asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will arrange for householders to be permitted to change their coal merchants.

The Domestic Coal Consumers' Council considered this matter recently at my request and advised against any immediate change in the existing arrangements for the reasons set out in paragraph 33 of their Annual Report, which was presented to the House in July last. Although this question is still under consideration, I do not feel able, as yet, in view of the Council's advice, to allow consumers to change their merchants without the permission of the local fuel overseer.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why a breakdown at one sub-station on Friday, 10th August at 10 p.m. caused an almost total blackout for 75 minutes in the Potteries, Newcastle and Stone areas; and whether he has to report any alterations in the normal electricity grid arrangements for these districts.

I have received from the British Electricity Authority a report under Regulation 21 ( c ) of the Electricity Supply Regulations, 1937, on the breakdown which occurred on Friday, 6th August, to which I assume the hon. Member is referring. The cause of the breakdown was a failure of a switch at the new grid sub-station associated with the new generating station at Meaford. The work necessary to link up this station with the grid is not yet complete and because of this the switch failure resulted in a complete shut-down of the substation and of the grid lines to Stafford and Stoke, where the local generating plant was unable to meet the load. This work of linking Meaford to the grid should be completed shortly and serve to prevent any recurrence of a breakdown of this kind.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make an announcement about the Consultative Councils to be appointed under Section 7 of the Electricity Act.

I am now able to announce the names of those who have agreed to serve as chairmen of the Consultative Councils to be set up under the Electricity Act. These chairmen will be ex officio part-time members of the Area Board concerned.

London: Alderman I. J. Hayward.

South Eastern: Councillor M. A. Bulloch, A.C.G.I., A.M.I.E.E.

Southern: Major Sir Hubert Young, K.C.M.G., D.S.O.

South Western: Alderman H. J. Perry, J.P.

Eastern: Alderman W. J. Bennett, J.P.

East Midlands: Mr. L. L. Perkins.

Midlands: Alderman H. Leason, J.P.. A.M.I.E.E.

South Wales: Alderman A. E. Gough, J.P.

Merseyside and North Wales: Councillor Aled O. Roberts, J.P.

Yorkshire: Alderman W. Leach.

North Eastern: Mr. W. S. Hall.

North Western: Alderman Wright-Robinson.

South East Scotland: Bailie J. M. Airlie.

South West Scotland: Bailie A. B. Mackay.

Fuel and Power whether civil servants who are entitled to a supplementary petrol ration for official journeys are now allowed the full standard ration in addition.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 1st July to my hon. Friend the Member for Spen Valley (Mr. Sharp) on this subject.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will allocate a greater supply of petrol to the Metropolitan taxicab service in order that increases may be made in the number of taxicabs and the daily mileage permitted to each.

No. Petrol allowances are granted to all taxicabs licensed by the Commissioner of Police, but I cannot agree in present circumstances to increase the amount of petrol issued per cab.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that shortage of petrol is causing hardship in rural areas, especially where there is no bus service, and is hampering farmers in their efforts to produce food; and if he will therefore instruct his regional offices to make more generous allocations to those areas.

I cannot in present circumstances agree to any general increase in allowances to persons living in rural areas but the whole question of supplementary allowances for farmers has been discussed with the National Farmers' Union and arrangements made to ensure that the production of food is not hampered by shortage of petrol.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the maximum petrol ration allowable by his Department for professional and commercial purposes in rural areas is in many cases inadequate; and whether he will authorise increased allocations in appropriate cases to enable those concerned to work at full output.

I regret that in present circumstances I cannot agree to increase the maximum quantities fixed for supplementary allowances for business and commercial purposes.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the postmaster of Newport Pagnall is allowed only sufficient petrol to gel to his office in the morning and return home at night; and whether he will allow a supply of petrol also at midday to enable him to lunch at home, since these facilities are liberally supplied to other Government officials in the same area.

