asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total amount of Purchase Tax to date that has been refunded to members of the Crafts Centre of Great Britain; and how much of this sum has been repaid to craftsmen in Scotland.

The hon. and gallant Member presumably has in mind the scheme described to the House by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 30th July and 19th November, 1948. I understand that total payments under this scheme since its inception on 1st October, 1948, amount to £901. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir B. Neven-Spence) on 8th February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what profits were made by His Majesty's Government in 1947 and 1948 as a result of the bulk purchases of pulp, and subsequent resale to the home newsprint mills.

The trading accounts of the Paper Control for the year 1946–47 were published on the 20th January, 1948 (House of Commons Paper No. 34 of 1947–48). Accounts for 1947–48 are in course of preparation and will be published shortly. Separate accounts are not, however, published for pulp for newsprint and the accounts which are available cover all materials in which the Paper Control trades.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total hard currency expended during 1948 on imported sawn and round mining timber delivered to this country; and how this price compares with the cost in this country of home-produced mining timber of similar sizes and quality.

Imports of pitwood into the United Kingdom during 1948, divided according to source, are given below; the available figures do not distinguish between round and sawn. The values shown include freight charges, which are mainly paid in sterling. As regards the comparative prices of imported and home-grown pitwood, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his Question on 2nd November.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the scarcity of fuel of slow combustion stoves of economic space-heating type and hot water boilers in West Sussex; and if he will arrange for increased supplies to be made available.

As I have explained on several occasions there is at present a general shortage of anthracite on the home market owing to the need to increase exports, particularly to Canada. But coke, which is now fairly plentiful, can be used in most stoves and boilers and my regional officers and the local fuel overseers in West Sussex do not know of any householder who has an appliance unsuitable for burning coke and who cannot obtain supplies of anthracite.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is his policy to ensure that all sites which have been worked for opencast coal are restored to fitness for agricultural use; and how far such restoration has been and is being carried out.

Yes. It is our policy to ensure to the best of our ability that all agricultural land used for opencast operations is properly restored for agricultural use. Since 1942 when opencast operations began, out of 41,641 acres requisitioned, 9,746 acres have been restored and derequisitioned, and 12,147 acres are now being restored.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that the National Coal Board have made large purchases of conveyer belting and heavy canvas from the United States with the result that British capacity for these items is now threatened with restricted production; what steps he has taken to ascertain from the National Coal Board the reason for their inaccurate assessment of the situation regarding facilities and stocks in this country; and what action he proposes to take to compensate firms who, at the instigation of the Board, laid in stocks of heavy canvas and belting which are now surplus to requirements.

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor) on 3rd June, 1948, and to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Supply to the hon. Member for Royton (Mr. Sutcliffe) on 6th December last. As regard the second part of the Question, the National Coal Board is not responsible for assessing production facilities and stocks of belting and canvas. As regard the last part of the Question, any stocks of canvas or belting held by manufacturers have arisen in the ordinary course of their business and no question of compensation arises.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider issuing petrol coupons to members of His Majesty's Forces serving abroad when on leave in the United Kingdom for use in specified cars when they do not possess cars of their own.

Under the arrangements at present in force, members of His Majesty's Forces who do not possess cars of their own may draw an overseas service leave allowance for use in cars belonging to close relatives. I cannot agree to extend this concession.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that there is often a long delay in the issue of pension books owing to internal confusion between the Ministry of National Insurance, the Post Office and the Treasury, he will consider making tobacco tokens for old age pensioners valid as from the date of application.

I am not aware of any undue delay and there is certainly no such confusion as is suggested. I regret that it is not practicable to vary the present scheme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the increases in rentals which have resulted from the raising by the Public Works Loan Commissioners of the rate of interest on loans to local authorities from 2½ per cent. to 3 per cent.; what was the reason for this increase; and whether it is now intended to revert to the 2½ per cent. rate of interest.

