asked the Minister of Works whether the review of local authorities licensing allocations has now been completed; and whether he is prepared to increase the licensing allocation of the Dorchester Rural District Council, having regard to the large amount of drainage work and essential repairs for which the council have to refuse licences, thereby preventing improvement of the standard of housing available for workers in the agricultural industry.

Yes. The licensing allocation of Dorchester is to be increased by 10 per cent.

asked the Minister of Works how many copies of Survey on the Home Performance of Modern Types of Solid Fuel Cooking Appliances have been circulated; how many persons are engaged on the survey; what is the cost of their salaries and expenses; and the total cost of the survey.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport) on 9th February. Six persons are engaged on the survey; the cost of their salaries is estimated to be £300 and their expenses £100, making a total cost of £400.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to continue deliveries of plant and equipment from the British zone of Germany by way of reparations to the Soviet Union.

Deliveries of plant and equipment allocated as reparations to the Soviet Union from the British zone are continuing.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will reopen negotiations on the proposal made by Mr. Molotov at the London Foreign Ministers' Conference, to limit German reparations to 10 per cent. of production when it has reached 70 per cent. of the prewar level.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was, on the basis of the Potsdam Agreement, the estimated value of the total amount of plant and equipment due to be delivered from the British zone of Germany as reparations to the Soviet Union; and what is the value of the plant and equipment already delivered.

Since the valuation of plants is far from complete, it is impossible to give an accurate estimate of their value. Equipment valued at over 11 million Reichsmarks from the British zone had been delivered by 16th December, 1947.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the duty of a kreis residential officer to give personal interviews to German civilians; and what percentage of applicants are interviewed by the residential officer himself and his German assistants, respectively.

It is the duty of a kreis resident officer to give personal interviews to German civilians if he is satisfied they have a bona fide request or complaint to make. The percentage of applicants interviewed by the kreis resident officer himself and his German assistant respectively must depend upon the pressure of work.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to offer alternative accommodation for the eye clinic of Dr. Tippleskerch at Bad Filsen; and in view of the special work being performed by this oculist, whether his original clinic will be restored to him, when vacated by the R.A.F. as it was specially built for this purpose.

I am assured that this doctor is actually practising and that his only real difficulty is lack of accommodation for visiting patients. The local Military Government authorities have undertaken to give assistance in the matter of visiting patients from outside Germany whenever the need arises. As for German patients, it is for the German authorities to arrange for their accommodation but the Military Governor has directed that enquiries are to be made into the possibility of returning Dr. von Tippleskirch's house to him for the accommodation of his patients.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the third coal production incentive scheme introduced in the British zone in Germany; and to what extent it is achieving results.

Under the third coal production incentive scheme individual production targets are fixed for each mine and total a daily production of 320,000 tons for the whole coal field. When a mine has maintained its target figure for four consecutive weeks, the miners will each receive a free packet containing food, tea, coffee, cigarettes and tobacco. In addition, each miner is to be given 100 cigarettes as soon as the total production reaches 300,000 tons a day. Since the introduction of the scheme on 5th January production has risen steadily from 240,000 to over 260,000 tons a day.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to improve the supply of pitprops for the Ruhr mines; what immediate improvement is expected and to what extent the shortage of these is now affecting coal production.

The supply of pitprops to the Ruhr mines is essentially a German responsibility. The Anglo - American authorities in the combined zone have frequently stressed its importance to the German authorities, and it has been agreed that the resources of the North German Timber Control, which is a British organisation, should be diverted during the first quarter of 1948 from the export of timber to the United Kingdom to the production of pitprops for the Ruhr. Supplies to the mines have risen steadily from an average of 40,000 festmetres a week in November to 68,000 festmetres in the week ended 1st February, and further improvement is expected. It is not possible to assess the extent to which coal production is being affected by the shortage of pitprops as compared with other limiting factors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that washed Dorset down wool was bought on behalf of his Department at Dorchester for 28¾d. to 26¼d. per pound and sold shortly afterwards at Leicester for 68d. to 67d. and that a similar profit was obtained from other wool bought at Dorchester; whether he is aware of the resentment felt by sheep farmers at the high profits made by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

The prices paid to producers for their 1947 wool clips were discussed with the Farmers' Unions of the United Kingdom before they were fixed, and at a time when the prices which have subsequently been realised for different types of wool could not be foreseen. The Government have sold the wool to the best advantage and have made profits on some sorts and losses on others. The high prices quoted by the hon. Member only apply to a proportion of the Dorset wools, of which some have been sold at a loss

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that over one thousand farmers and farm workers in Devonshire require Thermos flasks; that shopkeepers, though having Thermos flasks in stock, are unable to supply because farmers, and farm workers cannot obtain permits; and if he will therefore increase the number of permits which can be issued.

