asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that there is danger of serious and avoidable international misunderstanding through the translation of the French word contrôle by the English word "control" in reports of the Six-Power London Conference on the Ruhr and in other international documents; and whether stringent precautions will be taken to see that all such official translations are strictly accurate.

It is, of course, true that the French word is often used in a more restricted and technical sense than the English word. This is, however, not always the case, and it is clear from French official statements that in speaking of the contrôle of Ruhr industry, they mean not less than we mean by "control" of the Ruhr. My right hon. Friend is, therefore, of the opinion that the translation to which the hon. Member refers is sufficiently accurate and need cause no misunderstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that as a result of currency reform 70 per cent. of the previous savings of Germans have been liquidated; and whether any provision is in existence to aid those who may have contracted obligations on the strength of those savings, in anticipation of the release of those originally frozen.

Under the Western zone Currency Reform Laws half of all Deutschemark balances resulting from the conversion of Reichsmarks were first placed in blocked accounts, the disposal of which was to be determined within a period of 90 days. In order to reduce inflationary pressure 70 per cent. of these blocked accounts were later cancelled. I am afraid that it would have defeated the aim of the conversion to have given special aid to those who had assumed that these accounts would be entirely released and had contracted obligations on the strength of them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will arrange for an all-party delegation to visit Berlin during the forthcoming elections.

Yes. Arrangements have been made for a delegation of six Members to visit Berlin from 3rd-6th December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the Jewish detainees in Cyprus will be released immediately on the conclusion of an armistice in Palestine.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the terms of the Allied Control Agreement for Austria, he will make a statement on the requisitioning and removal by the Russians of 5,000 railway trucks and 500 engines in Austria.

On 22nd October officials of the Austrian railways were summoned to the Soviet Headquarters and ordered to deliver 5,575 passenger coaches and waggons and 540 locomotives to the Soviet Authorities on the grounds that they were "war booty." Some of the rolling stock and locomotives were to be repaired before delivery. The Austrian Government protested to the Soviet Authorities against these orders maintaining that, unless captured in actual military operations, rolling stock is not generally considered to be liable to seizure as "war booty," and also that the effect of the orders was bound to be harmful to the Austrian economy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he proposes to recognise the Government of Israel.

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Finsbury (Mr. Platts-Mills) on 1st November.

asked the Minister of Food what is his present policy in regard to applications to open food shops; and what are the considerations which influence him in approving or rejecting such applications.

With the four exceptions of milk, meat, sweets and soap, my right hon. Friend's policy is to permit free entry into retail food trade. Applicants receive permits for rationed foods if they can give reasonable evidence that they will establish themselves as bona fide retailers. So far as the four exceptions are concerned, entry is limited to places where the needs of consumers require an additional selling point.

asked the Minister of Food if he will grant an increased alloccation of sugar, poultry and rabbits to Messrs. J. J. Hollins and Son, 8, Shaftesbury Avenue, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire, in view of the increase of their registered customers from 900 in 1940 to 1,600 at the present time; and whether he will grant this firm an increase of unit vouchers for dried fruit, canned meats fish and milk for the same reason.

The recent allocation of extra sugar, apart from the increase in the domestic ration, was for manufacturing purposes and not issued direct to retailers. The unit voucher system for canned meats, fruit, fish and milk is already based on registrations, and dried fruits and sugar are also allocated in this way. I am afraid it is impossible to consider the claims of individual traders to increased supplies of rabbits and poultry.

asked the Minister of Food how many people are employed by his Department in delivering cards asking people to go to chemists to be weighed; and what pay and allowances do they receive when carrying out this task.

No one from my Department is so employed. A body-weight survey has been carried out by an agency on behalf of the Ministry since 1943, at quarterly intervals. The cost in a full year is estimated at £7,000. Co-operation in the survey by the people concerned is entirely voluntary.

asked the Minister of Food what incentive there is under existing price control arrangements for sugar refiners to improve the efficiency of the refining industry.

The Financial arrangements are so designed that the sugar refiners benefit financially from more economical and efficient production.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with his recent announcement about an extra allocation of meat for the manufacture of sausages for Christmas, he will state what arrangements are to be made to supply the manufacturers concerned with the necessary sausage casings.

Sausage casings are in short supply and I cannot guarantee that extra supplies will be available for the whole of the additional allocation of manufacturing meat for Christmas. The meat can however be readily used to make sausage meat and other products.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that whilst sausage casings can be obtained by manufacturers in this country direct from the United States at approximately 5s. per hundred yards, as much as 18s. to 20s. a hundred yards is being paid for such United States casings now imported into this country via the continent of Europe; and whether, in these circumstances, he will make arrangements to permit sausage manufacturers in this country to make limited purchases direct from the United States.

