asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to reduce the delays in dealing with claims for extra clothing coupons to replace both clothing and household linen lost by fire or other means, he will deal with such claims on one application form and not on several, as is at present the rule.

I am not aware of any general delay in dealing with these claims. The procedure was simplified to some extent on 1st January and we hope shortly to be able to simplify it still further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of sisal, the property of his Department, have been stored in Tanganyika for more than six months; and how many tons have been already lost by rotting.

On the latest information I have received there are about three months' stocks with the sisal estates on the Tanganyika central line on which there has been some congestion. The situation, however, is rapildy improving. I have no information to support the suggestion that many tons have been already lost by rotting, and no reports of this have been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of flowers are being imported from France at the present time.

Imports of flowers in December were 16,957 lbs. weight valued at £6,781, but imports are normally much larger in the first three months of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) on what grounds guidance has been given by his Department to the Working Committee of the Federation of British Industries dealing with advertising expenditure, to the effect that the Committee should seek to obtain cuts of the order of one-third in the advertising of rationed and luxury goods, goods in short supply, and entertainment; and whether he will make a further statement with regard to this matter;(2) whether he proposes to give any guidance to the Working Committee of the Federation of British Industries now studying advertising expenditure, on the precise objectives which he desires that Committee to achieve; and what steps will be taken to make these objectives known to those organisations which are concerned with advertising, and which are not represented on this Committee.

My Department has given no formal guidance to the Working Committee of the Federation of British Industries on the nature or degree of cuts in advertising which they should seek to obtain, though there has been an informal exchange of views between officials of my Department and of the Federation. Should the Working Committee at any time require guidance from my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer or myself, we shall be happy to give it. No doubt the Working Committee will see that suitable publicity is given at the proper time to any arrangements that may be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a number of bodies vitally concerned with advertising are not represented on the Committee called by the Federation of British Industries, to ascertain whether a voluntary scheme can take the place of the advertising proposals originally contained in the Finance Bill; and whether he is prepared to receive independent evidence from such bodies in this connection.

No. I am informed that the main national organisations concerned with advertising are represented on the Working Committee set up by the Federation of British Industries. It would be impracticable for the Committee to include representatives of all the sectional organisations concerned with advertising, but the Federation stated in the Press on 24th December, 1947, that the planning sub-committee appointed to formulate proposals would welcome representations from other bodies. In the circumstances I am satisfied that there is no need for me to receive independent evidence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what investigations have been made and action taken to utilise papyrus and urn suf grass from the Sudd areas of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan for paper making.

Laboratory tests to determine the possibility of using Sudan papyrus and urn soof grasses for the production of pulp and paper have been carried out by the Imperial Institute from time to time in the course of the past 20 years. These tests indicate that Sudan sudd grasses can be used as a paper and board raw material. A report dated August, 1930, states that the Sudan papyrus produced a well digested pulp yielding a pale brown paper of excellent strength and quality. The pulp bleached readily producing a white paper of similar character and high quality. Only one mill test has been carried out on the initiative of the Sudan Government when merchantable paper was produced from a consignment of about 10 tons of dried papyrus. In its raw state papyrus would be used in the United Kingdom by those mills normally pulping esparto and homegrown straw, and so long as supplies of these materials are adequate, as they are at present, it is unlikely that the mills will be prepared to use any alternative materials unless it is commercially economic. Supplies of papyrus pulp would be welcome if prices were reasonable, but so far no serious consideration has been given to the possibility of large-scale pulping operations in Africa. The cost of freight and local climatic conditions would have a considerable bearing on the matter. Papyrus is now being used in Uganda for the production of building board and interest in this raw material has been in the past shown by the French Equatorial Africa Authorities and by the Palestine Government. The whole question of using African grasses as paper and board raw material is now under consideration by the Primary Products Committee, which has been set up by the Colonial Office as the authority chiefly interested as regards British Territories in Africa.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the abolition of the basic petrol ration may result in a loss of dollars consequent on the decrease in tourist traffic caused thereby; and what estimate the Treasury has made as to the amount of dollars which will be so lost in a full year as compared with the amount which might have been expected to be earned but for the abolition.

