asked the Minister of Works how many building workers are employed in the Greater London area; how many are unemployed; how many are employed on new housing; and how many on other kinds of house building including war damage repairs.

The latest available figures of employment are for May, 1948. At that date the number of male operatives aged 16 and over employed in the building and civil engineering industries in the London Region totalled 200,300; of this number, 40,500 were employed on new housing and 90,500 on other housing work including war damage repair. The number of insured males aged 14 to 64 registered as unemployed in these industries on August 16th, 1948, was 4,594. This included men, who, although registered as unemployed on that day, were in process of transfer from one job to another, or were under submission to jobs. Unemployed clerical and administrative workers are also included.

asked the Minister of Works what the Scientific Advisers section of his Department has cost since its inception; what was the rate of expenditure per annum at 31st August, 1948; and how many reports have been published since it came into existence.

Expenditure on the salaries of the staff in the Chief Scientific Adviser's Division of the Ministry from its inception on 1st April, 1944, to the 31st March, 1948, totalled £689,700. At 31st August, 1948, expenditure was running at the rate of £177,000 per annum. These figures include the expenditure on the wages of the industrial staff employed at the Ministry's Field Test Unit. The Chief Scientific Adviser's Division has collaborated in the preparation of Codes of Practice, the Post-War Building Studies series, the Technical Appendices to the Housing Manual, and the various Memoranda which have been issued on Economy in the use of Materials. A report by the Division on Non-Traditional Building will shortly be published in the National Building Studies series. The Division has also been responsible for the preparation of a number of Site Manuals for use in non-traditional building, and for numerous articles in the Scientific and Technical Press.

asked the Minister of Works what data his Department has collected by time and motion study methods on the productivity of the building trades operative and if he will publish the statistics available.

The object of time and motion studies undertaken by my Department has been to discover the best methods of carrying out certain operations, particularly connected with the erection of non-traditional houses and the use of new types of plant. They are not sufficiently comprehensive to yield statistical data about the general productivity of building trades operatives.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the views of the Government of Cyprus on the electricity supply scheme for that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Yes. The first stage of an Electricity Grid Scheme, comprising the installation of a power station and a part of the distribution system, has now been approved subject to the completion of arrangements for financing these works which are still under consideration with the Cyprus Government. Orders for certain plant required have already been placed, and the Cyprus Government intend shortly to appoint an electrical expert to take charge of the technical side of the scheme on the spot. Arrangements are also being made to appoint Civil Consulting Engineers to prepare the design of the power station. The full scheme will naturally take a number of years to complete.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what demands have been put forward by the African dock labourers and other native employees on strike in Zanzibar; and why it has been found necessary to despatch additional police forces from Tanganyika and a contingent of the King's African Rifles from Nairobi, and to proclaim a state of emergency to deal with a peaceful strike.

The dock workers demanded higher wages, higher overtime and shorter working hours in supercession of the agreement entered into seven weeks previously. Others who ceased work gave no strike notice, and put forward no formal demands. As regards the other points on which he requires information I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on 22nd September to my hon. Friend the Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin).

asked the Minister of National Insurance what deductions are made from National Health Insurance payments to in-patients of hospitals, including tuberculosis sanatoria.

I would refer my hon. Friend to Regulation 9 of the National Insurance (Overlapping Benefits) Provisional Regulations, 1948 (S.I. 1244), which sets out in detail the position of persons in hospital. These regulations are still under consideration by the National Insurance Advisory Committee.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will urge at the forthcoming conference of Empire Premiers the adoption of a convention to renounce absolutely the principle of race discrimination or segregation.

No. A meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers is not the appropriate forum for the discussion of this question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that this year's annual training of Territorial Anti-Aircraft Units of the Royal Artillery has been seriously marred by the failure to provide towed aerial targets; what was the reason for the failure to provide such targets; and what steps are being taken to ensure that they will be available in future.

I am aware that not all the flying required could be provided for these camps. The reason was that the Royal Air Force is short of skilled manpower, and the position is aggravated by the fact that the Martinet aircraft used for towing are old and difficult to keep serviceable. A replacement is being developed but there are still technical difficulties to be overcome. Every effort will be made to meet this commitment as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions how the basic rate of disability pensions for ex-Service men and women today compare with the basic rate in 1919 and 1921, taking into account the rise in the cost of living between these two dates.

The basic pension rate was 40s. a week from 3rd September, 1919, and was the same in 1920 and 1921. By reference to the cost-of-living index figures in those years and today, the present basic rate corresponding to the rates in those years would be 40s. 9d. for 1919, 35s. 2d. for 1920, and 38s. 9d. a week for 1921.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give in tabular form the increase in the price of coal, gas and electricity since the National Coal Board took over.

I regret that information is not available to provide a simple summary statement of the increases in price of coal, gas and electricity to all consumers since the beginning of 1947. Information collected by the Ministry of Labour for the cost-of-living index shows, however, the following increases in the price of these fuels to domestic consumers between July, 1947, and July, 1948: Coal, 13 per cent.; gas, 8 per cent.; electricity, 5 per cent.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he now contemplates ceasing charging a rental for gas meters.

The charging of rentals for gas meters is part of the tariff of individual gas undertakings for which they are entirely responsible. When the gas industry is nationalised that responsibility will be transferred to the Area Gas Boards, under Section 53 of the Gas Act

asked the Minister of Transport what is the length and width of the restricted road leading into Cambridge known as Trumpington Road; how much of this road is free of any buildings and has the character of a country road; and whether in the interests of traffic it is intended to de-restrict a portion of this area.

