asked the Minister of Works when he proposes to free Bellahouston Park for public use.

It is expected that about 14 acres of ground which are still requisitioned by my Department will be handed back to the Glasgow Corporation by the end of October.

asked the Minister of Works the dates on which the rehabilitation unit of the Government Training Centre and the Remploy factory are to be completed in his Department for the entry of trainees.

It is hoped to complete the work of adaptation by the middle of October and the erection of the new Remploy factory at Hull by the end of October.

asked the Minister of Works how long the considerable area available for storage space in hangars at Woodhall Airfield has been available; what is the size of this area; what charge it is proposed to make for the floor space; and what steps he is taking to see that this storage space is made immediately available to assist in meeting the considerable demands made by the agricultural industry for storage space in this district.

Woodhall Airfield was finally cleared of Government stores on 2nd September; the area of the hangars vacated is 84,000 square feet and the usual rent is about 6d. a square foot per annum, exclusive of maintenance costs, rates, etc. This space has been notified as available and will be allocated early next month.

asked the Minister of Works when the Building Trades Technical College at Sydenham was opened; what was its cost; and if he will make a statement as to the extent it has been used and the number of trainees with the average length of stay since it was erected.

The buildings erected at Sydenham for a Ministry of Labour Building Trades Training Centre were not used for that purpose, owing to the decision to reduce the number of training places. The cost of erection was about £212,000. The buildings have been allocated in part for a technical school, and the remainder for industry.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many mechanical excavators, universal type, it is proposed should be manufactured in Germany annually under the level of industry plan; and by which firms.

The level of industry plan does not specify any particular programme of excavator production, nor place any limitation on the numbers of excavators that may be manufactured, nor does it specify the firms by which they may be made. I hope that I shall be in a position to give my hon. Friend some factual information on the subject of excavator production in Germany in reply to the further Questions which he has tabled later in the week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement with regard to the return to German Jews, or their heirs, of property seized by the Nazi Government.

I am unable to add to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton (Mr. J. Lewis) on 21st July. A revised text of the draft Restitution Ordinance is now being drawn up and will, I hope, be approved at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many requisitioned houses in Hamburg remain in British hands but unoccupied; how many Germans could be accommodated in these at the normal accommodation scale; and when these houses will be released.

This information is being obtained from Germany and as soon as it is available I will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what benefits have so far resulted from the appointment of the Scrap Co-ordinating Officer in Germany; and to what extent deliveries of scrap to German ports have been increased since his appointment.

The appointment of the Scrap Co-ordinating Officer in the British zone of Germany has brought about a close co-ordination of the various sections within the Control Commission for Germany engaged in the recovery and export of ferrous scrap from disarmament and commercial sources. In reply to the second part of the question, there have been substantial increases in the deliveries of scrap to German ports in the two months since the appointment was made, i.e., July and August, as compared with the deliveries previously made in any one month.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish the report of Sir Alexander Maxwell's Committee on the administration of justice in the British zone of Germany.

Sir Alexander Maxwell's Committee was appointed by the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with my right hon. Friend's approval to make recommendations to him on the system established for the administration of justice in the British zone of Germany and various matters connected with the legal staff required. My right hon. Friend does not propose to publish their report which is a Departmental document.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Nos. 5 and 7. Kaulbachstrasse, Wuppertal-Elberfeld, have been requisitioned for the occupation of a British officer and his wife in each case, that the former has six living rooms, that the latter until requisitioned housed three complete families, 27 German people; and whether he will give instructions that these houses are to be derequisitioned or part at least made available for the occupation of their German owners.

My information is that 12 Germans were necessarily moved from Nos. 5 and 7 Karlsbachstrasse in July, 1946, to provide accommodation for families of the staff at the adjacent British Military Hospital. The houses at present accommodate four British adults, four British children and two German servants. Other suitable accommodation is not available and it is not my intention to ask for these properties to be derequisitioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent private individuals or commercial concerns have acquired investments in Ruhr steel undertakings.

No new money either by way of loan or share capital has been invested in the Ruhr steel undertakings since they came under Allied control in August, 1946.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Argentinian and Chilean naval parties are still occupying British territory in the Antarctic; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.

Argentine and Chilean parties are still occupying posts on British territory in defiance of our protests. As I have explained to the House on previous occasions, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to refer the question of disputed sovereignty in this region to the International Court of Justice at The Hague. There has, however, been a new development, which is welcomed by His Majesty's Government. The United States Government have made certain proposals aiming at the promotion of scientific investigation and research in Antarctica and an agreed international solution of the problem of conflicting territorial claims on the basis of some form of joint administration by the countries concerned. A communication on this subject was recently addressed by the United States Government to the Governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, Norway, Argentina and Chile. The terms of the reply to be made by His Majesty's Government are being carefully considered in consultation with the Commonwealth Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, now that the report of the United Nations Sub-Committee on the Balkans has been published, he will withdraw his charges against the Greek democrats led by General Markos, of their abduction of Greek children abroad.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what does he anticipate to be the proportion of ex officio members of the electoral colleges for the Sudanese elections compared with the delegate members of those bodies.

