asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the last two years in developing the native fishing industry on Lakes Albert and Edward in Uganda, with particular reference to training, equipment and the use of co-operative organisations.

I am asking the Governor for a report and will write to my hon. Friend when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the proposed new cotton-seed oil expressing plant at Kampala, Uganda.

I have asked the Governor for information and will write to my hon. Friend when I have received it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give particulars about the African District Councils Bill recently introduced in the Tanganyika Legislature; to what areas it applies; who is to vote, and by what method; and what powers are to be exercised by the councils.

I am not aware that any such Bill has been introduced in the Tanganyika Legislature. I am, however, inquiring of the Governor and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I receive a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give particulars about the Provincial Councils being set up in Tanganyika; what areas are to be covered; who is to vote, and by what method; and what powers are to be exercised by the councils.

Two Provincial Councils have been established in the territory. That for the Lake Province was established in June, 1949, and one for the Southern Highlands Province in March last. The question of setting up similar Councils in the remaining six Provinces is still under consideration.The Lake Province Council consists of nine Official Members and nine Unofficial (two European, two Asian and five African) with the Provincial Commissioner as Chairman. Six of the Official Members are

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the "Kipandes" were abolished in Kenya and not in Tanganyika.

In Tanganyika the "Kipande" is used solely to record the number of days worked by its holder. It is not an identity card associated with compulsory registration, as was the Kenya "Kipande."

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the recent views of the United Nations Trusteeship Council in respect of the Cameroons; and what action he proposes to take in respect of them.

Yes. These comments have been sent to the Governor of Nigeria for his consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is an African representative on the Cameroons Development Corporation; and what is the present composition of the Board.

Yes, the Board of the Cameroons Development Corporation consists of a chairman, two African members, two overseas members and two Nigerian Government officials.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will reconsider his decision not to permit Mr. Anthony Brooke to return to Sarawak to proceed with his libel action against certain parties in the Sarawak Courts.

No. The original grounds for excluding Mr. Brooke given in February, 1948, still hold good. Since then, recent events in Sarawak have had an unsettling effect and provide greater reason for avoiding any risk of disturbance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the further development of attacks by Communist bandits in Malaya, and in particular the incident in which they killed 21 Malayan troops and police in an ambush, it is proposed to take any additional steps to increase the effectiveness of the anti-bandit campaign.

His Majesty's Government are determined to increase the effectiveness of the campaign by all means at their disposal; several new measures have recently been announced and the requirements of the situation will be kept under constant and urgent review.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he is taking to make known as widely as possible to the people of Malaya that the policy of His Majesty's Government regarding Malaya is one of steady democratic progress toward self-government within the Commonwealth.

The policy of His Majesty's Government has been constantly stressed in official speeches in Malaya and has received wide publicity in English and the vernacular languages through the Malayan Press and Radio Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made it constitutional advance in Hong Kong; how many elected members there are on the Legislative Council; and what is the franchise.

The Governor's recommendations for constitutional advance in Hong Kong are still under consideration. The present constitution does not provide for elected members on the Legislative Council and the last part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the famine situation in Nyasaland.

