asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent has heavy equipment of troops who have already sailed for Singapore and Hong King been held up by the dock strike.

Some shipments of heavy equipment from London have been delayed as much as three weeks on account of the dock strike, but, in spite of this, the large bulk of this equipment should be in Hong Kong within 2½ weeks of the arrival of the units to which it belongs.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present number of Army personnel employed in the docks; and how many of these are National Service men.

None. The number of soldiers who were available for employment in the docks when the strike ended was 8,500, of whom 76 per cent. were National Service men.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many band boys are serving with the Devon Regiment Band, 64 Reception Camp, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya; what military training they received before proceeding abroad; and what are their ages.

Nine band boys are serving with the band of the Devonshire Regiment in Malaya. Their ages range from 16 years 3 months to 17 years 5 months. Band boys may be posted overseas on attaining the age of 16 years, provided that they have obtained a general and musical education which would, in the opinion of the competent military authority, fit them to be considered active members of a band; that they receive a minimum average of eight hours' general education each week; that they are not stationed in locations where climatic conditions are likely seriously to affect their health, and that adequate arrangements are made for their supervision and welfare. The only military training considered necessary for band boys is a rudimentary knowledge of drill.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many trips into operational areas have been made by the Devon Regiment Band, 64 Reception Camp, Kuala Lumpur; and what escort was provided.

I have asked the Command for information which is not available here. When it has been received I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider the proposal that commanding officers should warn those who refuse vaccination and inoculation that they may become a danger to their comrades, in view of the fact that the latter are protected by their vaccination or inoculation.

The protection is not absolute, and the warning remains necessary.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he is aware that no mention of Berwick-on-Tweed or North Northumberland is made in his latest report on north-east development; and what is the reason for this omission.

The object of the plan was to deal with the physical planning of the North-East Development Area and the consultants' terms of reference were drawn up accordingly.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if, in order to give time for further consultation between professional associations and Government authorities, and in view of the anomalies that have arisen in the expropriation of development rights, he will take steps to postpone until further notice those parts of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, which impose development charges.

No.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what action he is taking in view of the fact that the markings on National Health insurance stamps still dissolve in water, and water is used to fix the stamps, to safeguard the use of these stamps.

National Insurance stamps are printed by special process as a precaution against fraudulent re-use. Examination of the stamps on the cards already surrendered does not suggest that any real difficulty is being experienced by the public generally in affixing the stamps if reasonable care in moistening is taken. Experiments are, however, being continued with a view to making the stamps less sensitive to water.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is his present policy with regard to the provision of offices of his Department in the Isle of Wight; how many it is intended to have; and where they are to be situated.

There are five offices of my Department on the Island—at Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Ventnor and Shanklin. All are being retained. The Newport office will continue to be open daily. As from the end of this month those at Cowes and Ryde will be open on three alternate days a week; those at Ventnor and Shanklin on two days a week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an estimate of the approximate extra annual charge to the taxpayer if all the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Population are adopted.

I assume that the hon. Member has the recommendations in paragraph 492 particularly in mind. The cost of giving effect to all these would be between£65 million and£70 million a year if exclusion of the first child continues and would be rather more than£200 million a year if the first child is included.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what authority Purchase Tax is charged for wound stripes.

These articles come under Group 4 of Part I of the Eighth Schedule of the Finance Act, 1948. But by virtue of various arrangements of which I am informing the hon. Member by letter, the charge is only incurred to an insignificant extent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what firms, and what individuals, are invited to apply for two copies of "Target"; how many copies are thus got into circulation; and what good results have been noted.

Thirty-six thousand copies of "Target" go to about 14,000 factories. Copies are supplied also to trades unions and trade associations. The total circulation is about 40,000. There is a good deal of evidence both direct from firms, and through the reports of regional officers, that the contents are found useful and that the bulletin is playing its intended part in the substantial increases in production and productivity which have been taking place.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that competent ex-Service temporary clerks at present employed in Government Departments are being discharged to make room for incoming female clerical assistants; and if he will give an undertaking that this policy will be reviewed.

The recruitment of established clerical assistants has inevitably involved the displacement of some temporary clerks but the current recruitment scheme is being wound up and future recruitment policy is already being considered.

asked the Prime Minister why His Majesty's Government have accepted the recommendations of the Masterman Report, without discussion with the staff side of the Civil Service National Whitley Council, whose position is materially worsened; and whether he will re-examine this position.

