asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will ask the Australian Government to make available for study by His Majesty's Government the report of the joint American-Australian naval task force which is to carry out combined air and naval training operations under the command of Rear-Admiral Harold Martin, U.S. Navy.

The operation referred to was a normal exercise of a type which takes place frequently. In fact similar exercises have been carried out by the Royal Australian Navy on numerous occasions with the Royal Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy and the United States Navy during the past two years. These exercises do not call for any special report, but I am quite sure that the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board will refer to the Admiralty any matters of special interest which may arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, as there has been an unofficial disclosure of the strength of the Fleet in the publication "The Navy," he will now give the House accurate details of the ships at present commissioned in the Royal Navy.

No; the considerations previously given to the House which prohibit disclosure of this information are unaffected by the publication of private estimates of naval strength at any particular time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the number of Warrant Engineers (permanent) advanced to the rank of Lieutenant (E) during 1947.

Eight permanent Warrant Engineers were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (E) on the General List during 1947.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether in determining the allocation and deliveries of steel to Wear shipbuilders due regard is paid to the fact that Sunderland is in a Development Area; and what effect that has on the allocation and deliveries.

Nearly all shipbuilding yards are in development areas, or in a region which is a special employment area. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to select Wear Shipbuilders for special treatment because Sunderland is in a Development Area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the withdrawal from the Navy on 1st January, 1948, was requested of a number of second-cruise cadets of H.M.S. "Devonshire" after they had spent months in training and their parents had laid out large sums of money on their uniforms and equipment; how many were involved; what were the corresponding numbers on the last six occasions; and what were the reasons given for their withdrawal.

It is clearly laid down in the Regulations that during the period of cadet service a cadet is on probation and that he may be required to he withdrawn at any time during this period if in the opinion of the Admiralty he fails to reach a satisfactory standard or he is considered unsuitable for the Naval Service. The following statement shows the number of cadets in H.M.S. "Devonshire" whose parents have been requested to withdraw them:

Cruise ending			No. withdrawn
December, 1947	…	…	6
August, 1947	…	…	6
April, 1947	…	…	4
December, 1946	…	…	2
August, 1946	…	…	—
April, 1946	…	…	3
August, 1945	…	…	—

Withdrawal in these cases was requested for either or both of the two reasons stated above. It is desired to emphasise that withdrawal is never requested unless a parent has been previously warned that his son was unlikely to make a satisfactory Naval officer. Needless to say, the decision in individual cases is reached only after the most careful consideration and with great regret.

asked the Postmaster-General whether work has yet commenced on the conversion of the Enfield telephone exchange from manual to automatic working.

The existing manual exchange at Enfield has had to be enlarged and it is no longer possible to convert to automatic working on the same site. A building on another site will therefore be required, and I regret that at present I cannot say when this new scheme is likely to mature.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of subscribers to the Enfield telephone exchange on 31st March, 1939, 31st March, 1945, and the latest available date.

The number of subscribers connected to the Enfield exchange was 2,726 on the 31st March, 1939; 3,474 on the 31st March, 1945; and 4,605 on the 31st January, 1948.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the regulations about wrong telephone calls being charged against the subscriber; what redress is open to the subscriber; and if he will give an estimate of the revenue that accrues to the Post Office through faulty connections, the cost of which is not recovered by subscribers.

No charge is made for a call to a wrong number if the caller reports it to the operator. The observation statistics show that the proportion of wrong numbers is approximately 0.87 per cent. On this basis the charges for wrong numbers would average about 1s. a year per subscriber's line, but I regret that it is not possible to estimate how much of this charge is actually collected from subscribers.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will issue a White Paper giving a full account of the military arrangements and understandings between the United Kingdom and the United States, including such matters as the Combined Chiefs of Staff, the sharing of military bases, the exchange of military research data, and the arrangements for regional strategic co-operation.

