asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is still widespread misapprehension amongst European volunteer workers in this country, and particularly amongst those who came here under the "Westward Ho" Scheme, regarding the length of time for which they must remain in the employment to which they have been originally directed; and if he will take fresh steps to remove this misunderstanding.

A leaflet in several languages has been issued making it clear that the employment conditions which apply to European volunteer workers recruited under the "Westward Ho" Scheme are not limited as to period. This leaflet has been given the widest possible circulation and I do not think there is anything more that I can do to remove any misapprehension which might still exist.

asked the Minister of Labour what are his regulations regarding European volunteer workers in this country who wish to leave the employment to which they have been directed in order to emigrate.

No restrictions are placed on European volunteer workers who wish to emigrate and who have completed the necessary arrangements.

asked the Minister of Labour the cost of the advertisements issued by his Department last April inviting men and women to apply for free training in farm work; and why this offer was immediately withdrawn.

The direct cost of publishing these advertisements was £725 (including £200 for advertising material which will probably be of further use). They were stopped because it appeared that they could be read to imply that free training in agriculture was available without conditions of eligibility. Free training for farm work continues to be offered to qualified applicants by my local offices, both verbally and through the issue of leaflets and I am sending the hon. Member a copy of one of the latter which contains a brief explanation of the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider making available uniform allowance and issue of clothing to officers of the Army Cadet Corps who were commissioned in the Corps before 3rd November, 1948.

The issue of additional clothing, complete to new scale, to officers of the Army Cadet Force who were commissioned in the Force before 3rd November, 1948, is under consideration. I am not, however, prepared to make such officers eligible for the uniform allowance which became operative from that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that four caretakers have been appointed at dispersal site No. 1 at Pocklington to guard huts which have been vacant for years and which have been declined by the local authority as unsuitable for conversion into dwelling houses; and if he will expedite the derequisitioning of the whole site in accordance with the promise given by his Department in July last.

The release of dispersal site No. 1 at Pocklington is now being carried out and all possible action is being taken to expedite the derequisitioning. The caretakers on the site are employed for the purpose of safeguarding the hutting pending its disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that all ranks of the Territorial Army are most anxious to wear the letter "T" once more on their uniform; what the reason is for the "T" being no longer allowed; and whether he will sanction the return to the old custom which would stimulate recruiting for the Territorial Army.

The views expressed by Territorial Army formations and unit commanders on the occasions when this matter has been considered by my Department indicate that the majority of the Territorial Army are opposed to the wearing of the letter "T" on their uniform. Having regard to the future rôle of the Territorial Army, any mark distinguishing it from the rest of the land Forces would be inappropriate. It would also be undesirable to differentiate between volunteers and the National Service men who will in future serve in the Territorial Army. I have no reason to suppose that the introduction of the sign would have any material effect on recruiting.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the estimates given in the publication entitled "The Budget and Your Pocket" require to be modified in the light of the economy cuts.

The figures given in the publication were based on the Budget Estimates for 1949–1950. Some of the Government's economy proposals will be reflected in reductions in items of expenditure included in the Estimates. To that extent the figures will require to be modified but exact calculations of the modifications necessary can only be made in the light of the Budget outturn.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the complete data on which the calculation that the purchasing power of the £ is today 16s. 4d. as against 20s. in 1945 is based.

Any estimate of the change in the purchasing power of the £ between two dates is necessarily based on the movement of some price index. The most appropriate index is one covering the whole of consumers' expenditure such as that published annually in the National Income White Paper. The latest figure in this series relates to 1948. Provisional estimates for later months have been obtained by linking it to the Interim Index of Retail Prices published by the Ministry of Labour.The actual calculations for measuring the change in the purchasing power of the £ between 1945 and today are set out below.

—	Index of Prices of Consumers' Expenditure (1938=100)	Purchasing Power of the £ (1945 = 100)
Year 1945	153*	100
Year 1948	180*	85
September, 1949 (before devaluation)	186·7†	82‡
* From the National Income White Paper.
† The average for 1948 of the Interim Index of Retail Prices was 107·7. For September, 1949 it was 111·7. The 1948 figure in the index from the National Income White Paper, brought up to date is thus 180 × 111·7./107·7.
‡ 82 = 153/186·7 × 100

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the scheme for paying rewards to informers who are prepared to give evidence which may lead to the detection of offences against currency regulations; and what is the scale of rewards which is being offered.

