asked the Minister of Supply if he will give the comparative prices, expressed proportionately, per sleeper of pre-stressed reinforced concrete produced, respectively, in Royal Ordnance factories and by private enterprise.

It is contrary to established practice, either to disclose prices paid to outside contractors under Government contracts, or to give details by way of comparison which might prejudice future negotiations. In the present case, however, I can tell the hon. Member that the average price of the Royal Ordnance Factories' product is slightly higher than the trade products, due mainly to the additional transport costs of the raw materials resulting from the location of the Royal Ordnance Factories concerned.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the shortage of water piping for rural water schemes and for farms in South Dorset; and what steps he is taking to improve supplies.

I am aware of the shortage of water piping for rural water schemes. New capacity for steel pipes installed at the end of last year is now in full production, and supplies of this type of piping have increased substantially since the beginning of the year. Production of cast iron pipes has also increased substantially since 1947, and it is hoped that there will be a further increase in 1950.

asked the Minister of Supply how much water piping has been manufactured in the last 12 months; and what proportion has been exported, and to what countries.

The cast iron and steel pipes used for water supplies are also used for other purposes, and it is not possible to separate the production between the various end uses. Total production of cast iron pipes suitable for water in the last 12 months was approximately 420,000 tons and of steel pipes approximately 230,000 tons. I regret that information about the export of pipes suitable for water supply is not available as they are not separately listed in the trade returns.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the average number of hours worked weekly by the administrative staff and other employees, respectively, at the Windscale Works at Sellafield; what are the average salaries and wages; and what proportions of the salaries and wages are represented by overtime payments.

The average number of hours worked weekly by the Ministry of Supply staff employed at Windscale Works, Sellafield, is:Administrative (managerial) staff—45.5 (including meal times).Other non-industrial staff—48.6 (including meal times).Industrial staff—50.5 (including meal times).The average salaries and wages of that staff are:Administrative (managerial) staff—£713 a year.Other non-industrial staff—£420 a year. Industrial staff—£7 10s. 6d. a week.The proportion of salary or wages represented by overtime, including weekend work on continuous shift, is:Administrative (managerial) staff—Nil.Other non-industrial staff—5.4 per cent.Industrial staff—17.3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Works to what extent artificial fertiliser is purchased for maintaining the fertility of the gardens in the Royal Parks; and what is the approximate annual cost.

On an average 26 tons are purchased each year at a cost of about £660.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware of the serious shortage of cement in South Dorset; and what steps are being taken to improve supplies.

Deliveries to South Dorset have recently been increased.

asked the Minister of Works what steps he has taken during the current year to organise a widespread and effective steel economy campaign, with a view to taking advantage of the recent advance of knowledge with regard to the efficient use of steel and the provisions in B.S.449 and codes of practice dealing with this matter.

Publicity on steel economy measures can most usefully be directed to those actively engaged in the design of new construction and through establishments where professional training is given. Last March I appointed a Committee representing all the professional interests to organise publicity through the professional institutions and the Committee has already done much useful work. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Education is encouraging local education authorities to arrange refresher courses in up-to-date practice and design and my Ministry has also provided exhibits in different parts of the country to illustrate economy methods.

asked the Minister of Works the amount of money that has been paid in compensation since derequisitioning of Wells House Hotel, Ilkley, for dilapidations and alterations.

A settlement is being negotiated and no money has yet been paid.

asked the Minister of Works the total value of licences granted by him to private contractors for the purpose of building offices; what percentage of this figure is to be let to the Government; and what percentage is to be occupied by the rest of the business community.

Licences to the approximate value of £18,061,000 have been granted since January, 1947, for the erection of office buildings. Of this value about 42 per cent. is for offices for lease to the Government and 58 per cent. is for private use.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the fact that the waste land in the centre of Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, bears the sign of his Department, he will remove the miscellaneous rubbish and litter thereon.

The bridge is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments Acts, but my Ministry is not the owner or guardian of the bridge, and has not erected a sign there. I will call the attention of the owners to the complaint about the rubbish.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what were the total sales of coke in 1946 in the area now covered by the North Western Gas Board; and what was the corresponding figure of sales for the last twelve months.