I see no occasion to issue a White Paper dealing with any of the matters referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking to increase the supply of fish offal and low grade fish for manufacture into meal for feeding to pigs and poultry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 17th December last. The production of fish meal which had dropped to 30 per cent. of prewar should this year be back to 75 per cent.

asked the Minister of Food what are the current prices for fish offal used for the manufacture of meal for feeding to livestock and for the manufacture of manure; and if he is satisfied that all suitable material is being used for making feedingstuffs.

The prices paid for fish offal by the fish meal factories are not controlled. They differ considerably from place to place according to the circumstances of the trade. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Ludlow (Lieut.-Colonel Corbett) on 26th January.

asked the Minister of Food what restrictions have been placed upon the movement by road of carrots.

Movement of carrots into Northumberland, Durham, Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire and Cheshire was prohibited from 8th December, 1947, to 4th February, 1948, and into Scotland from 8th December, 1947, to 12th February, 1948.

asked the Minister of Food from which countries carrots are being imported into the United Kingdom.

No carrots are now being imported.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent the recent importation of 10,000 tons of carrots from Denmark was a conditional transaction linked with other available commodities.

To no extent.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the weekly meat ration is represented by shipments of meat from the Argentine; and if he will make a statement on the progress of the negotiations now taking place for the renewal of supplies.

Over the past three years one-sixth, on average, of our carcase meat has come from the Argentine. As to the second part of the Question I would ask the hon. Member to wait for the statement which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to make tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Food what is the exportable surplus of potatoes in Denmark; and what steps he has taken to buy them.

The Danish Government are not yet able to say whether they will have an exportable surplus of potatoes but we hope to buy any that may be available.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in his negotiations with the Australian Government, he has offered to buy the substantial quantities of Australian hams that are available.

For the production year which started on 1st October last we have contracted to buy 750 tons of canned hams from the Australian Government. If we had contracted for more of this expensive commodity we should have been prejudicing our chances of getting frozen pork for curing to help out the bacon ration.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider abolishing bread rationing, especially in view of the fact that bakers are not collecting coupons.

I shall abolish bread rationing as soon as wheat and flour supplies permit.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the cuts in the Services' rations, increased food supplies will be made available to N.A.A.F.I. for distribution to Service canteens.

There will be no change in the food supplies made available to N.A.A.F.I. for distribution to Services canteens, but the recent increase in the ration cash allowance will mean that N.A.A.F.I. will be able to purchase larger quantities of available foods for supply to Service messes. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence in the House on 4th February, supplementary allowances of food will be made to troops engaged on specially strenuous duties.

asked the Minister of Food what is the retailer's margin of profit per adult ration and per lb., on all rationed foods including sweets, and how the current profit per lb. compares with that prevalent before the war.

I give below a table showing representative current gross retail margins. The net profit element in each cannot be stated because it is impossible to isolate the costs attributable to each commodity in respect of such factors as wages and overheads.

asked the Minister of Food if he can give an assurance that his Department has examined the disabilities attending to single persons living alone, in endeavouring to meet their needs within the points and rationing schemes and what possibility there is of affording them some relief.

I deeply sympathise with the difficulties of persons living alone and I have instituted most careful examination of their position, but I am bound to say that I have not so far discovered a way of altering our rationing system in their favour.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the decision to end the National Pigeon Service Corn Rationing Scheme in September, he proposes to ensure a continuance of rationed supplies to pigeon fanciers at controlled prices.

Yes, it is hoped to do so if the necessary supplies can be secured.

