asked the Minister of Labour how many official strikes have taken place since July, 1945; and how many days work have been lost by industrial disputes in the three and a half years since July, 1945, and in the corresponding period after the first world war.

The number of days lost through industrial disputes causing stoppages of work in the three and a half years since July, 1945, has been approximately 8½ million as compared with a total of 157 million days lost in the corresponding period after November, 1918. The information at my disposal does not distinguish between official and non-official stoppages.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of Poles now employed in Scotland who were European voluntary workers or members of the Polish Resettlement Corps.

As my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland informed my hon. Friend on 1st February this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what rules govern the giving to persons who have themselves obtained employment of their cards by clerks at employment exchanges; and what is the general effect thereof.

If the person concerned is within the scope of the Control of Engagement Order, the rules are that the employment must be on essential work if such work is available and suitable and that the employer concerned must have notified a vacancy. The general effect is to prevent persons taking unessential work.

asked the Minister of Labour why the Government delegate to the International Labour Organisation meeting at Geneva in November, 1948, abstained from voting on the resolution to introduce a 40 hour week in the petroleum industry; and what is the policy of the Government in regard to this reform.

As explained by the United Kingdom Government delegate when he abstained from voting on this resolution, it is the policy of His Majesty's Government that the questions of working hours should be settled by the two sides of the industry concerned having regard to all the relevant considerations.

asked the Minister of Labour under which section and of what agreement is the Foreign Broadcast Information Service of the United States Government permitted to recruit monitoring staff for its radio station in Cyprus.

I have no knowledge of any agreement relating to such recruitment.

asked the Minister of Labour to state respectively the number of persons in Ilkeston, Heanor, Ripley and Alfreton, registered under the Disabled Persons Employment Act; the number of such persons unemployed; and the provisions made for their training and placement in suitable employment.

The numbers are as follow:

Local Office	Persons registered as disabled	Number unemployed
Ilkeston	1,262	8
Heanor	735	33
Ripley	398	10
Alfreton	1,910	128
Total	4,305	179

Constant endeavour is made by the local offices, both under the quota scheme and otherwise, to secure employment. The facilities of the vocational training scheme are, of course, available for those in need of them.

Factories taken over by the Disabled Persons Employment Corporation	Estimated Employment Capacity	Number of severely disabled persons in Employment* at 19th January, 1949	Factories under Construction	Other factories planned
Bridgend	200	202	Treorchy—97 percent. complete	Pontypool
Swansea	70	70		Tredegar
Tonyrefail	100	20	Brynamman—90 percent. complete	Cardiff†
Treforest	150	103		Abertillery
Blackwood, Mon	133	6		Ammanford
Ystradgynlais	100	†	Neath—37 per cent. complete	Llanelly
Porth	120	†		Ferndale
Merthyr Tydfil	200	†		Newport
				Maestag
				Swansea‡
* Information as to the number of ex-miners is not available.
† The intake of employees and production is expected to commence in the next week or two.
† Special factory for the employment of tuberculous persons.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of persons registered at the Stockton-on-Tees employment exchange who have been unemployed for over six months and for over

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF THE STOCKTON-ON-TEES EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGE WHO HAD BEEN CONTINUOUSLY UNEMPLOYED FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS
Duration of unemployment			6th December, 1948			I2th December, 1938
			Males	Females	Total	Males	Females	Total
Over 6 and up to 12 months	…	…	135	32	167	618	25	643
Over 12 months	…	…	149	13	162	1,241	22	1,263

asked the Minister of Labour how many people have signed the Disabled Persons' Register in South Wales; and how many of these are unemployed.

54,550 at 18th October last. The number unemployed on 20th December was 12,224.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Remploy factories are in production in South Wales; how many disabled persons are employed in them; and how many of these are ex-miners.

The following table gives the answers to both the questions:12 months; and what are the comparative figures for 1922 and 1938.

The following table gives the information desired for December, 1938, and 1948. Corresponding figures are not available for 1922:

asked the Minister of Labour which industries in South Wales are undermanned; and what is the estimated number of vacancies in each.

The two industries in Wales which can be regarded as undermanned are coal mining and sheet steel and tinplate. The individual vacancies which were notified as outstanding on 19th January were:

Coal Mining	575
Sheet Steel and Tinplate	276

asked the Minister of Labour how many Poles and European voluntary workers are employed in Wales; and in which industries they are employed.

Records are not maintained in such a way as to enable me to give the number of these foreign workers at present in employment in Wales. They are employed mainly in coalmining, agriculture, iron and steel, brick making and hospitals.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, are employed in each of the trading estates in the South Wales Development Area.