There is no scheme, and no rewards have yet been paid. It is not intended to draw up any scale of rewards, but in suitable cases a reward will be given, and in determining the amount all the relevant factors will be considered, including any expenses incurred by the informant and the value of the information in the detection or prevention of breaches of the Exchange Control Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer at what rate of interest is the Public Works Board lending money to local authorities; and at what rate and from whom does it borrow.

The rates charged to local authorities are:

	Per cent.
Loans for not more than 5 years	2
Loans for more than 5 years but not more than 15years	2½
Loans for more than 15 years	3

Advances are made to local authorities from the Local Loans Fund which is financed by issues from the Consolidated Fund under Section 3 (1) of the Local Authorities Loans Act, 1945. Under Section 3 (3) of that Act, the Treasury has directed that the rates at which interest is to be paid on sums issued from the Consolidated Fund to the Local Loans Fund shall correspond as nearly as possible with the rates charged to local authorities.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what increase has taken place in bankers' advances since this time last year.

According to the monthly statements published by the London Clearing Banks, advances to their customers rose by £110.6 million during the 12 months ended 19th October, 1949.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the address of the official speaker at the City Savings Rally held on 27th October last; and if, in view of the essential all-party character of the National Savings Movement, he will take steps to ensure that partisan remarks on such occasions are not made.

Yes. I am satisfied that the National Savings Committee take the greatest care to avoid the making of partisan statements in connection with the activities of their movement. I regret that any speech should have been made on the occasion referred to which was open to interpretation as being contrary to this principle.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of foreign investments and the income from them for the years 1913, 1920, 1938 and 1945.

The figures are as follows: In 1913, total value about £4,000 million, income £210 million. In 1920, total value £3,200 million to £3,700 million, income £200 million. In 1938 nominal value £3,692 million. These are all private estimates. Gross income from interest, profits and dividends in 1938 is estimated at £205 million and payments at £30 million making a net income of £175 million. No figures are available for the values of investments in 1945, but proceeds of sales during the war amounted to £1,118 million. Gross income in 1945 was £170 million payments £73 million and net income therefore £97 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the estimated sums to be paid in the next financial year for compensation to shareholders in nationalised industries.

The amount of compensation in respect of railways and canals and of electricity has been determined and it is hoped that it will have been determined in the case of gas before the beginning of the next financial year. In the case of coal, where compensation is paid to the colliery companies and not to the shareholders, it is quite impossible to estimate how much of the compensation will be issued in the next financial year. For road haulage it is estimated very roughly that £10 million of compensation stock will be issued during the next financial year in respect of undertakings to be transferred up to 31st March, 1950. This compensation will also be to the undertakings and not to the shareholders. It is, of course, quite unknown how much compensation will be paid in the next financial year 'in respect of road haulage or road passenger undertakings to be taken-over during that year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the widespread hardship which will be caused to farmers by his decision that they will in the future have to pay a tax of £12 a year instead of 5s. if they use their tractors to haul trailers on a public highway; and whether, in view of the fact that tractors are normally used for this purpose only over very short distances, he will have the decision rescinded.

Provision was made in the Finance Act, 1943, for duty at 5s. without limitation as to distance on agricultural tractors used for hauling farm produce or requisites. This provision was not intended as a financial inducement to fanners but was designed as a temporary measure to meet a war-time situation in which there was an acute shortage of commercial vehicles available to farmers. That shortage has now gone and the provision which allows these tractors to compete anywhere with other vehicles paying the full rate of tax, and which has always been criticised by hauliers, can no longer be justified. The £12 tax to which tractors used on the roads will now become liable again is considerably less than the rates applied to commercially-owned tractors and is the rate which applied before the war. I cannot agree that to restore the normal state of affairs causes any hardship to farmers. My right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary has received a deputation from the National Farmers' Union this morning and I will, of course, carefully consider the arguments put before him, but as at present advised I regard the decision which I have made as perfectly justified.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present amount contributed to the Anglo-American Council of Productivity by the British Government; and whether he will approach the United States Government with a view to agreeing upon an increase in the respective contributions of the two Governments and to the provision of other facilities so that American teams are encouraged under the scheme to accept invitations to visit this country and study British industries in addition to the visits of British teams to the United States of America.

