asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now reinstate the privilege of buying out in respect of soldiers serving on regular engagements.

This matter is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War, what recommendations he has received from the Manpower Economy Committee in his Department; and what steps he proposes to take.

The Committee have produced an interim report indicating various lines of inquiry they are pursuing. When the inquiries are complete, I shall consider whether or not the recommendations of the Committee can be put into effect.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware of the unsatisfactory situation concerning leave from Palestine, whereby officers and men, including those who are married, will be separated from their families until release or the expiration of their overseas tour; and what steps he is taking to remedy this situation.

Because of shortage of shipping it is not possible to grant United Kingdom leave to soldiers serving abroad, other than in Europe, except on compassionate grounds.

asked the Secretary of State for War the strength, in officers and other ranks, of the Royal Army Educational Corps on 30th June, 1947; and at the latest date for which figures are available.

The strength of the Royal Army Educational Corps at 30th June, 1947, was 417 officers and 1,591 other ranks; and at 30th November, 1947, was 441 officers and 2,238 other ranks. In addition, 123 officers of other arms were employed on R.A.E.C. duties on 30th June and 134 on 30th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the conditions attached to the gratuity of £20 which is paid to a soldier who earns the Distinguished Conduct Medal; why he recently deducted from the pension and allowance to his child the whole or part of the gratuity which was paid to Jack Gray, D.C.M., of 7, Church Street, Thorne, Doncaster, in 1945; and if he will give instructions for this gratuity to be restored in full to this ex-soldier.

A soldier who has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal is, on leaving the Colours, granted a gratuity of £20 if he leaves with no pension entitlement. If he is eligible for a pension he is granted an additional pension of 6d. a day instead of a gratuity. Where, as in Mr. Gray's case, an entitlement to pension is established after the Distinguished Conduct Medal gratuity has been paid, the general practice of my Department is to recover the £20 by withholding for 800 days the issue of the additional pension of 6d. a day. The additional pension thus becomes payable as from the 801st day after commencement of pension. As regards the last two parts of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him today by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the film of the Royal wedding in technicolour has not been shown to British troops and members of the Control Commission in Germany; and if he will take steps to ensure that the film is made available to the Army Kinema Corporation at the earliest possible date.

Four copies of the 35mm. technicolour film of the Royal wedding were despatched to the British Army of the Rhine on 3rd January, 1948, and are now being shown.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that large number of pennies are being filed down, coated with some silvery metallic substance and passed as new cupro-nickel florins; that, under artificial light, these are difficult to distinguish from the genuine coins; that their weight is so precise that Banks have been led to include them in parcels of weighed silver and/or cupro-nickel coinage; and what he proposes to do to prevent it.

The hon. Member has been misinformed. No instances of this fraud have come to notice in the last year. It it were practised, it should be detected with ease, for a penny weighs less than a florin and this difference would be increased by filing; it is appreciably thinner, has no milling on the edge, and has a different design. In reply to the last part of the Question, there are ample powers for dealing with such fraud, and the police should be informed of any attempt at it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what dollar expenditure has been involved during the last convenient period in respect of the employment of American subjects in music halls and theatres; and how does this compare with the earnings of British artistes playing in the U.S.A.

During the six months ending November, 1947, net remittances to the United States amounted to £174,000. Comparable figures of receipts by British artists are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the value to our balance of trade of the British shipping industry, he has announced that there will be severe cuts in the allocation of steel to the shipbuilding industry.

There is insufficient steel to meet all our needs. The allocations which have been made, and which are slightly above those of 1947, represent the best balance we can achieve between competing demands, all of which are important in the national economy and directly or indirectly in our balance of trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give our dollar expenditure for 1947, divided into expenditure on goods purchased by this country, and other expenditure.

I am sorry that the full analysis of the figures for 1947 is not yet available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, why persons bringing their own raw furs or skins to be dressed and/ or made up have to pay Purchase Tax.

In fairness to persons who buy similar finished goods sold in shops in the ordinary way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make a statement reviewing the working of Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1946, Entertainments Duty on certain entertainments provided by bodies which are not profit-making.

