asked the Minister of Education in what circumstances foreign nationals can be employed in State schools.

The employment of a foreign national as a teacher in a maintained or assisted school is primarily a matter for the local education or school authorities, and no special regulations have been made by my Department. The Aliens Order applies in this as in other forms of employment.

asked the Minister of Education how many nursery schools have been closed since the end of the war.

Seven, of which one is being carried on as a day nursery.

asked the Minister of Education how many nursery schools have been built since the end of the war.

Six new nursery schools have been opened since 1st April, 1945, and one more is nearing completion. Three of these are in premises which were adapted for the purpose. I have given final approval to proposals to build a further fourteen new nursery schools. These figures do not include 311 war-time day nurseries which have been taken over by local education authorities as nursery schools.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that in the Borough of Crosley there are 510 families with children under 10 years of age living in overcrowded conditions as well as 700 families with children under six on the list of live housing applications; and if, in view of these figures, he will reconsider his decision not to recommend the establishment of a nursery school at No. 15, The Esplanade, Waterloo.

As I have already explained fully to the hon. Member, more immediately pressing demands on the resources available for educational building preclude me from approving this and similar projects at the present time.

asked the Minister of Education which grammar schools included in the direct grant list in 1944 have since become independent and assisted or maintained, respectively, giving the date of the change in each case.

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the schools concerned giving the date of change in each case. Thirty of the grammar schools included in the direct grant list in 1944 have since become independent, 17 are being transitionally assisted and 21 are now maintained.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will give the total number of people who have been convicted and sentenced either to death or to substantial periods of imprisonment for ritual murder, or for complicity therein, during the last 12 months.

Six cases of ritual murder were tried in Basutoland in 1948. Forty-seven persons were sentenced to death. Ten of these sentences were carried out.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will instruct the British trade delegation in Belgrade to ensure that, in the terms of the long-term agreement with Yugoslavia, the interest of British former owners of property expropriated under nationalisation decrees, will be properly safeguarded as regards compensation; and whether he will make every effort to secure for those British subjects concerned who have had their expectations of compensation already reduced by the Anglo-Yugoslav Agreement, of 23rd December, 1948, a final settlement not less favourable than that accorded to American interests.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 9th February by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The negotiations for a long-term agreement referred to in the second part of that answer are taking place at present in Belgrade and we shall seek to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of the balance of the agreed amount. I have no official information as to the circumstances in which the comparable United States claims were settled.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power for what reason commercial travellers using ordinary motor cars are subject to a maximum allowance of petrol irrespective of the distances they have to travel, the goods they have to carry or the case they can make out, whereas commercial travellers carrying goods in small commercial vehicles are not subject to any such automatic maximum.

As the House knows, I recently increased the maximum petrol allowance for commercial travellers who use private motor cars for business purposes. Before this decision was taken the possibility of an alternative basis of assessment was discussed with the representatives of the commercial travellers but rejected because it was not practicable. On the other hand, goods vehicles used solely for the transport of goods are and always have been granted petrol allowances on a different basis from ordinary cars which are also used for private motoring.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider amending the Motor Spirit (Regulation) Act, 1948, dealing with the disqualification of the Road Fund licence, which may entail prohibition of the use of a vehicle, although the offender was not the true owner, or in a case where the vehicle is subject to a hire purchase agreement.

No. If a change of ownership is properly notified by a private owner to the registration authority no difficulties should arise. The position of cars subject to hire purchase agreements was considered by Parliament during the passage of the Bill and I see no reason to amend the Act now.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much petrol and oil is consumed per ton of coal extracted at the Winstanley Hall opencast coal No. 3 site.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the normal period required by his Department to inquire and ascertain the source of coal supply to an industrial town.