The amount of the Grant in Aid from His Majesty's Government to the United Kingdom Section of the Council for the current financial year is £87,500, and the Economic Cooperation Administration pays the dollar costs of the activities of the United Kingdom Section. The United Kingdom Section of the Council has stated that it would welcome visits of American teams to this country, but the exchange of visits is for industry in the two countries to arrange through the Council, and not for me. If the Council requires an increase in the contributions of Governments, I have no doubt it will make representations to that effect.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement as to the instructions he gave to the Bank of England prior to devaluation to approach the Central Bank of the Argentine on the action to be taken by the Argentine in the event of the devaluation of the pound.

None other than the general understanding that the Bank of England would approach the Central Banks of all countries enjoying revaluation guarantees with a view to their implementation.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the rules governing Purchase Tax on Christmas cards, whether sold in the ordinary course of trade or sold by societies to their own members.

At present Christmas cards, whether sold in the ordinary course of trade or by societies to their own members, are charged at the rate of 33⅓ per cent. under Group 34 of the Purchase Tax Schedule unless they are pictorial, in which case they are charged under Group 25 at 100 per cent. (or 66⅔ per cent. if the picture reproduces a work executed more than 100 years ago).

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the decreased number of cases in which war damage repairs are to be carried out, whether speedier facilities will be granted by the War Damage Commission, for agreeing such work with claimants before the repairs are carried out, including cases where the war damage is less than £250.

The War Damage Commission tell me that they are still making about 8,000 payments a week on claims for work already carried out, and they are bound to give first attention to these cases. In addition, applications for their advance approval of work still to be done are now being dealt with at the rate of 2,000 a week—a higher figure than ever before—and they regret that they cannot at present extend the system of advance approval to works estimated to cost less than £250.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the concession given to old age pensioners for the purchase of tobacco at the lower rate of duty applies to men and women over normal pension age and who, though not in receipt of old age pensions, are receiving national assistance.

No. The scheme is limited by statute to those in receipt of certain pensions under the Old Age Pensions Act, 1936, and the National Insurance Act, 1946.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many civil servants are now on suspension leave with full pay.

If the Question refers to suspensions under the Government's policy on the employment of Communists and Fascists in certain parts of the Civil Service, the answer is nine.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the reason for the delay in winding up the National Insurance audit department, in view of the fact that the payment of benefits from the approved societies ceased on 5th July, 1948; and when he expects the department to be closed down finally.

Because the statutory certification and audit of the approved societies' accounts has not yet been completed. It is hoped to complete this work and to close down the department entirely not later than 30th November, 1950.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many officers have passed through the organisation and methods training course this year.

Two hundred and one, of whom 160 were employed by Government Departments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present size of the organisation and methods staff, other than clerical, in each of the Government Departments with a separate organisation and methods branch; and how many in each have passed through the organisation and methods regular training course.

The numbers are as follows:

—	Number of Staff	Number passed through Training Course
Treasury	83	75
Admiralty	14	10
Agriculture	12	12
Air Ministry	17	15
Customs and Excise	15½	13
Food	18	16
Foreign Office (German Section)	5	5
Fuel and Power	10	8
Inland Revenue	16	14
Labour and National Service	14½	12
National Assistance Board	5	5
National Insurance	38	33
Pensions	6	4
Post Office	49	41
Supply	22	17
Trade	23	20
Transport	8	5
War Office	21	18
Works	15	13
TOTALS	392	336

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what main recommendations have been made by the Government Organisation Committee since April, 1949; to what extent these have been implemented; and what main inquiries are now in progress.

Since April, 1949, the committee has concluded several inquiries, including that into civil building work for the Service Departments which I mentioned in my reply to my hon. Friend on 5th April. The committee recommended the establishment of an interdepartmental works committee for the co-ordination of building programmes, the forward planning of agency services, and the exchange of information. Steps are now being taken to set up this committee.A number of inquiries are still in progress, but as I told my hon. Friend on 13th July, 1948, the main purpose of the Government Organisation Committee is to ensure that the work of overhauling the machinery of Government is carried on effectively. This is a continuous process which does not lend itself readily to itemised description.If any important changes affecting the House or the public result, they will be announced.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why a man whose name has been given to him and who was an established Post Office official in Blackpool from 20th February, 1936, until 30th October, 1939, when he volunteered for service in the Army until his discharge on 20th May, 1942, with the rank of captain, is not allowed to count his Post Office service for superannuation purposes together with his service with the Ministry of Transport which he joined in June, 1942.