The numbers employed in each of the trading estates in the South Wales Development Area at the end of 1948 were approximately as follows:—

Trading Estate	Males	Females
Bridgend	1,650	1,750
Hirwaun	1,000	1,550
Treforest	6,000	4,050
Fforestfach	550	1,500

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that local executive councils appointed under the Health Services Act are taking decisions in regard to applications for the basic salary; and, since this is in violation of the terms of the Act which only permits them to make recommendations to the Secretary of State, what steps he proposes to take to bring this practice to an end.

Decisions in this matter are properly taken by the executive councils, after consultation with the local medical committee. There is, however, a right of appeal to the Secretary of State against the executive council's decision if the application is refused.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the salaries payable to the Keeper of the Records and Keeper of the Registers are of differing amounts; and why, having regard to the knowledge and administrative capacity requisite for the successful tenure of such posts, are they fixed as low as £1,500 and £1,400 per annum, respectively.

The duties of the offices of Keeper of the Records of Scotland and Keeper of the Registers of Scotland are of a different order, and the salaries have been fixed with due regard to these differences and to the salaries of other posts of similar range in the public service.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will revise the 1946 regulations so as to permit the widow of a pensioner disabled in the 1914–18 war, who married after his disability and who died before the 3rd September, 1939, to qualify for a pension.

In applying to widows of pensioners of the 1914 war the removal of the post-injury marriage bar, it was necessary to fix an operative date which would be practicable in application. I propose, however, to seek the advice of my Central Advisory Committee upon the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many ex-Service men disabled in the 1914–18 war are now on the pensions-in-payment roll; and how many of such pensioners have been granted hardship allowances.

The number of disability pensioners from the 1914–18 war is approximately 335,000. Of these, nearly 8,000 receive the unemployability supplement and about 2,000 have been granted the special allowance payable to partially disabled pensioners who have to take up less well paid employment because of their war disablement.

asked the Secretary of State for War why he has decided to restrict the number of Territorial Army regimental bands to a few regiments only; and what are the present rules governing the authorisation of regimental bands.

The hon. Member is mistaken in thinking that the number of regimental bands in the Territorial Army is restricted to a few regiments only. Approval has been given for the formation of a military or brass band at the discretion of the Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Associations and the commanding officers of the units, for each Royal Armoured Corps Regiment and each Infantry and Parachute Battalion and the Special Air Service Battalion. The formation of ten Royal Artillery bands to be located at the centres of the largest concentrations of Royal Artillery units has also been approved but their location is not yet finally settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total amount of credits earned by German prisoners of war when working in this country; if all the prisoners of war who returned to Germany have now been paid these credits; and when he expects to complete payment of the sums due to former prisoners of war who have been allowed to stay on here as civilians.

There is no information available as to the total of the unexpended balances of working pay earned by German prisoners of war who were employed on work in the United Kingdom. Settlement of the balances remaining unspent at the termination of captivity is a matter for the German authorities and I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs that the majority of the prisoners who returned to Germany have now been paid their credits, although changes which had to be made in the arrangements for the encashment of credit certificates after the currency reform in Western Germany have delayed payment in some cases. These credits are a charge on the German economy and payments to former prisoners of war who have remained here as civilians can be completed only when they pay a visit to Western Germany or nominate a resident there to collect the amount on their behalf.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement as to how long the Brigade of Guards is likely to remain in Malaya; and if any arrangements are being made to allow wives to join their husbands.

It is not the practice to publish information of the kind asked for in the first part of the Question. Officers and other ranks serving overseas must have at least 12 months still to serve overseas in order to qualify for family passages at Government expense. Applications for family passages are sponsored by the overseas command in question; none have been received from the military authorities in the Far East for the families of officers and other ranks of the Guards Brigade in Malaya. Family passages at public expense may be granted only to Regulars, including officers and other ranks serving on short service commissions or engagements.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered the report of the speech made by Field-Marshal Lord Wilson to Army apprentices on Tuesday, 1st February, sent to him by the hon. Member for West Fife; and if he will make a statement.

Field-Marshal Lord Wilson no longer holds any military appointment, and he is not subject to the restraint imposed by the King's Regulations on the making of politcal speeches by serving officers. The audience in this case was a military one, and on such occasions I think it is desirable that the speaker, whoever he may be, should avoid political issues.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is his policy to discharge Regular soldiers who while serving are convicted of serious offences by the civil power.

Where the conviction is for a serious offence committed during Army service, and a long prison sentence is awarded, discharge is carried out while the soldier is serving his sentence so that he does not return to the Army. In the case of shorter prison sentences, that is, less than two years, each case is considered on its merits. The first civil conviction incurred while in the Army may disclose a hitherto unknown police record which shows the soldier to be an habitual offender. Such men are not wanted in the Regular Army and are discharged.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the article entitled, "The Army's Duty to Your Son," written by a senior serving officer and published in a London newspaper on 4th February, to which his attention has been drawn, received his approval prior to publication.

