asked the Secretary of State for Air the circumstances in which a bomb was dropped penetrating four feet into ground one hundred yards from Woodperry House, near Oxford, which is over one mile from target; how this has happened in view of the assurances given to the local deputation received at Whitehall; and whether he will ensure that compensation is paid.

This bomb, which was a 25 lb. practice bomb, fell outside the target area during a bombing exercise at the Ot-Moor range on 6th April. The cause of the incident is being investigated and I will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as it is established. I regret the occurrence and would repeat the assurance that was given to the local deputation, that every possible precaution will be taken to avoid the irregular release of bombs over this range. Compensation will be paid for any damage that was caused by the bomb.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why he is carrying out building work at the R.A.F. Station, Shinfield Park, without proper consultation with the Perks, Oxon and Reading Joint Advisory Planning Committee or the local authorities concerned.

I very much regret that owing to a misunderstanding on the part of my Department the local authorities were not consulted about this work. A meeting will be held next week at which certain questions which the local authorities have raised can be fully discussed, and I hope it will be possible to reach an agreement satisfactory to all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what success attended the recent State-sponsored lottery in Gibraltar, how much was subscribed, what percentage was paid out in prizes, what was the amount of the highest prize, who drew it, what total profit was made by the Colony and to what use it will be dedicated.

The Gibraltar Government lottery scheme provides for a series of lotteries. The first was held in October of last year when tickets to the value of £10,000 were issued. Prize money totalled £7,048, the highest prize being £3,000. The lottery is now held weekly, but tickets are limited to a total value of £5,000. The percentage paid in prize money is unaltered but the first prize has been reduced to £1,500. I do not know the names of individual prize winners. Up to 31st March the net profit to the Colony was £28,000; these profits are paid into general revenue and are designed to cover the charges on a local housing loan.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures he is taking to facilitate the supply of food to Jerusalem between now and 15th May.

Food is available in Palestine for supply to Jerusalem as to other parts of the country. The problem is entirely one of distribution. The Arab inhabitants of the city, who rely on local supplies, are suffering no shortage. The Jewish inhabitants rely on food brought from the coastal plain by road. The only possible route is the Jaffa-Jerusalem road which for the last 37 kilometres winds through rough and hilly country. Traffic on this road is subject to Arab attack and the situation has recently deteriorated as a result of Jewish attempts to seize the Arab villages dominating this route. Until recently the road has been kept fairly clear by standing and mobile military and police patrols. Owing to the nature of the country large slow-moving convoys are difficult to escort with success. Last week, however, two large convoys came through and every effort will be made by the Palestine Government, both by negotiations with the parties concerned, and by all other possible action should these negotiations fail, to ensure adequate food supplies for Jerusalem up to 15th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress is taking place in the development of Colonial timber resources to the advantage of our home timber supplies; and whether the necessary felling and railway equipment has been provided in the area of development.

Colonial timbers are chiefly hardwoods, and every effort is being made to develop these woods needed by this country subject, of course, to maintaining a sound afforestation policy. Much new machinery and railway equipment is being obtained both by Governments and by private firms, although there is sometimes delay in securing equipment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the last edition of the Classified Trades Telephone Directory for Leicester and district was in 1940; and when the next issue will be made.

Yes. Publication of a new edition of the "Classified Trades Telephone Directory" has been held up by shortage of paper. An issue of the London Section has recently been completed and the Provincial and Scottish Sections will be issued as further paper becomes available. I regret that I am unable at present to say when the Section for Leicester and district is likely to be issued.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the serious breakdown of the telephone service affecting the business section of Brentford, Middlesex; and what steps are being taken to overcome the long delay in remedying the defect which is causing inconvenience and hardship to the local community.

The interruptions were caused by two unrelated cable faults which occurred on 4th and 5th of April, and. repairs were put in hand immediately. In each case a large cable was involved and a new length of cable had to be drawn in and jointed. The work was completed by midday on 8th April.

asked the Postmaster-General why telephone communication with Spain is limited to the hours from 10.15 a.m. to 1.0 p.m.

Telephone communication with Spain is at present effected by radio, and the service can only be provided for a limited period because of the many demands on our radiotelephone facilities. Negotiations are, however, proceeding for the reopening of the landline service via France, and as soon as this service can be resumed communication will be available continuously.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that although the rates of pay of officers attached to the Royal West African Frontier Force were raised in July, 1946, the net total daily rate including allowances is less than it was before July, 1946; and whether, in view of the great increase of the cost of living in Nigeria recently, he will take steps to review the present rates of pay and allowances.