This officer was an established civil servant in the Post Office and, like other civil servants liable for military service, was given special leave for service with the Armed Forces. On discharge from the Army he obtained temporary employment with the Ministry of Transport through the local office of the Ministry of Labour. He did not fulfil his obligation to return to the Post Office, nor inform them that he was seeking other employment; he also failed to inform the Ministry of Transport that he was a civil servant. In the circumstances he must be regarded as having resigned from the Postal Service, and under the long-standing rule in the Civil Service that a period of service ended by resignation cannot count for superannuation purposes, reckoning of his service with the Post Office could not be allowed.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the use of the formula for mica mix which is required in the manufacture of ceiling papers, is restricted to firms in the Wallpaper Manufacturers' Association group; that this restriction prevents the marketing of ceiling papers at a price lower than those now obtaining; and if he will take steps to end this practice.

The hon. Member is presumably referring to a process for making wet ground mica, which is used in the manufacture of wallpapers and ceiling papers. I understand that Wallpaper Manufacturers, Limited, discovered this process by research, and it may be that other firms are not in possession of the formula; but I am not aware that this prevents the marketing of ceiling papers at lower prices. I am informed that Wallpaper Manufacturers, Limited, do in fact sell wet ground mica to their competitors.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will indicate the nature and variety of impart permits granted during 1949 which are conditional upon a certain proportion of the imported articles being re-exported; and what steps are taken to ensure that this condition is complied with.

There are a number of arrangements in force designed to promote entrepôt trade, but I assume that the hon. Member is referring only to those under which the importer is obliged to earmark for export a specified percentage of his imports. Arrangements of this nature are in force for silk goods, for which there is a 50 per cent. re-export condition, and for precious and semi-precious stones, for which 80 per cent. of the import cost must be recovered by way of re-export. Imports of fiction and children's books were permitted until recently on a basis of 50 per cent. re-export, but this scheme has been discontinued. Under all the arrangements mentioned, importers are required to submit regular returns to Import Licensing Department with particulars of their exports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) in how many cases his Department has appointed competent inspectors under Section 164 of the Companies Act, 1948, to investigate the affairs of an English company; and to what extent his Department has required applicants to give security for payment of the costs of the investigation;(2) how many inspectors have been appointed by his Department under the provisions of Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948;(3) in how many cases his Department has supported applications to the court for the appointment by the court of inspectors to investigate the affairs of a company under Section 165 of the Companies Act, 1948.

The Board of Trade have appointed inspectors under the Companies Act, 1948, or before its consolidation under the Companies Act, 1947, as follows:Under Section 164 of the Act of 1948, in the case of two companies having a share capital. In one of these cases the applicants were required to give security for £100.Under Section 165 (

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he approved the issue of the new Board of Trade export poster stamp symbols; and to what extent the firm of Barnard and Westwood, Limited, has the sole rights of printing and selling the said symbols.

This scheme has the approval of my right hon. Friend. The symbol can be used in any number of ways, one of which is in the form of a poster stamp. The answer to the second part of the Question is that no one has the sole rights of printing or selling the symbol.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the export of British felts to Canada is being prevented by Customs and other duties.

It is impossible to say by how much our exports of felt to Canada would increase if the Customs duty and other duties (by which I presume the hon. Member means the antidumping duties) were modified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken by his Department to assist in the finding of markets for felts in place of that which was lost in Newfoundland as a result of her becoming a Province of Canada.

As a result of Newfoundland's becoming a province of Canada, exports of felt to Newfoundland (where for the most part our felts enjoyed free entry) are now, of course, subject to the Canadian duties. I would hope, however, that the altered exchange rate of the £ will now enable the United Kingdom manufacturers to compete effectively in the Canadian market and the services of the Board of Trade are fully at their disposal for assistance in this vital market.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what increase there has been since the devaluation of the pound in exports of cotton goods to the United States of America and to Canada.

It is too soon to expect the trade returns to reflect the increased volume of export trade which it is hoped will follow the adjustment of exchange rates. Some time must necessarily elapse before orders can be secured on the new basis and in the shipment of the goods overseas.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased cost of spare parts for agricultural machinery imported from the United States of America and Canada, he will reduce the import duties on them so as to prevent the increase in the costs of agricultural production which would otherwise result.