Allowances for returning home to midday lunch are granted only in exceptional circumstances, which do not appear to be present in the case to which the hon. Member refers. I am afraid therefore that I cannot agree to increase the allowance. If the hon. Member will let me have details to substantiate that other officials are more favourably treated, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what estimate he has made of the amount of petrol saved by the operation of the Motor Spirit (Regulation) Act.

I have not yet been able to form any reliable estimate of the savings in petrol resulting from the measures taken to suppress the black market.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give consideration to the granting of petrol allowances to ex-Service men running a car hire service.

No. I should not feel justified in granting a larger supplementary allowance to ex-Service men for business purposes than the allowance granted to other persons in the same business.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if the consideration which was promised by his Department has yet been given to the request by the County Councils Association that the protection given by the Wood Fuel Prices, Wholesale, Order, 1946, to wholesale purchasers of wood fuel should be extended to retail purchasers, and, in view of the correspondence which took place between his Department and the Association extending from July, 1946, to August, 1948, whether a conclusion is likely to be reached in time for it to be effective during the forthcoming winter and thus help in dealing with the fuel shortage which is likely to occur.

I do not consider that present market conditions justify the introduction of statutory control over the retail price of wood fuel the enforcement of which presents great difficulties. I am, however, making preparations to introduce control at short notice in case circumstances make it necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons are now in prison for offences against currency and trading Acts and regulations passed since September, 1939; and of these persons how many were sentenced after June, 1945.

Three persons are now in prison for offences against the Defence (Finance) Regulations or Exchange Control Act, 1947, and 107 for offences against other Defence Regulations. All these persons were sentenced after June, 1945.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he will not grant permission for Miss Erzsebet Paszle, a Hungarian domestic, to enter this country to take up service in a farmer's household.

As has already been explained to the hon. Member in correspondence, foreigners can only be allowed to come here on labour permits if it is practicable to require them to leave the country should that course prove desirable in the public interest. The difficulty of securing the return to Hungary of persons who come here for employment makes this impracticable at present and I regret, therefore, that I do not feel able to authorise visas in such cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the resolution sent him from the Manchester and Salford Joint Anti-Fascist Council; and what answer he has made.

I have recently received a resolution from this council, which I am considering with other representations of a similar kind; and the council have been informed accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action has been taken against those responsible for the production and distribution in Germany of the Fascist broadsheet Deutches Flugblatt and other Fascist propagandist literature.

If the hon. Member has any information to suggest that an offence against the law of this country has been committed, he should submit it to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the approximate value of thefts of cigarettes and rationed foods and goods during each of the last three years. together with the amount recovered.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many males and females, respectively, were in prison at the latest available date; and what is the average cost per prisoner per week.

On 14th September there were in prison in England and Wales 15,928 males and 909 females. During the financial year 1945/46, the last period for which figures are available, the average weekly cost was £2 12s. 2d. a prisoner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- ment whether he will enforce the rule prevailing before the war that metropolitan taxicabs plying for hire are obliged to halt and take up passengers for journeys of reasonable length.

A taxi driver never has been under a legal obligation to stop when signalled by a prospective hirer, notwithstanding that the meter flag indicates that the cab is for hire. If, however, he stops to parley with a prospective hirer, he is under the same obligation as the driver of an unhired cab standing in a street. whether upon a rank or not.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the publication of the percentage of absenteeism in the mining industry, he will publish similar information regarding absenteeism in other industries.

Information with regard to absenteeism could only be obtained by requiring employers to maintain elaborate records in a specified form and to make regular returns based on such records.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent new registrations fell short of the estimated number on the last registration date.

The number of new registrations under the National Service Acts on 4th September, 1948, the latest registration day, was slightly above the number expected to register on that day.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Inland Revenue Department is threatening ex-Service men with legal proceedings in respect of arrears of Income Tax for 1942, hitherto unassessed, and that immediate payment is demanded in full; and if he will take immediate steps to prevent the continuance of this hardship.