The food shortage in Nyasaland resulted from the serious and prolonged drought of 1948–49. This led to a general shortage of food throughout the country and latterly to famine conditions in parts of the Central and Southern Provinces.During the Autumn of 1949 shortages gradually spread and it became clear that the critical period would probably be from January to March, 1950. In the Northern Province it seemed probable that the people would be able to tide over until the next harvest without extensive relief measures but it was realised that in the Southern Province and limited areas of Central Province that the position would be critical. This had been foreseen from the time of the drought and the necessary preparations were made in good time. Approximately £500,000 was spent on imported food. An African Foodstuffs Commission was set up to organise supply and distribution. Food reserves and distribution centres were provided wherever shortages threatened: relief works were started to provide money for the purchase of food: food was sold at reduced prices and in necessitous cases free issues were made under control: and when the situation in some areas worsened in January feeding camps were opened for those unable to fend for themselves. A feature of the relief campaign has been the voluntary assistance given on a great scale by the Missions, British Red Cross, and other voluntary bodies as well as many private citizens.On the production side the Government inaugurated an extensive planting campaign in the Autumn to ensure that maximum food supplies should become available from the early 1950 harvests (from March onwards).In January a rapid deterioration in the condition of the people in some areas of the Southern Province occurred. This deterioration was aggravated by the fact that most of those concerned were affected by debilitating diseases. In some areas the African custom of caring for dependants broke down. Largely as a result of this breakdown a number of deaths occurred amongst old people, middle-aged women with children and others who would normally be cared for by their families or tribes. The number of deaths arising indirectly from famine conditions cannot be accurately estimated but it may have been in the region of 200. To meet this position feeding and reception camps were set up to relieve those who could not look after themselves. These camps undoubtedly saved many lives during February when the famine reached its peak. Early in March the position improved and the worst difficulties were past in nearly all the famine areas.Demands on distribution centres fell steeply as new crops became available and all the centres will have been closed by the middle of April when the food situation should be normal. The last feeding camp will close on 8th April.The drought and food shortage have undoubtedly been a major setback in the post-war progress of Nyasaland and our sympathy must go out to the people who have suffered from this stroke of ill fortune. From the evidence I have seen it is clear that the Nyasaland Government have tackled a very difficult situation with energy and ability. In this they have been greatly helped by the local voluntary organisations and I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my deep appreciation of the help so generously given by these public-spirited people and of the efforts of all concerned in the relief campaign.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements he has made to protect the interests of Africans from Nyasaland working in South Africa; and whether he is satisfied that these arrangements are working satisfactorily.

By agreement with the Nyasaland Government the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association is authorised to recruit a fixed number of Nyasaland Africans for employment in the mines. The quota for 1949 was 10,000. The method of recruitment and the conditions of employment comply with the requirements of International Labour Conventions and include free quarters, adequate food and medical services and repatriation after 18 months work. The wages are clearly set out in the agreement between the association and the individual worker. The Nyasaland Government Representative at Johannesburg visits the mines regularly and maintains contact with the Nyasaland labourers. These arrangements work satisfactorily.Other Africans from Nyasaland not recruited under the above arrangements make their way in considerable numbers into the Union. They are prohibited immigrants but nevertheless are able to find employment. The problems arising from this clandestine immigration are under consideration in consultation with the Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what further attention has been given to the problem of providing suitable accommodation for Africans and other coloured people in the East End of London; and if he will confer with social workers in that area in respect of that matter.

I appreciate and share my hon. Friend's concern over this matter. I have no special information to give at the moment, but I can assure him that the question is one to which I am giving much thought. I will not overlook his point about consulting with the social workers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the British delegate at the United Nations Trusteeship Council abstained from voting for the resolution adopted at Geneva on 28th March, recommending that countries administering United Nations Trust Territories abolish corporal punishment and whipping as soon as possible.

This resolution also contained an invitation to the administering authorities to give effect to certain resolutions of the General Assembly parts of which were not acceptable to us—and on one of the points at issue views later expressed by U.N.E.S.C.O and the Trusteeship Council Visiting Mission to West Africa lend support to our attitude. It was, therefore, not possible for the United Kingdom delegate to support this resolution. On the particular question of corporal punishment, however, he had at an earlier stage made clear the policy of His Majesty's Government by supporting resolutions advocating that such punishment be abolished as soon as possible in Tanganyika and the Cameroons; and he re-affirmed this policy in a statement explaining his abstention on the resolution to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consideration has been given to the development of electricity generation in Nigeria; and the possibility of co-ordinating electricity enterprise both with the Gold Coast and with French West African Colonies.

The Nigerian Legislative Council are now considering a Bill for the establishment of a publicly-owned Nigerian Electricity Corporation, and plans for the development of electricity generation are proceeding. The possibility of co-ordinating electricity enterprise with neighbouring territories will be for the Corporation to consider.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what legislation has been introduced by the Gold Coast Legislative Council to enable a representative of the Southern Togoland Council to sit on the Gold Coast Council; what is the basis of representation; and why Northern Togoland has no representative.

