asked the President of the Board of Trade by how many the number of officials in his Department has been reduced consequent upon the recent reduction in clothing and footwear coupons and the elimination of certain articles from the clothing ration.

No reductions in staff have yet been possible as the result of the recent changes in the clothing ration. Some articles were reduced in coupon value or removed from the ration, but coupons saved on purchases of such goods would normally be used in the purchase of other rationed goods. The recent bonus issue of coupons has also increased the number of coupons available to the public and should increase the number of transactions in rationed goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that his Department's memorandum No. 281, of 17th March last, excluding foreign periodicals unless they are imported as single copies through the post by persons who pay the overseas suppliers directly or through their own banks, is causing inconvenience to readers and distributors of scientific and other periodicals; and if he will consider modifying this requirement.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a further notice to importers, which amends the notice to which his Question refers. This notice gives effect to the arrangements under which, as I said in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 8th July, any person may import either for himself or on behalf of others single postal copies of learned, scientific, technical and religious periodicals and periodicals printed exclusively in a foreign language.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will reconsider his decision not to allow the 12 bonus clothing coupons to holders of yellow temporary identity cards, at least when, as in the case of German ex-prisoners with civilian status, they are remaining in this country for more than six months.

Former German prisoners released for work in this country on short-term contracts receive an allowance of clothing and a special issue of 21 coupons as well as the usual quarterly ration given to holders of temporary identity cards. I cannot undertake to extend the 12 coupon bonus to anyone other than a permanent resident in this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many pairs of children's shoes and boots were manufactured in England in 1928 as compared with the year 1948.

In the first five months of 1948, 16,429,000 pairs of children's boots, shoes and sandals, with leather uppers, were manufactured in England. I regret that comparable figures for 1928 are not available, but the present figure is some 30 per cent. above 1935.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large stocks of lace are accumulating in British warehouses owing to the fact that many foreign countries are restricting the importation of such goods; and whether he will consider releasing a proportion of them for the home market.

I am aware that some firms hold stocks of lace that they cannot export through closing of the markets for which they were designed. If alternative markets cannot be found, applications for release to the home market may be considered by the Advisory Panel I have appointed to advise me on frustrated exports. The details were published in the Board of Trade Journal of 10th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that lace exports from this country are greatly hampered by import licence restrictions placed on them by many foreign countries; whether he has considered representations on the subject from the Federation of Lace and Embroidery Employers' Associations; and what action he proposes to take.

Yes. I have considered representations from the Federation in this matter, and we shall continue to keep in touch with them as and when we see any opportunity in the course of our bilateral negotiations to ask for more generous quotas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that American pirated editions of English copyright books are being offered for sale in this country; and why he issues licences for the importing of works of fiction of this character.

Licences to import books of fiction in English are granted only on condition that not less than 50 per cent. by value of the imports are re-exported. I am not aware that any licences have been issued for American pirated editions of English copyright books but if my hon. Friend will give me details of any case he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will explain the present priority system for the sale of vacuum flasks; and how long this will be retained.

The present priority scheme for the sale of vacuum flasks is run voluntarily by Thermos (1925) Ltd. and covers only the 1 pint "Thermos" brand flask. It does not cover any other make of vacuum flask nor the other products of the Thermos Company. Permits under the priority scheme may be issued to the following classes of people: (a) Those who cannot obtain a hot drink at or near their place of employment; (b) Those who obtain a certificate from a doctor stating that a flask is necessary (i) for reasons of health; (ii) for the feeding of infants where health considerations apply; (iii) for invalids or the feeding of infants during long and difficult train journeys where there are no facilities for obtaining a hot drink; (c) Elderly persons who have no one to look after them; (d) Those looking after infants where there are no facilities for readily obtaining a hot drink, e.g., gas or electricity.Permits under category (

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now give the starting date for the commencement of the proposed industrial site at Southend-on-Sea.

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that, immediately certain roadwork of the estate has been cleared up, the question of a starting date will be dealt with.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms had, on 30th June, 1948, indicated their desire to occupy factory space at the proposed Southend-on-Sea industrial estate.