Trumpington Road is two miles, 360 yards long,, and is subject to a speed limit throughout its length. The total width is 60 ft. and the width of the carriageway 33 ft. No substantial part of the road is free of buildings although many of the houses are hidden by trees. I should not be justified in de-restricting Trumpington Road, which has all the features of a trunk road on the approaches to a busy town. The Police are strongly in favour of retaining the speed limit.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give the number of bus accidents in London and the English provinces in each of the last three years, together with the numbers of killed and injured.

The numbers of persons killed in accidents in Great Britain where the vehicle primarily involved was a bus or coach were 651 in 1945, 616 in 1946 and 473 between January and October, 1947. The total number of bus accidents and the number of casualties to which they gave rise are not known. In the Metropolitan Police Area, buses and coaches were the vehicles primarily involved in 2,125 accidents in 1945, 2,086 in 1946 and 2,048 in 1947. The Metropolitan Police cannot supply the number of persons killed and injured in these accidents.

asked the Minister of Transport how many roads or streets are eligible for grant in the City of Salford; and the amount of grants made for Class I and 2 roads or streets.

Seventy-one roads and streets, with a total length of 34 miles, are eligible for grant from the Road Fund. In the financial year 1947–48, two grants amounting to £3,565 were made.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of purchases made by Great Britain under the Marshall Plan has, to date, been carried by British shipping.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that negotiations for compensation of Mr. Peach of Sherington Nurseries, Newport Pagnell, Bucks, for dilapidations are still no further advanced after nine months; that six officials have now visited the holding, criticised its condition and threatened the prioprietor with supervision, though he has received no payment on account of his considerable claim for damage done to the holding; and if he will rectify this position.

The valuers acting for my Department and Mr. Peach have been unable to reach agreement as to compensation in this case, but in default of agreement Mr. Peach is entitled to have his claim heard by the General Claims Tribunal and his solicitors have been so informed. As I informed the hon. Member on 20th April last, the provisions of the Agriculture Act, 1947, will be brought into operation if Mr. Peach fails to cultivate the land properly. I am aware that the Horticultural Sub-Committee of the Bucks. A.E.C. have visited Mr. Peach's nursery to make an inspection before deciding whether any action should be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what acreage of potential farming land has been taken over by the Forestry Commission since 1st January, 1946; what area it is intended to acquire in the next five years; what is the total acreage at present in possession of the Forestry Commission; how much of this remains unplanted; and what total acreage in possession of the Forestry Commission, previously growing timber, remains unplanted.

I cannot give the hon. Member the precise figure he asks for in the first part of the Question but all acquisitions of land under the Forestry Acts are now made in my name and land suitable for farming purposes is retained by the Ministry of Agriculture for management. Of the 98,000 acres acquired since 1st October, 1945, some 6,000 acres are classed as agricultural and consisted mainly of grazing land. Of this total 2,500 acres have been placed at the disposal of the Forestry Commissioners who will use some of it for forest workers' holdings; a large proportion of the rest will be used for grazing purposes. The acquisition programme for the five years ending 1951 is 926,000 acres. The total area acquired under the Forestry Acts to date is 1,475,000 acres, of which 1,302,000 acres are at the disposal of the Commissioners. Of this, the total area of land classified as plantable but not yet planted is 338,000 acres. The total area of land at the disposal of the Commission previously growing timber, which remains unplanted or has not been re-stocked, is in the region of 10,000 acres. A large proportion of this will be replanted in 1948–49.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) in view of the fact that the best rabbit pelts in the world are produced in Britain, what steps does he propose to take to encourage this industry, with a view to developing the export trade;

(2) what has been the result of his Department's plan for rabbit production based on the distribution of a bran ration and the formation of domestic rabbit clubs;

(3) in view of the fact that the official plan has resulted in an increase in fancy rabbit keeping and a negligible quantity of rabbit meat available to the public, if he has any further proposals; and what is the amount of the bran ration issued to rabbit keepers;

(4) if he has considered the advice of the Sub-Committee of the Agricultural Research Council, 1939, that domesticated rabbits bred in this country could form a useful addition to the food supply of the nation; and what steps he is taking to encourage such meat production.

The recommendations of the Sub-Committee of the Agricultural Research Council appointed before the war to investigate rabbit breeding in Great Britain were considered after the outbreak of war in 1939 with a view to supplementing the depleted meat supplies of the country with tame rabbit flesh. The Ministry was advised that any considerable extension of tame rabbit keeping might involve both the diversion of feedingstuffs necessary for the production of other foods, such as milk and eggs, and the feeding to rabbits of food intended for human consumption. such as bread and potatoes.

My Department's advice to keepers of tame rabbits, through the field organisation of the Domestic Poultry Keepers' Council, has aimed at securing the production of the maximum amount of rabbit meat by the use of household and garden waste, and rationed feedingstuffs are available only to breeding does.

There are at present in England and Wales some 5,400 commercial rabbit keepers drawing rations and in addition about 1,000 domestic rabbit clubs comprising a total membership of over 47,000 also receive rations. The total number of does kept by these classes is approximately 240,000.

The bran allowance to rabbit keepers is 7 lb. of bran per quarter per breeding doe (six months or more old). The ration is issued for does kept by commercial rabbit keepers owning not less than eight does, and to domestic rabbit clubs for not more than four does per member. Both the commercial and the domestic ration is conditional upon the progeny of the does being fattened for meat and a reasonable proportion of the meat being sold to licensed dealers, or upon the sale of the young breeding does for further meat production.

I am satisfied that the provision of a small ration of bran under these conditions has encouraged the keeping of rabbits without any substantial diversion of feedingstuffs from more important livestock, and has resulted in a material contribution to the country's meat supplies.