The sources of supply of house coal to an industrial town can normally be ascertained without difficulty but lengthy inquiries may be unavoidable when it is necessary to identify particular coals which may be giving rise to complaint in a town supplied from a number of collieries or colliery groups.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has considered the report of an inquest upon T. G. Rees of Penygraig, a copy of which has been sent him, who died as a result of an accident sustained at Margam, Port Talbot; and, since the details are regarded as gravely reflecting upon first aid and other medical services provided at these works, what action he proposes to take to avoid a repetition of this experience.

I understand that the injured man received prompt attention from the first aid and ambulance staff at the Margam steel works, that telephone messages to four doctors proved unavailing, and that the coroner said he was quite satisfied that the ambulance man did what he thought best. I am informed that the first aid arrangements at the works are of a good standard and no action on my part seems to be called for.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the amount owed to the four British companies interested in Buenos Aires Tramways Corporation in interest alone by the Argentine Government is not less than £7 million at the present rate of the peso and considerably more at the rates holding when interest payments were first due, he will inform the Argentine Government that their £70 million frozen in this country cannot be unfrozen until either a sum has been agreed to pay this debt, together with the still larger sum claimed for capital assets, in this country, or an equivalent sum allowed in the Argentine, with which we can purchase meat or other necessities.

This question does not arise, as the sterling balances held by the Argentine Government in this country are not frozen. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informed the hon. Member on 2nd March, His Majesty's Ambassador in Buenos Aires has full instructions to continue to pursue this matter with the Argentine authorities.

asked the Chancellor the Exchequer (1) what was the cost to the taxpayer of railway tickets for Members of Parliament during 1948;(2) what was the cost to the taxpayer for sleeping-car tickets for Members of Parliament during 1948;(3) what was the cost to the taxpayer of air travel for Members of Parliament during 1948.

From 1st January to 31st December, 1948, £65,590 was paid for the railway journeys of Members between London, home and constituency, of which £9,301 was in respect of sleepers; payments for air fares amounted to £3,293.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a complete list of the Exchequer grants which can legally be made to local authorities, showing in each case authority for the grant, the nature of the grant, and the normal amount; and the types of authority to whom the grant may be made.

No. Owing to the number and variety of the grants in question and of the conditions under which they are paid, the compilation of such a list would involve a great deal of labour which would not be justified by the usefulness of the list.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, as the 1,200 women cleaners employed by contractors to the Government are paid 2s. per hour, he will grant similar pay to the 19,000 women cleaners employed directly by the Government who receive a maximum of 1s. 8¼d. per hour.

As was stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Norwood (Mr. Chamberlain) on 22nd February, this matter has been referred to the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to a resolution, of which a copy has been sent to him, of the local medical committee for the courts of London, expressing concern that many sick people are being turned away by the hospitals; and what action he is taking to remedy this unsatisfactory state of affairs.

Yes. I am satisfied that hospital boards are doing everything possible to meet the need.

asked the Minister of Health why, in view of the large number of cases awaiting admission to the non-mental hospitals under the Leeds Regional Hospital Board, there were over 3,600 unoccupied beds on 31st December, 1948, and 788 fewer beds occupied than on 30th June, 1948; to what extent the nursing staff declined during this period; and what are the immediate prospects of remedying the situation and the prospects for the end of 1949.

The number of empty beds is due to the need for a working margin, and the variation to seasonal changes. The number of nurses did not decline but increased by nine per cent.

asked the Minister of Health if the review has been completed of the waiting lists of hospitals in respect of each of the London Regional Hospital Boards; and if he will now publish a list showing the numbers of patients on each list as at the last convenient date.

The review is not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Health whether it has yet been decided upon what principles doctors in the National Health Service are to be paid for the treatment of temporary residents, visitors, holidaymakers, foreigners and those patients not on the doctor's list; and how much money is available for this service.