I have no reason to believe that we will lose any dollars on this account in the coming year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the estimated sterling equivalent of the cost in hard currency of restoring the basic petrol ration and removing the restrictions on foreign travel.

At current prices the cost in dollars of restoring the basic petrol ration would be rather over £9 million per annum. The hard currency cost of any future tourist travel would depend entirely on the conditions of relaxation of the existing ban.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to state the quantities of steel to be exported in 1948; and to which countries.

Trade negotiations with the Dominions, Colonies and foreign countries are in constant progress and it is not therefore possible to give a precise answer to the question. I anticipate that it will be necessary to export about 1,000,000 tons of steel in all during 1948, of which some will go to most countries in the world.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the recent decision to reduce the allocation of steel for shipbuilding is likely to cause severe unemployment in Belfast; and whether he will reconsider his decision with regard to this particular shipyard.

The sub-allocation of steel to particular shipyards is administered by my noble Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty. He is, I know, well aware of the importance of the shipbuilding programme in Belfast and will, in allocating the steel available for merchant shipbuilding, pay full regard to the position there.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the serious shortage of half-crowns and florins in circulation; what are the causes of the shortage; and what steps are being taken to overcome it.

I am not aware that half-crowns and florins are particularly scarce; but on the general question of currency supplies, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave on 20th January to my hon. Friends the Members for Leek (Mr. Harold Davies) and Lowestoft (Mr. Edward Evans).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how far he has examined the question of a change in the note issue; and if he will make a statement.

Changes in the design of Bank of England notes have occurred in the past, and changes may occur in the future, but an outstanding note issue of £1,400 million could not, of course, be replaced either soon or suddenly. It is perhaps unnecessary to add that under no circumstances would the old notes lose their value. When notes are withdrawn from circulation it is the invariable practice of the Bank of England to pay the full face value of any note presented to them. I can conceive of no circumstances in which the Bank would fail to discharge their obligation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the provisions for assessing requisitioning rental compensation under Section 2 (1) (a) of the Compensation (Defence) Act, 1939, no longer represent a fair assessment of expenses of property ownership and maintenance; and if he will seek powers to bring the provisions into line with present day requirements.

I would refer the hon. Member to Clauses 6 to 8 of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that on 10th December, 1947, representations were made by the Sandown-Shanklin Urban District Council to the War Damage Commission in connection with the restoration and redevelopment of the Shanklin Esplanade for essential information required by the district valuer for his report on the valuation of the properties and sites on the esplanade; that this information is still not available; and as the delay is holding up progress in preparing particulars for consultation with the Ministry of Town and Country Planning, if he will ensure that essential information of this kind is provided with the least possible delay.

I regret that I cannot undertake to answer questions about individual war damage cases, but I have asked the War Damage Commission to let the hon. and gallant Member know the position as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what grounds temporary civil servants who have served an aggregate of seven years in the Armed Forces and in the Civil Service are not granted a gratuity on redundancy; and whether he will authorise the grant to such men of a gratuity based only on the period of service in the Civil Service.

Under Section 1 of the Superannuation Act, 1946, they are at present eligible for a gratuity under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887. The amount depends on the total length of service, both military and civil, except that account will not be taken of military service reckoned for the grant of Army, Navy or Air Force non-effective pay.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what the cost of Government advertising was during the months of November and December last.

The cost by the Central Office of Information and His Majesty's Stationery Office on behalf of Government Departments, and by the Ministry of Food and the National Savings Committee, both of which have separate arrangements, amounted to £418,330.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware how seriously the abolition of the basic petrol ration, in view of the limited public transport services available, is interfering with and depressing life in country districts; and whether, in order to restore vigour and activity, and in fairness to those who live and work in the country, he will consider the early restoration of a basic ration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the hardship caused to many by the abolition of the basic petrol ration, the injury to trade and industry, including hotels, the effect on dollar income from overseas tourists, the dissatisfaction with the granting of supplementary petrol rations and the cost in money and manpower of administration, he will now announce when a basic petrol ration will be restored.