Sales of gas coke, excluding breeze, by gas undertakings in the area now covered by the North Western Gas Board during 1946 and the 52 weeks ended 2nd December, 1949, were 1,372,000 tons and 1,440,000 tons, respectively.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what, as at the last most convenient date, were the stocks of coke available in the area of the North Western Gas Board.

Stocks of coke, excluding breeze, at gas works in the area of the North Western Gas Board were 249,000 tons on 2nd December last.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average price of coke per ton in 1945; and what is the present day price.

As the price of coke varies according to its quality and to the district in which it is produced, I regret that information about the average price for the whole country is not available and could not be obtained without an excessive amount of work. If, however, the hon. Member is interested in any particular town and will let me know, I will supply him with details of prices in that locality.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he refused the request of the county council of Fife for a copy of the report of the recent inquiry into the Gas Order promoted by Kirkcaldy Corporation; and if, in view of the direct interest of the Fife County Council in this matter, he will cause a copy of the report to be sent to the council forthwith.

The inquiry into the Kirkcaldy Special Order was held in accordance with the Schedule to the Gas Regulation Act 1920 which provides for a report of the inquiry to be made to and considered by the Minister. Reports of public inquiries under this and similar Acts have always been regarded as confidential documents which are not made public. In these circumstances I regret that I am not in a position to send a copy to the Fife County Council.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is satisfied that the present hire car regulations permit sufficient facilities for travel by overseas visitors.

Generally speaking 1 consider that the present arrangements are satisfactory, but they will be reviewed before the next tourist season begins.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the great saving of petrol effected in certain areas due to the installation of radio equipment in taxis, he will consider seeking power, by legislation if necessary, to refuse to allocate petrol for use in any taxi in which radio equipment has not been installed, and thus save unnecessary empty return journeys by taxi to central ranks.

No.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement on his official visit to the Penallta Colliery, Glamorgan.

Only that I spent an interesting and enjoyable morning, was able to clear up some misconceptions and have since received a letter of appreciation from the Miners' Lodge at Penallta.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of persons killed and injured, respectively, in the mining industry for the years 1946, 1947 and 1948.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what extent he ensures that disused mine shafts are adequately covered or fenced.

It is the statutory duty of every owner of a mine to fence disused shafts or outlets so as to prevent accidents to the public. The responsibility of enforcing this requirement rests with local authorities, but the inspectors of mines draw attention to any cases of inadequately protected shafts or outlets which come to their notice.

asked the Attorney-General if he will now state when he expects to publish the Final Report of the Committee considering Leasehold Reform.

I regret that I still cannot yet state when the Final Report of the Leasehold Committee can be expected.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any estimate has recently been made of the present average efficiency of coal utilisation in this country; whether any substantial progress has been made in this field during the past five years; and if he will give particulars.

A number of estimates have been made during the past few years which vary between 18 per cent. and 30 per cent. So many varying factors need to be taken into account in any attempt to assess overall average efficiency that the time involved in trying to establish a reliable figure would not be justified. While substantial progress has undoubtedly been made during the last five years, it is not possible, except in individual cases, to assess the increase in fuel efficiency achieved. During the last 12 months my Department has had in operation a fully equipped mobile testing unit, with which it is possible to obtain an energy balance for a whole works. This has led to recommendations resulting in an average coal saving of about 15 per cent. in the cases surveyed.Moreover, following earlier surveys of the fuel and power requirements in breweries and laundries, similar surveys of 12 major industries and of drying processes in 25 other important industries are now being carried out. The results of these surveys are expected to lead among other things to the fixing of fuel efficiency indices in terms of coal per unit product which will form the basis for future comparisons of efficiency.In the domestic field the improved appliances, which have been installed since the war, use coal with an efficiency of about. 40 per cent. as compared with less than 20 per cent. for the older appliances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what representations he has made to the Portuguese Government concerning their holdings of gold looted by the Nazis from our Allies; whether he will state the estimated value of such looted gold as is known to be held by the Portuguese Government; and what has been the outcome of these representations.

