asked the Minister of Health what is the average weekly cost of providing accommodation for children in day nurseries; and what are the maximum and minimum charges made.

The latest figures available are for 1946–47, when the gross weekly cost per place provided was 27s. in London and 23s. elsewhere, and the average recovery from parents was 5s. 6d. a week Local authorities fix their own charge subject to a minimum of 1s. a day.

asked the Minister of Health what number of trained professional workers and of workers not termed professional or trained are required for the care of 30 children in a day nursery.

About six, excluding domestic staff.

asked the Minister of Health how many day nurseries are in use at present in England and Wales; what is the average number of children for each nursery; and how many of the total number of children so cared for are under two years of age.

For day nurseries maintained by welfare authorities and by voluntary organisations in agreement with such authorities, the figures are:

asked the Minister of Health for what reason dental surgeons are required by Regulation 5, S.I., 1948, No. 505, to supply drugs specified in the third schedule to those regulations, thus imposing obligatory dispensing, whereas no such requirement is made in the case of a medical practitioner; and whether he will withdraw this discriminatory obligation.

The equivalent obligation in the case of medical practitioners is in Regulation 29, Statutory Instrument 1948 No. 506.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken to provide midwives, nurses and health visitors in rural districts with motor transport when the new Health Service comes into operation on 5th July.

Supply is still difficult, but any chances of improvement are being explored with the motor industry now.

asked the Minister of Health whether his regulations provide that all insured persons will be entitled to ophthalmic benefit on and after 5th July next.

Everyone will be entitled to use every part of the National Health Service including the ophthalmic service. It has nothing to do with insurance.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to ensure co-operation between the University of Wales and the Welsh local education authorities in order that the recommendations of the Percy Report on Technical Education might be put into operation.

The University of Wales and the Welsh local education authorities co-operate through the Welsh Academic Board of Technology which was set up in 1946 as a result of Circular 87. I understand that this Board has already made some useful recommendations for improving the provision of advanced technology in Wales.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give statistical information respecting health, height and weight of the average primary school child in comparison with similar children in 1939; and to what extent school attendance per child has increased.

I give below a comparison of the assessments of nutrition in

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that the working party set up to consider State scholarships and major awards at universities includes no university lecturer or professor who is still actively teaching in the university; and what steps he is taking to remedy this deficiency.

I am satisfied that the representation of the universities on the working party is suitable to its present size and terms of reference. I have no doubt that the university members have means of ascertaining the views of their teaching colleagues when they need them.

asked the Minister of Education when he expects to receive the report on the future training of youth leaders prepared by officers of his Department.

I hope to receive it at the end of July.

asked the Prime Minister if he will set up a Royal Commission on the lines of the Royal Commission set up by the Canadian Government on 5th February, 1946, known as the Canadian Spy Trial, to investigate Communist activities in Britain and publish its report.

I do not think that the appointment of a Royal Commission for this purpose is necessary.

asked the Minister of Labour if any inquiry has been made into the reasons for the failure to recruit more manpower into the coal-mining industry and, in particular, to what extent the present regulations preventing youths leaving the industry are a deterrent; and whether he will consider granting the personal freedom that used to prevail in this connection for an experimental period of 12 months to see what may happen.

Yes. Recruitment for the coalmining industry is watched continuously by an Inter-departmental Committee specially set up for the purpose. There is nothing to prevent youths under 18 leaving the industry, so the last part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he takes to safeguard employees against working excessively long hours on toll bridges.

In the absence of any joint machinery this is a matter between the workers, through their trade union, and their employers.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the cost of transferring 170 dockers from Leith and Burntisland on Monday, 14th June, to work at the docks in Glasgow, the costs to include fares to and from Glasgow and costs of lodging in Glasgow while working at the docks there.

The funds of the National Dock Labour Board are raised by a levy paid by port employers. The National Dock Labour Board is required to submit to the Minister an annual report and balance sheet, and to report to the Minister before imposing a levy of more than 25 per cent. of the gross wages paid by port employers. But the Minister has no authority to inquire into the day-to-day expenses of the Board.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that about 200 dockers have been discharged from the docks at Glasgow as redundant and are signing at the local employment exchange; that 170 dockers were transferred from Leith and Burntisland to the Glasgow docks on Monday, 14th June; and why the Glasgow dockers who were signing at the Glasgow employment exchanges were not given the first opportunity of doing the work that those east coast dockers were transferred to do in Glasgow.

This is a matter for the National Dock Labour Board. I understand, however, that the number of dock workers on the register of the local dock labour board in Glasgow was until recently in excess of normal requirements and discharges were made to bring the number down to those necessary to meet the normal needs of the port. On two days subsequently, however, the volume of traffic at the port was quite exceptionally heavy and accordingly registered dock workers were brought from Leith and Burntisland to help the local dock workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if permanent arrangements have yet been made with the respective Dominion Governments for the care of British civil and military cemeteries in India and Pakistan.

