asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, once sufficient profit is made by selling electricity to the B.E.A., to offset losses incurred by the Hydro-Electric Board for the uneconomic distribution to the rural areas. he will guarantee that power will be available at cost for major industries setting up in the Highlands.

The price regulations made by the Secretary of State under Section 10 of the Hydro-Electric Development (Scotland) Act, 1943, fix the maximum prices to be charged by the Board for electricity supplied to ordinary consumers; and provide that the prices to be charged to large power users as a whole shall be sufficient to meet the cost of generating and transmitting the electricity supplied to them. Subject to these regulations the fixing of actual charges is a matter for the Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how the Housing Returns for Scotland dated 30th September, 1948. Cmd. 7553, compare with the housing demands of the citizens as listed by the Glasgow Corporation; and if he has any statement to make regarding future housing policy which may make known to those on the waiting list what their prospects are regarding housing accommodation.

Glasgow Corporation have a waiting list of 44,192 families listed as houseless. At the 30th September tenders had been approved or licences issued for 13,048 permanent houses and 2,550 temporary houses—a total of 15,598 in all. At 30th November all the temporary and 5,376 permanent houses had been completed. A further 4,843 are now under construction and 2,957 are waiting to be begun. In addition the Corporation have applications from 32,684 overcrowded families; from 5,010 persons due to be married and from 16,142 other persons at present adequately housed. The building industry in Scotland has 40,000 houses under construction and the best immediate contribution towards the reduction of waiting lists all over the country would result from any speeding up which may be possible in completing these unfinished houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when Victoria Park, Peebles. Will be restored to the town.

The hostels erected on this requisitioned land accommodate European volunteer workers employed on farms in the surrounding district, and their use could be discontinued only if the demand for agricultural labour declined or other suitable accommodation were available. As there is every indication that these labour requirements will continue and as it has not been possible, after careful search, to secure suitable alternative accommodation, I regret that I cannot say when the park will be restored to Peebles Town Council.

asked the Secretary of State for War on how many evenings in November a meal after 5.30 p.m. was provided by the Army for young soldiers serving in basic training units at Barton Stacey, Caterham, Catterick and Oswestry, respectively.

During November suppers were served at the three Army basic training units at Barton Stacey and Caterham each night. Of the four units at Catterick two served suppers nightly, one had suppers on 18 nights and one on 14 nights. Of the four units at Oswestry. two had suppers each night, one unit served suppers on 28 nights and another on 26 nights.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Eire citizens are at present employed in a civilian capacity by the military authorities in Northern Ireland; and how many of these have served in His Majesty's Forces in war time.

One hundred and two Eire citizens are at present employed in a civilian capacity by the military authorities in Northern Ireland. Of these, 74 have served in His Majesty's Forces in war time.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is intended to formulate a scheme whereby relatives of Service men buried in Italy, who cannot afford the cost of the visit will be enabled to make the journey.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Kingston-on-Thames today (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter).

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied that the price in N.A.A.F.I. married families shops in Germany of such articles as milk powder and orange juice is not excessive compared with the price in this country; and how he accounts for the increase.

Yes. Milk powder costs 10½d. a tin in the United Kingdom and Is. in B.A.O.R. Orange juice costs 5d. a bottle in the United Kingdom and 6d. in B.A.O.R. The B.A.O.R. price is the United Kingdom subsidised retail price plus the cost of transport to Germany.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made with negotiations to eliminate dual taxation between Great Britain and France; and whether, in view of the fact that close economic co-operation between Great Britain and other European countries is hindered by the existence of dual taxation, he will take steps to bring the negotiations now taking place to a rapid and successful termination.

We have been in touch with the French authorities, and I am hoping that it will be possible for discussions to take place in the early part of next year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made with negotiations to eliminate dual taxation between Great Britain and Belgium; and whether, in view of the fact that close economic co-operation between Great Britain and other European countries is definitely hindered by the existence of dual taxation, he will take steps to bring the negotiations now taking place to a rapid and successful termination.

