asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the continuing increase of production in all branches of the clothing industry and the larger allocation of supplies to the home civilian market, he will now announce the date on which the clothes rationing scheme will end.

Yes, I have.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to decontrol the timber industry.

No. I shall continue to dispense with controls over the distribution and purchase of timber as fast as conditions permit. But complete decontrol now of all types of timber would not, in my view, be either practicable or desirable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the increased duties on English hand tools imposed by the Australian Government; and what representations are being made to the Australian authorities with regard to them.

Yes. The by-law provision for duty-free entry of secateurs and parts has recently been cancelled by the Australian authorities without reference to the Tariff Board under a new procedure, against which I have caused representations to be made to the Australian Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many official Press notices have been issued by the production Departments during 1948; how many of these were for the express benefit of firms who are not adequately represented by their trade associations, or who are not members of any association; and in what publications did the latter appear.

687 trade Press notices were issued by the Board of Trade Information Division during 1948. Of these 152 were concerned with clothes rationing and textiles; 125 with raw materials; 119 with prices; and 114 with overseas trade. Press notices are for the guidance of all firms in an industry, not for particular firms, and special care is taken to see that they are sent to all the appropriate trade journals as well as to the appropriate trade associations. In addition they are usually sent to the national Press and are all published in full in the Board of Trade Journal. While it is not possible to analyse the publicity given to each announcement, I am satisfied that our Press notices receive adequate coverage in the Press in general.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has received protesting against the use of the term "wool" to describe cloth containing only 15 per cent. of wool; and what action he proposes to take.

In consequence of representations received from various quarters in the past few years that the term "wool cloth" should not be used in Statutory Instruments, to refer to any cloth containing more than 15 per cent. of wool, we undertook that, as and when these Statutory Instruments were reviewed, they should be amended to avoid defining the term in a way which might prejudice its interpretation as a trade description. This has been done.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he proposes to discontinue the issuing of permits to obtain paraffin.

As soon as I am satisfied that this step would not prejudice the supply of paraffin to consumers who depend upon it for cooking, lighting or heating.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that anthracite is unobtainable in Chulmleigh and the neighbouring district, that this fuel is urgently required for stoves to heat water to sterilise dairy equipment, and when deliveries of anthracite may be expected in the area.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Joynson-Hicks) on 10th February. My regional officers and the local fuel overseers do not know of any dairyman or other user of boiler fuel in Chulmleigh or the neighbouring district who has an appliance unsuitable for burning coke and who cannot obtain supplies of anthracite.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power (1) whether he will now permit separate registration with a gas works or other coke producer to any consumers who use coke;(2) whether in order to assist consumers who only purchase coke in very small quantities he will increase the amount which can be obtained outside the restrictions.

I am giving instructions that separate registration with a coke producer shall in future be allowed to any consumer on application to the local fuel overseer. I also propose, as from 1st May, to increase from 28 lb. to 56 lb. at a time the quantity which may be obtained outside the restrictions.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what plans of development and reconstruction are in hand or contemplated for the working of deep-mined coal in the North Staffordshire coalfield.

I understand from the National Coal Board that, while their plans for the development of the North Staffordshire area are not yet complete, one major reconstruction scheme is proceeding, and two others are about to be put in hand.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many opencast coal sites are now in operation in North Staffordshire; what further schemes are projected; and what are their locations.

Four sites are in operation of which one is now being restored. Following is the detailed information:Lawn and Greenhill: Extension to Hall Hill Zone now operating.Berry Hill-Botteslow: 1¼ miles S.E. of Hanley.Kerry: 2 miles N.E. of Stoke.Apedale: 3 miles N.W. of Newcastle.Cromlech: 3 miles North of Burslem.Burley Farm: Extension to Grubbers Hill Zone, now operating.Holly Wood: 3 miles West of Newcastle.Great Oak: 3½ miles West of Tunstall.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the wage scale for probation officers.