1. Nursing Mother.
(1)	On own ration book.
	(a) Aged 18 or over	…	Current non-priority allowance, at present 2 pints weekly (full price).
	(b) Under 18	…	Priority allowance of 3½ pints weekly (full price).
(2)	On child's ration book	…	7 pints priority allowance weekly (cheap rate), and *5 pints priority allowance weekly if wanted (at full price).
2. Mother whose baby is fed on National Dried Milk.
(1)	On own ration book.
	(a) Aged 18 and over	…	Current non-priority allowance (full price).
	(b) Under 18	…	Priority allowance of 3½ pints weekly (full price).
(2)	On child's ration book	…	Nil.
(3)	If mother is partly breastfeeding a child under 12 months which is otherwise fed on National Dried Milk.		9½ pints weekly at full price for 4 weeks on medical evidence.
3. Mother of baby fed on Proprietary Infant Milk Food.
(1)	On own ration book.
	(a) Aged 18 and over	…	Current non-priority allowance, at present 2 pints weekly at full price.
	(b) Under 18	…	Priority allowance of 3½ pints weekly at full price.
(2)	On child's ration book	…	7 pints priority allowance weekly at cheap rates, and *5 pints priority allowance weekly if wanted (at full price).
* Ceases when child is 12 months old.

asked the Minister of Food what allocation of meat was made to N.A.A.F.I. per week per head of the strength of the Forces at home in any convenient period in 1946 and 1947; and what is the allocation planned for a similar period after 1st February in 1948.

Up to 7th September, 1947, the allocation represented a fraction over ½d. worth of meat per head per week. After that date it was reduced to a fraction under ½d. per head per week and is still at this reduced rate.

asked the Minister of Food what milk is allowed to a nursing mother, a mother whose baby is being fed on National Dried Milk, and a mother whose baby is being fed on a patent food respectively.

I give the answer in tabular form below. I am reviewing these allowances.The present allowances are as follows:

asked the Minister of Food from whence the Wholesale Meat Suppliers' Associations as his agents purchase meat and offals, and to whom as his agents they sell the same; how the commissions paid to these Associations is calculated on such sales and purchases, respectively; and whether, inasmuch as these commissions yielded £3,666,838 in the years 1946–47 to these Associations, he will consider a reduction for the future.

The Wholesale Meat Supply Associations do not purchase meat and offals. They take over the Ministry's goods from cold store or slaughterhouse and sell them on behalf of the Ministry to retail butchers and manufacturers. The commission is calculated on the actual tonnage of meat and offal handled evaluated at the average pre-war wholesale price. The commission covers expenses and a surplus available for distribution to the members. Although usually the tonnage handled now by an association is greater than that handled by the members before the war and the price of meat has increased, the distributable surplus is restricted to the actual pre-war average net profit. When the present tonnage is less than the pre-war tonnage the distributable surplus is reduced. In these circumstances, I do not consider that the commission should be further restricted.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has now received a report from the Fruit and Vegetable (Marketing and Distribution) Organisation; and whether he will make a statement.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on Monday, 9th February, to my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins).

asked the Minister of Food what savings will be made in subsidies as a result of the £12,000,000 per month reduction of food imports from dollar countries.

The reduction of food imports referred to was a reduction in our programme of future purchases. These purchases had not actually been made and the buying prices had not been fixed; therefore I could not calculate for the hon. Member the figure for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider reducing the points value for tinned ox-tongues, sausages and meat rolls, with a view to giving our people an opportunity of tasting these delicacies, which many have not had since 1939.

Points values do not restrict supplies but limit demand to whatever supplies are available. All supplies of tinned ox-tongues, sausages, and meat roll are being cleared at the current points values. We shall, of course, down point them the moment more can be made available.

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish the names of the chairman and members of the Overseas Food Corporation together with their salaries and expenses allowances.

As the House already knows, the Board of the Overseas Food Corporation will be composed of six executive full-time members, two part-time non-executive members, and one representative of the Colonial Development Corporation. The following gentlemen have agreed to serve as executive members:

• Chairman: Mr. L. A. Plummer.
• Vice-Chairman: Mr. J. McFadyen.
• General Manager in Africa: Major-General D. Harrison, C.B., D.S.O.
• Members of the Board: Mr. A. J. Wakefield, Mr. J. Rosa, O.B.E., Sir Charles Lockhart, K.B.E.