We are always prepared to consider representations from users of imported goods for variations in the rates of import duties. In considering such representations we must, of course, take into account the views of United Kingdom industries concerned with the production of similar goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in order to encourage a healthy rivalry, he will publish by areas or other localities, the respective contributions made by each to the export drive.

I welcome the hon. Member's suggestion that a spirit of healthy rivalry should animate the efforts of all concerned in our export drive, but I feel that the grouping of export industries together on a regional or local basis would be unjust to the efforts of those regions, which, for obvious geographical or economic reasons, are less well-equipped than others to play a large part in our export trade. In my view the rivalry will be most effective if it is shown in the work of the individual factory or industry irrespective of locality.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make about the Production Efficiency Service.

Yes. As one of the economies to be effected in the retrenchment programme, the Production Efficiency Service is to be wound up as from the middle of January, 1950. During the three and a half years since its inception, the Service has done much valuable work within the sphere for which it was set up. Industry is now, to a much greater extent, doing this type of work for itself, and I feel that in present conditions the Service has fulfilled its main function and that it is better that the qualified staff of the Service should be available for employment in industry. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks for the way in which the staff have carried out their duties and for the valuable help I have had from Mr. Key since he was a appointed part-time Adviser on Production Efficiency to the Board of Trade in March this year.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether his attention has been called to the dumping on the foreshore at Watergate Bay, Cornwall, of a quantity of excavated material; what steps he proposes to take to stop this nuisance; and what action he intends to take against the contractors concerned.

My right hon. Friend has brought this matter to the notice of the Cornwall County Council who are the local planning authority, and he understands that it will be considered at a meeting of the appropriate area planning committee this week. In the meantime the council have obtained an undertaking that no further tipping will take place on the beach.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware of the offers of Americans to buy Bleak House, Broadstairs; and whether, in view of its association with Dickens and its interest to foreign tourists, he will intervene to ensure its preservation on its present site.

The answer to the first part of the question is "Yes." As regards the second part the primary responsibility for preserving the house rests with the local authority.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what is the average age of men and women now in receipt of retirement and old age pensions and the comparable figure for contributory and old age pensions in 1938.

The average age of men and women in receipt of contributory old age pensions during 1938 was 71.5 and 71.6 years respectively. The corresponding figures for 1949 are 72.3 and 70.3. During 1938 the average age of men and women in receipt of non-contributory old age pensions was 78.2 and 79.0 years respectively; the corresponding figures for 1949 are 77.6 and 78.3.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what proportion of the claims for sickness benefit and for industrial injuries benefit, respectively, during the last benefit year were for periods not exceeding one week and two weeks, respectively.

I hope to publish, in the course of next year, statistics which will include this information for the year 1949.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why Sundays are not counted days of incapacity in sickness; and why one-sixth of the weekly rate is paid in respect of each weekday and not one-seventh.

Sickness benefit, like unemployment benefit, is designed to meet a need arising from interruption of earnings and is, therefore, paid on the basis of the ordinary working week which normally excludes Sunday.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many unemployed persons have been drawing more than £3 per week by way of allowances and benefits of all kinds for periods in excess of one month, since the passing of the National Insurance Act, 1946.

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that under the National Insurance (Claims and Payments) Regulations, sickness benefit cannot be paid for any period more than six months before the date on which the claim is made; and if, in cases where sickness occurred more than six months before the date on which the claim is made and the statutory authority is satisfied that there is good cause for the failure to make the claim at an earlier date, he will take the necessary steps to amend the regulations whereby the claimant will not lose his benefit whatever period of time has elapsed.

The rule referred to applies to all benefits and was approved by the National Insurance Advisory Committee in their report on the regulations. Our interlocking system of social services and benefits is primarily designed to relieve current needs and some such limitation of the liability of the National Insurance Fund is essential to proper control and economy in the administration of its benefits.

asked the Minister of Defence when the Navy List, the Army List and the Air Force List will again be made available for the public; and if copies will be provided for Members of this House.

Service Lists have already been placed on sale to the public by the Stationery Office. Copies are available to Members in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Supply how many 1949 model Humber Pullman saloons have been supplied for the use of Ministers since 1st January; and what is the total value of these motor cars, including Purchase Tax, and their average petrol consumption.

Six cars of this type have been supplied. The average petrol consumption is 14 miles to the gallon. The list price of these six cars, including Purchase Tax, is £13,029, but the hon. Member will appreciate that this is not the price paid by the Ministry of Supply.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what will be the amount of the reduction in expenditure on rural electrification schemes in the financial years 1949–50, and 1950–51, respectively.