Since the general programme of expansion of livestock products for food is likely to absorb all available supplies of rationed feedingstuffs for some time to come, I can hold out no hope of increas- ing the present rations for rabbits, or of extending them to provide for maintenance of rabbits for the production of fur rather than meat.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what research work into virus and other diseases in rabbits is being undertaken in Britain.

Research into cocidiosis in rabbits and also into an obscure respiratory disease is being carried out at the Veterinary Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, and a study of a digestive disturbance in rabbits, known as "blows trouble," is being made by the Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give an estimate of the quantity of grain coming on to the market as a result of the increasing use of combine-harvester machinery; whether he is satisfied that the storage capacity of grain merchants is adequate to clean and store these large tonnages, especially of barley; and what steps can be taken to provide the materials to increase storage capacity.

Other factors, in addition to the number of machines, affect the quantity of grain harvested by combine harvesters. This year the number of combines operating in Great Britain would be capable of dealing with over I million tons under average working conditions, but I do not know the quantity actually harvested by this method. I am not aware of serious or widespread difficulties arising from shortage of grain storage facilities; but my Department and the Ministry of Food are continuing to encourage the erection, by farmers, merchants and ultimate users, of new grain drying and storage installations where the need exists. In the six months ended 30th June, 1948, 65 applications from farmers and merchants for building licences were approved, involving work estimated to cost £65,000. Applications from users (such as millers and maltsters) would add appreciably to these figures, but details are not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he now considers that wire available for private foresters will suffice for 20,000 acres as forecast in his answer to the hon. and gallant Member for East Grinstead (Colonel Clarke) on 30th July, 1948.

The quantity of fencing wire so far licensed to private foresters will suffice for more than 15,000 acres, and if necessary I hope that enough could be made available for 20,000 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will ask local authorities and other bodies whose members and officials have opportunities to ascertain errors in maps issued by the Ordnance Survey Department, to submit such information so that mapping may be more accurate; and to what address and in what form such information should be submitted.

Information confirming minor errors on Ordnance Survey maps (as distinct from developments which have taken place in the locality since the map was last revised), is welcomed from any source. It should be sent to the Director-General, Ordnance Survey

UNITED KINGDOM—ESTIMATES OF CROP PRODUCTION. — 1938 1948 Acreage '000. Yield per acre. Production '000 tons. Acreage '000. Yield per ( a ) acre. Production ( a ) 000 tons. cwt. cwt. Wheat … … 1,928 20.4 1,965 2,282 19.5 2,226 Barley … … 988 18.3 904 2,087 19.0 1,987 Oats … … 2,395 16.6 1,992 3,367 17.3 2,908 tons Potatoes … … 733 7.0 5,115 1,548 … … Sugar Beet … … 334 6.6 2,191 413 … … Mangolds … … 218 17.0 3,705 281 … … Turnips and Swedes … … 769 14.2 10,925 676 … … …Not available. ( a ) Forecasts based on crop prospects at 1st September, 1948.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether the concession as regards single plot owners who bought before 7th January, 1947, Department, Leatherhead Road, Chessington, Surrey, and should give the series and sheet numbers concerned and the map reference of the points at fault.

The revision of any particular map must be made as part of the Ordnance Survey's general plan of revision and, in order to maintain the standard of accuracy, revision must be made on the basis of a survey on the ground by the staff of the Ordnance Survey. Local authorities are always informed by the Ordnance Survey before a revision or survey of their area is begun, and no advantage would be gained by issuing a general invitation to them to submit information before that date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement upon the yield of main arable crops grown and harvested this year, giving comparable figures for 1938.

The following table shows the yield of the principal corn and root crops in 1938 and corresponding forecasts for 1948 so far as at present available. It is too early to give reliable forecasts of this year's root crops, but the indications are that yields per acre will be rather higher than in 1938.

extends to those who before that day entered into a binding contract to buy but to whom the land was not conveyed before that date.

Yes.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has considered the complaints of bad quality vegetables and sometimes of milk as supplied to members of the Control Commission in Germany and their families; and if he will take steps to improve the position in this matter.

Members of the Control Commission and their families are fed from Army sources and receive the same scale of rations as the Army in Germany. Neither vegetables nor fresh milk can be purchased from Germany for Army rations. Vegetables, which are of first-class quality when purchased, are obtained from Holland and sent several times weekly by passenger train and issued as quickly as possible. Tinned or powdered milk only is issued. This is supplied by the Ministry of Food and is similar to that on sale in the United Kingdom. If individual tins prove to be unfit for use, these can always be exchanged at the issuing depôt or unit on application. I understand that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has received some complaints about this matter and he is having them sent to my Department for investigation.

asked the Secretary of State for War on what grounds the War Office doctors declared three of the four German Field Marshals unfit to stand their trial.

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. As stated by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 22nd September, these officers were examined by a series of medical boards, and it was finally reported by the Director-General, Army Medical Services, in consultation with the Medical Officers to the Home Office, in April that three of the officers were fit for trial but at that time the fourth was not. The War Office doctors did not declare any of the other officers to be unfit to stand their trial.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many mechanical excavators, universal type, will be manufactured by Messrs. Demag and Menck and Hambrock annually under the revised level of industry plan.

I do not know how many mechanical excavators, universal type, will be manufactured by the firms mentioned, since this is the concern of the firms themselves and of the German authorities, and not of the British authorities. I understand however that Messrs. Demag at. Benrath are now producing at the rate of 45 per annum, and Messrs. Menck & Hambrock at 80 per annum. The present capacity of these firms is stated to be 120–140 and 110 respectively, although whether production could reach these figures would depend on the availability of steel supplies and the existence of demand.