A precise answer is not possible until the electoral rolls have been completed. It appears probable, however, that there will be approximately twice as many delegated members as ex officio members of the electoral colleges.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proportion of the Sudanese electorate is likely to be disfranchised as a result of the operation of the property qualifications defined in Sections I (f) and 2 (b) (vi) of Part III of the Second Schedule of the Ordinance of 19th June, 1948.

The proportion of the Sudanese population who will be enfranchised as a result of the Ordinance cannot be accurately estimated at present as the electoral rolls are still being worked out.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that the Government of India has decided that Indians will no longer be described in their passports as British subjects but as Indians, how far he has modified his instructions regarding protection and assistance which may be given them by British Consular and Diplomatic officials in countries where there is no direct representation by the Government of India.

With the concurrence of the Commonwealth Governments concerned, His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular Officers abroad afford protection to all citizens of Commonwealth countries whose Governments are not represented in the country where they reside. My right hon. Friend's instructions in this regard have not been modified in any sense.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the latest position in regard to the rights of navigation on the Danube.

His Majesty's Government had hoped that a revised Convention would be negotiated at the Danube Conference last month, which would safeguard the rights of all users of the Danube. However, the Soviet Delegation refused to allow any serious discussion of the new Convention which they tabled and which only representatives of Communist Governments were prepared to sign. The British Delegation, together with the United States and French Delegations, refused to sign the new draft Convention because, in their view, it would not protect foreign shipping against discrimination and is obviously designed to legalize the exclusion of non-riparian shipping from the Danube. Since the Conference failed to agree on a new Convention, His Majesty's Government consider that the 1921 Danube Convention is still valid and have reserved their rights under it. In practice, British and other Western shipping has been virtually excluded from the Danube ever since the war, just as all other local British interests are being undermined in Soviet orbit countries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the continuing shortage of Thermos flasks for agricultural workers; and what steps he is taking to secure more adequate supplies.

My information suggests that there is no longer any general shortage of flasks for agricultural workers, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any areas he has in mind, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the recent feeding stuffs rationing scheme for pigs and poultry has been framed in such a way that farmers had to elect to keep either pigs or poultry and not some of each.

Owing to the limited quantity of feeding stuffs available for distribution under the new scheme, the uncertainty of the response, and the greater complexity of the calculations that would have been involved by allowing newcomers to draw rations for both pigs and poultry in varying proportions, it was necessary to impose on farmers the choice to which the hon. and gallant Member refers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the cruel treatment accorded to horses on their way to slaughterhouses where they are passed as fit for human consumption; and if he will take steps to investigate this state of affairs.

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave today to my hon. Friends the Members for Sparkbrook (Mr. Shurmer) and Ipswich (Mr. Stokes).

asked the Minister of Agriculture why he has served a compulsory purchase order on Mr. W. A. Stubbs, of Forest Farm, Papplewick, Nottinghamshire; and if he will make a statement.

this farm is being considered for an experimental husbandry farm. Only a draft compulsory purchase order has yet been served and no final decision to purchase has yet been taken. Consultation with the county branch of the National Farmers' Union about possible alternatives will take place shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that there is a great shortage of labour in the Fen area of Cambridgeshire and that farmers fear loss of crops, unless the necessary labour is made available for the lifting of the sugar beet and potato crops; and what arrangements have been made to provide the farmers with the necessary labour.

I am aware that there is a strong demand for labour in the Fen area of Cambridgeshire, but not that there is a great shortage. The Ministry of Labour and National Service and my Department are taking all practicable steps to help farmers who are in need of workers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what procedure is adopted by the Ordnance Survey Department to check the accuracy of one-inch-to-the-mile maps which are being reprinted with slight modifications; and, in particular, what action has been taken to ensure that footpaths, cart-tracks, and river crossings are correctly mapped.

Before a one-inch-to-the-mile is reprinted, surveyors of the Ordnance Survey Department investigate on the ground any comments from the public and other information brought to notice, including any about footpaths, minor roads and river crossings. Cart tracks, as such, are not specially depicted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent the programme for planting woodlands and

—					1946–47		1947–48
					Programme.	Actual.	Programme.	Actual.
Planting	…	…	…	…	30,000	26,356	43,000	36,160
Acquisition	…	…	…	…	121,000	22,322	179,000	29,926

The planting programme for 1946–47 would have been achieved but for exceptionally bad weather, but in 1947–48 shortage of labour, housing and plants were the main limiting causes. Owners have so far been reluctant to sell their land and I do not wish to exercise my powers of compulsory acquisition, at least until they have had an opportunity to consider the Dedication Scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress is being made in compiling a census of woodlands; and what is the proportion of felled, devastated and scrub woodland in Bedfordshire.