I have been asked to reply. At a meeting of the National Whitley Council held on 22nd July, the Official Side undertook to report the Staff Side's representations to Ministers and not to implement the Committee's recommendations until a further meeting took place. As to the suggestion that the Masterman Report materially worsens the position of the Staff Side, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman) on 13th July.

asked the President of the Board of Trade on what qualifications Professor P. M. S. Blackett was appointed a member of the National Research Development Corporation.

Professor Blackett is one of the first among British physicists and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1948. During the war, as Director of Operational Research, Coastal Command, and later Director of Naval Operational Research, he was outstandingly successful in tasks requiring qualities far outside those of the laboratory experimenter. He is a member of the Manchester Research Council, which deals with problems of industrial research. His scientific knowledge and judgment will be of the greatest use to the Corporation, which is already handling inventions requiring a profound appreciation of physics. We are quite satisfied that he will be in every way a most valuable member of the Corporation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what further steps he is taking to deal with the problem of frustrated exports.

None. I am satisfied that the present arrangements are working satisfactorily and am grateful to the Association of British Chambers of Commerce for their continued co-operation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Report of the Resale Price Maintenance Committee indicates that a large number of the organisations who gave evidence before that body were opposed to the recommendations made in that Report, he will take steps to publish such evidence at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Resale Price Maintenance Committee reported that evidence obtained from women's organisations revealed a preference by consumers for guaranteed products sold at fixed prices, he will arrange to publish in full the evidence of these organisations before any final decisions are reached about the implementation of the Committee's proposals.

The Report of the Resale Price Maintenance Committee described the evidence they received. I do not think that publication of the evidence in full is necessary to enable traders to give the consideration to the Report which was suggested by my right hon. Friend in his statement on 2nd June, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Elland (Mr. Cobb).

asked the President of the Board of Trade what inquiries he made, before deciding to adopt the recommendations of the Resale Price Maintenance Committee, to ascertain whether such action will enable multiple traders to offer greater inducements to the public in the form of cut prices or dividends than co-operative societies are at present able to do.

None.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of his appeal for efficiency and economy in the distributive trades, he will give further consideration to the loss of efficiency which will result to producers in enforcing the price maintenance of their goods if the system of collective enforcement of resale price maintenance is abolished as advocated in the Report of the Resale Price Maintenance Committee.

No. I see no reason to believe that the abolition of collective resale price maintenance and the consequential increase in competition between traders would lead to loss of efficiency.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Portsmouth factory in the ownership of Messrs. R. K. Dundas, Limited, formerly engaged in the production of cycles for the export market, has not been operating since 6th May last; and why his Department declines to use its powers of requisition contained in Defence Regulation 51 and effective by virtue of the Supplies and Services (Transitional Powers) Act, 1945, and the Supplies and Services (Extended Purposes) Act, 1947.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." With regard to the second part, requisitioning under existing powers, even if this course were otherwise desirable, would not provide a satisfactory basis for any arrangement for production by a private firm, since no security of tenure could be given beyond the year 1952.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in order to discourage theft, he will now give permission for the crockery used in the catering departments of holiday resorts to be marked with the initials of the owning local authority.

We have been in frequent consultation with manufacturers about this and we are satisfied that, while pottery labour remains as short as it is at present, to license special marking for home caterers would be detrimental to production and exports. We are, however, keeping the matter under constant review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many clothes manufactured for the home market and sold at high prices are of a most inferior quality; and whether he will agree to allow materials of better quality to be used for the manufacture of reasonably-priced clothes to be sold in this country.

The manufacture of reasonably-priced clothes is ensured by the utility scheme. Most of the clothes sold in this country are utility garments made to approved specifications which provide sound quality at controlled prices and I do not think alteration of these arrangements is called for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity and value of the woollen cloth, other than worsted, imported from Italy during 1948.

Imports from Italy during 1948 of woollen tissues other than worsted were 3.1 million square yards valued at£1.4 million.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the delay on the part of his Department in replying to the application of the Bristol Zoo to import a jaguar from the Continent caused the zoo to lose the opportunity to obtain this valuable asset; and what were the reasons for the delay.

In reply to an inquiry made on 21st June, the Import Licensing Department sent an application form on 28th June to the superintendent of the Bristol Zoo but have not yet received the completed form.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Olympia typewriters have been imported from the Soviet zone of Germany; and what is the cost of each.