I am advised that increases in rents of local authority houses have been imposed by local authorities for a variety of reasons, of which an increase in interest rates is only one. The rates of interest charged for advances from the Local Loans Fund are fixed from time to time to correspond broadly with Government borrowing rates for comparable periods. At present, there is no ground for altering the rates now current.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of articles that have been declared by the United States of America to be surplus commodities for the purposes of the European Recovery Programme and which, in consequence, this country is unable to buy outside the United States of America with European Recovery Programme dollars.

The list of commodities at present declared surplus is: dried and frozen eggs, potatoes, certain types of dried prunes and raisins, flax fibre, certain types of wool, linseed, linseed oil, turpentine, alyce clover seed, tobacco.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Statutory Instruments were made during 1948; and how many were revoked.

The figures are as follow: Instruments made during 1948, 2,858; Instruments revoked during 1948, 159; Instruments expired during 1948, 52.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department of what offences the two prisoners who recently escaped from the prison without bars at Leighill had been convicted; and what sentences they were serving.

One of the prisoners had been convicted of rape and of wounding with intent, and was serving a sentence of four years' penal servitude. The other man's offences were robbery with aggravavation, aggravated assault with intent to rob, and mutiny; his sentence was five years' penal servitude. They are now detained in Bristol prison.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women police are employed in the Metropolitan Police area; and how far short of establishment are the present numbers.

With 218 policewomen at present serving the force is 120 short of its establishment of 338.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police were represented at a meeting held at Kensington Town Hall on 31st January which was addressed by Sir Oswald Mosley; what report he has received of this meeting; and what information he has on the organisation calling itself the 43 Group with whom clashes occurred after the meeting leading to a breach of the peace.

I have received reports from the Commissioner of Police from which it appears that the meeting was held in an orderly manner. The 43 Group is a Jewish organisation, engaged in combating anti-Semitic activities; members of it have been involved in such disturbances on previous occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foot, mounted and other police were on duty at or near the Kensington Town Hall on Monday, 31st January, to protect the meeting at the Kensington Town Hall addressed by Sir Oswald Mosley.

None for the purpose mentioned in the Question. To provide against possible breaches of the peace arising out of this meeting or another held simultaneously in its vicinity, 196 police officers were available for duty in Kensington High Street.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what amount of compensation has been paid to brewers and tenants of licensed houses in the City of Salford, who have become redundant on the passing of the 1906 Licensing Act.

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the Licensing Act, 1904. Since the passing of that Act, £200,340 has been paid for the extinguishment of redundant licences from the Salford Compensation Fund, which as my hon. Friend knows is subscribed by the trade.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply has been received from the Polish authorities as to their willingness to receive Sydney Stanley against whom a deportation order exists; and what action he proposes to take in the light of such reply.

I understand that the Polish authorities are considering the information given to them bearing on Mr. Sydney Stanley's nationality, and that they have arranged to interview Mr. Stanley on Friday. Until I have heard of the outcome of this interview and the decision of the Polish Government the second part of the Question cannot be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a statement by Sir Theobald Mathew, the Director of Public Prosecutions, concerning the increase of sadistic literature directed to the young, and about such publications imported from the United States of America and Canada; and whether he will issue revised instructions to the Metropolitan Police on the need for prosecuting such publications.

Yes. My attention has been drawn to this statement, and I have been in communication with the Director of Public Prosecutions. I understand that the statement was made in the course of an informal address, and in being taken from its context it has perhaps received more prominence than the circumstances warrant It is not within my province to issue directions as to prosecutions but I am bringing the Director's views to the notice of the Commissioner of Police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that a German youth named Rolf Merz, of Ulm/Donau, Wuerttemburg, United States zone, who had been invited by a Bolton family to visit them, was not allowed to enter this country when he landed at Dover, that his statement was not checked there, and that he was subsequently sent to Belgium: and if he will make a full statement.

Mr. Merz arrived at Dover from Ostend on 18th January. He was without means and had a single ticket to London only. Before granting leave to land the immigration officer was bound to satisfy himself that a genuine visit was intended. Mr. Merz admitted on interrogation that his real purpose was to seek work and settle here. He was not in possession of the necessary permit and he was accordingly refused leave to land and sent back to Ostend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the increased number of fatalities and serious illnesses arising from excessive use of thyroid tablets; and if he will now consider the inclusion of this dangerous drug in the restricted sale provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

I am advised that thyroid extract is not a drug which would be productive of ill effects similar or analogous to those produced by morphine or cocaine and that consequently it is not a drug to which the Dangerous Drugs Acts can be applied.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to publish the report of the Gowers Committee.

