asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a list of those industries and commercial pursuits from which new entrants are excluded by reason of allocations of raw materials, rights to trade or supplies being dependent upon performance at some date in the past.

No. The information requested is not readily available in suitable form and a number of Departments other than the Board of Trade are concerned. If, however, the hon. Member has in mind any particular industries or commercial activities which come within my field of responsibility, I shall be glad to give him information about the practice in those industries regarding new entrants.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why coupons are demanded from parents of school children, for shoes distributed to them through the British Red Cross, and sent to this country as a free gift by the American Red Cross.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on 20th January to a similar Question by the hon. Member for South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that as a result of the present embargo on the export of books from Eire into Northern Ireland, Catholic schools in Northern Ireland are deprived of necessary text books; and if he will make suitable arrangements in this special case.

There is no embargo on the export of books from Eire. Imports of books into any part of the United Kingdom are, however, subject to the grant of import licences. Children's educational books published for use in schools are already licensed freely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to provide a larger supply of glass preserving jars particularly in the smaller sizes for the 1948 fruit crop.

I regret that, because of the shortage of soda ash, glass containers must still be scarce for some time to come, but the industry is doing what it can to step up the output of domestic preserving jars, which in 1947 was considerably greater than that of 1946 and almost ten times that of the last year before the war.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of tractor tyres especially in Scotland and what percentage of total production was represented by the quantities supplied during 1947 for export and for the home market respectively.

There is still some delay in meeting replacement demands for tractor tyres, but the number of tyres supplied increased from 16,573 in the first quarter of 1947 to 40,683 in the fourth quarter, and further increases are planned for 1948. All available supplies are distributed throughout Great Britain as evenly as possible. Of the total tractor tyre production in 1947, approximately 67 per cent. was supplied as original equipment for new tractors, 31 per cent. for the replacement needs of the home market and 2 per cent. was exported as tyres.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the ceiling in dollar values under which the imports of any particular commodity or product imported into this country from the United States can qualify as token imports; and what is the basis on which these figures are calculated.

Under the 1947 token import arrangements, each United States manufacturer with a record of prewar trade with the United Kingdom in a token import commodity was permitted to send 20 per cent. by value of his average trade in that commodity in 1936–38.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the American artificial teeth imported into this country between January and November, 1947, and costing 502,072 dollars was re-exported; and what proportion was retained for the home market.

Of the value of licences issued during January-November, 1947, for the import of artificial teeth from the United States, just over half were for total re-export. The remaining licences were issued without any condition of re-export and the goods imported under them may all be retained in the home market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of sails cloth in Cornwall for maintaining sailing vessels; and if he will take steps to improve the position in the interests of maintaining a trained reserve of sea power.

I am not aware of any special shortage of sailcloth in Cornwall, but if the hon. Member will let me have details of any particular case he has in mind I shall be glad to look into the matter.

asked the the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the high quality of paper used in the Government appeal for salvaging, "Valuable Raw Material Wasted"; and whether he will take steps in future to reduce the quality of the paper for similar notices in order to be more in conformity with the wording of the appeal.

This appeal to increase the supplies of waste materials for salvage is part of a National Salvage Campaign. The posters were issued for exhibition in factories. They had, therefore, to be printed on one side only of the card, to be of such a size as would be clearly visible and to be of a fairly durable character. It is unfortunately necessary to use some quantity of paper in a campaign of this kind but the amount used for these cards was only a few hundredweights.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present rate of production of formaldehyde in this country; to what extent home supplies were augmented during 1947 and 1948, respectively, by imports from Germany, United States, and other countries respectively; and what increase in home production and imports is anticipated during 1948.

The present rate of production of formaldehyde is about 6,000 tons per month. During 1938 there were no imports from U.S.A. but 65 tons came from Germany, 347 tons from Belgium and 5 tons from other sources. No supplies were imported during 1947 but home production was greatly in excess of 1938. Production cannot be expanded further until more supplies of methanol are available and this question is being actively pursued. In view of the world shortage of formaldehyde, I do not at present expect any imports from abroad during 1948 though small parcels at high prices may be on offer.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons conducting bookmaker establishments and how many employees of these establishments have registered under the Registration for Employment Order, 1947.