The current scales for probation officers were prescribed in the Probation Rules, 1946, and came into operation on 1st December, 1946. Up to the age of 30 pay is governed by age, as follows:

—	Men	Women
Age 23 but under 24	£305	£290 a year
Age 24 but under 25	£315	£300 a year
Age 25 but under 26	£325	£310 a year
Age 26 but under 27	£340	£325 a year
Age 27 but under 28	£355	£340 a year
Age 28 but under 29	£370	£355 a year
Age 29 but under 30	£385	£370 a year
Age 30 or on first appointment above that age	£400	£385 a year

Women officers over 30 receive an increment of £15 for each year of paid service up to the maximum of £460: men receive the same increments up to £460 and then increments of £20 up to the maximum of £570. Officers whose services are allocated wholly or mainly to courts in the Metropolitan Police District or the City of London receive an addition of £30 a year at all points of the scale. Ninety-four senior probation officers receive in addition to scale pay an allowance of up to £50 a year in respect of their supervisory responsibilities. Principal probation officers are paid special salary scales with the approval of the Secretary of State. The scales at present approved and the number of posts are shown below:

£500 x £20— £700	…	1 post (Woman)
£625 x £20— £725	…	22 posts
£650 x £25— £775	…	4 posts
£675 x £25— £825	…	3posts
£700 x £25— £825	…	2 posts
£700 x £25— £875	…	1 post
£750 x £25— £950	…	1 post
£800 x £30— £975	…	1 post
£800 x £30—£1,000	…	1 post
£900 x £30—£1,125	…	1 post

In addition, there are eight deputy and assistant principal posts at salaries ranging from £500x £20 £600 (for Women Assistants) to £700x £25 £825.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what terms of compensation have been offered to ex-members of the National Fire Service who volunteered for whole-time pensionable work with local authority fire services, but whose services were not accepted.

I would refer the hon. Member to the comprehensive statement which I made on this subject on the 7th December last in reply to a Question by the hon. and gallant Member for New Forest and Christchurch (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will appoint a committee to inquire into the law and practice relating to matrimonial cases in magistrates courts; to review the recommendations of the 1912 Royal Commission on Divorce relating to these courts; and to make recommendations.

There have been important changes in the law relating to the exercise of matrimonial jurisdiction by magistrates since the Report of the Royal Commission in 1912, and although there are no doubt many respects in which the law and practice relating to matrimonial cases in magistrates courts can be further improved, I do not think there is any ground at the present time for instituting such a comprehensive inquiry as my hon. Friend suggests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enact the recommendations on matrimonial cases in magistrates courts of the 1912 Royal Commission on Divorce.

I am afraid I can hold out no hope of legislation on this subject at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health in how many hospitals in the County of Staffordshire private wards under Sections 4 and 5 of Part II of the National Health Service Act, 1946, are not available, and why.

My hon. Friend received a letter about this on 22nd March.

asked the Minister of Health if he is yet in a position to make a statement on the claim by trained nurses and midwives for an increase in pay.

No. This matter is before the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that patients are being kept over five weeks awaiting X-ray examinations, because of the shortage of X-ray films, as evidenced by the correspondence sent to him; and what steps he is taking to end this delay.

I am aware of some difficulties although not specially in Leicester. The facts about X-ray film supply were fully explained in the Debate on 22nd February.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the acute shortage of X-ray films, size 15 by 12, at the Brompton Hospital; and if, in view of the fact that this is the recognised post graduate teaching hospital for chest diseases, he will make such new arrangements for the distribution of X-ray films as will ensure that hospitals of this type do not go short.

As previously explained the greatly increased use of X-ray films has resulted in some shortages despite the additional supplies made available. Manufacturers have been asked to distribute supplies fairly in relation to known needs.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases in mental hospitals in 1938, 1945; 1946, 1947 and 1948, respectively.

The number of patients in mental hospitals in England and Wales on 1st January of each of the years referred to was as follows:

		Number of patients in Mental Hospitals
Date 1st January		M.	F.	T.
1938	…	58,641	73,311	131,952
1945	…	54,606	72,679	127,285
1946	…	54,687	72,699	127,386
1947	…	55,198	73,381	128,579
1948	…	55,240	73,577	128,817

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue a circular to local medical authorities indicating that he is prepared to allow responsible persons acting for doctors to renew prescriptions and issue medical certificates.