During the past three years His Majesty's Government have, with the French and United States Governments, made representations to the Portuguese Government with a view to obtaining restitution of this looted gold. The precise amount held by Portugal has not been finally established, but it is thought that it reaches a total of 43.9 tons of fine gold. His Majesty's Government greatly regret that these representations have so far been unavailing. Discussions are now in progress with the French and United States Governments in regard to further action in this matter.

asked the Minister of Food if he will secure sufficient imports of vegetables to make up for the shortage of home-grown vegetables caused by this year's prolonged dought, with the resultant high prices.

Yes. We have already put imports of vegetables from most European countries on open general licence, so that traders can import as much as possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether the rations of European Volunteer Workers employed on the land but billetted in camps are on the Canteen A scale.

Yes, except in the case of meat, for which the allowances are slightly less.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of his undertaking to increase the fat allocation to fish friers, he will grant a quota allocation to Wold Fisheries (Lines) Ltd., whos mobile fish and chip van covers a large rural area where there are no fish and chip shops, as indicated by the correspondence sent to him; and if he will grant extra fat to all vans serving rural areas.

From 26th February, 1950, any fish frier can have his allocation of oils and fats increased by 5 per cent. of his datum. I cannot give exceptional treatment to individual fish friers.

asked the Minister of Food how many regrigerator ships are still employed storing meat; and how the average cost of storing carcases in this manner compares with the average cost of storing carcases ashore.

Eleven refrigerated ships are now being used to store meat at an average of about 70s. per ton per calendar month, which compares with 27s. per ton for land storage.

asked the Minister of Food by what amount stocks of wheat and flour in store or in transit, already paid for, appreciated in terms of sterling at 19th September, 1949.

No question of writing up the value of stocks arises, although of course the proceeds of sale will appreciate as a result of the raising of the price of flour.

asked the Minister of Food when he will introduce a maximum controlled price for the retail sale of oysters, in view of the present high cost and variation in price.

I do not think there is any need to control this luxury foodstuff, particularly in view of the decision to decontrol fish prices.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the long delays which are taking place in the turn round of ships because there is no room in the granaries of the ports to receive their cargoes of grain; and what action he proposes to take to prevent this loss of ships' time.

During recent months grain arrivals have been heavy and some delays in discharging vessels have occurred. Every effort is made to reduce the loss of time to the minimum and I anticipate that conditions in the ports will improve early in the new year.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he proposes to take to improve the standard of cleanliness in small cafes and snack bars.

We are awaiting a report from a representative Working Party which is considering the question of cleanliness in all types of catering establishments.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of citrus fruit are being imported from Cyprus this year; and how 1949 prices compare with those of 1948.

Contracts have been made for purchase from Cyprus this year of 36,600 cases of oranges and 85,418 cases of grapefruit, amounting to about 3,500 tons in all. I am not prepared to announce the prices paid for particular purchases.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the large crop of cider apples, he will reconsider his decision to reduce the allocation of sugar to cider manufacturers in January.

This year, we were able to give cider makers extra sugar to enable them to take up the greatest possible quantity of apples. But we have had to reduce the total allocation of sugar for manufacturing purposes in 1950 and we cannot afford to exempt cider makers from their share of the reduction.

asked the Minister of Food on what principle the amount of cider is assessed which may be imported into this country for the purposes of blending.

Cider is now on open general import licence and it is for cider manufacturers themselves to determine how much they will need for blending with their own production.

asked the Minister of Food how many officials of his Department's Food Enforcement Department have an interest, involving personal gain, in a food manufacturing business; and how many of these are in the areas in which they carry out their duties for his Department.

The detailed information for which the hon. Member asks is not immediately available. But any of our officers who have any interest in a food business sign an undertaking on joining the Ministry not to take any active part in their business.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied that the system whereby food parcels, containing scarce and rationed foods, may be ordered in the United States of America to be sent to residents in Great Britain, acts less unfairly towards our people generally than was the case with the system operating for food parcels from the Irish Republic, which he is to terminate on 1st January, 1950.

Yes, and they are gifts. Many of the Irish parcels were not.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that Mr. Scott, White House, Bradford Row, Menston, near Leeds, who owns a confectionery shop, has insufficient stocks to meet the 6 oz. Christmas bonus, owing to the fact that he distributed during the off-ration period and did not build up stocks; and if he will consider issuing further points to enable Mr. Scott to satisfy this extra demand.

