asked the Minister of Food what information is in the possession of his Department on the costs of sugar refining; and what formula is used by his Department in determining the controlled price of refined sugar in relation to the price which has to be paid for raw sugar.

Full information on the costs of sugar refining is in the possession of my Department, as the result of a costings investigation made at the beginning of the war. The controlled price of refined sugar is fixed by reference to the results of this investigation adjusted to meet subsequent changes in costs and turnover.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make arrangements for doctors to issue priority milk permits, valid for more than one month, to old-age pensioners with feeble digestions and whose need is likely to be prolonged.

The medical advisers of my Department consider it essential to restrict the validity of medical certificates for dyspepsia to one month as this is not necessarily a chronic complaint and a short period of validity, therefore, conserves supplies.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the present arrangements between his Department and the grain milling trade provide a profit of 3s. 3d. per sack on flour in low cost mills where the total costs of milling a sack were only 7s. 6d.; that such a situation has arisen because of the high degree of monopoly existing in the milling industry before the war; and whether he will take steps on the expiry of the present agreement to ensure that the aggregate profit of flour milling is reduced and part of the subsidy paid on flour and bread thus made available to reduce prices of other essential foods.

The basis of the agreement under which the flour milling industry is remunerated is the aggregate of the average yearly profits of flour millers in three out of four consecutive years ended 31st December, 1938. It is the average costs of production and the average rate of profit of the industry as a whole which are material and not those of any individual miller. There is no evidence that the costs and profit levels indicated in the Question result from any degree of monopoly existing before the war. The agreement is renewed from year to year when all relevant factors are examined.

asked the Minister of Food what stocks of frozen fish imported and home produced are held; and whether, now that the winter is nearly over and the need for this reserve no longer exists, he proposes sending it to Germany in preference to making further purchases of fish overseas.

No. We must continue to hold such of this reserve as remains in case of shortages during the next two months.

asked the Minister of Food why extensive purchases of fish are being made in Iceland and Norway for delivery to Germany at the British taxpayers' expense, when equally good fish from the Grimsby market is being made into cattle and poultry food because it cannot be sold for human consumption; and why this Grimsby fish is not being exported to Germany.

The available surplus of British caught fish is far from sufficient for this purpose. Arrangements have been made in each of the last three years to send large quantities of British caught herring to Germany, and proposals for 1948 are now being considered. My right hon. Friend will also be willing to discuss with trawler owners the possibility of sending regular supplies of British caught white fish on terms comparable with those arranged for the Norwegian and Icelandic fish.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that his inspectors are visiting farms and asking the farmer's employees detailed questions about his farming business; and if he will issue instructions that this shall stop forthwith.

I am aware of one visit of this kind. I am afraid that if the farmer himself is absent, such inquiries must be made so that inspectors' inquiries may be made effectively and without undue waste of time.

asked the Minister of Food how much is being paid in freight charges for moving foodstuffs from English ports to Scotland by coaster, including chartered vessels, and by road and rail.

The movement of Ministry imports of food and feedingstuffs from English ports to Scotland during the 12 months ending September, 1947, is estimated to have cost £160,000.

asked the Minister of Food why 700 barrels of fruit pulp are lying rotting in the open at Sandwich; and what is or was the value of this pulp.

This stock is the unsold portion of a quantity of home-grown plum pulp which was packed in the summer of 1946 as a reserve for jam manufacturers until the following season's crop had been harvested. Owing to the heavy plum crop in 1947 this reserve was not needed. The storage of fruit pulp in barrels out of doors is a normal practice; and my information is that although reconditioning of some of the barrels became necessary last autumn the stock still in hand, which is valued at about £5,800, is in perfectly sound condition.

asked the Minister of Food the number of workers employed in Scotland on industrial building for which he is responsible in June, 1947; and how many will be employed on such work at June, 1948, in accordance with the proposals set out in Capital Investment in 1948, Command 7268.

The number of workers employed in Scotland in June, 1947, on industrial building work sponsored by my Department was 2,284. I am not in a position to say how many will be so employed in June, 1948.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the percentage increase in British shipping freight rates during the six months ending 31st January, 1948; and how much of this increase was due to the increase in the price of coal.