I invite my hon. Friend's attention to the Gold Coast Colony and Ashanti (Legislative Council) (Amendment No. 2) Order in Council, 1949. The representative is elected by the Southern Togoland Council, which consists of representatives of the native authorities in Southern Togoland. Northern Togoland is administered as a part of the Northern Territories of the Gold Coast, which are not represented in the Legislative Council under the existing constitution.

asked the Lord President of the Council what facilities, both from the point of view of competitors and spectators, are being provided at the Festival of Britain in 1951 for the display of British sports.

I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the nation-wide Festival as a whole rather than any particular event. The Festival Office has asked governing bodies of sport to link up their annual programmes with the Festival. A number of organisations have decided to stage special events and in many cases are inviting other countries to take part. National organisations for sport are asking their clubs throughout the country to participate in local Festival plans by getting in touch with the local authorities responsible. Many organisations have already sent the Festival Office details of their special programmes.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will reintroduce a ration of cigarettes and tobacco, at concession rates, for His Majesty's Forces, to compensate for the rise in the cost of living.

No.

asked the Minister of Food if he will now consider the abolition of points rationing as being no longer a help to lower income groups.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Crosby (Captain Bullock) on 22nd March.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement upon the negotiations with the Argentine Government for the purchase of meat.

No.

asked the Minister of Food if he will consider relaxing the present regulations whereby a retailer is forbidden to sell milk to a passing holiday-maker, even when milk is unrationed, unless an emergency card is produced.

I am considering generally what relaxations I can introduce in view of the improvement in supplies in the present regulations relating to milk. I will make an announcement as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can give an estimate of the proportion of the cost of local food offices, attributable to the control of milk distribution.

We calculate this to be about 8 per cent. but it is naturally very difficult to estimate the cost of one job among the many carried out in local food offices.

asked the Minister of Food what part is played by distributors' and retailers' organisations in the control of the collection and distribution of milk; and to what extent payments other than for distributive services are made to any persons in these sections.

We consult these organisations from time to time, through the Central Milk Distributive Committee, but make no payments to them. Certain individual members of the trade act as advisers to my Department and are paid their expenses when so doing.

asked the Minister of Food the number of officials in the milk division of his Department, stating how many of these are employed at the Milk Marketing Board, in regional offices and in other jobs outside headquarters.

The present strength of the milk division is 83, of whom 17 are employed outside headquarters. These are all whole-time officials of my Department. In addition the Milk Marketing Board employ, on work performed on behalf of the Ministry of Food, 115 staff at headquarters and 50 on a part-time basis in their regional offices.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has considered representations from local government associations proposing the prohibition of the sale of meat from open-fronted shops or stalls, the wrapping of meat in greaseproof paper, etc.; and what steps he proposes to take on the proposals made.

These representations have not been made to me but, I understand, to the Inter-departmental Committee on Meat Inspection, who will doubtless consider them when preparing their report.

asked the Minister of Food what was the total outlay by his Department for transport and distribution charges on the gift of apples from British Columbia; what this represented per pound of those sold; what prices were charged to wholesalers and retailers; what price was paid by the public; and how much profit was made on the transaction by his Department.

Only about half the expected shipments have so far arrived. It will not be possible to give the figures asked for until the shipments have been completed and the fruit has been distributed.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present number of staff in the Scientific Adviser's Division of his Department; and what was it at the same date five years ago.

Fifty-eight; five years ago it was 16. The figures, however, are not strictly comparable as much of the work now being done under the direction of the Chief Scientific Adviser was being done in 1945 in other divisions of the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the revision of the bulk purchase contract for Kenya coffee announced recently in Nairobi, he can now say what modifications are to be made in his Department's contracts with Tanganyika, Uganda. Jamaica and other colonial coffee-producing countries.

The coffee producers of Tanganyika, Jamaica, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Gold Coast have accepted similar terms to those agreed with the Kenya producers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will make such arrangements as will prevent a recurrence of the waste which arose from imports of foreign apples coinciding with the availability of last season's home-grown apple crop.