I will take this opportunity of giving my hon. Friend the further information on this subject which I promised him on the 20th September. In addition to Messrs. Demag and Messrs. Menck & Hambrock there are two other firms engaged in the production of mechanical excavators, universal type: Messrs. Hagenkamp at Richrath, present output 12 per annum, capacity 24; and Messrs. Nilsen and Korte, Hamburg, who will this year make 24. My hon. Friend is already aware of the new concern, the Bad Oeynhausen Maschinenbau G.m.b.H. which has been set up in premises adjacent to the Weserhuette plant for the purpose of supplying spare parts for Weserhuette products already in use, and of continuing the production of such complete units as are necessary for peacetime needs, within the limited availabilities of steel and other raw materials. I do not know what the productive capacity of this plant is likely to be.

I cannot guarantee that the foregoing information is complete, since it is possible for other firms to commence excavator production without their coming to the knowledge of the British authorities. From the information available it would appear that the total output this year of universal type excavators will be 161, and the total capacity about 298

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British Military Government in Kiel has approved as an official flag for the Land Schleswig-Holstein a flag which was originally the symbol of Holsteiners in revolt against the Danish Crown; that the revival of this insurgent flag has given offence in both South Slesvig and in Denmark; and whether he will consult with Danish authorities in order to reach a more satisfactory decision.

British Military Government has recently approved the flying of an official flag in Land Schleswig-Holstein, a privilege which had already been accorded to other Laender. The flag in question dates back to 1844. I should not, therefore feel justified in withholding the right to fly a flag which has been in existence for so many years. The intention of the British Military Government to authorise the flying of this flag was intimated to the Danish Government as a matter of courtesy before any official announcement was made in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the President of Israel and Mr. Aubrey Eban, representative of the Government of Israel on the United Nations, are still permitted the use of their British passports.

On the assumption that the President of Israel and Mr. Aubrey Eban were Palestinian citizens, and hold unexpired Palestine passports they will, as such, share in the general arrangements made by His Majesty's Government on the termination of the Mandate whereby unexpired Palestine passports, issued under the authority of His Majesty's High Commissioner for Palestine, will continue to be recognised as valid travel and identity documents. Holders of Palestine passports require British visas before they can enter British territory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums of money deposited in the Courts of Palestine, by orders of those Courts, pending judgments or orders in actions, are held in this country; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to release these moneys.

I have been asked to reply. The information asked for is not at present available, but I will communicate with the hon. Member on the subject as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why recognition has not yet been extended to the Israeli Government.

I have nothing to add to the statement made in the debate on 22nd September.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the purpose of the discussions of his Department with Brigadier Glubb, Commander of the Transjordan Arab Legion, during his recent visit to London.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 22nd September to a similar question by the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. Piratin).

asked the Secretary of State for War in what capacity Brigadier Glubb Pasha recently had talks with officials of his Department.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 22nd September. There have been no official discussions between Major-General Glubb Pasha and officers of my Department, apart from the talks referred to in that reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date British subjects entering into the military service of Transjordan were exempted from the penalties prescribed by the Foreign Enlistment Act, 1870.

It was not an offence under the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1870 for any British subject to accept or agree to accept any commission or engagement in the military service of Transjordan so long as Transjordan was not at war with any foreign State at peace with His Majesty. The question whether and if so when that situation began, is a matter of fact which can only be decided by the Courts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to discuss the settlement of outstanding problems between Great Britain and Poland.

The Polish Government suggested on 28th June that an Anglo-Polish Mixed Commission should meet in London to settle a number of problems of a non-political nature outstanding between the two countries. His Majesty's Government have welcomed this proposal in principle and the agenda of the proposed Commission is at present under discussion between the two Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the nature of the conversations held during the recent visit to London of H.H. the Shah of Iran; and if he will make a statement.

The visit of His Imperial Majesty was private and no official discussions were held. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that a few months ago about four young Englishmen were arrested on m.y. "Zagario," at San Remo and were placed in gaol there where they remained several weeks and have since been transferred to Savona Gaol; and whether he will state the nature of the charge against them; the conditions under which they are living; and what is being done to speed up their trial or to grant bail pending their trial.

Yes, Sir. The yacht in question is the "Jungara." The owner, Mr. Gregory, and three other British members of the crew have been awaiting trial since the 10th June on a charge of conspiring to smuggle cigarettes into Italy. His Majesty's Consul-General at Genoa has visited the men in prison and has on several occasions approached the local authorities with a view to the men being released on bail and to the case being brought to trial at an early date. One of the men has since arrived back in this country on bail, a second is expected and I am awaiting news of the remaining two.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he intends to put in the Library a copy of the Report of the United Nations Special Commission on the Balkans.

A copy of the report referred to was transmitted to the Library on 20th August last. A copy of the Supplementary Report of the Special Committee will be placed in the Library as soon as copies are available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what authority the British Information Services in the United States provided an article by Dr. F. Kessler in support of the British Labour Government's policy for nationalising inland transport to the American magazine "Mass Transportation"; whether Dr. Kessler was paid for this article by the British Information Services; and what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to the employment of a public service for the dissemination of political propaganda of this type.

The article by Dr. F. Kessler to which the hon. Member refers was produced by the Central Office of Information primarily for Switzerland and India. As a careful factual survey it was considered by the British Information Services to be suitable for use in the United States. British Information Services paid no fee to Dr. Kessler. It is part of the duty of British Information Services to supply material calculated to inform opinion in the United States of America on measures approved by Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now take steps to notify officially all those who have received decorations from the French Government in connection with services in the past war, and for these awards to be gazetted as has been done with other foreign decorations.

