asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the holder of a substantive licence to drive any group or groups of motor vehicles is compelled to take out a new licence on becoming qualified to drive an additional group, thus involving himself in some financial loss; and if he will take steps to change this procedure and allow a codicil to be added to the existing licence to cover the new group.

The existing law does not permit of codicils being added to driving licences to authorise the driving of additional groups of vehicles, but I will consider the point when an opportunity occurs to amend the Road Traffic Acts.

Can the Minister say whether there is any likelihood of introducing legislation to deal with this grievance at a reasonably early date?

I afraid that is a decision that does not fall within my province.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he intends to take to improve the Manchester Ship Canal bridges and to construct the urgently-required new bridges; where it is proposed that the new bridges shall be built; and if he will consider the need for new bridges at Salford, Eccles, Barton and Irlam.

As highway authority for trunk roads, I am directly interested only in Knutsford Road swing bridge, which carries the existing trunk road. I propose to divert the road and carry it over the canal by a new bridge to be built about a mile to the east. I do not know the full plans of the other highway authorities concerned but I understand that they have in mind the improvement of several of the existing bridges and the construction of new ones between Eccles and Urmston and between Widnes and Runcorn. All these schemes are long-term projects, the execution of which must await a substantial improvement in the economic situation.

Seeing that that has been the answer for 30 years, could the Minister now give us some indication of what the priority of this district will be?

I am afraid I cannot do that. My hon. Friend must note the last part of my remarks, namely, that it depends on the economic circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the business people of Manchester look upon the Barton Bridge area as the most seriously congested, and could he say whether what he has in mind will relieve the congestion in that area?

I think it would make a very substantial contribution.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will appoint a committee of investigation into the need for the modernisation of transport within a 50 miles radius of Manchester;

(2) what steps are being taken to improve the transport services between North Staffordshire and other areas within a 50 miles radius; and if he will appoint an investigating committee to consider the transport facilities in the area.

The Transport Act, 1947, lays on the British Transport Commission a general duty to see that adequate and efficient transport facilities are provided throughout the country, but the responsibility for modernising and improving services not controlled by the Commission still rests with the independent operators concerned. In view of the Commission's duties under the Act, it is for them to consider whether the appointment of special committees of investigation is necessary, and in any event, if my hon. Friend has in mind any particular deficiencies in the services controlled by the Commission in the areas referred to, I am sure they would be glad to investigate them.

As the Ministry of Transport is aware of the position in this area, will they use their influence to ask the Commission to take action similar to that taken in the London area, and set up a working party to investigate the needs of the area?

I would point out that the problem of London Transport was a very major problem, but, even then, the finding of the committee does not indicate any immediate action. With regard to the problem in the area to which my hon. Friend refers, it occurs to me that the facilities provided by an area scheme under the Transport Act would be a more rapid way of dealing with that problem.

As the Minister refers to the possibility of doing something under the Transport Act, will he tell us what progress has been made with the area schemes in this locality?

As a matter of fact, in this particular locality, none; but, as my hon. Friend is aware, a scheme is under consideration in the North-Eastern area, and it is up to other localities also to provide similar inquiries.

As a first step, will the right hon. Gentleman see that trains do not stop so long at Stoke-on-Trent?

Is it not clear from the answers which the Minister has given to this question that, instead of the Minister lecturing the workers, the workers ought to lecture the Minister?

asked the Minister of Transport when the regulations under Section 101 (1) of the Transport Act, 1947, requiring the Commission to pay compensation to officers in certain cases, where they suffer loss of employment or loss or diminution of emoluments or pension rights or where their position is worsened, will be laid before the House; what are the reasons for the delay; and what compensation is being paid to officers or servants who suffer loss meantime.

Regulations under this section providing compensation for officers and servants of the railways, the canals, and the railway clearing house have already been made. The further regulations required to be made under the section are in preparation and will be laid before the House as soon as possible. These regulations deal with sections of the transport industry which have no precedents of compensation such as existed for the railways, and their preparation has, therefore, taken longer. As regards the last part of the Question, the British Transport Commission have no power to pay compensation until regulations have been made.

Is the Minister aware that many of these splendid officers of the road transport undertakings are in very grave doubt and anxiety as to where they stand? Is it not vitally necessary that they should have the facts made clear to them at the earliest date, and that if they have been occasioned any loss, it should be made good to them?