The results of the registration of undertakings under the Registration for Employment Order, 1947, will be available within a few days.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the apprehension which has been caused in holiday resorts by the possible direction of catering workers to other essential work, he is now in a position to announce the circumstances in which hotels and catering establishments will be able to recruit workers for the holiday season.

Every assistance will be given for the recruitment of workers who are not covered by the Control of Engagement Order. For those covered by the Order facilities will in general be given for workers already employed in the hotel and catering industry, or with appreciable experience in it, to transfer to seasonal employment for the holiday season. There must, however, be safeguards for the domestic staffs of hospitals and institutions and of industrial hostels and canteens and for other work which has first preference for the supply of labour. I hope shortly to announce full details of the arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour what arrangements are available for disinfestation at the reception camp for displaced persons at Childs Escall, Shropshire.

The resident medical officer or other officer in charge at all hostels for European Volunteer Workers is responsible for the maintenance of personal hygiene in the hostel. Arrangements exist with the local authorities for the disinfestation, when necessary, of, clothing and bedding and with the Ministry of Works for the disinfestation of premises.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women in North Staffordshire, available for employment, have been unemployed over three months; and what are their normal occupations.

At 8th December, 1947, the latest date for which a detailed analysis by duration of unemployment is available, 1,122 men and 58 women had been registered as unemployed for more than three months at employment exchanges in North Staffordshire. An analysis of these figures by occupation is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bear in mind the case for the repeal of duty on light hydrocarbon oils used for industrial purposes, in his next Budget.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for South Salford (Mr. Hardy) on 27th January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as the schedule of tariff concessions issued with the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiated at Geneva calls for a reduction in the duty on prunes imported into the United Kingdom from non-Empire sources from 10s. 6d. to 7s. per cwt., to take effect on or before 1st September, 1948, and as a note printed under this item states that the products provided for under the above sub-item shall be exempt from ordinary most - favoured - nation Customs duties which exceed the preferential duties on such products, whether it is intended that prunes from Empire sources shall also pay duty at 7s. per cwt. after the date mentioned, thereby involving the elimination of the existing preference; or, in what way this note is to be implemented.

To carry out the agreement the position of Empire and non-Empire prunes must be equated before 1st September next. But I am afraid I cannot indicate how that will be done until my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer makes his Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that tobacco tokens issued to pensioners date from the Monday following the date of lodgment of the application with the postmaster, with the result that, if pension order books are issued with a delay, tobacco tokens are not issued retrospectively, although the pension itself is so issued; and if he will amend this regulation to remove this hardship to the pensioner.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, "Yes." I am considering in consultation with the Departments concerned, the case for an amendment of the regulations, and I will communicate further with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what will be the effect of the cuts in capital expenditure on the new factories now under construction in Wales, including the number which will be abandoned or postponed.

I have been asked to reply. Industrial building projects in progress in Wales number 268, valued approximately at £30½ million. The review of factory building announced in the White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948 (Cmd. 7268, page 12) is not yet completed, but up to date licences have been revoked, and consequently further building postponed, on 11 projects in Wales to a value of just under £300,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that there is an acute shortage of hoops for pilchard half-casks at Looe, Cornwall, and that this shortage is hurtful to our export trade; and if he will take immediate action in this matter.

I have been asked to reply. Hoop iron is in very short supply. I am not aware of any shortage of hoops for pilchard half-casks at Looe, but if the hon. Member will let me have the names of the merchants concerned and their requirements, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the leaflets advocating fuel economy printed by his Department and issued by Littlewoods Pools, were prepared for that firm alone and what expenses were involved; or whether it is intended to afford an opportunity to other pool firms to issue similar leaflets.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 22nd January to the hon. Member for South Blackpool (Mr. R. Robinson). The cost was £965 and no similar offer has been received from any other pool firm.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the use of special buses and other private hire vehicles for carrying spectators to sporting events.

No.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether oil sold by Anglo-Persian and North Borneo Companies to American firms is paid for in sterling or dollars; and, if payment is in dollars, what is the sum involved.

I am informed that payment is sometimes made in sterling and sometimes in dollars. I have no information regarding the dollar receipts resulting from these commercial transactions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he has refused an application by the rector of Holcott for petrol to enable him to perform pastoral work in Scaldwell at the request of the Bishop of the diocese; what is the distinction between the rector's case and that of the vicar of Brixworth, whom the rector, in his capacity as rural dean and sequestrator of the benefice of Old, has instructed to do similar pastoral work at Old and who has been allowed 12 gallons of petrol a month for the purpose; and whether he is now prepared to make an allowance to the rector of Holcott.

