asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to commence work on the new by-pass roads through High Wycombe.

Alternative schemes for bypasses to the trunk road which runs through High Wycombe have been put forward, but both schemes would be costly, and I am unable to say when it will be possible to begin the works on whatever scheme may eventually be adopted.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the serious congestion in this town caused by through traffic constituting a danger to life? Will he himself intervene to bring about an early solution of this problem?

As my hon. Friend knows, some doubts have been thrown on the practicability of the outer by-pass scheme. Last year a special survey was made of this project, and I am now examining the result of that survey.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that' this road passes through Oxford, and that a great deal of industrial traffic comes from Oxford to London by it? Will he do everything to press on with this matter?

asked the Minister of Transport when he will reach decisions in conjunction with the Minister of Town and Country Planning which will enable the London County Council to fix the routes of the new ring and radial roads suggested in the County of London Plan.

I am still considering this matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend, and I hope to make a statement shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been outstanding nearly four years, and that the last part of his statement will be received with great acclamation?

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that to enable the London County Council to proceed with housing plans it is most desirable that a decision on this matter should be reached at the earliest possible date?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the decision will not be delayed very much longer.

asked the Minister of Transport why British ships are delayed at the Pont of Beira, Africa, sometimes for weeks, before being loaded or discharged; and what steps are being taken to prevent this loss of time by ships, which adds to the cost of the voyage.

These delays arise from the fact that the capacity of the Port of Beira is not sufficient to deal with the amount of traffic which it is at present being required to handle. The port is under Portuguese control and, following recent discussions in Lisbon, measures are now being considered by the Governments acid commercial interests concerned which, it is hoped, will not only clear the existing congestion, but, by keeping the flow of cargo within the capacity of the port, will remove the cause of the present serious delays to shipping.

Has the Minister considered any alternative way in which the goods can flow through this port to their intended destinations? Ships have been kept waiting at this port for four and five weeks, which adds an impossible cost to the voyage.

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have been very much concerned at the delay to British shipping caused by the congestion at this port, and that every effort is being made to deal with the difficulty.

Have the negotiations between the Southern Rhodesian Government and the Portuguese authorities come to a conclusion, and has the conclusion been satisfactory? This congestion at Beira has been going on for years, and the British Government have not done very much to try to alleviate it.

While it has been going on for some time, it has become very much aggravated in recent months. As I have indicated in my reply, as a result of the conferences in Lisbon various proposals are being examined which, it is hoped, will remove the more serious causes of delay.

Is it not a fact that there has been the grossest discrimination against British shipping at this port in favour of Portuguese shipping?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider transferring to local authorities the power to establish traffic lights at crossings which, in their opinion, are essential to safety on the highway.

No, Sir. If the best results are to be derived from traffic lights they should be provided in accordance with a uniform policy, which, I am satisfied, cannot be properly achieved without central control.

Is the Minister aware that the delays in coming to decisions are interminable and that when the decisions are taken they very often bear little relation to the needs of the district? Does he think that his policy is consistent throughout the country?

I do not agree that there are interminable delays. It is very often because the proposals put forward do not conform to the general policy. In the matter of traffic lights, I think that both motorists and pedestrians should have a more or less common code throughout the country.

Can the Minister say, shortly, what is the general policy?

I cannot say shortly, but obviously it means that traffic lights cannot be erected indiscriminately at all traffic crossing points.

asked the Minister of Transport the net earnings in foreign currency from British shipping for the years 1937 and 1938; and how these compare with the present earning capacity of the industry.

Information for 1937 and 1938 is not available. Inquiries by the shipping industry showed net earnings as £24 million for 1936, and £60 million for 1947. Their estimate for 1948 is £100 million, and it is likely that the net earnings in 1949 will prove to be even more. The figures for shipping in the White Paper on the United Kingdom Balance of Payments, though not on a comparable basis, reflect the same very satisfactory trend.

Is the British shipping industry working to the maximum of its capacity, or is there some slack still to be taken up?

I am satisfied that it is doing a very good job. If every industry were showing the same results as this we should rapidly be in a better position.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to widen the bridge which carries Eastern Avenue over the railway at Newbury Park Station, Ilford.

I regret that I am unable to say when it will be possible to proceed with this work, which would involve substantial expenditure.

Does the Minister appreciate that this place is one of the black spots for traffic in this part of Greater London?

I travel over this spot repeatedly, and would like to see the improvement carried out. That shows my impartiality in these matters.