I am still discussing with the profession the principles on which such payments will be made in future. The total amount of these payments depends on the number of persons involved and is a charge on the central pool for the remuneration of general medical practitioners. I have agreed with the profession that payment in respect of the period 5th July, 1948, to 31st December, 1948, shall broadly be on the same basis as under the National Health Insurance arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now agreed the payments which are to be made to doctors in the National Health Service for the treatment of temporary residents, visitors, holidaymakers, foreigners and patients not on a doctor's list; whether it is still contemplated that such payments in respect of the period 5th July, 1948, to 31st December, 1948, will be made on the 31st March, 1949; and when subsequent payments will be made.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I have given today to the hon. Member for Pudsey and Otley (Colonel Stoddart-Scott). Payments in respect of the period 5th July, 1948, to 31st December, 1948, will be made on 31st March, 1949. These payments are necessarily made in arrear and payment in respect of the period 1st January, 1949, to 31st March, 1949, will be made on 30th June, 1949.

asked the Minister of Health why hospital management committees are applying a means test to patients before reimbursing them in respect of travelling expenses between home and hospital.

Expenses are payable only in case of hardship, but no means test should be applied. The main test should be the length of journey.

asked the Minister of Health why the provision of arch supports is not included under the National Health Service.

Arch supports are provided through the hospital and specialist services.

asked the Minister of Health when Mrs. Wells, of Christina Cottages, Cuckfield, who was reported by her medical attendant to the county tuberculosis officer more than four weeks ago as suffering from active tuberculosis of the spine, may expect to be transferred to a hospital or sanatorium from her cottage where she is at present lying in great physical pain and mental distress.

I am informed that this patient is to be admitted to hospital on 11th March.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that individuals granted a private building licence are now finding it impossible, in the Greater London area, to get a house built for £1,500; what steps he is taking to get down the cost of building; and if he will increase the maximum amount allowable under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Act.

No. There is no such licensing limit of £1,500. The Girdwood Committee is considering the question of housing costs. By Clause 35 of the Housing Bill now before Parliament the limit on the market value of a house in respect of which an advance may be made under the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts is increased from £1,500 to £5,000.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that on his instructions, all local authorities without exception have applied the ratio of one to four in granting licences for house building by private enterprise in proportion to the houses built by local authorities.

Discretion has been given to local authorities to decide whether they will issue any licences for the building of houses by private persons and, if so, what licences they will issue within the maximum of one-fifth of the number of houses allocated to them for building.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the houses completed during 1948 in Berkshire were, by his directions, set aside for farm workers; and whether he is satisfied that his intentions have been carried out.

I regret I cannot add to the figures published in the Housing Returns. I am, however, satisfied that the authorities in Berkshire are doing their best to meet agricultural housing needs.

asked the Minister of Health why the requisitioned ground floor flat, 29, Mount Nod Road, Streatham, which became vacant in October last still remains unoccupied.

This flat became vacant on 8th November. Some repairs were necessary and these will be completed next week.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that there is no hold up in housing work for the lack of bricks, cement, timber and steel, why timber is restricted to 1.6 standards per house, why there is nine months' delay in delivery of steel rods, why local authorities have recently been asked to use substitutes for lead and why permission has been refused to construct concrete roads, with the result that they are being made of hard core and macadam at extra cost.

The use of certain materials is limited precisely in order that housing work should not be held up.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have since 1st August, 1945, advanced money for the acquisition of houses, under the powers of Section 91 of the Housing Act, 1936; in how many cases have local authorities applied to him for approval of the exercise of such powers; and in how many cases has he given the necessary approval.

Eighty-eight local authorities have since 1st August, 1945, applied for my consent to the raising of loans for the purpose of making advances for the acquisition of houses under the powers contained in Section 91 of the Housing Act, 1936. My approval to the exercise of the powers given by that Section is not required.

asked the Minister of Health the proportion of local authority-owned houses in regard to which capital charges have been completed; whether the rents of these return a profit to the local authorities concerned; and whether this is reflected in any relief to the general body of ratepayers of the areas.