Over the country as a whole retailers will hold sufficient stocks to enable them to meet the extra Christmas ration without difficulty. But I cannot ensure that any particular retailer will have enough sweets to be able to sell the 6 oz. bonus during the Christmas ration period.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the population of Camborne-Redruth greatly exceeds that of Truro, he will reconsider his decision to withdraw the trade side of the food office to Truro, and thus avoid substantial travelling inconvenience to the 620 firms of grocers, butchers, bakers, caterers, milkmen and soap merchants situated in Camborne-Redruth.

In order to save staff, we are amalgamating the trade work of food offices whenever possible. There is no suitable accommodation in Camborne-Redruth for a district trade office. But while traders will have to correspond with the District Office in Truro they will be able to call at the local food offices in Camborne-Redruth to deposit documents and to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Food how much bacon, meat and butter is in store in the United Kingdom.

It would not be in the public interest to disclose this information.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons have been killed, and how many injured, in road accidents involving, respectively, tramcars, trolley omnibuses, motor omnibuses and motor coaches operated by the London Transport Executive for the 12 months ended 31st December. 1948; and the comparative average figures of killed and injured per million miles operated for each class of vehicle.

In view of my general responsibilities in matters of road safety, I have obtained figures from the British Transport Commission. The number of persons injured, fatally or otherwise, as a result of accidents arising from collisions involving London Transport vehicles during the 12 months ended 31st December, 1948, together with the comparative figures per million miles operated for each class of vehicle were as follow:

asked the Minister of Transport if he intends to institute a special inquiry into the serious increase in the number of accidents involving public service vehicles.

The latest available figures do not indicate any serious increase in such accidents and I do not think that a general inquiry would be useful. When a particular accident presents special features calling for an inquiry, I arrange for it.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation for more severe penalties in relation to fatal motoring accidents through careless or reckless driving.

No. I have no evidence that the existing law does not provide an adequate deterrent, and I would further point out that a driver who causes a fatal accident can be charged with manslaughter if this is justified by the degree of negligence.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now able to make the regulations provided for under section 101 of the Transport Act, 1947, dealing with compensation for former Canal Company's officers who were displaced by the Transport Commission.

I have already made regulations covering officers and servants of canal undertakings transferred to the Commission. There are also a number of bodies which were completely controlled by the various canal undertakings transferred to the Commission under the Act for which I am required by Sub-section (1) (d) of Section 101 to make regulations providing for compensation. These regulations are in preparation and will be laid before the House as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will order the installation of traffic lights at Fullbrook Crossing, Walsall.

The installation of traffic signals at. Fullbrook Crossing is the responsibility of the Walsall County Borough Council and I have already told them that I am prepared to authorise traffic signals here when they have prepared a suitable scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of British ships sent abroad for repair, overhaul and refitting, and the cost thereof, in the last 12 months, or latest convenient period; and how that number compares with the number of foreign ships sent to this country for repair, overhaul and refitting, and the cost thereof in the same period.

In the period 3rd March to 24th November, 1949, permission has been given for the release of foreign currency for repairs (other than voyage or running repairs) to nine U.K. ships. During the same period 29 foreign ships carried out similar repairs in U.K. yards In neither case are figures of the actual cost available.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state, in convenient form, the costs of repairing and refitting ships in the principal ports of Britain and in those European ports in which he has recently given permission for ships to be repaired.

The only information I have relates to quotations from Holland for the repair of six ships during the last four months which is given below:

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now allow traffic and passage on the roads in the vicinity of Market Stainton, Lincolnshire recently closed by him under Defence Regulation, 1939, No. 16.

I have been asked to reply. The roads will, with one exception, be formally re-opened this week The excepted road will be opened as soon as it is safe for passenger traffic. This will probably be in about two or three months.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the rise in the cost of living following devaluation, he will give further consideration to the appeal of the British Railways Superannuitants' Federation for supplementary allowances.

As I have informed the House on previous occasions, the superannuation schemes to which the question refers are not solvent and already approximately £2½ million per year is required to meet the deficit. For this reason I have previously refused to intervene in the matter. The statement 1 made in the House on 28th November about the finances of the British Transport Commission indicates that it would not be justifiable to impose an additional burden on them by providing supplementary allowances to existing pensions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether effect is being given in Government buildings to the recommendations issued by regional boards for industry in regard to the reduction of electricity use by larger commercial consumers.