In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest convenient moment.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) when a decision on the future width of Commercial Road, Portsmouth, may be expected, as this is holding up the planning of the city;

My views as to the future width of Commercial Road were conveyed to the Portsmouth Corporation on 13th April. I am not yet in a position to approve any widening of this road for the purpose of grant, but when I can do so the grant will be at the rate appropriate to Class I roads.

asked the Minister of Transport the details of the road-rail scheme introduced by the Regional Transport Commissioner in the Southern Command Area, under which public-service vehicle operators have been instructed to withdraw week-end leave motor-coach facilities from military camps and installations; how many such camps and installations are affected by this scheme; and whether any consultations took place with the Service Departments before this scheme was introduced.

To enable Service personnel to travel as rapidly and comfortably as possible on week-end leave, without wasteful consumption of motor fuel, arrangements have been made in many instances to carry them on short road journeys to a convenient railhead, connecting with train services to their destinations. At some camps, however, there are direct facilities either by rail or by a regular express bus service. The bulk of the arrangements have been made by the R.A.F. Movements Officer at Southern Command Headquarters in collaboration with the regional transport Commissioner, the railways and the bus and coach operators. As a result of these arrangements, 16 private party coach operators serving nine camps in this area have since 1948 been instructed by the regional transport commissioners to cease their journeys, whilst others have ceased on request. In one case, licences have been granted for an express public bus service to London to take the place of the private party journeys. In most cases the Service authorities in the area were consulted before action was taken.

Does the Minister realise the tremendous dissatisfaction there is in these Service camps as a result of this instruction to discontinue these facilities; and will he reconsider the whole matter, particularly now that there appears to be adequate petrol available?

I would point out, as the hon. Member will see from my reply, that this is the result of co-operation and consultations between all the bodies concerned. It is not for the Minister to override regional transport commissioners, but in view of the general interest I assure the hon. Member that I will always keep this under observation.

Can the Minister say how much more expensive the new arrangements are for the Service men than the old?

It is impossible for me to interpret the results of all the numerous re-arrangements that have been made.

Does the Minister remember that last time I asked him about this he said he had not consulted the Admiralty; and will he bear in mind the very special conditions of Service personnel who, I think, more than any other section of the community, have to work away from their homes?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read my reply he will see that the Service authorities have been consulted. In the case of airmen, R.A.F. Southern Command has taken a prominent part in these re-arrangements.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated saving of motor fuel resulting from the cancellation of motor-coach facilities for weekend leave parties who formerly travelled from the Royal Naval Air Service, Culham, Oxfordshire, to London and return.

It is estimated that approximately 22 gallons of motor fuel would have been consumed each weekend had the coach continued to operate between Culham and London, half of this in empty running. This figure, however, must not be considered in isolation. These journeys were stopped as part of a general policy of avoiding the wasteful use of fuel where reasonable alternative facilities are available.

Are we to understand that hardship has been caused to these Service men simply to save 11 gallons of petrol a week?

I do not think that is a fair interpretation. If considered in isolation, "yes," but taking the policy throughout the country that is not a proper interpretation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that Service men have an opportunity to use the most convenient and least expensive form of transport when going on leave?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the doubling of the standard ration for the months of June, July and August, he will make an equivalent increase in fuel, as last year, for private motoring for operations of vehicles which are licensed for private as well as goods purposes.

The ration for private motoring made to certain vehicles licensed for private as well as goods purposes will be equivalent to the new standard ration for private cars.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet in a position to state if he proposes to accept or reject the advice tendered to him by the permanent members of the Transport Tribunal under Section 82 of the Transport Act, 1947.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet in a position to make a decision and announcement in respect of the Railway Rates Tribunal's proposal to increase railway freight charges.

A decision on this matter will be announced this week.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the Transport Commission's proposal to increase freight charges is not being replaced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer's proposal to increase the petrol tax and to impose a new Purchase Tax on commercial vehicles?

I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await my statement.

Does the Minister agree with the statement in the "Railway Gazette," that the increased Budgetary proposal with regard to petrol will cost the Transport Commission £3 million a year, which will wipe out a large part of any increase in railway fares?

I think that is a different point. If the hon. Gentleman wants to get the correct figures and will communicate with the Commission, I am sure they will give them to him.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has yet filled the vacancy for a full-time member of the Transport Commission.

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to make it compulsory for cyclists to be covered by third-party insurance, in order to provide protection for the victims of accidents in which cyclists are involved.