I am aware of the many disadvantages resulting from the withdrawal of the basic petrol ration, but I regret that it is not possible at present to consider its reintroduction.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the revised estimate of the net dollar saving resulting from the abolition of the basic petrol ration; what is the additional cost of its administration; and what is the loss to the revenue.

With regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Philips Price). The additional cost of administering the petrol rationing scheme is equivalent to approximately £120,000 a year. I am informed that the loss to the Customs of a cut of 1 million tons in motor spirit consumption would be approximately £11 million. The loss of motor vehicle duties for the current financial year cannot yet be finally estimated, since it depends largely on the number of licences taken out this month, but it may be about £8 million.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he has issued instructions to regional petroleum officers to limit petrol allowances for weekend journeys of 120 miles a month; and whether he will permit them to exercise discretion to grant a higher allowance in reasonable cases.

Because there is a limit to the amount of petrol which we can allow for such purposes.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the average time required by his Department to deal with applications for E or S petrol coupons forwarded by Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents and made direct to regional petroleum officers by the individuals concerned, respectively.

I regret that I cannot give the information asked for without an analysis of the very large number of applications received, involving an expenditure of time and effort which could not be justified at present. I am glad to assure the hon. Member, however, that the delay in dealing with applications has now been very much reduced.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why petrol is made available to enable professional footballers to reach fixtures which cannot be reached by public transport although amateur players are denied a similar privilege.

An allowance of petrol is granted to a professional footballer when this is necessary to enable him to carry on his profession. The reasons why a more generous attitude cannot be adopted towards amateur players are given in a recently published official leaflet of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that regional petroleum officers have not yet received any instructions regarding the issue of petrol coupons for lawn mowers this summer; and if he will give an assurance that allowances will be granted for this purpose.

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why, in determining the allocation of boiler fuel to non-industrial premises for the period 1st November, 1947, to 30th April, 1948, stocks, accumulated at such premises as a result of saving during the preceding period, are taken into account; and whether, with a view to encouraging economies, he will direct that such stocks shall be ignored.

Supplies of coke, to which I think the hon. Member must be referring, appeared likely to become dangerously short during the winter; moreover the level of stocks held by different establishments was uneven. Unless in accordance with normal practice, stocks had been taken into account in working out the winter allocations, a severe cut would have had to be imposed on supplies to all such premises, which would have led to serious hardship in many cases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether he will now confirm the production figures of high grade motor spirit, benzole, of 103 million gallons from the gas and coke oven industry during 1943; if the Government will set a target of 100 million gallons for 1948; and whether the gas and coke oven industries will be encouraged to improve on these previous figures with a view to the consumption in this country of home produced fuel in order to effect a saving of imported petrol;(2) whether, in view of the maintenance of the coal output production figures, and with a view to the restoration of the basic petrol ration, the Government will consider bringing into use again the plants installed during the war for the extraction of benzole from gas produced by coal carbonisation.

The amount of motor benzole produced in 1943 was not 103 million gallons but 54 million. Production in 1947 was 44 million gallons and some increase in 1948 is expected from the additional amount of coal to be carbonised at the coke ovens. Owing to the shortage of carbonising capacity the scope for increased production of benzole at gas works is extremely limited and in any case neither the coal carbonising capacity nor the benzole recovery plant is available for the production of 100 million gallons in 1948.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power by what authority electricity undertakings restrict the consumption of electricity by owners of new houses and new occupiers of old houses to appliances using 500 watts and under.

There is no general restriction but I understand that where the lines and transformers are likely to be overloaded consumers have been asked not to connect apparatus which makes a heavy demand on the supply system.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he proposes to abolish Pool petrol shortly; and if he will make a statement on the future of the Petroleum Board.

The distribution of a standard grade of petrol must continue while the Petroleum Board remains in existence. Arrangements thereafter must depend on the circumstances prevailing at the date of its dissolution—which has not yet been settled.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power with which football pool companies he has made arrangements for the distribution of a Ministry of Fuel circular entitled "Put it Out," and containing a New Year resolution to save fuel and a calendar for 1948; how many copies have been distributed; what is the amount of paper involved; and whether in view of the shortage of paper he will discontinue this circular.