No sausage casings of United States origin are now being imported via the Continent. Purchases of cases from the United States are severely restricted by the shortage of dollars but a very limited supply is coming in under special arrangements.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of coarse grains for animal feedingstuffs and what quantities of protein feeds for animal feeding-stuffs it is expected will be imported during the year ended March, 1949.

During the 12 months April, 1948, to March, 1949, it is expected that about 2,650,000 tons of coarse grains will be imported for all purposes and that about 1,435,000 tons will be released for animal feeding. It is estimated that about 450,000 tons of protein feeding-stuffs will be imported during the same period.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give comparative figures of rationed foodstuffs distributed to consumers between October and December, 1947, and the same quarter of this year.

The figures are:

asked the Minister of Food what was the calorific value of rationed and points foods at the most recent date; and what were the comparative figures for the years 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947, respectively.

The calories value of the foods at present on domestic rations plus the allowances of milk and eggs to a normal adult at the present time is approximately 740 calories a day. The figures for the same foods for December 1944, 1945, 1946 and 1947, are 730, 710, 720, 620, 740 respectively. In December, 1946, bread was rationed and in December, 1947, both bread and potatoes were rationed. Both these and also preserves have now been taken off the ration. The average quantity of points foods available has provided between 150 and 200 calories daily during these years.

asked the Minister of Food if the supplies of bacon contracted for from Canada for 1948 were delivered according to contract.

The current agreement for the purchase of Canadian bacon does not expire until the end of the year but present information indicated that deliveries will fall short of the agreed quantities.

asked the Minister of Food how far the shortfall of supplies of bacon was due to the accidental delay in the delivery of foreign supplies during 1948.

There have been no accidental delays in arrivals of bacon during 1948, but 134 tons of Polish bacon were lost in October when the s.s. "Lech" sank.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make inquiries in the Nottingham district to ascertain whether his officials and the local government authorities are taking every step to prevent the illegal slaughtering and sale of meat, as well as the slaughtering and sale of meat unfit for human consumption, in view of the recent cases that were brought to public notice at the Nottinghamshire Assize Court.

The prevention of illegal slaughtering and sale of meat is a matter for the enforcement officers of the Ministry of Food. Special attention has been given to this in the past year. The sale of meat unfit for human consumption is an offence under the Food and Drugs Act, which local authorities are responsible for enforcing. Ministry of Food enforcement officers have been instructed to co-operate to the fullest extent with the officers of local authorities. To strengthen the control over the disposal of meat from knackers' yards my right hon. Friend has made an order which comes into force on 19th December and which requires anyone carrying on a knacker's yard in England and Wales to hold a licence from the Ministry of Food and to keep records of his transactions. The publicity given to the case to which my hon. Friend refers and to another case at Burnley should have the effect of reminding local authorities of their responsibilities under the Food and Drugs Act. We are at present considering whether any additional action can usefully be taken in the Nottingham district or elsewhere.

asked the Minister of Food why his Department informed the United Emergency Fund for Britain that Britain was living on marginal constitutional standards and expressed anxiety for the physique and health of our people; and what steps he is taking to remedy the situation described.

In August we were asked by the U.E.F.B. to give as accurate an account as we could of the state of the national nutrition. We replied, as we have repeatesdly said before and since, that our present diet, though nutritionally adequate, left little margin and that we were making every effort to supplement it within the limits of our financial strength. This in part we have succeeded in doing as the recent increases in the distribution of sugar and fats bear witness.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the great increase in the number of new-born calves being sold at prices ranging from £1 to £1 10s. per head to the Ministry of Food for human consumption; how many were so sold for the 12 months ended 30th September, 1948; and will he ensure that a grading system for calves is established so that an adequate number of calves are retained for rearing.

The number of newly-born calves purchased by my Department for slaughter has decreased from 671,970 in the 12 months ended 30th September, 1947, to 597,990 in the subsequent 12 months. These include all calves purchased at prices ranging from 10s. to 30s. per head according to size. Other calves are purchased on the basis of grade according to quality and estimated dressed carcase weight. The graders are instructed not to purchase any calves which can be sold for rearing. The grading system for calves appears to be adequate since the number of cattle in Great Britain under one year old on 4th September, 1948, showed an increase of 325,000 on the number for the proceeding year. A subsidy for calf rearing was introduced by the Ministry of Agriculture in August, 1947.

asked the Attorney-General the estimated cost of the Tribunal of Inquiry into irregularities in Government Departments; and upon what terms Church House has been acquired for this purpose.