At 30th June, 1948, two firms had indicated directly to the Board of Trade their desire to occupy factory space on this industrial estate. I understand that 15 firms have also approached the local authority.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if printed books are included in the works of art and articles more than 75 years old which may not be exported without a licence from the Board of Trade.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, during the existence of Marshall Aid, he will issue a monthly or quarterly statement of the time lost in official or unofficial strikes; and the trades in which this loss occurs.

Statistics as to the number of days lost in industrial disputes, analysed by industries, are published each month in the Ministry of Labour Gazette.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the roadmen, discharged upon the instructions of the Minister of Transport to the Warwickshire County Council, has now been placed in other employment.

The 14 roadmen who registered for employment on being discharged by the Warwickshire County Council have all been placed in suitable jobs.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the shortage of plasterers for housing schemes in the West of Scotland; and what steps he is taking to meet it.

I am aware that in Scotland, as in most parts of Great Britain, there is at the moment an unsatisfied demand for plasterers, owing to the exceptional amount of house finishing work that is now in hand. We meet the situation as far as possible by allocating the available labour to the most urgent jobs.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to find employment for the large number of registered disabled persons in the West Riding of Yorkshire; and to what extent special training or employment is required to place them, and is now being provided.

Continuous efforts are made by the employment exchanges, both under the quota scheme and otherwise, to find suitable employment for registered disabled persons. I am shortly inviting Disablement Advisory Committees in the West Riding and elsewhere to examine the position specially in their own areas. Ample facilities for vocational training are available, and it is intended soon to open industrial rehabilitation units at Leeds and Sheffield to assist the return to work of disabled persons who are not immediately fit for training or employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the numbers registered as unemployed on the last convenient date, at the Pitsea, Rayleigh and Southend-on-Sea exchanges; what percentage of the total insured workers these figures represent; and how they compared with the national average.

The numbers of insured persons registered as unemployed at 14th June were 388 at Pitsea, 200 at Rayleigh and 1,116 at Southend-on-Sea. The number of persons registered as unemployed in a particular area are mainly residents in that area. The total number of insured persons recorded, on the other hand are mainly those working in the area. Owing to the fact that large numbers of residents in the areas in question are employed elsewhere it is not possible to compute reliable percentage rates of unemployment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will add poliomyelitis to the list of diseases for which surgical supports may be supplied free of Purchase Tax.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether employees who have had Income Tax deducted from their wages by an employer under the P.A.Y.E. system are treated as having paid such tax and under no further liability to the tax authorities if their employers for one reason or another fail to pay over to the tax authorities the money thus deducted.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer upon what authority, when a wife has made an overpayment of Income Tax to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue so that she is entitled to a refund, arrears of tax alleged to be due from her husband are deducted from such refund.

The incomes of husband and wife are treated as one for Income Tax purposes and except where the husband or the wife has applied for separate assessment, an overpayment on part of the joint income would be set off against any underpayment on another part. If the hon. and learned Member would send me details of any particular case which he has in mind I will have inquiries made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury for how many years Mr. P. O'Hara, of Skerries, Dublin, has subscribed to the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund; and what financial benefit he has received up to the present.

Mr. O'Hara has been a subscriber to the Royal Irish Constabulary Force Fund since he joined the Force in December, 1876. The Fund was established for the benefit of subscribers' dependants, and no financial benefits are payable to the subscribers themselves. Mr. O'Hara has three unmarried daughters who will receive on his death a gratuity based on the total sum he will have received by way of pay and pension up to the date of his death.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many statutory instruments have been published by the Stationery Office during the last 30 days.

Two hundred and sixty four.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as the Report to the Nation No. 20 issued by His Majesty's Government opens with the statement that a free National Health Service for all has been reached, and this conflicts with a statement by the Government Actuary (Command Paper No. 6730) that the rates of contribution proposed to be charged for National Insurance are to include a payment towards the cost of the National Health Service, and since nine-tenths of the remaining cost of the Health Service must be paid by local and national taxation, he will modify or withdraw the report describing the Health Service as free.

I have read the report to which the hon. Member refers and find that it accurately describes the position. A large part of it is devoted to answering the questions, who will pay for the services and how will we pay for them.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will reconsider his decision regarding the application of Messrs. Robert H. Lowe & Company, of Congleton, for a further allowance of petrol, bearing in mind the extent to which the company has expanded, and that they are being seriously hampered by lack of petrol.