In view of the further particulars supplied by the rector of Holcott, an additional allowance is being granted.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what grounds the itinerant photographer who arrives every morning at Trafalgar Square in a large Wolseley car has been granted a supplementary petrol allocation.

To enable him to carry on his business in various parts of London.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that in some districts petrol is allowed for two days' shopping a week, he will instruct regional officers to extend that concession to the districts where it is now only permitted one day a week or not at all.

The instruction to regional petroleum officers is that allowances may he granted for a maximum of two journeys a week to the nearest shopping centre.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that Mrs. Townsend of Lower Park Farm, Caen Hill, Devizes, was granted two gallons of petrol a week for shopping and farm business but was refused permission to use petrol for a driving test; and will he reconsider this decision.

Yes. Permission has now been given to use petrol for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much petrol is sold by this country to countries outside the sterling area; which are they; and what imports are received from them in return.

As to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes) on 20th November. I am giving at the end of this answer a list of the countries concerned. For particulars of imports from these countries, I would refer the hon. Member to the Trade and Navigation Accounts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many motorists received a basic ration of petrol last August and how many motor cyclists; and what was the wholesale ex-duty cost of petrol supplied to meet these basic rations.

Approximately 1,950,000 cars and 520,000 motor cycles had a basic ration for the month of August, 1947; the wholesale ex-duty cost of the petrol supplied for the basic ration in August was approximately—1,230,000.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the quantity of motor fuel authorised for use by hire cars and taxis during the last quarters of 1946 and 1947, respectively, or during similar comparative periods.

During the four months ending 31st December, 1946, 61,923 tons; during the same months in 1947, 62,167 tons.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider granting permits to run motorcars on calor gas, to owners who had their cars so fitted as a result of an official announcement.

Yes, if it can be definitely proved that the conversion was carried out before the 8th January, 1948, on which date it was made clear that the use of calor gas for this purpose would be prohibited.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether there are any restrictions on parties or individuals chartering aircraft for the purpose of flying to attend football matches, race meetings, etc.; and what number of aircraft have been hired for such purposes during the last three months.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend, the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp) on 30th October last. I am advised by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Civil Aviation that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is in a position to give assurances to all firms who at the request of the Government converted the firing of boilers from coal to oil burning that adequate supplies of oil will be available during the next six months; and whether he is aware that difficulties in obtaining sufficient tank storage facilities are preventing, in some cases, sufficient stocks being accumulated.

Yes. Adequate supplies of fuel oil should be available during the next six months for plants which have already been converted to oil firing. I am not aware that tank storage facilities are giving rise to difficulties but if the hon. Member will let me have details, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the total number of cases referred to his Ministry by regional petroleum officers in the United Kingdom during the months of November and December, 1947.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the supply position will now warrant the issue of additional coal to retailers to enable them to honour the supplementary allocations of coal approved by the local fuel overseers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether with the national increase of 20,000 tons of domestic coal per week, Hull merchants are now in a position to make a higher average delivery than the 12½ cwt. per registered consumer, out of the 15 cwt. allocation for the current period, 1st November to 31st January, which they announced was all they anticipated being able to deliver.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, with the recent increase in the allocation of domestic coal, merchants in the London Borough of Wandsworth are now in a position to deliver the 12 cwt. allocation for 1st November to 31st January to registered consumers who have received only 10 cwt. or less, out of their summer allocation of 15 cwt.

As I announced on 17th December the increase in the allocation of domestic coal represents about 3½ per cent. of the previous weekly allocation, and the average delivery per registered consumer should be increased accordingly. The additional coal will be used in the main to meet cases of hardship including in particular those where consumers receive licences for supplementary quantities from local fuel overseers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consult with the National Coal Board with a view to allowing old age pensioners to purchase fixed amounts of coal for their personal use at specially reduced prices.

I regret that such a scheme would not be practicable.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what number of weeks' supply, or other quantity, of domestic coal merchants are required to retain at the end of the fuel year, 30th April; and what plans have been arranged for merchants to dispose of the other reserve stock in their yards during the next allocation period, 1st February to 30th April.