As regards the first and last parts of the Question, I would refer to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple (Brigadier Peto) on 9th February. As regards the second part, the total number of permits issued for Thermos flasks is related as nearly as possible to available supplies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many men from the Fakenham P.O.W. camp have been supplied by the Norfolk A.E.C. for drainage and other farm work in the parish of Guist during January and February this year; and what was the cost of the transport and supervision.

In the period 9th January to 10th February, inclusive, numbers of prisoners of war ranging from 25 to 55 were engaged on this work. Wages to the lorry driver /supervisors in the same period amounted to approximately £46. It is not possible to give a separate figure for transport costs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will endeavour to speed up the preparation of drainage and other grant-aided schemes in agriculture so as to provide work for the British unemployed farm workers before the rush of summer work begins.

I have emphasised to committees in every way the need for action on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the advantage which a woodland owner may expect to derive from entering into a covenant of dedication with the Forestry Commission; and whether he appreciates that a system of grants, even when not subject to income tax, is no substitute for a proper price structure.

The Dedication Scheme was agreed upon in consultation with the woodland owners as the best means of ensuring in the national interest the rehabilitation of private woodlands after excessive fellings during the war, and of securing long term continuity of woodland management. These objects are in themselves in the owners' interests, and under the Dedication Scheme the State is bearing by means of grants a substantial proportion of approved net annual expenditure. Loans are also available, and expert technical advice is given free. As regards the last part of the Question, the Dedication Scheme is not intended to be a substitute for what the hon. Member calls a proper price structure. Timber prices are fixed after due consideration of all relevant factors by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that fertilizer manufacturers are reducing the proportion of potash in compound fertilisers for potatoes owing to lack of supplies; and what action he proposes to obviate this.

I am aware that there are some local shortages of the higher grades of potash required for compound fertilisers. Increased imports have been arranged and my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is doing everything possible to expedite the arrival in this country of high grade materials.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there is a shortage of potash in Norfolk; and whether he can hasten supplies so as to enable farmers to take advantage of the favourable conditions for early sowing of crops.

I am aware of some local shortages of potash in Norfolk, and that there may be some delay in meeting orders, which are heavy. Everything possible is being done to enable farmers to get the supplies they need in time for sowing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now make a statement regarding the re-imposition of the Warble Fly (Dressing of Cattle) Order, 1936.

I have decided to make an Order requiring all cattle visibly infested with the warble fly maggot to be dressed this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give an assurance that adequate provision of grain drying plant has been arranged to meet the needs of British agriculture arising from the increased use of combine harvesters.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. J. Morrison) on 9th February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what acreage of land is used for hare and rabbit coursing at Altcar, Lydiate and Withens-all; how far this land is considered suitable for purposes of growing food; and whether he will take steps to secure it for this purpose.

I am informed that it is the practice to hold four coursing meetings each year in one or other of the places named. A suitable grass field of some 15 acres is selected and I am not aware of any complaints of damage to agricultural interests from the occasional use of land for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to appeal for the organising of volunteer harvest camps this year; and what steps he has taken to advise his Regional Officers to accept offers to form such camps by organised bodies.

I am arranging for a considerable expansion of the Volunteer Agricultural Camps scheme this year, and I hope to see the camps well filled, especially over the period of the potato harvest. I am also hoping to see an increased number of camps run by schools and youth organisations. County agricultural executive committees will be glad to give advice and assistance, in the light of the labour position in the area, to any organisation wishing to set up its own camp.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he now proposes to make allocations of feedingstuffs to pig breeders in accordance with their deliveries of pigs to approved slaughter houses;(2) whether he now proposes to make allocations of feedingstuffs to poultry breeders in accordance with their deliveries of eggs to packing stations.

I am not yet in a position to add to my reply of 28th January to the hon. Member for Aberdeen and Kincardine, Central (Mr. Spence).

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state, by counties, the area of land in England and Wales from which farmers have been dispossessed by order of county agricultural executive committees, and which remains under the jurisdiction or management of such committees.