On present information, No. But I am asking the regional petroleum officer to get in touch with this firm to re-examine the position.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why Mr. T. Taylor, farmer, of The Bungalow, Sproatley, was refused five extra gallons of petrol for the purpose of visiting the Royal Show at York.

This petrol application was for a vehicle licensed only to carry the produce of Mr. Taylor's farm or articles required on the farm. Mr. Taylor, however, applied for petrol not for carrying goods at all but only for travelling to and from the Show—contrary to the conditions of the licence. In these circumstances the regional petroleum officer very properly rejected the application.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has now considered the request made to him by the United Commercial Travellers Association for extra allowances of petrol to commercial travellers operating in country districts; and what answer he has made.

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary recently received a deputation from the National Council of Commercial Travellers Associations, who suggested the introduction of a new scheme for the allocation of petrol to commercial travellers. They were invited to submit details but have not yet done so. I am prepared to consider any such scheme provided it does not in the aggregate involve an increase in petrol consumption.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, where a poll takes place in a locality to decide whether cinemas shall open on Sundays, he will make an allocation of petrol to those conducting the campaigns for and against the proposal.

No.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power under what circumstances it is permissible under the new Petrol Regulations, to supply to farmers substantial quantities of the non-commercial spirit, for industrial use on the farms.

Farmers normally receive commercial petrol for industrial use on farms. Non-commercial petrol may, however, be supplied for this purpose by a dealer who has been granted a licence to supply such petrol for all purposes. Such a licence may be granted to a dealer with only one pump operating in an isolated area, at least 10 miles from any other dealer, and where there is clear evidence that local consumers would be seriously inconvenienced by not being able to obtain commercial petrol.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the present basic petrol allowance is insufficient for holidaymakers desiring to travel to the more remote holidays areas; and whether he will grant the bona fide holidaymakers a supplementary ration for this purpose.

As the present standard ration may be used at any time during the six months, it is possible for a holidaymaker, if he so desires, to make a return journey of between 500 and 550 miles. I am not prepared to authorise supplementary allowances for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make a statement on the consumption of petrol during June under the new scheme; and to what extent the consumption of commercial petrol has decreased.

Deliveries of motor spirit into consumption in June averaged nearly 83,000 tons a week. It is much too soon yet to estimate the effectiveness of the measures taken to suppress the black market in view of the number of other factors which influence consumption in a particular month, including the flexibility allowed to private motorists in the use of their standard ration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent the contemplated restrictions on the winter consumption of fuel will be applied to domestic consumers and hospitals, respectively.

Supplies of coal, coke, etc., to householders and hospitals will continue to be regulated as at present by general directions made under the Coal Distribution Order, 1943. I am, however, lifting the restrictions on the supply of inferior grades of coal such as untreated smalls and of certain kinds of ovoids from Monday next. There are at present no compulsory restrictions on the consumption of gas and electricity by hospitals and householders, but they should make all possible economies in consumption of electricity at peak periods.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the system of collection of electricity accounts by local authorities under contract from the Electricity Commission is working satisfactorily; and if it is intended to make similar arrangements for gas and water charges.

Temporary arrangements under which some local authorities are carrying out certain services on behalf of electricity boards including the collection of accounts are, I am informed, working satisfactorily. The question whether similar arrangements should be adopted in the case of gas will be a matter for the area gas boards and the local authorities concerned. As regards water charges, I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that no question of a similar contract arises.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether steps are being taken to ensure that dust suppression measures are made compulsory at all pits.

Dust suppression measures for the prevention of pneumoconiosis are being extended and developed, mainly under a voluntary scheme agreed by my Department with the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers. Coalfield committees on which the Board, the Union and His Majesty's Inspectors of Mines are represented, stimulate and supervise the work, which is making satisfactory progress. In addition, however, statutory powers exist to require the compulsory adoption of dust suppression measures at mines in South Wales, where the bulk of the cases occur, although in practive the Inspectors of Mines have not had occasion to exercise these powers.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is satisfied that the present output of coal is sufficient, having regard to the amount now being exported, adequately to meet the needs of the domestic consumer throughout next winter.