Discussion continues on one or two outstanding points of difficulty. Both Governments are anxious to reach agreement as soon as possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in order to relieve the unemployment on Merseyside, he will arrange for the offices of the charities and foreign section of the Chief Inspector's (Claims) Branch of the Inland Revenue to be transferred to Liverpool from Llandudno; and where it has at present been scheduled for removal.

This office will be transferred to Liverpool as soon as suitable accommodation has been found.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many post-war credits fall within a category below £10. how many below £20; and how much the respective repayment of these categories would cost.

I am afraid that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the amount which would be involved if a disbursement of post-war credits were made to persons of the age of 60 and over.

No statistics are available for persons over 60 years of age or for any age group.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give his full support and do everything possible to conserve our overseas investments with a view to assisting the country to revert to its pre-war standard of living, and to help to regain its economic equilibrium.

I fully recognise the importance of this matter, which, is naturally a constant concern of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent war debts have been scaled down in India, Pakistan, Egypt, Norway and Brazil since the war.

There has been no scaling-down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason his recent projected visit to France was postponed.

No arrangements for such a visit have as yet been made and therefore no question of postponement arises.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the Special Commissioners in issuing assessments for the Special Contribution due for payment on 1st January, 1949; and what proportion of assessments have not yet been agreed.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to the Question asked by the hon. Member for Galloway (Mr. McKie). Appeals have been received against about 300 of the 26,000 assessments, but in many cases the time for appealing has not yet expired.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of incorrect Income Tax demands being issued to serving officers, he will consider some compensation being allowed where arrears are claimed against post-war credits.

No.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what were the profits, after payment of Excess Profit Tax and Profit Tax, of the brewing trade for the Income Tax year 1947–48.

This information is not yet available.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury what was the credit balance on 30th November, 1948, of the Czechoslovak Financial Claims Fund.

£1,518 7s. 3d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what sum was spent on behalf of the Ministry of Food on advertising in the "Daily Worker" newspaper in the financial year 1947–48; and what is the estimated expenditure on advertising in the same newspaper in the present financial year;(2) what sum was spent on behalf of the Ministry of Transport on advertising in the "Daily Worker" in the financial year 1947–48; and what is the estimated expenditure on advertising in the same newspaper in the present financial year;(3) what sum was spent on behalf of the Central Office of Information on advertising in the "Daily Worker" newspaper in the financial year 1947–48; and what is the estimated expenditure on advertising in the same newspaper in the present financial year:(4) what sum was spent by the National Savings campaign on advertising in the "Daily Worker" newspaper in the financial year 1947–48; and what is the estimated expenditure on advertising in the same newspaper in the present financial year.(5) what sum was spent on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, on advertising in the "Daily Worker" in the financial year 1947–48; and what is the estimated expenditure on advertising in the same newspaper in the present financial year.

Following is the information:

asked the Prime Minister why the Government insert official advertisements in the "Daily Worker."

Because certain announcements by Government Departments should, as far as possible, be seen by the whole adult population, and one of the ways of achieving this object is by taking advertising space, where available; in London newspapers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now make a statement on the financial arrangements with Poland under which £24 million will be involved in order to buy bacon.

I cannot anticipate the conclusion of the negotiations which are at present proceeding in Warsaw, but if the hon. Member is referring to a recent Press report in which a comparable figure was mentioned, I can assure him that it gave a completely false impression of the negotiations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent His Majesty's Stationery Office is supplying the stationery requirements of the nationalised undertakings, either free or on repayment.

The nationalised undertakings have been supplied on repayment terms by the Stationery Office pending the making of their own purchasing arrangements or in some special difficulties. This is a temporary and dying service to them. The total value to date is £92,000 for the National Coal Board, £11,500 for the British Electricity Authority, and £1,100 for the British Transport Commission.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of the increased output of deep mined coal, if he will reconsider the coal allocations to domestic consumers and especially those whose homes have neither gas nor electricity installed, especially for the first quarter of 1949.

On the general question of domestic coal allowances I would refer to the answer my right hon. Friend gave on 4th November to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Tolley). In the case of consumers who have to rely on solid fuel for cooking, local fuel overseers have standing instructions to issue licences, on application, for additional allowances.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when the report may be expected from the Committee appointed to consider the question of mining subsidence.