No, Sir. The cyclist is not so much a danger to others as to himself. Moreover a system of compulsory third-party insurance could not be enforced unless cycles were registered, and this would involve setting up an elaborate and expensive organisation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for ample transport facilities to be provided for the quick distribution of the Cornish early potato crop so as to avoid the delays which occurred last spring.

I am not aware of any difficulties which are likely to arise, but the matter is primarily one for arrangements between the consignors of the potatoes and the transport agencies concerned.

If the right hon. Gentleman is not aware of any difficulties that may arise, is he not aware that this position was aggravated in the past by the then Minister of Food not having sufficient sense in dealing with this matter? Will he consult with his right hon. colleague?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the difficulties last year were due to the unduly pessimistic estimates of the early potato crop?

I think that I would prefer to allow the Cornish Members to wrangle this out between themselves.

asked the Minister of Transport by whose authority and for what reason potatoes required to be transported from farms at Hockley, Essex, to Rayleigh, Battlesbridge and Southend, are compelled to be sent by rail.

I have been asked to reply. Potatoes sold cheaply for stockfeed have to be dyed so that they are not resold for human consumption at a higher price. The instruction mentioned by the hon. Member was designed to provide a better opportunity of making sure that this was done. We found, however, that it did not work well and cancelled it on 13th March.

Can the Minister tell us by what strange process his Ministry came to the conclusion that by transporting potatoes by rail instead of by road they would be dyed better?

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the anxiety felt by motor vehicle builders lest an increase in the practice by motor manufacturers of exporting cars under the system known as "completely knocked down," or in an unassembled form, may lead to unemployment in the motor industry; and what action he will take to ensure that this system corresponds with the interest of all those engaged in the industry.

The industry exports as many assembled cars as possible. Some countries have placed restrictions on the entry of assembled cars, and cars must be shipped to these countries in an unassembled form if exports are to be maintained.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that certain firms propose extending this practice to countries where there are no barriers against assembled cars, and will he see that the whole system is kept within due bounds so as not to create unemployment in the motor industry?

If that is so, we should certainly discourage it.

Surely the Minister is aware that no manufacturer will send his vehicles C.K.D. if he can send them complete, because it provides more employment to send them complete?

I should have thought that that was so.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that exporting cars in this way may be one means of helping to diminish the very serious unemployment existing now in some overseas territories, such as the West Indies Colonies, if assembling plants can be built there?

asked the Minister of Supply if, in view of the need to speed up business and save time, money and material in patching up very old motor cars, he will consider raising the present quota of motor cars allowed to be allotted to the home market.

No, Sir. The country cannot afford the loss of exports which would result from an increase in the number of cars sold in the home market.

Does the Minister realise that time, money and material is being wasted on patching up old crocks, which is a particularly uneconomic proposition? The men repairing old crocks could be better engaged in making new cars for export.

I realise that there is a difficulty here, but the motor car trade is almost our most stable export industry at the moment, and I think that it would be very unwise to interfere.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that the limitations now imposed upon the volume of production of commercial motor vehicles unavoidably lead to increases in cost due to the overheads having to be spread upon fewer vehicles; what discussions he has had with the motor industry on this problem; and if he will make a statement.

The supply of commercial vehicles to the home market has frequently been discussed by the National Advisory Council for the Motor Manufacturing Industry. I do not accept that the present restrictions on supply to the home market must necessarily lead to a fall in the industry's output. My right hon. Friend circulated a full statement on 3rd April.

Has not the Minister discussed this with the manufacturers, and did not they confirm that it is adding to the cost of their vehicles and will add to the cost of all items carried by them?

This has been discussed many times with the manufacturers. Any increase in cost will depend on whether the output falls.

They nave never been given any satisfaction.

asked the Minister of Supply how many new commercial motor vehicles were distributed in the United Kingdom during the financial year 1949-50; and how many of such vehicles it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to allow to be distributed during the current financial year.

Approximately 120,000 vehicles were supplied to the home market in the last financial year. Decisions have not yet been taken for 1951, but if the present policy is continued into 1951, supplies in the current financial year should be limited to approximately 80,000 vehicles.

Is the Minister aware that many traders have been waiting over three years for new commercial vehicles? Bearing that fact in mind, how can it possibly be said that the supply during the past financial year was excessive?

It is excessive in relation to the total capital investment possibilities of the country at the moment. There are disadvantages in a course such as this, but the Government believe that they are outweighed by the advantages.

Is the Minister aware 'that something like 400,000 of these vehicles are on order at present, and that by not allowing more vehicles to be sold he is adding to the difficulties of every distributor?

