asked the President of the Board of Trade, how many projects for the establishment of American factories in Britain have been allowed; and how many disallowed by his Department and for what reasons.

Projects for the establishment of factories in this country by American interests do not necessarily require the specific approval of the Board of Trade, and the information for which the hon. Member has asked could not be provided without a good deal of research. As regards the second part of the Question, we normally welcome the establishment of such factories in this country provided the investment is made with dollars or their equivalent and provided there is reason to believe that the project in question will, on balance, gain or save desirable foreign currency or will involve other substantial advantages in the form of technical knowledge, patented processes, etc.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware of a general shortage of baby squares, utility specification No. 3070, especially on the South-East coast; what is the reason for this shortage; and what steps he is taking to see that this most necessary article is in adequate supply.

There has been a recent slowing down in the rate of supply, for causes which are, I hope, temporary. As I said in answer to my hon. Friend, the Member for St. Albans (Mr. Dumpleton), on 10th November, I have impressed upon manufacturers the importance of maintaining adequate supplies, and I am having further investigations made into the supply position in consultation with the Cotton Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the first instalment of compensation from the Yugoslav Government, due before 24th December, 1949, has yet been paid.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what machinery for the allocation of compensation from Yugoslavia has been set up and whether the claimants to compensation have been informed about it.

No such machinery has yet been set up, but this and cognate matters are under urgent consideration and my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement on them before the end of the present year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what cultural conventions are now in force between this country and other countries; and whether he is satisfied that the British Council's ability to implement these conventions will not be prejudiced by the proposed reduction in the funds at their disposal.

Cultural Conventions are now in force between this country and Belgium, Brazil, Czechoslovakia, France and Norway. A Convention was signed with the Netherlands in July, 1948; the exchange of instruments of ratification has not yet taken place; but the Convention is in practice already in operation and two meetings of the Mixed Commission provided for in this Convention have already taken place. We are in negotiation with the Governments of Luxembourg, Italy and Portugal for the making of Cultural Conventions.The reduction in the British Council's grant-in-aid for 1950–51 will certainly entail a reduction in the funds available for work in these countries. However, I hope that the cuts will not adversely affect the ability of the British Council to implement the Conventions. In addition, although the British Council is His Majesty's Government's principal agent for the execution of activities falling within the scope of these Conventions, the Ministry of Education are also concerned, and the universities and various private organisations are actively assisting in furthering their objects.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the tender of the West End Wig and Human Hair Company to supply wigs to the National Health Service at £18 was accepted, in view of the fact that such wigs can be obtained for £12; and what is the average price of wigs provided under the National Health Service.

The prices of wigs vary widely according to colour and type. The West End Human Hair and Wig Company Limited tendered to supply 21 types. In only two instances was the price around £18. In the remainder it was considerably less. It is contrary to established practice to disclose prices under Government contracts, but as I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 10th November, the average price paid for wigs is considerably below £18.

asked the Minister of Food how the sugar refining costs adjustment is calculated; what the machinery is for distributing it among sugar refiners; and what sums have been paid to the sugar refining industry in respect of this adjustment in each year since its inception, indicating what sum per cwt of refined sugar each annual payment represents.

The sugar refining costs adjustment is calculated by relating current costs to pre-war costs after taking account of the effect of the level of production on overhead costs. Payment is made to individual refiners as a rate per cwt. of refined sugar produced. The costs adjustment is based on an investigation of the costs of one firm of sugar refiners. It would not, as I explained to my hon. Friend on 19th July, 1948, be in accordance with general practice to give figures which would disclose the operations of one individual concern.