The author of the article referred to retired on 3rd February. The question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in view of the shortage of recruits for the Regular Army, ex-officers who wish to rejoin the forces are obliged to revert to the ranks and complete pre-Officer Cadet Training Unit and Officer Cadet Training Unit training for a second time.

A scheme whereby released officers may apply for short service and Regular commissions was announced by the B.B.C. and in the Press on 2nd February. Candidates under this scheme whose applications are accepted are not required to revert to the ranks or to train at an Officer Cadet Training Unit for a second time. It is always open to any man, within the age limits, whether he has previously served as an officer or not, to enlist as a Regular soldier. Some of these who are ex-officers may apply and be recommended for commissioning. In these cases they are required to do officer cadet training to ensure that they are brought up to date, and to train them as officers in duties which they may not previously have performed.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give a list of the educational establishments from which the last intake of officer cadets came.

The last intake of officer cadets came from 83 different schools. I am sending my hon. Friend a complete list.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to enable the mother of 2629262 Guardsman J. J. Alcott, under sentence of death for murder in Germany, to visit her son; and what financial arrangements will be made in connection with such a visit.

Tentative arrangements have already been made subject to Guardsman Alcott expressing the wish to see his mother. The Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association are willing to pay Mrs. Alcott's rail and boat fare and the Salvation Army have promised to look after her and accommodate her in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the memorandum sent to His Excellency the Governor of Singapore by the Army Civil Service Union regarding pay and conditions of the civilian employees of the War Department in Singapore.

A copy of the memorandum to which the hon. Member refers was received in my Department and its contents have been noted. As a result of earlier representations from a staff organisation in Singapore, steps had already been taken, before the receipt of the memorandum, to enable the Commander-in-Chief in the Far East to deal with most of the matters mentioned in it; I understand that his Headquarters communicated with the Army Civil Service Union on these points. In addition, certain recommendations for the adjustment of salary scales of monthly-paid staff are now under consideration in my Department, and every effort is being made to reach decisions.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many National Service men entered the Army last year; how many of these were unable to read and write; and what investigations have been made into the reasons for their illiteracy.

During 1948 approximately 100,000 National Service men entered the Army. Approximately 2,000 were sent to special preliminary education courses as being either illiterate or of extremely low literacy. Reports are made periodically by officers and instructors engaged in providing basic education for illiterate soldiers. The general conclusions are that the main causes of illiteracy are innate backwardness and interruptions to education as a result of ill-health and other reasons.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Polish lads have been accepted into British Army apprentices' schools; how long has this practice been in existence; and whether lads of other nationalities are also being recruited into His Majesty's Forces.

Thirty-three Polish boys between 14½ and 16½ years of age, who had received training in Polish technical schools in the Middle East, were enlisted into British Army Apprentice Schools during 1948. This was a special case and applied only to these specially trained boys.

asked the Secretary of State for War why troops stationed at Benghazi have suffered delay in demobilisation due to lack of shipping facilities; and whether he will make a statement.

As has already been announced in the Press, there has been some delay in bringing men of Age and Service Groups 77, 78 and 79 home for release, but it is hoped that the period of delay will not exceed three weeks. This delay has been due to mechanical faults which developed in two troopships. The total number from all parts of the Middle East so delayed is about 2,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure of dollars has been authorised in the past year for the purchase of tractors, machinery and other requirements for the groundnuts scheme in East Africa.

Between 1st March, 1948 (when the Overseas Food Corporation assumed responsibility for the groundnuts scheme in East Africa) and 10th February, 1949, dollar expenditure amounting to ․3,155,686 was authorised.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total yield of the duty on bonus issues to the latest convenient date.

About £2,250,000 to 31st January, 1949.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an assurance that no further liability to this country in the provision of gold or hard currency will be entailed as a result of the present Anglo-Egyptian financial discussion.

I am not prepared to make any statement about these negotiations while they are in progress.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer with how many countries methods of payment of trade balances are now governed by bilateral agreements concluded by His Majesty's Government; and what percentage of the value of exports from this country in 1948 went to these countries.

I assume the hon. and gallant Member refers to agreements providing for settlement of balances in gold or dollars. These agreements now number six, and in 1948 12 per cent. of our exports went to the countries concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much foreign currency, held either by the Government or by the Bank of England, is inconvertible and can only be used for purchases in the country of the currency concerned; and if he will give a list of such countries and the amount so held in each case.

It has never been considered in the public interest to disclose the detailed exchange holdings in the Exchange Equalisation Account.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for separate figures for Wales to be published in the Annual Abstract of Statistics, as is now done in the case of Scotland.

More figures will be given separately for Wales in the next issue of the Abstract.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the memorandum submitted to him by the paper, printing and stationery trades, about the removal of Purchase Tax on commercial, educational and personal stationery; and if he will make a statement thereon.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Memfor for Finsbury on 27th January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give further consideration to the possibility of exempting from Purchase Tax bona fide gifts of small value brought into the United Kingdom by persons returning home.

