asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to repeated complaints in regard to difficulty in obtaining calls on the Clissold exchange; and what action he is taking in the matter.

Special attention has been given to the service at Clissold exchange, on both technical and operating sides, and there has been a steady and continuous improvement during the last 12 months. This is an old type manual exchange. The position is still being closely watched and no effort is being spared to eliminate cause for complaint.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to be able to make a reduction in the present letter rate of 2½d.

As a reduction of even ½d. in the letter and postcard rate is estimated to involve an annual loss of revenue of rather more than £8½ million, which would practically eliminate the prospective postal surplus, I cannot say when such a reduction will be made.

asked the Postmaster-General how many persons in the City of Leeds have applied for and still wait to receive telephones for either business or private premises; and what is the further delay anticipated in supplying them.

1,897 business and 4,190 residential applicants are waiting for service in the City of Leeds. 2,759 exchange lines were provided during the last 12 months, but in view of the severe restriction on capital expenditure I regret that I cannot say when it will be possible to clear the outstanding applications.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what number of persons have made application to settle in the Dominions; what is the number who have already been settled during the last two years in each of the Dominions; and what steps are being taken to provide sufficient shipping to accommodate all those who have made application but who have been unable so far to obtain passages.

There are no full official statistics on the number of prospective migrants to Commonwealth countries. The majority of inquiries about passages are made direct to the various shipping companies and agencies and do not disclose the purpose for which passages are required.The following are the numbers of British emigrants by sea from the United Kingdom during the period 1st January, 1948, to 31st December, 1949, for settlement in the four Commonwealth countries named (residence for a year or more is regarded as permanent residence for this classification):

Canada	…	55,095
Australia	…	87,504
New Zealand	…	16,188
South Africa	…	39,093

Special shipping arrangements have been made for people accepted under schemes of Government Assisted Migration to Australia and New Zealand and at the present time there is no appreciable delay in securing passages for those who are eligible to participate in these schemes. The same applies to other passengers at present wishing to proceed to Canada, Australia and South Africa. but there is some delay in the case of New Zealand.

asked the Postmaster-General how soon he contemplates being able to provide a television station which will serve East Anglia, and particularly the Counties of Norfolk and Suffolk.

It is impossible to say when a television station to serve East Anglia will be provided but the television service is being received in parts of that area now.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the complaints as to abnormal interference with the reception of television programmes in Northampton resulting from the operation of the Daventry broadcasting station; and whether he will take steps to mitigate this interference.

I am aware of the interference to which my hon. Friend refers and the matter is being investigated. I will write my hon. Friend when these investigations are completed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why a knowledge of how to set up obsolete wireless telegraphy equipment is one of the necessary qualifications for the civil radio-telephony operator's licence.

Knowledge of how to set up obsolete equipment is not a necessary qualification for these licences.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many troops, police and Asiatic and European civilians have been killed and wounded by the bandits in Malaya during the past three months.

The approximate numbers of casualties for the three months ended on 3rd March, 1950, are: Killed, 11 Service men, 76 police, 135 Asiatic civilians and 4 European civilians; wounded, 24 Service men, 62 police, 108 Asiatic civilians, and two Europeans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the military or the police are responsible for the conduct of operations against the bandits in Malaya; and if, in view of the continued and growing number of casualties. it is proposed to make any change in the present arrangement

Hitherto the Commissioner of Police has been responsible for the general conduct of operations against the bandits, in which the military are acting in support of the civil power; but the need for the appointment of an officer free from routine administrative responsibilities to plan, co-ordinate and generally direct the operations of the police and the Fighting Services has recently been examined by the High Commissioner, and it has been decided to create a new civil post of Director of Operations.An announcement of the appointment of Lieut.-General Sir Harold Briggs to fill this post was made yesterday by the Federation Government and arrangements are being made for General Briggs to fly out to Malaya at a very early date.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds the historical and constitutional survey entitled "Africa: Britain's Third Empire," by George Padmore, has been banned in Kenya; and if he will cause this ban to be lifted.

This action was taken by the Governor under Section 53 of the Penal Code on the grounds that the importation of this publication would be contrary to the public interest. The decision is one for the Governor of Kenya.

asked the Minister of Transport what action has been and is being taken by His Majesty's Government to discourage or prevent British shipowners from having their ships repaired in foreign dockyards, in view of unemployment among British ship-repairing workers.

Because of the shortage of certain currencies, United Kingdom ships cannot carry out major repairs in hard currency countries without my prior approval, but, as I announced in December, they are free to carry out such repairs in soft currency countries because this is necessary for the competitive efficiency of British shipping. The decline in the numbers employed in United Kingdom shipyards is due to the completion of the abnormal volume of work caused by the war, and cannot be affected by the relatively few British ships having major repairs abroad.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland under what arrangements the slaughter of horses is carried out in Scotland.

The slaughter of horses for human food is carried out in Scotland at four slaughterhouses; other horses are slaughtered at some 20 knackeries. In both cases, the businesses are licensed and supervised by the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total number of horses slaughtered in Scotland for the last convenient six-monthly period, showing the total number under two years old and the total number killed under permit for human consumption.

The latest information is that contained in the Report of the Rosebery Committee, which shows that some 4,800 horses were slaughtered in Scotland for human consumption in the first six months of 1949. Records of the ages of horses slaughtered are not kept. I have no information about the number of horses slaughtered in Scotland for purposes other than human consumption.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give for Scotland for 1949, the number of murders known to the police; the number of suspected murderers who committed suicide; the number of persons charged with murder; and the number of those so charged who were found unfit to plead, or guilty but insane; the number convicted of murder and sentenced to death; the number charged with murder and acquitted; and the numbers of those convicted who were reprieved and executed, respectively.