I am certainly aware of the situation, but the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that in drafting regulations covering these sections of the industry, which I emphasised have no precedents, it is very desirable to consult all the interests affected, and the proposals are now under consideration and are awaiting their views.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the extent of damage by fire to agricultural crops this summer caused by railway engines; and to what extent it is estimated to be due to the discontinuance of preventive attachments being fitted to the engines.

The total number of reported lineside fires affecting agricultural land, alleged to have been caused by railway engines this, year so far, is roughly 4,000. It is not established however, that spark ignition was the cause in all such cases. I am unable at the moment to state the extent of the damage caused to agricultural crops, but I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member. There has been no discontinuance of preventive attachments to engines.

Can the Minister say why this year the damage has been so much greater than in any other year?

Apparently everybody is aware of the reason except the hon. and gallant Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what causes the fires, apart from spark ignition, in the case of railway engines?

I am not able to get the proportions of fires due to particular causes.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the danger to pedestrians who have to cross the Bath Road by the London Airport, especially that stretch which is unrestricted and unlighted; and whether he can reduce the danger by the provision of traffic islands and crossing lights.

I have had a special investigation made into traffic conditions on this road. This does not indicate danger to pedestrians such as would justify at the present time the considerable expenditure needed to widen the road so as to provide traffic islands. Nor do I think that traffic lights would be suitable or helpful here.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this road is a speed track, that it is an unrestricted road, that at night it is not lighted and that there are no traffic islands whatsoever. Is he further aware that some hundreds of workers have to cross it, and would it not be reasonable to have a temporary island put in the middle of the road until such time as the future of this road has been decided?

This matter has been carefully investigated, and there is no evidence to support the statement made by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the number of railway accidents which took place during the years 1947, 1948 and during the six months ended 30th June, 1949, indicating in general terms the causes of such accidents, and the number of deaths and serious injuries incurred during those three periods respectively.

The information for the years 1947 and 1948 is contained in the report of the Chief Inspecting Officer of Railways for the year 1948, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. It is not practicable to prepare such detailed statistics, as are contained in this Report, for a six-monthly period only, but with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of train accidents which took place during the six months ended 30th June, 1949.

May I ask whether, in conjunction with the local authorities, everything possible is being done to prevent an accumulation of accidents upon the roads all over the country?

The hon. Member's Question is directed to railways and not to roads.

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements he is making to ensure the delivery to Canada of Austin motor cars ordered by Canadian customers.

These arrangements are, of course, the responsibility of the shippers and the shipping lines concerned, but I understand that the cars arriving at the loading ports for Canada are being shipped without delay and that there is no shortage of shipping space.

asked the Minister of Transport the total freight charges for the conveyance of traffic on the inland waterways for the years 1947, 1948, and the first six months of 1949; and if he will indicate the measures which have been adopted for the increase of canal traffic for relief of road and rail transport.

Since the decontrol of canals and canal carriers at the end of 1947, my Department has not received information about the revenue from the conveyance of traffic on inland waterways, except in relation to craft owned by the British Transport Commission. Such information is published in the Commission's "Transport Statistics" and in the Commission's Report for 1948. I have asked the Commission to communicate with the hon. Member on this subject of traffic receipts and the measures taken to increase canal traffic.

Is the Minister taking every precaution possible to encourage transport on the canals in order to relieve the transport on the railways and other means of communication?

Under the Transport Act the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive were charged with this responsibility, and I have no doubt that they are giving very serious attention to the problem. As a matter of fact, I think traffic on the canals has shown an increase.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the overall loss incurred on British Railways in 1948, including operating costs, central administration and capital charges; and what was the comparative figure for 1947.

The net traffic receipts of British Railways in 1948, together with the net yield of other parts of the Commission's undertaking, were insufficient to meet central charges, including interest and amortisation of capital, by about £4.7 million. The Act requires that the Commission's finances shall be treated as a whole, and not that the overhead charges should be precisely allocated between the different businesses. The contribution of the railways to the integrated finances in 1948 must, however, be regarded as seriously deficient, and an estimate has already been published putting the deficiency at between £8 million and £9 million. For reasons explained in paragraph 84 of the Commission's Report, no valid comparison of net results with those for 1947 is possible.

