since 1st January, 1947, and what are the corresponding figures in relation to non-fictional works; in each case what total amount of money has been paid or has accrued to American authors in respect of these works; and to what extent is this money subject to United Kingdom Income Tax.

As regards the first part of the Question, I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available. As regards the last part, I understand that royalties and similar payments received from the United Kingdom by United States residents are normally exempt from United Kingdom Income Tax on a reciprocal basis under the Double Taxation Convention with the United States.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that at the present tine there is at least 40 per cent. less wool cloth materials in the shops for home consumption, as compared with two years ago; that, on present allocation, the shortage of wool dress materials by February next will be at least 60 per cent. less than two years ago; and if he will increase the allocation to the manufacturers for the home market.

The supply of wool cloth to the home trade in September, 1947, which is the latest month for which figures are available, was 41 per cent. greater than in September, 1946, and 56 per cent. greater than in September, 1945. While there will be a reduction in the near future compared with the recent past owing to the need to increase exports, the reduction both in total supplies and in dress cloths compared with two years ago will be very slight. The allocations to manufacturers for the home market can be increased only when increased production allows of this after the urgent needs of export have been satisfied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of horses exported to Eire from this country for each of the last 12 months.

The number of horses (including ponies) exported to Eire in each month from November, 1946, to October, 1947, was:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent stokers of industrial furnaces are being instructed in economical and smoke-saving methods of stoking.

Twenty-five specialist officers of the Ministry are fully employed visiting industrial firms to instruct boiler-house operatives in efficient and fuel saving methods of stoking and control of their boiler-plant. In addition, 53 comprehensive courses in boiler-house practice are in progress at technical colleges.

asked the Minister of. Fuel and Power if he is aware that the coal and coke allocation for the Farringdon House approved school, near Exeter, is on the basis of four tons a year for each man and boy, and since the school managed on 164 tons last year, why this extra allocation has been made.

Yes. The allocation of coke to this school for the 12 months May, 1947, to April, 1948, was 240 tons, much less than the amount allocated for the preceding 12 months. Actual consumption of coal and coke, however, over the calendar year 1948 is estimated at only 168 tons, owing to the excellent saving achieved, in spite of the difficulties of heating the somewhat extensive premises, by the use of wood fuel and by rigid economy generally. An adjustment is being made to bring the allocation into line with coal and coke requirements.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has now given consideration to the resolution recently sent him by the Essex Area Council of the Old Age Pensioners Association dealing with increased coal allocation for persons entirely dependent upon coal for cooking and heating; and with what result.

. Yes. My right hon. Friend has sent my hon. Friend a copy of the reply sent to the Association.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the coal supply on Merseyside is so insufficient that the Liverpool Association of Coal Owners, and Merchants, and the Birkenhead Wallasey and Wirral Coal Merchants Association are circularising their customers, to say the 15 cwt. allocation permitted during the three months ending 31st January, 1948, is not possible, and only 11 cwt. to 12 cwt. can be supplied if the full tonnage is forwarded to them; and what is the reason for this shortage.

I am aware of the circular to which my hon. Friend refers. As has been repeatedly made clear in my Department's Press announcements and advertisements the maximum permitted quantities are not rations to which consumers are entitled but are limits up to which they may buy according to their needs if supplies are available. Supplies in the Liverpool, Birkenhead, Wallasey and Wirral areas, as elsewhere, while insufficient to provide the maximum for all consumers, should be enough to enable merchants to deliver on average the same quantity per household this winter as last.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that there is only one registration of coal per house; that this is causing hardship to families who rent rooms; and what steps he is taking to allocate coal to every family occupying separate rooms in the same house during the coming winter.

Supplies of coal are not sufficient to allow separate registrations for all sub-tenants whatever their circumstances, though local fuel overseers may grant a separate registration in appropriate cases. I am aware that sharing of coal may sometimes cause inconvenience, but local fuel overseers are instructed to treat sub-tenants as sympathetically as the situation permits in granting supplementary allowances.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the percentage of the allocation of 5 cwt. of coal for domestic consumers, for the four weeks ending 29th November, supplied to Hull; what was the percentage used to increase stocks in merchants' yards and for licence deliveries of coal, respectively; and what should have been the average delivery, per registered consumer.