I cannot agree that imports were the cause of any wastage of home-grown apples last season. Imports are still less than a third of pre-war, and mainly of eating varieties. I am assured that the difficulty in disposing of part of this year's home crop was due to the high proportion of poor quality cookers.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that, last season, growers in the West of England had difficulty in marketing their crop of cider apples owing to imports of foreign cider apples and cider; and whether he will ensure that next season first consideration shall be given to the marketing of the home-grown crop.

Imports of cider and cider apples in 1949 were very small in relation to home production and could have had no material effect on the marketing of the home crop of cider apples. Cider apples are normally imported only at times when there is a shortage of home-grown apples or for special blending purposes, and cider also is usually imported only for blending.

asked the Minister of Food what model by-laws he has advised local authorities to adopt for insuring hygienic conditions for food sold by street traders.

I am sending to the hon. Member a copy of the model by-laws which my predecessor circulated last October to local authorities in England and Wales to guide them when making by-laws under Section 15 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938. Part III of the model relates to the sale of food in the open air but some provisions of Part II also apply to the sale of food by street traders. It is, of course, a matter for the discretion of each local authority whether it makes such by-laws but I am glad to be able to say that over 1,000 local authorities have either adopted or are in the course of adopting the model in their areas.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give an assurance that at least a month's notice of the coming into operation of the order designed to increase the proportion of white flour in baking will be given, so that bakers can adapt their present stocks and anticipate future needs accordingly.

This point will certainly be borne in mind if we decide to reduce the extraction rate of flour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many skilled tradesmen have been sent on special leave, with pay, from Rosyth Dockyard in the last two years; what the trades of such men were; and what were the detailed reasons for their dismissal.

One man, a welder by trade, has been sent on special leave with pay from Rosyth Dockyard in the last two years for reasons arising from the policy of His Majesty's Government concerning the employment of members of the Communist Party or of Fascist organisations, or of persons associated with either, in such a way as to raise legitimate doubts about their reliability.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the number of sailors declared deserters per month during the years 1938 and 1948, respectively, showing for 1948 sailors serving on Regular engagements and National Service men separately.

In total, 386 men deserted in 1938 and 351 in 1948. Following are the details:

—	Continuous Service	National Service
January	15	8
February	21	6
March	22	4
April	15	2
May	26	5
June	34	2
July	25	1
August	34	1
September	45	—
October	40	3
November	15	4
December	23	—
TOTAL	315	36

I regret that the monthly figures for 1938 are not available. The above figures include men absent seven days or more but, on recovery, not all of them would necessarily be charged with, or convicted of, desertion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the average daily population of naval detention barracks at the last convenient date; and how many of these men are serving sentences for desertion.

During 1949, the daily average was 55, of whom about 30 per cent. were serving sentences for absence or desertion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the average cost of maintenance of naval prisoners in detention barracks.

£15,500 a year, that is, about £280 a year for each prisoner maintained in 1949.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will give the following information about the recent January entry under the new Dartmouth scheme; the number of vacancies; the number of candidates; the number who failed in the written examination; the number who failed in the interview; the number appointed as cadets; and if he will also give a list of successful candidates' schools.

The following is the information requested:

ENTRY TO THE R.N. COLLEGE, DARTMOUTH—JANUARY 1950
Number of vacancies—
Executive Branch	12
Engineering Branch	11
Supply and Secretariat Branch	3
Number of candidates	187
Number who failed in the written examination	135
Number who failed in the Interview	26
Medically unfit	3
Number entered as Cadets—
Executive Branch	12
Engineering Branch	8
Supply and Secretariat Branch	3

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken to ensure a high level of employment in the ship-repairing industry on Merseyside, and in particular in Birkenhead.

Employment in the ship-repairing industry has been abnormally high since the war owing to the arrears of maintenance of the Merchant Marine which was deferred during the war, and to the reconversion of the many ships which were altered for special war purposes. These tasks are nearing completion and when normal conditions return the level of employment in ship-repairing on Merseyside, as in other districts, will depend on the ability of the ship-repairing firms to obtain contracts. A Working Party is at present examining the question whether, in the light of the prospective demand, any additional berths, cranes or dry docks for ship-repairing are required on Merseyside.

asked the Postmaster-General if it is proposed to issue special postage stamps for or during the Festival of Britain year.