Permanent arrangements for the care of British civil and military cemeteries in India and Pakistan are under discussion with the ecclesiastical and other authorities concerned. I hope I shall be able to make a statement on the matter after the Summer Recess.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the present state of the Indian Military Widows and Orphans Fund, with particular reference to the conditions which will in future govern the rates and pensions payable.

Briefly, the position is as follows. Pensions already being paid from the Transferred Fund are guaranteed by the rules against any reduction. New pensions are granted at rates dependent upon the interest earned by the Fund. The Fund was depleted by war casualties among subscribers; and in order to avoid any reduction in rates of benefit, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have decided to recoup the Fund for the loss. I hope that the "Untransferred Fund" will come within the scope of any pensions capitalisation scheme that may be arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will instruct the Governments of Bechuanaland, Basutoland and Swaziland to consider exempting from liability to Native Tax all Africans earning less than a definite minimum sum per year, as exemption from Income Tax is granted to those earning less than £250 per year.

Africans in the three Territories are exempted, in part or in whole, from the payment of Native Tax if the District Commissioner is satisfied that, by reason of age, infirmity or unemployment, they are unable to meet the tax. I think this provision adequately serves the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the fact that the stocks of single texture waterproofs are becoming largely unsaleable in Swindon and elsewhere because they require coupons, while plastic waterproofs do not, he can place both articles on the same footing as regards coupons.

I cannot yet judge the effects of the recent downpointing of certain clothing and the issue of the 12 additional coupons. In view of the important part played by cotton in the export programme, I cannot undertake to put cotton and plastic garments on an equal footing.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many borough councils in London have refused to make collections of waste paper for salvage in their boroughs; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that local authorities make regular collections of salvage.

I am not aware that any Metropolitan borough has refused to collect waste paper. They are all required to do so by direction under the Defence Regulations and to furnish monthly details of their collections.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that British films are released for exhibition in the Caribbean Republic through the U.S. Company, Universal-International; that all reference to their British origin in titles, credits and sub-titles, etc., is excluded so as to give the impression that they are U.S. products; and if he will take steps to ensure that such British films shall have some distinguishing and unmistakable reference to their origin.

I am informed that British films, released in Latin American countries by Universal-International, carry titles and credits in Spanish and Portuguese in the same form as in the English version with the exception that the name of the distributor is shown as Universal-International. If my hon. Friend has evidence that this is not the case perhaps he will be good enough to communicate it to me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much British worsted cloth has been shipped this year to Antwerp, under a soft currency licence, for later shipment to the U.S.A.; and what action he proposes taking to ensure that such cloth is shipped direct to the U.S.A., so that hard currency may be earned at a more favourable rate of exchange.

The export of worsted cloth is not subject to control by licence, and Belgium is in any case a hard currency market to which we wish to see our exports increased. But it is, of course, essential that these exports should be paid for in Belgian francs or in sterling held in a Belgian account; and, if my hon. Friend has any evidence of transactions not complying with these requirements, I should be glad if he would send me particulars which I would have examined immediately.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the serious shortage of daily newspapers at seaside resorts, he will make available additional supplies of newsprint, so that workers can gain the full recreational benefit from the holiday period.

No. It is not possible to allow any increase in the present consumption of newsprint. Each newspaper is however free to rearrange the distribution of its copies as between different localities with a view to meeting seasonal variations in demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a consignment of rubber soles and heels with nails for affixing the heels to boots of a total value of £327 are now ready packed at Vol-Crepe Limited, Glossop, for export to Jamaica but that under Ref. No. 6/2/2720/48 the Export Licensing Branch of the Board of Trade have refused, except under complicated conditions, an export licence for the nails which are valued at approximately £5; whether he will give orders for a licence to be issued forthwith in this case and for subsequent similar orders; and whether he will relieve industry of vexatious controls of this kind which hamper the export trade.

An export licence was issued on 28th June and further similar consignments will be approved subject to the general supply situation. I regret that owing to the present shortage of wire nails it is not yet possible to release them from export licensing control.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will allow new trade and technical publications to be published freely for distribution overseas.

At present no new periodical may be published without a licence if it uses more than eight cwts. of paper in a four-month period. I have, however, reviewed the position in regard to new journals for overseas distribution and am now prepared to grant licences freely in suitable cases for trade and technical publications for export only.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the numbers of factories, not now engaged in production, in the charge of Welsh Estates; and where they are situated.

