asked the Minister of Works when he will be in a position to make a statement regarding the new arrangements to be made on the expiry of the Control of Building Operations No. 8 Order under Defence Regulation 56A.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 21st June.

asked the Minister of Works if, in view of the fact that all male figures in the picture of Queen Elizabeth and others on the Grand Staircase were famous Parliamentary figures of the time that the painting was made, he will have a key, with their names, placed in the vicinity.

I will make inquiries to see what information is available. I am prepared to provide a key to the figures which are easily identifiable.

asked the Minister of Works if he is satisfied with the welfare conditions arranged for labourers employed by the various contractors engaged on work connected with the Atomic Energy Research Station at Harwell; how many different firms have contracts at the present time; how many workers by trades are employed; and what are the transport arrangements and camp accommodation provided.

I am satisfied with the welfare conditions for labourers at Harwell. The number of contractors and sub-contractors is approximately 40, but I am not in a position to give up-to-date numbers of workers by trades as the figures fluctuate. As regards the transport arrangements and camp accommodation provided, I have nothing to add to the answers already given to the hon. Member on 19th November, 1947.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the shortage of cement is holding up work on housing sites in the Borough of Crosby, Lancashire; and what action he is taking to improve the supply position.

I have been informed of one contractor whose work has been held up and arrangements have been made with the cement distributors for additional deliveries to be made to him.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he is taking to improve the supply of cement on Merseyside.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Keenan).

asked the Minister of Works what capital costs have been incurred to date by his Department in providing transit and holding hostels for European volunteer workers.

Approximately £46,000.

asked the Minister of Works to state the terms of reference of the Working Party inquiring into the building industry and the names of its members.

I hope to make a statement in a few days' time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many refugees from countries in Eastern and Central Europe have arrived in the British zones of Germany and Austria, shown separately, since 1st January; what form of assistance is given to such people; and what has been the approximate cost to British taxpayers of such assistance.

Complete statistics have been asked for from Germany and as soon as these are available, I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member. In reply to the second part of the Question, refugees of German ethnic origin are the responsibility of the German and Austrian authorities. Non-German refugees eligible for maintenance under the constitution of the International Refugee Organisation are cared for by that body in cases of hardship. Other non-Germans are, in general, cared for by the local authorities if they are unable to make their own arrangements for food and accommodation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why it is not permissible to send safety razor blades and boot polish to Germany; and why parcels containing these articles, amongst other useful household requirements, sent to families in great need, are returned to the senders.

Safety razor blades and boot polish may be included in gift packages sent to Germany, provided such gift packages are not included in food parcels as food must be sent separately. My right hon. Friend is not aware that parcels containing these items are returned to senders but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any cases he has in mind I will gladly arrange for investigations to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of a widespread boycottt of British goods in the U.S.A.; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this through British Information Services and by other means.

I am aware that an appeal not to buy British goods has been made in certain quarters in the United States, but have no information to suggest that the "widespread boycott" to which my hon. Friend refers has in fact occurred. The British Information Services in this as in other matters are doing what they can to draw attention to the true facts concerning His Majesty's Government's policy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any newspapers or periodicals are printed in Roumania or Czechoslovakia in the languages of those countries under the auspices of his Department; what quantity of newsprint is provided for them; and at what cost to his Department.

No newspapers or periodicals are printed in Roumania under Foreign Office auspices. In Czechoslovakia a monthly publication "British Magazin" is printed as a private venture by a Czech firm who receive most of the material for its contents from the Central Office of Information and with whom editorial liaison is maintained by an officer on the staff of His Majesty's Embassy. Newsprint for this publication is provided by the Czech publishers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Mr. Stephen Barber, Athens correspondent of the "News Chronicle," has been forbidden by the Greek authorities to leave the country; what form of protest was made by the British Ambassador; and if he will make a statement.