Merchants have been authorised to withdraw from stock to meet current demands within the permitted quantities but care is being taken to ensure that their stocks will not be depleted to an extent which would endanger distribution during the later part of the winter. No minimum end of winter stock levels have been laid down.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give the names of the persons constituting the committee appointed to examine the law of support and the problem of damage caused by mining subsidence; the number of meetings which have been held; whether any evidence has been given to the committee by representatives of local authorities affected by mining subsidence; and when may the committe's report be expected.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given by my predecessor to my hon. Friend the Member for Ince (Mr. T. Brown) on 12th December, 1946, and also to the answer given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Cannock (Miss Lee) on the 14th February, 1947, of which I am sending him copies.The Committee have held twenty-one meetings at which witnesses representing the principal interests affected, and the technical institutions concerned have been examined. In addition, seven private meetings have been held; and the Committee have also visited mining areas in South Wales, Cannock Chase, North Staffordshire, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Fife.Evidence has been given to the Committee by representatives of local authorities in Scotland, and by representatives of local authorities in Lancashire. Representatives of the four local authority associations in England and Wales are to give evidence before the Committee in February. I cannot say at the moment when the Committee will have completed their work.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the poor physical condition of many ponies on their removal from coalmines; what examination takes place to ascertain whether they are fit to continue working down mines; and what provision is made for them after they leave the pits.

The physical condition of pit ponies during the whole of their working life in the mines is safeguarded by the provisions of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, which requires that all ponies must be in the care of properly appointed horse-keepers, who must see that no pony is allowed to work unless it is in a fit condition. It is thus part of the horse-keepers' duties to see that, when any pony, because of age, physical infirmity or other reason, is unfit to carry out its work underground, it should be sent out of the mine. I am satisfied that these requirements are being properly observed and enforced and that ponies are not leaving the mines suffering from the effects of ill-treatment or over-work.With regard to the second part of the Question, it is the practice at most of the larger pits to assist the horse-keeper by means of a regular system of periodical examinations of each pony under his charge by a veterinary surgeon. The last part of the question is a matter for the National Coal Board and I am asking the Board to write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the cost of producing one ton of opencast coal; and what price is charged to the consumer.

The average cost of producing opencast coal for the year to 31st March, 1947, the latest period for which precise information is available, was 27s. 1d. a ton. This includes the removal and replacement of topsoil and overburden and the extraction of the coal. In addition, expenditure in respect of prospecting, royalties and compensation, operation of screening and loading plants and stocking grounds, maintenance and amortization of plant, and establishment charges, is estimated to amount during the same period, to approximately 18s. 7d. a ton, making a total cost of 45s. 8d. a ton. The selling price of opencast coal is related to that of deep-mined coal of similar quality and the average proceeds of sale during the same period were 36s. a ton.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that dairy boiler fuel is not available in Dumfriesshire to meet permits already issued to farmers and that the half anthracite being issued in lieu is unsuitable for the purpose, and what steps he is taking to secure a more adequate supply of the appropriate fuel.

No anthracite or "half anthracite" is being supplied to farmers in Dumfriesshire, and I am not aware of any cases where they are short of supplies or getting fuel of a type unsuitable for their use. If, however, the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any cases within his knowledge, I will take immediate steps to ensure that any reasonable requirements are met.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the amount of cushion coal that has come into Thame, Oxfordshire, in each of the last three months; what proportion of this cushion coal was retained for the use of the coal officer and depot manager; and what proportion was divided between the other retail merchants.

During the three months November, December and January, 13 wagons of cushion coal were received at Thame depot, five during November, six during December and two during January. The district house coal officer and depot manager received one of these wagons in November and two in December, the remaining ten wagons being shared between three other merchants trading from the depot.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of house coal officers and depot managers employed at the present time; and how many of these are also concerned in the retail trade.

The whole-time regional organisation of the House Coal Distribution (Emergency) Scheme comprises 12 regional house coal officers with 11 deputy and 38 assistant house coal officers. These officers have, as a general rule, been selected for whole-time service by virtue of their practical knowledge, experience and standing in the coal distributive trade. The part-time organisation comprises 650 district house coal officers and 4,850 depot managers, all of whom serve in a voluntary capacity and with few exceptions are actively engaged in the trade.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the existing methods of coal distribution are uneconomical, give an undue profit to factors, agents and many other classes of distributor, and result in an excessive price being paid by the consumer relative to pithead prices; and whether he will instruct the National Coal Board to expedite publication of the results of its review of price structure to overhaul distribution methods with a view to securing a lowering of the profits margin between pit-head and coal cellar.