As my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer said on 26th October, the cut in capital investment by the electricity industry will fall mainly in the sphere of distribution. The precise allocation of the cut will be left to the British Electricity Authority and the area boards to determine and while some check on the progress of rural electrification is inevitable, I cannot say what reduction in expenditure this will involve. It is, however, unlikely that there will be any reduction in work planned for completion in the financial year 1949–50.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will circularise local authorities recommending them to give the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant (Rent Control) Act, 1949, the maximum publicity, or consider other practical means for this purpose, so that those citizens who are directly affected may know their rights.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular which I issued to local authorities on 21st June drawing their attention to the 1949 Act and asking them to do all in their power to ensure that the public are kept informed of their rights and duties under rent control legislation. I am also arranging for the issue of posters and leaflets explaining the new provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of women teachers employed in Scottish schools in the session 1938–39; what percentage this was of the total teaching staff; and what are the corresponding figures for the session 1948–49.

The number of women teachers employed in public and grant-aided schools in Scotland on 31st March, 1939, was 20,210; this was 70 per cent, of the total number of teachers employed. At the beginning of October, 1948, the number of women teachers had risen to 21,727; but the percentage was the same as in 1939.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects a report from the Scottish Housing Advisory Committee on their survey of the methods of local authorities in allocating tenancies.

I understand that the Committee have completed their survey and are at present drawing up their report, which I expect to receive in January.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware of the illicit traffic in stowaways from the West Coast of Africa and the West Indies to Liverpool; and if he will hold an inquiry with a view to ending this traffic.

I am well aware of this problem and in consultation with other Departments am about to propose further measures to the Colonial Governments concerned. Until these Governments have received and considered my suggestions, I think it would be premature to consider the necessity for an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture who are the members of the Agricultural Statistics Advisory Committee; and what are the terms of their appointment.

The membership of this committee is as follows:

asked the Minister of Health what steps he will be prepared to take to help local authorities provide and instal small-scale water supply schemes, such as boreholes, wells and other local headworks, against the time when main water supplies can be provided.

I am always ready to consider proposals by local authorities for interim schemes pending the completion of permanent works, provided that the interim arrangements will fit in with the permanent schemes and that labour and materials are not expended on works which will have to be abandoned in a short time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the state of disrepair and bad road surface of the toll bridge at Selby, Yorkshire; whether he is satisfied that it is safe for vehicular traffic; and whether he will take steps to see that any necessary repairs are carried out.

The owners of the bridge inform me that it is quite safe for normal loads. They intend to resurface the road shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the estimated yields of groundnuts in Nigeria this season opening on 4th November; what total stocks remain in store of last year's and the 1947 harvests; what has been the total carryings to the coast by rail and river since 31st December last; and when is it estimated that all stocks held on 1st November will be cleared.

It is too early to give any figure of the 1949–50 crop. Total stocks of Nigerian groundnuts at Kano at the end of October were approximately 145,000 tons all of which consisted of last year's crop. No groundnuts from the 1947 harvests remain in store. Total movements of groundnuts from Kano from the 1st January this year to the 31st October amounted to 304,000 tons of which 30,000 tons were French stock. Incidentally I have just received the final figures for October which amount to 42,317 tons—the first time that a figure exceeding 40,000 has been achieved and I congratulate all concerned in Nigeria including the railway workers on this record. The levels of future railings are, of course, dependent upon the freedom of the Nigerian Railways from labour and mechanical troubles. Furthermore it is convenient to commence the railing of the new season's crop at once from intermediate stations notwithstanding the un-railed balance of previous crops at Kano. Subject to these two considerations it is reasonable to expect that the last of the present stocks will have been moved by the early spring of 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the total value of British expropriated property in Czechoslovakia notified to His Majesty's Government.

There is no separate register of property claimed to have been affected by expropriation as distinct from other measures, such as nationalisation and dispossession, listed in the Anglo-Czechoslovak compensation agree- ment of 28th September last. The total nominal value of claims notified to His Majesty's Government in respect of all types of property affected by the Czechoslovak measures in question is £33,200,000. This sum, however, includes a number of claims which may not be eligible for compensation and the true value of eligible claims may be substantially less than that sum.