It is even more important to export them at present.

asked the Minister of Supply what proportion of the requirements of the Services is produced at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Irvine; and whether he will give an assurance that the allocation is a fair proportion having regard to the production at other similar factories.

The Services have not at present any demands for the product for which the plant at this factory is suitable. The factory is being mainly used for the breakdown of surplus service ammunition and bombs and will continue to receive a due proportion of this work.

asked the Minister of Supply what sum the United States has paid to Power Jets Research and Development Limited for the use of its engine designs and patents as from September, 1945.

No payment has yet been made.

Does the Minister agree that it is quite wrong that this country should not receive royalties and that quite recently Britain paid America £1¼ million in royalties for textile spinning processes? Will he take this matter up to see whether he can get payments for inventions from this country?

We have already taken it up with the greatest possible vigour, and I ask the hon. and gallant Member not to press me about it at the moment. We are in negotiation with the United States Government, and I think that there will be a satisfactory outcome.

asked the Minister of Supply what principles guided him, and what considerations he had in mind, when he refused to segregate the structural engineering activities of Dorman Long and Company in the event of nationalisation.

My right hon. Friend made a full statement of the principles he would follow in considering proposals of this kind during his speech on the Second Reading of the Iron and Steel Bill on 15th November, 1948. In this case he did not consider the company's proposals fulfilled the conditions he then laid down.

Will the Minister look at this matter again, because if the Government adhere to their decision it will mean that in carrying out extensive trading political considerations, instead of trade considerations, may enter into it?

That is a factor which is taken into consideration, among many others. This is one of the conclusions which the Government came to, and I think they must stand by it.

asked the Minister of Supply why on 19th April, he increased the price of copper in this country by £9 per ton when the price he has to pay has only increased by £8 per ton.

Adjustments made with the Rhodesian producers after revaluation enabled my right hon. Friend to reduce the difference between the American and the United Kingdom price of copper which previously had been approximately £10 per ton. But the charge of £5 per ton for these on-costs which has been included in the price since November, 1949, is estimated to be inadequate to cover them in the year 1950-51, and it has, accordingly, been increased to £6 per ton.

Is the Minister aware that this is a further increase in costs for our export industry, wholly due to the policy of bulk buying of copper? Will he now re-examine the whole question with a view to returning it to private hands?

If the hon. Member can show how that can be done without a loss of sterling copper to the United Kingdom manufacturing industries, then, of course, we will examine it.

In view of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Supply why V. B. Hessen, a Pole, is employed in the Inspectorate of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at Foxbury, Chislehurst; and what his engineering experience or qualifications are.

Mr. V. B. Hessen, a naturalised British subject, is employed as an Engineer, Grade II, for which his qualifications and experience are suitable. He holds a 1st class Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Faraday House, and has held technical appointments with six engineering firms in this country.

Why is it necessary to appoint someone who is not British born to this very important secret post?

Because he is the most suitable man for the job. I should like to add that this man has lived in this country for the last 30 years, and has been a naturalised British citizen for the last 20 years.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) what was the outcome of a notice issued on 14th January, 1948, to the Inspectorate at Foxbury, Chislehurst, concerning irregularities in connection with Government property and misuse of Government time and labour;

Eight such articles were made in 1947. As the hon. Member was informed on 2nd February, 1948, the time spent on the work was about 90 hours, and the estimated loss in labour and material was £13. No further private work has been carried out since the notice was issued by the chief inspector.

In view of the public disturbance about the "goings on" at Foxbury, and in view of the loss to the British taxpayers, will the Minister now set up an inquiry, presided over by one of His Majesty's judges or by a prominent K.C., at which evidence can be taken upon oath, so that the matter can be cleared up, not only for economic reasons, but also for security reasons?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Works if, before the present restoration of Westminster Hall is complete, he will initiate some excavation of the staircase in the Hall, in view of the opinion held by antiquaries that the ancient marble slab known as the King's Bench, formerly used at coronations and in the administration of justice, is buried therein.

The staircase in Westminster Hall is of 19th century date and is built on brick arches, whose foundations are lower than the original floor level of the Norman Hall. It is therefore most improbable that the marble slab is buried there. It would be a considerable and expensive undertaking to excavate under the staircase and, in view of the advice I have been given, I do not think I should be justified in doing so.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this opinion was advanced in one of the officially approved guide-books to the Palace of Westminster, and can he tell me what he or one of his remote predecessors has done with this large marble slab?