I have no information as to the number of local authority houses on which capital charges have ceased on repayment of the loans, but as loans for housebuilding are usually repayable over 60 years the number is probably very small indeed. Whether any profit then arising from the rents would afford relief to the rates would depend on the state of the housing revenue account in which the income and expenditure would normally be merged.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulty in finding housing accommodation for district nurses; and whether he will take action to ensure that they are given a high priority by rural district councils in the allocation of new housing accommodation in villages.

I am aware of the difficulty and have already drawn the attention of housing authorities to the matter in circulars of which I am sending the hon. Member copies.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider fixing a standard fee for doctors and hospitals signing cremation certificates.

I have no authority to fix a standard fee for cremation certificates.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to publish the results of the public inquiry into the proposals for the Lambourn Valley sewerage scheme which his inspector held on 16th December.

Yes. I hope to be able to announce a decision in this matter very shortly.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to appoint an engineering inspector, attached to the Welsh Board of Health, to be stationed in North-West Wales, in accordance with the recent representations of Lleyn Rural District Council, Caernarvonshire.

My engineering inspectors to whom I look for technical advice are also available for consultation by local authorities, but as already explained in a recent letter to my hon. Friend, the advantages of stationing an engineering inspector in North-West Wales would be outweighed by the disadvantages.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the strong feeling among local authorities concerning the lack of authority to incur expenditure on the provision of transport for inspections within the borough; the inadequacy of the subsistence rate of 32s. 6d. for an absence overnight, which means that representatives, in carrying out their public duties, are often out of pocket; and what steps he is taking to remedy these grievances.

I have had representations on both points. On the first point the Local Government Act, 1948, expressly provided that members of an urban authority should not be entitled to payments by way of travelling allowances for the performance of any approved duty within the area of the Authority, and I see no reason for an amendment of the Act. As regards the second point, I am satisfied that the rates of subsistence allowances are not inadequate.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the shortage of bobbins for twisting frames in the wool-spinning industry and that spinners have been waiting as long as two years for delivery; what quantities of bobbins have been exported during 1948; and what steps he is taking to remedy the present shortage of bobbins in the United Kingdom.

Although the manufacturers' timber requirements are being met in full, wooden bobbins are generally in short supply. Bobbins made of other materials are, however, readily available. The total value of bobbins exported in 1948 was about £952,000. The manufacturers have been asked to give a preference to the needs of the home textile industries and the import of wooden bobbins from soft currency areas is being encouraged.

asked the Minister of Works why Statutory Instrument, No. 254, 1949, entitled the Bricks (Charges) (Revocation) Order, 1949, was made retrospective; and what administrative difficulties the retrospective effect of the order will lead to.

The Revocation Order operates from the date when it was no longer found necessary to collect the charges. No administrative difficulties are anticipated.

asked the Minister of Works what buildings he now holds under requisition in London and the suburbs for the accommodation of Government Departments.

It would involve a disproportionate expenditure of staff time to prepare detailed lists of the large number of buildings held under requisition in London and the suburbs for the accommodation of Government Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will arrange for the cost of educational classes provided by local education authorities for the benefit of inmates of His Majesty's prisons to be met from the funds of his Department rather than from local education authority funds.

Local education authorities have statutory power to provide educational facilities for persons in legal custody and the present arrangements under which the usual Exchequer grant is payable on all expenditure incurred was agreed between my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Minister of Education and myself. I welcome this oppor- tunity of expressing my appreciation of the excellent work being done by the local education authorities in providing classes in prisons and Borstals and of their wholehearted co-operation in this important field.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many wives are waiting for passages to stations in the Mediterranean and Egypt where their husbands are serving in the Army.

Four hundred and sixteen wives are waiting for passages to stations in the Mediterranean and Egypt where their husbands are serving in the Army. A further 380 applications have recently been received from husbands in these areas for passages for their families. These are in the process of being checked to confirm that the applicants are eligible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many violent deaths there have been in Malaya in each of the last 12 months; and how many of the victims have been Malayan, how many European, how many soldiers or policemen and how many civilians.