Yes. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Circular issued by the Treasury on 27th September last, pointing out that Government offices and industrial establishments are expected to conform to the plans of regional boards for industry for securing economy in the use of electric current.

asked the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, in view of the need for the more efficient utilisation of steel in this country, what consultations he has had with all the nationalised industries which are large users of steel, with a view to ensuring that they should specify only the most efficient steel and methods of use for their various purposes

The Steel Economy Committee, which consists partly of officials and partly of members from industry, has had consultations with the nationalised industries as well as with representatives of other large steel using interests with a view to ensuring the objects set out in the hon. Members Question. I am informed that the Committee hopes shortly to make recommendations for securing further advances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what priorities are fixed in the printing of official publications at His Majesty's Stationery Office; and what are the current delays for printing in each priority.

Official printing is distributed over a wide range of contractors as well as the Stationery Office presses. The institution of fixed priority classes is not feasible, but every effort is made to meet the urgent needs, first, of Parliament, and secondly, of Departments.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how long it took His Majesty's Stationery Office to publish the McDonald Report on the Prestwick Air Accident which took place on 20th October, 1948.

Production of the report took six weeks, including the time required for the checking of proofs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give an assurance that, in connection with the programme of expenditure cuts now under consideration, no steps will be taken to reduce the valuable work at present being undertaken by the universities with the support of the University Grants Committee; and whether, in that connection, he will provide some up-to-date information as to the progress being made with regard to the increased output of qualified scientists and technologists and the extent to which the recommendations of the Barlow Committee are being implemented.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on 26th October with regard to the retardation of the university building programme. I am not proposing any other change in the general arrangements affecting grants to universities. As regards the second part of the Question, the recommendation of the Barlow Committee that the number of university students in science and technology should be doubled has already been implemented.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums have been received by the Treasury, month by month, from the football pools tax for the months January to November, 1949, inclusive.

The monthly figures of receipts of Pool Betting Duty during 1949, from football pools (together with other similar pools included under the same heading) are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums have been received by the Treasury, month by month, from the greyhound totalisator tax for the months June to November, 1949. inclusive.

The monthly figures of receipts of Pool Betting Duty from greyhound totalisators are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what statutory provision relating to Purchase Tax His Majesty's Customs and Excise demand, under threat that legal penalties may be imposed, that a trader shall produce for inspection his profit and loss account and give information in respect of his mortgages, as this account and information have no relationship to the traders' purchase taxable transactions.

The relevant provision is Section 20 of the Finance Act, 1946, though I am not aware that it is used in the manner suggested. If however the hon. Member will let me have particulars of any case he has in mind, I will look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any further statement to make on the deferment of the increases of salary for the higher posts of the Civil Service which had been recommended by the Chorley Committee; and on the effect of the decision on the pensions of the holders of such posts retiring in the near future.

In reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benson) on 17th February I said that I hoped to give effect in the course of the present year to the recommendations of the Chorley Committee, subject to the salary increases concerned being introduced by stages. I later directed that the introduction of the increased salaries by stages should start on 1st October last and that the full increases should be effective by 1st October, 1951.I have, however, already had to announce that in view of the devaluation of the pound and the consequent need to avoid increases in personal incomes, I have felt it necessary to postpone the introduction of the increases which had been authorised to take place on 1st October last, though I have reaffirmed the intention of the Government that my direction that the full increases are to become operative by October, 1951, is not to be affected by this further postponement.I have also stated already that I have not thought it right to allow this decision to prejudice the pensions of those officers retiring after 1st October, 1949, whose pensions and allowances are, under the Superannuation Acts, based on the salary earned at or shortly before their retirement (in. most cases on the salary in the three years preceding retirement), Where pensions are based on retiring salary the permanent loss of pension entailed by basing it on the existing instead of on the increased salary would be considerable and in my view unjustifiable in the circumstances of the case.In order, therefore, to ensure that the pensions and death gratuities of those concerned are not prejudiced by this postponement, I have given the following instructions.Salaries are being fixed as from 1st October, 1949, at the rates which would have been payable, but for the postponement, under the arrangement for introducing the recommended increases by stages. These salaries are, however, being abated in accordance with a general direction, which will remain in force until further notice, by amounts sufficient to ensure that for the time being no increases in salaries are, in fact, paid. The result will be that under Section 13 of the Superannuation Act, 1935, the pensions and death gratuities under the Superannuation Acts of those retiring or dying in or shortly after the period during which the abatement is in force will be calculated on the salary that would have been payable had the abatement not been made.I have also considered the effect of this deferment on the non-effective benefits of staff pensionable under F.S.S.U and on temporary staff. Although the effect of deferment in these cases will be far less and the number of individuals concerned is very small, I have not thought it fair that staff in these categories should be treated differently and I propose, therefore, that the necessary adjustments should be made to ensure that their noneffective benefits also are not prejudiced. Legislation may be required to authorise these payments but its extent cannot be determined until further inquiries have been made and I propose that the introduction of any necessary Measure to authorise the payments made after October, 1949, should be deferred until a suitable opportunity presents itself.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury the number of statutory instructions issued since 1st January this year and the number which have lapsed or have been withdrawn in the same period