No. An article bought in this country is not relieved of tax because it is intended as a gift and I am not prepared to discriminate in favour of those who can shop abroad.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many applications for war damage compensation have been refused on the ground of late application for each of the years 1946, 1947 and 1948.

The War Damage Commission tell me that they do not keep statistical records of the number of applications rejected, and I regret therefore that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider revising the Income Tax regulations to permit the necessary official expenses incurred by a High Sheriff to be allowed against Income Tax.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a Keighley taxpayer, of whose name he has been informed, has been requested to pay an amount of £8 10s. for tax under-deducted from the time he first started to draw old age pension; and as the mistake is solely the fault of the Income Tax authorities and as the demand is causing hardship to this old age pensioner, whether he will authorise its remission.

I will write to the hon. Member about the case to which he refers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much, in tons of copper, is in circulation as farthings, halfpennies, pennies and threepenny pieces; and what plans he has for simplifying the coinage in these denominations.

About 1,500, 6,500, 19,500 and 2,375 tons respectively. No plans for simplification are being considered.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money has been allocated to the Arts Council during the past two years, and if in future on making grants to the council he will specify how the money should be allocated.

£428,000 in 1947–8 and £575,000 in 1948–9. The Treasury are kept fully informed of the Council's plans, but the Council is an autonomous body and we do not propose to disturb that position.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the grit emitted by the Fulham Power Station is causing considerable damage to health and property in that area, he will review his refusal of January, 1948, to grant a loan for the purpose of providing a grit arresting plant at that power station.

I withdrew last May the ban on the provision of this plant, work on which is now proceeding.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make about the provision of capital for the Airways Corporations.

Yes. My noble Friend the Minister of Civil Aviation and I have approved proposals by the British European Airways Corporation and the British South American Airways Corporation for issues of stock to repay temporary bank advances, to acquire additional aircraft and other assets, and to provide further working capital. Accordingly, the Corporations have today made the following issues of stock at par to the National Debt Commissioners under Treasury guarantee: £6 million of 3 per cent. Guaranteed British European Airways Stock 1980–83; £3½ million of 3 per cent. Guaranteed British South American Airways Stock 1980–83. These are the first stock issues made by these two Corporations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present number employed by the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information; and what is the estimated annual cost of this Department.

Ninety-five, not including part-time investigators who are employed as necessary and paid on an hourly basis. The estimated annual cost, including fees to investigators, is £105,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new industrial undertakings have been operating since VJ-day in Lowestoft, Beccles and Southwold, respectively; and how many men, women and juniors are employed in each town in these undertakings.

Eight new industrial undertakings have been operating since VJ-day in Lowestoft and one in Beccles. No new industrial undertakings have been set up in Southwold. The number employed in these undertakings in Lowestoft is 219 men and boys and 372 women and girls, and in Beccles 32 women and girls.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of flowers are to be imported into the United Kingdom during 1949; and what will be the cost in sterling.

Imports of flowers in the 1949–50 season depend on the outcome of trade negotiations which I cannot anticipate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has refused to approve the export to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics of three Geiger counter assemblies which are required for research work and contain nothing novel or secret in their construction.

This decision was taken in accordance with a recommendation by my supply advisers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he is taking to ensure an adequate supply of drift nets for herring fishermen during the forthcoming season.

Under the Knotted Netting (No. 1) Order, 1942, looms suitable for making herring drift nets can only be operated for that purpose. The modernisation of suitable redundant looms is being encouraged and this, together with some imports of looms from France, should increase production during 1949. I am also trying to arrange, in conjunction with the Herring Industry Board, for the import of netting from the Continent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he intends to issue the "extra 10" coupons in the next six-month period for small children who do not need suits; and how many coupons these small children will get in the next 12-month period compared with the previous period.

The "extra 10" coupons for children for the twelve months to 31st July next were made valid on 1st August last. No question of extra coupons for children therefore arises until next August. The number of coupons to be allotted both to children and adults after that date is a matter for later consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take suitable action to meet the case of those retail drapers who, as a result of the removal of woollen goods from coupons, may find themselves with insufficient coupons to honour their purchases for spring deliveries.

Whilst the derationing of woollen cloth and garments made from such cloth will, no doubt, have resulted in some traders having surplus coupons, appreciate that, owing to the seasonal nature of the trade, others may have insufficient coupons to take up their purchases for spring delivery, and I am prepared in suitable cases to see that they have sufficient coupons. Application should be made to the Board of Trade at 152, Gloucester Terrace, London, W.2.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of firms at present designated to manufacture utility furniture; and the number designated in each of the years 1946, 1947 and 1948.

One thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine firms are now licensed to apply the Utility mark to furniture. The corresponding figures for 1st January, 1946, 1947 and 1948 were 589, 1,007 and 1.052 respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the level in 1946 which the business of willow merchants must have reached to make them eligible for a Board of Trade licence to acquire willow rods or sticks from growers.

The business of a willow merchant must have reached 1,000 bundles a year in 1946.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the names of the ports and the respective tonnages of both Continental slag and supers shipped, or to be shipped, to each port during the fertiliser year ending 30th June, 1949.(2) the names of the ports to which Scotch-made supers have been, or will be, shipped and the respective tonnages, during the fertiliser year ending 30th June, 1949.(3) the names of the slag-producing centres; the approximate annual tonnage capacity of each centre; and the respective centres and districts to which slag is to be sent for use during the fertiliser year ending 30th June, 1949.

I am sending the hon. Member the information for which he has asked.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the threat of unfair competition to the pottery industry from Japan; and whether he has any information to give on specific safeguards whereby Japanese manufacturers will be prevented from imitating British shapes and decorations and selling them as the products of British manufacturers.

It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to take all possible steps to eliminate unfair methods of competition by Japan, whether in the pottery or other industries. As regards specific safeguards, General MacArthur has instructed the Japanese Patent Office to accept foreign applications for the registration of patents, utility models and designs. Applicants for such registration receive the benefits of the priority provisions of the International Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what changes are contemplated in the restrictions on the export of goods of potential military value.

The desirability of extending our export controls to cover a wider range of goods of potential military value from the point of view of our security interests is constantly under review by His Majesty's Government. As a result of a recent examination of the whole position, it is intended to subject an additional range of goods to export control. This control will be operated in such a way that the goods in question, unless the subject of prior commitments, are not made available if this would be contrary to our security interests.In reaching their decisions His Majesty's Government have been fully aware of the need for keeping in touch with their principal partners in Western Europe and with the United States Government, if the United Kingdom controls are to be effective. His Majesty's Government have also been in touch with the other Commonwealth Governments principally concerned. The additional list of goods of potential military value has not yet been finally elaborated in the light of the discussions mentioned above, but His Majesty's Government expect to be in a position to promulgate their new list in the near future.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet made any decision about payment under the Business Scheme, Part II, of the War Damage Act.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery) on 7th December last and the hon. Member for Howdenshire (Mr. Odey) on 1st February, copies of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when claims made under Part II of the War Damage Act in respect of business chattels will be paid.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery) on 7th December last and to the hon. Member for Howdenshire (Mr. Odey) on 1st February, copies of which I am sending him.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the Grenfell factories in South Wales have been completed; and what stages of construction have been reached in the others.

Building work on all factories has been completed. Services are still being installed at the Tumble factory, but otherwise only incidental work in a few cases remains to be done.

asked the President of the Board of Trade which of the Grenfell factories in South Wales have been allocated to industrialists; and what steps are being taken to obtain tenants for the others.

Five factories at Garnant, Ponthenry, Bargoed, Llwynpia and Ferndale have been allocated and an application for the Aberdare factory is now under consideration. The four remaining Grenfell factories at Tumble, Ammanford, Llwynpia and Ferndale are still available for allocation. We are taking every opportunity, both in the Region and at Headquarters, of bringing these factories to the notice of industrialists, and special steps have been taken through other Departments and the Federation of British Industries to draw attention to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factory buildings are vacant on the Rhigos Trading Estate; and what are the prospects of securing suitable tenants for them.

Eleven buildings, with a total area of 39,300 square feet, are vacant. Of these, three, totalling 16,000 square feet, have been allocated but substantial adaptations have to be done before they can be used for industrial purposes. The remainder are unallocated, and, of these, four buildings, totalling 18,400 square feet, would require substantial adaptation and the other four, totalling 4,900 square feet, would require some adaptation. In addition, a building of 76,000 square feet is being occupied temporarily for storage purposes only. No tenants are in sight for the unallocated buildings, but every opportunity is taken of making them known to industrialists.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of completed or nearly completed factories in South Wales for which no tenants have yet been found.

In addition to the Grenfell factories of which I have given my hon. Friend particulars in my reply to another Question today, tenants have still to be found for the following completed or nearly completed factories, although there are inquiries for most of them: Dinas Isaf (two); Ferndale (two); Ammanford; Llwynpia; Rogerstone.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will now make a statement about the proposed new town at Congleton.

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

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what are the terms of reference of the Standing Conference appointed in September, 1948, about restoration of land worked for iron ore; who are the members of the Standing Conference and what bodies each of them represents; on what dates they have met; whether their proceedings are public; and when he expects a report.