My right hon. Friend hopes to receive the report from the Committee some time in January.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) the number of temporary clerks at present employed in the general and departmental grades of the Civil Service, their departmental allocation, and the number who have had three years' service or more;(2) the number of temporary officers at present employed in the general and departmental executive grades of the Civil Service; their departmental allocation; and the number who have had three years' service or more.

Following is the reply:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the shortage of cigarettes in the mining village of New Ollerton, Notts; and since this is a contributory cause of absenteeism, what steps does he propose to take to increase the supply.

The distribution of cigarettes is not controlled by the Government; but we have made inquiries and are satisfied that supplies in New Ollerton are not less adequate than in the country generally. We see no reason to ask manufacturers to give this village exceptional treatment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how long the engineering mission to Canada has been back in this country; and when its report will be published.

The members of the engineering mission to Canada have been back in this country for a few weeks. I expect that their report will be published early in the New Year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the revised amount of the grant which will now be made available to the local authority in connection with the treatment of the bing at Bellshill.

Negotiations are now proceeding between the Board of Trade, the local authority and the contractor; I cannot therefore state what the revised amount of grant for this work will be.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now make a statement about the negotiation for a trade agreement with Yugoslavia.

I have nothing to add to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wycombe (Mr. Haire) on 11th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in what capacity Mr. Neville Blond was sent by His Majesty's Government to Canada and the U.S.A.; what was the length of his visit; and the estimated cost involved.

As stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 27th May last, Mr. Blond's appointment as United Kingdom Trade Adviser in the United States is for a period of two years. He receives an expenses allowance of 20,000 dollars a year but no salary. Travel and clerical assistance are estimated to cost 8,000 dollars a year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the difficulty experienced by housewives in getting outsize overalls; and if he will take steps to get supplies in greater quantities distributed to the shopping centres.

I am fully aware of this shortage which extends to both domestic and industrial overalls of all sizes. Overall cloths are one of our best exports and greater supplies for the home market must depend upon increased production.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the extra cost of removing the bing at Airdrie by hand labour as compared with tender for mechanical removal; how many men have been employed; and how many so employed have left the work.

It is costing an additional £5,500 to clear this bing by manual labour. I cannot say exactly how many men have been employed on the scheme but during the five weeks between the middle of October and the middle of November on an average 25 men were employed daily. I have no records of the total number who have left the work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider extending the terms of reference of the Committee on Weights and Measures Legislation so as to enable the committee to examine the position in relation to weighing and measuring appliances used on behalf of Government Departments, namely, the G.P.O.; and in Government-sponsored trade organisations, namely, the Milk Marketing Board.

The terms of reference of the Committee are already wide enough to cover the question of appliances used by Government Departments, and this will be examined by the Committee. Appliances used by such bodies as the Milk Marketing Board, which are already subject to Weights and Measures legislation, are also covered by the Committee's terms of reference.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how long he intends to continue the rationing of children's clothing and of men's and women's outerwear.

The rationing of these and of other particular kinds of clothing will end as soon as supplies, present and prospective, of these kinds and of the materials from which they are made are sufficient to meet the rising export programme in full, and to leave a reasonably adequate balance for unrationed home demand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 21 privately financed factory projects of which location only was approved in Wales and Monmouthshire as at 30th June, 1948, have now been abandoned; and whether, where such projects have been abandoned, approval has been given for any alternative scheme to proceed outside the Development Area.

Of the 21 privately financed factory projects for which location was approved at 30th June, 1948, in the Development Areas of Wales and Monmouthshire, I understand that only two have been abandoned. In one case the firm has changed its plans on technical grounds and approval has been given to a smaller alternative project outside the Development Area. In the other the firm is, I believe, negotiating to acquire existing privately owned premises outside the Development Area. Of the remaining 19 projects one has been completed, one is now under construction and four more have received building licences.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many industrialists considered the possibility of taking a factory in Rhondda and abandoned the idea when faced with the housing situation; and how many factories are at present allocated to industrialists who cannot hope to take possession until houses are provided.