It is not the practice to require immediate payment in full except where the arrears cannot conveniently be recovered under P.A.Y.E. and it is clear that the taxpayer is able to pay. The collector will always consider sympathetically proposals for payment by instalments. If the hon. and gallant Member will send me particulars of any case he has in mind I will have it looked into.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury by what method the f.o.b. value of the imports was arrived at for the purpose of Table 1 of the United Kingdom Balance of Payments document just presented to Parliament, having regard to the fact that the value of imports as shown in the Trade and Navigation Returns is on c.i.f. basis.

The f.o.b. value of imports is derived either from Exchange Control data or from Departmental returns of expenditure and of licences issued. Any correction that may be necessary from a c.i.f. to a f.o.b. basis is carried out with the aid of known freight rates, etc., for the particular commodity from the particular destination. But a great many purchases, particularly on Government account, are carried through f.o.b. originally. The question of a direct comparison with the Trade and Navigation Accounts does not, therefore. arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the nature of the recent negotiations with the London representative of the Strategic Raw Material Section of the American administrative organisation set up under the Marshall Plan; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Just, Director of the Strategic Materials Division of the Economic Co-operation Administration, visited London at the end of August and discussed with United Kingdom officials general questions arising out of Article V of the Economic Co-operation Agreement between the Governments of the U.K. and the U.S.A. (Cmd. 7446) and ways in which the production of strategic materials might be increased.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now give particulars as to quantities and description of the strategic materials required for stock piling purchases by the United States authorities under the Marshall Plan.

No. I cannot answer for the United States authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of authorised expenditure, to date, under the Marshall Plan; how much has been spent on food, raw materials and capital equipment; what proportion of purchases has been made in the U.S.A.; and in which countries were the off-shore purchases made.

Procurement authorisations issued to this country by the Economic Co-operation Administration in respect of grants totalled $386 million up to 15th September. Of this total, $182.85 million has been for food purchases from Canada; $26 million for food purchases from the U.S.; $16 million for tobacco purchases from the U.S.; $62.2 million for raw material purchases from the U.S. and petrofeum purchases from U.S. companies; $50.9 million raw material purchases from Canada, and $15.8 million raw material purchases from other countries in the Western Hemisphere. The remaining $32 million consist of expenditure on U.S. freights.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he proposes to lay before the House a report of the work of the Central Economic Planning Staff.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a list of the various headings which are comprised in the term Small Savings in the weekly return.

Savings Certificates, Defence Bonds, and deposits in the Post Office and Trustee Savings Banks.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what was the balance-of payments deficit of the United Kingdom in each half of 1946 and 1947.

The following are the figures, which are consistent with those in Table I of Cmd. 7520: U.K. BALANCE OF PAYMENTS ON CURRENT ACCOUNT. — Imports f.o.b. Exports and re-exports f.o.b. Balance on visible trade £ millions. Invisibles (net) Total 1946: 1st half … … … 502 392 - 110 - 120 - 230 2nd half … … … 590 498 - 92 - 48 - 140 1947: 1st half … … … 725 511 - 214 - 121 - 335 2nd half … … … 815 591 - 224 - 71 - 295

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that a percentage of houses for private ownership up to a value of £2,000 has now been granted, he proposes to seek an amendment to the Small Dwellings Act to enable local authorities to lend money on property to a greater value than £1,500.

The question whether an increase should be made in the limit of market value of a house on which money may be lent by a local authority has been noted for consideration in connection with future housing legislation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the high rents being charged by local authorities for houses now being completed under their supervision; and what steps he will take to ensure that a high proportion of houses to be built by local authorities for letting to wage earners are let at rents within their means without the addition of further subsidies.

The fixing of rents is a matter for the local authorities in accordance with the discretion vested in them by statute, and I have no power to intervene.

asked the Minister of Health if he has yet received the Report of the Girdwood Committee which has been considering the cost of house building, and when it is to be published.

asked the Minister of Health when the Committee appointed by him in June, 1947, to inquire into the rising costs of house building since the war will make their report.