The Greek Government have made it clear to His Majesty's Ambassador that Mr. Barber is free to leave Greece provided he gives adequate warning of his departure. The Greek Minister for the Press has issued a statement to this effect, adding that the Greek authorities were only concerned to ensure that Mr. Barber would be available to give evidence, if required, in connection with the murder of the American journalist Mr. George Polk. His Majesty's Ambassador has been in contact with the Greek Government on the matter but there has been no occasion for any protest.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Report of the Committee on the Marketing of Fruit and Vegetables is yet ready; and if it will be published.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the Fruit and Vegetables Organisation whose first Report has been received by myself and my colleagues. The implications of this Report are now being studied by the Government and no decision has yet been taken whether to publish it. In the meantime the Fruit and Vegetables Organisation is continuing with its practical work such as the container recovery service about which I told my hon. Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. Collins) on 23rd of this month.

asked the Minister of Food what are the functions of the Fruit and Vegetables (Marketing and Distribution) Organisation; and if he is satisfied that its functioning will help the consumer to obtain increased supplies at lower prices.

The functions of the Fruit and Vegetables (Marketing and Distribution) Organisation are to seek and promote improvements of the marketing and distribution of fruit and vegetables. The Organisation's terms of reference were given in column 261 of the OFFICIAL REPORT for 7th November last. One of the main objectives of the Organisation is to help the consumer to obtain increased supplies at lower prices.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give an assurance that no more Norwegian herring will be imported into this country for the purpose of being dyed, and subsequently sold to the public as British kippers.

No. These imports have been most useful in the past few Winters and we may need them next year. They are processed here in exactly the same way as British-caught herring.

asked the Minister of Food if during the fresh fruit season fresh fruit need still be counted as a course at a restaurant.

I shall certainly make this concession as soon as I am satisfied that supplies are adequate.

asked the Minister of Food what the additional grain requirements of the sterling countries in Asia have cost the United Kingdom in dollars as a result of rice shortages.

I regret that on the information available in my Department, it is not possible to make an estimate of the cost.

asked the Minister of Food how much of the barley exported to Eire during the last 12 calendar months had been imported from Russia.

None. Since 1st July, 1947, a total of 28,976 tons of barley has been exported to Eire, all of which was grown in the United Kingdom. The export was made under an arrangement whereby barley is sent to Eire to augment the production of stout for consumption in the United Kingdom.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the inaccuracy of the measures in churns, he will take steps to see that all milk purchased wholesale from the farmer shall be bought by weight and not by measure.

I have received no complaints from the trade about inaccuracy of the measures in churns and I do not therefore, feel justified in adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, when publishing trading accounts on a departmental basis for county agricultural executive committees, he will publish separate accounts for England and for Wales.

No. Although the precise form in which these accounts will be published has not yet been settled, it is not proposed to show separate figures for England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet received reports of the joint meetings of the regional advisory committees of the Forestry Commission held in London in December, 1947, and on 13th May, 1948; and if he will make a statement.

No. The regional advisory committees report to the respective national committees and not directly to me. The national committees report regularly once a month to the Forestry Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many licences have been granted to the Co-operative Wholesale Society to import fresh vegetables from the Netherlands and for how many tons; and if he is satisfied that English growers will not be prejudiced by these imports.

I have been asked to reply. It is not the Board of Trade practice to divulge details of import licences granted to particular firms. As regards the last part of the Question, my right hon. Friend is satisfied after consultation with my right hon. Friends the Ministers of Agriculture and Food that these imports will not have any detrimental effect on the sale of English-grown vegetables.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the acute shortage of builders' pencils in South-East Cornwall; and if he will take the necessary action to make these supplies available.

I have been asked to reply. Builders' pencils are no longer being manufactured but solid graphite sticks are available and have proved to be an excellent substitute.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the delays in bunkering two vessels at Parkeston Quay, Harwich, caused by the ineffective use of the facilities available at the port; and when he proposes to take action, following the Report of the Working Party, to prevent such delays in the turn-round of shipping.

I am not aware of any bunkering delays at Parkeston, and the inference to be drawn from the report of the working party is that bunkering delays to ships arise only in isolated cases. As the British Transport Commission are responsible for the facilities at Parkeston, I suggest that my hon. Friend give them particulars of the cases he has in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider transferring the Royal Mail steamer "Almanzora" from Southampton Water, where she has been lying for the last two months, to a London yard for reconversion.

I have not yet decided that this ship is to be reconverted.

asked the Minister of Transport why the steamships "Glen-app" and "Mantola" were sent from the London Docks to be repaired at Hamburg when 490 skilled workers and about go labourers have been discharged as redundant from Messrs. Harland and Wolff's Yard at North Woolwich during the past three weeks.