At 31st December last county war agricultural executive committees were in possession of 265,526 acres of land in England and Wales forming agricultural holdings and parts of holdings of which they had taken possession under Defence Regulation 51 either compulsorily or by arrangement. I regret that county figures are not readily available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many new houses the Huntingdonshire Agricultural Executive Committee have informed the local authorities in the county are necessary for housing agricultural workers.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 5th February by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the annual overhead that the taxpayer has to provide to run the Land Army including such items as offices, salaries of paid officials, hostels, uniforms, and so forth.

I regret that I cannot provide figures in the precise form for which the hon. Member asks. The net cost to my Department of the Women's Land Army in the financial year 1946–47 was £893,076. This figure is exclusive of the cost of auxiliary services (for example, postage, office accommodation, etc.) on the Votes of other Departments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied that adequate supplies of hay are available to see farmers through the winter season.

The total hay crop harvested in Great Britain in 1947 is estimated to have been approximately 250,000 tons greater than in 1946. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Food and I see no reason to think that there are not adequate supplies of hay in the country to meet farmers' requirements during the remainder of the winter, but we are keeping the position under close review.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give consideration to granting extra allocations of meat, milk and fats to patients in Recovery Hospitals.

Patients who are under treatment for specified illnesses are already entitled on production of a medical certificate, to extra allocations of certain rationed foods, according to the scales recommended by my medical advisers. Hospitals may draw allowances accordingly.

asked the Minister of Food when he will be in a position to make a statement on the question of increasing the ration of potatoes for hospital patients; and if he will consider giving an increase to patients in sanatoria.

I hope to make a statement soon.

asked the Minister of Food what price is being obtained for a pound of butter by farmers in this country; and what is the present average landed cost of imported butter per pound.

My Department does not purchase butter from farmers in this country but from creameries. The cost is about 5s. per lb., taking into account the cost to the Ministry of the milk used in making it and the price received for the by-products. The present average landed cost of imported butter is 2S. 2d. per lb.

asked the Minister of Food to which countries potatoes of the 1947 crop have been exported; and the respective tonnage to each.

Total exports of ware potatoes were 1,476 tons.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give an assurance that poultry breeders in this country will receive increased allocations of feedingstuffs before any feedingstuffs contracted for by this country are diverted to other countries.

I am afraid I cannot add to the recent broadcast statement by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, in which he said that existing ration scales for farm livestock would be at least maintained until the end of April, 1949.

asked the Minister of Food if the buyers for his Department draw any commission on the amount of purchases of carrots and other vegetables.

Traders appointed as agents for this purpose receive fees appropriate to the services rendered.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now publish the Report of the Committee on Milk Distribution; and to what extent he proposes to give effect to its recommendations.

I am arranging to publish the Report of the Committee on Milk Distribution. I shall not be able to reply to the second part of the Question until detailed consideration has been given to the Committee's recommendations.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will so revise Statutory Rules and Orders, 1947 (No. 1955) Supplies and Services, Food (Meals at Social Functions Order) as to prohibit garden parties of more than 500 people.

No, I do not propose to extend the restrictions imposed by the Order.

asked the Minister of Food if he will sanction the gift of potatoes from individual growers to hospitals on the basis of not more than 14 lbs. for each hospital patient at the date of the gift.

I am making arrangements for any hospital to receive gifts from growers.

asked the Minister of Food if he will state the approximate number of old people who receive an additional allowance of liquid milk each day by means of a medical certificate; and what is the total weekly quantity consumed.

I am afraid we do not know the ages of people holding medical certificates.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that under the potato rationing scheme the chip friers of Great Yarmouth have sustained a cut of 70 per cent. in their supplies of potatoes; and if he will at least increase their ration so that they will receive the same treatment as the processors of potato crisps, whose supplies now show only a cut of 40 per cent. of their former supplies.

The cut in potato supplies to fish and chip friers is estimated to be 40 per cent. and their fat supplies have not been cut, whereas crisp manufacturers have had both potato and fat supplies cut by one half.

asked the Minister of Food the approximate quantity of rationed food received in this country each month by way of gift food parcels, the source from which these parcels come, and the proportion which are sent to individuals and to organisations.