There have been three meetings: on 20th October and 16th December, 1948; and 3rd February, 1949. The proceedings are not public and I cannot say when the work of the Conference will be completed. Following are the terms of reference for the Standing Conference on ironstone in the midland field:

To co-ordinate the views of the parties concerned (i.e., county councils, the industry and the Departments of Government) on the following matters:

(a) the provision to be made for the future working of ironstone in the Development Plans to be prepared under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, for the Administrative Counties of Northampton, Rutland, parts of Kesteven, parts of Lindsey, Oxford, Warwick and Leicester, having regard to the extent of the ironstone resources considered to be workable or likely to be workable in future, either by opencast working or underground operation, and the conflicting interests of agriculture, surface development, amenity, and other relevant factors;

(b) the appropriate methods to be adopted for the after-treatment of sites worked opencast, with a view to restoring the land to some beneficial use having regard to geological factors, the availability of suitable equipment, the cost of such operations and other relevant considerations;

(c) the method to be adopted under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, for securing such after-treatment of the land, as may be recommended;

(d) the problem arising from subsidence or other damage occurring or likely to result from underground mining of ironstone;

(e) any ancillary matters appertaining to the actual working of iron ore;

(f) any related questions of general interest arising in connection with ironstone working on which the Minister may from time to time invite the views of the Conference.

The members are:

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that the destruction by iron ore working of old woodlands at Geddington and Weekley represents considerable damage to the beauty amenities of the countryside; and what member of the Standing Conference appointed in September, 1948, is responsible for due consideration being given to such matters.

An application for permission to continue iron ore working in this area is at present before my right hon. Friend. He is well aware of the amenity problem involved, and will give proper weight to it when reaching a decision. The Standing Conference will not be advising on individual cases; but their terms of reference require them to consider amenity interests, among other things, where suggesting suitable reservations of land to meet future production. I am sure that all the members of the Conference are aware of their collective responsibility, but in particular the county councils are represented and the chairman is a member of my Department.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will define the areas covered by the applications being made for permission to work 25,799 acres, in the Oundle and Thrapston rural district, for iron ore.

The only satisfactory method of defining the areas is by maps. Arrangements can be made for my hon. Friend to inspect the maps if he will get into touch with my Department.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what obligation now rests on local or regional planning authorities to notify or consult amenity societies and other interested parties before proceeding with development.

There is no formal obligation on local authorities to notify or consult amenity societies before proceeding with development, but much informal consultation takes place.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware of the extreme shortage of playing fields in Cardiff; and why he has sanctioned the use of Sophia Gardens and the Ely Racecourse, Cardiff, as dirt tracks for motor cycle racing purposes.

The first point is a matter for the City Council, and I know that they have it much in mind. On the second, no application has come before my right hon. Friend and he has issued no sanction. I understand, however, that the Y.M.C.A., Cardiff, made an application to the Parks Committee of the Council to use Ely Park Racecourse for grass-track motor cycle racing on Easter Monday next, and that this application has been refused.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among single women pensioners, aged 60 to 65 years, in that they are allowed to earn only £1 per week, while childless widows in similar circumstances can earn £1 10s.; and, since there have been cases where employers have dismissed single women in favour of widows who are allowed to work longer hours, if he will take steps to rectify this anomaly by increasing the single woman's earnings to £1 10s.

The National Insurance Acts impose no restrictions on the earnings of pensioners, though the amount of pension payable may be reduced where the weekly earnings exceed a prescribed amount. This amount is the same, namely £1, for both childless widows and single women aged 60 to 65. A higher amount of weekly earnings is disregarded in the case of widows below age 60, but I am not aware that this has led to the discrimination suggested against single women pensioners over that age. Any change in the present position would require legislation.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will arrange for the inclusion of shale-mining in the list of industries to which the scheme of compensation for pneumoconiosis applies.

The question of extending the list of industries in relation to which pneumoconiosis is prescribed under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) (Prescribed Diseases) Regulations, 1948, is at present under consideration and will be referred as a whole to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council for advice. I have no evidence which would justify my dealing specially with shale-mining.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many additional inspectors have been appointed by his Department, in connection with the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, to ensure that employers are taking adequate safety precautions; and how many of these inspectors were formerly employees of insurance companies or societies.

Responsibility for safety precautions is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Minister of Labour and National Service and, in the case of mines and quarries, the Minister of Fuel and Power, and no question of my appointing inspectors to my staff for this purpose accordingly arises.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will made a statement on a case submitted to him by the hon. Member for Bolton, which he has recently considered, in which a man contracted a disease in 1941 which, due to its slow development, was not diagnosed until 1947; and, in view of the fact that he is debarred from claiming, both under the Workmen's Compensation Act and under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act, if he will state his intention in this and similar cases.