This is one of a number of leaflets being distributed by Gas and Electricity Undertakings, the 594 local committees and other voluntary and public bodies supporting the National Fuel Saving appeal. Four million copies were distributed by Littlewoods and Bonds Pools involving four-and-a-half tons of paper. It is not proposed to reprint the leaflets.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power by how much will generating capacity and power stations be increased by 1950; and what percentage increase this represents of the plans made by the Central Electricity Board.

The net increase in generating capacity during the period 1948–50 inclusive should be about 3,750,000 kilowatts. This represents nearly 80 per cent. of the increase planned by the Central Electricity Board.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he anticipates any further rises in the cost of coal during the next six months.

I would not venture to prophesy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power in how many years since 1900 have the statistics for coal output been based on a 53-week year.

The annual figures of coal production published in the Statistical Digest are based on a strict calendar year from 1st January to 31st December, and the figure for 1947, which will in due course be published, will be on this basis. The programming of coal supplies which has to be done on a weekly basis was only started during the war. The period taken for each year up to 1946 was 52 weeks, but in 1947 this would have resulted in the year ending on 27th December. Accordingly 1947 was treated as a 53-week year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the hardship caused to consumers in the Edinburgh area due to the high percentage of stone supplied to them in their coal allocations; and what steps are being taken by the National Coal Board to remedy this state of affairs.

I am not aware of any special quality difficulties in the Edinburgh area, but if the hon. Member would forward to me details of the cases he has in mind, I will have them investigated. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Chairman of the National Coal Board on 22nd December, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many prosecutions are being initiated by his Department against purchases of coal from a miner's coal allowance.

Prosecutions for alleged offences relating to the disposal of mineworkers' coal are pending in ten cases.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many ponies and horses are working in each district down coalmines; how many inspectors are employed; how many accidents, casual and fatal, have occurred during each of the last five years; in view of the pressure to produce more coal, if he is satisfied that every effort is being taken to safeguard their interests; and what steps are taken for the supervision of their welfare.

As the information involves a very long statistical statement, I am sending my hon. Friend the figures of horses employed and accidents which have occurred in each district during the past five years. There are seven full-time Horse Inspectors of Mines, and other members of the Mines Inspectorate spend part of their time in looking into the care of the horses and their working conditions. I am satisfied that the care and treatment which these animals receive and the conditions under which they work continue to be satisfactory generally, and that all reasonable and practicable efforts are being made to safeguard their interests.As my hon. Friend knows, the care and treatment and working conditions of pit ponies are strictly regulated by the Coal Mines Act, 1911, and cases of cruelty or ill-treatment can be punished uncle; the Protection of Animals Act, 1911. These provisions are rigidly enforced by the Mines Inspectors, and all complaints received in the Ministry are promptly and thoroughly investigated.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the proportion of actual coal-getters to the total manpower employed in the coalmines of Great Britain; and what are the similar figures for 1920, 1930 and 1940.

At the end of 1945 and 1946, the only years for which figures are available, actual coal-getters as defined for the purpose of the Ministry's Statistical Digest constituted 20.6 and 20.4 per cent. respectively of the total labour force. The hon. Member will no doubt appreciate, however, that the definition excludes many types of workers engaged on vital operations at the coal face.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the total cost of coal-getters' wages expressed in terms of cost per ton of coal available for sale.

I regret that information concerning the category of workers known as coal-getters is not available. The only information available relates to the costs of wages per ton of coal for all workers, surface and underground. For the second quarter 1947, the figure was 26s. 4d. per ton of saleable coal (including holiday pay and allowances in kind).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to introduce legislation to enable maintenance orders obtained in English Courts to be enforced against Scotsmen domiciled in Scotland.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question by the hon. Member for West Edinburgh (Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchison) on 30th October.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a committee has yet been set up to consider proposals made by the Lord Chief Justice for alteration in the procedure of the taking of depositions in criminal cases; and whether he has yet received a report from this committee.