I am not aware of any case of an industrialist abandoning the idea of taking a factory in the Rhondda because of the housing situation. As regards the second part of the Question, there has been difficulty in the case of two allocated factories in completing all the houses approved for key-workers; but I hope that by making use of temporary lodgings for their workers, the tenants will not delay taking possession of the factories when they are ready.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, having regard to the difficulties encountered by Rhondda Urban District Council in their efforts to proceed with housing schemes, if be will accept full responsibility in regard to filling the requirements of key-workers and managerial houses so that idle factories may become occupied.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 7th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements he proposes to make to consult representative organisations of the cotton trade before making any future trade agreements which affect the textile industry of this country.

It is my aim to consult industries likely to be affected by projected trade agreements and I have constantly in mind the possibilty of improving the machinery of consultation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will announce the names of the members of the committee appointed to inquire into the distributing and exhibiting sides of the film industry; when this committee will begin to function; and when it is intended that it should report.

I cannot yet add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend during the Committee stage of the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what grants he expects to make during the current year to the British Export Trade Research Organisation and to British Handicrafts Export respectively.

In accordance with the provision included in the Board of Trade Estimates for the year ending 31st March, 1949, we are making grants to the British Export Trade Research Organisation up to a maximum of £35,000 and not exceeding one-half of the deficiency between the Organisation's expenditure' in the year and its revenue from commissions executed, subject to an equivalent contribution from industry. A payment of £20,000 has already been made to the Organisation and so far as can be judged at present it is expected to qualify for the full grant of £35,000.As regards British Handcrafts Export, we have made a loan of £12,500, for which a Supplementary Estimate was presented to the House on 30th June last. Of this sum, £2,500 has been repaid with interest as was anticipated in that Estimate. No other grant is contemplated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of paper used for the manufacture of wallpaper last year; of this amount how much was allocated to manufacturers who were operating prior to September, 1939, and how much to firms who have sprung up since the war ended; and to how many such firms.

It is contrary to our present practice to disclose figures of the allocation made to particular uses but I can inform the hon. Member that the amount allocated in 1947 to firms who were not engaged in the production of wallpaper prior to September, 1939, amounted to less than one per cent. of the whole allocation for wallpaper and only three firms were involved.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if in view of the exces- sive charges that are being made for often poor-grade wallpaper and the substantial profits of many production firms in that industry, he will take the necessary steps to guarantee better value for money to purchasers of wallpaper.

A number of complaints about the quality and price of wallpaper have been brought to my notice. The investigation of these cases has not disclosed any price control offence under the Prices of Goods Act, 1939, to which wallpaper prices are subject. The quality may in some cases have been inferior, but complaints on this score seem to be confined to a very small proportion of current production. For the last three years, and in spite of many cost increases, the majority of wallpaper manufacturers have maintained a voluntary standstill on the prices ruling in January, 1946. I am glad to have this opportunity of announcing that, following recent increases in production, I have been given an undertaking that these prices will be reduced from 1st January by amounts which should result in a drop in the general retail price level, including tax, of the order of 10 per cent. On particular lines the reduction may be more or less and a few may remain unchanged.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in view of the fact that the introduction of two-shift working was made one of the conditions of qualifying for the Government's financial contribution to the re-equipment of the cotton spinning industry, why he has not insisted on double-shift working when approving grants for modernisation schemes.

Employers organisations and trade unions in the cotton spinning industry have agreed in principle to the introduction of two-shift working as and when mills were progressively modernised, or, in the case of one trade union, have agreed not to oppose its introduction. This acceptance of the principle involved enabled the Government to put their modernisation plans into effect. It is, however, for the individual mills concerned to decide, in the light of their circumstances and in consultation with their operatives, when to introduce two-shift working.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that imported timber of building quality is not being wastefully used for box making.

I know of no such wasteful use. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the passing of a resolution by the Camborne-Redruth Urban District Council that its administrative area should now be scheduled as a Development Area, and the high rate of unemployment there, he will consider making an order directing that the area he added to the First Schedule of the Distribution of Industry Act, 1945.