As this Question is extremely complicated and involves detailed research, I will, with permission, communicate with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the invitation from the Swiss Government for an all-Party Delegation to visit Switzerland has been accepted; and what arrangements he is making for such a visit.

A group of eight to ten Members representing both Houses has been invited to visit Switzerland from 4th-9th October, and I shall be happy to make any necessary arrangements for their visit.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 2,000 corrugated sheets from the R.E. Dump, Horton Road, Devizes, have been dumped at Monkton Farleigh Dump; and whether they will be used for some useful purpose.

The dump at Horton Road, Devizes, is not a Royal Engineers store but a refuse pit on War Department land, which has been used by units of all kinds including units of the American forces. The corrugated iron sheets are not of Army origin. The stores are being removed to Monkton Farleigh pending a decision as to the method of disposal. The corrugated iron sheets are being made available to the Ministry of Supply as scrap.

asked the Secretary of of State for War what has been the total consumption of dried potatoes and fresh potatoes respectively, by men serving in the Army in the United Kingdom during the three months up to the latest available period.

The following quantities of potatoes were issued for consumption by the Army and the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom during June. July and August: Dried … … ¾ ton. Tinned … … 1,600 tons. Fresh … … 7,200 tons.

It is not possible to give separate figures for the Army alone. The figures do not include any purchases by units from N.A.A.F.I. with their cash allowance.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the ration scale for the Dyaks now serving with British Forces in Malaya.

I have called for a report on this matter from the military authorities overseas and will write to the hon. Member when it has been received.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the disappointment of Territorial Army Officers at the continuing delay in the announcement of the conditions governing the award of the efficiency decoration and medal; what has been the cause of this further delay; and when the announcement will be made.

I appreciate that the delay in this matter is causing disappointment, but it is one which must be considered not only by His Majesty's Government but also by the Governments of the Dominions and Colonies. I hope that it will be possible to make an announcement early in the New Year.

asked the Secretary of State for War the greatest numerical strength attained by the Home Guard during the war; and the number of casualties, dead and wounded, respectively, suffered from enemy action and other causes.

The greatest strength of the Home Guard was approximately 1,794,000; 1,206 members of the Home Guard were killed or died of wounds or as a result of other casualties attributable to service; 557 were wounded.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider altering the period of voluntary Regular Army service to three years with the Colours and nine years class A reserve.

In order to obtain the necessary balance in the Army, as at present constituted, it is necessary to have terms of service of five years with the Colours and seven years with the Reserve. The conditions of service are kept constantly under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many prisoners of war were returned to Germany from the Middle East for each of the months August and September; and how many remain to be returned on 1st October, 1948.

Approximately 9,500 prisoners of war were repatriated from the Middle East during August. It is estimated that some further 10,500 will have been repatriated by the end of September, which will complete general repatriation. There will remain in the Middle East approximately 1,500, of whom the majority have been given civilian status; the rest are either escapers, or have voluntarily deferred their repatriation.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants in the area of Boughton and Chapel Brampton, near Northampton, are waiting for telephones; what is the date of the earliest of their applications; how many of the applicants applied in that and in each succeeding year; whether he proposes to instal an exchange at Boughton; when the plans for that exchange were approved; and when he expects to begin and complete the necessary work, or otherwise to provide additional telephone facilities in the area.

There are 104 applicants waiting for telephones in the Boughton and Chapel Brampton area, which is served from the Chapel Brampton exchange. The date of the earliest application is 24th April, 1941, and the appended table shows how many of the applicants applied in that and in each succeeding year. Additional telephone facilities in this area will be provided by a new and larger exchange at Chapel Brampton. The plans for this exchange were approved in 1947, but, owing to the restriction of new building construction, this particular job cannot be commenced until 1951. It is hoped that the new exchange will be available for service in 1952.

Number of outstanding applications on the Chapel Brampton exchange and the year of receipt. Year No. of applications 1941 4 1942 1 1943 6 1944 7 1945 13 1946 26 1947 29 1948 18 1941–1948 104

asked the Postmaster-General why, in view of the assurances given to the hon. Member for Spen Valley, there is continued delay in the installation of a telephone for Messrs. M. Hartley, Welding Engineers, Brighton Mills, Heckmondwike; and when this service will be provided.

I regret that the cable rearrangement which was necessary in order to provide telephone service for Messrs. M. Hartley took longer to complete than was estimated. The work has now been completed, and it is hoped to provide service this week.

asked the Postmaster-General the average number of postal packets accepted each week by the Post Office from football pool organisations since the commencement of the football season; and give the comparable figure for last year.

I regret that the information for the current season is not immediately available; I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the estimated value of postal orders sold each week since the commencement of the football season for the purposes of football pool betting; and give the comparable figures for last year.

I regret that the weekly figures for the current season are not immediately available; I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements he has made for those registered under the National Health Acts of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, respectively, when in that portion of the United Kingdom to which the Act under which they are registered does not apply.

So far as Great Britain is concerned, the benefits of the National Health Service are fully available to persons from any parts of the United Kingdom or elsewhere. As regards Northern Ireland, where the Health Service is provided under an Act of the Parliament of Northern Ireland, I understand that arrangements have been or are being made for the service to be available to persons normally resident in Great Britain.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated annual natural wastage of houses for the Greater London area and throughout Great Britain respectively, due to decay, wear and tear, fire and other accidents and other natural causes.