I regret that the required information cannot be obtained without elaborate investigation involving much time and labour which cannot be justified in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when Mr. Wilfred White, 4, Burton Road, Charlton, Nottingham, may expect a reply to his letter of 4th November dealing with the reduction in his allocation of coal.

There is no record of this letter having been received. The matter is, however, being urgently investigated following the receipt of the copy recently forwarded by my hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend will communicate with her as soon as inquiries have been completed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take to ensure that this winter residents in the London Region receive the allocation of coal to which they are entitled.

We shall continue to give every possible consideration to the needs of domestic consumers but my hon. Friend will appreciate that these have to be balanced against the requirements of industry and the necessity for exporting coal. The permitted quantities are not rations to which consumers are entitled and I cannot say more at present than that supplies of coal including withdrawals from stock, should ensure that the amount available per household in London this winter is as much as last year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any individual warning is given to dental surgeons of impending power cuts.

No. This would be quite impracticable. But dentists practising in an area in which it has been possible to arrange a weekly rota system will normally be aware of which day of the week their supply is in danger of being cut.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make representations to electricity companies not to cut off supplies of electricity before 9 a.m. as an earlier hour creates inconvenience to many householders to be without light and heat in the dark winter mornings.

Cuts in electricity supplies have to be made when total consumers' demand exceeds the generating capacity of the supply undertakings. It is therefore not possible to postpone cuts. The representations suggested by my hon. Friend are in the circumstances hardly appropriate.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether his regulations permit those persons who have applied for essential petrol but who have not yet obtained the necessary coupons to continue to run their cars on their remaining stocks of petrol until the staffs of his regional offices can supply the necessary coupons.

If the petrol was obtained against supplementary coupons there would be no objection, but the use of basic petrol in this way is not permitted under the present regulations.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that some applications for supplementary petrol coupons have been held up for over a month and what steps he is taking to hasten the procedure.

All possible steps are being taken to deal with applications for supplementary petrol allowances as rapidly as possible. In general decisions are now communicated to the applicants within a fortnight, but at the moment the investigation of appeals takes rather longer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that many cases have occurred under which regional petroleum offices have sent out petrol coupons to farmers for the three months, December, 1947, January and February, 1948, reducing by one-half the amount that had been allocated for the same period in previous years, with the same amount of tractor work to be done; and whether he will take steps, in conjunction with the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the hindrance to food production, and the delay and annoyance caused by this procedure without any saving of petrol, to reinstate these cuts.

No, I am not aware of any such cases, but if the hon. Member will send me details of any cases with which he is familiar, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the hardship being caused to motorists in rural areas through the delay in granting supplementary applications; and when the hon. Member for North Dorset may expect an answer to the numerous applications which he has forwarded to the Ministry.

I am informed that in the Southern Region, which includes North Dorset, applications for supplementary allowances of petrol are dealt with in a week or ten days, though at the moment the consideration of appeals takes rather longer. The hon. Member will by now, I think, have received replies to all the letters he has sent to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he wilt authorise the issue of a supplementary petrol allowance to persons over 70 years of age who are registered owners of private motor vehicles, in order to facilitate travel for them during the winter months, and to add to the other concessions, where restricted commodities are concerned, which have been granted to elderly persons.

Regional petroleum officers are authorised to grant a limited number of supplementary coupons where the applicant or members of his family residing with him are aged or infirm provided medical evidence is produced that they are completely dependent on the use of a private car.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when it is expected to make a decision on the request for a supplementary petrol allowance for Austin Seven, AVL 276, which was forwarded to the Parliamentary Secretary on 30th October.

An interim issue of coupons has been made pending a detailed assessment of the application.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the honourable Member for Canterbury may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 21st October and his reminder letter of 17th November relative to a petrol allowance for the Canterbury Rugby Football Club.