As the hon. and gallant Member will see from paragraph 90 and Section 3 of Appendix I of the recent White Paper on Distribution of Industry (Cmd. 7540) the claims of Camborne and Redruth have been fully considered. In our view such action is not appropriate for this area but the Board of Trade will continue to steer industry there to provide work for the men now unemployed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many utility beds are made so low that they cause great inconvenience to those nursing the sick and accumulate fluff and dust underneath; and whether he will request the trade that utility beds should be so constructed that they are higher from the ground.

There is no rule for the height of bedsteads other than that set by public taste. The conventional height of spring mattresses for many years has been 10½ inches to 12 inches above the floor, and this gives ample room for cleaning. The height can be easily increased by altering the position of the brackets supporting the spring mattress, and I have no doubt the manufacturers of bedsteads are quite prepared to do this if there is a public demand. One of the functions of the Furniture Development Council, which will shortly begin its service, will be to undertake research into consumer needs; and this sort of problem will, I am sure, receive attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that every step will be taken to secure our textile industry from unfair competition, in the form of sweated labour, which was so much the feature of the pre-war Japanese textile industry, in view of the recent Commonwealth Agreement on Japanese trade.

I can assure my hon. Friend that I shall take whatever steps are open to me to protect United Kingdom textile industries from unfair competition based on sweated labour but, as I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 25th November. I do not accept the suggestion that the new Japanese Trade Arrangement will necessarily result in such competition

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the N.A.A.F.I. have been granted a monopoly in the South Devon area for the supply of certain items of coupon-free sports clothing to Territorial Army and Cadet Force Units to the disadvantage of local retail sports dealers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why those serving in the Territorial Army and Army Cadet Force are not permitted under the new scheme for the purchase of coupon-free sports clothing to purchase such clothing from private traders.

Owing to the rapid demobilisation of the Services, certain stocks of cricket shirts, football shorts, football stockings and jerseys accumulated overseas and were returned to N.A.A.F.I. in this country, and to dispose of these stocks it was agreed, as a temporary concession, to allow their supply coupon-free to units of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces and the pre-Service Cadet Forces for a period of twelve months. I do not think that the quantities of such sports wear made available to members of the Auxiliary and Cadet Forces will be such as to constitute a serious encroachment on retailers' trade but the working of the concession will be reviewed from time to time during the remaining period of its operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will institute an inquiry into the chemical industry.

Yes. I feel that the Government should be in possession of a comprehensive survey of this basic industry showing its long-term plans, its probable lines of development and the steps regarded as necessary to meet the objectives disclosed by the survey. I have been considering with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health, Minister of Supply and Minister of Fuel and Power, who are responsible for certain parts of the industry, how best such a survey could be undertaken. The chemical industry is a complicated and diversified industry and the techniques applied to other important industries, such as the working party, are clearly not appropriate. It has accordingly been decided that the first step should be to ask the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers to prepare a report on the lines I have indicated, and this they have readily agreed to do. The Trades Union Congress have also been consulted and have expressed their agreement with this line of approach. I should make it clear that no decisions on policy on the basis of the report, if any were called for, would be made without further consultation with both sides of the industry. The Association have agreed to endeavour to produce the report by the middle of 1949.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has considered the evidence given before the Departmental Committee on Industrial Diseases by the Trades Union Congress. O. H. Parsons, Esq., solicitor, Professor J. M. Mackintosh, M.D., F.R.C.P., and Dr. Donald Hunter, F.R.C.P., recommending that benefit under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, 1946. should be payable in respect of every disease which the applicant can show was caused by his work; and if he will accept and act upon this recommendation.

The Committee held these suggestions to be outside their terms of reference and therefore made no recommendation on them. The suggestions, which are by no means new, raise wide issues which cannot be properly assessed until we have had a good deal more experience of the working of the new scheme.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he is aware that under the terms of Clause 2 (a) of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations, 1948 (S.I., 1948, No. 1371), it is now impossible for certain workers suffering from prescribed diseases to claim benefit whereas they were able previously to recover compensation under Sections 43 (1) and 44 (1) of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1925; and if he will amend the regulations so as to end this anomaly.