The majority of the controlled deep-sea tramp freight rates were reduced by 5 per cent. in September, 1947, but as from 1st January, 1948, both the controlled deep-sea and short-sea tramp rates were increased by 6 to 7 per cent. This increase took account of various cost factors, but can be attributed mainly to increased coal bunker prices. During the last six months there has been no increase in the controlled rates for deep-sea tankers but the controlled rates for short-sea tankers have been increased by 2 to 5 per cent. on account of higher oil bunker prices.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to take any steps to implement the recommendations of the Report on Ferries; and if he proposes to publish this Report.

I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the Report, which is being studied. The answer to the second part of the Question is "Yes."

asked the Minister of Transport if he intends to prosecute Turners Transport, of Wilmington, Kent, for consistently infringing the 1930 Road Traffic Act, by compelling their road transport drivers to work longer hours than the law permits.

The licensing authorities for goods vehicles for the Metropolitan and South Eastern Traffic Areas are making inquiries into the allegations which have been made, and it will be for them to decide what action to take when these inquiries are completed.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has now begun the examination of whether and to what extent the administrative proposals in the Scottish White Paper can usefully be applied to Wales.

Yes. Some preliminary examination of the problem has been made, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement or enter into consultations on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied with the potash supplies for fertilisers; and what is being done to increase the production of compound fertilisers.

Potash supplies have been arriving at a record rate and I am expecting further considerable quantities. By the end of March supplies should be sufficient for reasonable dressings for all spring crops this year. I am aware, however, that some orders are still awaiting fulfilment. After consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and with the National Farmers' Union arrangements are being made for considerable tonnages of the high grade material, scheduled for delivery by the end of March, to be reserved for the manufacture of potato compounds. I hope this, together with the voluntary co-operation of farmers in reserving potash for their priority crops at this period of peak demand, will ease the situation. Everything possible is being done to increase still further supplies from abroad.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why farmers in Oxfordshire have to pay £5 3s. 9d. per week for a Polish worker and only £4 10s. for a British farmworker.

The charges made to farmers for workers hired from agricultural executive committees, which are the same for foreign as for British workers, cover, in addition to wages for actual time worked, employers' contributions for National Insurance and something towards other unavoidable costs, such as wages paid during holidays and temporary sickness. These additional costs are, of course, also incurred by farmers in respect of workers whom they themselves employ.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the National Agricultural Advisory Service will be represented at the London Dairy Show in October.

My Department, in association with the National Institute for Research in Dairying, will stage exhibits on animal health and dairy research subjects at the London Dairy Show next October.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will issue in the form of a table the approximate acreages of land suitable for agricultural purposes, county by county, out of the 139,480 acres which were requisitioned during the war for training purposes but which are now earmarked for release by the War Office.

The total area referred to includes 1,513 acres of land in Scotland. The area in England and Wales is made up of 113,133 acres of land over which the military authorities acquired training rights under Defence Regulation 52 without dispossession of the occupiers, and 24,834 acres of land requisitioned under Defence Regulation 51. The distribution of these areas, county by county, is shown in the table below. The land has been broadly classified by my Department into three categories, as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture when the remaining parts of the Agriculture Act, 1947, will be brought into operation.

An Order in Council has been made bringing Parts II and III of the Act, together with the relative schedules, into operation as from 1st March, 1948. Part II deals with the responsibilities of owners and occupiers to manage and farm their land in accordance with the rules of good estate management and of good husbandry, while Part III deals with the relationship of landlords and tenants of agricultural holdings by amending and extending the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1923. The Order in Council also brings into operation as from the same date Section 95 dealing with special directions to secure production and Section 101 dealing with the provision of equipment and services for pest control.Owing to administrative difficulties it has not been possible to arrange for Part I of the Act, dealing with guaranteed prices and assured markets, to be brought into operation on 1st March. It is, however, the intention to bring this Part into operation by the beginning of April. This slight delay will be in no way detrimental to producers, since the machinery already in operation for fixing guaranteed prices in advance and providing assured markets corresponds to that provided for in Part I of the Act.I am not yet in a position to say when it will be possible to bring into operation Part IV of the Act dealing with Smallholdings, and the remaining Sections of Part V dealing with statistics and with pest control. I hope, however, that this can be done before the end of this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many Service men have taken advantage of the training schemes in agriculture and horticulture; and if there is a waiting list of men desiring to take these courses.