One factory at Hirwaun and one at Bridgend have recently been vacated, although the latter has already been allocated to another tenant. In addition 28 small buildings on these Estates, with a total area of about 35,000 sq. ft. are not at present occupied. One factory at Cyfarthfa is substantially complete, but is as yet untenanted. Tenants are now taking steps to move into seven factories at Gorseinon, Newport, Cwmbran, Aberbargoed, Ponthenry, Garnant and Llwynypia but have not yet commenced production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the rate of progress announced earlier in the year with regard to Grenfell Factories situate in Rhondda is likely to be realised; and if there is likelihood of their being allocated in the near future.

According to the latest estimate the two remaining uncompleted Grenfell factories in Rhondda, namely, those at Ferndale, should be ready by September. Every effort will be made to find suitable tenants by that time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of newsprint are provided for "Roumanian News," published in English in this country by the Press Service of the Roumanian Legation, and the "New Central European Observer," published in English by the Czechoslovak Legation.

Any person may publish a new periodical or newspaper which does not use more than 8 cwts. of paper in a four month's period, and I understand that these two publications have been issued under this arrangement. Applications to use larger amounts of paper are at present being considered by the Central Office of Information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he now has any statement to make about the continuance of the control on toys.

Yes. I propose to issue an order as soon as possible, the effect of which will be to remove restrictions on supplies of toys after 31st July.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that, in response to the Government's appeal to industry, many firms made considerable savings of coal during the Summer of 1947 on the understanding that stocks of coal built up by careful saving would not prejudice future coal allocations; that this pledge is not being fulfilled now by his Department and in consequence the resentment is being felt at this breach of faith; and will he implement the pledge given.

There has been no breach of faith. The understanding to which the hon. Member refers relates to the allocation for the coal year 1947–48 and was fully implemented. The allocation arrangements for the current Summer were fully discussed with representatives of both sides of industry before they were introduced and were accepted by them as also giving due recognition, compatible with the needs of coal exports, to savings in coal consumption made during the winter. My right hon. Friend gave details of the arrangements as long ago as 26th February and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the announcement.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how far the target mentioned in the Economic Survey for 1948 for opencast coal production of 11 million tons has been amended; and what is the reason for the alteration.

The target figure has not been altered, but there are excellent prospects of its being exceeded.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give an estimate of the over-all cost of opencast coal per ton.

The estimated over-all cost of opencast coal for the coal year ending 31st March, 1948, averaged 43s. 2d. per ton.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the regulations under Section 54 of the Electricity Act will be issued, in view of the fact that delay in issuing these regulations is hindering the transfer of public and private undertakings to the new owners.

The regulations dealing with the pension rights of transferred employees are now being discussed with the trade unions and associations concerned. I cannot at present say when these consultations are likely to be concluded. We have no evidence that the transfer of ownership of undertakings has been hindered because these regulations have not been issued.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what arrangements are made to allow petrol to business men from Canada and elsewhere who come here to buy machinery and other equipment and who can most economically borrow or hire a car to drive themselves on business journeys.

Regional petroleum officers are authorised to grant allowances to meet the reasonable needs of overseas visitors in respect of business journeys, provided the vehicle to be used is lent or hired for the exclusive use of the visitor during the period the journeys are to be made.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will reconsider his decision not to grant petrol for use by Henley Regatta crews.

I regret that, in present circumstances, we should not feel justified in authorising supplementary allowances for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the procedure whereby civil servants who use their private motor cars for official business may obtain petrol for that purpose in addition to their basic ration; whether this privilege will be extended to other classes of the community, including local government officials; and why this concession was granted to civil servants.

As foreshadowed in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt) on 17th June, the procedure in the case of the Civil Service will be similar to that applied in the case of certain large business firms, local authorities and other bodies which receive bulk allowances of petrol. In these cases the amount of the standard ration in respect of each car covered by the application is deducted by the regional petroleum officer from the bulk allowance and it is left to the firm or other body to make such arrangements as it can with the individual motorists about the use of their standard ration. This principle will now be applied to the Civil Service. Each Department will have an allowance of petrol from which will be deducted the amount of the standard ration represented by every car regularly used on the work of the Department.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now allow boiler fuel to be supplied to householders other than those who have cooking stoves or appliances specially designed to burn these fuels, or who depend on solid fuel for water heating.

Yes. On my instructions, merchants and local fuel overseers were informed in April that while preference in the supply of boiler fuels should continue to be given to consumers mentioned by my hon. Friend, coke and manufactured fuel, if available, could until further notice also be supplied to any domestic consumer, within the maximum permitted quantity for the Summer period. Moreover, local fuel overseers have been authorised, wherever supplies permit, to grant licences on application for the stocking of coke during the Summer up to the full year's supply appropriate for any registered consumers.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the average monthly cost of maintaining British troops, Military Mission and Police Mission in Greece.