As my hon. Friend will appreciate there are many difficult problems in raising the efficiency of retail distribution which are not all peculiar to coal. I have, however, no reason to believe that excessive profits are at present being obtained by coal distributors, and both wholesale margins and retail prices are, of course, controlled by Order. The National Coal Board are actively engaged on the formidable task of rationalizing the quality and size descriptions of the very numerous grades of coal at present being sold, and of determining proper price relationship between the various grades. Moreover, as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) on 20th November last, the National Coal Board will shortly be opening discussions with distributors on the general question of the Board's relationship with them. I have no doubt that the desirability of reducing distribution costs will figure prominently in these discussions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the names, occupations and qualifications of those persons comprising the committee which advises him on the fixing of retail coal prices.

No Committee has been appointed to advise me specifically on the fixing of retail coal prices. My hon. Friend may have in mind the Advisory Committees appointed under Section 7 of the Retail Coal Prices Order, 1941, in the twelve regions to assist the regional coal officer and to advise him on any matter referred to them by him. These committees consist of representatives of the interests of coal merchants, suppliers of coke, co-operative societies and consumers of coal in the area and of the National Coal Board, and the names, occupations and qualifications of the members of any particular committee in which my hon. Friend is interested can be sent to him if he so desires.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that a laboratory analysis of approximately 18 tons of substance delivered as coal last December to the Prospect Manufacturing Company, Limited, Blackburn, showed a content of 39 per cent. combustible matter, 58 per cent. iron ore and 3 per cent. other matter; that such deliveries to mills are not uncommon; and what reduction in price will be made to consumers in such circumstances.

Yes. I am aware of the particular consignment referred to since it was originally suspected, though wrongly, to have consisted of opencast coal for the production of which my Department is responsible. I gather, however, that the material in question actually came from a colliery whose washery had broken down. No doubt the matter of the price to be charged is being taken up by the recipients if it has not by now been settled with the marketing department of the North Western Divisional Coal Board, in accordance with ordinary commercial practice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what instructions he has given to the National Coal Board concerning a more thorough grading of coal at pit-head and to prevent properly graded coal from being re-graded by factors and retailers for their own profit at the expense of the consumer.

I have given no directions to the National Coal Board on the subject of the preparation of coal at the pit-head, because they are fully aware of the importance of the matter, and are pressing ahead as fast as circumstances permit along lines which have been publicly announced by them. If any distributor, whether as a result of regrading or falsely describing the quality of the coal, sells it at a higher price than that fixed under the Retail Coal Prices Order for the grade to which the coal properly belongs, he is liable to prosecution.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can now state if the scheme of the Stretford Electricity Board, Lancashire, to give a discount to householders if they save at least 10 per cent. electricity has achieved its object; and if he proposes to take steps to extend the scheme to other parts of the country.

The evidence so far available is not sufficient to show whether the scheme has achieved its object.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it was stated in the official announcement to the House on 24th March, 1947, that the existing special responsibilities of the Admiralty and the War Office for orphans of Service men are not to be transferred to the children's department of the Home Office, thus excluding these homeless children from the special safeguards afforded other children deprived of a normal home life.

All the homes in England and Wales in which the Admiralty and the War Office are interested except two are inspected by the Home Office as voluntary homes. The two exceptions (the Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, and the Duke of York's Military School, Dover), are boarding schools and are inspected by the Ministry of Education. The children in them are consequently afforded the same safeguards as children in other similar institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to announce the names of the Standing Advisory Committee, promised in the official statement of 24th March, 1947, to assist the Children's Department at the Home Office in its care of children deprived of a normal home life.

The Children Bill now before Parliament provides for the appointment of an Advisory Council on Child Care. I propose to appoint the Council as soon as the Bill passes into law.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he is proposing to purchase a private residential property at Woodstock as a N.F.S. headquarters in view of the shortage of living accommodation locally and the existence of a N.F.S. headquarters in Oxford.