Next month.

asked the Minister of Health the proportion of student nurses who during the past two years have resigned before reaching the final stages of their fever training course at the Cardiff Isolation Hospital.

During the years 1947 and 1948, 36 student nurses entered for training, of whom 13 left without completing their training.

asked the Minister of Health what plans he has for the creation of a tropical diseases hospital in London worthy of the imperial responsibilities of the United Kingdom.

It is proposed to develop a tropical diseases centre as a unit of the University College Hospital group. The Colonial Secretary and I are most anxious to ensure that development shall be worthy of the object in view, and shall take place as rapidly as building and other difficulties permit.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the new abridged birth certificate is being used.

The new short birth certicate, which has been available since December, 1947, is acceptable for all Government purposes for which evidence of age or nationality is required. By the end of 1948 short and full certificates were being issued in about equal numbers.

asked the Minister of Health how much was paid by the Middlesex Hospital for the Constance Hotel, Lancaster Gate; and is he satisfied that the price paid was a reasonable one.

Yes. £10,000 for the leasehold interest, £24,000 for the freehold, and £16,000 for furnishings.

asked the Minister of Health how much was paid by the Moor-field's Eye Hospital for the Royal Stuart Hotel, Earl's Court; and is he satisfied that the price paid was reasonable.

Yes. £27,000 for the lease-hold interest and £44,000 for furnishings.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet able to make a statement on the representations made to His Majesty's Government by the local authorities and other persons concerned on the urgent necessity to provide proper accommodation for the gypsies resident in the New Forest.

As a result of conferences held with representatives of the local authorities and others concerned it was agreed that a limited number of gypsy families should be housed in suitable hutted accommodation as a preliminary to their selection for the occupation of normal council houses. I am informed that up to the present seven selected families have been so accommodated at Stoney Cross; 42 more families are in other hutted camps and two families have been housed in pre-fabricated bungalows.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of his recent announcement that too many houses are being built that are too high for their width, he will investigate to what extent the by-law insisting on a minimum headroom of eight feet even in small cottages is still effective throughout the country; and whether, in view of the savings which would result if the minimum could, in all suitable cases, be reduced to seven feet, both as regards costs of building and fuel consumption and in other respects, he will arrange for an early review of this and other by-laws which no longer serve any useful purpose.

Most authorities in England and Wales have made a by-law requiring a minimum height of eight feet for rooms in dwelling houses. I am, however, always ready to consider either an amending by-law or an application for consent to relax the by-law in any particular case.

asked the Minister of Health by how much the rents of furnished tenancies have been increased and reduced by the Furnished Houses (Rent Control) Tribunals; and how many cases have so far been referred to them for decision.

To 31st January, 1949, the rents of furnished tenancies have been reduced in 16,207 cases by an amount equivalent to £9,316 5s. 6d. per week. In the same period rents have been increased in 284 cases but no figures are available for the amount of increase. 34,940 cases have so far been referred to Tribunals.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in many cases persons earning full average wages and in urgent need of re-housing are informed by housing authorities that, whilst their priority need is recognised and housing is available, it cannot be allotted to them because the rents fixed by the housing authorities are too high for them to pay; and whether he will take legislative steps by raising subsidies, reducing costs of material, or otherwise, to bring rents down.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "No." As regards the latter part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Salford (Mr. Royle) on 16th December.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is prepared to allow allocations of timber for the rebuilding of fences forming part of war-destroyed properties in cases where the War Damage Commission is not prepared to pay the extra cost of enclosing the property by other means.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the Economic Survey for 1947 set a target for 240,000 new permanent houses and 60,000 temporary houses, he will follow this example and state what his target for new permanent houses is for 1949.