No figures are available.

asked the Minister of Health what was the monthly increase in the population of London during the present year; how many new permanent houses have been built each month; and how many marriages have taken place each month.

The Registrar-General informs me that he estimates the average monthly increase in the population of the administrative County of London during the first six months of this year to be about 5,700 and that the average monthly number of marriages registered in that area for the same period was 3,070. As regards to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Housing Returns.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give a list of the present assets of the Hospital Endowments Fund and the nominal amount of each security.

The extensive time and work involved in compiling a list of the assets of the Hospital Endowments Fund could not be justified at the present stage. An account of the transactions of the Fund will, as required by the National Health Service Act, be presented to Parliament annually.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will inquire into the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a lady Polish medical practitioner who has obtained his permission to stay permanently in this country and take up employment, has further obtained permission from the General Medical Council for temporary medical registration under the Polish Settlement Act, but who has been refused by him a certificate required by the Council; and if he will rectify this position.

This lady was admitted to the United Kingdom for employment as a social worker and has permission to remain until such date as I may specify. The certificate she requires to enable her to apply to the General Medical Council for registration in the medical register under the Medical Practitioners and Pharmacists Act, 1947, is to the effect that she has been permitted to enter or remain in the United Kingdom in circumstances attributable to war or as a follower and dependant of the Polish Forces. I regret that I could not properly issue such a certificate in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) for what purpose permission was given for Erwin Scholz, a one-time member of the Nazi Party and German ex-prisoner of war, to remain in this country; whether he is aware that this man is an associate of the Fascist movement; and if he will arrange for his immediate deportation;

(2) whether he is aware that one, Kurt Wagner, an associate of Erwin Scholz, both of St. George's Road, Golders Green, N.W.11, is connected with an attempt to found an anti-Semitic organisation; and if he will arrange for the immediate deportation of this man.

Until inquiries are completed I am not in a position to add to the replies given on 22nd September to Questions about these men put by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton (Mr. J. Lewis).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of lost or stolen barbituric acid poisons have been reported to the police since 1st January, 1947; and in how many of these has the missing drug been recovered.

No complete record for the whole country is kept in the Home Office. The figures for the Metropolitan Police District are: Lost 168, recovered 60. Stolen 38, recovered 23.

asked the Home Secretary what bodies or corporations other than the railways are entitled to clothe certain of their employees in uniforms practically identical with that of members of the Metropolitan Police Force; what police powers these persons exercise; and under what authority.

Among the official police forces other than the Metropolitan police and the forces maintained by the various county and borough police authorities the most important are the railway and dock police and the departmental forces maintained by the Service Departments and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. All these forces exercise police powers under various statutory provisions and with varying statutory limitations, and their members wear similar, though not identical uniforms. There are various organisations whose employees wear uniform in some respects resembling police uniform but my information is that generally the resemblance is not such as to come within the scope of Section 10 of the Police Act. 1919.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the youngest age at which men are required to act as mental attendants in Service hospitals; whether the terms of service are the same in all three Services, whether such service is carried out by volunteers and whether National Service men are employed on this duty.

The practice is broadly the same in all three Services. While no lower age limit for employment as a mental attendant is laid down, the necessary training cannot in practice be completed before the age of 18½ or 19. Mental nursing in Service hospitals is normally carried out by men who have volunteered (and have been selected as suitable) for the work; in the Royal Air Force only regulars are eligible for such training, but in the Royal Navy and the Army National Service men also may volunteer. If enough volunteers are not available, however, it may sometimes be necessary to detail nursing orderlies or Sick Berth ratings to nurse a mental case.

asked the Minister of Defence whether those Service men who, by reason of their skill of trade, or efficiency in other directions, have had their demobilisation deferred will be called upon to serve a further three months beyond the period of deferment; and will arrangements be made whereby those called up in 1946 will not be retained for longer than 2¼ years.

As regards the first part of the Question, the answer is "No." As I made clear in the course of my speech opening the Debate on 23rd September men already deferred will not be held to serve longer than three months from the date on which they were originally due for release under the age and service scheme. The system of having different release dates for different trades or Arms, which is not a form of deferment but a normal part of the age and service scheme, will, however, continue. I regret that I cannot give an assurance on the point raised in the second part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Defence how many U.S. military personnel are at present stationed in the United Kingdom; what Services are represented; and when they may be expected to evacuate.

Less than 5,000. These include the staff of the Commander-in-Chief of United States Naval Forces in the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, officers on courses and liaison duties, other members of the United States Forces on goodwill and training visits, and those engaged on the registration of war graves. A number are here in connection with the Berlin air lift. I am unable to forecast the length of their stay.

asked the Minister of Food what allocation of extra sugar he proposes to make to beekeepers, in view of the bad season they have experienced; and on what date such allocation will be made available.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Woodbridge (Mr. Hare) on 22nd September.

asked the Minister of Food what steps have been taken in connection with the African groundnuts scheme to provide full educational facilities, good welfare conditions, good housing, full facilities for the purchase of consumer goods, and encouragement for the development of trade unions organisation, among the workmen on the scheme and for the fullest co-operation of all workpeople, white and coloured, in the development of the whole scheme.

The Overseas Food Corporation is responsible for the East African Groundnuts Scheme and for the welfare of its staff. I have informed the Corporation of the hon. Member's inquiries, and they will be communicating with him.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present average price paid for cattle purchased in Ulster for slaughter; and how these prices compare with those paid to British farmers.