There is no proposal that the property mentioned should be purchased for the N.F.S., but the County Council of Oxfordshire have made application for permission to buy it for their County Fire Brigade and as the residence of their Chief Fire Officer. On the representations so far made to me no grounds have been stated which would justify withholding consent.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the recent appointment as Chief Constable for Flintshire of an officer whose whole service has been in the Flintshire Constabulary, indicates the suspension or variation of the Home Office policy in regard to appointments of chief constables, that no officer of a county force should be eligible for appointment as chief constable if he had not spent part of his service with police forces other than that of the county; and whether police officers of county or county borough forces are no longer debarred from application for appointments as chief constable by reason of the fact that they have only served as police officers in the forces in which they seek appointment as chief constable.

Recommendations made to me by police authorities for approval of the persons selected by them for appointment as Chief Constables are considered on their individual merits, and while it is generally desirable that the officer appointed should have wider experience than can be obtained in one force, there is no rigid rule to this effect. The appointment to which the hon. Member refers did not, therefore, involve any new departure of policy or practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the terms of reference to the Committee to be set up to examine certain aspects of the problem of the admission of children to cinemas have yet been announced as promised on 1st July, 1947; and when does he expect to receive the Committee's report.

Yes, and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the public announcement made on 19th December. I am unable to forecast when the Committee will have completed the work on which it is just starting.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the length of the sentence for which Gordon Miles, Oaklea, Westfield Park, Pontefract, aged 19, was committed to Stafford Prison; how much still remains to be served; and for what offence was originally committed to prison.

On 9th October, Mr. Miles was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for failing to submit to a medical examination under the National Service Acts. His case had already been before the appellate tribunal, but the passing of this sentence of imprisonment entitled him to make a further appeal to the tribunal. On 30th December, the tribunal registered him conditionally in the register of conscientious objectors and on 2nd January I authorised his release from prison and recommended the remission of the remainder of his sentence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any decision has yet been taken as to the duration of summer time in 1948.

The Government propose that Summer Time this year shall extend from 14th March to 31st October. A draft of the Order in Council necessary under the Summer Time Act, 1947, will be laid before Parliament without delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his regulations provide for the payment for the hiring of a taximeter cab being apportioned when two or more parties share a taxi in the way that has become customary as a result of the shortage of conveyances in London.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 31st October, 1946, in which I pointed out that, in cases where a taxicab is shared, any apportionment of the fare to be paid to the driver is a matter for the passengers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rent is being paid for the Chislehurst Caves; for what purpose they are being used; and why he will not release them for growing mushrooms, rhubarb and seakale.

These caves, in respect of which a rental of £460 a year is being paid, have been retained pending determination of the policy to be adopted as regards the preservation as potential air raid shelters of various cave and tunnel shelters provided during the war. The question of negotiating an appropriate arrangement with the owners of the caves which would not prevent their use for peaceful purposes is receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements he is making for the children of British women by members of the United States Forces, including coloured members, to whom the women were not married, to go to the United States for adoption, and what steps he is taking to safeguard the welfare of the children.

I have had this matter under consideration for some time. After full inquiry in consultation with the various bodies concerned I have come to the conclusion that no obstacle should be put in the way of emigration of the children to the United States for adoption by relatives, if it is established in a particular case that this would be in the child's interests. Full investigation will first be made both in this country and in the United States, to ensure that a child is not sent unless it is established that his welfare would be best served by joining his relatives in the United States.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the continued housing shortage, particularly for small families and ex-Service men, whether he will authorise local authorities to requisition flats, floor areas and single rooms, which often remain empty for long periods in order to secure more rent, in premises not occupied by the owner or landlord.

The powers which I have already delegated to the clerks of local authorities enable them to requisition unoccupied self-contained flats. I am prepared to consider applications for special delegations in appropriate cases in respect of unoccupied parts of premises.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the increasing number of persons who are tenants of council houses, he will take powers to extend to them the protection which they would enjoy were they the tenants of private landlords.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Harrow, West (Mr. Bower) on 19th December last.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the shops on the two new Municipal Housing Estates in Wolverhampton have been allotted to the Co-operative Society; whether this number is in proportion to the number of customers registered with the Co-operative Society in the neighbourhood; and whether applications from ex-Service men and private traders were considered on an equal footing at the time the decision was made.