The hon. Member's letter raises a difficult issue of principle which has been most carefully considered. A reply will be sent to him in the next few days.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the Midland Regional Petroleum Office did not reply to a request by letter dated 3rd September for supplementary petrol for school and shopping from Mrs. Wormell, of Oak Mount, Windmill Lane, Balsall Common, Warwickshire, although returning her registration book; why her letter of 17th September, enclosing a copy of the previous application, was ignored; and why, notwithstanding her letters of 14th and 24th October, 10th November and many requests by telephone, she has received no response except for a questionnaire, dated 10th October, which she completed and returned; and what action he has taken.

I regret very much that Mrs. Wormell's application was mislaid owing to a mistake in sorting. Coupons have been sent to Mrs. Wormell together with a letter of apology.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the large number of applications for supplementary petrol, he will now state the actual quantity of petrol which will be saved by withdrawal of the basic allowance, as compared with the original estimates, and the value, in dollars, of the petrol saved.

I have, up to the present, no reason to revise the estimates I gave in replies to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble) and the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Longford-Holt) on 6th November and 13th November, respectively.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will undertake to make an early statement about the proposed date for the restoration of the basic petrol ration, in view of the fact that delay in this matter will result in more people postponing their holidays until the latter part of 1948 and so undoing all the efforts made to stagger holidays over the longest period possible in the interests of the national economy.

While appreciating the considerations referred to in the hon. Member's Question, I regret I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) on 6th November on this subject.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that in some parts of the country shift workers are refused extra petrol to make up for the loss of the basic ration, whilst others are able to obtain it; and what are the general principles adopted in this respect.

Allowances of petrol are granted to enable workers, including shift workers, to use their private cars or motor cycles to travel between their residences and places of business where the use of public transport is not reasonably practicable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will explain the reasons for the delay in dealing with applications made by Mr. H. Fowler, 12, Eynsford Close, Petts Wood, Orpington, details of which have been sent to him; and if he will take disciplinary action against those concerned.

Owing to the short notice it has not been possible to complete inquiries into this case. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has considered the application, details of which have been sent him, for an allowance of petrol for Mr. Taylor, of 30 Station Road, Orpington; why there has been delay in acknowledging his letters; and if he will take disciplinary action against the officials concerned.

An interim issue of coupons has been forwarded to Mr. Taylor on the evidence provided by the hon. Member, to whom I will write when inquiries into the case are complete.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of domestic coal consumers in the Borough of Wandsworth registered with F. Dunk, Lydden Grove; the number to whom the full allocation of 15 cwt. for the summer period, 1st May to 31st October, was delivered; the number who received less than the London average of 10 cwt.; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure a more equitable distribution by this merchant of the coal supplied to him.

I regret that at present I am unable to arrange for the detailed analysis of the merchant's records that would be needed to provide further information of this kind. The winter work of the merchants is now reaching a peak and diversion of their staff to these statistical tasks would inevitably delay arrangements for providing householders with coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, if he is aware that a domestic coal consumer in Westover Road, Wandsworth, S.W.18, whose name and address have been sent to him, who served in the Army for six years and has secured accommodation for his wife and four-year-old child for the first time, was registered with Rickett Cockerill and Company, Battersea Rise, early in October and has not been able to get any coal delivered; what action he will take to ensure that this consumer does not lose his full summer allocation and to ensure that new consumers registered with this firm are not kept without coal for over two months, respectively.

I regret that owing to an unfortunate mistake on the part of the merchant, the name of the consumer referred to was not entered in the roundsman's books so that he did not receive delivery. No complaint was, however, made to the local fuel overseer until 3rd December when a delivery was arranged for the same day. I understand that this consumer does not need further assistance. I have no reason to expect a repetition of this mistake in other cases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the hon. Member for Ipswich may expect a reply to his letter of 8th October, 1947, on the availability and disposal of petrol.

My hon. Friend will by now have received a reply from my right hon. Friend on this subject.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is prepared to make the necessary small quantity of petrol available to enable the continuance of motor cycle reliability trials organised by clubs belonging to the Auto Cycle Union of Great Britain.

This matter is under considersation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much motor spirit is produced in the sterling area excluding that produced by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company at Abadan.