Yes. From the administrative standpoint this provision is working satisfactorily. A society which claims to be non-profit-making is required to satisfy the Commissioners of Customs and Excise that any member whom it employs professionally, as a manager or otherwise, does not control the society, but in fact is under its control, and that he receives no more than fair and proper remuneration for his services, though no fixed limits are laid down. The same person may be the manager of more than one show at the same time. Partly educational aims, objects and activities are judged by the policy of the society as declared in its rules or otherwise and by the character of the works which it produces over a period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set forth the calculations upon which the Treasury formed the opinion that, on 1st January, 1948, British Transport 3 per cent. Guaranteed Stock 1978–1988 was worth par.

The issue price and other terms of British Transport Stock were not fixed on the basis of arithmetical calculations. The Treasury had regard to all relevant considerations, particularly the value of Government securities on 1st January, 1948, in accordance with Section 89 (2) of the Transport Act. The Stock Exchange quotations of Government securities on that date have, of course, been published in the Financial Press and elsewhere.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether Purchase Tax is being refunded in respect of high tension batteries purchased after the last Budget announcement and before the proposal for the increase of tax was abandoned.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amounts of three per cent. Savings Bonds 1965–1975 and three per cent. Redemption Stock 1986–1996, respectively, were purchased by His Majesty's Government during the last three days of 1947; what was the object of these purchases; and what were the corresponding figures for the last three stock exchange days of 1946.

Purchases of Government securities of different denominations are made throughout the year on behalf of Government Departments. It is contrary to practice to give details of these operations other than those available annually in the published accounts.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when publication of the annual Public Social Services Return on the lines of Cmd. 5906 of November, 1935, will be resumed.

Publication of the annual Public Social Services Return was suspended as a wartime economy measure. The more important figures, however, continued to be given annually to Parliament in answers to Questions, the last return being published in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 19th December, 1947. A decision about the future of the return must, I think, be postponed until we have had experience of the full working of recent changes in the administration of the social services.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement regarding an agreement with Sweden on the question of double taxation.

His Majesty's Government forwarded to Sweden last month an outline of proposals for a comprehensive double taxation agreement, but so far discussions have not begun. Agreements with Sweden for the reciprocal exemption from tax of shipping profits and certain profits arising through agencies have been in force for many years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the County Councils Association and the Association of Municipal Corporations have made representations in favour of the extension of the Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act, 1926, to cover wholesale transactions; what progress is being made by the committee appointed by the Board to investigate the amendment of the Weights and Measures Acts; and what is the prospect of early legislation on the subject.

Yes. The Board of Trade is aware of these representations. No committee has yet been appointed to inquire into weights and measures legislation. The need for such an inquiry is recognised, and my right hon. Friend intends to put it in hand as soon as practicable. But in view of the pressure of other and more urgent work I cannot say when that will be. There is no prospect of amending legislation in advance of this inquiry, and in view of the complexity of the subject the inquiry is bound to be a fairly long one.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many retail shopkeepers were adjudicated bankrupt in the period January, 1919, to September, 1939; what was the yearly average; and how many retail shopkeepers have been adjudicated bankrupt since August, 1945.

Separate particulars of bankruptcies of retail shopkeepers are not available, but the annual average of all bankruptcies and deeds of arrangement for the period January, 1919, to September, 1939, was 5,494, and for the period September, 1945, to November, 1947, 524.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what European countries our exports of coal are being allocated; and on what basis.

As stated in the House on 17th December last by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power, potential customers for exports of coal are countries which participated in the Conference of European Economic Cooperation and other countries, subject, in each case, to securing in trade arrangements a good return for this country in food, raw materials or dollar saving. Shipments are already being made to Sweden, Eire, Portugal, France, Netherlands, Italy and Switzerland. Further shipments to these and other countries will be determined in the light of our discussions with them, having regard in particular to the level of imports of essential supplies which we obtain from each individual country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the figures of production costs and sale price of the following basic commodities as on 31st March, 1913, 1923, 1933, 1943; one ton of coal at pithead, one ton of anthracite, one ton of pig-iron, and one ton of steel.

The average cost and proceeds of coal production (not distinguishing anthracite) are available, but similar information for pig-iron and steel cannot be given. I will circulate the figures for 1913, 1923, 1933 and 1943 in the OFFICIAL REPORT, together with particulars of the wholesale prices of certain representative kinds of the three commodities.

Yes. I regret that I am unable to accede to the suggestion made in the last part of the Question as I am not satisfied that, if the clothing were distributed free of coupons or at reduced rates, it would reach the people most in need of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many local authorities have ceased to collect wastepaper for salvage; to what extent the collection of such paper is still important in the national interest; and what steps he has in mind for reviving interest in this form of salvage.