I have no information about that. I would inform my hon. Friend, however, that this construction underneath the stairway is of a very unusual nature, and that to meddle about with it would involve very considerable expenditure which I do not think would he justified.

asked the Minister of Works if he will improve the lighting in the Central Lobby of the House of Commons.

As I explained in my reply of 20th March to my hon. Friend, the main chandelier in the Central Lobby cannot be used until a new switchboard has been installed for the new Chamber. I hope that this switchboard will be installed by the end of the summer.

Is it not very unlike my right hon. Friend to want to keep the affairs of his Department in the dark? Will he remember that from the point of view of visitors who will be here before the end of the summer the Central Lobby is the centre of democracy, and not a shady museum?

If my hon. Friend realised the engineering problems involved in the changes now taking place he would know that it is impossible to do what he desires.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is no such place as the Central Lobby of the House of Commons?

asked the Minister of Works whether it is intended to replace the turrets on the top of the Victoria Tower; and when the work on the tower will be completed and the scaffolding removed.

Yes, Sir. The erection of the scaffolding should be completed by October, 1950, and the turrets will be replaced by March, 1951. The scaffolding will still be required for the restoration of the stonework of the Tower and for repairs to the roof and the flagmast. The time this work will take will depend on the money which can be made available each year.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that work on a number of council houses under construction at Southminster and Tillingham, Essex, has been held up for three months because the facing bricks needed for them have not been delivered; what steps his progress officer at Cambridge has taken to secure delivery; and if delivery can now be speeded.

I am informed that the facing bricks ordered were not local bricks, of which stocks are available, but sand-faced fletton bricks of which there is a shortage. Deliveries are, however, now being made. I would remind my hon. Friend that progress officers ceased to be employed last October in the interests of economy and in view of the general improvement in supplies.

Is my right hon. Friend aware, at any rate, that the contractors engaged on this job were in communication only a few weeks ago with someone employed by him at Cambridge, whether he is ineptly called a progress officer or not? Is he also aware that small firms such as this are put at a disadvantage by the practice of large firms which buy at one time more bricks than they need?

I am aware of both of those facts, but if the users insist on this special type of brick they will just have to wait until supplies are available.

asked the Minister of Works what is the reason for the present shortage of cement for house-building in London and the suburbs; and whether he proposes to take any action to remedy the position.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that builders in Lewisham, S.E., are being seriously hampered by a shortage of cement; and if he will take steps to increase supplies which have fallen to between 20 per cent. and 331 per cent. of quota in many cases.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is satisfied that adequate supplies of cement are now available in the London area.

asked the Minister of Works to what extent and why there is a shortage of cement supplies to builders and builders' merchants in the London area.

The delivery of cement to the London area, as to the country as a whole, is greater than ever before at this time of the year. So also, however, is the volume of orders at present, following the mild winter, when there was little interference with work on sites and the usual stocks could not, therefore, be accumulated. My Department is in constant consultation with the manufacturers upon the best distribution of supplies, and I am glad to say that deliveries to work in progress, including house building sites, are improving.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that builders are complaining that they cannot get enough cement with which to continue work, which is seriously interfering with the building of houses?

Whenever cases have been brought to my notice, particularly in the London area, they have been dealt with immediately. The facts are that deliveries have been much greater than last year. It is entirely owing to the unprecedentedly mild winter that these conditions have prevailed.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to any case in which cement has been supplied on condition that the purchaser also took some other material?

No, Sir.

Is the Minister aware that deliveries of cement at Lewisham during the past weeks have been only 20 to 30 per cent. of the merchant builders' quota? How does he reconcile that fact with his answer?

I can only inform the hon. Member that the last full weeks' supply to the London area was the record of over 26,000 tons as compared with 23,000 tons per week in 1949.

Has the Minister's attention been directed to the quantity of cement being used for purposes connected with the Festival of Britain?

The hon. and learned Member is quite wrong. The amount being used for the Festival of Britain constitutes only about 2 per cent. of the supplies coming into London.

asked the Minister of Works how many projects concerned with major reconstruction in the cities of Bristol, Coventry, Hull, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton and Swansea, respectively, were awaiting decision by his Department or 31st March last.

One major reconstruction scheme was awaiting decision by my Department in Bristol, two in Plymouth and one in Swansea on 31st March. None were under consideration in the other cities mentioned. These figures do not include schemes for which recommendations were awaited from other Departments.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give the number of building workmen employed on the construction of the new Prudential Assurance Society building in Cardiff; the number employed on building council houses; and the number engaged in odd repair and alteration work in Cardiff.