About two million tons during the first nine months of 1947.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many applications for petrol remain unanswered by the petroleum officer at Tunbridge Wells; and what steps he is taking to speed up the process of issuing coupons.

Since the reply to the first part of the Question involves a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Reigate (Mr. Touche) on 4th December.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the present price in the West Riding of Yorkshire of pitch used by some industrial firms for power production; what was the price six months ago; what are the reasons for the substantial increase; and whether all available supplies can be sold at the new price.

The maximum price at which liquid pitch is delivered to firms in the West Riding of Yorkshire was agreed between the suppliers and this Ministry at 119s. per ton. There was no agreed maximum price six months ago, and I regret that information on pitch prices at that time is not available. They were the subject of agreement between individual producers and consumers. The new maximum price is based on the calorific value of liquid pitch by comparison with that of competitive liquid fuels in the prices of which there have recently been appreciable increases and I may add that it is appreciably less than the prices ruling in export markets. The answer to the last part of the Question is, "Yes."

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the statement regarding the programme of the National Coal Board made on page 27 of Cmd. 7268, whether he will make it clear that the programme estimate contained in the Report of European Economic Committee of the equivalent of 1,042 million dollars for mining equipment excluding pitprops and rails over the next four years represents the government's estimate of a target for the industry; and whether this estimate has been reduced as a result of the policy described in Cmd. 7268; and whether he will make a statement.

The figure of 1,042 million dollars to which my hon. Friend refers represented an estimate of the total consumption requirements of coalmining equipment for the four years 1948–51, excluding structural steel and mining timber of all kinds. These requirements were subsequently re-estimated, on mote detailed consideration, at 1,002 million dollars approximately. This latter estimate still stands and has not been affected by the policy described in Cmd. 7268, though the possibility of review, in the light of further examination, cannot be precluded.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the amount of the increase in the cost of administration in the mining industry since the National Coal Board assumed control.

An exact comparison between the costs of administration in the mining industry before and after the National Coal Board assumed control is not available. But the Chairman of the National Coal Board in a public statement recently indicated that the total additional cost involved in the payment of wages and salaries to managerial, technical and clerical staff employed involved an increase of the order of 1d. per ton. This covers additional work on reorganisation, research, training and welfare.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the market price of opencast coal at the rail head at Butlerfield, Newtongrange, Midlothian.

The market price of opencast coal at railhead at Butlerfield is 42s. 9d. per ton for large coal and 43s. 3d. per ton for kitchen nuts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) what is the current average output in tons per manshift worked in opencast mines; and what is the average output per manshift for each month from January, 1947, to November, 1947;(2) the average number of wage-earners employed in 1946 on opencast mining in Great Britain; how many were so employed each month from January, 1947, to November, 1947; and how many are currently employed.

As the information involves a number of figures, I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the quarterly statistical statement of the costs of production, proceeds and profits of the coal-mining industry for the first quarter of 1947 has not yet been presented to Parliament.

It has been customary to present to Parliament the quarterly statistical statements of the coal-mining industry from six to eight months after the end of the quarter to which they relate. The figures were based on returns made for the purpose of wage ascertainments in each wage district and excluded costs not admissible as charges for that purpose. It is necessary for the National Coal Board to include all costs of coal production in the statement, and consideration of this and other changes resulting from the nationalisation of the industry has caused the delay to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what reports have been received about the efficacy of American coalmining machinery imported for use in British mines.

I am advised that, in the limited circumstances in which it is applicable to British mining conditions, machinery of American type, whether imported or manufactured in this country, is highly efficient.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as the nationality of foreign directors of a firm has to be stated on its notepaper, he will take powers to issue instructions to the publishers of magazines and periodicals to signify on their contents page the country of origin of the stories published.

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Dr. Walther Voeller, who is reputed to know a cure for Parkinson's disease, will be allowed to visit this country to lecture medical societies.