I am aware that there has been some falling off in waste paper collections in certain areas, particularly in the less populated districts. The severe drought in Scandinavia in 1947 will result in reduced imports of wood pulp in 1948. This additional difficulty for home production of paper and paper board makes it even more necessary than before that waste paper supplies should be increased, especially as the demand for paper for packing purposes is also increasing. I would, therefore, appeal to the public and to local authorities, particularly in the more populous areas to intensify their salvage efforts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the widespread complaint that the supply of men's clothing does not keep pace with that of women's, whilst prices for unusual varieties and out-sizes are exorbitant; and if he will inform the public of the reasons involved.

Yes, I am aware of this complaint. The cloths used in men's clothing, especially worsted suitings, are slower in production than are the types normally made for women's wear, and are also in greater demand for export. As the House has already been informed, manufacturers have been requested to give preference to production of cloths for men's wear and there are now indications that the balance of supplies is moving towards adjustment. Prices for special orders and outsizes are naturally higher than those for ready-made stock sizes, to cover the extra labour and cloth involved, but I do not consider that the permitted charges are excessive.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that some nylon fabrics, when photographed, are transparent; and whether he can give an assurance that all purchasers of nylon dresses will be adequately informed, before purchase, whether their dresses will prove transparent or not.

I am aware that some fine nylon fabrics are sheer or transparent and are sought after on that account. Others are entirely opaque. The same can be said of silk, rayon, or cotton fabrics. In general, I think women may be trusted to satisfy themselves when purchasing a dress that the material is of the type they desire, particularly with a relatively new fabric such as nylon.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any decision has yet been reached on the allocation of No. 2, 3 and 4 Factories at Grantham.

Yes. These factories have now been re-allocated. The No. 2 factory will be occupied by the Ransome and Manes Bearing Co. of Newark, who will use it for the production of ball-bearings. Nos. 3 and 4 factories have been re-allocated to Newman Industries, Ltd., of Yate, Bristol, for a period of two years in the first instance, during which time the firm plan to produce light tractors for which plant and a quantity of parts have been acquired from Grantham Productions, Ltd. The Company have confirmed their wish to continue in production at the end of the period to the extent to which steel supplies prove to be available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether with a view to ensuring the prompt notification of bees affected with foul brood, he will amend the Foul Brood Disease of Bees Order, 1942, to enable him to pay compensation to bee-keepers whose hives are destroyed.

No. Destruction of bees, under the Order, is required only where the existence of the disease is confirmed in a hive after laboratory examination of a sample of the comb, and is in the beekeeper's own interest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that nurserymen are refused agricultural licences for their motor vehicles; and, in view of their importance as food producers, if he will consult the Ministry of Transport in the matter.

I understand that under the relevant Statutes these licences can be granted to persons engaged in agriculture, and if a nurseryman's business is substantially concerned with food production he is regarded as being engaged in agriculture for the purpose of licensing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to say when the Road Executive will be appointed in accordance with the Transport Act, 1947.

My right hon. Friend hopes very shortly to be in a position to announce the membership of this Executive.

asked the Minister of Transport whether all demands for empty wagons are being met at collieries and other industrial establishments; and whether the present turn-round of wagons is satisfactory.

My right hon. Friend is informed by the British Transport Commission that all demands for empty wagons are being met at collieries and other industrial establishments and that there has been a welcome reduction in the average time wagons stand under load at terminals. Whilst the number of wagons available continues steadily to improve, and is satisfactory at the moment, the most difficult winter period for transport is now upon us and there must be no slackening of effort to secure their speedy turn-round. My right hon. Friend is glad of this opportunity to express his appreciation of the efforts made by railwaymen of all grades and by traders to release wagons by quicker discharge.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now reviewed the urgent demands for steel to enable the contractors to complete the erection of two new extensions to the L.N.E.R. works at Doncaster; whether he is aware that the failure to deliver 700 tons of steel will seriously affect the problem of wagon shortages and the new wagon building programme; and if he will issue instructions for sufficient steel to be allocated to complete the works by the specified contract date.

The highest priority was given for the steel required and the Iron and Steel Federation are taking active steps to find suppliers for items which are still outstanding.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of permanent members of the clerical administrative and supervisory staffs of the L.N.E.R., L.M.S.R., S.R. and G.W.R., who have resigned from the service of the respective companies since June, 1945, for reasons other than retirement.

