asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what types of aircraft in naval use since January, 1938, have the highest accident rate.

I regret that it is contrary to long established policy to give this information.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) how many fully-qualified pilots and air observers are serving on the staffs of the Royal Naval Colleges, Greenwich and Dartmouth; and how many have had war flying experience;(2) how many fully-qualified pilots and air observers are serving on the naval staff of the Imperial Defence College and the Joint Services Staff College; and how many of these officers have had war flying experience.

One pilot and three observers are serving on the staff of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. No pilots or observers are serving on the staff of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, at present, but a pilot is being appointed next month. These five officers have war flying experience. One observer with war flying experience is serving on the naval staff of the Joint Services Staff College. There are no pilots on the naval staff of this College, and no pilots or observers on the naval staff of the Imperial Defence College.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how much longer will elapse before the publication of a revised edition of the Handbook for Chargemen in His Majesty's naval establishments and to what extent he has consulted the Chargemen's Association about the text of this manual.

The revised edition of the Handbook for Inspectors and Chargemen is now with the printers. The Chargemen's Association were not consulted in the preparation of this handbook.

asked the Postmaster-General what organisations were consulted when the new delivery and collection times were under consideration; and what representations were then made to him against these new arrangements.

The rearrangement of the delivery and collection services in mid-1947 was made necessary by the Government's decision that the Post Office, in common with other Government Departments, should effect a reduction in its manpower. The alterations were introduced after consultation with the Post Office Advisory Council.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in East Hampshire there are rural districts in which letters and parcels are still delivered by postmen whose only means of conveyance is a bicycle, with, in bad weather, consequent delays in delivery; and whether he will ensure that in future all postmen who have to go considerable distances over hilly roads are provided with some form of motor transport.

My policy, subject to difficulties of supply, is to motorise rural services when that course offers advantage. I am having the cases mentioned by the hon. Member examined, and will write to him.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will include men directed to coalmining in the war years with those who have given service with the Armed Forces and the Merchant Navy and for whom 5o per cent. of the vacancies in the postal service are allocated.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of expelled Germans and refugee Germans in each of the tour Lander of the British zone.

The following were the numbers of expelled Germans and refugee Germans recorded in each of the four Lander of the British zone on 1st January, 1948.

Refugees:
Schleswig-Holstein	…	123,934
Hamburg	…	44,533
Lower Saxony	…	285,616
North Rhine Westphalia	…	76,158
Total	…	530,241

Expelled Germans:
Schleswig-Holstein	…	257,848
Hamburg	…	Nil
Lower Saxony	…	1,142,935
North Rhine Westphalia	…	43,274
Total	…	1,444,057

The grand total is, therefore, approximately two million. This figure takes no account of Germans (over a million and a half) evacuated from their homes on account of air raids during the war, whose return has caused problems of a similar nature to those arising from the arrival of the refugees and expelled Germans.

DEVELOPMENT PLANS OF BARBADOS, JAMAICA AND ST. VINCENT.
Sources of Finance.
Colony.			Colonial Development and Welfare	Local Funds.	Loans.	Total.
			£	£	£	£
Barbados	…	…	800,000	1,600,000	1,000,000	3,400,000
Jamaica	…	…	6,350,000	11,300,000	5,282,000	23,031,000
St. Vincent	…	…	345,828	359,075	401,500	1,106,403

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the official notice that appeared in the Gold Coast Extraordinary Gazette of 21st January granting an open import licence to goods

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the ten-year development plans for the West Indian Colonies have so far been approved; how much of the necessary finance is being drawn from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund, and how much from local sources; and to what extent unofficial members of the various legislatures are being associated with this work.

Ten-year development plans have been approved for Barbados, Jamaica and St. Vincent. I attach to this reply a statement showing the proposed sources of finance in detail, but approximately £7,500,000 out of a total of £27,500,000 is to be found from Colonial Development and Welfare money. I have also received plans for British Guiana and British Honduras which will be considered in the light of the recommendations made by the Settlement Commission which has recently been investigating the economic potentialities of these two Colonies. Plans for the other West Indian Colonies are under urgent consideration locally. As regards the last part of the Question, these plans have been or are being prepared by local development committees of which the majority of the members are unofficial.