It is not possible at this stage to state the estimated cost of the Tribunal of Inquiry, since it has not yet completed its duties. Mr. Justice Lynskey receives no remuneration beyond his official salary, and the two other members of the Tribunal are giving their services free of charge. The office and secretarial expenses incurred are not expected to be heavy, but cannot yet be estimated. The Hoare Memorial Hall and five other rooms in Church House have been hired furnished for the purpose on a day-to-day basis

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps His Majesty's Government intend taking towards the establishment of a sugar beet factory south of the Thames.

This is one of a number of major questions affecting the future of the sugar beet industry which are at present under review, and I am not at present in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is in a position to make a statement regarding the working of grass-drying plant during 1948; and if any decision has been made regarding the programme for 1949.

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the 18 communal grass-drying centres established with Government assistance. The answer to the first part of the Question is "No. The financial and technical data on this year's operations are still being assembled." Plans for 1949 are under consideration by the Milk Marketing Board and farmers' co-operative societies.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now in a position to make an announcement with regard to further help to the marginal land farmers.

I am afraid my right hon. Friend is not able to make an announcement yet, but he hopes to do so shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what subsidiary industries have been established by the Forestry Commissioners for the production particularly of furniture, toys and clogs; what other subsidiary productive activities have they established; what is the annual value of the products of such industries; and what steps are they taking to extend those industries with particular reference to Wales.

The Forestry Commissioners have not so far used their powers to establish such industries.

asked the Minister Supply how many inspectors of Service stores are employed by his Department.

The Ministry of Supply employs 5,408 industrial and non-industrial staff on the actual inspection of Service stores.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will delay taking any final decision to demolish the factory at Calgarth, Windermere, until he has taken further steps to investigate the merits of the case.

No. My right hon. Friend has already investigated the case and has consulted both the amenity interests concerned and the planning authority. There is general agreement that he is bound by Section 51 (3) of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act. 1945.

asked the Minister of Works why it has been necessary to build new permanent brick buildings for the use of the staff of the Divisional Petroleum Office at Newcastle-on-Tyne.

The building to which the Divisional Petroleum Office is to be moved is not being built specially for that office. Only about one-tenth of it will be used for the Petroleum Office. The erection of the building will enable requisitioned premises to be released and will free accommodation for the Ministry of National Insurance. The building is not intended to be permanent and is of the cheapest form of construction.

asked the Minister of Works how many of the 1,150 factories in the London region for which building licences have been granted since 1st August, 1945, are sited on land scheduled under the Greater London plan for dwelling houses or for open spaces.

I regret that the information for which the hon. Member asks is not available from the records in my Department.

asked the Minister of Works how many applications have been made to his Department in Bristol for the fitting of new shop fronts; how many of them have been refused; and what were the reasons for refusal.

Sixty-five applications to fit new shop fronts in Bristol have been received since 1st January, 1948, and of these 38 have been granted and 27 refused. Each application is considered on its merits and licences are refused if the work is not regarded as necessary for structural reasons, or if the requirements of scarce materials, especially timber, are substantial.

asked the Minister of Works when the repairs to Chiswick House will be completed and the house opened to the public; and whether he will give an assurance that the repairs will be completed in time to permit the house and grounds to be exhibited as one of the principal items in the Festival of Britain.

A very large amount of highly specialised work is necessary to restore this building. I cannot at present forecast when it may be possible to complete the work, but I am afraid there is no hope of doing so by 1951.

asked the Minister of Works who caused the damage to the inner entrance doors at the North entrance to Westminster Hall; what disciplinary action it is proposed to take; and what steps he is taking to prevent the recurrence of similar acts in the future.

The damage was caused by a trolley used in connection with the Staff Canteen under the Grand Committee Room in Westminster Hall. I understand that the trolley man concerned is no longer employed by the Refreshment Department, and the trolley will not in future be used in Westminster Hall.

asked the Secretary of State for War when, in view of the return of the Manchester Regiment to Ashton-under-Lyne, the military camp at Dunham Park, Altrincham, will be made available to the people of Altrincham for the provision of urgently-needed housing accommodation.

This camp may be required until 1952. I am, however, aware of the present needs of the local authorities and proposals to meet these needs are under urgent consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present strength of the Polish Resettlement Corps, indicating the number and rank of officers on the strength and of warrant officers, N.C.O.s and O.R.s; how many of these Polish members of the Corps are employed on administrative duties and how many British officers and O.R.s are also employed; what is the age limit laid down for continuing on the establishment; and how many of these Poles are physically fit for work.

The strength of the Polish Resettlement Corps administered by the War Office, excluding the Royal Air Force Section, was on 25th November, 14,965 all ranks, made up by ranks as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement showing the total value of free gifts made by the United States Government and people to Britain since the conclusion of Lend-Lease; and the details of such gifts in cash and kind.