I regret that the information asked for is not available as the trade returns do not distinguish imports of typewriters by makes, nor do they distinguish between imports from the different zones.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in which industries Development Councils have now been set up as provided for in the Industrial Organisation Development Act, 1947; and what others are under review.

Development Councils have been set up in three industries: cotton, furniture, and jewellery and silverware. We are in consultation with five other industries about proposals for Development Councils. The industries concerned are the clothing, wool, hosiery, pottery, and cutlery industries. My right hon. Friend has laid before Parliament the draft of an order to establish a Development Council for the clothing industry, and my hon. Friend will probably be aware that proposals have recently been published for a Development Council for the wool textile industry.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of sawnwood, D.B.B., and pitprops his Department has purchased for shipment this season from Finland, Sweden, Poland and other European countries, respectively; and what further purchases are contemplated from these countries for shipment during the present season.

It would be contrary to normal practice to disclose details of timber contracts placed or contemplated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the chartering of foreign flag tonnage for the importation of timber from the North European countries has involved hard currency expenditure; and in particular what call upon our dollar resources the chartering of German tonnage for such shipments has created.

Since 1st January, 1949, the only hard currency expenditure involved is in Belgian francs to an equivalent value of about£13,000. Where German tonnage is used, it is chartered in sterling and payment made through the United Kingdom current trade account with Western Germany. This may involve the United Kingdom in a dollar liability, but it is impossible to say how far past dollar settlements have been necessitated by the chartering of German tonnage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far the seasons timber shipment programme has been covered by chartering to date; and of the fixtures made, what quantities of sawnwood and pitprops, respectively, will have been shipped in British bottoms; and what quantities by German, Turkish, Panamanian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Greek and other flag ships, respectively.

The timber shipment programme has been covered fully to date and no difficulty is expected in completing the chartering for the remainder of the season. It would be contrary to normal practice to disclose the extent to which the Timber Control will be on the open market for tonnage in the coming months, but I give below figures showing the proportional participation of British, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, German and other ships in the carriage of sawnwood and pitprops already fixed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in his desire to have some control in the clothing industry, he will meet the wishes of both sides of the industry and have a separate committee established for Scotland.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to a similar Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kelvingrove (Mr. J. L. Williams) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can yet give details of the new limitations to be placed on the importation of agricultural machinery from the United States of America, particularly combine harvesters.

The issue of new licences for the importation of agricultural machinery from the United States of America is subject to the standstill announced by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 6th July. The importation of American machines, including combine harvesters, for the 1949 harvest will not in practice be affected since these machines will have been imported under licences issued prior to the announcement of the standstill. The licensing arrangements for the machines to be imported for use in 1950 will be determined when the revised United Kingdom import programme for 1949–50 is drawn up in September.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many improvement and amenity schemes under the Distribution of Industry Act are now in progress in the South Wales Development Area; where they are located; and what is the amount of grant approved for each.

If, as I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the clearance of derelict land under the provisions of Section 5 (3) of the Act, six schemes are now in progress. The following are the details:

Locality	Amount of grant approved
	£
(1) Abercerdin Road (Ogmore Vale)	6,629
(2) Blaengwynfi (Nr. Maesteg)	15,438
(3) Hopkinstown (Pontypridd)	15,627
(4) Park Farm, Trecynon Aberdare)	22,574
(5) Pwll (Llanelly)	1,333
(6) Humphries Terrace Tip, Maesteg	3,848

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many factories have been completed in South Wales for which no tenants have been found; where these factories are located; and what is their employment capacity.

Nine factories have been completed in South Wales for which no tenants have yet been found. They are at Aberdare, Ammanford, Tumble, Ferndale (2), Mountain Ash (3) and Llwynypia. They would be capable of employing about 1,500 people.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the Grenfell factories in South Wales are now in production; how many men are employed; and how many of these are disabled ex-miners.

Five Grenfell factories in South Wales are now in production, employing a total of 125 men of whom 65 are registered disabled persons. I am unaware how many are ex-miners, but 41 are pneumoconiosis cases.

asked the Minister of Labour the unemployment figures for the whole country to the latest available date; and the figures for Cornwall.

At 13th June, the latest date for which figures are available. 263,643 persons were registered as unemployed in Great Britain and 1,720 in Cornwall.

asked the Minister of Labour how many standard and substandard hostels are now operated by the National Service Hostels Corporation: what is the total capacity of each type: to what extent it is being used; what is the estimated annual revenue that will be obtained from the recent increased charges; and what is the revised estimated annual loss which will be met by his Department.