The field work has been completed in Wales, is almost completed in Scotland and is progressing rapidly in England. In Bedfordshire the areas of felled, devastated and scrub woodland represent respectively 8.5 per cent., 0.2 per cent. and 12 per cent. of the total woodland area of the county.

asked the Minister of Food if he will take steps to ensure a fair distribution of food on points in the rural areas of Kent and Sussex to enable agricultural workers to use their harvesting points.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the shortage of points goods in shops in agricultural areas, and the difficulty which this has acquiring land for the purpose has been fulfilled; and what factors are delaying progress.

The post-war planting and acquisition programmes for State forestry and the progress to date are:caused to farmers and their wives in providing harvest rations; and what steps he is taking to overcome this shortage without delay.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the shortage of points goods in rural areas; and what action he is taking.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the shortage of points foods available for farm workers; and what steps he is taking to improve the position.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to make available larger supplies of points foods in rural areas, so that farm workers may receive their full entitlement of the seasonal food allowances.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the inconvenience recently caused to the residents of rural districts with scattered populations inadequately served by catering establishments, such as the Dengie Hundred of Essex, by the acute shortage of such points goods as meat and the more popular kinds of fish; and how soon he anticipates that this deficiency will be remedied.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that there is a shortage and lack of variety of points goods in rural areas; and whether he will take steps to increase the supply and variety expecially of tinned meats.

Harvesting points, like other points, have never carried an entitlement to particular varieties of food. The complaints which my Department has received have been found on investigation to be due to difficulties in obtaining individual foods such as canned meat and canned fish, which are unfortunately very scarce because of the complete cessation of food buying in the United States which we had to make last year. We are, of course, continuing to do our utmost to import as much of these foods as we can afford, but I am afraid that there is little prospect of any early of great improvement in their supply.

asked the Minister of Food why points food unavailable throughout the country to regular farm workers during the harvest was available to temporary hoppickers.

Hop-pickers represent a large influx of population into certain clearly defined areas and special arrangements are made each year to provide them not only with their harvest allowances but with their basic rations also. The extra demand for points goods created by the harvest allowances on the other hand represents only a fractional increase in the requirements of the resident population in rural areas throughout the country and does not warrant similar treatment.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the Bread Rationing Order, 1948, S.I. 1634/48 which came into operation on 18th July was revoked by the Bread Rationing Revocation Order, 1948, S.I. 1692/48 which came into operation on 25th July; and what was the cost of printing and distributing S.I. 1634/48.

As to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor) on 28th July. The cost of printing S.I. 1948 No. 1634 was £25, against which can be set the revenue of £16 from sales of copies. This instrument was one of several sent out at the same time so no extra cost for distribution was incurred.

asked the Minister of Food under what regulations enforcement officers employed by his Department are empowered to question a private individual regarding packages and parcels he is carrying in his car.

No regulations are necessary for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will now say when rice will be available in the shops.

The disturbances in Burma have caused a great reduction in rice exports from that country and as a consequence difficulty is being experienced in finding sufficient rice to meet the requirements of Asiatic rice consuming territories, including India, Ceylon and Malaya. The I.E.F.C. in Washington is at present reviewing world allocations of rice for the purpose of ascertaining whether adjustments can be made to meet or to reduce the deficiency in Asia. Steps are also being taken to procure rice from any other sources of supply which may be open to us. In the meantime and as a precaution distribution in the United Kingdom from rice stocks held here has been suspended and if it should prove impossible to meet the deficiency in Asia by other means, the possibility of having to re-ship these stocks to British territories in Asia will have to be faced. I shall make a further announcement in regard to this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Food what amount of rice has been made available in Cornwall during the last three months; and how much has been made available in the United Kingdom.

No rice has been distributed by the Ministry of Food in any Dart of the United Kingdom during the last three months.

asked the Minister of Food what representations lave been made to him regarding the pilfering of fish while in transit to London fishmongers; and what steps are being taken to prevent it.

None. This is not a matter for which my Department is reponsible, but I am bringing the hon. Member's Question to the notice of the British Transport Commission, who will doubtless be communicating with him.

asked the Minister of Food what is the estimated increased cost to the country arising from the changes in price level of the new copra agreement announced on 13th August compared with those contained in the previous agreement.

During the second half of 1948 the increased cost of Ceylon copra will represent approximately £4 per ton of oil and during 1949 a further £8. The increased cost in 1950 cannot yet be determined. So far we have purchased 14,000 tons of oil since 1st July this year and we hope to purchase not less than 40,000 tons per annum in 1949 and 1950.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that bakers in rural areas are unable, on their present flour allocations, to supply the demand for bread; and if he will vary existing arrangements in order to avoid a bread shortage.

I have received reports from some areas of difficulties which have arisen in operating the flour allocation scheme which was introduced in July. These are being examined carefully but it is too soon yet to say whether any further changes will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Food how many slaughterhouses have been condemned as unsatisfactory but cannot be closed until new buildings are erected.