We have received from the United States Government since the conclusion of Lend-Lease up to 4th December, 1948, $449 million gross. These are the dollars so far reimbursed by the Economic Co-operation Administration for items on our E.R.P. programme of imports. The division of this amount between grant aid and loan has not yet been determined. No details are available of gifts either in cash or kind sent by individuals.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the cost of medical education in England and Wales is paid by taxation.

These figures are only available for London as in that case the medical schools receive separate allocations of grants. In 1946–47, the latest year for which figures are available, approximately 55 per cent. of their cost was met by Exchequer grants. This figure takes no account of financial assistance given from the Exchequer to individual medical students.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set up an inquiry into the cost of living and in particular the application of food prices in view of the growing hardship, particularly in rural areas, of those in receipt of lower wage scales whose contribution to National Health and other insurance bears more heavily on them than on those earning higher remuneration.

I do not think any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry such as is suggested in the Question, as all the facts are already well known.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury if he will arrange for the wording on tickets issued to Government personnel when travelling on the Government's behalf to be altered so that cover is given to such officials in the event of loss of personal effects, loss of life, or injury, or alternatively for the small insurance cover at present granted to be increased to cover such risks.

Compensation is already paid when civil servants are killed, seriously injured or lose property when travelling on duty. The hon. Member's suggestion is, therefore, unnecessary.

asked the Minister of Education if he will state the proposal of His Majesty's Government to safeguard the interests of the British taxpayer in the administration of U.N.E.S.C.O.; who will represent the British Treasury in the allocation of grants; and what steps he is taking to secure that management costs will be kept within reasonable limits in relation to the main purpose of this organisation.

Under the constitution of U.N.E.S.C.O. the budget is administered by the Organisation and not by representatives of Member States. It is the responsibility of the General Conference to approve the budget, and to authorise the Director-General to allocate to the various purposes of the Organisation the appropriations voted by the Conference. The point mentioned in the third part of the hon. Member's Question was fully considered before the departure of the United Kingdom Delegation to the Conference at Beirut, and the Delegation were instructed to press for all reasonable economies in the administrative budget.

asked the Postmaster-General as regards each post office and sub-post office in the Brixworth and Kettering Rural Districts, what are the hours during which the person in charge is not obliged to attend to postal or telephone business; what are the weekly and annual holidays; and what is the remuneration of each such person.

I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as the information is available.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent vehicles of the Royal Navy, Army and Air Force are suppressed to avoid interference with radio communications, navigational aids. broadcasting and television.

All Army and most R.A.F. vehicles are already fitted with suppressors. The remaining R.A.F. vehicles will be fitted as soon as possible. With certain special exceptions, Naval vehicles are not so equipped at present, but arrangements are being made to equip them as necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Surrey Executive Council of the Health Service moved a fortnight ago into offices consisting of huts in a military camp at Richmond Park, shared by 1,000 soldiers and 600 A.T.S.; and whether he will review this position.

This is a temporary arrangement pending the provision of permanent accommodation and I see no reason to review it.

asked the Minister of Pensions what was the mortality rate from tuberculosis amongst Poles admitted to No. 4 Polish ex-military Hospital, Whitchurch, Shropshire, from its inception, up to date.

Since my Department became responsible for the administration of this hospital, in January, 1948, 803 Poles have been treated for pulmonary tuberculosis and 55 have died. I understand that the records before that date were not kept in such a form as to enable similar information to be given.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will give a list of the neighbourhood areas which have been constructed and those which are in process of construction in accordance with the principles recommended in the Abercrombie Plan for Greater London.

All new development in the Greater London area is being carried out in accordance with the principles of community planning and the density standards recommended in the Abercrombie Plan. In present circumstances, however, with the emphasis necessarily on housing, no complete neighbourhood unit has as yet been constructed. The main areas at present under construction are quasi-satellites at Harold Hill, Hainault, Debden, Oxhey, St. Pauls Cray and Addington, and war-damaged areas in West Ham, Stepney and Poplar. In addition, site preparation on one neighbourhood unit is in hand in each of the new towns at Hemel Hempstead. Harlow and Crawley.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what

The supply of copies of the electoral register is governed by Regulation 34 of the Electoral Registration Regulations, 1946, which appears to cover the point which the hon. Member has in mind.

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a comprehensive statement as to the quantity and value of goods bought in bulk from overseas by various Government Departments during 1947 together with a statement of the respective deliveries.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 15th November, 1948; Vol. 458, c. 9], supplied the following statement:

asked the Secretary of State for Scoltand what is the total number of councillors of all types of local council in Scotland.

According to my information there are in Scotland 2,498 town councillors: 1,692 county councillors, of whom 936 are elected for the landward area and 756 are town councillors elected by their town councils to represent the burghs: and 2,271 district councillors, of whom 1,355 are elected and 916 are members ex officio as county councillors.