Is it not the case that the cost to the Exchequer of the operation of British Railways in 1947, allowing for the £43,500,000 that was paid into the pool, was in the neighbourhood of £60 million? As the right hon. Member for Aldershot (Mr. Lyttelton) was still stating in "Picture Post" a fortnight ago that the railways declared a loss of £25 million, will my right hon. Friend draw this fact to the attention of the Opposition so that they can get their sums right in future?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, since the British Transport Commission has now reported that the scheme of their London Plan Working Party for the expenditure of £340 million on the further improvement of rail transport in the London area is not economically justifiable from the transport angle and must be financed from sources other than their own, he can give an assurance that before any final decision is taken he will arrange for a comprehensive and impartial examination of the London transport problem as a whole, including transport by road as well as by rail;

(2) how many planning authorities are involved in the preparation of an adequate road system for the London area; by what date he expects that these plans will be sufficiently developed for him to form a definite estimate of the cost involved; and to see what action is necessary to co-ordinate the proposals with those of the London Plan Working Party of the British Transport Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give an assurance that steps will now be taken to produce a fully co-ordinated road and rail plan for London so that when the economic situation permits such money as is available may be divided over each category in order to ensure the best overall arrangements.

As I have already informed the House, the Government have fully in mind the need for co-ordination of rail and road plans for London and no proposal for a major change in either road or rail facilities is considered without taking alternative forms of transport fully into account. A comprehensive road and rail plan should emerge from the preparation and approval of development plans for the Greater London area by the 10 planning authorities concerned. Coordination of the road and rail aspects will take place as a continuing process in the preparation of these plans. It will be several years before the development plans are sufficiently firm to enable a definite estimate to be made of the capital expenditure.

Can the Minister expedite this plan, because there is a considerable hold-up in development projects and buildings of all kinds due to the delay? It would greatly help matters if this plan could be accelerated.

I should certainly like to do so, but, as the hon. Member is aware, until the other planning authorities—the local authorities—are able to complete their plans, it is very difficult for me to form any definite estimate or to give any direct guidance.

Is the Minister bringing any pressure to bear on the local authorities to complete the plans they are now formulating?

We are always pressing forward with the preparation of plans to enable us to complete our road schemes.

Will my right hon. Friend see that priority is not given to the London area, on the basis of its being London, without having regard to the needs of provincial centres, as was illustrated by my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) in his earlier Question today?

This will not in any way affect the preparation of plans for provincial areas. The complaint here is not speeding up but delays.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that 10 planning authorities will ever agree?

asked the Minister of Supply if he will now enable the London Metal Exchange to reopen for all appropriate business.

Dealings in tin will be resumed on the London Metal Exchange on Tuesday, 15th November. On copper, lead and zinc I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 11th July to the hon. Members for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) and Stroud (Mr. Parkin).

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise that the closing of these exchanges is one of the reasons for the statement which will be made today?

asked the Minister of Supply if he is prepared to reconsider the policy of his Department in granting licences for the manufacture of slot machines for the sale of contraceptives thereby encouraging their use in this country.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) the number of slot machines for the sale of contraceptives now in use in Great Britain, and for the manufacture of which a licence was granted by his Department;

(2) whether, when granting a licence to a certain firm of which he has been informed for the manufacture of slot machines, he has been informed of the concession made to them by the manufacturers of contraceptives for sale in the machines.

asked the Minister of Supply what consideration was given to the moral aspect of the matter before a licence for the manufacture of slot machines for the sale of contraceptives was granted; what protests have subsequently been received by his Department from religious and other bodies; and whether he will make a full statement on the matter.

asked the Minister of Supply how far it is the policy of his Department to give facilities for the manufacture of slot machines for the sale of contraceptives.

asked the Minister of Supply why he granted a licence for the manufacture of automatic slot machines for the sale of contraceptives; and whether he will cancel the licence forthwith.

asked the Minister or Supply if, when he issued a licence permitting the manufacture and erection of certain slot machines, he was aware that they were intended for the indiscriminate sale of contraceptives.

asked the Minister of Supply how many slot machines of the pattern used for selling contraceptives in this country have been licensed for export; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent these machines being used in the export drive.

No licence has been granted by my Ministry specifically for the manufacture of slot machines for the sale of contraceptives. The number of such machines now in use in Great Britain is not known. My Ministry is concerned only with the issue of the licences required under the Machinery, Plant and Appliances Orders for the manufacture and supply of slot machines. These machines are used for selling a wide variety of goods such as aspirin, cigarettes, sweets, hair cream, sanitary towels, drinks and food. The range of goods sold is governed by the value of the coin which operates the machine, and by the size of the delivery tray. Within these physical limitations any slot machine may be used for the sale of any article which can legally be offered for sale.