I do not know whether any private slaughterhouses have been condemned by local authorities. Some of the slaughterhouses used by my Department are not altogether satisfactory but I cannot say how many of them would be closed if new alternative premises could be built.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the abattoir in Bolton, consisting of sixteen separate slaughterhouses, was opened in 1877, and since it was taken over by his Department has, together with the Co-operative Society abattoir, served not only Bolton, but Horwich, Westhoughton, Turton and Little Lever also, and both of these still are capable of providing only about one-fifth of the ration for the area; if he will state and make clear to the local authority concerned his intentions in this matter; and facilitate the building of a new abattoir to cope with the requirements of the area.

I know that this local authority slaughterhouse was built in 1877, and that together with the Co-operative Society slaughterhouse it provides home killed meat for the County Borough of Bolton and the four neighbouring urban districts mentioned. These slaughterhouses, however, are capable of covering practically the whole of the rationed meat requirements of the districts concerned, if necessary. The condition of the local authority slaughterhouse is not considered to be so unsatisfactory as to warrant immediate reconstruction.

asked the Minister of Food what steps are being taken to improve the condition of slaughterhouses in Sunderland.

Considerable improvements have been carried out since the Ministry of Food took over these slaughterhouses. Only recently a number of jobs were completed, including the provision of W.C.'s, wash hand basins and mess rooms; and further work on drainage and sanitary arrangements and and the re-cementing of floors is now in hand.

asked the Minister of Food whether the contents of his letter of 3rd February, 1948, to Mr. Armsworth in which he asserts the principle of giving more favourable treatment to criticisms from Messrs. Odhams Press than to newspapers more critical of the Government still represent his policy.

My letter asserts no such principle.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the effect of the recent change in the jam ration on consumers who take sugar instead of jam and in order to encourage home jam-making, he will now permanently increase the sugar ration or grant further extra rations of sugar.

We shall, of course, increase the distribution of sugar as soon as we can afford to buy extra supplies.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent stocks of sugar in the country are in excess of current average consumption requirements; and if he will now consider easing the domestic ration, restoring the cuts to food manufacturers, and increasing the sweets ration.

Stocks of sugar are not, unfortunately, in excess of current consumption requirements.

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking with the object of importing linseed or linseed cakes and meal, in view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's declaration that linseed and its products are to be regarded as surplus commodities in the United States.

Only linseed oil has been declared surplus. Its importation from the U.S.A. will be considered if this proves the most advantageous source of supply.

asked the Minister of Food what were the exporting countries and the respective amounts imported of the 170,000 tons of linseed cake and meal imported during the first seven months of 1948.

All of the 170,000 tons of linseed cake and meal imported into the United Kingdom in the first seven months of 1948 came from the Argentine Republic.

asked the Minister of Food how many offices are maintained by his Potato and Carrot Control Department; where they are situated; how many people are employed; and at what annual cost.

The Potato and Carrot Division has 72 offices; two headquarters' offices in London and Oxford, and 70 area offices in the principal cities and towns and main centres of production. The number of non-industrial staff employed is 1,298 at an estimated annual cost in salaries and wages of £454,000, in addition to which 334 industrial staff are employed in 41 sack depots and one seed store at an estimated annual cost of £62,000. 152 of the non-industrial staff are employed on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in the payment of acreage subsidies to growers of potatoes, wheat and rye.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of members of pig clubs at the lack of facilities for checking the weight of their pigs before being sent for slaughter, and at the loss of weight because of their being sent long distances for slaughter; and if he will investigate these matters and make a statement.

I do not know of much dissatisfaction of this kind. The conditions under which pigs are purchased for slaughter have been framed in consultation with the producers' organisations and provide for allowances to cover loss of weight in transit when pigs are moved more than 50 miles for slaughter.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now make a statement on the supplies of poultry and rabbits; and whether he has yet formulated any scheme with regard to the retailing of these items.

I cannot make any statement at present.

asked the Minister of Food what procedure is adopted to see that Indian tea purchased for this country conforms with specification; why a consignment of rank Indian tea was recently accepted; what has happened to it; and what steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of such receipts.

All teas delivered to the Ministry of Food under contract are examined by brokers acting on behalf of the Ministry. Teas below specification are either rejected or are accepted at a discount price. In the event of disagreement there is provision for arbitration. The consignment to which I presume the hon. Member refers has been withdrawn from distribution after arbitration and a claim entered against the producer concerned. I see no reason to modify these arrangements. Since 1940 some 4,000 million pounds of tea have been allocated to distributors. Of this amount only 14,000 lb. have had to be withdrawn as unsuitable.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of home-killed meat was supplied to retailers in Caernarvonshire and Merseyside respectively, during the period covering June, July and August of this year.

During the period June, July and August, 1948, the proportion of home-killed meat issued to retailers in Caernarvonsh ire and in Merseyside respectively was 31.13 per cent. and 31.19 per cent.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the great demand for fish and chips, he will increase the number of licences for friers.