Yes, it is proposed to issue two special British postage stamps of the 2½d. and 3d. denominations to commemorate the Festival of Britain. The permanent 2s. 6d., 5s., 10s. and £1 British postage stamps are being redesigned and it is hoped to place the new designs on sale on the opening day of the Festival.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will issue special postage stamps marking the contribution which the chief exporting industries are making.

While fully appreciating the efforts of our exporting industries, I am not able to accede to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has considered the complaints made about the non-delivery of letters; and what action is to be taken.

I cannot identify the complaints to which my hon. Friend refers, but if he will be good enough to let me have particulars I will have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General why the first post in many roads in the boroughs of Wimbledon and Malden and Coombe is delivered as late as 9 to 9.15 a.m. after business men have left home; and whether he will make arrangements for earlier deliveries

In common with other parts of the country, the completion time for the first delivery of letters in these boroughs was extended in 1947 in order to conserve manpower for productive work, and reversion to an earlier delivery time cannot yet be justified.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that many weeks are being taken for the transport of letters from Malta to the United Kingdom by surface mail; and what is the official time which should be taken for the conveyance of letters from Malta to the United Kingdom, and vice versa, by surface mail and airmail, respectively.

I am not aware of such delays. By air, civil mails to and from Malta take half a day in actual transmission, and are dispatched four times a week: by surface, civil mails forwarded via Italy take from 4½ to 14 days, according to the incidence of sailings between Malta and Sicily. I am inquiring into the specific case of delay to Fleet mail which the hon. and gallant Member has brought to my notice and I will write to him as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General what action he is taking to prevent the frequent pilfering of gift parcels from the United States and elsewhere.

All practicable measures are being taken to safeguard these mails. Losses from all causes are currently estimated at about four per 10,000.

asked the Postmaster-General in which towns of Great Britain, central post offices were damaged beyond repair by enemy action during the war; and in which of these plans for rebuilding or replacement have been approved, the work of reconstruction is being carried forward or has been completed, respectively.

The towns are Aldeburgh, Newmarket, Exeter and Plymouth. At Aldeburgh a new head post office has been completed, at Newmarket one is under construction, at Exeter and Plymouth plans are being prepared.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that multicoloured airmail envelopes are harmful to the eyesight of sorters and what steps he is taking to prohibit the use of such envelopes.

Yes. The trade association concerned has been approached and is co-operating in discouraging the use of such envelopes.

asked the Postmaster-General why it is easy to obtain "Toll" from London and takes then four to six minutes to get through to Southampton which is on a direct line, whilst from the other end callers can get London straight, away.

Calls from London to Southampton involve an extra switching operation as compared with calls in the reverse direction, but the extra time taken should be under half a minute.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction with the delay in installing new telephone lines, what steps is he taking to get the most urgent priority for wires and cables, and other materials necessary; and what supply in particular is causing the delays.

Delay in installing new telephone lines is due to the restriction of Government expenditure at home and to the need for expanding exports As soon as this situation eases, any priorities necessary for Post Office supplies will be obtained.

asked the Postmaster-General upon what principles his Department determines whether or not a telephone subscriber is called upon to accept a shared line; how far new subscribers can obtain exclusive lines, and upon what grounds; how far existing subscribers with exclusive lines can be required to share; and what steps are taken by his Department in cases where they refuse.

Since January, 1948, all new and removing residential subscribers are under obligation to accept shared service if required. In these cases in the event of refusal to share where called upon, the subscriber's agreement is terminated and service withdrawn.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of applicants outstanding for telephone facilities in Stockport; and how many telephones have been installed in that area during the past 12 months.

One thousand eight hundred and forty applications are outstanding; 618 were met during the past 12 months.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed in the County of Merioneth in 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949; and how many applications are still outstanding.