No.

asked the Minister of Health what factors have determined the grants made under Section 17 of the Housing (Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1946, towards the additional cost of building non-traditional houses; and why he has granted only £325 for each of the 50 British Iron and Steel Federation houses built by the borough of Batley, whereas the additional cost has been not less than £500

The grant is based upon the difference in the tender price between non-traditional and comparable traditional houses. Accordingly, the grant for the 50 British Iron and Steel Federation houses at Batley, allowing for certain modifications will he about £380.

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish in suitable form tables showing to what extent the provisions of the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts for the purpose of house ownership are being operated by local authorities.

This information is not at present available and I do not think that I should be justified in asking the local authorities to supply it.

asked the Minister of Health what sum has been expended and approved up to date on wigs supplied under the new Health Service.

Up to 5th February the total approximate cost of those ordered was £36,500. Wigs are issued (in duplicate) through the hospital and specialist services if two conditions are satisfied—(a) the baldness is congenital or is due to an accident or some pathological condition, and (b) the wigs are considered necessary by a hospital specialist.

asked the Minister of Health why medical superintendents are not allowed to attend hospital management committees in the Manchester regional area.

This is a matter for the committee concerned, but I have drawn attention to the desirability of making this arrangement.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will reconsider the upper limit of earnings which may be received by dentists without deduction under the National Health Service in those areas where the small number of dentists in proportion to the population necessitates treatment of abnormally large numbers of patients.

No. The present limit allows full rates for 42 chairside hours a week, an increase of over 25 per cent. on the 33 hours a week after which the Spens Committee considered that loss of efficiency usually set in.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some National Health Service doctors decline to write prescriptions for laxatives, first-aid dressings, antiseptics and other household remedies which before the service came into existence were not normally obtained on a medical prescription; and whether he will make a statement on this matter.

It is the duty of a doctor under the National Health Service to prescribe any drug or prescribed appliance which he considers necessary for the treatment of a patient or for the prevention of disease, but it is no part of his responsibility to prescribe drugs and household remedies for healthy persons for purposes of self-medication.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospital and sanatorium beds are now closed because of shortage of staff; and how he proposes to staff them in the case of severe epidemic or other national emergency.

The number of unstaffed hospital beds on 30th September last was 57,500, including 4,800 in sanatoria. There are large numbers of nurses not actively employed, many of whom would be willing to serve in an emergency and whose names are on an emergency reserve list kept by my Department.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present estimate of his Department as to the time it will take to build up the strength of the dental profession in this country to the numbers envisaged by the Teviot Committee.

I am unable to add to the estimates given by the Teviot Committee.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Cheltenham General Eye and Children's Hospital is unable to obtain any X-ray films; that this is causing hardship to the large number of patients requiring treatment; and if he will take steps to make them available.

As explained by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade on 20th January last, there have been difficulties owing to the increased demand for X-ray film but we are doing all we can to improve the position and increased supplies should be available this year. The Cheltenham Hospital is getting more film than they got a year ago, but their demands have doubled.

asked the Minister of Health if he has now completed arrangements with the dental organisations for the treatment of emergency cases without delay.

I am afraid I cannot yet add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Eccles (Mr. Proctor) on 20th January.

asked the Minister of Health under what conditions he is able to supply unsplinterable spectacle lenses through the National Health Service.

Unsplinterable spectacle lenses can already be obtained through the hospital service where clinically necessary. I have decided to add them to the contributory range of spectacles under the supplementary ophthalmic services but the terms on which they will be available are not yet settled.

asked the Minister of Health what is his estimate of the number of health centres, and their cost, required to fulfil the functions assigned to them by Section 21 of the National Health Service Act, 1946; and what is the earliest date at which he expects their provision, in view of the fact that the absence of them places a burden upon those doctors who have joined the service under the expectation of health centres being supplied.

It is impracticable to make estimates. Work on the first new health centre will, I hope, start this spring.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has considered the letter of protest at the closing of the Vaynor Voluntary Primary School, Breconshire, which has been sent to him; whether he is satisfied that sufficient consideration was given by the local education authority to the objections made to them; why no local inquiry took place; and whether he has a statement to make.