The number of industrial hostels being managed at the end of June, 1949, by the National Service Hostels Corporation, Limited, for the Ministry of Labour and National Service was as follows: standard type, 65 with total capacity of 28,576; sub-standard 8, total capacity 3,371. The numbers in residence were 23,498 and 2,872 respectively. It is estimated that an additional income of approximately£300,000 will be obtained during the first year of operation of the increased charges introduced at these hostels on 11th July, 1949, and that the loss for this period to be met by my Department will be about£1,300,000.

asked the Minister of Labour by what approximate amount per week the 35s. standard industrial hostel charge falls short of the cost of providing the accommodation and services and has to be met by his Department.

It is estimated that on the revised charge of 35s. a week at standard hostels, there will be a net deficiency of about 16s. 6d. a week which will have to be met by my Department.

asked the Minister of Labour how long his Department have deliberated over the new scale suggested by the Wages Council for new scales of wages for the booksellers and stationers' employees; and when the result will be announced.

The wages regulation proposals of the Retail Bookselling and Stationery Trades Council (Great Britain) were submitted to me in April last. The establishment of statutory rates for the trade cannot be regarded as anything but a most important development, and the proposals fell to be considered not only in relation to this section of the trade, but also in relation to other sections, in regard to which wage regulation proposals were also in the course of being submitted. After very careful consideration I found it necessary to refer the proposals back with observations on a number of points. I am awaiting the result of the consideration by the Wages Council on these observations.

asked the Minister of Labour how many men and women, respectively, have become redundant in factories in the South Wales Development Area during this year.

The information desired by my hon. Friend is not available. There are, however, fewer men and women now unemployed in the manufacturing industries in the South Wales Development Area than there were at the end of last year. The figures are as follow:

—	December, 1948		June, 1949
	Males	Females	Males	Females
	5,713	3,255	5,586	3,074
Percentages	3·7	6·6	3·6	6·2

asked the Minister of Labour how many persons are registered as unemployed at the following employment exchanges in South Wales: Neath, Resolven, Ystalyfera, Pontardawe, Garnant and Clydach; what are the percentages

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF THE UNDERMENTIONED EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES AT 11th JULY, 1949, AND 12TH JULY, 1948.
—			Number of unemployed persons on register at		Number of unemployed as a percentage of the number of insurance cards issued to employees at the employment exchanges in question in July, 1948*
			11th July, 1949	12th July, 1948	11th July, 1949	12th July, 1948
Neath	…	…	354	711	1·3	2·6
Resolven	…	…	106	187	1·6	2·8
Ystalyfera	…	…	631	725	11·6	13·4
Pontardawe	…	…	103	128	3·0	3·7
Garnant	…	…	645	610	15·4	14·6
Clydach	…	…	72	99	2·1	2·9
* Unemployment figures relate primarily to the areas in which the unemployed persons reside. The figures of insurance cards issued, on the other hand, relate more closely to the areas in which they work. The percentage figures for different areas may not, therefore be strictly comparable.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what complaints he has received from the agricultural colleges in Scotland as to the limitations in petrol supplies which are interfering with their duties; and what action he proposes to take.

As I explained yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Perth (Colonel Gomme-Duncan), this matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that on Whit Monday the public offices of the Land Board were closed in Edinburgh; and if this practice of adopting English holidays in Scotland can be reconsidered, with a view to meeting the public convenience.

Under arrangements agreed with the staff side, Whit Monday and the previous Saturday are observed

The following table gives the information desired:as two of the privilege holidays allowed to civil servants in my own and certain other Departments in Edinburgh. So far as necessary duty officers are in attendance on those days to meet the needs of the public; and no complaint has come to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of many district councils in Scotland at his failure under the draft regulations of the Civil Defence Act, 1949, to place the responsibility for provision of rest centres, shelters, voluntary services, evacuation and billeting in the hands of the district councils; and if he will reconsider his decision on this matter.

I have carefully considered the representations which have been made to me in this matter by the District Councils Association, but I am satisfied that the right course is to entrust Civil Defence functions to the authorities now responsible for running the same or analogous services. County councils will, however, be able under the draft regulations now before Parliament, to delegate functions to district councils, and I shall encourage them to do so in appropriate cases.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that Mr. David Irvine, who has had 14 years Regular and Territorial service and was five years a prisoner of war, was recently evicted from his lodgings with his wife and five children; that in consequence the family is now divided between three separate dwellings and the Burgh of Barrhead has no prospect of being able to provide a home for the whole family since its permitted building programme is insufficient to meet normal wastage and it has been refused permission to contract for further building; and what action he proposes to take to enable local authorities to deal with their housing requirements.