The generosity of Commonwealth countries and many foreign countries has been such that over the past two years bulk gifts of food for free distribution in the United Kingdom have averaged approximately 900 tons per month. I cannot give separate figures for rationed and unrationed commodities. Thirty per cent. of these bulk gifts are distributed to hospitals and residential charitable institutions, and 70 per cent. to individuals. There is, of course, a very much larger inflow of private parcel gifts between friends but we have no knowledge of the quantities of food involved.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of fats and soap have been received from the Countrywomen's Association in Australia during 1947; how much has been distributed; and to whom.

According to the information available in my Department, 360 cases of fats and 44 cases of soap were received during 1947 as gifts from the Countrywomen's Association of Australia. Of the fats, 271 cases went to local authorities for distribution to aged and needy people and 58 to hospitals, leaving 31 cases yet to be allocated. All the soap was allocated to local authorities

asked the Minister of Food if he will give a price list of all subsidised foods that have increased in retail price since the blocking of food subsidies.

The two subsidised foodstuffs to have been increased in price since the Chancellor announced that a ceiling had been placed on food subsidies are eggs and bacon.

asked the Minister of Food if discussions are proceeding with the intention of supplying Denmark with a portion of our overseas purchases of feedingstuffs.

General discussions with the Danes are still proceeding.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in order to facilitate the expansion of the export trade in sweets and chocolates, he will now allow sweet coupons to be exchanged for sugar in the ratio of ½ lb. of sugar to 1 lb. of sweets.

No. I have already earmarked enough materials to enable the industry to reach its export target for 1948.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied that the increase during the past year from 8s. 9d. to 16s. 5d. a gallon in the price of cod liver oil used in chick rearing is justified; and if he will make a statement.

The cost of a gallon of this oil when sold in five gallon drums has in fact increased from 11s. 7½d. a year ago to 16s. 6d. at the present time. This increase of 40 per cent, is not out of line with the increase of 50 per cent. in the cost of the raw material.

asked the Minister of Food why all the permits for supplying meat to displaced persons' camps in Huntingdonshire have been granted to Dewhurst, Limited, which is not a local business; whether he is aware that the members of the Huntingdon retail butchers buying committee are willing to supply meat to those camps on reasonable terms; and whether he is prepared to consider a scheme whereby the local butchers could share in the distribution of meat.

These camps, like other catering establishments, may nominate any butcher they wish as their supplier. Two of the three camps in Huntingdonshire are supplied by local branches of Dewhursts and a third by a local butcher.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, on account of the importation of 10,000 Danish carrots, Mr. Charles Wilkinson, Field House, Everingham, a carrot grower, has been quite unable to sell his carrot crop of 200 tons and that, as a result, these carrots have now been condemned as only suitable for animal consumption and what compensation he proposes to pay Mr. Wilkinson.

I offered to buy these carrots at the guaranteed price from Mr. Wilkinson at the end of December, but he preferred not to sell. Their subsequent deterioration was due to the effects of frost and no compensation is payable.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the long unnecessary journeys for cattle involved by the present grading scheme; that dealers who are registered at Burton-on-Trent can go as far afield as Norwich and Gloucester to buy cattle, which have then to be sent to Burton to be graded before being returned to Norwich or Gloucester to be slaughtered; and whether he will revise the present scheme with a view to eliminating these expensive journeys and unnecessary cruelty to animals.

All producers of fat cattle for slaughter are required to offer them for purchase by the Ministry of Food at a collecting centre near their premises. This arrangement does not involve unnecessary journeys or cruelty to the cattle. Dealers sometimes offer cattle which they have bought in other parts of the country, but it would be impossible to stop this without interfering with the legitimate trade in store cattle. Some of the cattle taken over by the Ministry at Burton-on-Trent are occasionally sent to Norwich for slaughter in order to balance supply and demand. None are sent by my Department from Burton-on-Trent to Gloucester.

asked the Minister of Food what are the total administrative costs of each division of his Ministry; and if he will express these as a percentage of the f.o.b. value of the particular commodities handled.

The hon. Member will no doubt be able to obtain the information he requires from the Trading Accounts of the Ministry which are shortly to be published.

asked the Minister of Food why 12 pints of milk per week may be obtained on a child's ration book when the child is being fed on patent food and is under 12 months old, but a child wholly fed on National Dried Milk does not receive an allowance of milk; and if he will agree to make an allowance in the latter case.