I do not know what kind of case the hon. Member has in mind, but if he cares to let me have particulars I will consider them.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he accepts the recommendation in paragraph 36 of the report of the Departmental Committee on Industrial Diseases which proposes that the time limit for the operation of a presumption should bear closer relation to the nature of the particular disease than it did under the Workmen's Compensation Acts; and whether he will accordingly modify articles 4 (1) and (2) of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations, 1948 (S.I., 1948; No. 1371), so as to bring them into line with the recommendation.

The regulations to which the hon. Member refers already provide more favourable time limits for presumptions than did the Workmen's Compensation Acts, and my right hon. Friend will be watching their operation to see whether, in the light of the recommendations which the hon. Member has mentioned, any modification is necessary.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if his inquiries are now completed into the incidence of the new arrangements introduced on 5th July, 1948, upon outworkers who are now classified as self-employed persons; and if any change is anticipated.

The local inquiries have recently been completed and my right hon. Friend is now examining the information obtained.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is now able to say if disabled ex-Service men have to pay National Insurance contributions out of their pensions.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Barnstaple (Brigadier Peto) on 6th July, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether the National Insurance Advisory Committee has met to consider the Overlapping Benefits Regulations and has made a report.

Yes. My right hon. Friend has received the Committee's report on Parts I and II, 1V and V of the draft regulations. I am arranging to lay the report and the regulations giving effect to its recommendations before the House this week and copies should be available to Members before Christmas. The Committee have deferred their report on Part III of the draft regulations, which concerns the rates of benefit of persons in hospital, in order to take further evidence.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether the amount of sick benefit payable under the National Insurance Act is subject to any deduction where the recipient is also in receipt of a War Disability Pension.

The National Insurance (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations, which have been in force in provisional form since 5th July, 1948, do contain certain provisions on this matter. This is one of the points which have been the subject of special consideration by the National Insurance Advisory Committee and I would refer the hon. Member to their Report, copies of which will be available in the Vote Office shortly.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what percentage of men teaching the age of 65 years continue in employment.

From the latest information available it appears that about 64 per cent. of all insured men reaching age 65 who could have qualified for retirement pension continue in employment.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what further communication he has received from the Old Age Pensioners' Association in connection with the petition presented by the hon. Lady the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle); and what reply he has sent.

My hon. Friend will by now have received a copy of a letter which my right hon. Friend recently sent to the hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Daines) on this matter.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he has now given consideration to the charter presented to him on behalf of the Old Age Pensioners' Association; and what action he proposes to take.

My hon. Friend will by now have received a copy of a letter which my right hon. Friend recently sent to the hon. Member for East Ham, North (Mr. Daines) on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour how many unemployed men and women were registered with the employment exchange at Macclesfield and Congleton at the latest convenient date.

At 15th November, 89 males and 18 females at Macclesfield and 57 males and 23 females at Congleton.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of working days lost in the coal industry through strikes, or lockouts, between 1st January, 1919, and 1st December, 1922; and the corresponding figures between 1st January, 1945, and 1st December, 1948.

The number of days lost was about 99 million from 1st January, 1919, to 1st December, 1922, and 2½ million from 1st January, 1945, to 1st December, 1948.

asked the Minister of Labour why, in the case of war disability pensioners who desire to register under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act, medical evidence of their condition is not obtained from their Ministry of Pensions records instead of subjecting them to a further medical examination.

Where the medical evidence from a disability pension book or other Ministry of Pensions document is sufficient for the purpose of registration it is accepted; medical examination is required only when this is not sufficient for the purpose or if further medical particulars are required to ascertain the most suitable form of employment.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has now given consideration to the memorandum submitted to him by the Southend and District Chamber of Trade on the effects of the Catering Wages Board Order in the Southend area; and will he make a statement.

I have received the memorandum referred to by my hon. Friend. As I pointed out in my reply to the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. J. Morrison) on 21st September last, any question of reviewing the effect of any wages regulation order made under the Catering Wages Act is a matter for the Catering Wages Board concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour if, in view of the growing unemployment in Glasgow, particularly amongst those who cannot be fitted into new industries, he will consider convening a meeting between his Department and the Glasgow Corporation with a view to discussing the type of reconstruction and repair work which could be undertaken by semi-skilled and unskilled labour and thus have many of those presently idle employed on essential work.