I have decided to appoint a Committee to inquire into the existing practice with regard to the taking of depositions in criminal cases and I hope very shortly to be in a position to announce its membership and terms of reference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has given to local authorities regarding the appointment of children's officers; and how many local authorities have so far made such appointments.

A circular was sent to local authorities on 1st September referring to the Prime Minister's statement in Parliament on 24th March last and commending to authorities the appointment of Children's Officers; guidance was given as to the duties attaching to the post and the qualifications to be looked for in candidates. Advice about the qualifications of candidates has since been given to a number of local authorities at their request. Thirteen authorities are known to have appointed Children's Officers, and some 25 others have appointments in train or under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now advise some remission of the sentences of penal servitude imposed on a number of members of the Irish Republican Army in 1939.

These cases are reviewed from time to time in accordance with the practice in the cases of all persons sentenced to long terms of penal servitude, and I shall not fail to take into account anything which tells in favour of advancing the date of an individual prisoner's release on licence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the individual daily potato ration of the female detainees at Aylesbury Prison; whether the detainees eat their total ration; and to what extent the ration has been reduced since the introduction of potato rationing to the public.

On the introduction of potato rationing the daily allowance of potatoes for women convicts in Aylesbury Prison was reduced from 1 lb. 8 oz. to 1 lb. 4 oz. There is no waste. With this extra allowance of potatoes the calorific value of the diet for women prisoners is 2,510 as against an average of 2,700 for the whole population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent the police forces are below establishment; and what steps he is taking to stimulate recruiting so as to bring the police forces up to strength.

The police forces of England and Wales were on 31st December, 1947, 13,733 short of the authorised establishment. The rate of recruitment depends to some extent on local factors, but amongst the measures to stimulate recruitment which have been or are being undertaken on a national scale are a national advertising campaign and the dispatch of recruiting missions to the Fighting Services in various parts of the world and, more recently, a mission to the Palestine police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the existence of an Arab organisation in London collecting names of men willing to volunteer for service with the Arabs in Palestine against the Jewish community; and what steps he is taking to prevent this recruitment.

I shall be glad to have any information which the hon. Member may have about the organisation to which he refers.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many hospitals are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain blood donors for blood transfusion services; what is the cause of this shortage; and what steps is he taking to overcome it.

Apart from isolated cases I am not aware that hospitals have experienced difficulty in meeting their needs.The following are the figures: In the first three quarters of 1947 the estimated effective strength of donor panels rose by nearly 40, from 267,000 to 369,000 and the response of donors to calls rose from 36 per cent. to 41 per cent. Enough blood is being obtained, but to reach our aim of not calling on donors more than twice a year 163,000 more are needed.

asked the Minister of Health approximately what is the cost of single analgesic apparatus as compared with other apparatus for a similar purpose; to what extent specialists in his Department have considered the respective merits of different methods of whole or partial anaethesia in confinement; and what steps are being taken to secure more rapid production, distribution and training.

I am not clear what comparison my hon. Friend has in mind. Portable apparatus approved for use by midwives costs £20 to £25. Midwives use apparatus and methods approved by the Central Midwives Board on the advice of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Production and distribution of apparatus are satisfactory. Two hundred and twenty institutions have been approved for training midwives in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the serious shortage of materials and instruments used in dentistry; and whether, having regard to the small dollar cost relative to the need, he will permit increased imports from U.S.A.

I am not aware of any serious shortage. If the hon. Member cares to give me more detail I will gladly look into it. Imports from U.S.A. are approved so far as needed to maintain essential supplies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in view of the serious shortage of nurseries, numbers of private nurseries are now being opened; and whether he will take powers to enable local authorities to inspect all privately-owned nurseries regularly.

I am aware that some private nurseries are being opened. Residential nurseries in which the minding and maintenance of children apart from their parents is undertaken for reward are already subject to inspection, under the Public Health Act, 1936. Private day nurseries, however, are not so covered, and I have noted the hon. Member's suggestion for consideration when a suitable opportunity arises.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that British tubercular patients in sanatoria abroad are required to submit two doctors' certificates, a full-size X-ray plate, and the sum of four guineas every three months in order to apply for funds to continue their treatment; and as this constitutes a burden on patients abroad, if he will make arrangements to refund the four guineas to applicants whose X-rays show serious illness and to those whose applications have been granted.