National Dried Milk is issued at a reduced price or free as an alternative to liquid milk under the national scheme of family allowances. Proprietory infant food is not a family allowance in kind and is normally paid for at the full retail price, so the priority milk is not withdrawn. I am considering whether any change in these arrangements is desirable.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the regulation by which persons staying in hotels more than two days have to give up ration cards, affects commercial travellers in an exceptional way; and if he will consider amending the regulation in the case of commercial travellers.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Nutting) on 26th January.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give in tabular form the average cost of maintaining in food the average working class family in 1938 and 1947; and the cost for the same periods of the six principal foods consumed in industrial areas.

According to the budgetary inquiry conducted by the Ministry of Labour in 1937–38 (H.M.S.O. 1945), average weekly expenditure by households of industrial workers was 34s. 1d. For the average urban working-class family the food survey conducted for my Department shows that for the first nine months of 1947 the average weekly expenditure on food was 43s. These figures represent actual expenditure on foods available in the two periods and I regret that there is no information on the cost of maintaining a family on a given diet. The cost per lb. of the six principal foods at 31st March was:

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider an extra allocation of the soap ration for one period during the next few months in order to help housewives with their spring cleaning.

I have carefully considered the proposal, but I am afraid I cannot provide an extra soap ration for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will reconsider the decision to reduce the labour force employed on road repair in the Chertsey Division of Surrey, so that the estimated amount of work considered essential for 1948–49, for the maintenance of safe surfaces for road transport may be carried out.

I have asked the Surrey County Council to make an appropriate contribution towards the total reduction of 20,000 required in the labour force employed by highway authorities. It is for the county council to determine what share is to be borne by the Chertsey Division.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the findings of the public inquiry held in June, 1947, on the proposed by-pass road from the Severn Bridge to West Wales through Newport will be made public, in view of the fact that it is holding up the general planning of the town, and as the possibility of it going directly through a densely populated area will be a serious menace to its future development.

It is not the practice to publish reports of this nature and I see no reason to make an exception in this case. The interested parties, including the local planning authority, were informed of my decision by letter dated 12th December, 1947, and the formal order fixing the line of this by-pass was made on 15th January, 1948.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the approach of the holiday season and the practice of booking coach reservations to resorts early, if he will say whether he intends to place additional restrictions on the use of private and public coach hire.

This matter has been receiving my attention and I hope to make an early statement.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that Bradford Corporation have withdrawn their bus service from the Tyersal Estate, Pudsey, owing to the dispute with the British Railways over the cost of road maintenance of Arkright Street and the railway bridge; that residents of this estate, who are chiefly textile workers, are being put to considerable inconvenience owing to this reduction in the bus service; and if he will take steps to improve the bus service in this area.

I am informed that Arkwright Street is railway property and owing to its bad condition it is not at the present time suitable for bus traffic. I am arranging for the parties concerned to get together to see whether a solution can be found.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a grant from the Road Fund to free the road toll bridge into Hayling Island, until recently the property of the Southern Railway.

I am prepared to consider any application from the appropriate authority for a grant towards the cost of freeing this bridge from tolls.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now made arrangements for the Highway Code to be printed in Welsh.

Yes. I am arranging for the preparation of a Welsh version of the Highway Code, which will be available in due course in post offices throughout Wales.

asked the Minister of Transport how many toll roads and toll bridges have been taken over by the Railway Transport Commission; and what policy is to be adopted with regard to those toll roads and bridges.

Six toll bridges and two toll roads. I intend to discuss with the Commission the question of freeing two bridges which are on trunk routes; as regards the remainder, the local authorities concerned have power to acquire the toll rights and, as I informed them in a Circular dated 19th March, 1947, I am prepared to consider applications for grants from the Road Fund towards the cost of freeing those on classified roads.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will call for a police report on the number of persons either killed or injured by S.M.T. buses or large motor lorries passing through the streets of Shettleston or Tollcross; and if he will take steps to prevent these vehicles from exceeding the speed limit and have the drivers who do so prosecuted.

I am making inquires and will circulate a statement in HANSARD. As regards the second part of the Question, the enforcement of the law is a matter for the police and the public prosecutors.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recommendations of the Morley Road Safety Committee and the local police, he will arrange for the immediate re-siting of the 30 m.p.h. speed limit sign now opposite The Painter's Arms, Bradford Road, Drighlington, as suggested in correspondence brought to his attention by the hon. Member for Spen Valley; and whether he will retain this restriction until the implications of Circular 618 permit the completion of 120 yards of footpath.