The police investigated 14 cases of murder in Scotland in 1949. Four suspected murderers committed suicide. Eight persons were charged with murder; of these one was found to be insane and unfit for trial, and seven were acquitted.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is now in a position to increase the number of huts for community centres which are to be made available through the Scottish Council of Social Service for the Highland and Islands area.

I regret that in view of the restrictions on capital investment, it has been found necessary to postpone the erection of village halls and community centres and that it will not be possible to sanction additional building for these purposes meantime.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the intensive explosion of obsolete bombs and ammunition on the beach at Theddlethorpe, North Lincolnshire, is causing anxiety and grave concern to those who live in the district; and if he will have these demolitions carried out elsewhere

No bombs or ammunition has been exploded on the beach at Theddlethorpe, but only some condemned photographic flashes. I am sorry if the noise has been disturbing but I can assure the hon. Member that there was no danger to the local inhabitants. Instructions have now been given for the demolition of these photographic flashes to be carried out elsewhere.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, when framing his Budget, he will consider reducing Purchase Tax of 66⅔ per cent. on pianos to the same level as that on radio sets, namely, 33⅓ per cent.

I cannot anticipate my Budget statement.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the staff of the Stroud Food Office are being transferred to Gloucester, he will consult with the Transport Commission with a view to making cheap workers' tickets available to them on the rail car.

I regret that there are no special circumstances which would justify my approaching the Transport Commission about the possibility of cheap fares for food office staff travelling from Stroud to Gloucester by rail, but I understand that the cost per working day of a quarterly season ticket is only 2d. more than that of a workman's ticket.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that goods sold on points are accumulating in grocers' shops in many parts of the country; and if he will consider stopping the points rationing system.

The points rationing scheme is now under detailed examination. At the moment I can give no assurance about possible changes, but I hope to do so in the immediate future.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Food Standards Committee have yet completed their inquiry into the measures necessary to give effect to the Medical Research Council's recommendation that all domestic salt supplies in Great Britain should be iodized as a measure of protection against goitre.

The Medical Research Council after extensive examination have recommended that all table and cooking salt should be iodized for the prevention of goitre and thyroid enlargement. This recommendation has been endorsed by the Ministry of Health Standing Committee on Medical and Nutritional Problems, and it has the full approval of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health.The Food Standards Committee were asked to advise on what measures would be necessary to give effect to the medical recommendation. They have recently completed their inquiries and have recommended a standard of composition for iodized salt which can be enforced by chemical analysis. The Committee received evidence from representatives of the salt industry who have concurred in the recommendation as a permanent measure and from other expert witnesses, and have advised that within one year from the date of an Order all pre-packed free-running salt should be treated with small traces of iodide and that within two years all other pre-packed salt should be similarly treated. I understand that this would mean that the production of cut-lump salt would have to be discontinued. I am advised that if salt production as between pre-packed free-running salt and other salt used in the home remains substantially in the same proportion as in 1948 slightly more than half the population of Great Britain would benefit within the first year from the Medical Research Council's recommendation and that the entire population would benefit by the end of two years.A copy of the Food Standards Committee's report has been placed in the Library and I am arranging for the Report to be issued for publication tomorrow. Steps will not be taken to give effect to the Committee's recommendations until all concerned (the trade and technical interests, the Medical Profession and, indeed, the public) have had full opportunity to make any representations they wish. The Food Standards Committee will be open to receive representations until 30th June, 1950.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what further progress he can report to remedy the public nuisance created by the outpouring of grit and dirt from the chimneys of the Kirkstall power station at Leeds; and when it is hoped completely to stop this nuisance to residents in the north and west parts of the City of Leeds.

I am informed that the British Electricity Authority are engaged in making alterations to the Kirkstall power station which previously belonged to the City of Leeds Corporation. These alterations should ensure that the station will be no longer open to criticism on the score of grit emission. In particular a new chimney should be completed this year and new electrostatic precipitators and ash handling plant should be completed next year.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will consider abolishing rationing of petrol in this country for a trial period of three months.

I am afraid that the abolition of petrol rationing in the United Kingdom would result in a substantial increase in consumption, which would add considerably to dollar expenditure. I regret therefore that I am unable to adopt the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the average weight of coal needed to produce one Kilovolt-ampere by the British European Airways Corporation during any convenient recent period.

During 1948–49 the power stations of the British Electricity Authority, to which I must presume the hon. Member refers, consumed on the average 1.478 lbs. of coal per unit (Kilowatt hour) sent out.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give for England and Wales for 1949, the number of murders known to the police; the number of suspected murderers who committed suicide; the number of persons charged with murder and the number of those so charged who were found unfit to plead or guilty but insane; the number convicted of murder and sentenced to death; the number charged with murder and acquitted; and the numbers of those convicted who were reprieved and executed, respectively.

The provisional figures show that 135 murders were known to the police during 1949; that 34 suspected murderers committed suicide; and that 65 persons were charged with murder. Of these 65 persons, 13 were found insane on arraignment and unfit to plead; 12 were found guilty but insane; 31 were convicted of murder; six were acquitted; and three were awaiting trial at the end of the year. Of the 31 convicted of murder, two were ordered to be detained during His Majesty's Pleasure and 29 were sentenced to death. Of these 29, 13 were executed and 12 were reprieved, and in four cases a final decision had not been taken by the end of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the development of plans to erect a new factory in the Nantlle Valley. Caernarvonshire.

An advance not exceeding £50,000 from the Development Fund has been approved for this purpose and will be made available to the local authority subject to discussion of the most appropriate means by which the local authority can take up this advance, having regard to the provisions of the Local Government Act, 1933. I understand that the local authority has already gone to tender for part of the work proposed.