asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the proposal to re-enforce the one-way restriction scheme in Maidenhead on the Slough-Oxford road in the evening is not in accordance with public opinion; and if he will resist it.

No. I received no objections to this proposal and the order to bring it into operation has now been made.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents have occurred at the Henley Bridge since the Henley one-way scheme has been in operation and when it is likely that the dangerous gradients will be altered.

There have been eight accidents here since the trial one-way scheme started in August, 1947. Only one accident resulted in personal injury. If the one-way system is made permanent, a scheme to ease the gradient at this corner will be put in hand.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is satisfied that there are sufficient safety precautions in fog to protect traffic on the Oxford-Maidenhead trunk road where the road heads straight for the river at Henley-on-Thames and where there is no adequate barrier.

Yes. There are guard posts with red reflectors, and modern portable fog flares are available.

asked the Minister of Transport what application for a national scheme of superannuation has been made by trades unions on behalf of their members in nationalised transport undertakings.

Applications for pension schemes for certain of the wages staffs of the Railways and London Transport have been made to the appropriate Executives of the British Transport Commission and are under consideration by them.

asked the Minister of Supply why he has ruled that motor cars purchased in this country by American companies for their buying agents operating in England and paid for in American dollars by a draft on New York, cannot be regarded as dollar exports, and therefore will not carry replacement of steel; and whether he will cancel this ruling immediately.

I have asked the motor industry not to sell from the export quota cars destined for permanent retention in the United Kingdom, even against payment in foreign currency, since the possibility of compensatory transactions makes it uncertain whether in fact such sales would increase the net earning of foreign currency. I regret that I do not feel justified in withdrawing my request to the industry.

asked the Minister of Supply why the passenger-carrying motor cars of the Official Motor Car Service run on red commercial petrol.

This is the case in London, where cars are fuelled at Ministry garages, and at Ministry of Supply establishments, which, at the time of the introduction of the regulation, had only one petrol pump available. In all these cases commercial vehicles are also served and it is more convenient and economical to use only one type of petrol. This arrangement has the approval of the Ministry of Fuel and Power.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give details of the estimated increase from £5,250,000 to £18,200,000 during the present financial year of the cost of the trading services in respect of iron and steel.

The details asked for are as follow:

asked the Ministry of Supply why the estimated assistance to the iron and steel industry to meet the cost of abnormal freight of iron ore has increased from £2,000,000 to £7,000,000; and on what tonnages of ore are these estimates based.

The original estimate provided only for the first three months of the financial year and covered abnormal freight charges on 2,250,000 tons of ore. The revised estimate provides for the whole of the financial year and for a total tonnage of just over 9,000,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the diminishing membership of the National Small-Bore Rifle Association, due to the shortage of .22 calibre cartridges; and whether he will authorise an increase in the present supplies to the Association and their affiliated clubs.

Although there has been some increase in the production of .22 cartridges in 1948, total output is still insufficient to meet all demands in full. Additional supplies, have, however, been made available to the rifle clubs during recent weeks. My Department is in close touch with the manufacturers and everything possible is being done still further to improve supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what meats are rationed in the Western Zones of Germany.

The following meats are rationed in the Western zones of Germany: Veal, beef, mutton, lamb, pork, other pig products, and horse meat.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the special restrictions on the visits from this country of German-born citizens to their relatives in the British zone of Germany can be relaxed.

The restrictions on visits by Germans to Germany are imposed by tripartite agreement and it is not possible to vary them unilaterally. They are steadily being made less onerous, and still further relaxation is being considered, subject to proof of accommodation being available.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the fact that since the 1st January last the Czechoslovak Government has prohibited the sale, through the usual trade channels, of "The Times," the "Daily Telegraph," the "News Chronicle" and other British newspapers to the British Council and the British Information Section of the British Embassy in Prague; and what representations he has made or intends to make to the Czechoslovak Government in order to get this prohibition lifted.

No literal prohibition has been placed by the Czechoslovak Government on the sale of British newspapers by the State Agency to the Information Section of His Majesty's Embassy and the British Council Office in Prague. The import of the "Daily Mail" and the "Daily Graphic" into Czechoslovakia has, however, been banned till the end of 1949; and all newspapers are subject to a daily censorship. Issues containing matter regarded as detrimental to Czechoslovakia or her Allies are confiscated; and the display of these in the Information and British Council reading rooms is forbidden. During December and January the proportion confiscated has been about 50 per cent. I regret to have to admit that my right hon. Friend does not think that representations to the Czechoslovak Government on this subject would be likely to serve any useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider making representations, jointly with the Dutch Foreign Minister and the United States Secretary of State to the Security Council of the United Nations, with a view to obtaining the release of those civilian internees who are being held as prisoner of war by the Egyptian Government.

I am advised that it would not be appropriate to refer a question of this nature to the Security Council of the United Nations. We will, however, make further representations to the Egyptian Government on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs for how long, and at what expense to this country, has the British Mission been engaged in the work of reorganising the Greek police and gendarmerie; what progress has been made; and when it is estimated that the work will be completed.