The present rate of coal output, though over 300,000 tons a week above last year, is still not sufficient in view of the need to increase exports and of our growing requirements for home consumption. Stocks of house coal are at present nearly 200,000 tons above last year's figure, but allocations for next winter will not be decided until the autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now prepared to grant a visa for the Rev. F. Bielicki to come to this country, in view of the fact that his brother, Lieutenant Bielicki, is already here, and an assurance has been obtained from the Polish Bishop that the Rev. F. Bielicki will be employed here as a priest.

I regret that I am unable to agree to this request. There must be limits to the categories of foreign immigrants who can be admitted to this country at the present time, and I have been unable to find grounds for making a special exception in this case. For ministration to Poles in this country there are available the services of a number of priests from the Polish Resettlement Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress is being made respecting the provision of remand homes and approved schools; approximately how many now have to be accommodated in prisons or otherwise dealt with who ought to be in a remand home or an approved school; and to what extent the question of corporal punishment in these institutions is being reconsidered.

As a result of the steps taken to provide additional accommodation the arrears have in the main been overtaken, and I know of no recent cases of children or young persons being sent to prison or dealt with in some other unsuitable way because of lack of accommodation in remand homes or approved schools. As regards the last part of the Question I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to Questions on 13th May last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Ukrainians, who came to this country through Italy, have now been transferred as civilians to the European voluntary workers' organisation; and how many of these are at present incapacitated from illness and recently moved from Naburn, Yorkshire, to Diss, Norfolk; what is being done with these sick cases; and if it is intended to deport them to Germany.

None of these persons have yet been given civilian status as European voluntary workers, but it is hoped that selection teams will shortly be visiting the camps. I am informed that on 9th July there were 158 Ukrainian patients in the military hospital at Diss and that this is now the only such hospital in use for these cases. As regards the disposal of men who are not found suitable for retention in the United Kingdom as European voluntary workers, I would refer to the answer given on 16th June to the hon. Member for Bucklow (Mr. Shepherd).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether men who resigned from the police forces since the end of the war and are now prepared to rejoin will be allowed to do so; and whether their previous years of service will rank for pay, allowances and pension.

It is for the appointing authority in each case to decide whether or not a man who has resigned from a police force should be accepted as a candidate for re-appointment. If he is re-appointed he is entitled to reckon, for the purposes of pay, the whole of the service which he was entitled to reckon for that purpose when he resigned. If he re-joins his old force he is entitled to reckon for pension purposes his earlier pensionable service, on repayment of any gratuity, rateable deductions or pension contributions which he received on his retirement. If he joins another force it is within the discretion of the police authority to allow the whole or such part of his previous pensionable service as they think fit to count for pension purposes, provided that he pays to them a proportionate part of any gratuity, rateable deductions or pension contributions which he received on retirement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders, suspected murders and attempts and threats to murder were known to the police in England and Wales to have occurred during May, 1948.

There were 18 murders and suspected murders known to the police in England and Wales during May of this year. The other particulars asked for will not be available until August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will indicate the extent of the increase in the number of crimes of forcible entry recorded during the last six months.

The only figures available for 1948 are the gross figures up to the end of March, 1948, for the total number of offences of sacrilege, burglary, housebreaking, shopbreaking, attempted housebreaking and shopbreaking, entering with intent to commit felony, and possession of housebreaking tools. In January there were 11,626 such offences known to the police in England and Wales, in February 10,112 and in March 10,323. The figures for 1947 are:—

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing legislation to provide that where a ballot takes place to decide whether cinemas should open in a locality on Sundays, those conducting the campaigns for and against the proposal shall be compelled to publish a return of their expenses.

I can hold out no prospect of legislation on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what conditions totalisators on pony tracks are run and, in particular, if they are managed by the Racecourse Betting Control Board or are similar to those on greyhound race tracks.

Under the Betting and Lotteries Act, 1934, a totalisator can only be operated on approved horse racecourses, which include pony tracks, by, or by authority of, the Racecourse Betting Control Board. The two totalisators at present in operation on pony tracks are both operated by the Racecourse Betting Control Board.

asked the Minister of Health what amount per head is being made available to general practitioners in rural areas in respect of the cost, and the dispensing, of medicines and travelling allowance mileage.

These matters are still under discussion with the profession.

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department are making any arrangements to reimburse medical practitioners under the National Health Act in respect of the cost of drugs and medicines which will not now be required to be dispensed by them.