Very careful consideration has been given for a long time to the problem of unemployment in the Glasgow area. I will certainly consider with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the President of the Board of Trade what further discussions with the Glasgow Corporation might take place. My hon. Friend will appreciate that there are certain factors including a short-ace of skilled workers which limit the scope for providing suitable schemes to employ semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the comparative numbers of factory inspectors for the years 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1948.

The numbers on 1st December of each year are as follows: 1945, 352; 1946, 330; 1947, 316; 1948, 329.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is satisfied that his Department has a sufficient number of factory inspectors to ensure the proper observance of factory regulations and the provision of healthy industrial conditions.

No. The Civil Service Commission are about to hold a competition for further appointments.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in computing the cost of living the insurance contributions have been taken into consideration.

I assume the hon. Member's Question is directed to the items taken into account in the calculation of the Interim Index of Retail Prices. The answer is "No." The method of calculating the Index is described in a supplement to the Industrial Relations Handbook, paragraph 3 of which explains why these contributions are not included. I am sending the hon. Member a copy and I have placed two copies in the Library.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as disabled persons in the Cardiff area at the latest convenient date; the number unemployed and the comparative numbers in December, 1946, and December, 1947, respectively.

The number of registered disabled persons in the Cardiff area at the 15th November, 1948, was 5,851, of whom 546 were unemployed. The figures for December, 1946 and 1947, are not available; the nearest dates are January, 1947, when there were 4,653 on the register, of whom 524 were unemployed and January, 1948, when the figures were 5,545 and 565 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet come to a decision regarding the case, full details of which have been forwarded to his Department by the hon. Member for Central Newcastle, regarding calling-up deferment for three months only for Mr. Dennis White, 854, Shields Road, Walkergate, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

As my hon. Friend has already been informed, Mr. White was invited to make an application for postponement of his call-up, in order that his case could be considered by the independent statutory authorities. His application will be heard by the local Military Service (Hardship) Committee on 14th December, and he will have the opportunity of attending the hearing to explain the full circumstances of his case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the financial settlements between His Majesty's Government and North Borneo, Sarawak, and Brunei, and regarding a War Damage Compensation Scheme in those territories.

The following is the statement:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the rate of wages paid to unskilled native workers employed in the sisal industry in Tanganyika.

The wages paid to unskilled workers in the sisal industry are based on a 30 working day period. Wages for a completed 30-day labour card with a bonus for completion of the card within 42 consecutive days are:For production labour, such as cutters, as wage of 21s. and 5s. bonus.For planting and development labour, a wage of 18s. and a bonus of 2½s.In addition, labourers who cannot return to their homes each day receive free housing according to minimum standards laid down by law, and all labourers are given free rations of foodstuffs yielding not less than 3,500 calories daily, except where adequate supplies are available locally for them, when an allowance of from 9s. per month is paid in lieu of free rations.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the only building in London of which he has retained possession on behalf of the United States Government under his powers of requisition, is one which the United States Government purchased privately and of which they would otherwise have been unable to obtain vacant possession by normal legal methods; if he will give an undertaking not in future to use his powers of requisition in such cases; and if he will at once derequisition No. 20, Grosvenor Square.

Three other properties in addition to 20, Grosvenor Square are retained on requisition and occupied by the United States Government. These premises are used for services which are of great importance to this country. I cannot therefore give the undertaking requested as to my use of requisitioning powers and I am unable to derequisition 20, Grosvenor Square. The United States Embassy have endeavoured to reach agreement with all the persons concerned by every means at their disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reduction there has been during 1948 in the number of railway wagons owed by the U.S.S.R. to the British and American zones of Germany; how many are now outstanding; and whether there has been any recent assurance that they will he returned.

The Soviet zone nett wagon debt to the bizone has fallen by 2,000 wagons since December, 1947. At the present time the Soviet zone owes the bizone at nett total of 3,788 wagons. No recent assurance has been given by the Soviet authorities that wagons owing to the bizone will be returned: on the contrary Soviet transport authorities contend that interzonal wagon records are inaccurate and that the Soviet zone does not owe wagons to the bizone.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by the Central Office of Information, or other department, to increase the number of newspapers sent from the United Kingdom to the U.S.S.R.; and what practical steps are being taken to enable British citizens personally to exchange views with Soviet citizens.

As was explained to the hon. Member in the reply to his Question of 29th July last, no British newspapers are sent to Russia through British official channels for distribution to the Soviet public; and since the Soviet Government some time ago requested our Embassy to cease the free distribution of British periodicals, and even during the war did not agree to their sale, no purpose would be served by starting a supply.With regard to the second part of the Question, so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, British citizens are at perfect liberty to exchange views with Soviet citizens. Any restrictions there may be on such communications come wholly from the Russian side; and there would not seem to be any practical steps by which His Majesty's Government could reduce them

asked the Minister of Defence if he will arrange that all members of His Majesty's Forces who are at present in Europe and are due for demobilisation early in January shall he granted Christmas leave at home and then await demobilisation in this country.

I sympathise with the purpose of my hon. and gallant Friend's Question, but I am afraid that the arrangements that he suggests would not he practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends at an early date either to amend the present Factories Acts or to introduce new legislation to extend the provisions and regulations of these Acts relating to health, safety and welfare and. so far as practicable, the employment of women and young children, to railways and offices so as to include all persons employed therein.

The matters in question are for the most part within the terms of reference of the Gowers Committee, whose final report my right hon. Friend hopes to receive by the end of this month. The report will have to he considered by the Government before he can make any statement as to legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why organised clubs and associations are not allowed to use rooms for meetings in licensed premises under State management.

There is no such general prohibition.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of applications for combine harvester-threshers received by county agricultural executive committees for next season; and to what extent this demand can be satisfied.

Over 5,000 applications for combined harvester-threshers have been received by county agricultural executive committees in England and Wales and by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. The total number of new combined harvester-threshers expected in time for the 1949 harvest is over 2,000.

asked the Prime Minister if he is prepared to call a conference of local authorities, agricultural and industrial organisations and M.P.s with the departmental regional authorities at Cambridge to discuss the balance between agriculture and industry in East Anglia with the object of working out a 10-year East Anglian plan upon an area basis; and to invite the conference to set up a planning investigating committee to report as a working party on such questions as the allocation of new industries to East Anglia.

No. Such a Conference would overlap the functions of existing official committees and other representative and consultative bodies concerned with the questions referred to by the hon. Member, and impinge upon the statutory responsibilities of the various Departments involved.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what is his decision regarding the case of Mrs. M. Sadler, 97, Chestergate, Macclesfield, details of which have already been sent him; and why Mrs. Sadler has been asked to pay a development charge in respect of her property at 117, Chestergate.

Decisions in individual cases involving payment of development charge are not for the Minister but for the Central Land Board and I regret therefore that he cannot undertake to answer questions about them. I have, however, consulted the Central Land Board about this case and have already informed the hon. and gallant Member of the position by letter.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning how many applications have been received since the appointed day for certificates under Section 80 of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, in respect of development of land of less than one acre; and of these how many have resulted in the granting of a certificate.

Since the appointed day 6,363 applications have been received and 894 of these have been cleared for the grant of a certificate; but I could not say, without unjustifiable expenditure of time and labour, how many of these relate to areas of less than one acre.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he has taken note of the encouraging response in Bedfordshire to an appeal by the county council to landowners to plant new trees to replace those lost by disease, old age and indiscriminate felling; and whether he will represent to local authorities in other parts of the country the desirability of their taking a lead in this matter

I think that action by county councils on the lines referred to is generally desirable and my hon. Friend's question will help to call attention to the matter.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will now give the names of the places chosen for the two satellite towns for Wales and Monmouthshire.

My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not yet able to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he will now state the position with regard to the proposed new town at Basildon.

My right hon. Friend will issue a decision following the public inquiry within a few days.