The British Police and Prisons Mission has been in Greece since October, 1945. The cost to United Kingdom public funds from that time until the end of 1948 was £260,000. Good progress has been made with the training of the town police, but the training of the gendarmerie has been much impeded by the rebellion. So long as the fighting continues, it will be impossible to estimate when the task of the Mission will be completed.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he proposes to take to ensure that home-grown fruit, suitable for home jam-making, is not wasted during the coming season.

It was largely because of this consideration that my right hon. Friend decided that the bonuses for jam-making this year should be increased to 7 lb.

asked the Minister of Food whether any decision has yet been reached to implement the recommendations of the Lucas Report regarding the transfer to independent commissions of some of the commodity responsibilities at present carried by his Department.

No.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that 28,000 tons of potatoes are available for shipment from Northern Ireland; and what immediate steps he is taking to prevent further delay in the distribution of these in time for the coming season.

It has been estimated that about 28,000 tons of seed potatoes may remain for shipment. Up to 12th February, the last available date, we have shipped 125,000 tons of Northern Ireland seed, compared with 110,000 tons at the same time last season; and as orders are still being received I am hopeful that the balance which remains from this abundant crop will be sold.

asked the Minister of Food what amount of sweets or sugar may be despatched in food parcels abroad after derationing has been effected.

Up to 2 lb. of unrationed food may be sent in an individual parcel provided that it also contains 4 lb. of rationed foods and does not exceed 7 lb. in total weight.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that 40 per cent. of last year's potato crop that is still in the clamps is rapidly deteriorating owing to mild weather; and what steps is he taking to ensure there will not be an end of season shortage of potatoes.

We have purchased 500,000 tons of long-keeping varieties as a farm reserve for delivery in May and June. This is about as much as can be obtained. We do not yet know either the extent of deterioration or when the new crop will come in.

asked the Minister of Food how much sugar has been wasted through damage to the containers, damp or other causes, at the London Docks during the last six months.

No sugar has been wasted through storage at the London Docks during the past six months. Our stocks are regularly inspected, and in the event of damage from any cause, the sugar is immediately removed to the refineries for processing.

asked the Minister of Food the monthly figures for 1948 showing the total quantity of milk marketed; the quantity consumed as liquid milk; and the quantities used for manufacturing cheese, butter, chocolate and other products and the respective prices realised.

I am afraid the information asked for is too long for publication in the OFFICIAL REPORT, so I am sending the hon. Member a copy and placing a copy in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Food what was the purpose of the recent exchange of quantities of maize with Eire; and why was barter resorted to instead of purchase and sale.

There was no purpose in the recent loan of maize to Eire beyond "good neighbourliness." Barter was not resorted to; we lent Eire maize which she will repay in full.

asked the Minister of Agriculture on what basis agricultural land is used for planting of trees by the Forestry Commission in Merioneth, without a survey of the land having been made; whether the Forestry Commission now consult with officials and members of the county agricultural executive committee before deciding to plant trees on agricultural land.

Officials of my Ministry examine each proposal by the Forestry Commission to plant trees, and the land is not planted if they consider it should remain in agriculture. The Forestry Commission do not consult the county agricultural executive committees but consult fully with officials of my Ministry at every stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what facilities are given to the tenants whose farms are being taken in whole or in part for planting by the Forestry Commission, to make representations to the Commission and to the Ministry; and what compensation is paid to tenants who have to leave their farms.

Every endeavour is made by the Forestry Commission to obtain possession of land for planting by negotiations with the tenant. Where this fails notice to quit is served in accordance with the Agricultural Holdings Act, 1948, and, where appropriate, compensation is paid under the terms of that Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many applications have been received for full rations for a specified number of poultry in exceptional cases since the scheme was outlined on 20th July last; and how many of such applications have been granted.

Twenty-two unsolicited applications have been received and committees will shortly be inviting applications from all eligible farmers. Considerable difficulty has been experienced in deciding what amount of additional feedingstuffs should be allocated to the counties concerned, and no applications have as yet been granted, but I hope that the issue of these special rations will start soon.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will now make a statement on the progress of the negotiations taking place with the Hungarian Government regarding the settlement of outstanding debts.

A Hungarian Government Delegation recently spent about three weeks here in discussions with groups of creditors and with Government Departments. These discussions have been temporarily interrupted to allow both sides to consider the position, and it is expected that the Hungarian Delegation will return in about a month's time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any statement to make about the effect of the new arrangements for the remuneration of consultants and specialists on the staffs of the medical and dental schools of the universities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the effect of the new arrangements for the remuneration of consultants and specialists on the staffs of the medical and dental schools of the universities.