British officers attached to the Royal West African Frontier Force receive the rate of pay shown in the Post-War Code of Pay (Cmd. 6750), including "war excess" where applicable. Local overseas allowance rates for single and married officers have been reviewed in the last 12 months and I have no evidence that a further review is necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General what opportunities he affords to members of the National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers to place before him and his officers questions relating to the duties, working conditions, welfare and leave arrangements of postal and telegraph officers.

None. The National Association of Postal and Telegraph Officers is not officially recognised by the Post Office.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average margin of profit permitted by his regulations on the sale of a pig, allowing for labour in the cost of raising.

There is no control by regulation over the' margin of profit in pig-rearing or feeding. The prices of fat pigs, in common with other farm products covered by the guaranteed price system, are fixed in relation to national production requirements and a general study of economic and financial data, which are considered at annual reviews.

asked the Minister of Supply why his Department declared redundant Mr. K. H. Coppin, after six and a half years as a transport officer, on 31st December, 1947; gave him an increment of £20 for satisfactory service on 1st January, 1948; terminated his engagement 29th February, 1948; and advertised for a transport officer for Royal Aircraft Establishment, Westcott, on 12th February, 1948.

Mr. Coppin, who was a technical assistant and not a transport officer, was declared redundant on 31st December, 1947, and was discharged on 29th February, 1948, because of the decrease in work at the depot at which he was employed. As his service was satisfactory, he received his yearly increase in salary on 1st January, 1948. The vacancy at Westcott was advertised within the Ministry of Supply in accordance with a procedure agreed with the Staff Side Associations to give all redundant staff an equal opportunity of continued employment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are being made to expedite the delivery of new mining machinery to such dollar-earning activities as the Malayan tin and the West African gold industries.

I have been asked to reply. We are giving all possible assistance to manufacturers of machinery and equipment for the Malayan tin and West African gold mining industries. Any difficulties or delays which are reported to us are immediately investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the clearing up of British claims against Siam.

Claims forms in respect of personal prejudice Claims against the Siamese Government, arising under the terms of the Formal Agreement of 1st January, 1946, with Siam, and the final Peace Agreement between the Governments of Australia and Siam of 3rd April, 1946, have been issued to claimants and the closing date for their submission to the appropriate authorities is nth December, 1948. A considerable number of personal prejudice claims have already been submitted to the Siamese Government. Claims forms in respect of property claims will be issued shortly when a public announcement will be made giving the details of the procedure to be followed in submitting these property claims forms. It is hoped that it will now soon be possible to make satisfactory progress with the final settlement of all British claims against Siam.

asked the Minister of Works what is the procedure whereby individual owners may still claim compensation for the loss of railings and gates requisitioned as scrap; and to whom such claim should be addressed.

Claims for compensation should be made on a form which can be obtained according to the situation of the property affected, as follows:In London region, from the Assistant Director of Lands and Accommodation (Salvage), 44 Lowndes Square, S.W.r.In other regions, Wales and Scotland, from the regional compensation surveyors at the undermentioned addresses:—

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Controller of Stamps is instructing inspectors of taxes that certain deeds securing the payment of annuities are insufficiently stamped, although the Stamp Duty on them was adjudicated by his officers and they were duly stamped accordingly and were accepted by the Inland Revenue authorities as in order for the purposes of Income Tax and that the customary refund of tax is now being refused to the annuitants in respect of them; whether such action has his approval; and what statutory authority the Controller of Stamps has to declare insufficiently stamped a document on which the Stamp Duty has been adjudicated.

If the hon. Member will send me particulars of the cases to which he refers, I will look into them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now announce the composition of the Committee appointed to examine the existing limitations on the political activities of civilian Government staffs.

Yes. The following persons have accepted invitations to serve on the Committee:Mr. J. C. Masterman, O.B.E., M.A. (Chairman); General Sir Ronald Forbes Adam, Bt., G.C.B., D.S.O., O.B.E.; The Hon. Sir Edward Cadogan, K.B.E., C.B.; Mr. William Cash, Junior, M.A.; Mr. D. N. Chester, M.A.; Miss Myra Curtis, C.B.E., M.A.; The Lord Dukeston, C.B.E.; The Rt. Hon. Sir Richard V. Nind Hopkins, G.C.B.; Sir Miles Evart Mitchell, J.P.; The Rt. Hon. Graham White; with Mr. F. C. Newton of the Treasury as Secretary.