I do not think the extension of the speed limit would be justified, but I have made arrangements for the immediate construction of the 120 yards of footpath.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage of the taxation raised from the licensing and registration of motor vehicles of all types was devoted to expenditure for the construction, improvement and maintenance of trunk roads and classified roads, respectively during the year ending 31st March, 1947.

By Section 33 of the Finance Act, 1936, all receipts from the taxation of motor vehicles are paid into the Exchequer and expenditure out of the Road Fund is met from moneys voted by Parliament. In the year ended 31st March, 1947, net receipts from licence duties were £49,650,774. Payments out of the Road Fund for construction, improvement and maintenance of trunk roads amounted to £7,113,248, and grants paid out of the Road Fund towards similar expenditure on classified roads amounted to £9,111,976.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider incorporating in the British Transport Commission's monthly traffic returns the figures of net revenue and working expenses.

I understand that the Commission are keeping this matter in mind but are unlikely to find it practicable to publish four-weekly returns on this basis.

asked the Minister of Transport the approximate total value of the nation's property now controlled under the direction of the British Transport Commission.

The value of the main assets now vested in the Commission has been satisfied by the issue of approximately £1,046 million of British Transport stock. Further British Transport stock of much smaller amount has yet to be issued in satisfaction of some part of the compensation for assets which have already been acquired but the amounts of which have not yet been determined. It is not yet possible, therefore, to place a value on the total assets already vested in the Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to provide the British railways with sufficiently good quality coal to enable trains to run to time, and if he is satisfied with the position.

The railways are in close touch with the National Coal Board who are fully alive to the problem and are doing all they can to supply coal of the requisite quality. The quality of coal is only one of the factors that affect the timekeeping of trains.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet reviewed the restrictions placed on summer passenger train services; and if he is prepared to make a statement.

Yes. Restrictions were imposed last year on the level of passenger services and on the running of special trains as an emergency measure to build up stocks of coal. The present situation would not justify the continuance of these restrictions, and I have therefore informed the British Transport Commission that they may be withdrawn. The Commission will thus be free to run improved services, including some special trains, so far as their reduced resources of rolling stock now permit.

asked the Minister of Transport why the Ship and Boat Builders' National Federation were invited by him to circulate their members and ask their members to volunteer for the repair of railway wagons, and have now been informed by the Railway Executive that they do not wish to take advantage of these facilities; and what is the explanation of this action, in view of the critical wagon situation on the railways.

The Federation were not invited by me to circulate their members, but, in reply to their suggestion that the industry might assist in wagon repair, were put in touch with the appropriate railway official. From 1st January responsibility for this work devolved upon the Railway Executive, who have explained to the Federation that, owing to insufficiency of materials, it is not possible at present to take advantage of offers of additional capacity.

asked the Minister of Transport what reduction of his staff is contemplated now that the whole of railway administration is handed over to the British Transport Commission.

During the period of control of the railways, the staff employed in my Department, in addition to those required for my continuing statutory responsibilities, was not large. The detailed administration of the railways was performed, under my general direction, by the Railway Executive Committee and not by my Department. The transfer of direct responsibility for detailed administration to the British Transport Commission will not, therefore, reduce substantially the work of my Department, which is mainly concerned with the many important statutory responsibilities remaining in my hands. Immediately before the 1st January, 1948, the staff employed on matters relating to railways was 84. It has now been reduced to 73 and further reductions will be made when matters arising out of control have been cleared.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the estimated value of the textile machinery now in stock at the premises of Messrs. Textile Machine Makers Limited, and what respectively are the amounts awaiting export because of shipping, and lack of chains, respectively.

I regret that detailed information of this kind is not available in the Ministry of Supply and I do not feel justified in asking the company to make public particulars of their business.

asked the Minister of Supply what are the allocations of steel for the manufacture of textile machinery for the years 1947 and 1948.

The industry has been given a higher steel allocation this quarter than last, but I regret that I cannot disclose details.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the interim report of the Evershed Committee on textile machinery.

Yes. Four main recommendations were made in the Report and all have been or are being implemented. In accordance with the first recommendation of the Committee, Textile Machinery Makers, Limited, have made a comprehensive re-organisation of the directorate and management, including the appointment of an additional director to strengthen the board. The second and third recommendations have been implemented by the winding-up and dissolution of the Werneth Investment Trust and the establishment of a research department. Finally, I am assured that the company are proceeding with the installation of a modern integrated costing system.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that hand tools supplied to the furniture industries are often defective, and of soft material; and if he will make inquiries with a view to remedying the position.