Over recent years the number of entrants to this trade has had to be strictly limited but I am glad to be able to say that from 1st October, 1948, licences to open fish frying businesses will for the time being be granted freely. I hope that there will be a number of applications from people who are able to operate suitably equipped mobile vans so that the rural areas will benefit as well as the towns. Applicants will, however, have to fulfil certain conditions in order to prove their bona fides and I shall be giving publicity to the details later.

asked the Minister of Food why the ration books just issued cover only eleven four-week periods instead of the usual thirteen periods of four weeks.

The Rationing Year 1948–49 will end in May so that in future the distribution of new ration books and all the work which it brings to retailers and Food Offices will be completed well before the Summer holiday season.

asked the Minister of Food what interval elapsed between the refusal sand the permission of his Department to allow the export of plums from this country; why his Department was unaware that the plum crop would be heavy and failed to anticipate the export possibility; and why the permission was withheld until it was too late to avoid financial losses.

My Department has not refused to support applications for licences to export home-grown plums this season provided they were cooking varieties and were not sent in containers needed for the home market. We were fully aware of the likelihood of a heavy crop and took steps early in July to facilitate exports.

asked the Minister of Food what is the annual consumption of meat per head in the United Kingdom; what proportions are distributed through retail distributors and catering establishments, respectively; what proportion is distributed for manufacturing purposes; how much does the balance amount to; and how, is it used and distributed.

In the year ended 30th June, 1948, the average consumption of carcase and canned corned meats per head in the United Kingdom was 68.8 lbs. expressed as net weight of the different sorts of meat distributed. Of this, 77.1 per cent. went to retail butchers for the domestic ration and 10.2 per cent. for catering establishments, including hospitals, schools and canteens, while 9.2 per cent. was for manufacture. The remaining 3.5 per cent. was used by the Armed Forces and for ships' stores.

asked the Minister of Food how he operates the principle of guaranteed prices and assured markets in respect of farmers who are unable to find a buyer for their potato crop.

My Department will buy all the sound ware potatoes offered to it between 1st November, 1948 and 31st March, 1949. The area potato supervisors will help any grower to clear any potatoes which are in danger of deteriorating before then.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will amend the existing regulations so as to enable farmers to use a transport box with a Ferguson tractor without having to pay the full licence fee of £12 per annum.

No. The rates of duty are prescribed by the Finance Acts, which distinguish between vehicles constructed and used for haulage solely, and those constructed and used for carrying goods. If a tractor is fitted with some form of goods-carrying body the appropriate rate for a goods vehicle becomes chargeable. In the case quoted the rate of £12 payable by farmers compares with £20 payable by general users.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now studied the comments made by Lord Justice Scott on 1st July on the risks incurred by those purchasing second-hand motor cars, unaware of the fact that a hire purchase agreement was still in operation; and whether he will now make a statement.

Yes. I am advised that legislation would be necessary to enable registration books to serve the purpose of recording hire purchase agreements and preventing fraudulent sales. The additions and complications involved would render the present registration and licensing system largely unworkable, and I am unable to recommend this course

asked the Minister of Transport why the traffic movement officers in the Road Haulage Division of his Department and the area road haulage officers numbering some 150 have been given notice of dismissal from their employment as from 30th September and why no steps have been taken to find them alternative employment either within his Department or in the transport sections of other Government Departments

In present circumstances I consider it no longer necessary to continue this, purely temporary central organisation for handling Government freight traffic and that an economy in manpower will result if each Government Department makes its own arrangements. All possible steps have been and will continue to be taken to assist staff whose services will be terminated in consequence of this decision to obtain other employment either in other parts of the Government service or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement regarding the increasing rate at which "C" licences are being issued; and as to the action he proposes to take in regard thereto.

I think it would be more satisfactory if I gave the numbers of vehicles authorised under "C" licences. The increase in the number of vehicles authorised under "C" licences during the first six months of the year was approximately 56,496 (in the first quarter 27,630, in the second quarter 28,866) compared with an increase of 103,413 during the whole of 1947. The figures for July and August were 11,036 and 11,624 respectively, of which 7,131 and 7,896 respectively did not exceed 1½ tons unladen weight. I am having the figures further analysed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has decided on the date for the taking over of road transport.

The British Transport Commission have already acquired control of a number of road transport undertakings by agreement. The service of notices of acquisition of road haulage undertakings under Part III of the Transport Act will begin next month.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement on the restoration of through passenger train services between Edinburgh and London via the former West Coast route.

I am informed by the British Transport Commission that they have considered the provision of through passenger services between Edinburgh and London by the West Coast route but feel this would give no advantage over the existing temporary service by the East Coast route. Moreover, the intermediate towns on the latter route would lose their existing services.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation which will enable holders of workmen's tickets to claim compensation for injury incurred on British Railways on the same basis as other ticket holders.

No. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Answer I gave on this subject to the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt) on 19th July, last.

asked the Minister of Transport how long the s.s. "Almanzora" has been anchored in Cowes Roads; what are the total number of men employed on board her; their weekly cost in wages; the quantity and cost per week of fuel consumed; and the total cost per month of keeping her there.