I understand that this family were recently asked to leave their sublet accommodation by the principal tenant. Mr. Irvine applied in 1946 for a new house but the town council, in whose hands the matter lies, have decided that they cannot give him preference over prior applicants. Since 1945 Barrhead have completed 60 temporary and 87 permanent houses. They now have 207 houses under construction and have been authorised to begin 100 more. There is no point in allocating additional houses until more of those under construction have been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the total number of new housing units completed from 1st January, 1946, to 31st December, 1948, in Lanarkshire including the burghs but excluding the City of Glasgow; the number now allocated under the current programme; and the comparable figures for the City of Glasgow.

During the period in question 9,965 new houses, permanent and temporary, were completed in Lanarkshire and 7,816 in Glasgow. The number of houses recently authorised to be begun is 3,004 in Lanarkshire and 4,445 in Glasgow.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered a communication from Kilmarnock Town Council on the rent policy of the Scottish Special Housing Association and what reply he has sent.

Yes. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter sent to the town clerk.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will set up a working party to inquire into proposals for speeding up the progress of housing in Scotland.

In February I asked the building and civil engineering industry Joint Advisory Panel for Scotland to consider and recommend what steps might be taken to expedite housing progress in Scotland and I understand that the Panel expect to supply an early report.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolution, a copy of which has been sent him, passed on 15th June, at the Annual Conference of the British Legion, Scotland, calling attention to the grave housing shortage in Scotland, and pressing for immediate action; and what steps he proposes to take to make the building of houses in Scotland a top priority and tackle the problem as a military operation.

I have seen the resolution to which the hon. Gentleman refers and have replied to the British Legion. As the hon. Gentleman will realise the top priority in Scotland is to ensure the food supply of the nation.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made for the provision of home accommodation for the aged people by the local authorities in Scotland.

Since the beginning of 1948 three new homes for this purpose have been opened, with a total of 82 places-17 large houses have been acquired and are being adapted to provide about 400 places and negotiations are in progress for the purchase of five more houses.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the priority scheme for provision of spectacles for school children.

The arrangements mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member on 31st May enable opticians to mark a proportion of their prescriptions for priority of delivery by the manufacturers. This can cover any child suffering from myopia or squint, or whose sight is in danger of serious deterioration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has read the reports passed to him by the hon. Member for Streatham on the use of poison by salmon thieves in the rivers Cassley, Einig, Oykell and Corriemulzie in Sutherland and Ross-shire, which destroyed several hundred salmon in addition to those stolen; and whether he will take immediate action to restrict the sale of cyamag to agriculturists who require it for lawful purposes; and to track down and punish the evildoers who are committing these crimes for gain.

Yes. I have read and taken note of the correspondence referred to in the Question. Cyamag is largely used by agriculturists and others to destroy vermin. It can only be sold by retail chemists on registered premises and to persons known to the seller. A record of the sale must be kept for two years in the Poisons Register which must be open for inspection by the police. I am not satisfied that further restrictions on the sale of this particular poison would be justified. As regards the last part of the Question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 21st June last.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered information of the illegal netting and killing of 33 salmon on the upper reaches of the rivers Brora and Black-water in Sutherland; and, in view of the widespread destruction of breeding stock, will he make greater use of the emergency powers which he already has so that motor vehicles used by salmon thieves may be confiscated and prison sentences imposed instead of fines.

I am aware of the complaints of salmon poaching on the rivers Brora and Blackwater about which the hon. Member has written to me. In certain circumstances sentence of imprisonment may be imposed under the existing law. On the evidence before me I am not satisfied that I should be justified in seeking to take further powers under the emergency legislation. A committee which I set up last year, is, however, examining the general question of protecting the salmon fisheries against large-scale destruction, and I am drawing the committee's attention to the information supplied by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he has considered the reports which have been sent to him of large scale thefts of salmon from the Halladale River in Sutherland by men who are clearing pools of spawning fish to supply the black market; and what action he proposes to take to bring this to an end.

Yes. The prevention of poaching is primarily the responsibility of salmon fishery district boards and of the proprietors of the fishings. The police are, however, giving such assistance as is possible. I am forwarding the information supplied by the hon. and gallant Member to the committee which I set up last year to consider what steps could be taken to prevent large-scale poaching.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the Herring Industry Board's canning factory has been located at Port Glasgow in preference to any of the herring ports in northern Scotland, where lack of employment is compelling young men and women to seek work in the South and overseas.