I have had some correspondence with my hon. Friend about this case, in which the man's claim under the Workmen's Compensation Acts was barred by lapse of time and he was unable to claim under the Industrial Injuries Act as he had not been employed since July, 1948. The particular difficulty will not arise where the man has been employed after that date in a prescribed process as there are no similar time limits in the new scheme. But as regards disabilities arising out of employment before that day, although I am considering whether men entitled to payments of Workmen's Compensation in respect of such disabilities can be brought within the provisions of the new scheme, I see no possibility of including men whose claims under the Workmen's Compensation Acts are time barred.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many claims for compensation for the loss of personal effects submitted by British officers serving in the Indian Army during the war remain unsettled.

I understand that none of these claims has yet been settled. My right hon. Friend is urgently examining the position of British officers of the Indian Army under the various compensation schemes. I will write to the hon. and gallant Member, and tell him the result of these investigations, as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans the Gold Coast Government has under consideration for the training of youth in citizenship.

I am asking the Governor of the Gold Coast for more up-to-date information and details of the further plans now in preparation. I will communicate with the hon. Member when these are received.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Coal Board has agreed with the Scottish Miners' Federation that miners' trade union contributions may be deducted each week from wages and remitted to the Miners' Federation; and what steps he is taking to prevent this evasion of the Truck Acts.

The agreement between the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers provides that deductions from the wages of any workman shall only be made in accordance with the authority of the workman concerned. In these circumstances the second part of the Question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the £26,254,614 totalisator turnover on racecourses applies to horse racecourses; and what amount of the totalisator takings at those horse racecourses was received through credit bookmaking channels.

I understand from the Racecourse Betting Control Board that the turnover on the totalisators operated by the Board on horse racecourses, including pony racecourses, was£26,252,614 15s. for the year ended 31st December, 1948. Of this figure £13,511,346 was staked in cash on the course, £3,816,427 10s. was staked by credit on the course and the remainder represented off the course credit betting transmitted to the course totalisator.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of doctors and dentists in Stockton-on-Tees who have joined the National Health Service and the number still outside; and what is the percentage of the population who have registered under the Act.

Stockton-on-Tees forms part of the area of the Durham Executive Council and I regret that separate figures are not available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of doctors and dentists in Sunderland who have joined the National Health Service and the number still outside; and what is the percentage of the population who have registered under the Act.

I am making inquiries and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

asked the Postmaster-General what television stations have been established in Great Britain; and to what extent areas which cannot have television are making a contribution to the cost of television services elsewhere.

At present one television station has been established in Great Britain serving about a quarter of the total population. The B.B.C. state the cost of the television services chargeable to revenue account in the year 1947–48 as about £700,000. This cost was met from the B.B.C.'s general Home Service revenues which are derived mainly from the sale of sound and television licences throughout the country. The gross revenue from television licences for 1947–48 was £91,128. When the Midland television station opens in the autumn I hope that over a third of the population of Great Britain will be within the range of television broadcasts.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dirty condition of many of the public telephone boxes and telephone instruments at Liverpool Street Station, which makes them almost unfit for public use; what arrangements are made for the cleaning of this equipment; and if he will take steps to see that they are carried out.

All kiosks are due to be cleaned frequently and regularly, but I regret that some of those at Liverpool Street Station have been allowed to get into an unsatisfactory condition. These have now received special attention and the standing arrangements are being reviewed to ensure that they are kept in good order.

asked the Minister of Health if it was on the authority of his Department that farmers in the Hartismere Rural District of Suffolk are being asked to make a capital contribution to the cost of stage three of the scheme for supplying water to the area; and if he will reconsider this matter.

Yes. It is reasonable that farmers, in common with other property owners, should contribute towards the capital cost of unremunerative mains extensions which are of benefit to their business activities. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is empowered, subject to the usual conditions governing such grants, to make a grant in respect of a farm water supply scheme the cost of which includes a contribution by the farmer to the capital cost of the main extension.

asked the Minister of Health if it is his intention to introduce during the lifetime of the present Parliament legislation for the provision of a national supply of drinking water to ensure that the rural areas of East Anglia will have a full supply for domestic and agricultural needs.

No. The hon. Member will appreciate that substantial grants are already available for the improvement of rural water supplies throughout the country. I shall be very pleased to consider any applications from rural district councils in East Anglia, and to do what I can to expedite the approval of schemes for bringing water to the rural areas in that region.

asked the Minister of Health what is the approximate population now living in England, Scotland and Wales, separately.

The civilian populations, including merchant seamen, at 31st December, 1948, are estimated by the Registrar General for England and Wales and the Registrar General for Scotland respectively as—England, 40,386,800; Wales, 2,552,200; Scotland, 5,120,200.

asked the Minister of Supply how many regional car pools are maintained by his Department; how many staff are employed; what is the annual cost; and whether he is satisfied that the demand for the services of the pool cars and their drivers is not artificially increased by restricting the amount of petrol issued to officials for official travel in their own private cars.