The non-executive members are:

asked the Minister of Food if he will publish in HANSARD a list of the increases in the price of chocolate and cocoa since January, 1946, showing the increases per lb. and the total national increases to the consumers.

The price of chocolate and chocolate confectionery was increased from an average of 2s. 7d. per lb. to an average of 2s. 11d. per lb. in May, 1947. On the basis of a 3 oz. ration this increase is estimated to cost the consumer about £4,000,000 per annum. As has already been announced there will be a further average increase of 11d. per lb. on 29th February, 1948; on the same basis, the increased cost to the consumer will be about £11,000,000 per annum. The price of cocoa powder was increased from an average of is. 8d. per lb. to an average of 2s. 2d. per lb. in May, 1947. The increased cost to the consumer is estimated at £900,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Food on what grounds the Middlesex County Council have been advised by the Ministry to use an inferior quality of gelatine in their hospitals when ample supplies of high class gelatine are available.

Supplies of high class gelatine are still very short. Middlesex County Council applied for permission to increase their usage of gelatine at a time when supplies were insufficient to meet demands for those types of manufactured food in which it is essential that gelatine should be used. There was available, however, a low melting point gelatine which is, in the main, unsuitable for food manufacture, but is suitable for domestic and catering use and is sold principally through retail grocers. It was suggested to the Middlesex County Council that they would be permitted to increase their usage provided they took this particular gelatine, as the supply position of higher melting point gelatine for food manufacturing purposes would then be unaffected. This low melting point gelatine has been tested in the Ministry of Food kitchens and was found to be quite satisfactory provided that the directions for use were followed.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of alfalfa meal are being imported to this country from South Africa or other areas; what is the nature of its distribution going to be and the price; and whether he has considered the effect of this import on a number of farmers who have been encouraged by the Government to install expensive plants for drying grass in this country.

A purchase of 10,000 tons of alfalfa meal has been made from South Africa for shipment to this country at about 1,500 tons per month commencing this month; none has been bought from other sources. The price and the method of distribution are at present under discussion with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture; and we shall not lose sight of the interests of the home producers of dried grass.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Africans have been appointed to the Uganda Development Board; and what appointments of non-Africans have been made to the Board.

One African has been appointed to the Uganda Development Committee. In addition to the six official members there is also one European and one Indian unofficial representative and a nominee of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how large is the extension to the Lake Edward Game Reserve in Uganda; whether he is satisfied that precautions are taken to prevent animals straying outside the Reserve; and whether he will give an assurance that the interests of agriculture will not be sacrificed to those of tourists.

The extension to this Reserve is approximately 295 square miles. The Uganda Government is satisfied that adequate precautions are taken to prevent animals straying outside the Reserve. Since the extension is in a sleeping sickness area, no question arises of any sacrifice of agricultural interests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the amount of cotton exported from Uganda yearly in the last three years; how far the estimated crop for the present year has fallen below the normal; and what are the reasons for this.

Exports of cotton from Uganda in the last three years were as follows:—

Year		Bales of 400 lb.
1945	…	264,454
1946	…	219,195
1947 (11 months)	…	250,393

The present season's crop is estimated at 180,000 bales. An average pre-war crop was about 300,000 bales but acre-

—		To be provided from CD. & W. territorial allocation.	To be provided from Local Sources or Loans.	Total provision in Development Plan.
		£	£	£
Kenya	…	3,500,000	14,086,000	17,586,000
Tanganyika	…	5,250,000	11,135,000	16,385,000
Uganda	…	2,500,000	13,498,000	15,998,000
Zanzibar	…	750,000	710,000	1,460,000
N. Rhodesia	…	2,500,000	10,500,000	13,000,000
Kyasaland	…	2,000,000	4,625,000	6,625,000
Nigeria	…	23,000,000	30,000,000	53,000,000
Sierra Leone	…	2,600,000	2,650,000	5,250,000
Gambia	…	1,300,000	680,000	1,980,000
TOTALS	…	£43,400,000	£87,884,000	£131,284,000

age and yields varied considerably with weather and attacks by pests.During the war the acreage under cotton was considerably reduced in favour of food production. Continuing high prices for foodstuffs have adversely affected cotton planting but the further fall this year is attributed to bad weather.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the ten-year development plans for African Colonies have so far been approved; how much of the necessary finance is being drawn from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund; how much from local sources; and how far Africans in the different territories are being associated with this work.