Gold Coast Open Import Licence No. G.L.or authorised the import under open general licence of various goods from the United Kingdom, the Colonies and the "war-shattered" European countries. If any other country had been included in such an open licence, there would have been discrimination against the countries not included and this would have been contrary to our obligations. The question of the extent to which it is still appropriate for open general licences to be issued in favour of war-shattered countries is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the film, "Son of Dracula," was recently shown in cinemas in the Eastern Provinces of Nigeria; what steps are taken to prevent unsuitable films from being exhibited; and what was the total expenditure of dollars on American films in Nigeria last year.

I have no information about this particular film. Censorship Boards are established at five centres in Nigeria and have power to prohibit the showing of any film which, in their opinion, depicts any matter contrary to public order or decency or which would for any other reason be undesirable in the public interest. American films are exhibited in Nigeria under various arrangements, and while I cannot give a precise figure of dollar expenditure it probably did not exceed £1,500 in 1947.

asked the Minister of Food if he has estimated the caloric value of the rations to which we shall be reduced by June if Marshall Aid is not forthcoming', and if he will publish this estimate.

It is not possible, in present circumstances, to make any accurate estimate of this kind. There are too many uncertain factors. It is quite certain, however, that eventually there would be a serious fall in the number of calories if Marshall Aid is not forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of sugar is being or has been recently shipped to Sweden from this country.

As a result of recent negotiations shipments of refined sugar to Sweden will be made during the next few months. None of this sugar will come from supplies available for consumption in the United Kingdom, but from raw sugar specially imported for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will now make a statement on the results of his review of Service ration scales overseas.

I With reference to my statement to the House on 28th January on the Service ration scales at home, the Government have decided to make roughly proportionate adjustments in the overseas ration scales of the Forces, in order to secure all possible economies in hard currency expenditure.2. The new scales provide for reductions, of 15 oz. of meat, 4 oz. of bacon, and 2 oz. of cheese a week, leaving the ration in these foodstuffs at 45 oz. meat (including offal), 5 oz. bacon, and 4 oz. cheese weekly. The amount of fats will be increased by 1½oz. a week, sugar by 1 oz. a week, and jam by 3½ oz. a week, making the weekly ration 14 oz. fats, 15 oz. sugar and 10½ oz. jam. It is intended that the overseas scale in general shall he maintained at its present level of 3,400 calories. The small calorific loss resulting from these changes will be made good by such non-rationed foods as may be locally available, or by the issue of additional bread. I will arrange for full details of the basic scales to be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT.3. The new scale will apply to the Fat East equally with all other stations except Palestine. In view of the exceptional conditions, the existing ration scale will he maintained in Palestine.4. The dollar saving resulting from these adjustments of the ration is estimated, very roughly, at about $5 million a year.5. These adjustments will involve considerable dietary changes, and they will, therefore, be brought into effect by stages, as is being done with the recently revised home scales. At all overseas stations one half of the adjustments will have effect from 1st May, and the balance three months later. The existing difference in the Far East ration will similarly be removed on 1st May.6. These changes do not affect the ration scales of Naval personnel afloat. Their scales will be reviewed separately in the light of these changes and of the position of the Merchant Navy. Certain adjust-