There are 12 regional pools of the official car services with 15 sub-pools, serving all Government Departments. The total staff is 470 and the cost last year was £223,000. The effect of restricting the amount of petrol issued to officers for official travel in their own cars is that public transport, particularly rail, is used to a greater extent. The increase in the demands on the official car services is relatively small.

asked the Minister of Supply which of the individual firms in the Third Schedule to the Iron and Steel Bill have increased their dividends since 1945; and what is the amount of such increases.

There are 47 public limited liability companies named in the Third Schedule to the Iron and Steel Bill, but all the ordinary share capital of six of them is held by other Third Schedule companies. Of the remaining 41 public companies, 26 have paid increased dividends since 1945 and in seven of these cases one increase has been followed by

PUBLIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES NAMED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE TO THE IRON AND STEEL BILL INCREASES IN DIVIDENDS PAID ON ORDINARY ISSUED SHARE CAPITAL SINCE 1945
Name	Year ends	Years ending in
		1945	1946	1947	1948
		Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.	Per cent.
Arthur Lee & sons Ltd	31st July	40	40	45	45
Bairds & Scottish Steel Ltd.	31st December	6	10	10	N.A.
Barrow Haematite Steel Co. Ltd.	31st December	10	12½	12½	N.A.
The Briton Ferry Steel Co. Ltd.	31st March	10	10	15	15
Brown Bayley's Steel Works Ltd.	3lst July	10 tax free	10 tax free	12 tax free	12 tax free
Burnell & Co. Ltd.	31st December	15	20	30	N.A.
Cargo Fleet Iron Co. Ltd.	30th September	Nil	5	5	5
Colvilles Ltd.	31st December	8	8	13	N.A.
Consett Iron Co. Ltd.	31st March	10	10	12½	12½
Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Ltd.	3Ist March	5	5	9	9
The Hallamshire Steel and File Co. Ltd.	3Ist March	25 tax free	25 tax free =45½ less tax	32½ tax free =59 less tax.	70 less tax
John Baker & Bessemer Ltd.	31st December	10	15	30	N.A.
The Lancashire Steel Corporation Ltd.	31st December	7	8	8	N.A.
The Lilleshall Co. Ltd.	31st December	Nil	20	40	N.A.
The Park Gate Iron and Steel Co. Ltd	3Ist March	8	8	10	10
Partridge Jones & John Paton Ltd.	31st March	4 tax free	4½ tax free	7½ less tax	5 less tax
Richard Hill Ltd.	30th September	6	8	20	20
Richard Johnson & Nephew Ltd.	31st March	9	9	15	15
Richard Thomas & Baldwins Ltd.	31st March	12½	12½	15	15
The Sheffield Forge and Rolling Mills Co. Ltd.	30th June	5	10	15	15
The Skinningrove Iron Co. Ltd.	31st March	Nil	Nil	Nil	5
South Durham Steel and Iron Co. Ltd.
(Ordinary)	30th September	8½	8½	8½	10
("B" Ordinary)	30th September	2½	2½	2½	4
The Staveley Coal and Iron Co. Ltd.	30th June	7 tax free	10 tax free	12½ tax free	12½ tax free
Thos. Firth & John Brown Ltd.	31st December	7½ tax free	10 tax free	10 tax free	N.A.
The Whitehead Iron and Steel Co. Ltd.	3Ist March	20	20	30	30
William Beardmore & Co. Ltd.	31st December	10	17½	17½	N.A.
All dividends are less tax unless otherwise stated, and exclude capital dividends.
N.A. = Not available.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the continued and serious shortage of houses in the county of Suffolk, he is prepared to consider fresh proposals to expedite the rate of building in those rural district areas where the waiting lists are extensive and the needs of agriculture are not likely to be satisfied under existing schemes.

The programmes allocated to Suffolk authorities are as much as the resources of the area can cope with but I am always willing to listen to proposals for improving progress.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why about 700 airmen and Women's Royal Air Force personnel were deprived of weekend passes at Leconfield Air Station, Yorkshire, on 5th February, 1949.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 9th February to the hon. Member for King's Norton (Mr. Blackburn). The incident which led to the withdrawal of weekend pass privileges at this particular station was not an isolated one, and in the interests of discipline it could not be allowed to pass unnoticed. While, in general, the collective withdrawal of privileges is to be deprecated the decision as to what disciplinary action is appropriate in any particular circumstances must rest with the individual Commanding Officer. I wish to make it clear that I have every confidence in the commanding officer concerned, who has a fine record in the Service both in peace and in war..

asked the Minister of Food whether bonus issues of sugar for jam-making can be supplied in the form of preserving sugar in view of its better keeping quality.

During the war production of preserving sugar had to be suspended, and although limited quantities are now available in many parts of the country, I am afraid that there is not sufficient to meet the full requirements of bonus issues for preserving.