The hon. Member is presumably referring to the Vocational Training Scheme for agriculture and horticulture. In the 32 months during which the scheme has been running, 8,96o men and women have been placed in farm training; 2,372 have completed their training satisfactorily, 3,149 are still training, and 3,439 terminated their training before the end of the 12 months' course. Of these 3,439, more than one-third are known to have remained on the land and many others were obliged to discontinue for reasons of health. Of those who completed their farm training satisfactorily, 615 have been given a further course of institutional training; and in addition 989 men and women (including members of the Women's Land Army) have been given institutional training without being required to take a preliminary year of farm training.There were on 9th February, 294 applicants awaiting interview to determine whether they were suitable for farm training, and 334 who had been found suitable but were awaiting places on approved holdings. Everything possible is done to shorten these waiting periods as much as possible, but lack of suitable accommodation and reluctance on the part of farmers to accept trainees at certain seasons of the year occasion difficulty, while many applicants themselves prefer to delay the start of their training for a short period. On 9th February there was also 5o people awaiting the next series of institutional courses which, as they are aware, will begin next October. They have been advised to seek agricultural employment in the intervening months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to enable Polish veterinary surgeons residing in this country who seek admission to the new health service to be received on the same principle as Polish doctors are now admissible to that service, without seeking a British qualification, which is difficult to obtain owing to the congestion in the veterinary schools.

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the recruitment of Polish veterinary surgeons into the veterinary service of my Department. It would not be possible for me to appoint as veterinary officers persons who are not registered in the British Register of Veterinary Surgeons, nor have I any powers to secure registration. I would invite the attention of the hon. Member to Section 13 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1881, which provides for the registration, in certain circumstances, of persons possessing foreign veterinary qualifications.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the fact that Colorado beetles have been found in imported lettuces at Liverpool, what steps will be taken to effect safeguards against the further importation of this pest.

One beetle was discovered at Nottingham on 14th February on lettuce imported from France. This is abnormal at this time of year, and my technical advisers do not consider that this isolated incident justifies any change in the present restrictions on the importation of vegetables. The position is, however, being carefully watched.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the shortage of Schrader valves and fittings throughout the country; and what steps he is taking to remedy this situation.

No. I was not aware of a shortage of these valves and fittings, but if the hon. Member knows of a shortage in a particular area and will let me have details, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the percentage use now being made of wire-drawing capacity in U.K.; whether he will make an increased allocation of rods and bars to the industry in order to reduce the need for wire imports and increase the supplies available for the home and export trades; and what action he proposes taking to increase the production of rods and bars and to increase the allocation made to the wiredrawing industry.

It is not possible to give any precise figure, but it is estimated that up to a quarter of the wire-drawing capacity in the United Kingdom cannot be fully used at present owing to shortages of material. Increased supplies of rods are being made available to wire drawers, but for some time it will be impossible to make enough material available from United Kingdom production to enable capacity to be used to the full. Imports of both rod and wire will, therefore, be necessary. New rod making capacity is being provided as part of the industry's modernisation plan, but there will be little substantial production from this before 1950.

asked the Minister of Supply to state, in annual amounts, the value of the surplus stores disposed of overseas in 1946 and 1947; and if he will estimate the value of such stores remaining for disposal.

The gross receipts realised by my Department in 1946 and 1947 from the disposal overseas of surplus stores were £95,000,000 and £83,000,000, respectively. I am unable to estimate future receipts, as declarations by the Services are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Supply what has been the result of his investigation into the shortage of manure forks in Devonshire; what steps he is taking to remedy it; and how long will it be before supplies are made available.

It was found, on investigation, that there is a shortage of these forks in Devonshire. Additional supplies, which the trade have agreed to send to this area, should be available within a fortnight.

asked the Minister of Supply what number and types, including wheeled and crawler types, of American tractors are to be imported during 1948.

It is expected that the following tractors will arrive during 1948:

asked the Minister of Supply, as galvanised iron piping essential for the completion of pre-fabricated houses has been in short supply, what steps he has taken to overcome this difficulty.

I am making special arrangements to accelerate the deliveries of galvanised piping for pre-fabricated houses.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will introduce legislation to enable the collection of scrap iron and steel to be delivered to railway stations and other centres with adequate commission to the collectors.