The number of permanent members of the clerical, administrative and supervisory staffs of the former London and North Eastern, London Midland and Scottish, Great Western and Southern Railways who resigned from the respective services of these railways from 1st July, 1945, to 30th November, 1947. for reasons other than retirement are:

asked the Minister of Transport how many trucks have been placed at the service of the manufacturers of Fletton bricks for rail transport of standard common bricks and common facing bricks during the past three months; and what was the freightage paid, the approximate average rail haul mileage per journey and the numbers of bricks of this standard type carried into other areas where brick manufacture of similar bricks and stocks are available.

Following is the available information for the three months ended 6th December, 1947:

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the existence of approximately one hundred million standard common bricks lying idle in brick manufacturers yards while railway companies haul similar bricks to sites adjacent by road transport to those stocks; and what action he proposes to take to avoid this waste of railway transport.

My attention has not been drawn to this, but I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works gave him on 19th December. Instructions issued to railway officers are that, when wagons are short, their supply for movement of bricks may be suspended.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by what principles the British Information Service in the U.S.A. is guided when distributing copies of speeches in the B.B.C. series of political addresses.

It is a principle that the British Information Services should not be used for party purposes. The British Information Services may, however, issue without comment the text of such party speeches to British officials and to a small number of other persons interested in British affairs who have specially asked for this kind of material, provided that the party nature of the speech is made quite clear.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that all potatoes from the Spalding area intended for the London market, have been transferred direct there by road or rail; and that no potatoes intended for the London market have been sent by rail to Grimsby or neighbouring ports to be sent by sea to London and by road from the point of disembarkation to the central markets.

Potatoes from the Spalding area for immediate use in London are sent direct by rail or road. A reserve for London has, however, been sent by sea through Wash ports to relieve the railways for more urgent traffic. No potatoes have been sent from Grimsby to London.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that many dairymen are now finding themselves unable to deliver milk on Sundays; and what action he proposes to take to ensure the continuation of this service.

I am aware that dairymen in certain parts of the country are refusing to deliver milk on certain days of the week with a view to reducing their costs of distribution. I strongly deprecate such action as it has little regard for the needs of expectant mothers and very young children who should receive a daily supply of fresh milk. The margin allowed to distributors retailing milk was recently increased temporarily to assist them in their present difficulties which have been enhanced by a shortage of supplies for liquid consumption and I am looking to the trade to maintain the high standard of the service they have hitherto given to the public.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protest has been made to the Italian Government against the sailing from an Italian port of the vessel "Lo Tahfiduno," on 11th December, with 875 illegal Jewish immigrants on board; and what reply has been received.

His Majesty's Government have reason to believe that the 882 Jewish illegal immigrants carried by the Italian vessel "Maria Christina," subsequently renamed "Lo Tahfiduno" and intercepted in Palestine waters on 22nd December, 1947, were embarked clandestinely and without the authority of the Italian Government from a point on the Italian coast near Civita Vecchia on 10th December. The ship is reported to have sailed on 8th December from Spezia, ostensibly on legitimate business, and some at least of her passengers are known to have been assembled in advance at Palese on 9th December.His Majesty's Embassy in Rome have drawn the attention of the Italian Government to the arrival in Palestine waters of these Jewish illegal immigrants and have expressed the dissatisfaction felt by His Majesty's Government that this illegal embarkation should not have been prevented by the Italian authorities. Further action is being reserved pending the results of the investigation which it is hoped the Italian Government will make into the circumstances of this embarkation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the observations of the Court of Appeal in the case of Blackpool Corporation versus Locker on 18th December; what steps he is taking to ensure that persons may he aware of the precise nature of any delegated Statutory powers affecting their rights and of the authority relied upon; and whether he proposes that the Statutory Instruments Act, 1946, shall be amended for this purpose.

