Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 23rd April, 1948
National Insurance (Disability Pensioners)
asked the Minister of National Insurance whether 100 per cent, war disability pensioners, who cannot work, are entitled to all benefits provided under the National Insurance Act; and what further action is required on their part to enable them to qualify for such benefits for themselves and their dependants as from 5th July, 1946.
The right of 100 per cent. war disability pensioners to benefits provided under the National Insurance Act, 1946, will depend on their satisfaction of the contribution and other conditions for the benefit in question and will further be subject to the provisions of regulations relating to overlapping benefits which are to be made under Section 30 (1) of that Act. A preliminary draft of these regulations will shortly he submitted to the National Insurance Advisory Committee. In so far as such pensioners are incapable of work and satisfy the contribution conditions for sickness benefit, they will be entitled to credit of contributions under the new scheme.
British Guiana (Church Grants)
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why provision has been made in the British Guiana budget for means to build churches in aboriginal Indian areas; and whether he is aware that a large part of the population of British Guiana is non-Christian and that criticism has been expressed of the decision to use public money for this purpose.
There is no provision in the British Guiana Estimates for building churches in aboriginal Indian areas. Since 1942, however, $19,000 (£3,950) has been provided annually as "grants to churches for services among aboriginal Indians." The money is used for the education of Amerindians. My right hon. Friend is, of course, aware that a large part of the population of the Colony is non-Christian, but no criticism of these grants has been brought to his notice.
Housing
Prefabricated Houses
asked the Minister of Health if he will give a list of the types of prefabricated, or partially prefabricated, houses which he authorises local authorities to construct.
I would refer the hon. Member to Table No. 11 of the monthly Housing Return.
Bricks
asked the Minister of Health what steps are now being taken to match the current output of the brick industry to timber and other materials; and what steps are being taken to divert timber from non-traditional building to traditional.
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 15th April.
Water Supplies
Bridgwater District
asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that inhabitants of Over Stowey, near Bridgwater, are dependent upon water obtained from a brook; and when the water scheme promised to the village some years ago will be put into operation.
I am aware of water supply difficulties experienced at Over Stowey. The Bridgwater Rural District Council, in consultation with the Somerset County Council, have prepared a scheme to supply the parishes of Over Stowey, Nether Stowey, and Fiddington at an estimated cost of £21,316 with water from Ramscombe Stream. A public local inquiry into the scheme will take place as soon as a convenient date has been arranged.
Undertakings (Amalgamation)
asked the Minister of Health how many amalgamations of water authorities have taken place since the Water Act, 1945, came into force.
In 12 cases since the Water Act, 1945, came into force, a water undertaking has been amalgamated with or acquired by another.
Gifts From Abroad (Customs Seizure)
asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will issue instructions to ensure that, in future, adequate records are kept of the value of gifts sent to this country for which import licences are refused and which are consequently seized by the customs and sold; and what were the amounts realised.
No.
Petrol Allowances (Taxicabs)
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many petrol coupons were returned to the regional office for the districts which include Hove during the last period by taxi-drivers; when that period ended; how many taxis are licensed to ply for hire in that district; and how many of these are licenced for Hove only.
In the two-month period October to November, 1947, which is the last complete period for which figures are available, coupons equivalent to 6,546 gallons were returned by persons in
| — | 1938. | 1941. | 1944. | 1947. |
| Non-industrial civil servants in Defence Departments | 41,000 | 143,000* | 241,000* | 130,000† |
| Number of uniformed personnel to each civilian ‡ | 9·5 | 22 | 21 | 11 |
| NOTES: | ||||
| * Includes the whole non-industrial staff of the Ministries of Supply and Aircraft Production, some part of which would not have been engaged on Defence work. | ||||
| † Includes the proportion of the Ministry of Supply Staff estimated to have been engaged on Defence work. | ||||
| ‡ During the war, uniformed personnel occupied a number of posts which in peace are occupied by civilians. | ||||
Consumer Goods (Price Control)
asked the President of the Board of Trade how many articles are at present the subjects of price control orders.
receipt of supplementary allowances for the operation of taxicabs in the South-Eastern Region, which includes Hove. The total number of taxis in the area was 1,974, of which 80 were licensed to ply for hire in Hove.
Building (Controls)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in order to revise low level controls on building, he will appoint a committee to simplify and reduce controls.
I have already arranged for this question to be thoroughly examined by the Departments concerned.
Service Departments (Personnel)
asked the Minister of Defence the numbers of non-industrial civil servants employed in the Defence Departments on 31st March of the following years, 1938, 1941, 1944, and 1947, respectively; and the ratio between these numbers and the numbers of uniformed personnel on these dates.
pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 25th March, 1948, Vol. 448, c. 378], supplied the following information:The numbers are as follow:
The classes of consumer goods subject to price control by the Board of Trade are set out in S.R. & O. 1942 No. 794 as amended by S.R. & O. 1945 No. 68 and S.R. & O. 1947 No. 1807. In addition the following commo- dities are the subjects of Board of Trade price control Orders:
- Sulphuric acid
- Ground sulphur
- Fertilisers
- Molasses, industrial alcohol and various allied commodities
- Timber
- Willows
- Hides and skins
- Paper and board
- Newsprint
- Waste paper and waste textiles
- Cotton waste
- Cotton wiping rags
- Used hard fibre rope for sale to rope-makers
- Jute yarns
- Flax seed
- Kitchen waste.