Up to and including 5th December, 2,257 general and local instruments had been issued during 1949; 1,035 general instruments had been revoked; 106 general instruments expired.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can yet make a statement about the work undertaken to date by the National Research Development Corporation.

The Development of Inventions Act, 1948, under which the National Research Development Corporation was established, requires the Corporation to make a report to the Board of Trade as soon as possible after the end of each financial year, and requires the Board to lay the report before Parliament. The first occasion for this will come after 30th June, 1950, when the Corporation's first financial year ends. This annual report is, I think, the appropriate means and occasion for informing the House about the activities of the Corporation and I should prefer not to anticipate it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what agreements or understandings he has entered into with any foreign countries as to the disposal of heirless property or its proceeds now vested or in the control of the Custodian of Enemy Property, which property was formerly owned by victims of the policy of Nazi mass murder.

No agreements have been concluded or understandings reached with foreign countries on behalf of His Majesty's Government, which provide for the final disposal of property or its proceeds which the hon. Member refers to as heirless.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position with regard to the supplies of paper to publishers of scientific books and journals; and what increase has been possible in recent months.

All restrictions on the use of paper for books, including scientific works, were removed in March last. Scientific journals dealing with original research have been allowed their full re- quirements since February, 1948, and the permitted paper consumption of other scientific journals, which has regularly been on a higher scale than that allowed to general periodicals, was increased by 50 per cent. in July last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many bankruptcies there were in Newport in each year from 1919 to 1924 and from 1945 to 1949; and the total amounts involved in the same periods.

The following is the information asked for:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and values of kerosene and motor spirit imported into the United Kingdom in the first 10 months of the years 1947, 1948, and 1949, from countries described in the Trade and Navigation Returns as other foreign countries; and if he will specify the quantities and values imported from each of those countries.

Following are the figures:

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the antique weapons being sold at the Ministry of Supply's depôt at Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, were acquired without payment from the public during 1940; and what compensation is being offered to the original owners.

Large quantities of all types of weapons were received from many sources, including His Majesty's Customs and Excise, police forces and overseas theatres without any indication being given of the original owners. It is not possible to say how or when these antique weapons were acquired or who the original owners were. Where an owner has asked for the return of his weapon every effort has been made to trace and return it to him.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the model by-laws which he has issued to local authorities in England and Wales to ensure cleanliness in the handling, wrapping and delivery of food, he will make an order giving employers the right to insist on bacteriological examination of employees engaged in these businesses

I know of no powers under which such an order could be made.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) how many people were drawing public assistance in Newport for each year from 1919 to 1924 and from 1945 to 1949;(2) how many old age pensioners, men and women separately, were drawing benefit on 1st January, 1919, and at the last known date in Newport.

I am having prepared such information as is available and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has now received full information about the recent fire in the Gladstone Dock, Liverpool; and whether he proposes to institute an inquiry or to take any further action.

I have received a report from the Chief Officer of the Bootle Fire Brigade which deals not only with the fire-fighting operations, but with the precautions which had been taken against fire. The report is being considered by the Home Office in consultation with the Ministry of Transport and Board of Trade who are both concerned with the question of precautions against fires in docks.