I have been unable to discover the foundation for what, I understand, is a newspaper statement about this doctor. If he wishes to come here he should apply for a visa to the nearest British passport control officer, and the question will then be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that travel permit No. 25896, valid for six months, was issued to Fraulein S. Wibbelhoff at Dusseldorf in order that she might stay with her sister, who is British by marriage, at Brighton; why the permit has been overstamped on arrival as valid for two months only; and why, in a letter to her solicitors dated 27th November, reference W 28480, he has refused to extend this visit beyond 30th December next.

The six months' validity of the travel permit refers, not to the length of stay in this country, but to the period within which the permit must be used. In her application for a visa, Fraulein Wibbelhoff said that she wished to pay a visit of two or three months, and the case has been dealt with throughout on the footing of a short visit. However, I have now decided that she may prolong her stay till the end of February.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take measures to regulate the use of loudspeaker vans in private residential areas.

County councils and borough councils have power to make a by-law, subject to confirmation by the Secretary of State, prohibiting the use of amplifiers in streets so as to cause annoyance. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the latest form of the by-law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the correspondence which has been sent him concerning petrol rationing in the Channel Islands; and in view of the further evidence therein contained, if he will reconsider the whole matter and make a statement.

The reasons for asking the Channel Islands to adopt a petrol rationing scheme similar to our own, was to save dollars by cutting out all unessential motoring. This was fully explained in a Home Office letter of 6th November last which was published in the Islands and of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I have considered the correspondence which the hon. Member sent me, and I see nothing in it to cause me to add anything to the Home Office letter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women have been charged with soliciting or prostitution in the Metropolitan police area for the past 12 months compared with the previous 12 months.

For the period 1st January to 30th November, 1947, the number was 4,748, and for the corresponding period in 1946, 4,135.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a Governor-General of Ceylon has yet been appointed.

No appointment of a Governor-General has yet been made, but the necessary steps will be taken in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet agreed to the release from use as allotments for growing food of, Chelsea Square and Chelsea Park Gardens, London; and if so will these open spaces be accessible for public use.

Yes, but I understand from the Chelsea Borough Council that these open spaces are included in the lease of surrounding houses and are, therefore, not for public use.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the great importance of agriculture to the future of this country what steps is he taking to increase the number of competent research engineers at the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering.

My Department has recently advertised nine posts at the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering open to candidates with high scientific qualifications in mechanical engineering or with a degree or equivalent qualification in engineering.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether in view of the large sums of money being spent, awing to the recent drought, by Northern Rhodesia in purchasing grain from overseas at inflated prices, he will now stimulate action in constructing modern storage facilities for grain in those African Colonies liable to re-occurrences of drought or famine.

The availability of storage is not, of course, a complete remedy when the main problem is that of actually producing enough for consumption in a particular area in periods of adverse weather conditions. The construction of new stores is, moreover, expensive both in money and in scarce building materials. Nonetheless, various Governments in Africa have in hand measures for improving local storage facilities. In Nyasaland, the Government has given provisional approval for the erection of two maize stores, each with a capacity of 2,000 tons, in the Central and Southern Provinces. Since the maize needed for employed labour is of the order of 12,000 tons annually, the storage to be provided is considered a reasonable contribution towards an emergency reserve. Certain of the larger employers of labour have already made storage provision. A scheme of communal grain stores on a mall scale has also been started in Northern Rhodesia.In Kenya, as stated in my reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 17th July, the storage facilities with capacity of 100,000 tons are regarded as adequate. In Tanganyika arrangements have been made for the storage of grain in native areas and loans to assist farmers to provide their own storage are being granted. In Uganda provision has been made in the Development Plan for the expenditure of £60,000 on permanent food stores.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what annual imports into Jamaica of Irish potatoes, for seed and for food, have been made since 1939 and what quantities have been exported from that colony.

I am asking the Governor to telegraph the figures and will communicate them to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the decision of the Governors of Singapore and the Malayan Union to impose a 20 per cent. Company Profits Tax, in addition to Income Tax, is contrary to the advice of the Advisory Councils, which urged postponement of a decision ntil the new Legislatures meet early next year; whether this decision of the Governors to over-ride the provisional Malayan Parliamentary organisation was taken after consultation with him; and whether he will make a full statement on the subject.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 10th December to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the joint protest from 16 Sarawak Associations sent last July; and if he will state the nature of his reply.