The terms of service of general practitioners prescribe conditions subject to which qualified deputies and assistants may act for practitioners in these matters. I do not think that it would be in the public interest to extend these arrangements to unqualified persons.

asked the Minister of Health what percentage of the midwives in Leeds are trained in the use of analgesia; and what percentage of women in Leeds desiring analgesia are able to have it.

One hundred per cent. of the domiciliary midwives employed by the City Council and 65 per cent. of the hospital midwives are trained in the use of analgesia. In the six months of 1948 in which the National Health Service was in operation 35 per cent. of the domiciliary cases attended by the Council's midwives had analgesia. Though actual figures are not available analgesia or anaesthesia would be given in most confinements in hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent it has been his policy to grant an additional housing allocation to local authorities in areas where the local building industry has succeeded in completing the original allocation within the period; whether any town in the North-East region has, on completion of its original allocation within the period, had its request for an additional allocation refused; and which local authorities in North-East England have applied and received an additional allocation on completion of the original target.

Additional allocations are made to local authorities as soon as satisfactory progress has been made with the initial allocation for any period, so as to maintain a continued house building programme. The second and third parts of the Question do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Health what amount of the £370 million allocated in the Economic Survey for 1949 for the construction and maintenance of permanent houses is earmarked for the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

The housing programmes of individual local authorities are continuing operations full particulars of which are given in the Housing Return, Appendix B.

asked the Minister of Health how many, and which, local authorities have cleared their housing lists; and what is the total number of those lists.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Stretford (Mr. Austin) on 20th January of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the details which have been sent to him about the bad conditions under which people are living in six bungalows on Hulbury Farm, Swanley, Kent; and what action he proposes to take to remedy these conditions.

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give consideration to the question of unadopted roads which are scattered about in all parts of the country, the condition of which is a menace to public health and safety; and to take effective means whereby such roads will be made up for clean and safe public use as speedily as possible.

The initiation of private street works is the responsibility of local authorities and I cannot intervene. I am prepared to authorise work if the condition of a street is a menace to public health and safety.

asked the Minister of Health when the proposals for the Lam-bourn valley sewerage scheme were first received by his Department from the Hungerford Rural District Council; and what is the reason for the delay in approving this scheme.

Proposals were first submitted in May, 1946, but I was unable to approve them. Revised proposals were submitted in April, 1948. The delay in proceeding with the scheme since then has been due to the difficulty of finding a suitable site for the sewage disposal works.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on what basis claims under the Town and Country Planning Act for loss of building development value are assessed for Estate Duty or Succession Duty;(2) on what basis claims under the Town and Country Planning Act for the loss of development value in relation to minerals are assessable under Estate Duty and Succession Duty.

Claims under Part VI of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, for loss of development value whether in relation to building value or minerals, are regarded as property of which the amount or value is not known at the date of death. Under Section 6 (3) of the Finance Act, 1894, satisfaction of the duty is deferred until their amount is known. Legacy Duty and Succession Duty are dealt with similarly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of money paid from Government funds to London hotels during 1948 in respect of reservation fees and of rooms booked and not occupied.

No reservation fee was paid. Charges for rooms booked and not occupied are extremely rare. During 1948 the only such charge recorded was for £24 6s.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the cost to the taxpayer of the exhibition at the Central Office of Information near the Marble Arch; and how long it will remain open.

The estimated cost is £33,000. The Exhibition will remain open until 30th April.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the lodging allowance of 11s. a day granted to officers on temporary duties after 28 days is subject to Income Tax, while the daily allowance of a greater amount granted for lesser periods is untaxed.

The lodging allowance forms part of the officers' emoluments and as such is liable to Income Tax as was announced in Command 6750. The allowance paid to officers who are serving for short periods away from their station is regarded as a subsistence allowance and as such is not liable to Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will be in a position to publish the report of the Committee to examine the existing limitations on the political activities of civilian Government staffs.