The prices paid for cattle in Northern Ireland are the same as those paid in Great Britain with the exception of a negligible number of animals freshly imported from Eire for which approximately 2s. per live hundredweight less is paid than for similar animals in Great Britain. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the price list showing the prices payable in Great Britain for each class and grade of animal.

asked the Minister of Food how many tons of dried fruits have been shipped to Germany during the last seven months; and how many tons have been issued to the people of this country during the same period.

According to the Trade Returns, 170 tons of dried fruit were reexported from the United Kingdom to Germany during the period 1st January to 31st July, 1948. These supplies were for N.A.A.F.I. for Services supplies and not for the German population. In the same period 55,800 tons of dried fruit were released in this country for domestic consumption.

asked the Minister of Food (1) if he will consider the urgent needs of the new housing estates at Balby and Wheatley in the Doncaster area to obtain additional supplies of fish and chips; whether he is aware that fish and chip shops are locally regarded as essential to normal family life; and if he will give instructions for extra supplies of cooking oils and fats to be made available to the local purveyors of fish and chips;

(2) if he will consider adopting for the allocation of additional fish and chip shop facilities, a scale no less generous than that used at the local Brewsters Sessions for the allocation of new licences for the sale of beer, wines and spirits; whether he is satisfied that the present routine review of consumer needs for the allocation of cooking oils and fats to existing fish and chip shops keeps pace with the transfer of local residents to neighbouring new housing estates; and on what basis local computations of consumer needs are made.

As I stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Barrowin-Furness (Mr. Monslow) on 20th September, I am prepared to issue fish frying licences freely for the present to any applicant who fulfils qualifications to show that his application is made in good faith. I hope that there will be sufficient applicants trading from either mobile vans or fixed premises to serve the needs of new housing estates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make about the newsprint supply position for the next 12 months.

I cannot at present add to my previous statements about imported supplies in 1949. As regards home production, a recent improvement will enable the stocks held by the newspapers to be built up again. The supply position generally is being kept under careful review with the object of allowing an increase in consumption when circumstances permit.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether clarification has yet been reached with the Administrator of the European Recovery Programme as to the possible effect on British export trade of the obligation resting upon him to refuse delivery to countries participating in the Marshall Plan of any commodities which go into production for re-delivery to any non-participating country; and what arrangements will be made to publish a list of such commodities.

Discussions with the United States authorities are still taking place. No decision has yet been taken about the form of any public announcement which might be found to be necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Commonwealth of Australia is suffering from an acute shortage of tinplate which prevents the canning of many vital Australian products whilst, at the same time, cigarettes, chocolates and butterscotch are being exported from England to Australia in elaborate tins; and whether he will see that tinplate is made available for the canning of essential foodstuffs.

I am aware of the shortage of tinplate in Australia and the maximum possible supplies are being sent from this country. The quantities of tinplate which would be suitable for canning food but are in fact used for exports of cigarettes, chocolates and butter-scotch to Australia are negligible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why Cyprus tobacco is excluded from the arrangement under which manufacturers are permitted to withdraw Greek, Turkish, Rumanian, Yugoslav and other Oriental tobacco over and above quota withdrawals; and whether he is aware that this discrimination against a British Colony is calculated to add further strength to the enosis movement.

The amount of Cyprus tobacco consumed in this country is extremely small and there are certain administrative difficulties in the way of including it in the general exemption from quota of oriental tobacco of Greek, Turkish and other Balkan origin. The matter is however under review and I will let the hon. and gallant Member know as soon as possible what is decided.

FACTORY CONSTRUCTION IN SUNDERLAND AND DISTRICT SINCE JULY, 1945. — No. of firms. Actual employment al 30th June, 1948 Estimated ultimate additional employment. Men. Women. Total. Men. Women. Total. New factories completed … 7 222 1,075 1,297 670 1,880 2,550 Extensions completed … 6 426 155 581 89 50 139 New factories under construction … 4* — — — 736 249 985 Extensions under construction … 8 — — — 422 240 662 TOTAL … 25 648 1,230 1,878 1917 2,419 4,336 *One of these is a factory being built for the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of gold coin and bullion, respectively, in Britain at the latest available date; and who has control of it.

The amount of gold in the Issue Department of the Bank of England stands at £247,833. It is under the control of the Bank of Engand. The gold

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the terms of reference of the Departmental Committee set up to supervise the export of goods to countries in Eastern Europe.

There is no Departmental Committee dealing solely with exports to Eastern Europe. The supervision of such exports, whether by Committee or otherwise, is carried out on the basis of Governmental policy in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new factories have been completed in or near Sunderland since July, 1945; what extensions to factory premises have been completed since that date; what factories and extensions are now being built; what schemes for new factories and extensions have been approved; and what is the number of men and women, respectively, employed and to be employed therein.

The following table contains the information for which my hon. Friend asks:

and dollar holdings of the Exchange Equalisation Account amounted to £473m. at 30th June, 1948. They are under the control of H.M. Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will arrange for details of the gold and silver coin and bullion held in the banking department of the Bank of England to be published separately.

The amount of coin held by the Banking Department is published each week in the Bank Return. The Banking Department holds neither gold coin nor bullion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of subsidy paid each year in respect of each item subsidised; and the amount each item would rise in price if its subsidy was abolished.