No. Such legislation would serve no useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of workers employed in Scotland on industrial building for which he is responsible in June, 1947; and how many will be employed on such work at June, 1948, in accordance with the proposals set out in Capital Investment in 1948, Command 7268.

The number of workers employed in Scotland on industrial building work sponsored by the Ministry of Supply is included in the figures given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works on 19th February in answer to a Question by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Works if, in view of the warnings in the recent White Paper that all our efforts must be directed towards exporting, he will delay the rebuilding of the House of Commons till a more appropriate time.

No. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 17th November, 1947.

asked the Minister of Works if he will consider transferring the custody of the historic Castle of Edinburgh to the Corporation of the City of Edinburgh, so that the Castle may be under direct Scottish control in accordance with Scottish national sentiment.

No. The Castle of Edinburgh is a national monument and for many years has been under the direct control of my office in Edinburgh which has autonomy in Scottish affairs.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will reconsider his decision not to suspend the building licence of Messrs. E. Shephard, Ltd., in respect of a new shop, in view of the representatations made by Gateshead Corporation, the shortage of cement and other building materials in Gateshead and the fact that Messrs. Shephard, Ltd., are already housed in adequate temporary premises.

I should not be justified in withdrawing the licence which has been given, in view of the stage the work has reached. The progress of other more important work at Gateshead should not be affected by the supply of materials for this project.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will reconsider the claim of Mrs. S. Hopkinson, of 37 St. Anne's Street, Chesham, Bury, Lancashire, for further compensation for her railings requisitioned for scrap in 1943, for which 5s. 11d. was received, in view of the fact that his Department is now paying as much as £3 10s. for similar railings requisitioned at the same time.

No. Mrs. Hopkinson accepted the sum in settlement. It would be impracticable to reopen such claims on the ground that higher sums are now being paid as a result of awards made subsequently by the General Claims Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Works what was the total tonnage and value of railings collected during the war; and what payments were made.

The total weight of railings and gates collected during the war was 600,000 tons. The scrap metal value was assessed at a standard rate of 25s. per ton and the bulk of the payments were made at that rate to those owners who claimed. The records available do not differentiate between the various classes of scrap and sums paid in respect of railings cannot be extracted.

asked the Minister of Works to what extent the recently announced capital expenditure cuts are to affect the erection of the remaining 72 factories needed for the training and employment of disabled persons under the Re-employment Scheme.

This programme comprises 112 factories. Fourteen are already in operation, a further 23 are under construction, 14 more are schemes for the adaptation of existing premises, and in 19 other cases it is hoped to use space in Government Training Centres. Special consideration is now being given to the possibility of starting in the near future 20 of the remaining 42 cases, and an announcement will be made in due course.

asked the Minister of Works the total amount of licences granted over the last three quota periods in respect of the Metropolitan Boroughs of Westminster, Marylebone and St. Pancras.

The total amounts of licences granted during the three months November, 1947, to January, 1948, are as follow:Westminster—£1,034,606, St. Marylebone —£426,506, St. Pancras—£303,997.

asked the Minister of Works if he has any further information to give regarding the negotiations for premises which, if completed, would make it possible for his Department to vacate the portion of the Walker Art Gallery in the City of Liverpool now occupied by his staff.

I regret that the owners of the building I had in view have now decided not to let it. I have no option, therefore, but to look for other premises.

asked the Minister of Works when he will transfer the Assistance Board from the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, elsewhere; what alternative accommodation has been obtained; and whether he is aware that this main centre for trade conferences and official entertainment is badly handicapped, especially during the staggered holiday season, by the inability to use these extra rooms.

I am aware of the inconvenience caused by the retention of the rooms in the Pavilion. Alternative accommodation is now in view, but I am not able to give details at present.

asked the Minister of Works what range of prices his Department is tendering to the Forestry Commissions for the construction of houses.

My Department does not tender, but, as the agent of the Commission, calls for tenders from firms of contractors, which are then submitted to the Commission for approval to accept. The lowest estimate for permanent houses so far submitted to the Forestry Commission is £1,513. Substantially higher prices have to be paid where there is additional accommodation, e.g. offices, and where owing to the remoteness of area it is necessary to import labour.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that provision for a new day nursery was included in the licence for £51,000 issued to the Regent Palace Hotel for restoration of the annexe, which was war damaged; that supplemental licences were subsequently granted to strip this work, which was nearing completion under licence, and reconstruct it as hotel accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the reasons for granting these supplemental licences.