I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Bristol (Mr. Awbery) on 10th March.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will again look into the question of the two old servants of the House with 56 and 50 years' service, employed by the Ministry of Works, of whom he has been informed; and, in view of the fact that they are too old to benefit under the Ministry's new pension scheme, whether they can be brought in under the new superannuation scheme, as other men under 65 who cannot get in their minimum 10 years' countable service are to receive a higher rate of gratuity.

The normal gratuity paid to unestablished civil servants will be paid in both these cases. The Superannuation Bill now before Parliament will not increase the rate of those gratuities in these or any other cases.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will provide an estimate of the additional cost to the Exchequer in the first year and of the eventual additional cost per annum which would result from allowing all unestablished or temporary service rendered in the Civil Service prior to establishment, which under the 1935 and 1946 Superannuation Acts count as to one-half for pension purposes, to count in full.

So many assumptions have to be made in calculating the cost of this proposal that a reliable estimate cannot be given. The cost would, however, be many millions.

asked the Minister of Education whether children attending special schools for partially-sighted children are given priority in the allocation of spectacles, in view of the fact that it is essential to conserve the residual vision of these children.

Opticians and manufacturers have been asked to do all they can to give priority in the provision of glasses to specially urgent cases, and I am sure that they will do their best for partially-sighted children.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities are operating the new rates of maintenance for major awards recommended by him in January, 1949.

Forty-six of the local education authorities in England and Wales have informed me that they are operating the new rates of maintenance grant and nine have expressed their intention to introduce them shortly.

asked the Minister of Education which local education authorities are still making loans to students; and what rates of interest they charge.

I give below the names of 48 authorities in England and Wales still making loans in 1947–48. Information about rates of interest charged is incomplete, but in 10 of the 11 cases known loans were interest free. In the eleventh case the rate was 4¼ per cent.

asked the Minister of Education how many students from the Orthopædic Training College, Stan-more, completed training in 1948; how many were found suitable employment; and in what trades and professions.

The College was closed during the war and re-opened in September, 1946. As each course takes three years, no students will complete training before this summer.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware of the shortage of qualified assistant teachers, amounting approximately to 160 or 18 per cent. in the East London area; whether there is a general shortage in London as a whole; and what steps he proposes to take in order to meet this problem.

I am aware that there is a shortage of teachers in East London. The overall position, however, in London compares favourably with that in the country generally and it is for the London County Council in co-operation with school managers and governors to see that the available staff is distributed to the best advantage.

asked the Minister of Education what permanent machinery exists within his Department to regulate the recruitment and training of teachers; and what action he proposes to take in order to secure a proper and balanced supply in future for the staffing of nursery, infant, junior and secondary schools.

Forecasts as to probable demand are and will be used to determine what training college developments should be encouraged from time to time and what advice should be given to training colleges as to the emphasis to be placed on various forms of training. In addition, I have had the benefit of advice from the Interim Committee for Teachers and am about to set up a National Advisory Council on teachers' questions, including the question of adjusting supply and demand.

asked the Minister of Education, in view of the postponement of the date for establishing county colleges and the shortage of trained men and women to carry the responsibilities of youth service, what steps he is taking to secure the training of youth leaders; how many courses are now in operation; and what additional courses are contemplated in the forthcoming year.

I do not understand the reference to a postponement of the date for establishing county colleges. As regards the later part of the question I am considering the Report of the Committee on Recruitment, Training and Conditions of Service of Youth Leaders and Community Centre Wardens, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. In addition to the full-time courses conducted by voluntary organisations, there are at present four one-year courses for youth leaders at universities or university colleges which are recognised under the terms of Circular 116. Three of these courses will be continued next winter apart from any action which may be taken to carry out the recommendations of the new Report.

asked the Minister of Education what further steps have been taken to enable a number of Palestinian Arab students in England, whose parents are not longer able to maintain them, to complete their courses.

I am in consultation with my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but am not yet in a position to announce a decision on the matter.

asked the Minister of Education how many colleges for adult education have been established since the 1944 Education Act; and what is their precise location.