These ships are repairing at Antwerp not Hamburg. Dry docking facilities were not immediately available in this country. In addition the "Glenapp" had part cargo for Rotterdam and Antwerp where she will also commence loading for her next voyage. I am informed that valuable ships' time was saved by repairing these two ships at Antwerp.

asked the Minister of Transport why several ships have been sent to the Continent of Europe for repairs recently, instead of the work being done in this country, particularly in the case of the s.s. "James Clark Ross" which was to have a major refit by the firm of Harland and Wolff Limited, Liverpool.

Sanction is given to British shipowners to do repairs other than voyage repairs abroad only if repair facilities, including dry dock, are not immediately available in the United Kingdom so that ships would be delayed. The "Sir James Clark Ross" is a Norwegian ship and, therefore, is not subject to Government control.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will specify the shipping companies who receive subsidies of approximately £14,500 a month towards maintaining steamship services between the Western Highland and Islands and £41,500 a month to assist coastwise trading; on what basis these payments are made; and what Government control is exercised in respect of this public expenditure.

asked the Minister of Transport which are the shipping lines to which subsidies are paid; what are the amounts paid to each; how long these have been paid; and for how long it is intended to continue these subsidies.

The information is as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport the total tonnage and the number of ships affected by the London dock strike; and the total loss in pounds sterling to the United Kingdom, calculated upon the average earning power per annum of each ship, caused by the delays due to the strike.

During the period from the beginning of the strike up to 24th June, 229 ships of an aggregate gross tonnage of 808,081 have been affected. These ships have been delayed for varying periods ranging from one to 10 days. For various reasons, including variation in size and type of ships and in the trades in which they are engaged, it is not practicable to give an accurate figure of the loss, but, up to last Thursday, it was of the order of £400,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Aberdeen roads committee recently refused to accept his proposal that they should reduce the expenditure on unclassified roads by £30,000, on the grounds that, in the interests of the county's main industry, agriculture, such reduction in road maintenance work could not be considered; and what steps he has taken to meet these representations.

Like other highway authorities, the Aberdeen County Council have been asked to reduce the number of men employed on road works to make more labour available for the export and import-saving industries, but I have made no such proposal to them as is suggested in the Question.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has received the report of the committee of six set up to investigate the-question of freeing ferry services from toll payments; and what action he proposes to take on this.

The report of the Ferries Committee, whose terms of reference were much wider than the Question suggests, has been received and published. I am considering their recommendations.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he proposes to free road bridges from the payment of toll fees.

It is my policy to eliminate toll bridges on trunk roads as and when opportunity offers. As stated in my circular to highway authorities dated 18th March, 1947, I am prepared to assist highway authorities in respect of other roads.

asked the Minister of Supply why Mr. Ronald Frodsham, a fitter employed at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Radway, was dismissed; what specific complaint about his work or conduct was made; and if he will make a statement.

According to my information, Mr. Frodsham is associated with the Communist Party in such a way as to raise legitimate doubts about his reliability. I propose to give him the usual notification under the terms of the Prime Minister's statement of 15th March, 1948. If Mr. Frodsham claims that he does not come within the scope of the Prime Minister's statement, an opportunity will be given to him to state his case and to appear before the three advisers.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will invite the appropriate U.S. authorities to supply him with details of the XS-I-supersonic rocket aircraft in order that the power system of this machine, which is capable of producing a speed of 1,000 miles an hour, can be adapted for use in British aircraft.

It is not in the public interest to answer this Question.

asked the Minister of Supply why 10,600,000 dollars of U.S. aid under the European Recovery Programme is being applied to the purchase of aluminium from Canada when this commodity can be obtained from Norway or other countries participating in the organisation for European Economic Co-operation.

European sources cannot supply us in sufficient quantity nor at a low enough price.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent the Exchequer subsidy to the iron and steel industry is reduced by the Control of Iron and Steel (No. 64) Order; and how much Exchequer subsidy is still being paid in respect of iron and steel.

By this order the industry will itself bear £2,250,000 of the former subsidy. The subsidy will now be about £22 million a year, of which £9 million is in respect of imports of iron and steel.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the recently concluded trade agreement with Spain.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to my hon. Friend the Member for South Salford (Mr. Hardy) on 24th June. The text of the agreement will be available in the Vote Office tomorrow.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many copies of the publication, "Harvest Home," were printed; how many sold through His Majesty's Stationery Office; and how many through private trade channels.