The average monthly cost of the Military Mission is £61,000 and of the Police Mission £10,000. It would be contrary to public policy to disclose the information regarding the troops.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why certain pensioners not in receipt of State pensions but of contributory pensions from trade unions, etc., are debarred from receiving old age pensioners' tobacco relief tokens.

The reasons for our inability to extend the scope of the concession were stated by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary in the recent Debates on the Finance Bill.

asked the Minister of Works how many forms, B.M. 6, Priority Distribution of Building Materials and components, Symbol B., have been printed; how many used; and for what purpose this form is now being used in his Department.

This is one of the series of forms used in connection with the distribution of building materials which was discontinued last Autumn when a large number of items were freed from control of distribution. One million of the forms had been printed and 400,000 requisitioned for use before their discontinuance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the 1948 grain prices, as agreed, refer to the whole of the 1948 crop; and what steps are to be taken to avoid unfairness to the producers in early districts harvesting before 1st August.

Since control of prices was introduced in the early war years it has been the practice to prescribe grain prices for each cereal year beginning 1st August, and these prices apply to all grain offered for sale in the year concerned. It is not possible to differentiate between grain harvested in different years, and grain harvested in July may either be offered for sale in that month, in which case it realises the appropriate price for that month, or it may be retained until August when the new price schedule comes into operation. Any possible unfairness to growers in the early districts might be more than counterbalanced by the higher prices that would have to be charged to farmers in other areas who purchased grain for feeding to stock, more especially as the increased prices would also have to apply to imported grain.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports he has received from the special commissions that have been sent to Malaya to examine the social and economic problems: and what steps he is taking to remove the distress prevailing in the country.

If the hon. Member is referring to the recent visit to Malaya of my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery) and Mr. F. W. Dalley to look into the situation of labour and the trade unions, I understand that their report will shortly be presented to me. As regards the second half of the Question, it is misleading to suggest that distress is prevalent in Malaya, though there is, of course, room for improvement of conditions there as everywhere else. I am in constant touch with the High Commissioner and the Governor on their general programme of social betterment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in view of the announcement by the Government of Kenya, on 14th May, to the 254 Jewish political internees at Gilgil, Kenya, that they would leave Kenya en route for Palestine within one month, these Jews are still detained in Gilgil, having been informed that the announcement of 14th May will not be implemented, in view of the truce in Palestine.

Arrangements made for these suspected terrorists to leave Kenya within one month of the end of the Mandate in accordance with an undertaking which the Government of Kenya had been authorised by His Majesty's Government to give were suspended in view of the importance of not jeopardising the negotiations for a cease fire in Palestine. Count Bernadotte was asked to give his views on their repatriation and has now replied that he does not consider the cease fire terms affect the question as these men are not immigrants but are normal residents in Palestine. Arrangements for their return to Palestine as rapidly as possible will therefore now be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what discussions the representative of Permanente Metals Incorporated, of California, who recently visited Jamaica, had with officials of the Government of Jamaica on proposals for bauxite mining; whether any agreement has now been reached for the commencement of work in Manchester Parish; and on what terms.

I am asking the Governor for this information and will communicate to my hon. Friend when I have his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a report on the riots in Aden in December last year.

Sir Harry Trusted, K.C., who conducted a Commission of Inquiry into the disturbances that occurred at Aden in December, 1947, has submitted a Report which is now under consideration. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be in a position to make a statement regarding it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many police were hurt, and how many badly, in British Guiana on 16th June, in connection with the strike of sugar-cane workers, when five workers were killed and nine injured.

Six police were hurt. One who fell was dragged along the ground and beaten by demonstrators. His steel helmet saved him from severe injury. The five other policemen received minor injuries from a heavy fusillade of bricks and other missiles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what date the number of unofficial nominated members of the Legislative Council in the Falkland Islands was increased from three to four.

On 6th May, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the Report of the Special Committee of the Colonial Legislature with the recommendations by the Colonial Parliament of Bermuda; whether he will publish these in a White Paper, consequent to Command Paper 7093; and whether he will make a statement as to his attitude in the matter.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering the report of the Joint Committee of the Colonial Parliament and will bear in mind the points raised in the hon. Member's Question. The Report has already been published in Bermuda and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action it is proposed to take in the Seychelles regarding certain amounts of Income Tax already collected, in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court of 28th May, 1948, that the action of the Attorney-General in this matter was ultra vires; and if he is satisfied with the present procedure of the assessment and collection of Income Tax.

In the case referred to by the hon. Member no payment of Income Tax has been made: in consequence the first part of the Question does not arise. As to the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add at present to the answer given by me on 26th May in reply to the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if Brigadier N. O. Lash still qualifies for the pension which became due to him when he was posted to the Palestine Government Service.

I have been asked to reply. This officer qualifies for retiring benefits in accordance with the statement made in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Keighley (Mr. Ivor Thomas) on 1st March, 1948.