THE REVISED ARMY OVERSEAS RATION SCALE—BASIC SCALE—SHOWING THE RESULTS OF THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT WILL HAVE EFFECT ON 1ST MAY AND 1ST AUGUST, 1948.*
		MEN.		WOMEN
—		Weekly Scale from 1st May, 1948.	Weekly Scale from 1st August, 1948.	Weekly Scale from 1st May, 1948.	Weekly Scale from 1st August, 1948.
		Ounces.	Ounces.	Ounces.	Ounces
Meat, fresh or frozen (bone-in)	…	40	35	33¼	29¾
Bacon	…	7	5	6	4½
Sausages (Beef)	…	13	10	10	7
Tinned Herrings	…	7	7	7	7
Butter	…	2½	3	2½	3
Margarine	…	8¾	9	8¾	9
Cooking Fat	…	2	2	2	2
Cheese	…	5	4	3	2½
Dried Egg	…	1	1	3	3
Bread	…	84	84	70	70
		7†	4†	3½ †	8¾ †
Flour	…	17½	17½	10½	10½
Oatmeal	…	5	¨	4	4
Other Cereals	…	2	2	2	2
Jam	…	8¾	10½	10½	10½
Sugar	…	14	15	17	19¼
Tinned Milk	…	23	23	23	23
Skimmed Milk Powder	…	2	2	2	2
Fresh Fruit	…	42	42	42	42
Dried Fruit	…	6	6	6	6
Fresh Potatoes	…	84	84	56	56
Fresh Vegetables	…	56	56	56	56
Dried Peas, Beans, Lentils	…	7	7	7	7
Fresh Onions	…	14	14	14	14
Tea	…	3½	3½	3½	3½
Cocoa	…	7/8	7/8	7/8	7/8
Salt	…	3½	3½	3½	3½
Miscellaneous Items	…	Various	Various	Various	Various
*The messing of shore-based R.N. personnel overseas is based on monetary allowances, but their consumption of meat, bacon, sugar, fats, cheese and preserves is restricted to the quantities shown in the Army scales. R.A.F. personnel in most stations overseas are rationed on the Army scales.
† These quantities of bread to be replaced, if possible, by fresh produce purchased locally.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many improvement schemes have been submitted for the County of Northumberland under the Hill Farming Act, 1946; how many have been approved; the area covered; and what grants will be paid.

Proposals have been submitted for 58 hill farming improvement schemes covering 88,000 acres at land in Northumberland. The total estimated cost of the schemes is £241,000. Provisional approval, subject to the submission of detailed plans and estimates, has been given to 16 of these schemes which cover 14,000 acres of land and are estimated to cost £54,000 in all. Under the Act the grant will amount to 50 pet 'cent. of the actual approved cost of the work.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to whom the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering now reports; and what reorganisation has taken place consequent upon the termination of the Agricultural Machinery Development Board.

The National Institute of Agricultural Engineering is still reporting to the Agricultural Machinery Development Board. Proposals for reorganisation are under consideration, and the period of office of the Board has been extended until the reorganisation can be brought into effect.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power in view of the forthcoming shortage of fuel oil supplies revealed by the Economic Survey for 1948, he will postpone the erection of the oil fired power station at Bankside.

No. A power station will be required at Bankside, and oil burning plant has been decided upon in order to preserve the amenities in neighbouring areas on both sides of the river. No large quantities of fuel oil will be required for two to three years, by which time it is hoped the oil position will be easier.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many courts martial were held in 1947, of such number how many were general, district and field general courts martial, respectively, and of the total how many were in respect of officers and how many other ranks.

The only information readily available regarding trials by court martial of officers and other ranks is the number of trials of which the proceedings were received in the Judge Advocate General's Office during 1947. These were:

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that T. Dudding, T/ 14087505, Dvr. W/ Shops Pltn., 477 Coy., R.A.S.C. (TNF. B.D.E.) B.T.E., M.E.L.F., due for demobilisation with group 69, has been put back by three months, after serving two and a half years in the Service; and will he explain fully why this man and other drivers are being held beyond their group number for release

As I explained in reply to several hon. Members on 24th February, Commanders-in-Chief in all theatres have the power to defer the release of individual men in any corps or trades for short periods if their services are essential and they cannot be replaced. This power is very sparingly exercised, but without it the present overall very rapid rate of release could not be maintained.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of plague, cholera, yellow fever, typhus fever and smallpox have been brought to this country by aircraft from infected places during the last two years.

Four cases of smallpox, no cases of the other diseases mentioned.

asked the Minister of Health why he is not importing any more houses and components from Sweden.

Experience with houses imported from Sweden in 1945 and 1946 showed that such houses are substantially more expensive than houses built by normal methods in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether parents desiring to make a short visit to the graves of ex-Service men buried in Belgium are permitted, on compassionate grounds, to take the small amount of currency necessary to cover their expenses; and what the arrangements are and the amount allowed.

Yes. Currency up to the equivalent of £10 per person is allowed for this purpose. Application should be made in the normal way through the parents' own bankers to the Bank of England.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when a decision can be given on the matters raised at the recent inquiry at Guildhall last January concerning property within the City of London upon which the Corporation have applied for Declaratory Order under the Town and Country Planning Act, in view of the importance of proceeding with orderly development schemes.