I am not aware of these difficulties, but if the hon. Member will send me particulars I will look into the position.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will now give the Daventry Rural District Council permission to erect 127 Airey or traditional houses for agricultural workers.

The Council were authorised in October to go to tender for 50 traditional houses which should he sufficient to secure continuity having regard to the number of houses already under construction.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the need for expansion in accordance with the Greater London Plan, he will issue licences for the building of their workers' houses by the Watford and St. Albans Gas Company in St. Albans.

I regret that the restrictions which it has been necessary to impose on the building of houses by private builders, cannot be relaxed in favour of this Company, the needs of whose workers will, I am assured, be sympathetically considered by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an estimate of the total number of new houses and flats required.

An estimate of total needs must include houses required for replacement of unfit houses as well as for families without a separate home of their own and I am not in a position to make such an estimate at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the rural district councils will be able this year to provide 25,000 new houses for the additional farm workers needed to carry through the programme of increased food production.

The number of houses required for farm workers in 1948 will be determined by the rate of recruitment of new workers to the industry and the actual demand for houses from existing and prospective workers. Local authorities have been asked to give special consideration to agricultural needs in allocating tenancies.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that many working class homes are in a dilapidated condition as a result of the position that, in spite of notices from the sanitary inspector, the landlord and his builder claim that they are unable to obtain building materials, he will take steps to enable local authorities to buy such building materials in bulk, and store them, both for their own use and for supplying private landlords, in order that these dilapidations can be made good.

Under the revised Priority Distribution Scheme now in operation, a local authority has power to issue a certificate granting a building owner priority in obtaining materials for urgent repairs required by a statutory notice. I think this scheme should meet the purpose.

asked the Minister of Health whether local authorities have in the main responded to the suggestion in the memorandum accompanying his Department's Circular (160/47), for an increase in the proportion of the retention money payable on practical completion of houses.

Information as to the action taken by local authorities is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will ensure that whenever a local housing authority has to acquire allotments as a building site an alternative allotment site will be made available.

Where it is necessary to disturb allotment holders every effort is made to ensure that alternative allotment sites are available.

asked the Minister of Health what was the total number of applicants for new houses on the official waiting lists of local authorities in Wales, on 31st December, 1947, or the nearest date for which this information is available.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) on 30th October last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that local authorities frequently insist upon architects' drawings being submitted, and on a special type of paper, when application is made by private persons for permission to have houses erected; that plans drawn up by such persons themselves are generally not accepted by local authorities; and whether he will instruct local authorities that architects' drawings are not essential, provided that other satisfactory drawings are submitted.

No. Local authorities are not empowered under their building bye-laws to require that plans should be drawn by an architect, or on a special type of paper. If the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind and will give me details I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Health what will be the increased rent to be charged for an average three-bedroomed house as a result of the increased rate of interest to be paid by local authorities from 2½ per cent. to 3 per cent.

Local authorities are not required to increase the rents of their houses in consequence of the increase of the rate of interest on loans from 2½ to 3 per cent., which represents an increase of 7s. 6d. in the annual loan charges on £100 on a 60 year basis. I would refer the hon. Member to Section 85 (5) of the Housing Act, 1936.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation in the near future to empower a local authority to pay compensation to small shopkeepers who are not freeholders or leaseholders, and who are displaced as a result of housing operations under Part 5 of the Housing Act, 1936.

The point has been noted for consideration in connection with future housing legislation, but I cannot say when such legislation will be introduced.

asked the Minister of Health what recommendation he made to local authorities following the interim report of the Consultative Committee on publicity for local government.

None. The attention of local authorities will no doubt have been drawn to the report by the publicity it received and by their associations, who are represented on the Committee.

asked the Minister of Health how many county councils and county boroughs now permit daily visits to their public assistance institutions, as recommended in Ministry of Health Circular 49/47, paragraph 7; and how many authorities allow residents of these institutions to wear their own clothes, as recommended in the same circular, paragraph 8.