No. I was not aware of complaints about the quality of these tools, but if my hon. Friend will let me have details of specific cases I will have the matter investigated.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the shortage of cross cut saws and circular saw blades is seriously impeding the supply of home grown timber; and whether he will ensure an allocation of steel which will permit increased production.

Yes. The Iron and Steel Board are investigating the position and my Department is in touch with the trade associations concerned.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the total estimated value of British stores and equipment in Palestine, of which he is disposing; whether the majority of such stores is being sold by private treaty or public tender; and whether he is satisfied that the system he is employing will not result in needlessly heavy losses to British taxpayers.

It is not possible to estimate the value of surpluses in course of disposal and of those yet to be declared. Sales are normally by competitive tender, and I am satisfied that the methods of disposal are producing the maximum revenue.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what are the pay and allowances of the British Civil Air Attaché at Washington.

The salary is £1,220 a year, plus an extra duty allowance not exceeding £16 a year. In addition, there is a foreign allowance of £1,445 a year, less an abatement of £75 if an official car is provided. There is also an allowance in respect of rent actually paid and certified as reasonable.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if the road connecting Heathrow Aerodrome with the Great West Road is being carried out on a fixed contract or on a cost-plus basis.

No road is being constructed to connect London Airport to the Great West Road. If, however, the hon. Member is referring to the diversion of the Stanwell New Road on the southern side of the airport between Stanwell Village and the Great South-West Road, this is being constructed on the basis of a schedule of prices. No work on a cost-plus basis is being undertaken at the London Airport.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what basis has been fixed, in accordance with Section 12 (3) of the Civil Aviation Act, 1946, for the Exchequer grants to the air-line Corporations for the year beginning 1st April, 1947.

The basis adopted for 1947–48 is a block grant to be related to the estimates presented by the Corporations. Consideration and settlement of questions of principle affecting the treatment of certain classes of expenditure have delayed the fixing of the actual amounts of the grants, but my noble Friend hopes shortly to make these determinations and concurrently to take into account any revisions which may be necessary under Section 13 of the Act.

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of men and women, respectively, teaching in boys' schools and in mixed schools at the latest time for which figures are available.

Following is the information for all primary and secondary schools other than infants' schools or departments in January, 1947—the latest date for which figures are available:

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the need to attract married women into whole or part-time work, he will cease the practice of deducting married women's earnings from their husband's war education grants.

In order to encourage students' wives to undertake work wherever practicable, my Department in assessing a student's grants takes no account of the first £80 of his wife's earnings and takes into account only half of any earnings in excess of that figure.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give a list of the numbers and types of ships at present in full commission in home waters, the Mediterranean, and other foreign stations.

No.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has any statement to make about the probable date when naval officers and men may expect the distribution of prize money, due to them from the last war.

I have nothing to add to the reply made to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 28th January last.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many hospitals there are for the treatment of venereal disease for sailors; how many nurses are employed in these hospitals; and how many cases were treated in 1947.

One small naval auxiliary hospital is devoted solely to the treatment of venereal diseases. In addition treatment can be given at any naval hospital and in the sick bay of nearly every ship. Treatment is carried out by male sick berth attendants. The total number of sick berth ratings employed on this duty varies with requirements. The present number so employed is not readily available; eight are employed at the special hospital. Returns so far received show that approximately 5,000 cases were treated last year; 435 of these were treated at the special hospital.

asked the Minister of Health how many counties there are in England and Wales whose local authorities do not at present make provision for the recognition of the cattle courts and milking parlours system for the purpose of milk production.

I am not aware that any local authorities in England and Wales, concerned with the enforcement of the Milk and Dairies Regulations, refuse to recognise the system.

asked the Minister of Health from what funds will the cost of diphtheria immunisation and smallpox vaccination schemes, now being arranged by local authorities, come.

Local health authorities are required by Section 26 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, to make arrangements for the vaccination of persons in their area against smallpox and for the immunisation of such persons against diphtheria. In accordance with Section 53 of the Act grants in respect of the expenditure incurred by local health authorities in providing these services will be made out of moneys provided by Parliament. The cost of the services will therefore, be shared by the taxpayers and the ratepayers.