This ship has been at anchorage in Cowes Roads since 8th March last while the question of possible future employment for her has been under examination. Various alternatives have been considered but I regret that the results so far have been negative. There are 41 men employed in the ship at a weekly cost in wages of £330. She uses 95 tons of oil fuel per week, costing £600. The total monthly expenditure is £4,300.

asked the Minister of Transport how many British ships have been transferred to the Panama flag since 1945.

Thirty-one. The total gross tonnage was under 100,000, most of it very old ships.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the findings of the inquiry into the loss of the vessel "Samkey" and her crew of 43, what disciplinary action he proposes to take against those responsible for not giving more publicity to similar circumstances revealed in the case of the "Sameveron."

As a result of the findings of the Court of Inquiry into the loss of the "Samkey," the whole question of the carriage of solid ballast has been reviewed, and I propose to issue a new Notice to Shipmasters indicating the dangers which may arise when solid ballast is carried and the precautions which ought to be taken. The Court's further recommendation that an investigation be undertaken into the character and quality of various kinds of solid ballast is being studied. No disciplinary action is contemplated.

asked the Minister of Transport what machinery exists in his Department for the comparative study of international road and rail transport particularly where such transport interesects.

Technical questions such as those arising out of the control of road and rail interesections are kept under review internationally by bodies on which the Ministry and the British Transport Commission are represented. The lifting barrier type of level crossing gate normally used on the Continent which the hon. Member has in mind is well known to road and rail engineers in this country. It is perhaps more suited to continental traffic conditions than to ours.

asked the Minister of Supply what were the results of the investigation into the clandestine removal of confidential documents in his Department at the end of July.

The investigation to which I assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers took place following the theft from one of the Ministry's buildings of certain personal property belonging to a member of the staff. No official document was removed.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the fact that many men who entered into contract at the Bolton employment exchange to take up employment with Hindles of Cornholm, who are contractors to his Department at the Borden Depot, were granted several days leave by these contractors, and on returning to their homes in Bolton received a notice that their services were no longer required, he will make a statement on the situation at this depot and the reasons for the dismissal of these men.

The contract between my Department and Messrs. Hindle Bros. requires the firm to provide adequate labour for the work to be done at the Bordon depot. It is for the firm to decide on the size of the labour force it employs. I understand that in view of.the decrease in the work at this depot, Messrs. Hindle Bros. decided to reduce their labour force, and that there was consultation with the men's trade union representatives on this matter.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that 13 out of 24 Bolton men who were sent home on leave from the Borden Depot and who subsequently received notices that their services were no longer required from Messrs. Hindles of Cornholm, the contractors to his Department, have not yet received back their clothes and other possessions, particulars of which have been sent to him; and if he will arrange for the goods to be returned immediately.

This is not a matter for my Department but I am informed that the men's possessions have already been returned to them.

asked the Minister of Supply under what conditions No. 1, The Retreat, Whiteshill, Stroud, was handed over to a private firm on being requisitioned on behalf of his Department when the owner, serving in the Forces, had to break up his home on the death of his wife; whether he is aware that the demobilised owner re-married, and is living in furnished rooms too small to permit having his children back; how many units of accommodation including pre-fabricated houses have been made available to this firm this year; and why none of them have been offered to the present occupant of the house.

This house was not requisitioned on behalf of my Department but by the local authority which still holds the requisition. We have been asked by the local authority to help to rehouse the present occupier so that the house may be handed back to the owner. The occupier's name has been added to the waiting list for the housing estates at Stone house owned by my Department and it is hoped to offer him accommodation in the near future. The number of Ministry of Supply houses made available this year to the firm which employs the occupier is seven; these houses have been occupied by employees who were considered to have prior claim.

asked the Minister of Supply what tonnage of scrap has been received in the United Kingdom this year from Germany; and what is the present monthly rate of shipment.

The total tonnage of scrap received in the United Kingdom this year from Germany up to the end of August was approximately 450,000 tons. Shipments in the month of August amounted to about 70,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Supply if, in view of the criticisms of the Public Accounts Committee on the use of petrol by Government Departments, he will have an inquiry made into the transport of the department of the Chief Inspector of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Chislehurst, with a view to ascertaining the number of light loads in large lorries, empty journeys, and the use of cars by officers for other than official business.

No. Substantial reductions have been made in petrol consumption during the past year and I am satisfied that every economy is observed in the use of transport and petrol at this establishment.

asked the Minister of Supply to state in any convenient form the contribution made by Ordnance factories to the production drive for export.

The Royal Ordnance factories are manufacturing a wide range of civilian goods, which are supplied to the public services and to user, assembling, or distributing industries. They are not direct exporters but by providing industries in this country with capital equipment, components and intermediate products, they are helping considerably in the export drive. As details of the ultimate destination of the goods are not available it is not possible to measure exactly the contribution.

asked the Minister of Supply for what reasons the price of railway wagons made in Ordnance factories is £50 more than that of private wagon-builders and about £100 more than that of railway workshops.