I understand that the following 18 Residential Colleges of Adult Education established since 1944 are now in operation:Denman College, Marcham Park. Abingdon, Berkshire.Missenden Abbey Adult Education College, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire.Stoke Centre of Recreative Crafts, Stoke House, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire.Burton Manor Residential College for Adult Education, Burton, Wirral, Cheshire.Cowley Manor Adult Education Centre, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.Pendley Centre of Adult Education, Pendley Manor, Tring, Hertfordshire.Kingsgate Y.M.C.A. College for Adults, Broadstairs. Kent.Stanford Hall Co-operative College, Stanford Hall, Loughborough, Leicestershire.Holly Royde Residential College for Adult Education, Manchester.Lenton Hurst, Derby Road, Nottingham.Attingham Hall Residential College for Adult Education, Shrewsbury, Shropshire.Wedgwood Memorial College, Barlaston, Staffordshire.Belstead House Adult Residential College, near Ipswich, Suffolk.Lodge Hill Residential Centre for Youth and Adult Education, Pulborough, Sussex.Westham House, Barford Warwickshire.Eden Grove Residential Centre, Bolton, Penrith, Cumberland.Urchfont Residential College for Adult Education, near Devizes, Wiltshire.Dyffryn House Residential Centre, St. Nicholas, Glamorgan.I have no complete information about the many local non-residential centres which contribute to the education of the adult population.

asked the Minister of Education how many nursery, babies' classes and classes for children of the age of four have been discontinued to make room for children of statutory school age; and how many children of under five years of age have been displaced.

The number of classes containing children entirely under five in maintained and assisted primary schools (other than nursery schools) fell from 3,302 in January, 1947, to 3,239 in January, 1948. The total number of children under five in these schools fell from 184,700 to 179,217 during the same period.

asked the Minister of Education when he expects to be able to provide figures showing the number of five-year-olds entering school at the beginning of the present school year.

Local education authorities are not asked to submit figures of the number of children entering school at the beginning of the school year, but an estimate of the number can be made from the age analysis of children in school in January of each year. This analysis of the 1949 figures is expected to be completed by the end of June.

asked the Minister of Education what proportion of the £29 million value of work under construction on 31st December, 1948, was to accommodate additional children expected in infant schools in 1949.

I regret that this information is not available. Many building projects for new schools or classrooms—both primary and secondary—will directly or indirectly provide additional accommodation for infants.

asked the Minister of Education how many midday meals were provided to schoolchildren in the borough of Mossley, Lancashire, during each of the years 1921 to 1939, inclusive; and give comparable figures for the years 1945 to 1948, inclusive.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education whether there are now sufficient textbooks for the needs of all secondary schools; and to what extent priority is given to grammar schools over modern and technical schools.

The purchase of textbooks for schools is a matter for the local education and other school authorities. I cannot say therefore whether the needs of all secondary schools are now being met; but, in general, the supply of books for schools has greatly improved in recent months and this improvement should continue. My Department has not encouraged either authorities or publishers to give any special preference to the requirements of any particular type of secondary school.

asked the Minister of Education how many local education authorities have 1949 programmes for building new schools or new class-room accommodation; and how many local education authorities are not contemplating any new building in 1949.

Building projects for new schools or new classroom accommodation are included in the 1949 programmes of 139 local education authorities. Six authorities will start no major projects in 1949 and the programme of one authority is concerned solely with technical education.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when, and for what reasons, the defence force raised in Basutoland during the war was disbanded.

During the war, Basutoland sent contingents to the African Pioneer Corps. After the fighting ceased, it sent contingents to the High Commission Territories Corps, which was employed on guard and other duties in the Middle East. The men were enlisted for two and a half years; it was never intended that the forces to which they belonged should be permanent; and in fact they were disbanded, when they had completed the special tasks for which they were engaged. There has never been a permanent local defence force in Basutoland.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how much land is required for the construction of the proposed road from Maseru to Quthing in Basutoland; whether he will give an assurance that the consent of the local councils will be obtained before the land is taken over; and what compensation is to be paid to the present owners.