The Committee has submitted a report, which will be published before the end of this month.

asked the Minister of Health the reason for allowing the residential premises at No. 8, Lea Bridge Road, Clapton, to be used for business purposes, in spite of the fact that the Housing Committee of the Borough of Hackney had refused consent.

The use of the two moms concerned as offices is necessary to enable the owners to provide washing facilities for their employees, as required by the Factory Acts.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that persons in the Bolton area who are being charged with high rents for furnished rooms have no means of appeal, as no tribunal under the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Act, 1946, has been set up in the area; and if he will set up a tribunal without delay.

I have not previously received representations that a tribunal is needed in Bolton. In view of the statement in the Question, I am communicating with the local authority in the matter.

asked the Minister of Health why the requisitioned house at 41, Tierney Road, Streatham Hill, S.W.2, has remained unoccupied for five months, in view of the great need of the people for homes.

Extensive works of adaptation are necessary. Since the house was requisitioned the local authority have been engaged in preparing plans and specifications and obtaining tenders.

asked the Minister of Health if he has given further consideration to the serious shortage of housing accommodation in Birmingham; and what steps he is taking to further cooperation between municipal and private effort in the provision of permanent housing in the Midland Area.

The Birmingham City Council have been given an allocation of 1,565 houses for the second half of 1948. This is expected to employ the available labour resources to the fullest extent of which they are at present capable. As regards the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to Circular 108/48, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether arrangements will be made for the Bicester Urban District Council to use for housing purposes the hutted camp at Banbury Road, Bicester, in which it is at present proposed to house Central Ordnance Depot employees; and whether the Ordnance Depot can instead house its employees at Windmill Camp, Blackthorn Hill, which is situated nearer to the Ordnance Depot, or in the huts at Bucknell Road, Bicester, both of which camps are empty.

This camp cannot be offered to the Council for housing purposes as no other accommodation is available for the employees of the Central Ordnance Depot. I am advised by the War Department that Windmill Camp, Blackthorn Hill, is unsuitable and that the huts at Bucknell Road, Bicester, are not available.

asked the Minister of Health why the Embankment Fellowship Centre, Lambeth, which provides accommodation for ex-Service men, has just been given notice to quit by 1st December.

I understand that this and other notices are occasioned by a London County Council scheme for the redevelopment of the area of the South Bank in which this centre lies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will hold an inquiry into the condition of the R.A.F. camp at Kingstone and Madley, Hereford, which is now being used for civilian housing, especially with regard to the water supply and sanitary arrangements.

I am arranging for my Principal Housing Officer to inquire into the conditions at this camp.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make fuller use of his powers to compel local authorities to requisition houses which remain empty for more than a given period, so that accommodation may be provided for families with no homes of their own.

I am satisfied that local authorities generally make wide use of requisitioning to ensure the proper use of vacant houses. If, however, my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind and will let me have details, I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the housing shortage is being exploited by persons who buy up houses which have not previously been rented, convert them into flats and let them at excessive rentals; and if he will take powers to bring under control the rents of houses and flats which are being let for the first time.

I have this matter under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the delay to thousands of persons in receiving optical benefits; and if he will seek powers to prevent the exportation of spectacle lenses for the next three months to make good the deficiency.

Yes. As anticipated, heavy initial demands are resulting in temporary delays, but increased production should soon close the gap. The export of spectacle lenses is already subject to licence.

asked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware of the discontent amongst hospital staffs, especially nurses who owing to the shortage of staffs are compelled to work overtime at ordinary rates of pay; and when he expects the Provisional Councils to consider extra payment for time worked;

(2) why hospital staffs receive overtime rates of pay in accordance with the National Joint Council's decisions; and why nurses are not allowed overtime rates of pay.

Whitley machinery already exists for this.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the request made by male and female student nurses for £5 per week; and if he is in agreement with the application.

The Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council has agreed on new training allowances for student nurses, and these come into operation immediately. The main points of the new rates have already been published, but I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the increased award to student nurses, he is proposing higher salaries for fully trained personnel in all hospitals and institutions.

This is a matter which would first have to be considered by the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of HeaIth if he is aware that Doctor G. F. Frank, of Caistor, who recently had to telephone six different authorities in North Lincolnshire to get an ambulance to take a child aged three, who was dangerously ill, to a Grimsby hospital and that there is great dissatisfaction over the ambulance service as evidenced by the correspondence sent to him; and if he will have the service investigated and the former facilities restored to the North Lincolnshire rural areas.

I am aware of this case which occurred soon after the new service started. I have been investigating and better local instructions are now in force. But I know the difficulties and shortages in this area, which I will keep under special review.

asked the Minister of Health how many orders have been applied for under the National Assistance Act to commit a person to an institution; and whether his Department will issue an annual return of the numbers so committed.

I cannot give the number at present but I do not think the applications are likely to be numerous. I intend to call for annual returns from the authorities concerned and to publish the figures.

asked the Minister of Health what was the average cost per pint during the war of the blood available for Army transfusions; and the overall cost to the Government today of a similar amount of blood to be used for the public.

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that new methods of treatment for certain diseases require large quantities of blood; and if he is satisfied that there is sufficient available in blood banks to meet these demands.

The answer to both parts of the Question is "Yes."

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an estimate of the numbers of children with anti-social tendencies who are below the intelligence level necessary for acceptance by an approved school; and what action he proposes to take to help such children to become good citizens.

Information is not available on which an estimate could be based; but if a child in an approved school is found to be mentally defective he is transferred to an institution for mental defectives, where every effort is made to train him to take his place in the community.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the anxiety of the public on the number of cases of food poisoning; whether he will institute a commission of inquiry into the subject; and whether he is satisfied that the campaign urging cleanliness in preparing food is on a sufficiently large scale.

I have these subjects under review at the moment, with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths from cancer were recorded during 1947; and how far more extensive cancer research has resulted in a reduction in the number of deaths compared with those of former years.

77,850; there has been no reduction in the total number of deaths.

asked the Minister of Health how many death certificates were received in 1947 on which vaccination, vaccinia, post vaccinal encephalitis or any other condition connected with vaccination was mentioned on the death certificates; and what were the ages in these cases.

Thirteen; one month, four months, five months (four cases), six months, seven months, nine months, three years, 14 years, 31 years and 35 years.

asked the Minister of Health what were the ages of the fatal cases of diphtheria in 1947; and how many of the cases of, and deaths from, diphtheria in 1947 had been immunised.

The answer to the first part of the Question is as follows: England and Wales Diphtheria, 1947 Age in Years Deaths 0- … … … 16 1- … … … 41 3- … … … 47 5- … … … 81 10- … … … 22 15- … … … 13 25 and. over … … … 24 Total 244

The information requested in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health why accommodation was not available for the Registrar of Deaths at St. Nicholas Schools, Chislehurst, between 12.0 and 1 o'clock on certain Fridays in August; and if he will take disciplinary action against the persons concerned.

The responsibility for providing this accommodation rests on the Kent County Council, who have, I understand, explained the exceptional circumstances to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider making it possible for deaf people, whose deafness is not sufficiently aided by the standard hearing aids provided free under the National Health Service scheme, to obtain more suitable appliances on paying such extra cost as may be necessary.

No. I do not think the situation will arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether his regulations entitle foreign nationals on a short visit to Great Britain to full benefit under the National Health Scheme, including the replacement of dentures or spectacles.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that all persons whether aliens or not landing at United Kingdom ports are to be provided with hospital and special treatment free of charge; and what is the yearly estimate of cost of this practice.

Yes, if they need them. The cost of treating aliens cannot be estimated but is likely to be small.

asked the Minister of Health why persons entitled to the provision of free spectacle lenses under the National Health Service Act, 1946, are not permitted to have these lenses fitted to spectacle frames already owned by them.