The following table shows the commodities at present being subsidised, the estimated current annual rate of subsidy and the increase in price which would result from the abolition of the subsidy:

Commodity. Estimated Current Annual Rate of Subsidy. Rise in Price if Subsidy were removed. £.m. Pence. FOOD Bacon 15.4 9¾ per lb. Bread 63.7 5¾" 3½ lb. loaf Flour other than for bread 37.1 13 "7 lbs. Shell Eggs 20 15 "doz. Carcase Meat 60.2 4¼" lb. Milk 37.5 1¾ "quart. Butter 36.8 15½ "lb. Cheese 18.8 12¾ "lb. Margarine (Domestic) 15.2 4½ "lb. Cooking Fat (do.) 2.7 3¾ "lb. Lard 0.3 11½ "lb. Potatoes 18.6 2½ "7 lbs. Sugar 19.7 2¼ "lb. Tea 17.1 10½ "lb. Other Foods (4.4) Animal Feeding Stuffs 66.5 £15 18s. 3d. per ton. Board of Trade Subsidies on Fertilisers and Molasses. 8.3 25–30 per cent. Welfare Schemes:— National Milk Scheme 22.0 Milk in Schools 8.5 Other Welfare Foods 7.4 471.4 RAW MATERIALS. £ Iron and Steel 28,000,000 About £2 a ton on billets. Home produced Flax 96,000 £1 10s. 0d. to £2 per ton. Concentrated Pig Food (from kitchen waste) 462,000 £2 per ton.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the purchasing power of the pound, taking the year 1900 as 100, for 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1945, and at the latest available date; and the figures calculated over the whole field of public expenditure if the cost-of-living subsidies were disregarded.

There is nothing to add to the statement which I made in reply to the hon. Baronet's Question of 24th June last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total number of football pool firms through whom the present pools tax is being collected; and the estimated revenue derived from such tax for each week since the commencement of the present football season.

No reliable figures are yet available for the present, football season. My hon. Friend may wish to raise the question again, say, in a month's time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action is taken by officers of his Department to check the returns of total revenue made by football pool firms for the purposes of taxation with the amounts advertised by such firms through circulars and other means as having been paid out in winnings; and to what extent such check was normally made during the 1947–48 football season.

Under the existing law football pool betting duty is charged at the rate of 20 per cent. of the total amount staked with the promotors: it does not relate to winnings whether advertised or not. Consequently there is no occasion for a check such as that mentioned by my hon. Friend. There are, of course, adequate checks for the purpose of securing the duty legally chargeable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will inquire into the case, details of which have been submitted to him, of a graduate of London University who was sponsored for a Treasury Studentship in African studies under the terms of the Scarborough Report by the School of Oriental and African Studies, where be has already performed satisfactory research in this field, but whose application was rejected; and if, in view of this man's particular qualification, he will review this decision.

I am looking into this case and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the purpose of the visit to Singapore of the U.S. heavy cruiser "Toledo"; and whether payment for the use of the port installations and harbour facilities is made in dollars.

The United States ship "Toledo" recently proceeded from the Pacific to India and Pakistan in order to be present during the visit of the Commander-in-Chief U.S. Naval Forces East Atlantic and Mediterranean. She paid courtesy visits to Singapore on the way there and back and gave shore leave to her ship's company. Any payment for services rendered in these circumstances is made in dollars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what action he proposes to take on the petition signed by members of the Royal Naval Dockyard police at Hong Kong.

A petition has just been received from the European section of the Admiralty Police in Hong Kong regarding their pay and conditions of service. These representations are being carefully examined and a decision will be given as soon as practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of houses condemned in the Parliamentary Divisions of Gorbals, Pollok, Central, Bridgeton, Shettleston, Springburn, Cathcart, Kelvinside, Tradeston and Govan.

The following table shows the number of houses in these Divisions which have, since the end of the war, been the subject of closing or demolition orders under the housing acts or condemned as dangerous buildings under a Glasgow Local Act. Corresponding figures for earlier years could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour.

Parliamentary Division Houses condemned. Housing Acts. Dangerous Buildings. Gorbals … 36 77 Pollok … 4 — Central … 56 165 Bridgeton … 11 16 Shettleston … 14 28 Springburn … 12 49 Cathcart … — — Kelvingrove … 11 57 Tradeston … 55 100 Govan … — 67 TOTALS … 199 559

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the communication, a copy of which has been sent to him, from the Callender Merchants Association regarding one of their members who has had notice from his landlords, the Stirling Co-operative Society Limited, to quit his premises, which he has occupied for almost 30 years; and what action he proposes to take.

I have not received any communication of the nature referred to from the Callender Merchants Association.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the delay in payment of Hill Sheep Subsidy in Sutherland due on claims for 1947 is causing hardship; and whether he will expedite payment.

I am not aware of any hardship being caused. I am glad to say that out of 1,339 claims submitted by Sutherland farmers in 1948, only 10 remain unsettled. These are receiving attention.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consents have to be obtained and how many copies of plans have to be submitted, and to what scale, before an owner can start work upon the reconditioning of agricultural cottages.

Consent to the reconditioning of agricultural cottages is normally required under the Planning Act and Building By-laws, and if the cost of the work exceeds £100, a building licence must also be obtained. If the work increases the size of the building by more than 10 per cent. or 1,750 cubic feet, whichever is greater, an application has to be made to the Central Land Board for determination of development charge. Applications for planning and by-law consent and determination of development charge may be made on one composite form and submitted to the local planning authority along with two or three copies of the site and building plans on scales varying according to the circumstances of the local planning authorities' areas.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether arrangements will be made for elderly women in institutions to receive a free issue of sweets each week, as a substitute for the weekly allowance of 1½ ozs. of tobacco which is given to the men.

Every person provided with residential accommodation under the National Assistance Act must in terms of regulations be left with a minimum of 5s. pocket money per week, no matter what his income. If this pocket money is not sufficient to meet the need for comforts, such as sweets and tobacco, the local authority have full discretion to provide these in kind according to their ration entitlement.