No. No provision for a day nursery was included in the original licences granted to the Regent Palace Hotel. The supplementary licences were in respect of the additional cost of the work already licensed.

asked the Minister of Works how many food offices in England are in requisitioned property belonging to shops and normally used for trading purposes; whether he will consider raising this burden on individual firms, and requisitioning property belonging to local authorities.

There are 1,200 food offices in England and Wales, excluding sub-offices, and I could not say without detailed examination how many are in requisitioned property. Local authorities in general have no vacant accommodation available, and I am unwilling to requisition space already in use. I am doing all I can to find and provide alternative accommodation in order to release requisitioned premises generally.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of chairs in Kensington Gardens during last summer; and if he will take steps to improve the position during the coming season.

Yes. The chair contractors have done their best to maintain an adequate supply of chairs in good condition, but they have had to contend with a shortage of chairs and of timber and canvas for repairs, and also with wilful damage done by a small section of the public. I am doing everything possible to help the contractors and I should like to appeal for the co-operation of the public in preventing further damage.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the existing arrangements for consultation between the occupying Powers on all matters concerning the future of Germany, His Majesty's Government was represented at the recent talks in Berlin between representatives of General Clay and Marshal Sokolovsky; or if the purpose and results of these talks were communicated to him.

My right hon. Friend has no information about the talks which are alleged to have taken place between representatives of General Clay and Marshal Sokolovsky.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the grounds for detention at No. 1 C.I.S., Adelheide, of Colonel Hans-Joachim Ludendorff; and how much longer it is proposed to detain him.

Ludendorff, who is a former member of the German General Staff, was detained as a militarist. His case has recently been reviewed and it has been decided that he can now safely be set at liberty. He is due for release on 5th March, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has sent to the Soviet Government in reply to the latter's protest against the present Three Power Conference in London to discuss the question of Germany; and whether with a view to preventing a further widening of the gap between Great Britain and the U.S.S.R., His Majesty's Government will again consider the proposal made by M. Molotov on 12th December, 1947, respecting raising production in the Western zones of Germany to 70 per cent. of the 1938 level and M. Molotov's further proposal that 10 per cent. of current production should be made available for reparations to the U.S.S.R.

As to the first part of the Question, a reply was sent to the Soviet Ambassador on 23rd February. I will attach a copy of the text at the end of this answer. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Finsbury (Mr. Platts-Mills) on 16th February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what revisions and amendments have been made to Treaties contained in Cmd. No, 3797 (Iraq), Cmd. No. 5360 (Egypt) and Cmd. No. 6916 (Transjordan).

The Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930 was amended on 2nd August, 1946, by an exchange of letters in which His Majesty's Government gave up their diplomatic precedence in Iraq, thereby enabling any country which so desired to appoint an Ambassador to the Iraqi Court.There have been no revisions or amendments to the Anglo-Transjordan Treaty of 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a list, with details, of the treaties and agreements existing between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

Yes.The following is a list of the Treaties and Agreements concluded between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of Syria, the Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. No Treaties or Agreements concluded prior to the acquisition of independence by Syria and the Lebanon in 1946 or prior to the constitution of the Kingdom of the Hejaz and of Nejd (subsequently re-named Saudi Arabia) in 1927 have been included.1.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will take the initiative in approaching the Governments of the U.S.A., U.S.S.R. and France with a view to negotiating an amicable agreement with the Governments of the States comprising the Middle East for the joint assistance in the development of the oil resources of these countries.

No. As far as my right hon. Friend is aware, the Governments of the Middle East have evinced no desire to receive any such joint assistance from the Governments of France, the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Governments of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Transjordan and Iraq that the arms recently supplied to those Governments through British Military Missions attached thereto will not be used in actions designed to obstruct by force the U.N.O. decision on Palestine: and what replies he has received.

There is no British Military Mission in either Egypt or Transjordan. No arms have recently been supplied to the Government of Saudi Arabia. It has already been made clear that our commitments to supply military material to Egypt, Iraq and Transjordan will be reconsidered if it should appear that this material is being diverted to Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to U.N.O. for the maintenance of Jerusalem with a corridor to the sea as an international enclave when our Mandate terminates.