The number of building workmen employed on the construction of the Prudential building on 18th April was 23. The building is required in part for accommodation fo, Government offices. Art the last date for which statistics are available th^re were 1,183 engaged on building council houses and 2,185 engaged on repair and maintenance work, including house repairs.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear to the House that nine-tenths of this Prudential building were allocated to Government offices?

asked the Minister of Works why no repairs have been carried out to the superficial bomb damage of the Guards Memorial and other prominent memorials and statues in Central London.

Repairs have been carried out to prevent deterioration to most of the bomb damaged statues and memorials in the charge of my Department. It is the practice to leave the honourable scars of war unless they are likely to lead to further deterioration of the fabric. Permanent repairs to the bronze figures of the Guards Memorial were completed last year and relettering of the inscription will be undertaken when skilled stonemasons are available.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that many of these quite small bomb gashes merely make the figures look very shabby, as if the object for which they were put up was no longer of interest?

The hon. Gentleman is wrong. The figures themselves have been restored. It is only on the masonry where the scars have been left—or so I have been informed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that he will not do anything about the Guards Memorial without consulting the responsible authorities and the Brigade of Guards, who put it up?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Works what percentages of the available building and civil engineering labour force in each of the cities of Bristol, Coventry, Hull, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Southampton and Swansea are engaged on housebuilding, central reconstruction and repair and maintenance of existing premises, respectively.

With my hon. Friend's permission I will, since it contains a large number of figures, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my right hon. Friend give to the House an indication of the trend in respect of the use of building labour?

There has been a general reduction in repair and maintenance work in the country generally. The numbers engaged on housing have, if not appreciably, actually gone up.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that figures which he gave me only last week showed that only 50 per cent. of our labour power was being used on new houses or on repairs? Does he consider that 50 per cent. is too high a figure?

If my hon. Friend will look at the figures I think she will see that the answer I have given is absolutely correct. Records show that the number employed on new houses is higher than before.

asked the Minister of Works what are the present proportions of the total building and civil engineering labour employed on construction of houses, B repairs and maintenance of houses, and on projects other than housing, respectively; and if he will give the comparative figures for February. 1949.

The present proportions of building and civil engineering labour employed on the construction of houses, repairs and maintenance of houses, and on projects other than housing are estimated to be respectively 24.2 per cent., 27.9 per cent. and 47.9 per cent. The comparative figures for February, 1949, are 23.6 per cent. 31.6 per cent. and 44.8 per cent.

asked the Minister of Works what number of skilled and unskilled building workers are engaged in Stoke-on-Trent on the maintenance, repair, and extension of pottery factories; and what number are employed on the building of houses.

The number of building workers employed in Stoke-on-Trent on the maintenance, repair and extension of pottery factories is estimated to be 709, and 732 building workers are engaged on the building of houses. Figures for skilled and unskilled workers are not separately available.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the figure he has given for workers engaged on the building of houses is appreciably smaller than for 1947? Would he consider what remedy is available for local authorities who find the labour is drifting away to more lucrative forms of work?

I was not aware of it, but now that my hon. Friend says that it is so I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Works how many licences for extension of pottery factories were issued in 1949; and what was the total of these licences.

Thirty-three licences, to a total value of £203,200, were issued in 1949 for extensions to existing buildings in the pottery industry, and a further 12 licences, to a total value of £114,600, for new buildings. My hon. Friend will be aware of the important contribution made by the industry to the export trade.

Yes, but is my right hon. Friend aware that whereas we welcome every assistance to what is perhaps the most important smallish industry in the country, some of us are under the impression that licences are not being scrutinised carefully enough, and that in some cases there is a perpetuation of slum factories?

I do not think that my hon. Friend is correctly informed. All these licences are carefully scrutinised by the Board of Trade, on whose recommendation they are granted.

asked the Minister of Works what effect he anticipates that the increase in the price of petrol will have on the cost of transporting and delivering building materials to housing sites.

The effect of the increase in the price of petrol depends on such a wide variety of circumstances that I am unable to forecast any particular increase in the cost of building.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there will be a serious increase in the cost of building materials? Will he consider how much effect this rise will have upon the cost of the housing programme?

That is not my opinion, and I should hesitate to give a definite opinion until there has been further experience. The hon. Gentleman should realise that many methods of transport may be involved in the shifting of building materials, and that it does not necessarily follow that this rise will be the cause of serious difficulty.