In view of this freedom of choice, a licence issued to a manufacturer is a general one and my Department has no knowledge of the use to which these machines will be put. The only way in which I could prevent machines being used for the sale of contraceptives in this country would be by prohibiting the manufacture of all slot machines, which would, of course, deny to the public the use of convenient purchasing facilities for numerous other goods. The licence stipulates the total value of slot machines to be exported and no export licence is needed. I have no power to control the use made of machines exported from this country.

As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informed the House on 20th October, he has given instructions for a model by-law to be drafted prohibiting the sale of contraceptives by means of these machines and this has now been circulated to the competent local authorities.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman's Parliamentary Secretary stated that they knew perfectly well what these machines were to be used for, but that in the interests of the export trade they would be allowed to try them out at home?

No, Sir. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary wrote a letter which has been widely misrepresented, and in that letter he was dealing with slot machines in general and not any particular type of slot machine.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this is really a new problem at all? Is it not a fact that for many years past contraceptives have been obtainable through slot machines in London?

Yes, Sir. That is so.

When a licence was requested to manufacture more slot machines, was no inquiry made by the right hon. Gentleman's Ministry as to whether it was necessary to make more slot machines and for what purpose they were to be used? In view of the shortages, was it not the duty of the Minister to make these inquiries?

We gave a licence because there were possibilities of substantial exports of slot machines. We gave a licence to these companies for that reason.

Does the Minister mean to say that where there is anything that is offensive to the public taste and to which parents have an objection, there cannot be restrictions in its being placed in a slot machine? It seems most ridiculous. Will he take steps to see that this does not continue?

Sir John Mellor.

As mine was one of the Questions which the Minister answered, may I not ask a supplementary question?

I thought we had sufficiently exhausted the subject.

rose—

Order. I said I thought we had sufficiently exhausted the subject. It is my decision; the hon. Member must obey it.

On a point of Order. May I respectfully point out to you—

Order. I said we had exhausted it sufficiently and I did not want any more questions, and that is the end of that.

asked the Minister of Supply what has been the cost to the Exchequer of the sick pay scheme in Royal Ordnance Factories since it was introduced in September, 1948; what was the rate of sickness in the 12 months before and after introduction of the scheme, respectively; and what action he has taken to prevent abuse.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the working of the National Health Service in the Royal Ordnance Factories where claims for sickness benefit increased by 20 per cent. since the insurance scheme began in July, 1948; and when he will publish the results of the official inquiry into the increase of absenteeism and benefit claims.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give the details of the sickness benefit scheme operating in Royal Ordnance factories; what steps are taken to avoid abuse of the scheme; and what action is taken when it is abused.

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the Minister agree with the statement made by his Parliamentary Secretary on 17th August that cases of sickness have doubled since the scheme began and that there has been Oaring exploitation?

The amount of absence through sickness has increased substantially in most of the Royal Ordnance factories and there has been, no doubt, a certain amount of abuse, but disciplinary action has been taken wherever abuse has been found.

What suddenly happened to cause the position to deteriorate so badly that the right hon. Gentleman's Parliamentary Secretary had to give up his summer holiday to go and "pi-jaw" the workers about it?

I do not understand what the hon. Member means. It is part of the duties of the Parliamentary Secretary to visit the Royal Ordnance Factories and to see that the work there is carried out efficiently. I should have thought that the fact that he did it during the summer months was no reason to abuse him.

Will not my right hon. Friend agree that the best way to stop abuse would be to see that in every case a doctor's certificate has to be obtained by the worker concerned before he can go home sick?

He has to have a doctor's certificate under the present arrangements.

asked the Minister of Supply how many scientists are now being recruited for atomic energy research.

It would not be in the national interest to give this information.

Could the Minister say whether he is getting the numbers he requires?

We are getting quite a number.

asked the Minister of Supply why materials are not made available for private individuals who desire to construct caravans for their own use, although similar materials are made available to makers of caravans for profit.

Certain scarce raw materials which are under licence are used for making caravans and it would not be desirable to divert these materials from the manufacturers, who are able to make a contribution to exports.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) whether officials of nationalised industries are permitted to buy their cars through the official pool without payment of Purchase Tax;

(2) what has been the total expenditure in the years 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949 to the nearest convenient date on motor cars for Government Departments and nationalised industries.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent officials of nationalised industries are permitted to buy private cars through the car pool run by his Department; and whether such cars carry the usual Purchase Tax.