I have, so far, been informed by 43 of the 62 county councils in England and Wales, and 37 of the 75 county borough councils that they allow daily visits to their public assistance institutions, and by 38 county councils and 57 county borough councils that they permit residents to wear their own clothes. Some local authorities still have these matters under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to issue a statement on the new Health and Unemployment Scheme which is coming into force in July, in order to ensure that all members of the public, including insured employees, uninsured employees, employers of labour, the small self-employed and those who do not work for gain, are fully aware of their position and what steps they have to take under the scheme.

Yes, my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Insurance and I propose to take steps at the appropriate time to make sure that all concerned are aware of their position under the scheme.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that many doctors who find it necessary to replace their worn-out motor cars are unable to obtain new ones, although ordered over two years ago; and if he will now grant them equal priority with the export trade in view of their essential service to the general public.

I regret that it is not possible to increase the supply of motorcars to the home market at the expense of exports. The motor industry is, however, honouring its undertaking to give as much preference as possible to the delivery of cars ordered by doctors.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools in Shropshire provide fresh milk from attested herds; how many provide fresh pasteurised milk; how many provide fresh milk of other kinds; how many provide processed milk, dried or tinned; and how many provide no milk.

Under the Milk in Schools Scheme, 140 schools in Shropshire provide fresh milk from attested herds, 153 provide fresh pasteurised milk and 85 provide fresh milk of other kinds; 13 schools provide processed milk and one provides none.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools in Shropshire have made arrangements for children to draw their school milk allowance during the holidays.

There are no arrangements in Shropshire for children to attend at schools or holiday milk centres to drink milk in the holidays under the Milk in Schools Scheme. I understand that the authority have received no indication of a demand for such facilities and their provision, without an effective demand, would result in milk being wasted.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools in Shropshire are now equipped to provide meals cooked on the premises; how many receive meals from mobile canteens or other sources; and how many provide no midday meals.

One hundred and thirteen schools or departments in Shropshire served dinners cooked on the premises and 119 receive dinners from central kitchens; 102 have no supply at present, but new canteens nearing completion should serve 20 of these this term and, during the year, it is hoped to supply a further 40 schools.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the growing shortage of teachers in Monmouthshire and the difficulty of finding suitable individuals with the necessary experience and qualifications to fill posts in spite of their being widely advertised, particularly in special subjects; and what steps are being taken to obtain suitable men and women and train more students to undertake these duties.

There is no general shortage of teachers in this area. My Department is at present exploring various possibilities for increasing training facilities for non-graduate specialists, in particular a suggestion that one of the Emergency Colleges in Wales should be used for this purpose when it is no longer needed for the Emergency Training Scheme. University developments now in progress will have a substantial effect on the supply of graduate teachers of all kinds.

asked the Minister of Education how many applications have been received by his Department for a one-year course for uncertificated teachers under Circular 114; how many have been approved; and what degree of importance his Department attaches to these courses.

One thousand nine hundred and ninety four uncertificated teachers have applied for a special one-year course of training under Circular 114 and have been informed that they are prima facie eligible. I am satisfied that these courses will be of great benefit to the teachers who attend them, and through them to the children of the schools in which they are employed.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that Addendum No. 7 (12th January, 1948), to Administrative Memorandum (4th November, 1941), which notifies local education authorities that in order to qualify for canteen facilities youth clubs and organisations must be able to show a membership of which not less than 90 per cent. consists of persons up to and including the age of twenty years, will militate against the success of many genuine youth organisations, particularly Young Farmers' Clubs, in rural districts where no effective youth service is possible unless the age limit is fixed at 25 or even 30; and whether he will withdraw this ruling.

The instruction in question was agreed between my Department and the Ministry of Food. The nutritional needs of growing boys and girls are the sole justification for the special canteen facilities available to youth clubs sponsored by local education authorities. These facilities provide a special allowance of food intended for the benefit of youth only and it would not be possible to justify granting them to clubs with more than a nominal adult membership.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that there is a shortage of supplies of pens, pencils, nibs, rulers and rubbers available for the schools; and if he will take action to remedy this.