I think my hon. Friend must have in mind the road which it is proposed to build from Maseru to the central mountain area. This road is being constructed at the request of the inhabitants, and with the full agreement of the Paramount Chief and her advisers. All the land in Basutoland is communally owned; no question of compensation to individual owners can therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what progress has been made in the development of education in Basutoland during the last three years.

The Government of Basutoland have done their best to carry out the recommendations made by the Commission of which Sir Frederick Clarke was Chairman in 1945. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the last Annual Report of the Director of Education, in which he will find details of the progress which has recently been made.

asked the Minister of Works when the erection of the prefabricated buildings at Byron Street and Athey Street Secondary Schools, Macclesfield, will be completed.

By 1st October next, but every effort will be made to complete earlier.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that a Gosforth resident, of whom he has been informed, submitted an estimate for repairs due to damage to his dwelling house arising from opencast coal working on 18th November, 1947, that the compensation figure was agreed on 16th April, 1948, and accepted on 19th April, 1948, that the applicant was informed on 21st July, 1948, that the papers in connection with the claim were in the hands of his Department; and when the agreed amount accepted nearly a year ago will be paid.

Yes. It is regretted that delay has occurred in settling the claim payment is being made today.

asked the Attorney-General whether in view of the prevalence of agreements insisting on tenants binding themselves not to assign, underlet or part with the possession of their flats or any part thereof to any person of colour, he will introduce legislation to prohibit such discrimination.

Much as I deplore the colour prejudice which is responsible for the restrictive covenants in leases to which my hon. and learned Friend refers, I can only repeat what I said to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 11th May, 1948. It it doubtful whether legislation would be as effective as a strengthening of public opinion against the present practice, but the possibility of appropriate legislation is still being considered.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the serious shortage of batteries for deaf aids in some parts of South Wales; and if he will take immediate steps in order that an adequate supply be made available in those areas.

No. I will, however, make further inquiries if my hon. Friend will send me details.

asked the Minister of Supply how many fighter planes have been ordered by the Government of Pakistan; and what delays there have been in delivery.

It is not the practice to disclose the numbers of aircraft ordered by another Government. I understand that there has been some delay in the delivery of one type, but that the difficulties which have been experienced have now been overcome.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the increase in the petrol ration during the holiday months will also apply to operators of holiday tour coaches.

Yes. It has been decided to restore one-half of the cut imposed last year on the ration for 'buses and coaches used on excursions and tours and private party work.

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered as unemployed at the following employment exchanges, Normanton, Castleford and Featherstone; and what number at each exchange are disabled persons, at the latest convenient date.

The following table gives the desired information, so far as it is available. There is no employment exchange at Featherstone, which is covered by the Pontefract employment exchange. Figures for Pontefract are accordingly given in the table:

—		Numbers registers as unemployed as unemployed at 14th February, 1949	Numbers included in previous column registered under the Disabled persons (Employment) Act, 1944
Normanton	…	65	20
Castleford	…	388	139
Pontefract	…	121	36

The figures given above exclude nine, 54, and 52 registered disabled persons at Normanton, Castleford and Pontefract, respectively, who require employment under sheltered conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why His Majesty's Government's representative on the Security Council did not support the Israeli application for membership of the United Nations.

The reasons for which His Majesty's Government instructed the United Kingdom representative so to act were made clear in the latter's speech at the 414th Meeting of the Security Council on 4th March. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Verbatim Record.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what basis he disposed of the plant and equipment of the North German Timber Control when it ceased operations; how much was returned to this country; and to whom it was sold.

That part of the plant and equipment of the North German Timber Control, the cost of which is recoverable eventually from the German economy, is being retained in Germany. Part is being returned to the British Army of the Rhine. The remainder has been handed over the Ministry of Supply for use by their Scrap Recovery Organisation in Germany or for disposal as surplus. Over 400 tractors are in course of being returned by the Ministry of Supply to the United Kingdom for sale, but have not yet been sold.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the value of total exports from and imports into Cyprus for 1946 and 1947 respectively.

The figures requested are set out in the table below:

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS OF CYPRUS
—	1946	1947
	£'000	£'000
Imports (a)	8,132	13,585
Exports and Re-exports (a	4,202	5,141
(a) Excluding Specie.