Neither nationalised industries nor their officials buy cars through my Department. The values of motor cars bought by the Ministry of Supply for all Government Departments in 1946, 1947 and 1948 are, in round figures, £942,000, £692,000 and £343,000 respectively. Up to the end of August, 1949, the value is £270,000. The total number of cars delivered from the end of the war to the end of August this year for use by Government Departments represents only 1.8 per cent. of the total deliveries of cars to the home market in the same period.

In answer to Question 32, will the Minister state whether or not officials of the nationalised industries are permitted to buy their cars without payment of Purchase Tax?

We have no responsibility. I have certainly no responsibility for the nationalised industries and we do not purchase the cars for these industries.

Does the Minister's reply mean that there is absolutely no truth in the leading article in the "Sunday Express," and in view of the fact that it enunciated in that article that officials of the nationalised industries were buying cars less Purchase Tax and selling them at a profit, may I ask whether any apology or any correction has been sought?

Certainly all the information and facts in the article, as far as I am able to check them and as far as I am responsible, were absolutely wrong and I very much hope the "Sunday Express" will publish this correction.

Can the Minister say whether civil servants are allowed to purchase cars through his buying facilities?

That is one of the allegations made in the leader, and there is not one word of truth in it.

asked the Minister of Supply what quantities of steel billets were exported to France in the first six months of 1949; and whether, in view of the shortage of steel, further exports have been forbidden.

Apart from very small quantities of alloy steel and tool steel billets, which are not in short supply, the export of steel billets from this country is forbidden.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the present grave financial and economic situation of Britain, whether he will abolish either temporarily or permanently, some of the present Ministries.

No, Sir. The distribution of duties between Departments is kept under review, but I am not at present proposing to abolish any Department.

In view of the superfluous expenditure which the country is incurring now, would not the Prime Minister consider dealing with this subject later in the statement he is to make on the question?

We keep this particular point under very careful observation. It is one worthy of notice.

asked the Minister of Works when he expects to remove the huts from Knole Park; and from what date access was provided to remove the huts for his Department.

Access to Knole Park was given in February last and the hutments removed in July. I cannot yet say how soon arrangements can be made for the removal of the barbed wire, hut foundations and other debris.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, if the huts were removed in July, when the land can be de-requisitioned so that the public can have access to it?

I understand that the question at issue now is the removal of the barbed wire and hut foundations.

asked the Minister of Works whether his regional research officer has reported on his visit to investigate the claim of a Bradford builder's labourer that any bricklayer can lay 1,000 ordinary bricks an hour by using a movable vertical ladder and, the ordinary scaffolding; whether he will publish the report, or such extracts as would be of interest; and what he estimates would be the time saved in housebuilding by the adoption of this practice.

A report has been made in this case, and a copy sent to the inventor, with whose consent I am also sending the hon. Member a copy. As the device is at present only in an early experimental stage, it is impossible to estimate what time might be saved in housebuilding by its use.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that any 'saving is likely? If so, will he pass the information to his scientific department?

I think that the hon. Member will find in the report I am giving him that it is doubtful whether any saving will be made.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that, in accordance with details sent to him, Members of Parliament and others have been circularised by his Department by means of Ministry of Works official paid envelopes, urging them to bring pressure to bear upon the Government to reverse their policy with regard to certain matters of political and public importance; and if he sanctioned the use of such official communications and official envelopes for this purpose.

I have not sanctioned the use of official communications and envelopes for the purpose mentioned by the hon. Member. The officer concerned was the Staff Side secretary of the Regional Whitley Committee, and was under the mistaken impression that he could use official stationery for communications of this kind.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that stationery and paid official envelopes are not so easily obtainable, so that the abuse cannot occur again?

Yes, most certainly; and in the new amending regulations immediate attention will be drawn to it.

Has the official in question been promoted?

No, Sir. He is quite a temporary officer, and is due, as a matter of fact, to leave at the end of this week.

asked the Minister of Works when the Hans Crescent Hotel ceased to be used as a transit centre for European volunteer workers; to what use it has been put since; when it is expected to be released; and what yearly compensation rent is being paid.

The Hans Crescent Hotel ceased to be used as a transit centre for European volunteer workers on 14th December, 1948. It has since been held for preparation as a hostel for colonial students. It is not usual to disclose the compensation rent.