I am aware of the shortages of pens, pencils and pen nibs and I have taken action to secure larger supplies. I have no evidence of any general shortage of rulers or rubbers, but if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars I will go into the matter.

asked the Minister of Education how many of the 753 schools black-listed by the Board of Education in 1943 are still in use; whether it is his intention to continue using these; how many are to be rebuilt or repaired in 1948; and at what expense.

No black list was prepared by the Board of Education in 1943. Under the Education Act, 1944, local education authorities have to specify in their development plans the measures necessary to bring all school buildings up to the standard laid down in the Building Regulations and by this means it is my intention to secure a progressive improvement in school accommodation generally.

asked the Minister of Education what grants he proposes to make in place of the F.E.T. Grants to assist young people with the necessary ability but not the financial resources to obtain a university education.

Direct grants for University students are available from my Department in the form of State Scholarships, Supplemental Awards to holders of Open Scholarships and Open Exhibitions, and grants under the Training of Teachers Regulations. In addition, local education authorities have wide powers to give scholarships, and their expenditure on this service is recognised by me for grant purposes. I am considering in consultation with local authorities and teachers as well as the University authorities what changes and extensions are desirable.

asked the Minister of Education whether he intends to raise the grants for University students.

My Department's grants to University students are based on figures arrived at after consultation with the Scholarship Committees of the various Universities. They are normally reviewed every three years. They were increased to the present figures in 1946 and would normally be reconsidered in the spring of 1949.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the rejection of the Harrison-Hubbard plan for the rebuilding of Malta by the Maltese Government; and what assurance can be given that the money voted by the Imperial Parliament for that rebuilding will be so spent.

I have seen Press reports to the effect that certain central features of the Harrison-Hubbard plan for the rebuilding of Malta have not found favour with the Maltese Ministry; but I have no official information on this matter, which is within the competence of the local legislature. With regard to the second part of the Question the money voted to Malta by the Imperial Parliament was for the general purpose of making good war damage and reconstruction, and was in no way conditional upon the implementation of the Harrison-Hubbard plan, excellent as this is agreed to be. The usual accounting safeguards will be found in Section 2 of the Malta (Reconstruction) Act, 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Colonial postage stamps sold by the Crown Agents for the Colonies to dealers in this country during each of the last three years; and the total amounts received during each of the last three years from such sales.

The following are the statistics required:

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has considered a letter from Mr. A. Gray, of 51, Stenhouse Street, Cowdenbeath, sent to him on 24th December, 1947, regarding inadequate compensation scales for miners; and what was his reply.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the reply sent by my Department to Mr. Gray's letter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that certain districts in Devon were without train services for two days during Christmas, and in those areas where there is no bus service, this prevented families getting together for Christmas; and if he will ensure that in future, no such country district is without a train service for more than one day during the Christmas holiday period.

Traffic on a few branch lines in Devon had been so small on previous Christmas and Boxing Days that the railway companies decided that in view of the need to conserve fuel there was no justification for providing services. Christmastide services next year will be a matter for the British Transport Commission and I have drawn their attention to the hon. Member's question.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the Regional Transport Commissioner has instructed the East Kent Road Car Company to cancel the priority certificates issued to certain key workers, such as post office personnel; and what is the reason for the cancellation.

As the bus services of the East Kent Road Car Company have been considerably strengthened since the priority scheme was first introduced, the Regional Transport Commissioner has notified the company that priority certificates should be discontinued at the end of this month. Representations against the discontinuance of the scheme will be dealt with at a public sitting at Canterbury on 27th January when applications by the East Kent Road Car Company for road service licences will be heard.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of unemployed ex-Service officers at the present time; and how this figure compares with the total number of unemployed males.

On 8th December, 1947, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of male ex-officers of the three Services registered with the Appointments Department as unemployed was 5,782. At the same date the total number of males registered as unemployed was:12,901 with the Appointments Department, and 204,305 with local offices.