I am informed by the local authority that of the 23 shops proposed six have been allotted to the Co-operative Society out of ten applied for and that the allocation was based on a consideration of the respective needs of private traders and of the Society. The types of shop to be allotted will be decided when applications for tenancies of all the shops are invited. Information on the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is intended to provide any special housing subsidies in the near future to assist local authorities in dealing with slum clearance areas.

The present general housing subsidies are available for such purposes.

asked the Minister of Health whether notwithstanding the present suspension of licences for private housing construction, licences may still be granted to persons in possession of their own sites and materials who wish to build their own houses without engaging labour for the purpose.

Applications for building licences are considered where the applicant already has the site and all the materials required and the work will be carried out by unpaid labour.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider granting the same subsidy for a house built for a forest worker as is now granted for a house built for an agricultural worker.

A forest worker is not excluded from the definition of members of the agricultural population, for whom the special agricultural subsidy is available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will define his responsibilities for the squatters now occupying buildings at Peplow Air Station, Shropshire.

The occupied huts at this airfield are to be managed on my behalf by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what representations have been made by industry to his Department for the registration and inspection of factory nurseries; what recommendations his Department has made with regard to child-minding on more official lines; and whether this is now the policy of his Department;(2) whether it is the policy of his Department to encourage mothers with children under the age of two to enter employment.

Representations have been made by the Cotton Board. On the hon. Member's other points I would refer him to the joint circular issued by my Department and the Ministry of Education on 14th December, 1945, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Health how soon any of the doctors covered by Section 3 of the Medical Officers and Pharmacists Act can hope to secure permission to practise in this country.

Applications for registration under the Section are a matter for the General Medical Council. Certain preliminary work has been necessary before formal applications could be invited. I understand that this is nearly complete.

asked the Minister of Health if all registrars have been instructed to call the attention of persons registering births to the new certificate obtainable on request.

Supplies of the new form of short birth certificate have been sent to all Registrars with full instructions which make clear the intention that the new certificate should be regarded as the normal type for use when evidence of age and nationality only is required.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the water supply in certain of the villages near Gillingham, Dorset, in particular Buckhorn Weston, is unsatisfactory; and what steps he is proposing to take to remedy the situation.

I understand that the supply of water in certain villages in the rural district of Shaftesbury, including Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna, is unsatisfactory owing to the present pipes being too small for the present increased consumption. The Rural District Council have a scheme prepared to provide a new supply to an area which will include these villages, and a starting date has been arranged. I am awaiting particulars of tenders before giving final approval for the work to be put in hand.

asked the Minister of Health what is the result of his inquiries into allegations of the inadequate care and feeding of infantile paralysis patients in White Lodge Emergency Hospital, Newmarket.

My inquiries show that a special unit was set up in August last at this hospital for infantile paralysis patients from East Anglia in order to relieve the pressure on existing orthopaedic units, and that 61 cases have been admitted. The allegations which I have seen relate to three cases, and were based on a single brief visit to the hospital. A subsequent review of these cases provided no evidence of neglect and showed that nursing care and feeding are adequate. I am glad of this opportunity of reassuring patients and their relatives and of paying a tribute to the excellent work of the unit often carried out at some sacrifice on the part of the staff.

asked the Minister of Health what is the total number of habitations in the parish of Bickleigh, Devon; how many of these are without main drainage or cesspits; and whether he will take steps to have the village of Bickleigh connected with the existing nearby sewerage system constructed and used by Admiralty establishments.

There are 220 permanent houses; some 36 houses drain to modern works; most of the remainder of the development is scattered and without main drainage. I have no information of the total number of cesspits in the parish. I shall be ready to consider any schemes submitted by the local authority for main drainage.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now revised his estimates of the proposed Exchequer Equalisation Grants and Exchequer Transitional Grants to counties and county boroughs as detailed in Table 11 of Command Paper 7253; and whether he will publish the revisions in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Estimates have been made of the proposed Exchequer Equalisation Grants and Exchequer Transitional Grants payable to counties and county boroughs for 1948–49. The calculations are based on figures for the current year adjusted to reflect the proposed transfer of hospitals and out-relief on 5th July, 1948, the proposals in Part V of the Local Government Bill for the rating of transport and electricity undertakings and a number of other proposed changes affecting 1948–49. The figure will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.