My right hon. Friend has never taken the view that the circulars delegating requisitioning powers are confidential or privileged documents and copies of them were in fact made available to the Press upon issue. He is drawing the attention of those concerned to the importance of supplying full information to persons interested in particular requisitions or threatened requisitions. He does not consider that any amendment of the Statutory Instruments Act, 1946, is called for. The Court could not have been aware that Regulations [S.I. 1948 No. r] under Section 8 of the Act had been made on 15th December, 1947, to come into force on 1st January, 1948, for, at the time the Court was considering the case, those Regulations had not been printed and made available. Regulation 2 (I) (a) makes it clear that the Act applies to the exercise of a statutory power conferred by an Order under any Act of Parliament passed before 1st January, 1948, exactly as it does to a power conferred directly by the Act of Parliament itself. Any question as to whether any particular instrument is required under the Act to be printed and placed on sale will be determined by the Reference Committee constituted by Regulation 11.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the average number of panel patients on an individual doctor's list under the conditions of the National Insurance Act is 1,000 and the regulation limit 2,500; that his proposal circulated to all medical practitioners that the number of patients allowed to any one doctor under the Act may be expanded to 4,000, while he is also allowed to take private practice, will make it impossible to give any proper attention to patients; what consultations he had before making this proposal; and whether he will now reconsider it.

The existing figures quoted do not include dependants of insured people or private practice. Anyhow, the hon. Member will be reassured to know that the figure of 4,000 was agreed with the profession's Negotiating Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether steps will be taken to expedite the holding of inquests in the hot weather, and to provide adequate mortuary accommodation at Hillingdon, so as to prevent the distressing circumstances which followed the fatal accident to Miss Marjorie Florence Woodman on 6th August.

I cannot find that the circumstances of this case, where there appears to have been no avoidable delay in holding the inquest, disclose any grounds for issuing a general exhortation to coroners in the sense suggested. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is in communication with the local council regarding the mortuary accommodation at Hillingdon.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give for the Bristol Grammar School the percentage of entrants to the senior department last September, who had previously attended the preparatory department; and whether he is satisfied that exactly the same test was applied to children from the preparatory department and children from the grant aided primary schools.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "42·3 per cent." All candidates for "free" or "reserved" places, whether from the preparatory department or elsewhere, are examined by the local education authority. Candidates for "residuary" places, from whatever school they come, are submitted to an examination conducted by the Headmaster, which includes Latin and French for those who have studied these subjects. I am satisfied that there is no discrimination in favour of pupils coming from the preparatory department and that the arrangements serve to select those candidates likely to profit most by the education provided.

asked the Minister of Education whether an emergency trainee who refuses or fails to carry out the two years' probationary further training required by the Act thereby forfeits the status of qualified teacher conceded to him by the certificate issued by his college authorities upon his having completed the one-year college course; to what extent the completion of the two years' training confers further qualification or increased stipend; and on what ground the additional period is enforced.

A student who satisfactorily completes his course of training in an emergency college is regarded by the Minister as a qualified teacher on probation. If he fails to complete his period of probation satisfactorily, or if he fails or refuses to carry out the part-time study required of him, he will be informed that he is no longer regarded by the Minister as a qualified teacher. A teacher who satisfactorily completes his period of probation and who also carries out satisfactorily the part-time study required of him, will be confirmed in the status of qualified teacher, but this confirmation will not affect his salary. The salary of a qualified teacher is determined by the length of his service and the other factors which entitle him to increments as set out in the Burnham Committee's report. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of Circular 1652 which sets out in paragraph 21 the reasons for requiring a two-year period of further study.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will now give an estimate of the average total per week of the compulsory levy made under the National Insurance Act, 1946, on each insured person in respect of insurance, and of Health Services, and of any other costs incidental to the working of these two Acts.

It is estimated that the total yield of the contributions payable by insured persons and employers under the National Insurance Act, 1946, will be about £7,000,000 a week and that out of this amount about £700,000 will be allocated to the National Health Service.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what terms of compensation are being given to those employees of friendly societies whose employment has been taken from them owing to the National Insurance Act.

The Committee which I set up to advise me on this matter has not yet presented its final report, but I understand it is about to give me sufficient material to enable me within the next few weeks to make a statement for the information of persons employed by approved societies. This statement will contain the main rules which I should propose for the settlement of claims to compensation. These rules will be embodied in regulations under Section 67 of the National Insurance Act and submitted to the House. Meantime, in order to deal with cases of hardship, provisional payments on account will be made as necessary.

asked the Minister of Works how much pre-stressed concrete is being manufactured.

The production of prestressed concrete is being developed as rapidly as possible, but I am not yet able to give reliable production figures.

asked the Minister of Works what steps have been taken to increase the manufacture of building materials requiring smaller quantities of fuel for their production.