I have no proposals in mind, but in any case this would be a matter for the Negotiating Committee to take up with me first.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the complaints made to him on behalf of the Sunderland Royal Infirmary Workmen's Governors' Committee and the Sunderland Trades Council alleging a lack of workmen's representation on the Sunderland and District Hospitals Management Committee; and what action he has taken.

I cannot trace representations from these bodies; but in any case the choice of members is entirely a matter for the Regional Hospital Board in which I cannot intervene.

asked the Minister of Health whether an ambulance service has been set up in the County of Middlesex; and who will be responsible to maintain the service.

Yes. The county council will be responsible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the discontent and dissatisfaction existing amongst the staff at Brockhall Institution, Lancs., who are working overtime due to the lack of staff, but are not allowed extra payment for time worked; and why he has rejected the application of the management committee at Brockhall to pay overtime.

I understand that overtime is being paid at this institution in accordance with the recommendations of the Mental Nurses Sub-Committee of the Nurses Salaries Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether any dentists have been appointed on the Manchester Regional Hospital Board who have refused to enter the new National Health Service scheme.

Not to my knowledge.

asked the Minister of Health if in those cases where patients are obliged to travel long distances for treatment owing to the refusal of dentists to enter the General Dental Service, he will arrange to pay the cost of fares.

No, and I have no power to do so. But, as things are going, I hope there will soon be few areas where it is necessary for patients to travel long distances.

asked the Minister of Health what he intends, under the National Health Service, should be the purpose of the Grange Maternity Home at Ely; and if he will bear in mind the desirability of giving access to this home to local mothers in preference to others from outside the district.

The home is now part of the services administered by the East Anglian Regional Hospital Board, and will normally be used for expectant mothers from the neighbourhood.

asked the Minister of Health whether arrangements have been made under the new Health Act for chemists and dispensers in Cardiff to maintain a late service for urgent cases.

Yes. A rota scheme has been in operation since 5th July.

asked the Minister of Health why the statutory protection of secrecy has been withdrawn from persons attending V.D. clinics under the new National Health Service Act.

The withdrawal results from the revoking of the Public Health (Venereal Diseases) Regulations now that responsibility is transferred to Regional Hospital Boards. But I would emphasise that treatment for venereal disease will continue to be as confidential as it always has been.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the resignation of Dr. McKenna of Droitwich, he will make a statement as to Spa treatment under National Health Services.

I think the doctor may have been under a misapprehension. For patients of the appropriate hospitals in the National Health Service requiring treatment of the Spa type, it is open to a Regional Hospital Board to arrange for convenient facilities for this treatment to be used, at the discretion of the medical staff of the hospital, to supplement the hospital's own resources. It is not a responsibility of the hospital service to provide treatment at Spa establishments otherwise than in this way.

asked the Minister of Health if doctors, under the new Health Service, will be free to prescribe for their patients, without restriction, every kind of drug and appliance necessary for their treatment and will not have to work within the limits of averages of cost per insured person.

A doctor has a duty to prescribe under the National Health Service all drugs necessary for the proper treatment of the patient without any limit of cost whatever, also the appliances prescribed in the General Medical and Pharmaceutical Regulations. Other appliances are obtained through the hospital service.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of appointments have been made on the Regional Hospital Boards representing the Labour and Trade Union movement.

The members of Regional Hospital Boards have been appointed in an individual capacity and not as representatives of particular organisations or interests.

asked the Minister of Health the number of building trade operatives in Hull; the approximate number of permanent houses which this force should be able to build in 12 months, under present conditions; and why building trade operatives are being sent by private builders outside Hull to build houses, on the ground that they cannot be employed on building houses in the city.

The number of operatives, in the building industry in Hull is 7,014. Some of these operatives are suitably employed on work other than new house building, and I cannot, therefore, give the estimate asked for in the second part of the Question. As regards the last part of the Question I would expect operatives registered in Hull to be employed in building work in Hull and in the surrounding rural areas.

asked the Minister of Health whether he intends to grant licences to the Hull Building Trades Employers' Association in view of their claim that they have the labour and sites now available and could build 2,756 traditional permanent houses in 12 months, at the cost of £1,300 each.