The following are the approximate numbers of persons killed as a result of bandit activity in Malaya during each of the past twelve months:

—	Civilians and members of the, Bandits security forces	Bandits
1948
March-June (the figures for these individual months are not available)	45	21
July	81	36
August	58	62
September	61	38
October	86	53
November	62	86
December	60	79
1949
January	59	62
February	27	43

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many doctors and nurses are now serving in the Protectorate of Sierra Leone; and how many of these are European trained.

I have asked the Governor for the latest information and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of his reply.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters for many years were, but no longer are, delivered at Mr. Atterbury's farm, Sharley Cop, and Mr. Amos's farm, Botany Farm, each within two miles of Ravensthorpe post office; and whether he will arrange to resume deliveries.

I understand that owing to the condition of the approach roads, it has for some time been impossible to obtain staff willing to undertake delivery work at these two farms. The difficulty has now been overcome and delivery by postman is being resumed.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an estimate of the reduction in postal revenue which would follow a lowering of the inland letter rate from 2½d. to 2d. per postal packet not exceeding 2 ozs., every additional 2 ozs., ½d.

The estimated loss of revenue, at prevailing levels of traffic, following a reduction of the inland letter rate to 2d., is £7,750,000 a year. The concurrent reduction in the postcard rate to 1½d. would involve a further annual loss of £500,000.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an estimate of the reduction in telephone revenue which would follow the removal of the surcharges imposed during the war.

It is estimated that on the current level of business the removal of the surcharges would reduce telephone revenue (including the value of services rendered to other Government Departments) by £16½ million a year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will publish Lord Brabazon's report on the Tudor aircraft.

Lord Brabazon's final report has not yet been received. When it is received, my noble Friend will consider whether a further statement should be made.

asked the Minister of Transport on what grounds and upon what basis gratuities have been granted to former traffic movement officers (Clerical).

The gratuities granted to traffic movement officers were awarded under Section 4 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, which permits a compassionate gratuity to be paid to an officer who, having completed seven years approved service unbroken by resignation or dismissal for misconduct, and being ineligible for a superannuation allowance, is removed from full-time employment on the abolition of office. The basis of assessment of the gratuities was one week's salary for each completed year of service. The amount of the weekly salary was the average over the last three years of service.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cattle shipped from Northern Ireland and Eireann ports to Glasgow during 1939 and 1948, respectively; the number of casualties which occurred to such cattle on that route during those years; and the number which had to be destroyed on board as a result of such injuries in those years.

The number of cattle shipped from ports in Northern Ireland and Eire to Glasgow during 1939 and 1948, and some particulars about casualties to such cattle, are given in the following table:

—	1939	1948
Cattle shipped from:
Northern Ireland	93,964	75,489
Eire	86,679	61,234
Cattle that died or were killed during voyages from:
Northern Ireland	5	10
Eire	5	11

Apart from those included in the above table, there were no cases of serious injury during voyages from either Northern Ireland or Eire to Glasgow in 1939 and 1948. The records available do not distinguish between animals which died on board and those which were destroyed as a result of injury.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cattle shipped from Northern Ireland and Eireann ports to British ports, other than Glasgow, during 1939 and 1948, respectively; the number of casualties which occurred to such cattle on those routes during those years; and the number which had to be destroyed on board as a result of such injuries in those years.

The number of cattle shipped from ports in Northern Ireland and Eire to ports in Great Britain, other than Glasgow, during 1939 and 1948, and some particulars about casualties to such cattle, are given in the following table:

—	1939	1948
Cattle shipped from:
Northern Ireland	190,826	156,396
Eire	543,871	132,082
Cattle that died or were killed during voyages from:
Northern Ireland	13	48
Eire	116	36
Cattle that were seriously injured during voyages from:
Northern Ireland	3	2
Eire	21	—

The records available do not distinguish between animals which died on board and those which were destroyed as a result of injury.