A number of steps have been taken, including research and development work, to promote fuel economy in the manufacture of clay products, the development of methods of construction in concrete, the replacement of steel by reinforced concrete, and the reduction of steel and cement in reinforced concrete by the development of pre-stressed concrete.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can give an assurance that no cut is contemplated in the coal allocated to the building industry.

I have been asked to reply. The allocation of coal to the building industry is expected to continue at the current rate until the end of the winter allocation period.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a claim for reinstatement of the condition of St. Augustines Road, Doncaster, or partial reimbursement for damage done to the surface of this private road has been refused by No. 5 Area Air Ministry Superintending Engineer; and in view of the fact that considerable damage was done to this road by Air Ministry contractors in 1939, if he will arrange for a complete review of all the evidence and instruct his area officials to negotiate a settlement of this claim satisfactory to all the parties concerned.

This claim, which was not made until August, 1947, relates to a road which available evidence shows has not been used by Air Ministry contractors' traffic since 1940. No complaint appears to have been made at the time, and the evidence as to the use made of the road by the contractors or by the R.A.F. in 1938 and 1939 suggests that it was not such as to occasion damage. In these circumstances, my Department cannot admit the claim.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he has now considered the correspondence sent to him relating to the deduction from the war pension and children's allowance of Jack Gray, D.C.M., of 7, Church Street, Thorne, Doncaster, of the whole or part of the £20 paid to him as a gratuity in connection with the citation of his gallantry in 1945, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal; and if he will now cancel the debt claimed to be owing by this ex-soldier.

My Department, on awarding Mr. Gray a disablement pension, was asked by the Service Department to pay him in addition a pension of 6d. a day in lieu of the gratuity of £20 already paid to him in respect of his Distinguished Conduct Medal. It is the practice in such cases to withhold the additional pension until the gratuity has been recovered. Last month Mr. Gray became eligible for arrears of child's allowance and, I regret to say that without consulting him, part of these arrears was withheld in order to wipe out the amount of the gratuity remaining unrecovered and so enable the additional pension to be put into payment forthwith instead of later. In view of a complaint from Mr. Gray, the arrears of child's allowance have been paid to him and payment of the additional pension has been postponed until 6th July next when the gratuity will have been fully recovered. A full explanation had already been sent to Mr. Gray before I received the hon Member's letter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will give a list showing how the £321,799 spent in the last financial year by the British Overseas Airways Corporation on the charter of aircraft and crews was divided up amongst the various companies who supplied such service.

No. This is a matter of management for the Corporation.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is a serious shortage of needles for glove-making machines, particularly those of the self-threading type; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy the situation.

My information is that there is no general shortage of these needles. There may possibly be temporary local shortages owing to distribution difficulties, and I am looking into the case of which the hon. Member has let me have details and will write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much coal is allocated for the needs of the three Armed Services and for the Service supply industries.

The average weekly tonnage of coal available from current deliveries and stock withdrawals to the three Armed Services during the period 3rd November, 1947–1st May, 1948, is as follows: Admiralty, 11,460 tons; War Office, 14,460 tons; Air Ministry, 7,800 tons. I regret that it is not possible to supply figures showing the quantities of coal allocated for the needs of the industries which supply the Services. Coal is allocated to them on the basis of their overall requirements and it is not possible to distinguish between coal used for the production of supplies for the Services and supplies for the civil population.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) if he will now make some concession to meet the special difficulties caused by the reduction of petrol allowances to general practitioners in large rural areas, as exemplified in the case submitted to him; (2) if he is aware that general practitioners in rural areas cannot do their work under present petrol rationing as exemplified in the case submitted to him, in which a general practitioner requiring 600 units for this period was granted by the local fuel office 108 units, increased on repeated application, and again increased on the intervention of a Member of Parliament, but is still short of his minimum requirement; and as his patients are not getting proper medical attention, if he will revise the rationing for areas so situated.

Medical practitioners are allowed sufficient petrol to meet their essential requirements, and where cases of difficulty arise, arrangements have been made for the regional petroleum officer to be advised by a medical liaison officer, nominated by the B.M.A. The case that the hon. Member has in mind falls into this category and has been referred to the medical liaison officer. I will write to the hon. Member about it as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why two supplementary petrol allowances cannot be given for the same car if it is used by two people for two different purposes.

In general, control can only be properly maintained over petrol consumption if the allowance for a car is granted to one person only. But if the hon. Member has in mind any case where hardship has resulted from the application of this rule I will have inquiries made.