I considered very carefully all objections to the closure of the Vaynor Voluntary Primary School which were submitted during the period of publication of notices under Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944, before I approved the closure. No local inquiry was held because it did not appear that any additional relevant information could be obtained in this way. I am satisfied that the local education authority have given due consideration to the needs of the children concerned. I have recently received a further letter of protest, but as the school has now ceased to exist, I have no power to re-open the matter.

asked the Minister of Education why Beryl Lund who was suspended by the Ministry of Supply for Communist tendencies, has been offered a post in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

My Department is an expanding one which has a wide range of non-secret work. Miss Lund's transfer from the Ministry of Supply was accepted as a convenient means of affording her the alternative employment promised in my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's statement of 15th March, 1948. She is now employed on routine duties in the Science Museum.

asked the Minister of Education how many women teachers formerly serving in junior primary schools have transferred to infant school work since July, 1948.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education how many foreign language assistants are now serving in provided secondary schools in England and Wales; and how many English and Welsh teachers are teaching under reciprocal arrangements in European countries.

The number of foreign language assistants at present serving in secondary schools for which the local education authorities are responsible is 510, and under reciprocal arrangements with France and Austria 190 assistants from England and Wales are serving in schools in those countries. There are at present no exchanges of full-time teachers with European countries, but arrangements are in train for a limited number of such exchanges next year with France, Austria, Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities in England and Wales have submitted proposals for the establishment of comprehensive secondary schools; how many such schools are now functioning; and how many will be opened during 1949.

Seven local education authorities have submitted proposals for comprehensive, as distinct from multilateral, secondary schools. Three such schools are now functioning. I cannot say whether any more will be opened during 1949.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the hardship caused to many students at the universities in receipt of grants, by the fact that these cease at the end of the new first and last summer term; and if he will extend these grants for a further period up to three months where the circumstances justify the additional financial assistance.

asked the Minister of Education whether, in view of the hardship involved, he will arrange for the continuance of grant during the long vacation in respect of the ex-Service men and women whose grant will otherwise expire at the end of the summer term.

I would refer to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Hollis) on 2nd February. Recent action taken by my Department is in accordance with the procedure which has been followed since the beginning of the Further Education and Training Scheme and students leaving universities this year have no claim on special grants which were not available to their predecessors. I have no authority, and I do not think there is justification, for extending the payment of maintenance grants beyond the date on which students cease attendance at the universities.

asked the Minister of Education when he intends to implement fully the Education Act; how many more teachers will be required to do so; and how many Emergency Training Colleges he intends closing down.

The reforms for which the Education Acts provide are being, and will continue to be, put into effect as rapidly as the necessary additional buildings and trained teachers can be made available. An estimate of the teachers required and expected to be available for these purposes, including a reduction in the size of classes, was given in Circular 174, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. I am also sending the hon. Member a copy of Administrative Memorandum 305 which shows provisional closing dates for the Emergency Colleges and which of them it is hoped to continue as permanent or semi-permanent colleges. Some of these dates are subject to minor amendment.

asked the Minister of Education how many five-year-olds entered school at the beginning of the present school year; and how many were refused admission.

Exact figures are not available, but I have no evidence of refusal to admit children of statutory school age.

asked the Minister of Education how many school canteen places were provided during 1948 and 1947, respectively.

Figures in the form requested are not available, but 1,216 additional canteens were provided in the year ended October, 1947, compared with the previous year, and 285,000 additional children were taking dinner on the census day in that month; similar figures for 1948 are 1,013 additional canteens and 183,000 additional children taking dinner.

asked the Minister of Education how many children are receiving meals in schools; what percentage of these are paid; and what is the total annual income derived from these payments.

On the day of the return in October, 1948, 2,742,000 pupils in grant-aided schools had dinner and some 35,000 had breakfast or tea at school. 88 per cent. of the diners in maintained and assisted schools paid towards the cost of their meal. Local education authorities' estimates in April, 1948, of the total income expected from pupils' and staff payments for school meals in 1948–49 totalled £9,422,000.

asked the Minister of Education what is the estimated number of persons required by the L.C.C. as outside assistants in the school meals service; and how many are actually so employed.