Twenty thousand copies were printed. The Stationery Office has sold 9,900 to date of which 6,600 have been orders from the bookselling trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost of the subsidy on tea during the financial year 1947–48; what was the amount realised by the Customs Duty on tea during the same period; and what are the estimated figures for the subsidy and the Customs Duty, respectively, for the financial year 1948–49.

During the financial year 1947–48 the cost of the subsidy on tea was approximately £9,000,000, and receipts from the Customs Duty on tea were approximately £10,019,000. It is estimated that the corresponding figures for the financial year 1948–49 will be £16,650,000 and £10,500,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will circulate in HANSARD the approved list of monthly and weekly periodicals which inmates of His Majesty's prisons are permitted to read.

There is no longer an approved list of periodicals. It is within the discretion of prison governors to permit prisoners to read suitable periodicals which will enable them to keep in touch with current thought and events, either generally or in relation to any special interests.

asked the Minister of Defence (1) the number of men who have been demobilised without receiving demobilisation clothes up to date; the maximum period which these men have served; and what cash grants have been made in lieu of demobilisation clothing;(2) how many men with service of over 12 months have been and will be discharged without receiving demobilisation clothing; how many clothing coupons they have and will receive; and whether the number of clothing coupons bears any relation to the length of service.

All men who were called up under the National Service Acts before 1st January, 1947, and who have been, or will be, released under the age and service scheme, and all other ranks released from Regular engagements during the currency of that release scheme have received, or will receive demobilisation clothing except those

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will state the circumstances under which an award of a compassionate allowance was made to Mr. A. R. Sandford by the Secretary of State for India in Council in 1934; the reason for the grant of this allowance; and for what reason this allowance has been paid wholly from Indian Revenues.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the late Lieut.-Colonel Sir Wm. Allen on 30th June, 1936, of which I am sending him a copy. The arrangement referred to in the last sentence of that reply has, however, since been superseded by an agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom and of India in regard to non-effective payments, under which the whole of the allowance is borne by Indian Revenues.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the position as far as pension rights are concerned of long service Assyrians discharged from His Majesty's Forces in the Middle East.

Under a scheme introduced on 1st January, 1948, Assyrians who have given 22 years service in the R.A.F. Levies (Iraq) are eligible for pensions of the following order: Privates— £2 15s. a month; N.C.Os.—£4 a month; Officers £9 a month. Additions are made for more than 22 years service.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at a conference of A.O.Cs. held in November, 1947, at an R.A.F. Unit in Germany attended by all doctors, padres and commanding officers of the Wing, M.Os. were reminded that a long-standing regulation required them to divulge to the commanding officer, the names and full medical details of patients under their professional care suffering from venereal disease, these records being accessible to other persons than the C.O.; that as these requirements constitute a breach of the obligation binding members of the medical profession not to divulge to third persons information received in their professional capacity, several medical officers present at the conference expressed reluctance to obey the regulation; and if he will consider its withdrawal.

The officers who attended this conference were reminded of a King's Regulation which requires a daily sick return, showing the diagnosis and disposal of each case, to be made to the commanding officer. I am aware that at the conference some misgivings were expressed about the Regulation, which is, however, necessary to enable a commanding officer to carry out his duties in regard to the health and welfare of his unit. The situation in the R.A.F. is not analogous with that in civil life. A commanding officer is responsible for the health of his men and for reducing the risk of infection. He must therefore be made aware of cases of venereal disease in his unit. In the circumstances, I cannot agree to the hon. Gentleman's suggestion that this Regulation should be withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of fatal and non-fatal accidents, per 1,000 employees, which took place in the coal industry in 1947; and the comparable figures for the years 1938 and 1946.

The numbers of fatal and non-fatal accidents sustained in the years 1938, 1946 and 1947 per 1,000 persons

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to state the difference, expressed as a percentage of the total output, between the amount of coal raised for which payment is made to the coalface workers and the amount of coal, including colliery boiler fuel,

The difference between the output of deep-mined coal raised and weighed (which in most cases is the basis for payment to coalface workers) and the quantity sold (including colliery consumption and miners' free coal) represented six per cent. of the total raised and weighed in the year 1947.