Ten-year development programmes for all the African Territories have been approved, except that for the Gold Coast, which has been referred back to the Governor for further consideration.Of the £131,284,000 required to finance the plans already approved, £43,400,000 is to be drawn from the territorial allocations under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, and the remainder from loans and local sources. These figures, the details of which, territory by territory, are given in the following table, do not take account of the regional allocations of £3,500,000 and £1,000,000 respectively to East and Central Africa or of the central allocations from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund on which each Territory is also drawing:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what Government administered Labour Exchanges for non-Europeans have been set up in the larger urban centres of the African Colonies, where they are situated and what use is being made of them.

Following is the reply:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider in conjunction with the Gold Coast Government how export trade in West African pottery and furniture could be developed.

The Gold Coast does not yet produce pottery on a scale commensurate with an export trade. The possibility of developing this industry will shortly be considered in the Gold Coast. The development of an export trade in furniture is already under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider using some of the surplus in the Native Tobacco Board in Nyasaland for local agricultural research and the appointment of further agricultural inspectors.

Surplus funds of the Native Tobacco Board are paid over to the Nyasaland Native Development and Welfare Fund which can use them for purposes likely to be of benefit to the Africans. While the Native Tobacco Board already employs market supervisors, it is primarily for the Agricultural Department to employ agricultural staff and a general agricultural experiment station in Nyasaland is being financed from other sources; but I will communicate the hon. Member's suggestion to the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for Colonies for what reasons the following provisions have been included in the Sierra Leone Police Ordinance of 1947, that the police may perform military duties within and without Sierra Leone, that no public meeting or procession may be held without prior licence by the police, and that no police officer may be a member of any political organisation; to what extent it is intended that the police are to be armed; and whether he is aware that this Ordinance has been the cause of considerable uneasiness in Sierra Leone.

The legislation in question has not yet been enacted, but is at present under examination by a Select Committee of the Legislative Council which includes two African unofficial members.As regards the specific provisions of the Bill referred to, the position is as follows:(

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether flogging has now been eliminated as a punishment from all British Colonial Forces and from Forces raised in protected territories.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what instructions or recommendations he has issued with the object of restricting or prohibiting the importation into the Colonies of china and earthenware tablewares, decorated or otherwise, from the United Kingdom;

The guidance which my right hon. Friend has issued to Colonial Governments about the continued restriction of certain classes of imports, including decorated fine china and earthenware, was summarised in an announcement published by the Board of Trade Journal on 3rd January, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Briefly, Colonial Governments have been asked to restrict the import into their territories of those kinds of china and earthenware which this country can sell for dollars and other hard currencies. The import of other kinds of china and earthenware is only restricted if the Colonial Government considers that the purchase of them would be an unwise use of the Colony's financial resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will indicate under what headings the discussions fall between his Department and the Portuguese in Central and East African affairs in the last two years.

The principal subjects discussed include Trypanosomiasis, inter-territorial communications, control of plant diseases and forestry nomenclature. During the visit of Portuguese Colonial officials to the Colonial Office last December other subjects discussed included Colonial development and production, agricultural research and Colonial Service training.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the investigation in Nigeria of claims of title to land which is waste, forest, or has been long unoccupied.

I am not clear to what investigation my hon. Friend refers. I will, however, inquire of the Acting Governor on the matter and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many leopard murders occurred in Nigeria in 1947; and to what extent public opinion there has condemned the cult.