The major part of the cost of producing railway wagons in the Royal Ordnance Factories is expenditure on material and components. The capacity of the Royal Ordnance Factories for assembly was brought into use to meet the exceptionally high demand, and the resultant increase in the national output of wagons strained the supply of components. The higher cost of output of wagons from the Royal Ordnance Factories is due to the difficulty of getting components, which necessitates buying from abnormal sources and improvising substitutes.

asked the Minister of Supply what special steps he is taking to ensure that additional labour will be available for Ordnance factories in case of an emergency and for the opening up of those closed or on a care and maintenance basis.

The Government's general emergency arrangements cover the provision of labour for both these requirements.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that skilled electricians are unemployed in Bolton and other areas of the country because of the shortage of screwed steel conduit tube; and if he will arrange for a larger allocation of steel for this purpose.

The allocation of steel for the manufacture of conduit tube is being increased.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he requested the British Electricity Authority to increase domestic tariffs during next winter; what reply he has received; and why he proposes that existing contractual obligations should be ignored.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on 30th July. As regards the second part of the Question, we have been informed by the British Electricity Authority that the area boards have decided to give effect to the request of my right hon. Friend that a seasonal adjustment should be made in the charges for electricity. This would mean that instead of a uniform running charge under the two-part tariffs throughout the year, the charge for the three winter months should be relatively higher and for the other months in the year relatively lower. I understand that details of the actual adjustments which the area boards propose to make will be announced later this week. In reply to the third part of the Question, no such proposal has been made.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on the principles on which men are to be selected by the National Coal Board for dismissal as redundant, and by which men will be protected against discrimination in favour of, or against, members of any trade union.

This is a matter for the National Coal Board to decide.

asked the Minister of Education how many children in Newport are now being supplied with milk, and how many with meals at the present time, and what is the percentage in each case.

The latest figures available are for June, 1948. At that time 13,500 pupils, or 94.7 per cent. of those present, were taking school milk, and 4,440 pupils, or 31.1 per cent., were taking school dinner.

asked the Minister of Education how many inspectors of schools have been appointed by his Department during the last three years; how many of these were from County and Church of England Schools, respectively; and if he will give an assurance that those who teach in Church of England Schools are not handicapped by that fact when their applications for appointment as H.M. Inspectors are being considered.

Two hundred and ninety-eight H.M. Inspectors of Schools have been appointed during the last three years. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question could only be obtained by an undue expenditure of time and labour, but I am happy to give the assurance which my hon. Friend requests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish a table of new factories erected in Newport since the war, showing the numbers employed at the present time and the numbers given by the employers at time of agreement of tenancy indicating men, women, boys, girls and disabled employees separately.

Work on two new factories at Newport has been completed since the end of the war. Nine extensions have also been finished. In addition, work is still in progress on four new factories and eight extensions. I regret that I cannot give particulars about the numbers of persons employed or to be employed, since this would involve the disclosure of information obtained in confidence relating to individual concerns.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give figures showing the output of darning wool in 1947 and in recent months.

The average monthly output of darning wool in 1947 was 76,000 lbs. and that for the first four months of 1948 was 83,000 lbs. Following my requests to the trade to increase the production of darning wool for the home market, the figures have substantially increased and those for May, June and July are 152,000 lbs.; 153,000 lbs. and 134,000 lbs., respectively.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware of the dissatisfaction of the people with regard to the treatment of late war claims; and what action he i5 taking.

The policy now being followed by the War Damage Commission when dealing with late claims for war damage payments is in accord with the powers conferred by Parliament. It has been extensively publicised and no further action therefore appears necessary.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will waive small arrears of Income Tax due from men previously serving in the Forces from whom payment is demanded on their return to civilian life, particularly in those cases where arrears accrued through an error on the part of the Income Tax authorities.

No.

asked the Postmaster-General why on 26th August he suspended certain postal services to Hyderabad.

Money order and cash on delivery facilities were necessarily suspended following suspension of such services by the Indian Post Office, through which the postal services from this country to Hyderabad are maintained.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange for each citizen to have one single number on all State-issued documents with a sub-reference to Identity, National Insurance, P.A.Y.E. and other classifications.

I have been asked to reply. No.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will instruct all Government Departments to quote the reference details of letters they receive, when replying to them.

That is the general practice and I hardly think that Departments need to be reminded that it is a desirable one.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will reconsider the proposed siting of the married quarters at No. 16 Maintenance Unit, Stafford, in view of the proximity of one of the proposed sites to Coton Hill Hospital.

My right hon. Friend is at present considering in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health an objection which has been raised to the siting of these married quarters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of estates exceeding 100 acres in Malaya: and their total acreage.

I am asking the Acting High Commissioner for this information and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the hon. Member for Hornsey may expect a reply to his letter of 11th August about the position regarding newsprint in Jamaica.

The hon. Member was told on 13th August that I was considering the matter and would write to him as soon as possible. His letter asked why the Jamaica Government had done certain things, and I shall not be able to tell him until the Governor has answered the letter which I sent to him on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that adequate inspection is made of conditions under which horses await slaughter in the East End of London; whether regular supplies of food and water are provided; and whether he will take proceedings in any cases of neglect or maltreatment whether during the working week or over weekends.