Yes. The University Grants Committee have received representations from the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals on this matter and have given anxious consideration to them. Both the Vice-Chancellors' Committee and the University Grants Committee felt great reluctance to propose any step which might be inconsistent with the Government's policy on wages and salaries, but they came to the conclusion that the new basis of remuneration of consultants and specialists must imply a revision of the salaries of medical and dental staffs at the Universities as a necessary and direct consequence; otherwise the staffing and recruitment position of the university medical and dental schools might have become very serious. I have felt obliged to accept this conclusion, and the University Grants Committee have accordingly written to the Vice-Chancellors indicating revised general limits of salaries in the Medical and Dental Schools, for which they will be prepared to make supplementary grants in the current quinquennium, and I am including provision for these in the forthcoming Estimate for 1949–50. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the letter sent by the University Grants Committee to the Vice-Chancellors.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make milk available to expectant mothers, the wives of men serving in the British Army of the Rhine, at the same price, up to the same quantity and on the same conditions as it is made available to expectant mothers in the United Kingdom.

The same quantity of milk is obtainable by expectant mothers in B.A.O.R. as in the United Kingdom. The milk in B.A.O.R. has to be tinned as it is not possible to obtain and distribute safe fresh milk to Service families there. It is charged for at United Kingdom retail prices, as is the invariable practice wherever the Army supplies food to families.

asked the Minister of Health which building materials required for housing work were in short supply at the latest date for which figures are available.

I am not aware of any general shortages of building materials.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has considered the pressing need for greater dry-dock accommodation, for the widening and lengthening of existing dry-docks owing to the increasing length and beams of ships now being constructed; and if he will take steps to bring about these changes without which this industry cannot become fully efficient.

In September last the Admiralty Dry Dock Committee was invited to investigate this question, and its report and recommendations are awaited.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the composition and terms of reference of the Committee under Mr. Justice Pilcher to inquire into the Naval Courts Martial System; and the date of its first meeting.

The following have accepted my noble Friend's invitation to serve on a Committee under the chairman ship of the Honourable Mr. Justice Pilcher, M.C.:

• Mr. E. A. Hawke, Recorder of Bath.
• The hon. and learned Members for Daventry (Mr. Manningham-Buller) and for Llandaff and Barry (Mr. Ungoed-Thomas).
• Admiral Sir Arthur Palliser, K.C.B., D.S.C.
• Captain (S) E. Haslehurst, C.B.E., R.N.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what has been the effect so far upon our ship repair industry from the growth of ship repair in the Western zone of Germany.

Ship repair work in the Western zone of Germany has had very little effect so far upon our ship repairing industry which has been working to full capacity since the war.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of hire-car applications for petrol allowances granted in the borough of Wimbledon and the urban district of Merton and Morden during the year ended 31st December, 1948; and how many disabled persons were successful in their application.

There were 25 applications covering 46 hire cars granted in the Borough of Wimbledon, and 12 of these in respect of 12 cars were to disabled persons. As regards the urban district of Merton and Morden, there were 23 applications (36 cars) granted and 16 of these (16 cars) were to disabled persons. These figures include renewal applications as well as those granted for the first time during the year 1948.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the preliminary expenditure in connection with the film called "Male War Bride" was defrayed from the American frozen film assets; whether he is aware that the production of the film is being removed to the United States of America, with consequent grave unemployment at the Shepperton Studios; and what steps he will take to prevent this.

I understand that about three months location work on this film was done in Germany last year, followed by about three months work at the Shepperton Studios. As provided for in the memorandum of Agreement with the Motion Picture Industry of the United States of March, 1948 (Cmd. 7421) certain payments in connection with the film, including more than £50,000 in salaries to British labour, were made from unremittable sterling funds. Unforeseeable and unavoidable difficulties made it necessary to suspend this production three weeks before the scheduled date with a view to its completion in the United States. The company concerned expects to begin location work on its next picture in April, and this will be followed by studio work at Shepperton.

asked the Prime Minister what areas of land in the United Kingdom are in the ownership of the Crown, the Service Departments, other Ministries, the Forestry Commission, public corporations and local authorities; and what percentage of the total area of the United Kingdom is in public ownership.

This information is not available, and it would cause a wholly disproportionate amount of labour to obtain it.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in constructing a road linking the Burin peninsula in Newfoundland to the Avalon peninsula; and when it is expected to be completed.

Of the 50 miles of road required to link the Burin peninsula with the Avalon peninsula, 30 miles have so far been constructed. If the present programme is continued as planned, the work should be completed in 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what number of local roads committees, apart from municipal councils, had been appointed in Newfoundland and Labrador, respectively, up to 31st December, 1948; and what was the total membership of these committees.

Four hundred and ninety-seven local roads committees, with a total membership of 1,962.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what mileage of the proposed Newfoundland transinsular road had been completed up to 31st December, 1948; what sections have been completed since 31st December, 1945; and what sections are at present under construction.

Three hundred and ninety miles of the transinsular road had been completed by the end of 1948. During that year, new construction work was carried out in the Halls Bay-Deer Lake area and between Stephenville and Corner Brook on the west coast of the Island. The road between St. John's and Bonavista on the east coast was also completed. No sections of the road are at present under construction.