In view of the shortage of hotel accommodation, does not the Minister think that it is a bad thing that this sort of hotel should be kept empty for nearly a year when it is obviously costing the country a large sum in compensation rent?

The use of this hotel has been a matter of much consideration, but the need for accommodation for colonial students is such that I feel that it ought to be retained for that purpose.

Could not this hotel have been used instead of No. 2 Park Street?

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that his Department last year informed the owner of certain requisitioned land at Hemingford Park, Huntingdonshire, that the Ministry would deliver up possession of that land on 23rd June, 1949, and that the land is urgently needed for agricultural purposes, but cannot be so used until it has been cleared of barbed wire, concrete foundations, etc.; and when it is intended to reinstate the property.

I regret that I am unable to trace the undertaking referred to. Discussions are now taking place to determine precisely what areas require clearance for agricultural purposes, and the work will then be put in hand.

Is the Minister aware that this is valuable agricultural land which has lain derelict for a long time, and that the Government have had the whole of the last four months in which to clear it up; and will he say whether this sleeping sickness of delay is systematic of what we can expect nowadays?

No, Sir. Discussions have been taking place with the people concerned as to the work we shall carry out, and when these discussions have been completed the work will be put in hand.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that his Nottingham surveyor promised the Louth National Farmers' Union in June that the fencing surrounding the buildings of the Ludford Magna airfield, which is in a dilapidated state and provides no protection for stock, would be repaired within two weeks; that no repairs have been done; and what action does he now propose to take to end the negligence by his Department in this matter.

No, Sir. I am informed that no such promise was given. The farmers were informed that owing to uncertainty as to the future use of the hutting, at present occupied by Polish families, no major scheme of repairs could be undertaken. Some repairs are now being put in hand pending a decision about the future use of this camp.

Is the Minister saying that the National Farmers' Union are lying when they make this statement; and is he aware that there are acres of ground there that could feed sheep, which cannot be used because his Department have neglected their work, and will he have that seen to?

I have made no accusation whatever against the National Farmers' Union. I said that they had been informed differently from what the hon. Gentleman had stated in his Question. As a matter of fact, at that meeting which took place on 20th May with the N.F.U., the minutes record that in view of the uncertainty of the life of this hostel, it would be a waste of public funds to undertake major repairs and/or the replacing of fencing generally at this time; that the matter should be deferred until later in the year, when the decision as to the life of the hostel would be known with more certainty, and, if still held on charge, the repair of the fencing as a whole would be undertaken.

Is it not possible that the Minister has given the wrong answer? He is referring to a hostel, whereas my Question refers to a camp; it is not a hostel at all. He has got it mixed up.

I can assure the hon. Member that if he were no more mixed than I am, he would more readily understand the answer I have given.

asked the Minister of Works what progress the Professional Institutions' Committee on improved methods of steel utilization has made; and when it will be issuing its first report.

The Committee has reviewed the steps already being taken by the professional institutions to secure adequate discussion of and publicity for improved methods of steel utilization, and has suggested to the institutions a number of further steps that might be taken. Some of these are still being discussed, and the Committee does not propose to report until the discussions are concluded.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the risk of unemployment among wood and stone carvers; and whether he will issue sufficient licences to avert this.

I am aware that comparatively little wood and stone carving is now being carried out in this country, and I hope to see a revival of these crafts. My licensing officers are instructed to license, as far as is reasonably possible, work employing wood and stone carvers.

Is the Minister not aware that the majority of the London carvers, both of wood and of stone, are today working in the Palace of Westminster; and that when the new House of Commons is finished, although there is plenty of work for them to do, they will be thrown out of work unless he gives licences?

As I have said, we will do our best to see that licences are issued in order to employ them.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many Italian masons have been allowed in?

No, Sir, not without notice.

asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange to retail to the public at reasonable prices plants and cuttings from the Royal Parks as they become available in the course of the year's programme of flower displays.

I am afraid that it is not practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. The stocks were badly depleted during the war, and it is only with difficulty that sufficient plants can be secured or propagated to meet requirements in the Royal Parks and the grounds of Government establishments throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Works the number and amounts of licences granted to Lewis's Stores at Liverpool since the end of the war.

Two licences to a total value of £1,200,000 have been granted for the rebuilding of Lewis's Stores in Ranelagh Street, Liverpool. Fifty-one other licences to a total value of £48,627 have been granted for work to Lewis's other premises in Liverpool, including the remaining part of the main store, their clothing factory, warehouses, garages, and other small buildings.