I have been asked to reply. The protest was against the cession of Sarawak. The Governor has been asked to inform the senders that it has been received, but it does not in my right hon. Friend's opinion establish any grounds for altering the Government's attitude on this matter, which has been publicly stated on several occasions. The reply can only be to invite attention to those statements, and the Governor will be asked to do this.

asked the Minister of Defence whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to combine the three Services in order to save manpower.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will consider the special requirements of certain parts of the country for the supply of alarum clocks for those engaged on shift work where industries are run on a 24-hour day basis; and, in particular, if he will make available additional supplies of alarum clocks for such industrial areas as Tees Side.

Every effort is being made to meet requirements, both by expanding production at home and by importation. It is impracticable to give preference in distribution to all areas where shift workers are employed, but arrangements were made early this year to give preference to mining districts and increasing supplies should help to ease the situation in other areas.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that, although ordinary weighing machines are not controlled, baby weighing machines can only be ordered from the manufacturer on receipt of a medical certificate; that there is a delay of from six to nine months in delivery; and whether, in view of the danger so caused to the life of an ailing baby on test feeds, he proposes to allow small stocks to be held by chemists and hospitals.

Yes, but I am afraid that our resources do not at present allow enough scales to be made to enable chemists and hospitals to hold stocks. I understand, however, that baby weighing machines are available at centres run by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Works what is the cost of the shell of an aluminium house and of a uni-seco house, exclusive of fittings; and what is the individual cost of six of the most expensive fittings included in these two types of house.

The average cost of the shell of a uni-seco house, excluding doors and windows, is £305. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply that the shell of an aluminium house is not manufactured separately and its cost, therefore, cannot be separately assessed.The average costs of the six most expensive fittings in the uni-seco house are as follow:

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the new Bankside Power Station has been approved without reservation by the Royal Fine Art Commission; and whether it has yet been definitely established that the burning of oil fuel will have no deleterious effects on buildings in the neighbourhood.

I have been asked to reply. The Royal Fine Art Commission have indicated that, within the limitations imposed by the choice of site, they have no criticism to offer of the design proposed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. With reference to the second part of the Question, I am and always have been satisfied that the burning of oil fuel will be without deleterious effects on buildings in the neighbourhood.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will place a copy of the statement on the three years budget plan for Newfoundland in the Library.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Memorandum on Reconstruction and Development Schemes, which was made available by the Newfoundland Government to the National Convention in September, 1946. I am arranging for a copy of this document to be placed in the House of Commons Library.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is proposed to set up a volunteer reserve for the Royal Marines similar to the R.N.V.R.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is proposed to set up a volunteer reserve for the Royal Marines similar to the R.N.V.R.

Yes. It is intended shortly to introduce the legislation necessary to establish a Reserve to be known as the Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve. It is proposed that the conditions of service shall be generally similar to those of the R.N.V.R. It is probable that the first training centre will be established at Chatham and volunteers from the London area will be granted travelling expenses to this centre to perform their training at week-ends. Groups may be set up later at Portsmouth, Plymouth and other towns.

asked the Minister of Education how many emergency trained teachers are now pursuing the two years' additional training required by the Act; what provision is made for that training; where and by whom it is conducted; what curriculum is specified; what supervision of their training is exercised; and what tests are applied at the end of the training to gauge the progress made.

Roughly 6,000 teacher, are now taking the courses of part-time study, required to be followed by those who have been trained in emergency colleges during their first two years of service. The answers to the remaining parts of the Question are contained in Appendix 3 of Circular 106, of which I have already sent the hon. Member copy.

asked the Minister of Education if he will make a statement on the position at Llangwnadl, Caernarvonshire, where children under eight years of age are not receiving instructions owing to the closure last July of the village school.

This small school was closed because of the unsatisfactory condition of the premises. Arrangements have been made to convey the children to another school about three miles away and the possibility of establishing an Infants' school in temporary premises is being considered.