The decision on applications for licences is a matter for the local authority under the terms of Circular 108/48 of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that the builders of Sheffield have 786 sites ready and are prepared to build 1,400 houses in the city in 12 months for the corporation, and 2,000 houses free of subsidy at £1,300, and that the scheme could be carried out with the present labour force, when the licences are to be issued.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 8th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health if he will reconsider his housing plan in view of the increasing reserves of material for traditional houses, particulars of which have been sent him; and if he will take steps to see that they are used in the public interest.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement on the review of the housing programme in the Housing Return for May, 1948.

asked the Minister of Health when he withdrew or modified the power of local authorities to requisition house property.

The modification which I have made in the procedure for requisitioning unoccupied houses came into operation at the end of June this year.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement showing the duties, powers and services transferred from the control of borough councils since June, 1945, and of new functions undertaken by them since that date.

Following is a statement of the main changes which have taken place in the functions of non-county boroughs since June, 1945:CHANGES IN THE FUNCTIONS OF THE NON-COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCILS SINCE JUNE, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered a telegram, addressed to him on 1st July by the Sarawak Dayak Association and the Malay National Union of Sarawak; and how he has replied.

The telegram in question raises no points not already made in representations addressed by the same bodies to His Majesty the King in February and to my right hon. Friend in April. Those representations were fully answered at the time, and my right hon. Friend is asking the Governor to draw the attention of the senders of the telegram to the replies then given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals are before the Legislative Council of Nigeria affecting the export of skins and hides; what is the present tax; what is the suggested tax; what does the increase represent in a percentage on the various types of skins and hides; and to what extent this will impose a burden on the African producer.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the increases in export duty on hides and skins which were introduced at the time of the Nigerian budget proposals 1948–49. The increases were from an ad valorem duty of 0.2 per cent. to the following rates per ton: Goatskins £55; Sheepskins £33; Hides £19. The new rates are equivalent, on present prices, to an ad valorem duty of about 11 per cent.The former duty produced a negligible yield and scarcely met the costs of collection, while the new duty will contribute materially to the revenues of the territory. In view of the considerable increases in the price of hides and skins in the world markets in recent years I am satisfied that this tax is not imposing an undue burden on the African producer at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now considered the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the riots at Aden in December, 1947; and whether he will publish this as a White Paper.

The report of the Commission of Inquiry is still under consideration. With regard to the second part of the Question, the report will be published in due course as a Colonial Office Paper, and will be made available in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of National Insurance to which Department questions should be addressed concerning the administration of the Polish camp and hostel at Rivenhall, near Witham, Essex; and if he is satisfied that the food and conditions at this camp, about which there were complaints a few months ago, when responsibility for the camp and its inmates was shared by various Departments, have now been improved substantially.

This camp was taken over on 7th May as a hostel for Polish civilians under the administration of the National Assistance Board, and questions with regard to it should be addressed to my right hon. Friend. Improvements in the food and general conditions have already been effected. Further improvements will he introduced as soon as certain works services and the installation of additional equipment now in hand have been completed.

asked the Minister of Education what is his present policy with regard to the teaching of French in schools; what plans exist to improve these facilities; and whether he will give an estimate of the annual output from the schools and universities in this country of persons capable of reading, writing and talking French.

Present policy is directed towards a more realistic study of the language and a greater understanding of France's contribution to Western civilization by the inclusion of graded reading programmes of works for rapid and intensive study, but without sacrifice of the need for adequate oral practice and accurate pronunciation and intonation. Present facilities will be improved as the arrangements for the interchange of young graduate teachers, correspondence between individual pupils and the linking of schools in the two countries are developed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will review the present policy of the Forestry Commissioners whereby in the county of Denbigh serious inroads are being made on hill-farming land and particularly on rough enclosed pastures for afforestation.

There is close liaison between officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Forestry. Commission, and the respective claims of food and timber production are carefully weighed before any land is taken for afforestation. The plantable land at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners in Denbigh is only 2.7 per cent. of the total area of the county, and I am satisfied that no avoidable inroads are being made on agricultural land.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many ex-members of the Indian Civil Service seeking work are unemployed.

The number of European members of the Indian Civil Service who have registered with the re-employment branch of my Office, or with the India and Burma services section of the London appointments office of the Ministry of Labour, and who have not yet obtained suitable appointments, is 70.