The number of proved leopard murders in 1947 was 35. Prominent men throughout Nigeria have expressed horror at the murders and the more educated element has been enlisting public opinion against the cult and has been co-operating with the administration in their efforts to counter it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jews are at present in camps in Cyprus under British administration; and why he permits men and women in these camps to undergo an intensive course of military training including instruction in commando tactics.

On 6th February there were 29,518 Jews in the Cyprus camps. In view of this large population and the limited number of troops available for guard duties, constant supervision of all activities within the camps is impossible, and I understand that unarmed training takes place. The military guards are concerned mainly with the security of the outer perimeter, and have taken steps to prevent the bringing of arms into the camps.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made so far with plans for the settlement in villages of African squatters in the White Highlands of Kenya; and what arrangements are made for each family to have some land of its own around the village in which it lives.

Extensive surveys of the African squatter problem have been completed by the Kenya Government and the whole question is now being studied in detail with a view to the formulation of a policy which will be both socially and economically sound. I am not aware that any measures have yet been taken of the kind mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is proposed to take over undeveloped land in the White Highlands of Kenya for African settlements.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 29th January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what representations have been made by the European and Indian communities in and around Nairobi to the Government of Kenya regarding the prevalence of theft and robbery, more particularly by organised and armed gangs of Africans; what increase in crimes against property there has been within the last three years; and what steps are being taken to deal with the matter.

I am consulting the Governor on the subject and will communicate with the hon. Member when I receive his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what reasons it has been decided to establish a national park covering 7,000 square miles in Kenya; whether he is satisfied that none of the land involved can be used for farming; what measures are being taken to confine game within the park; and whether, in view of the large areas already scheduled as game reserves in East Africa, he will inquire into the decision.

This park was established for the protection and preservation of wild life in Kenya in accordance with the International Convention for the Protection of Fauna and Flora in Africa of 1933 of which His Majesty's Government was a signatory. The Governor of Kenya has reported that none of the land included in the park can be used for farming on account of its poor soil and low rainfall; that all the land contiguous to the park is at present unsettled and undeveloped and consequently no game emerging from the park area will damage human interests; and that if adjoining areas become settled the necessary control measures will be put into force. In these circumstances I do not feel that further inquiry is necessary. A resolution declaring this area a National Park was adopted by the Legislative Council without a single adverse comment and I understand that this decision has the support of all races in Kenya.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what stipulations are made before the letting of Government-owned factory property to existing firms with regard to the maintenance of employment at their existing premises.

Maintenance of employment at existing premises is one of the factors taken into account when considering applications for the lease of Government-owned factories and assurances on this point are obtained where necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can ensure an increase in the allocation of hand-knitting wool to the retail trade in the near future.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Accrington (Mr. Scott-Elliot) on 29th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make available the necessary material for making baskets required in connection with the fruit crops, immediately, so that these baskets may be ready in time for the coming season.

Except for timber for chip baskets, the main basket-making raw materials are not subject to allocation; and so far as I am aware there should be an adequate supply of fruit baskets in the coming season. If, however, the hon. Member has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what coal stocks are available approximately at present for industrial and domestic use and for export; and what were the figures a year ago.

Stocks held by industrial consumers (excluding coke ovens, public utilities and railways) were 5,591,000 tons on 24th January, 1948, and 1,701,000 tons on 25th January, 1947. Stocks of house coal in merchants' yards and in Government dumps on the same dates were 1,924,000 and 1,645,000 tons respectively. Stocks are not normally held for export.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the output of anthracite collieries in South Wales in 1938 and 1947 respectively.

The output of saleable anthracite from South Wales mines in 1938 and 1947 was 5,539,000 tons and 2,963,000 tons respectively. The latter figure is provisional and may be subject to slight revision.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the total number employed in anthracite collieries in South Wales at the end of 1947; and if he will give the corresponding figures for 1938.

At the end of 1947, there were 19,500 wage-earners on colliery books at anthracite mines in South Wales. The corresponding figure for 1938 was 26,100.