The Clyde area was selected for the Herring Industry Board's experimental canning factory because there was no cannery in the area and herring specially suitable for canning are normally available there for a greater period of the year than elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the report of the Herring Industry Board for the year to 31st March, 1949, has been delayed in publication; and when it will be published.

The report referred to in the Question has been sent for printing and will be published as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that the optical lenses now imported from France are reaching opticians who require them for the supply of spectacles under the National Health Service.

Yes. But if my hon. Friend has any specific information to the contrary I will gladly investigate it.

asked the Minister of Health how far his regulations require doctors performing vaccinations against smallpox to report them to their local medical officers of health or executive committees; and how does his Department get information as to the number of vaccinations performed, the ages of the persons vaccinated and other information regarding the vaccinal condition of the infant population, such as was formerly collected by vaccination officers and sent to his Department.

There is no statutory requirement about this, but there are arrangements for doctors taking part in the vaccination service of local health authorities to supply them with records, and the authorities make returns accordingly to my Department.

asked the Minister of Health whether any records exist of the immunisations against diphtheria performed privately.

Local health authorities have arrangements for doctors who privately immunise children on their list of patients under the National Health Service Act to furnish records.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arms have been supplied to the Government of Burma since 1st January, 1948; and what is their value.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State on this subject on 14th February.

asked the Minister of Defence what is the strength of the British Military Mission to Burma at the present time; and what was its strength on 1st July. 1948.

The strength of, the British Services Mission in Burma on 1st July, 1949, was 65 officers and 73 other ranks. On 1st July, 1948, the strength was 117 officers and 81 other ranks.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of trawlers built for Iceland in British yards since the end of the war; and how many have been financed by British loans.

The answer to the first part of the Question is 33 and to the second part none.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any scheme is under consideration to design a special type of deep-sea trawler capable of performing mine-sweeping duties in war under the conditions that may then obtain; and whether any financial consideration will be paid to such owners as are prepared to build such vessels.

No such scheme in connection with deep-sea trawlers is under consideration at present. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the public offices of his Department in Edinburgh were closed on Whit Monday; and whether he will reconsider this practice, in view of the inconvenience caused by the adoption of English holidays in Scotland.

It has been the custom for some years for the offices of my Department in Edinburgh to close on Whit Monady. I have no record of any complaints and in the circumstances do not think a change is necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport what amount is allocated from the Road Fund for the maintenance and minor improvements of trunk roads and for new works of improvement, including land, etc., to each of the divisions for road purposes of England, Wales and Scotland.

The amounts allocated for the financial year 1949–50 to each of the engineering divisions for maintenance and minor improvement work on trunk roads are as follows:—

Division		£
Metropolitan	…	664,000
South Eastern	…	664,000
South Western	…	610,000
Wales and Mon.	…	776,000
Midland	…	612,000
North Western	…	904,000
Scotland	…	870,000
North Eastern	…	837,000
North Midland	…	721,000
Eastern	…	547,000
Total		£7,205,000

An additional amount of£145,000 will be allocated as required for special items. The cost (excluding land and preliminary expenses) of new major improvement works, for which provision is made for commitments during the financial year is£2,850,000. In addition,£1,550,000 is provided for commitments for land and preliminary expenses for current and future schemes, of which land and preliminary expenses for current schemes will require approximately£100,000. Payments during the year for major improvement work are estimated at£2,040,000, but the greater part of this sum will be in respect of work already approved before the commencement of the financial year. I cannot at present give an allocation of these amounts between the Divisions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of the natives from Buganda deported in 1945 without trial.

Orders removing all restrictions against these persons came into operation on 21st March, 1949.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now furnish a list of publications, books, newspapers and periodicals prohibited to be imported or circulated under the various seditious publications laws and orders in British Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories.

I am still in correspondence with Colonial Governments to ensure that the list is up to date and accurate. Revision is not yet complete in all cases, but I hope that the information will be available shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can announce a release date for clerks, G.D., in group 115.

Clerks (General Duties) serving in the Royal Air Force in Group 115 will be released during October, 1949.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the average delay in the release of clerks, G.D., compared with the normal rate of release.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 1st July to the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville). The trade of Clerk (General Duties) is one in which advancement in release has not been possible.