One hundred and seventy-one, 142, 152, and 151 in 1946, 1947, 1948, and 1949 respectively; 426 applications are outstanding.

asked the Postmaster-General how long he estimates it will take to satisfy all outstanding applications for telephone connections in the Exeter district of Devon.

There should be a substantial reduction in the waiting list in the Exeter district during the next two years, but with present restrictions on Post Office capital resources, I cannot say when all outstanding applications will be cleared.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones on the Mountview Exchange are still outstanding; and when he expects that they will all have been satisfied.

Two thousand and fifty-six applications are outstanding. With additional plant now planned, about 1,000 should be met in the next two years; but I cannot say when all applications will be cleared.

asked the Postmaster-General when he is going to introduce a modern hand-microphone telephone instrument.

The present instrument is of modern and pleasing design and incorporates several improvements over the original types. It is highly efficient and gives general satisfaction.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the operation of the Daventry shortwave station is causing considerable interference with television reception in Northamptonshire; and if he will cause steps to be taken to reduce the interference.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget) on 22nd March. The investigations into this interference are not yet complete, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is prepared to hire his television transmitters and studios to private concerns for television broadcasts during periods when the British Broadcasting, Corporation television programme is not being broadcast.

No, as this would be contrary to the recommendation of the Hankey Committee, which was accepted by the Government, that the British Broadcasting Corporation should operate the television service.

asked the Postmaster-General if the reception of the Third Programme on the Yorkshire coast will be improved in the near future.

Reception of the Third Programme along part of the Yorkshire coast is recognised to be unsatisfactory, but it is not possible, with the wavelengths at present available, to give nation-wide coverage to this Programme.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what amount of petrol was used in 1948 and 1949 by Government Departments, the Armed Forces, nationalised industries, the private sector of industry, commercial undertakings, and private individuals, respectively.

Statistics are not available regarding consumption of motor spirit by different classes of consumer, but the following estimates may be made of consumption in Great Britain in 1948 and 1949:

—	Thousand tons
	1948	1949
Government Departments	112	95
Services	104	87
Private Motorists	1,380	1,500
Industrial, commercial and other consumers	2,579	2,885
TOTAL	4,175	4,567

Separate figures are not available of the consumption of motor spirit by nationalised industries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a statement to show the incidence of indirect taxation in each of the items included in the make up of the cost-of-living index, showing Purchase Tax separately, estimating the figures where necessary.

The following items included in the retail price index are subject to specific Customs or Excise duties, and the approximate amounts of duty included in the retail prices are as follows:

Items	Amount of duty
	s.	d.
Sugar		1 per lb.
Cocoa		1¼ per lb.
Beer of present average strength		8½ per pint
Whisky of usual strength	24	7 per bottle
Pipe tobacco—
Medium-priced brands	3	2 per ounce
Cigarettes—
Size sold at 3s. 6d. for 20	2	9½ for 20
Size sold at 2s. 7d. for 20	2	0½ for 20
Matches—safety …nearly		1¼ per box of 50
Cinema seat (price 1s 9d.)		8½
Football admission—
(price 1s. 3d. or 1s. 6d.)		1
Petrol		9 per gallon

In addition, Purchase Tax is payable on the wholesale value of a number of articles which, however, carry very little weight in the index. A list of items affected is as follows:

	Rate of Tax (Per cent. of wholesale value)
CLOTHING—
Cotton, woollen and rayon clothing materials (other than Utility goods and baby knitting wool)	66⅔
Articles of apparel for adults (other than Utility goods)	33⅓
Women's Utility fully-fashioned stockings	33⅓
Children's non-Utility gloves	33⅓
Adults' footwear (other than Utility goods)	33⅓
HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND TOILET ARTICLES:
Metal kitchen cabinets (non-Utility)	33⅓
Radio sets	33⅓
Pedal cycles	33⅓
Vacuum cleaners	33⅓
Domestic sewing machines	33⅓
Alarm clocks	33⅓
Table mangles	33⅓
Electric fires	100
Gas fires	66⅔
Linoleum, felt base, carpets and rugs	33⅓
Tea towels and glass cloths (other than Utility goods)	66⅔
Enamel wash-up bowls	33⅓
Electric lamp bulbs	33⅓
Tennis rackets	33⅓
Gramophone records	66⅔
Toilet soap, tooth paste, razor blades	33⅓
Cold cream	100
Proprietary medicines	33⅓
Writing paper	33⅓