None.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that the necessary finance will be available for the Palestine Citrus Board to purchase the packing materials needed to ensure the supply to Britain of the 1948–49 citrus crop.

I am in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food about the financial provision required to enable the Palestine Citrus Marketing Board to acquire packing materials for that part of the 1948–49 citrus crop which the United Kingdom is likely to require. The United Kingdom Delegation has also been asked to raise with the United Nations Palestine Commission the question of financial assistance through that body.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement on the terms to be offered upon the termination of the Mandate to the Palestine Police and members of the Administration.

I. The terms of compensation for members of the Palestine Civil Service whose careers will be affected by the termination of the Mandate as set out in Annexure I.2. His Majesty's Government hope that many of the British staff concerned will be offered and will accept suitable alternative employment in the Colonial Service or in other public service. It is also hoped that a large proportion of the local Palestinian staff will be absorbed in employment under the successor authorities in accordance with the expressed intention of the United Nations Palestine Commission. The terms of compensation have been framed with these considerations in mind.3. In the view of His Majesty's Government the financial commitment involved in the payment of this compensation constitutes a liability to be assumed, equally with the cost of superannuation benefits now being paid or falling due in the future, by the successor authorities. This view has been con- veyed to the United Nations Commission and the terms of compensation have at the same time been communicated to them in order that they may be aware of the extent of the liability.4. Meanwhile the expatriate officers concerned have the assurance of His Majesty's Government that they will receive the compensation and statutory benefits and leave rights to which they are entitled. In the circumstances of the termination of the Mandate, His Majesty's Government feel that in the interim period pending the establishment of successor states the local non-expatriate staff who have served the Mandatory Government loyally and well should also have an assurance that, so far as may be practicable, they will receive the payments due to them. This assurance will hold good until such time as successor authorities have emerged, which, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, are capable of taking over the liability.5. Any payments made under either of these assurances will be regarded as recoverable from the successor states and will be taken into account in any financial agreement to be negotiated with the United Nations Commission or the successor states.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to make it compulsory for persons desirous of letting furnished rooms to notify the local authority and obtain its approval of the rental proposed to be charged.

No. Rent Tribunals have been established in areas where they are required with powers to fix the rents of furnished lettings.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider providing himself with an official residence in Edinburgh, in order to place himself on a parity with other Ministers of the Crown for whom similar provision is made in London.

The proposal that there should be an official residence in Edinburgh for the Secretary of State has been viewed sympathetically by various Governments but the circumstances of the war and other factors have made impractical the realisation of the proposal. I am sure the hon. Gentleman will agree that it would not be opportune at present to proceed with the project but the matter is kept under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the decision of the Blaenavon Company to discharge about 160 workmen and to close down part of their plant; and if he has any statement to make regarding alternative employment in the district of Blaenavon for the men affected.

Yes. I am aware of the position, but I hope that the company may be able to dispose of that part of the premises which they no longer require to some other firm who can provide employment. With regard to the second part of the Question, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour and I are doing all we can to facilitate the employment of those men who are now without work in the new factories which are in course of construction in adjacent districts. I am glad to report that about 60 of the discharged men will start work this month in a new factory at Pontypool.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of announcements made by his Department several months ago that industrial workers' printed cotton handkerchiefs, specification 601, would be available shortly, when supplies may be expected in retail shops.

The first consignment of utility handkerchiefs, specification 601, was despatched by the manufacturers about a month ago. The quantity produced is relatively small and some retailers may, therefore, have difficulty in obtaining supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the serious shortage of men's worsted trousers in the shops in the Whitstable district; and if steps can be taken to increase the supply.

I am afraid that worsted trousers are in short supply in most parts of the country. Men's worsted cloths are in strong demand for export, and in present circumstances the export trade must have first claim.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £75 millions which it is estimated will be expended for military purposes overseas in the financial year 1948–49 will be spent in the sterling area.

I have been asked to reply. The situation is too fluid to permit of any accurate estimate, but, if expenditure on oil, supplies of which from all sources are pooled, is omitted, the figure is expected to be in the region of 70 per cent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the date and terms of each direction given by the Treasury to the War Damage Commission.

