asked the President of the Board of Trade how many licences for factory projects have been revoked in each of the Development Areas; and what is the total value involved for each of the areas.

I have been asked to reply. Up to 10th February licences for factory projects in the Development Areas have been revoked as follow:

asked the Minister of Food the figures for food consumption in the United Kingdom during the twelve months, January to December, 1947, in lbs. per head per annum for the following foodstuffs: dairy products, excluding butter (milk solids); meat (carcase weight); fish, including shellfish, canned, cured and fresh fish (edible weight); poultry, game and rabbits (retail weight); eggs and egg products (fat content); oils and fats (oil content); sugar and syrup (sugar content); potatoes; pulses and nuts; tomatoes; citrus and other fruits (fresh equivalent); vegetables, all types; grain products; and beverages.

Detailed estimates of food consumption in 1947 have not yet been completed but it is hoped that they will be available within the next two or three weeks. With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, what Exchequer grant was payable to B.O.A.C. in respect of its operations during the period 1st April, 1946, to 31st July, 1946, if possible distinguishing between its European division and its other operations.

The grant to British Overseas Airways Corporation for the period in question will be on the basis of the actual deficiency incurred and, pending an examination of the accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1947, has not yet been determined.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will seek powers to provide that, when road repair works are in progress, and one-way traffic is operating, the local authority or contractor, should be obliged to have a rope or suitable fencing along the curb to prevent people inadvertently stepping into oncoming traffic.

When roadworks are in progress and one-way traffic is operating, there is usually some form of traffic control, and if ordinary care is exercised, there should be no special danger.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, why the Sierra Leone Police Bill and Radio-Active Minerals Bill were not placed before the Protectorate Assembly despite an official assurance given at the inauguration of the Assembly that all legislation affecting the Protectorate would be sent to each member of the Assembly for consideration; and whether he will take steps to see that all such legislation should receive due consideration by the Protectorate Assembly.

As the Police Bill provides, its immediate application would be limited to the Colony. The Protectorate Assembly would be consulted before it is applied to the Protectorate and in fact no such extension is contemplated at present. The Radio-Active Minerals Ordinance merely re-enacts in consolidated form provisions already contained in existing legislation. In these circumstances it was considered unnecessary to refer these Bills to the Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the possibility of setting up a freezing plant in the Falkland Islands has been considered; or, alternatively, whether the vessel connecting the Falkland Islands and Montevideo could be provided with refrigerated space in order that mutton or sheep from the Falkland Islands could be marketed in other countries.

Yes. Plans were discussed towards the end of last year between the Falkland Islands Sheep Owners' Association, the Ministry of Food and the Colonial Office for the establishment of a freezing plant in Port Stanley and the provision of refrigerated shipping to Montevideo. A leading representative of the Association is now visiting the Colony for consultations with the Falkland Islands Government and a report of the conclusions reached in this matter is expected shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of Scottish local authorities who are requesting to be excused payment on their housing loans.

I have been asked to reply. So far as can be traced, in the last 12 months nine Scottish local authorities have asked if they may postpone payment to the Local Loans Fund either of principal instalments or of interest falling due.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the widespread damage being done by rooks to freshly planted corns, beans and barley; and is he doing anything to prevent this loss of valuable food.

I am aware that damage is being done to crops by rooks in districts where there is an undue local concentration of these birds. Effective measures of control are not practicable at this season of the year when the rooks are roosting. The only effective means of controlling rooks is by large scale shooting at nesting time in the spring, followed by thinning of the nests. County war agricultural executive committee have appropriate powers to deal with rooks and I propose to remind committees of the need to use their powers where there are heavy concentrations.

asked the Secretary of State for War in connection with compassionate leave to unmarried soldiers who wish to marry in order to legitimise babies before birth, what factors are taken into consideration when the matter is decided by his Department.

No hard and fast rules are laid down, since circumstances vary widely. All the relevant factors as regards the soldier and his fiancée are considered in each individual case.

asked the Minister of Health if he has received the minority report of Dr. John Cohen to the Working Party Report on the recruitment and training of nurses; and if he has any statement to make on this minority report.

This report has not yet been received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many workmen are employed in the Hong Kong docks; how much repair work is done there; and how both these figures compare with non-naval dockyards in Hong Kong.

On 1st January, 1948, the total number of workmen employed in H.M. Naval Yard, Hong Kong, was approximately 6,000. About 4,000 of the total labour force was employed on refitting and repairing ships of the British Pacific Fleet. I have no definite information about the numbers employed or the volume of work carried out in the commercial shipyards at Hong Kong.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the Regional Petroleum Office in Nottingham on 31st January, 1948, refused to supply the necessary petrol to a Canadian business man who wishes to visit England for business purposes; and whether he will revise his decision.

The Regional Petroleum Officer is in communication with the English agents of this Canadian business man. He has not refused him an allowance.