They are.

asked the Minister of Health what capitation fee is to be paid to general practitioners under the National Health Service.

There is a total fund of 18s. 0d. multiplied by 95 per cent. of the civil population. This is divided into local funds, on a basis agreed with the profession. Doctors share it according to the people on their lists.

asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken to inform persons insured for dental benefit of the nearest available dentist participating in the National Health Service.

Dental benefit does not depend upon insurance. It is free to all. Lists of dentists taking part in the Service should generally be available at post offices. In any case, information can be obtained from the Executive Council, whose address is available at the post office.

asked the Minister of Health when dentists who have accepted service under the National Health Service can expect to receive payment for treatment carried out in July and August.

All dentists should by now have been paid for work submitted for payment in July and many for part or most of August. Regular monthly payments will be made.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the hardship caused to dentists who have entered the National Health Service by the delay in paying their fees for work done in July; and if he has been able to make special arrangements for interim advance payments to cover this initial period during which such dentists have derived little or no income from the formerly usual sources.

All dentists should by now have been paid for work submitted for payment in July and many for part or most of August. Regular monthly payments will be made, and the complications involved in making payments on account would only delay these.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider representations from dentists who have accepted service under the National Health Service with a view to the simplification of forms E.C.17.

I shall be glad to consider any such suggestions.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there are no facilities for thoracoplasty for women patients in the South-Western region, but that patients are being told that it is possible to have the operation done privately; how many private beds are in fact available; and how soon provision will be made under the National Health Service.

There are facilities for thoracic surgery at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, but the ward for tuberculous women required for this treatment has recently been closed for lack of nurses. It is to be re-opened this week. No private beds are available at this hospital.

asked the Minister of Health how many Health Centres have been set up under the National Health Service Act; and whether he has any plans for the establishing of further centres in populous areas.

Twenty-six dispensaries from which general medical and dental services were provided before 5th July are continuing as Health Centres under the Act. I have approved a proposal to build a centre on a developing housing estate in London; and the provision of centres in other populous areas is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will state the estimated cost of prescriptions dispensed under the National Health Act for the period 5th July to 5th August; and also the cost of supplying spectacles for the same period.

The estimated cost of prescriptions dispensed from 5th July to 5th August is nearly £1,500,000. The amount paid from 5th July to 31st August (for which period alone figures are available) for sight-testing and supplying glasses under the supplementary ophthalmic service was £237,433, though this figure does not represent the full liabilities incurred during the period.

asked the Minister of Health the proportion of the total population on the lists of doctors engaged in the National Health Act on the latest convenient date; how many have asked for their names to be removed apart from temporary residents; and what is the number of people estimated as not having specified their desire to avail themselves of the service.

Over 90 per cent. of the total civilian population; but the available figures may involve some duplication which cannot yet be exactly estimated. The answer to the second part of the Question is not known. The number of people who have not applied to go on doctors' lists is, subject to elimination of duplicates, fewer than four million for England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that supplies of crepe bandages to dispensing chemists and other distributors in Shropshire are inadequate; and what steps he will take to remedy the position.

No. If the hon. Member will let me have details I will see what can be done to help.

asked the Minister of Health why he has decided to discourage local authorities from opening foot clinics seeing that Section 28 (1) of the National Health Service Act, 1946, empowers these authorities to make arrangements for the purpose of the prevention of illness and that chiropody is essentially a preventive service.

I do not want to plunge into a general chiropody service without more advice. But I have told authorities that if experience shows the need they can put in proposals to me.

asked the Minister of Health what approximate proportion of the accounts submitted by chemists to Executive Councils for drugs and appliances supplied during July have now been paid; what is the normal period taken to make such payments; and whether Executive Councils in arrears with the work of examining accounts have been instructed to make substantial payments on account.