My right hon. Friend has no reason to believe that the arrangements for reception of horses for slaughter are in general unsatisfactory but he has asked the local authority for a report on the conditions at Plaistow about which he has received complaints. He has, himself, no power to take proceedings.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the concern felt about the conditions of some of the yards in which horses are slaughtered for human food; and if, in particular, he proposes to take any action against those responsible for the conditions recently disclosed in the slaughter yard in Surrey Street, Plaistow.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Member for South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas).

asked the Minister of Health in view of the facts contained in the leaflet, a copy of which has been sent him, issued on 30th July on compulsory pasteurisation of milk by the National Anti-Vaccination League, how far he recommends pasteurisation as effective in preventing the spread of typhoid fever in those circumstances where untreated fresh milk might be the carrier.

My information is that the cause of the Montreal outbreak mentioned in the leaflet was never definitely established. I am satisfied that efficient pasteurisation is effective in preventing the spread of typhoid fever in circumstances where untreated fresh milk might be the source of infection.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into the case, details of which have been submitted to him, in which the North-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board refused on technical grounds to make a grant towards the nursing fees of a patient entitled to that remission; and if he will rectify this position.

I have looked into this case and am satisfied that the Board would not have been justified in coming to any other conclusion.

asked the Minister of Health if he will inquire into a case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a medical practitioner demobilised from the R.N.V.R. in January, 1946, after 5½ years service, who has obtained an appointment as registrar to the Royal Portsmouth Hospital at a salary which is nearly one-third lower than the salary to which by the Spens Committee recommendations he would be entitled; and when will the promised adjustment be made in accordance with those recommendations.

Salary rates will be adjusted retrospectively to 5th July last as soon as they have been determined in consultation with the profession.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of a doctor electing to resign from the National Health Service shortly after entry, and having given the necessary three months' notice of resignation, his compensation for loss of practice goodwill will be payable; and within what waiting period.

Yes. Payment will be made as soon as the information is available on which the amount due can be calculated. Meantime, a payment on account will be made if hardship would otherwise be involved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that allocations of steel to Clyde shipyards have been steadily declining with the result that numbers of employees have been suspended and others are threatened with suspension; and will he take steps to have the position remedied.

Allocations of steel for merchant shipbuilding are made to each individual shipyard at quarterly intervals in relation to their requirements for the particular quarter, and the total steel available for allocation to new merchant ship construction. The individual allocations necessarily fluctuate from quarter to quarter and the system ensures that as far as possible each shipbuilder receives a fair share of the total steel available for allocation. It follows that the total of the allocations made for new shipbuilding to Clyde ship builders shows variations in both directions from quarter to quarter. I am aware that a number of steel workers have been paid off in one Clyde shipyard, but I have no information of any immediate downward trend in employment in the shipbuilding yards on the Clyde.

asked the Minister of Pensions when it is intended to increase the present basic rate of pension of disabled soldiers, sailors and airmen.

I would refer the hon. Member to the report of the Debate in the House on 29th July. I then gave the reasons for the Government's view that there are no grounds for an all round increase in the basic rate of war pension and that the present policy of giving assistance, by way of supplementary allowances, to the more seriously disabled who are unable to take their normal place in the employment field and are more or less dependent on their pension, is the correct one.

asked the Prime Minister, whether, in view of the decision that in future peace-time disability pensions will be administered by the Minister of Pensions, he will consider the transfer to the Minister of Pensions of the 12,500 disability pensions for which the three Service Departments are at present responsible.

It is not proposed to make any change in the arrangements for the administration of the disability pensions which are at present the responsibility of the Service Departments.

asked the Prime Minister, what further steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to combat the Communist menace in Britain.

His Majesty's Government will continue to take any steps which appear to them to be necessary to safeguard the interests of national security from subversive activities from whatever quarter they may come.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to ban political meetings on Sundays.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many experiments were performed under Certificates A +E during the year 1947; and how many under Certificates B +EE.

One thousand three hundred and fifty-seven and 550, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the death rate from tuberculosis in Glasgow for the year 1947 and the first six months of 1948; and what was the previous 10 years' average.

The death rate from tuberculosis in Glasgow for the year 1947 was 1.26 per 1,000 of the population. The corresponding rate for the first six months of 1948 was 1.34 and the average rate for the years 1937 to 1946 was 1.29.

asked the Attorney-General whether the Departmental Committee on Leaseholds has issued its report or interim recommendations; and if, in view of the distress caused by the raising of rentals by several hundreds per cent., he will take the earliest steps to implement such recommendations as can prevent this exploitation of the lack of accommodation.

The Leasehold Committee are not yet in a position to issue their report or make interim recommendations owing to the large amount of evidence which has been tendered them, and which they must first consider. I understand, however, that all written evidence has now been received and that the hearing of oral evidence has been nearly completed. The Committee realise the necessity of losing no time in making their report once this stage of their inquiries has been completed.