Can my right hon. Friend inform the House whether this includes or is exclusive of the fittings, and the rest, which obviously go with it; does he not think that the amount granted for one particular firm in Liverpool showed at least some favour; and was it not rather excessive in view of the tremendous building programme for better purposes in Liverpool?

I could not answer the first part of the supplementary question without notice. With regard to the second part, this scheme was sanctioned in the early part of 1947 in order that unemployment in the Liverpool area might be dealt with, and was at the time the only scheme available to come into quick operation for that purpose. Its carrying out has been considerably slowed down since then.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that because this licence has been granted for this particular building, the Housing Committee of Liverpool has been handicapped for some years; and that while other buildings are derelict, privilege and monopoly have been given to Lewis's to get this building up, which is a scandal?

No, Sir. During the whole of the period of operation of this licence, my Department has kept a very careful watch to ensure that labour is not being drawn from other jobs, and that material is not being used to the detriment of housing.

We want houses not Woolton.

Does my right hon. Friend not agree, in regard to the supplementary question of my hon. Friend the Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Keenan), that the thousands of pounds which will be spent on fittings and decorations subsequent to the work which has been licensed will need no licence, and that there will be no control over them?

Decorations, and so on, would normally be part of the licence concerned.

asked the Minister of Works what reasons prompted his Department to issue a licence to Mecca Cafes, Liverpool, for £18,800 to alter the Olympia Theatre to a dance hall; what restrictions were imposed on the type of labour and materials to be used; and if he is aware that a large dance hall has been next door to the Olympia for many years.

The type of labour required was available, and only small quantities of steel and softwood were required. No special restrictions were placed on the type of labour to be employed, and only sufficient controlled materials for the job were released. I do not consider that the fact that there is a dance hall next door is relevant as I understand this is the entertainment centre for the area.

Is the Minister not aware that the granting of these licences for luxury building is being very strongly commented upon by the many families in Liverpool who are living in housing conditions under which no people should be asked to live?

Most of this work was repair and decoration work, and by far the larger amount of labour that was put into it was existing unemployed painting labour in the area.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this ballroom is a suitable place for Merseyside enthusiasts to practise the jig?

Is the Minister not aware that many loads of bricks are being used and many bricklayers are working on this building continually, and are working overtime, while we in Liverpool are unable to complete our housing programme because we cannot get bricklayers?

So far as this building is concerned, most of this work is stone work and provides occupation for labourers and masons who could not otherwise be employed.

That is not so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs now that the Berlin air-lift has ended, to state the total cost of goods and transport and the proportion borne by the British taxpayer.

I am unable to state the total cost of the goods supplied to Berlin during the blockade; these were obtained from the Western zones without extra expense to the British taxpayer. The total extra cost of the air-lift to the British Exchequer was approximately £10 ¼ million. I have no information about United States expenditure on the air-lift, but the United States Air Force carried about 77 per cent. of the total load flown into Berlin.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protests he has made to the Soviet authorities regarding the organisation and equipment of military and para-military German forces in the Eastern zone of Germany; what replies have been received; and what further action is contemplated.

His Majesty's Government would be ready to make representations to the Soviet Government on this subject if they felt that any useful purpose would be served by doing so. The Soviet Government is doubtless aware that His Majesty's Government view with the greatest repugnance the creation of German military police forces in the Soviet zone, which is a contravention of the Potsdam Agreement.

Is the Minister aware that this House and, therefore, the British public have been kept in the dark regarding the gravity of this situation, and will not his right hon. Friend consider making a statement of some length explaining to us just how serious things are?

On the contrary, we have kept the House fully informed, and General Robertson has drawn attention to this on several occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on German reparations.

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on 19th October in answer to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes).

Can my hon. Friend tell me whether, once the dismantling is out of the way, the Government will consider dropping the question of all further reparations from Germany?

So far as I can see, the termination of dismantling would be the end of reparations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent food and fodder have been imported into Western Germany from the Soviet zone since the conclusion of the trade agreement between the two areas.

No information is at present available about imports under the agreement, which was only concluded on 8th October. Moreover, responsibility for the collection of statistics in trade matters rests with the Federal German Government.

Does my right hon. Friend accept the statement that in the fairly near future enough food and fodder will come into the British zone from the Eastern zone to enable us to cut down our supplies of food and fodder from this country to the Germans?