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the date of and subject matter covered by each direction. The purport of all directions bearing on the interests of war damage claimants generally has been published from time to time by the Commission in the Press and in their "Practice Notes" issued for the information of claimants or their professional advisers, and the purport of any direction of limited application has been communicated by the Commission to those particular claimants whose interests were affected.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will secure in making appointments in the public services that any candidate who tries to influence selection by the aid of persons other than by way of testimonials to merit in writing from people with a considerable personal knowledge of such candidate, will be ipso facto disqualified.

This is the existing practice both in civilian Crown Services and in the Armed Forces.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the actual or estimated weekly revenue accruing to the Treasury from the tax upon football pool receipts; and the total number of football pool organisations by whom such tax is being paid.

Since the commencement of the Pool Betting Duty, receipts from football pools have averaged approximately £170,000 a week. The number of football pool organisations paying tax is 195.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) the total amount of U.S.A. coal imported to date and the price; and what would be the price of the same amount of British coal;

Altogether 606,000 tons of coal were imported from the United States at a total cost of approximately £3 million c.i.f. This coal was sold by the National Coal Board at the prices ruling for comparable grades of British coal and varying according to the transport and handling charges involved. A comparison between the delivered costs of the American coal and of the equivalent grades of British coal cannot be made without the expenditure of an undue proportion of time and effort, but the c.i.f. cost of the American coal may be roughly compared with the pit head cost of the same tonnage of Welsh steam coal and Durham gas coal, namely, £1.4 million. It is not intended to import any more coal from the U.S.A.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it was with his authority that medical information about a private soldier, particulars of whose case has been sent him, undergoing treatment in a military hospital was disclosed to the soldier's wife in breach of professional secrecy; and if he will make a statement.

No medical information about this soldier was disclosed to his wife by my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the average cost in the last six months of obtaining one recruit for the Regular and Territorial Armies.

It is estimated that the cost was approximately £6 6s. for the Regular and £2 2s. for the Territorial Army. These estimates cover cost of recruiting staff, recruiting rewards and publicity generally but do not take into account the cost of recruiting premises, travelling, headquarters staff, printing expenditure borne by His Majesty's Stationery Office, or the administrative expenses of Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations.

asked the Secretary of State for War when his Department will send to Mrs. Kennerson, of 119, Whitestile Road, Brentford, a photograph of the grave of her son, 6216672 Private G. R. Kennerson, Queen's Royal Regiment, at Plot XXIII, Row E, Bayeux British Cemetery.

A number of photographs of graves in the completed part of Bayeux British Cemetery have been received and sent to the next-of-kin, but the remainder of the work is not yet finished. It is expected that all outstanding photographs for this cemetery will be sent to the next-of-kin by the middle of the year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the numbers of officers and ratings, respectively, borne in the books of ships in full commission, sea-going ships employed on training duties, and ships in reserve, at the present time.

The number of officers and ratings respectively borne at the present time in the three classes of ships mentioned is approximately as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the approximate number of officers and ratings, respectively, borne in shore establishments, on 1st January, 1939, and at the present time.

The numbers of officers and ratings borne in shore establishments on the 1st January, 1939, were approximately 4,000 and 41,00o, respectively. The current corresponding numbers are approximately 8,500 officers and 77,500 ratings. I would point out that present conditions are, of course, abnormal.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, if, in view of the urgent need of manpower in the coalmines, he is prepared to reconsider his decision regarding the release of Leading Telegraphist G. F. Swindells, C/JX 160186, who has been offered training, accommodation and subsequent employment in the coalmines by the National Coal Board.

Under the current regulations approved by His Majesty's Government, the special release of men from the Forces for coalmining can only be considered if the applicants have had not less than six months' experience of coal mining ether underground or on the surface. Leading Telegraphist Swindells has not had this experience, and as he is serving on a regular engagement in a category in which there is a shortage of trained ratings, his application for discharge could be considered only on exceptional compassionate grounds of which no evidence has been put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will publish in HANSARD a table giving full details of the pay and rations, including milk, issued to Poles in the various categories still within the responsibility of His Majesty's Government, namely, those who have opted to return to Poland and are awaiting repatriation; those who have opted to join the Polish Resettlement Corps and are awaiting transfer to it or undergoing training in it; those who have refused to take either of these courses; those who are still in the Polish Armed Forces or other military or semi-military formations; and any in other miscellaneous categories.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 3rd February, 1948; Vol. 446, c. 254], supplied the following information: