asked the Minister of Education what proportion of the Lord Mayor of London's Fund raised on behalf of the United Nations Appeal for Children has been assigned to U.N.E.S.C.O.; what was the amount of money involved; and how it is proposed that it should be spent.

Ten per cent of the Lord Mayor of London's Fund has been assigned to U.N.E.S.C.O.; the amount involved is about £70,000. I am sending the hon. Member a detailed statement of the proposals for the expenditure of this sum.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is yet in a position to implement Part III of the Education Act, 1944, in reference to private schools.

No. I am, however, issuing a circular tomorrow in which I am, as an interim step, introducing some measure of inspection of these schools under my existing powers.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give comparative figures of the maximum and minimum grants and allowances paid to British and Polish ex-Service university students under the Further Education and Training Scheme.

Maintenance grants made to enable former members of the Polish Forces to follow university courses in this country are calculated on the assumption that they will live in lodgings throughout the year. These grants are highest at Oxford and Cambridge; the maximum figure is about £280 per annum for Polish students compared with about £300 for grants under the Further Education and Training Scheme.Allowances for wife and children are the same for both sets of students, namely, maxima of £110 for wife, £40 for first and £27 each for second, third and fourth children. Approved fees are also payable for both sets of students. Minimum rates of grant cannot be compared, since Polish students rarely if ever live with their parents throughout the year or have private means comparable with those of some students in the Further Education and Training Scheme.

asked the Minister of Education what were the numbers of students in technical colleges in 1946, 1947 and 1948 to the latest convenient date.

The following table shows the number of full-time and part-time students who attended grant-aided establishments of Further Education during the sessions 1945–46 and 1946–47. Statistics for 1947–48 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Education in how many schools the senior and junior departments are not yet divided and pupils are of all ages at the latest convenient date.

In January, 1948, there were 8,016 all-age departments in schools maintained or assisted by local education authorities.

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of open scholarships and exhibitions to Oxford and Cambridge were awarded to scholars from independent schools, direct-grant schools and schools aided and maintained by local education authorities, respectively, in the academic year 1947–48 and the current academic year.

No analysis of these awards is available in my Department.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what information was given to the Marshall Plan Administration of the negotiations relating to the recently concluded Anglo-Polish trade agreement; and what objections were raised with reference to the commodities proposed to be exported from Britain to Poland under that agreement.

Such information was given to the Administrator as would enable him to be satisfied that his obligations under Article 117 (d) of the Economic Co-operation Act of 1948 were

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of State scholarships were awarded to scholars from independent schools, direct grant schools, and local education authority schools, respectively, in the latest available pre-war year, the academic 1947–48. and the current academic year.

Following is the information:met. The answer to the second part of the Question is "None."

asked the President of the Board of Trade who are the members and what are the terms of reference of the committee set up to supervise the export of goods to countries in Eastern Europe; how many meetings have been held; what proposed exports have been vetoed; and if he will make a statement.

The hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that there is any such committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in anticipation of Clause 2 (3) of the Cinematograph Film Production (Special Loans) Bill, he has yet approved any classes of case in which the National Film Finance Corporation may make loans to persons other than those carrying on the business of distributing cinematograph films; and whether he will make a statement.

No, the matter is still under discussion, but I hope to make an announcement shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of officials of his Department in all parts of the country engaged on shortages inspection for the clothing trade and for other sections of commerce.

Thirty.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why suppliers of rubber boots in rural areas have been informed by their wholesale firms that on the instructions of his Department priority in supplying retail customers is to be given to workers in gas, electricity and other nationalised undertakings and that consideration for the requirements of agricultural workers is of secondary importance; and if he will reconsider this.

No such instructions have been given by my Department.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will introduce a Bill in order to implement the finding of the Royal Commission on Safety in Mines in the near future, including in it proposals relating to the improvement in the conditions of horses and ponies in mines.

There has not yet been an opportunity for a Bill to overhaul the Coal Mines Act, 1911, on the lines recommended by the Royal Commission on Safety in Coal Mines which, incidentally, did not recommend any amendment of the law relating to the care and treatment of pit ponies. As my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary explained in the course of the Debate on the Second Reading of the Coal Industry Bill, many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission have already been implemented by regulations made under existing powers, and powers are being taken in that Bill to deal similarly with most of the remainder.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now grant freedom to coal merchants to choose the pit and grade of coal most suitable to the requirements of their customers.

I regret that until supplies approximate more closely to total requirements for both inland and export markets, it will be necessary to continue to include a proportion of lower grade coals in the allocations for domestic use. It is not yet possible, therefore, to give coal merchants complete freedom in the choice of pits or grades of coal. I am glad to announce, however, that simultaneously with the restoration to the domestic consumer of the right to change his coal merchant, merchants will be given a limited choice of supplies for domestic use as from 1st May next. The necessary arrangements have been agreed between the National Coal Board and the distributive trade.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when consumers will be allowed to change their coal merchants.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I have given today to my hon. Friend the Member for South Leicester (Mr. Bowden).

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to ensure that the work of builders, architects, contractors and others engaged in housing contracts will not be held up for lack of petrol; and what arrangements he makes for the appropriate local authorities to be consulted before refusing an application for supplementary petrol from business and professional firms in this class.

Regional petroleum officers are authorised to grant supplementary petrol allowances to meet the reasonable needs of builders, architects, contractors and others engaged in housing contracts. It is always open to an applicant to seek support for his application, or to the regional petroleum officer to seek confirmation of any statements in the application, from the local authority concerned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will now grant a supplementary allowance of petrol, for the purpose of rehearsals, to members of the choir of the Royal Welsh National Eisteddfod to be held at Dolgelley this year, having regard to the unique place of the Eisteddfod in the cultural life of Wales and the absence of adequate public transport facilities in the county of Merioneth.

It is intended that the standard petrol ration should be used for social and cultural activities, and I could not justify the grant of supplementary petrol for the purpose mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now state when the Report of the Mineral Development Committee will be published.

I understand that the Committee hope to present the Report some time next month.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will institute an inquiry into the available supply of gas for industrial and domestic purposes and street lighting in South Wales; and consider the steps necessary to ensure supplies for the essential expansion of industry within the area.

A complete survey of the gas requirements of South Wales was made at my request in 1948 by two working parties of local gas engineers. The Wales Gas Board has now been constituted, are considering these two reports, and will no doubt put forward, as soon as possible, proposals for providing South Wales with adequate supplies of gas.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he proposes to set up the Consultative Council for the North-Western Area, under Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 1947; and when will the first meeting of that Council take place.

The Council was appointed on 30th December, and the first meeting will take place on 28th of this month.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to exclude from the call-up to the Armed Forces men employed in the building and ancillary industries.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of outstanding post-war credits at 31st December, 1948; and what was the total amount of post-war credits which had been repaid to that date.

Up to 31st December, 1948, £128 million post-war credit had been repaid, leaving £672 million outstanding at that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many assessments for Special Contribution under the 1948 Finance Act had been issued by 31st December; and how many remain to be issued.

About 36,500 notices of assessment to Special Contribution were issued up to 31st December, 1948, and about a further 7,000 up to date. It is estimated that about 125,000 individuals are liable to the Contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his regulations prescribe that a taxpayer who has made a covenant. approved by the Inland Revenue, in favour of the widow and children of his son who was killed in the late war, is liable for assessment to the Special Contribution as if the covenant had not been made.

The position is governed by Section 52 of the Finance Act, 1948, which provides in effect that periodical payments under voluntary covenants are to be treated for purposes of the Special Contribution as the income of the payer. If the payer's income for 1947–48, including such payments, exceeded £2,000 and more than £250 of this was investment income, he will be liable to the Contribution.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a further statement on the action taken by His Majesty's Government to ensure that proper payment is made for British assets in Burma expropriated or scheduled for expropriation by the Burmese Government.

No. I have no further statement to make.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now state what action His Majesty's Government have taken to initiate a further agreement with the Argentine Government to succeed the Andes Pact.

Yes. Arrangements have been made for the negotiations to be conducted by our Ambassador in Buenos Aires and they will start in the near future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to make any further shipments of coal to Spain; and how any such shipments will be paid for.

Under existing trade arrangements His Majesty's Government agreed to allocate 750,000 tons of coal to Spain over the twelve months to 31st March, 1949, and as a result of negotiations which took place in December it is hoped to continue shipments at this rate for the second quarter of 1949. Payment will be made in sterling on terms to be agreed between the commercial interests concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the number of delegations which have been sent abroad for the purpose of concluding trade or financial agreements in the last three years, respectively; and what is the corresponding number of foreign delegations that have come to this country.

The following are approximate figures for each of the last three years

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the many anomalies and difficulties arising in the assessing and collection of Purchase Tax on items of commercial stationery; whether he has considered a memorandum on this subject, submitted by the Purchase Tax Joint Standing Committee of the Paper. Printing and Stationery Trades; and what action he proposes to take to remedy these complaints.

The memorandum is being considered and the hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider removing tax from petrol used for agricultural purposes, or granting some equivalent relief.

I cannot anticipate my right hon. and learned Friend's Budget Statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums have been received by the Treasury, month by month, from the greyhound totalisator tax since it came into operation in January, 1948.

The monthly figures of receipts of Pool Betting Duty from greyhound totalisators during 1948 are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums have been received by the Treasury, month by month, from the football pools tax since it came into operation in January, 1948.

The monthly figures of receipts of Pool Betting Duty during 1948 from football pools (together with other similar pools included under the same heading) are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if under his regulations a husband separated from his wife is assessed as a married man for Income Tax purposes; what income tax repayment a wife makes on a separation allowance; and if it is assessed as earned or unearned income.

A husband separated from his wife either by decree or by agreement is not entitled to receive the Income Tax married allowance. In such circumstances the wife is regarded as a separate individual for Income Tax purposes, and, equally with the husband, can claim the personal allowance applicable to an individual, and also any other reliefs to which she may be entitled in respect of her income, which includes any separation allowance that she is entitled to receive from her husband. A separation allowance does not rank as earned income for Income Tax purposes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in order to assist in the staggering of holidays, he will consider altering the date of the August Bank Holiday.

A recommendation of the Standing Committee on the Staggering of Holidays is already under consideration. A proposal to this effect has been referred to the National Joint Advisory Council, but in view of the many interests involved, further discussions and consultation will be necessary before a decision is taken.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that during the war, there was removed from bombed buildings in the City of Plymouth over 20,000 tons of steel; that this steel was used in the war effort; and whether, having regard to the urgent need for steel in rebuilding the City, he will authorise the sponsoring Departments to issue licences for a like amount in addition to the present allocation of 750 tons for the year 1949.

I regret that the shortage of steel for urgent home and export uses precludes any increase in the tonnage already allocated for 1949 specifically to enable a start to be made on the rebuilding of blitzed cities.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on what grounds priority has been given to steel supplies for development work on the South Bank of the river Thames from County Hall to Waterloo Bridge, over supplies for the construction of a new deep-water quay on the river Tees

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury on what basis decisions are taken with regard to priority allocations of steel for purposes of industrial development in the development areas, compared with allocations of steel for such purposes as the construction of the new Thames wall on the South Bank.

No special priority has been given to the small steel requirements of the Festival of Britain, of which the South Bank development forma part, in relation to other projects, including harbours and industrial building in Development Areas. The needs of the Festival of Britain have been fitted into the programme in accordance with the Government's decision to hold the festival.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what percentage of cases brought to arbitration under the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, has the District Valuer's valuation been upheld.

The records are not complete, but so far as they go, they show that out of 1,380 cases the District Valuer's precise figure was upheld in 50 cases.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amount was received by way of Entertainment Duty from the living theatre only, from 1st June, 1948, when the new rates of Entertainment Duty for theatres came into operation, until 31st December, 1948; and how that amount compares with the amount collected in the corresponding period for 1947.

Approximately £1,400,000. The corresponding figure for 1947 was £2,650,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why the prescription forms for use with the National Health Service are of such superior quality paper.

A supplementary supply of forms was printed on slightly better paper than usual because this was the most suitable paper available at the time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that the National Association of Boys' Clubs deplores the entry of young persons into greyhound racing tracks, he will introduce legislation to make such entry illegal.

No. I am not satisfied that the mischief is such as to justify the absolute prohibition suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders have taken place in Greater London and elsewhere in the country since 1st January, 1948; and how many convictions have taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many murders were committed in England and Wales in the fourth quarters of 1947 and 1948, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the known number of cases of murder, other than those of children under one year of age, for each month of the year 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the number of murders known to the police in England and Wales in each of the following periods: seven weeks ended 14th April, 1948, seven weeks beginning 15th April, 1948, seven weeks ended 18th November, 1948, and seven weeks beginning 19th November, 1948, respectively.

Following are the particulars so far as they are available. The figures, which relate to England and Wales are provisional and are compiled from returns received from the various police forces which are subsequently checked against returns received from the courts. Not all the court returns are yet available, and the figures given for the latter part of 1948 include a number of cases which have not yet been dealt with by the courts. Moreover, the court returns as they become available, will show that, in a number of cases, verdicts other than "guilty of murder" have been returned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give instructions that, when particulars of a police incident within the Metropolitan Police Area are released to the national Press through the Press Bureau at Scotland Yard, the local police shall also be allowed to give them to the local Press.

Information about police matters which is released to the national Press by the Press Bureau at New Scotland Yard is equally available to the local Press on application to the Bureau. Officers in charge of Police Stations in the Metropolitan Police District are authorised to give representatives of local newspapers items of local news which have come to their knowledge, but if local newspaper representatives require information about major crimes or matters of other than local interest they are referred to the Press Bureau. These arrangements have been made by the Commissioner of Police in the light of experience and I do not regard it as either necessary or desirable to decentralise any of the work of the Scotland Yard Press Bureau.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the large number of violent crimes and burglaries with and without violence taking place in the St. Marylebone and Paddington areas and the general failure of the police to find the perpetrators and, prevent so many burglaries, what steps he is taking to increase the Police Force and generally to safeguard persons and their property in this area.

Arrests have recently been made in a number of cases of serious crime in the St. Marylebone and Paddington areas. I am satisfied that these areas have a fair share of the available police manpower, and that this is being used to the best advantage. As regards the stimulation of recruitment to the Metropolitan Police Force, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 20th January last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that petrol issued to police patrol cars of the Wembley district is being used for the purpose of following private motorists in Regents Park suspected of exceeding the 20 miles per hour limit; and whether he will issue instructions that during the present fuel shortage the police force should restrict the use of essential petrol to detecting and preventing crimes of violence, robbery and the like.

Police traffic patrols operate through Regents Park in the course of their ordinary duties, and take appropriate action in cases of infringements against the speed limit. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the Reserve Police Force commenced in 1939 was abolished in December, 1948; that these men were thus thrown out of employment, without compensation, and no effort is being made to enrol them in the present police force despite the shortage of policemen; and if he will take steps to get these men re-employed at the indoor work now performed by younger men in the police force.

The conditions of service of the Police War Reserve did not make any provision for the payment of compensation on the termination of their engagements. As regards the second part of the Question, special steps were taken to facilitate the transfer to the regular police of suitable members of the Reserve who wished to remain and the responsible authorities were invited to consider the possibility of offering employment in suitable cases on clerical work associated with the police service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables have been enrolled in the Metropolitan Police Force since May, 1945.

One thousand, six hundred and thirty-nine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions during 1948 members of the Metropolitan Police Force were employed in protecting meetings held by the British Union and other Fascist organisations in the metropolitan area; and what was the total number of police used for this purpose on all occasions during the year.

I am informed that police officers were on police duty of preserving order on 889 occasions during 1948 at meetings of organisations at which breaches of the peace or other offences might be expected to occur on the part of the promoters or their opponents. This by no means accounts for all the occasions on which the police are required in pursuance of their various duties to attend public meetings. The information asked for in the second part of the Question could not be obtained without a disproportionate expenditure of labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the precise statutory or other authority on which he released Mr. William Painter from the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon him for climbing the statue of Eros; and why the normal procedure was not followed of allowing the matter to be dealt with by way of appeal to the High Court.

The authority for holding a convicted prisoner is the committal warrant which the Governor receives from the court. In this case the magistrate before whom Mr. Painter was brought overlooked that he had no jurisdiction to try the case summarily. As soon as he discovered the error, he drew my attention to it and asked me to take appropriate action. In the circumstances it was clear that the committal warrant was not authority for continued detention and I therefore directed that he could no longer be held under that warrant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many political refugees have been given asylum in this country during the past 12 months; and what were their countries of origin.

A considerable number of the aliens admitted to the United Kingdom in 1948 on compassionate grounds or as workers had in some degree suffered from political persecution, but there is no distinct class of political refugees, and I regret, therefore, that I cannot supply the figures for which my hon. Friend asks.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent difficulties regarding accommodation and staff for children in need of care and protection still continue; and whether he will urge local authorities to acquire and equip suitable premises for this purpose where necessary.

The provision of accommodation for children in care under the Children Act is hampered by the general shortage of building resources and the difficulty of finding houses suitable for adaptation as children's homes. The supply of trained staff is still inadequate, but the training courses for housemothers and fathers arranged by the Central Training Council will result in a steady improvement. I am in constant touch with local authorities about the acquisition and equipment of suitable accommodation, and I am satisfied that they fully appreciate the urgency and importance of this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the standard content of a bottle of whisky used in the State public houses at Carlisle as compared with those sent for export.

The bottle used for spirits in the bottling stores in the State management districts is, that used in the home trade generally. The bottle, designated a "Spirit Quart," has a capacity of 5⅓ gills, or 26⅔ fluid ounces, and six such bottles go to the gallon (32 gills). So far as my information goes the same bottle is used in the export trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain for the benefit of Members and place in the Library, copies of proposed Isle of Man legislation relating to pin-table saloons.

Copies of Acts passed by the Isle of Man legislature are available in the Library. The Act which my hon. Friend has in mind is the Education (Young People's Welfare) Act, 1944, Section 11 of which gives the Isle of Man Board of Education power by order, with the approval of Tynwald, to regulate the admission of children to fun fairs. I understand that the Board still have under consideration the terms of an order which they propose to make under this section and as soon as the order has been approved by Tynwald I shall be happy to send a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set up a committee to examine the social, moral and physical aspects of spare time gainfully employed young persons.

I do not think that such a committee is necessary. If my hon. Friend has any special point in mind, perhaps he will be good enough to communicate with me.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why His Majesty's Government did not repeal the United States (Visiting Forces) Act, 1942, after the termination of hostilities in 1945 and when members of the United States Forces had left this country.

Members of the United States Forces remained in this country in considerable numbers after the end of hostilities in 1945. Since that date there has been consultation between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government on the repeal of the Act, but as I indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 20th January last, His Majesty's Government do not think that the time is appropriate for repeal.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to make a final payment under the former National Insurance Scheme to medical practitioners in Middlesex.

Executive councils have now been notified of the amounts available for the final payments to doctors in respect of medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts and have been asked to make the necessary payments to doctors as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what is the latest estimate for the current annual cost of the National Health Service, as divided amongst the main branches, together with the administration costs; and if he will also give figures indicating the estimated income from contributors.

A supplementary estimate of the cost of the National Health Service for the period 5th July, 1948, to 31st March. 1949, divided amongst the main branches will shortly be laid before the House. The amount available from National Insurance Contributions towards the cost of this Service is estimated to be £24 million for the period in question.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that dentists can cope with the volume of work involved in providing dentures under the National Health Service without the assistance of dental mechanics working independently of dentists; or what steps he is taking to amend the Act.

While there are not at present enough dentists to treat without delay all those desiring to take advantage of the National Health Service, I should not think it right, in view of the findings of the Teviot Committee, to seek to extend the statutory limits to the functions of dental technicians. The proper remedy is in my view to increase the number of dentists.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that St. George's Hospital, Staffordshire, is seriously understaffed and that no dental treatment is at present available to the patients; and if he will make special inquiries into the position.

Inquiries are being made, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as they are complete.

asked the Minister of Health how many beds are vacant at the hospital in Shugborough Park, Stafford shire; how many patients are being treated; and how many persons are on the staff.

This hospital is not yet in use and has therefore no patients or staff, apart from 19 engaged in care and maintenance.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to help or assist local authorities to secure and retain the services of medical officers now that the salaries paid and offered are considered insufficient since the operation of the Health Service Act of July last.

While expressing no view on the adequacy of these salaries, I am ready to join with the local authorities in establishing a Medical Whitley Council on which they can be discussed.

asked the Minister of Health if he will in future state on the monthly housing returns, such as Command Paper No. 7594, the date on which the statistics begin.

The Monthly Housing Summary indicates that the statistics relate to the post-war housing programme. For further details I would refer the hon. Member to the quarterly Housing Returns.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have let houses since the war which contain neither solid fuel, electric, nor gas cooking appliances; and in how many cases the reason for this has been that if such appliances were provided the cost of the houses would exceed the maximum permitted by his Department.

I would not approve local authority plans unless provision were made for cooking. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Health in view of his statement at Stoke. Newington on 11th September, how many war-destroyed houses in the London area have not yet been made good.

The total number of houses in London destroyed or seriously damaged is 242,764. By 30th September, 1948, 238,510 new dwellings had been provided.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will arrange for a receipt to be given for National Insurance cards which are surrendered at employment exchanges, as cases have

asked the Minister of Food what action he is taking upon the resolution sent to him by the Council of the Association of Teachers of Domestic Subjects expressing concern at the lack of cleanliness in the handling, distribution and storage of foodstuffs for sale to the public in shops, restaurants and cafés.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Amory) on 9th July, 1948, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health in how many of the cases where death followed vaccination during the year 1947 was an inquest held; where each death occurred; whether the vaccinations were carried out by the public vaccinators; what was the source of lymph in each case; and what steps have been taken with a view to future deaths of this character being brought to the notice of his Department.

The particulars according to my information are as follow:

I would refer to hon. Member to the reply which I gave to his Question on Monday, 24th January.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that huge quantities of oatmeal are accumulating at the mills in Aberdeenshire; what is the quantity of it; and what steps he is taking to remedy it.

I am aware that stocks of oatmeal at mills in Aberdeenshire, and indeed throughout the country, are larger than they were at the same time last year when stocks were unusually low. The stock held by the Aberdeenshire mills at the beginning of January was about 900 tons, which is a very small part of the total stock held by oatmeal millers in the United Kingdom. There is no restriction on the distribution of oat products, and millers are free to regulate their production according to the current demand for their product; but I will certainly take any opportunity I can of reminding consumers that this home-produced food is now plentiful.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has now disposed of the weevil-infested barley at Tholthorpe aerodrome.

No. The barley referred to in the reply given to the hon. Member on 6th December, 1948, has now been fumigated and subsequent inspection has revealed no reason why any of the grain stored at Tholthorpe aerodrome should be disposed of with exceptional urgency.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many troops are now stationed in the Gold Coast.

As I stated last Tuesday in reply to a similar Question by the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt), it is not the policy to give information about the number of troops stationed in a particular area.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now satisfied with the living conditions and recreational facilities for troops stationed in Benghazi; and whether improvements have been made this year to mitigate the effects of flooding in the rainy season.

The living conditions and recreational facilities for the troops stationed in Benghazi are still below the required standards. Every effort, however, is being made to improve them. The barracks and recreational facilities have been much improved and the programme of improvements will continue this year. As regards the flooding of one barrack, alternative accommodation was available. Recurrence of the flooding is unlikely but the necessary precautions are being taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to protect agricultural interests as regards land which has been used, or is being used or is proposed to be used, for iron-ore working in Northamptonshire.

My Department works in close collaboration in these matters with that of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Town and Country Planning. There is consultation on individual applications for planning permission, and in addition my Department is represented on the Standing Conference which my right hon. Friend has set up to advise on the problems involved, including the arrangements for restoring land for which planning permission has been given.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the main purpose of the pig and poultry project in the Gambia of the Colonial Development Corporation; and whether he will ensure that it is made to contribute to the raising of the standards of life of the native population.

I invite the hon. Member's attention to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 3rd November. As to the second part of the Question, I see no reason to doubt that this project will contribute to the raising of the standard of life of the native population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many cocoa trees are threatened with extinction in the Gold Coast owing to disease; and what steps are being taken to combat the virus.

The number of trees infected with the swollen shoot virus is believed to be about 50 million. As regards the second part of the Question, I invite attention to my reply of 26th January to the hon. Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now state what steps are to be taken in Bermuda following the Report of the Joint Committee of the Colonial Parliament.

A Social Security Bill is at present under consideration by the House of Assembly, and a Bill to provide for free education in non-invested schools has been drafted. Committees have been appointed to report on the franchise, the employment of coloured people in the Civil Service, housing, hospital facilities, vocational training, prison accommodation for youthful offenders, and recreation facilities. The Committee on the employment of coloured people in the Civil Service has reported, but the report has not yet been considered by the Legislature.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has authorised the ordinance in Cyprus restricting the voting to those who have lived for at least two years in the same place; what is the purpose of this measure; and whether he will take steps to cancel it.

My approval is not required for a measure of this sort. The Governor did, however, consult me before making the recent amendments, to the Municipal Corporations Law. The purpose of this amendment was to exclude from he municipal electoral registers casual labourers and villagers who come into the towns for work over short periods and have no permanent interest in Municipal affairs. The answer to the third part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has authorised the ordinance in Cyprus which requires the permission of district commissioners for the collection of money or goods; what is the purpose of this ordinance; what are the principles on which the District Commissioner would either grant or refuse permission; and whether he will take steps to cancel this measure.

I assume the hon. Member refers to the Cyprus Street and House to House Collections Law, enacted by the Governor in October, 1948. My authority is not required for the enactment of legislation of this kind. The purpose of the law is to control street and house to house collections in the public interest. Licensing authorities are set up, to whom application must be made for permission to conduct a collection. It is only in rural areas that the licensing authority is the Commissioner of the district alone; in municipal areas it is the Commissioner, the Mayor, and the officer in charge of the Police in the district sitting together.The law provides that no licence shall be granted if the purpose of the collection is, in the opinion of the licensing authority, illegal, fictitious or otherwise objectionable on grounds of public policy. Apart from this, licensing authorities have full discretion to grant or withhold permission; though I understand that the guiding principle applied is that the object of the collection should be charitable and that it should not offend the religious susceptibilities of the majority where the collection is to be made. The answer to the last part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what period has a ban been imposed on the entry of Mr. Anthony Brooke into Sarawak and North Borneo and Brunei, respectively; and what are his intentions in regard to the position of this man who is waiting at Singapore and continues to wish to visit these places.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 28th July, 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement concerning the burning, by order of the British authorities, of the village of Kachau, Seminyih District, Malaya, on 2nd November, 1948; how many homes were destroyed; how many families were rendered homeless; what accommodation was provided for them; and what was the purpose of the act.

The inhabitants of Kachau harboured and assisted bandits responsible for two murders and the destruction of valuable property. They were warned of the consequences of continued collaboration but they consistently failed to give assistance to the authorities. On two occasions the bandits actually assembled in the village before carrying out their raids. In these circumstances, the police and troops took stern action and burned down 61 houses. The people, some 400, were given ample time to remove their belongings. The relief measures which the Social Welfare Department was ready to organise were not required because the people found shelter with their friends.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the nature of the offence committed by soldiers of the Seaforth Highlanders in Malaya, who recently received sentences of flogging and imprisonment.

The offence for which the soldiers were sentenced to imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane was robbery with violence; but according to a Singapore newspaper report, a stay of execution of sentence has been allowed pending appeal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the conference called by the Committee on Youth Organisation, Gold Coast, and proposed to be held at Kumasi on 24th to 27th December, 1948, was banned by the Gold Coast Government.

I invite attention to the answer given on 26th January to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Harrow (Mr. Skinnard).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why civil servants and Europeans stationed in the Gold Coast are being issued with small arms.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and learned Member for North Hammersmith (Mr. Pritt) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the financial situation in Grenada, British West Indies; and why it was impossible there to collect the 20 per cent. export duty on 30,000 bags of nutmegs, thereby causing a Budget deficit of 1½ million dollars.

On 1st January, 1948, Grenada had a surplus balance of 1,173,004 dollars and a further surplus of 3,767 dollars was estimated to accrue during that year. Expenditure from surplus balances of 540,000 dollars was approved pending decisions as to the allocation of charges under the Colony's Ten Year Plan.The 1949 draft estimates, which have not yet been submitted to me for approval, provide for an excess estimated expenditure over estimated revenue of 1,243,494 dollars. They contain provision for expenditure of 557,440 dollars on schemes contained in the Ten Year Plan, which it is hoped to finance from proceeds of a loan to be raised in due course, and certain other items of expenditure amounting to 189,760 dollars which have been reserved for release only if the financial situation improves. The net estimated deficit on the year's working for 1949 is, therefore, 496,294 dollars. The above figures are in West Indian dollars (4.8 dollars=£1) which is linked with sterling.Prices for the Colony's principal exports, cocoa and nutmegs, have declined, owing principally to the revival of the Indonesian trade. I have no information on the loss of export duty revenue in 1948 due to the shortfall of nutmeg exports, but duty will be recovered in 1949 if the nutmegs are sold this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions were given to the United Kingdom delegate on the Security Council as to the attitude to be taken by him towards Dutch action in Indonesia.

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the reply given on 19th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg). In addition, my hon. Friend may care to consult the telegraphic summary of Sir Alexander Cadogan's speech in the Security Council of 25th January, copies of which will be made available in the Library as soon as they are received from New York.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a report from Major-General W. H. A. Bishop, the Regional Commissioner, North Rhine-Westphalia, concerning the document alleging extravagances on the part of the occupying Power, prepared by the Land Government; and whether he will make a statement.

The document in question was a memorandum on Occupation Costs in the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia prepared by the Finance Minister of that Land and sent simultaneously to the Press and to the Regional Commissioner. As it contained a number of distortions and exaggerations and had clearly been prepared for purposes of propaganda against the Occupying Power the Regional Commissioner declined to enter into any discussions about it and expressed to the Minister President of the Land his displeasure at the way in which the document had been compiled and presented. The Land Minister of Finance has since apologised for his action, and has undertaken to submit a fresh paper through proper official channels. This will then receive full consideration by the Regional Commissioner and by the Military Governor.