So far as is known, at least 10 per cent. Payment should be made six weeks after the prescriptions have been submitted for pricing, but in several areas is in arrears owing to staff shortages. The answer to the last part of the Question is "Yes."

asked the Minister of Health what is the present lag in time of chemists being paid their fees by the Government.

In some areas payments are up to date, in others in arrears to a varying extent owing to staff shortages. In cases of arrears a substantial payment on account is made.

asked the Minister of Health the cost to date of dental estimates submitted or approved by the Dental Estimates Board; by how much that cost exceeds the provision already made; and what measures he proposes to take to deal with the situation.

The Board has authorised payment of a total of £708,307 up to 17th September. There is no excess over the sums already voted by Parliament for the purpose and the last part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health in the light of experience since the introduction of the National Health services what is the estimated annual cost of the dental services.

I am afraid it is too early to say.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that by the Regulations S.I. 1273, 1948, and the statement specifying fees and charges for sight testing opticians, the specialist ophthalmic surgeon, with at least ten years' study before undertaking practice, will be at a monetary disadvantage, as compared with the optician, who has had no comparable training, as in the example submitted to him; and if he will reconsider this position.

I do not accept the assumption underlying the Question. The remuneration of ophthalmic medical practitioners taking part in the supplementary eye service has been fixed, in agreement with the profession, in the light of the Spens Report on the Remuneration of Consultants and Specialists. The remuneration of opticians for the supply and fitting of glasses is approximately equal to the remuneration they received for the same services under the National Health Insurance scheme.

asked the Minister of Health how many leaflets were distributed in connection with the new Health and National Insurance Scheme; what was the cost; what was the weight of paper involved; and what contributions were made to the General Post Office for their distribution.

Thirteen million two hundred thousand copies of a leaflet on the National Health Service costing £4,350 and requiring 46 tons of paper; the contribution made to the General Post Office was £20,000. As regards the National Insurance Scheme I understand that 40,400,000 leaflets, including the family guide, were made available for distribution costing £54,000 and requiring 424 tons of paper. A payment of £25,000 was made to the General Post Office in respect of the distribution of the family guide.

asked the Minister of Health what facilities for artificial insemination are provided at clinics under the National Health Service; if such facilities include both A.I.(H.) and A.I.(D.); what information he has received from such clinics regarding the physical and mental health and development of children born as a result of artificial insemination; and if he will also make inquiries on this subject from private clinics.

No such facilities are provided. On the last part of the Question l am not advised that such an inquiry would be justified.

asked the Minister of Health whether a domestic Turkish Bath cabinet is an appliance for the maintenance of positive health which may be prescribed and obtained under the National Health Scheme.

No.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the dispensation of doctors' prescriptions has, since the introduction of the Health Service, increased by more than 100 per cent.; and what steps he is taking to meet this situation.

I am not aware that chemists generally are experiencing difficulty in coping with the increased volume of dispensing.

asked the Minister of Health what is the position of village nurses under the National Health Service Act; whether they are recognised as part of the Scheme; whether compensation will be paid for their houses and motor cars; and if he will make a statement.

Every local health authority must provide a home nursing service either by employing nurses themselves or by making arrangements with District Nursing Associations. Such arrangements normally include the purchase of the Association's houses and cars, or payment for their use.

asked the Minister of Health when it is intended to abolish identity cards.

The card is an essential part of the National Registration system which renders valuable services in food and clothes rationing and in connection with the National Service Acts, the National Health Service and the system of Family Allowances. The National Register also proves useful in a variety of other ways of benefit to the public.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the decrease in the number of British Restaurants from 1,843 in February, 1945, to 773 in January, 1948, he will send a circular to the local authorities concerned impressing upon them the importance of British Restaurants, and the need to extend their number rather than curtail them.

No; the legislation relating to civic restaurants is permissive and leaves complete discretion with the local authorities regarding the extent to which it should be exercised.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the proposed extension of the boundaries of the County Borough of Sunderland.