Various items in the index may also be affected by other duties, such as those under the Import Duties Act, the Ottawa Agreement Act, the Key Industries duties, the duties on dried fruit, on silk, and on imported beef, and the motor vehicle licence duties; or by other duties chargeable on ingredients used in their manufacture. It is impracticable to give details of the incidence of these duties in respect of individual items.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give further consideration to the claims of women cleaners in Government Departments for an increase in pay.

I would refer to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Mott-Radclyffe) and other hon. Members on this same point.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when he anticipates replying to the request of the Berkshire County Council, the Woking-ham Rural District Council and the Bark-ham Parish Council for a public inquiry into the proposed compulsory acquisition of 78 acres known as Kidgem Copse, for military purpose.

A public inquiry will be held shortly.

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish figures of juvenile deaths and injuries from accidents in the home during 1949 comparing them with juvenile deaths and injuries on the roads during the same period.

The Registrar-General is arranging to publish figures of deaths from both causes, by age groups, in his Statistical Review for 1949. Comprehensive statistics of injuries from accidents in the home are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to remove the war-time wreck of a large merchant vessel at Dunbeath Harbour, which is a serious danger to fishermen.

The responsibility under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, for the removal of this wreck lies either with the harbour authority (the Caithness County Council) or with the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses. In November, 1946, I informed the Caithness County Council that if there was any doubt which authority had jurisdiction it was open to them under Section 533 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, to refer the matter to me for determination. This has not been done.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the tonnage of British ships repaired in foreign yards and the tonnage of foreign ships repaired in British yards for the latest convenient period.

In the period 3rd March to 16th December, 1949, nine United Kingdom ships, totalling 81,530 gross tons, were given permission to carry out major repairs in foreign yards, and 30 foreign ships, totalling 133,329 gross tons. carried out similar repairs in United Kingdom yards.

asked the Minister of Defence what has been the cost on the Service Estimates of the fighting in Malaya, including shipping transport, since January, 1948.

asked the Minister of Defence what has been the total estimated expenditure on military operations against the bandits in Malaya up to 31st March, 1950.

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many houses for farm workers covering the whole of Great Britain have been completed under the Hill Farming Act, 1946.

Approval has been given to the erection of 156 new cottages under hill farming improvements schemes in Great Britain. Of these 34 have been completed and 26 are under construction. In addition three have been provided by the conversion of existing buildings. Most of the work on cottages in hill farming improvement schemes is on the repair and modernisation of existing cottages rather than on the erection of new ones, and in all about 1,020 schemes include work on cottages at a cost of some £665,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will undertake a survey in Wales to determine the extent of the marginal land.

A survey, one of the objects of which is to ascertain the approximate extent of marginal land in England and Wales, is already being undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in establishing a Fruit Research Station in the Clyde Valley; and what acreage it is proposed to acquire.

An area of some 20 to 25 acres will be necessary. Several proposed sites have been examined but negotiations to purchase have so far met with no success.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the grant for a new harbour at Stroma continues to be delayed, in view of the dangerous conditions which prevail there.

The cost of constructing a harbour at Stroma is substantial and owing to the necessary limitation of capital expenditure and to existing commitments, it would not be possible, even if grant was authorised, for the work to be undertaken in the near future. The county council's application for grant will, however, be considered as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will take speedy action to clear up the abandoned gun-site on the summit of Primrose Hill, at present sodid with débris of huts and broken barbed-wire fences, and dangerous to children.

Provided a satisfactory tender can be obtained the work will be started next month.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why no proper costings are kept by the Forestry Commission.

The Commission has always kept costs, but the increasing scope of operations in recent years has made costing much more complicated and the Commission is now reviewing the whole question in the light of the recommendations of the Select Committee on Estimates.