As I have already explained to the hon. Member, I have not asked the London County Council or other authorities to furnish me with such figures.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools in use are on the 1925 black list; how many of these are on the lowest category of that black list; in which areas are these black-listed schools; and what special measures are being taken to replace them.

644, of which 87 were placed in category A. No purpose would be served by listing the large number of areas in which these schools are situated since the black list is out of date. I intend to have this and other unsatisfactory school accommodation put right as and when practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations on what constitutional grounds he proposes to receive a deputation on the question of South-West Africa; and whether he has consulted with the Government of the Union of South Africa on the matter.

I have agreed to see the deputation in order to hear their views on the action of the United Kingdom delegation in the Assembly of the United Nations on the question of the status of South-West Africa. It would not be right for me to discuss with them any matter which lies within the jurisdiction of another self-governing member of the Commonwealth. As the meeting with the deputation will be limited to a discussion of the policy of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, the hon. Member will understand that it would not be in accordance with normal practice to consult the Government of the Union.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why facilities for free medical attention to Service personnel on leave from the Army and Air Force do not apply to persons on leave from the Navy.

Naval officers and ratings are entitled to free medical treatment from Service sources. When they are on leave and treatment from Service sources is not available, free medical treatment can be obtained from Admiralty surgeons and agents who are civilian doctors with whom the Admiralty has made arrangements for the treatment of naval personnel. Where an officer or man is unable to consult an Admiralty surgeon and agent, the Admiralty, subject to certain conditions, pay the fees for attendance on ratings and will reimburse officers for the expenses which they incur. These arrangements are being reviewed in the light of the introduction of the National Health service.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give details of the present number of men and women unemployed in North Staffordshire; the industries for which they are available; and what is being done to utilise their services.

The table below gives an industrial analysis of the number of men and women registered at employment exchanges in North Staffordshire as unemployed at 10th January, 1949.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the employers have given notice of dismissal to 120 of their employees at the Horwich, Lancashire, railway locomotive works; what other large-scale dismissals are taking place at present; to what extent the employers or trade unions are in consultation with his Department; and what steps he is taking to secure employment for these men in other spheres of industry.

Yes, though this figure has now been reduced to 55. My local office has been working in close co-operation with the management and trade union representatives. Early notice of the redundancy has been given and the men are registering for employment in advance of discharge. Of the 37 men due for discharge up to 18th February, 17 have already been found alternative employment and the others have been submitted for various jobs. The 18 men due for discharge on 25th February are being registered in order to submit them to suitable vacancies. I cannot without detailed inquiry give my hon. Friend the information he asks about any other similar redundancies.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled persons were unemployed in Sunderland on 31st December of the years 1945, 1946, 1947 and 1948, respectively.

The following are the figures: 1945, 221; 1946, 378; 1947, 530; 1948, 487.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the impossibility of obtaining casual labour for snow clearing because of the 4s. 11d. National Insurance deduction, he would relax the regulations as to National Insurance contributions in the case of casual labour employed for snow clearing.

The main effect of relaxing the existing rules would be to relieve the employer from his share of the contribution. At the same time persons who engaged in snow clearing would, if not otherwise employed in a particular week, in general become liable for a contribution as non-employed persons, which amounts to 4s. 8d. or with Industrial Injuries contributions 5s.—rather more than the employee's share of the combined contribution in Class 1. My right hon. Friend therefore sees no reason for departing from the advice given by the National Insurance Advisory Committee in their report on the National Insurance Classification Regulations that a Class 1 contribution should be payable wherever at least four hours' work in any contribution week is done on snow clearance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken to abolish or modify the Kipande system of native registration in Kenya.

The Kipande system was abolished in December, 1947, when it was replaced by a system of universal registration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for 1948, for Scotland, the number of murders known to the police; the number of suspected murderers who committed suicide; the number of persons charged with murder; and the number of those so charged who were found to be insane.

Fourteen cases of murders were made known to the police in Scotland in 1948; three suspected murderers committed suicide; six persons were charged with murder and of these one was found to be insane.