No decision in this matter has yet been reached.

asked the Minister of Health how far he is satisfied with the conditions under which horses are handled and with the handling of horses sent to licensed slaughter-houses in London and other towns; and what arrangements he has considered for slaughtering horses at country depots rather than consigning them alive long distances to the towns.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that existing arrangements for the slaughter of horses for food involve no unnecessary cruelty.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the report which has been sent to him of the conditions in which horses are herded together prior to slaughter; and if, in view of the cruelty involved, he will consider taking steps to bring these conditions within the legal definition of cruelty.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given on 20th September to the hon. Member for South Portsmouth (Sir J. Lucas).

asked the Minister of Health how many boroughs have so far notified their intention of instituting municipal entertainments in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1948.

There is no obligation on local authorities to notify me of their intention to exercise the powers of Section 132 of the Local Government Act, 1948. My approval is necessary only where they wish to raise a loan or to carry out works and I am not, therefore, in a position to say to what extent it is the intention of borough councils to institute municipal entertainments.

asked the Minister of Health when it is anticipated that work will commence and finish, respectively, on the approved water scheme for Charlton, Odington and Noke, Oxfordshire.

This scheme has been approved in principle and work on it will start as soon as the necessary scarce materials can be made available. I am unable at the moment to say when that will be.

asked the Minister of Education why the pamphlet on U.N.E.S.C.O. issued by his Department omits important references to the auditor's report and irregularities concerning the accounts which are contained in a report on U.N.E.S.C.O. recently published by the United States Government.

I assume that the hon. and gallant Member has in mind the reference on page 138 of the Report of the United States Delegation to the Second Session of the General Conference of U.N.E.S.C.O. He will find the same reference on page 28 of the pamphlet relating to the Second Session, published by H.M. Stationery Office, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Education how many five-year old children have not been able to start school because of lack of accommodation or any other reason; and what steps are being taken to provide adequate accommodation within the shortest period.

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available, but I have received no reports which suggest that there is any general difficulty. In reply to the second part, the school building programme for the coming year places special emphasis on the provision of additional accommodation for the increasing number of children coming into the schools as a result of the rise in the birthrate.

asked the Minister of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Edith Pogson of East Lexham, Norfolk, who was summoned by Mrs. Tite at Dereham on 20th August for hitting her son, aged seven years, with gloved hand thereby causing a bruise 5 inches by 7 inches on his back; and whether such form of corporal punishment is in accordance with the regulations.

I have no information about this case beyond what has appeared in the Press. On the second part of the Question I would draw attention to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on 28th July.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is now in a position to announce his proposals for relieving financial hardship caused by his decision to postpone the entry into Emergency Training Colleges of men who are working as temporary teachers and who are awaiting courses.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the financial hardship caused by the extended waiting period for entrance to a training college and the effect this delay has on pension; and how he proposes to deal with this matter.

Yes. I am glad to be able to announce that from 1st October men with family responsibilities will, in certain circumstances, be eligible for supplementary grants to help them to tide over the longer period which as a result of recent decisions, they will have to wait before admission to an Emergency Training College. I will send the hon. Members copies of a detailed statement which is being sent to all the men concerned.

asked the Minister of Education whether in view of the fact that in the past it took two years at a normal college to prepare a young person to teach in an elementary school, and that this has now been reduced to one year's intensive course as advertised under the Government's training scheme, he will now consider extending this period in order to produce properly qualified teachers.

Courses of training lasting two years and more have not been abolished, but are being taken by more students than ever before. In addition, a special temporary Emergency Training Scheme, with courses lasting slightly over a year, has been provided for mature entrants who have had war service. I am satisfied that they are proving highly successful and I do not propose to modify the scheme at this stage.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is permitting the North Riding Education Committee to include the provision of a new school at Easingwold in their 1949 building programme.

Owing to the prior claims of other school building projects, it has not so far been found possible to include the Easingwold Secondary Modern Grammar School in the 1949 building programme for the North Riding of Yorkshire.