The inquiry into the application of the Corporation of the City of London for a Declaratory Order under Section 1 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1944, was concluded on nth February, 1948, after a hearing lasting 12 days. The Inspector's report has now been submitted to me and will be given immediate consideration. It will he appreciated, however, that large and important matters are involved in this application, and while a decision will be reached as soon as possible, I am unable at present to say when this will be.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will publish a list of the private properties which he has obtained for nationalised boards or undertakings of a commercial character by making use of his requisitioning powers, or by direct transfers from other Government Departments which had previously requisitioned them.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th March, 1948, Vol. 448, c. 198], supplied the following list:

NATIONAL COAL BOARD.
London
Hobart House, Grosvenor Gardens, S.W.I (part).	Offices and Storage.
Norfolk House, St. James's Square, S.W.I.	Garage.
Lansdowne House, Berkeley Square, W.I (part).	Flats and Storage.
25–32, Chester Square, S.W.I	Large houses.
16–10, Lowndes Square, S.W.I	Large houses.
Mayfair Court, Stratton Street, W.I.	Storage.

Cardiff.
54, Bute Street	Offices.

Manchester.
2nd Floor, 20, Mount Street	Offices.

Edinburgh.
29, Walker Street	Large house.
24, Douglas Crescent	Large house
26, Douglas Crescent	Large house.
58, Palmerston Place	Large house.

Glasgow:
1, Horselethill Road	Large house.

BRITISH ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY.
London.
Portland Court, Great Portland Street, W.I.	Flats.
162 & 166, Great Portland Street, W.I.	Shops and Basements.
Weymouth Mews, W.I	Garages.

Manchester.
Ground and First Floors, Dan-lee Buildings, 53, Spring Gardens.	Offices.

B.O.A.C.
London.
26 & 27,	Lowndes Square, S.W.I.	Large houses.

RAW COTTON COMMISSION.
Manchester:
Part Ground Floor, Arkwright House.	Offices.
Part 4th Floor, Blackfriars House.	Offices.
Part 2nd and 3rd Floors, 42, Deansgate.	Offices.

Liverpool.
The Albany, Old Hall Street	Offices.
Berey's Buildings, Bixteth Street.	Offices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Lancashire textile mills, closed under the war-time concentration scheme, are still inoperative; what are the respective numbers of spindles and looms involved; how many looms are automatic; and how many spindles are respectively mule and ring.

Thirty-six cotton spinning mills, containing 1,400,000 mule spindles and 230,000 ring spindles, and 150 weaving sheds, in which some 30,000 looms are installed, are still closed after concentration. The exact number of automatic looms in the closed sheds is not known but it is believed to be very small.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement as to the issue of more coupons for the purchase of household linen, as many housewives have been unable to buy any during the past seven years and are now in serious difficulties.

As has been already explained on a number of occasions, the coupons issued in the ordinary clothing ration provide fully for the purchase of the household linen which is available for the home market. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman is asking whether it is possible to increase the general clothing ration I would refer him to the statement I made in the House on 27th January, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Battersea (Mrs. Ganley).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of persons naturalised during 1947 and the countries of origin.

17,739 certificates of naturalisation were granted during 1947. The following summary sets out the more important countries of origin; but it is not, of course, to be assumed that the individuals in question were prior to naturalisation, regarded by those countries as possessing their nationality.

Summary of Certificates of Naturalisation in which Oaths of Allegiance were Sworn and Registered during 1947
Country of Origin			Total
America	…	…	178
Austria	…	…	3,237
Belgium	…	…	191
Bulgaria	…	…	15
Czechoslovakia	…	…	1,767
Denmark	…	…	144
Holland	…	…	226
Estonia	…	…	44
Finland	…	…	40
France	…	…	196
Germany	…	…	6,850
Greece	…	…	87
Hungary	…	…	484
Italy	…	…	706
Latvia	…	…	61
Lithuania	…	…	56
Norway	…	…	68
Palestine	…	…	60
Poland	…	…	1,330
Portugal	…	…	23
Roumania	…	…	172
Russia	…	…	704
Spain	…	…	124
Sweden	…	…	46
Switzerland	…	…	58
Turkey	…	…	41
Yugoslavia	…	…	36
Other nationalities	…	…	256
Uncertain nationalities	…	…	13
No nationality	…	…	526
Total	…	…	17,739