asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that since devaluation wool prices have increased almost 50 per cent.; and whether he has any statement to make on the future prices of woollen utility cloths.

I have just received an application from the Wool Textile Delegation for increases in the maximum prices for the various categories of utility wool cloths, and this application is now being considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to retain the principle of Imperial Preference.

It is a cardinal feature of His Majesty's Government's policy to maximise trade with the Commonwealth and to maintain and use Imperial Preference and all other appropriate measures. At the same time we are prepared, in concert with the other Commonwealth Governments concerned, to negotiate reductions of preferences, as well as changes in the United Kingdom tariff, in return for tariff concessions to our export trade which we consider to be of at least equal value.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the infringement of the Goods and Services (Price Control) Acts, 1939–43, as amended by the Defence (Price Controls) Regulations, 1945, by street traders in Oxford Street; and what steps he is taking to stop this illicit trading and to protect bona fide stores and traders in Oxford Street who comply with the regulations.

I am aware that price controlled goods, especially nylon stockings, are being sold at excessive prices by street traders in Oxford Street. The London Price Regulation Committee are making, and will continue to make, every effort, with the help of the Metropolitan Police, to stamp out these offences. In the last month, over one-half of the cases forwarded for prosecution by this Committee have been against street traders in this and other localities in London.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increased consumption in the United Kingdom of raw rubber, he is satisfied that present stocks are sufficient for strategic purposes.

It would not be in the public interest to offer any views on the size and quality of any of our stocks of strategic raw materials.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what stocks of rubber were held in this country on 1st April, 1949, and 1st April, 1950, respectively; and of such stocks how much was standard rubber and how much had been held in this country for more than three years.

At the beginning of April, 1949, stocks of rubber in this country (excluding Government stocks of natural rubber) were 45,000 tons of natural rubber; 2,400 tons of latex and 1,800 tons of synthetic rubber. The corresponding figures on the 3rd March, 1950, the latest available, were 39,500 tons of natural rubber, 2,300 tons of latex and 1,100 tons of synthetic rubber. Details of the quality and age of the rubber are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for adequate supplies of utility towelling to be on sale in the Wolverhampton district.

The removal of supply difficulties for utility towelling depends upon an increase in production. Towels are in heavy demand generally for both home and export markets but all practicable steps are being taken to achieve an increase in output.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a comprehensive statement of the quantity and value of goods and commodities bought in bulk from overseas by various Government Departments during 1949.

The information asked for is given in the following tables:

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the introduction of sale or return conditions in relation to new periodicals; and if, in view of the continuing need for economy in the use of paper, he will take action to stop this practice.

I think that a clear distinction can be drawn between allowing sale or return terms for a short period, such as four weeks, in order to launch a new publication and any general resumption of sale or return by either newspapers or periodicals, which in the present paper situation we clearly cannot afford. I would not be prepared to see a general reversion to a sale or return system and if a circulation campaign of that kind were to break out, accompanied by free gifts and other inducements, I should have to consider what action could be taken by order to end such a state of affairs. I hope, however, that we can rely upon the good sense and restraint of the trade associations and periodicals concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now make a statement about the possibility of an increased supply of nylon stockings for the home market.

At the present time supplies of nylon stockings to the home market are running at a rate of nearly 18 million pairs a year. Production is increasing and the home market is already receiving some increase of supplies. I cannot give a firm estimate for the growth of future supplies, but production of nylon yarn on which this depends, is now some five or six times the rate of output of a year ago and continues to rise. A high proportion of the stocking production goes for export, but I have recently announced in the Press arrangements by which increased exports to hard currency markets can lead to an increase in the permitted proportion for the home market.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether prisoners under sentence are allowed to write to their Member of Parliament, and whether such letters are included in the ration of letters each prisoner is allowed to write in any given period.

All prisoners are permitted to write to a Member of Parliament subject to certain limitations which are necessary in the interests of the maintenance of discipline and the proper management of prisons. They may use letters from their ordinary entitlement for this purpose, and in addition they are allowed to write one special letter to a Member of Parliament after completing their first two months in custody. A prisoner who receives a letter from a Member of Parliament which calls for a reply is allowed a further special letter for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when district local authorities are to be invited to make their plans for Civil Defence organisations on the lines indicated in Section 2 of the Civil Defence Act, 1948.

In a circular which I issued on 20th April I asked county councils to enter into discussions with district councils with a view to reaching agreement on the extent to which functions conferred by the Civil Defence Corps Regulations, 1949, and the Civil Defence (Public Protection) Regulations, 1949, should be delegated to the district councils and on the development of local plans for the execution of the functions so delegated. County district councils have also been asked in circulars issued by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on 18th April to prepare plans for the discharge of a number of important functions conferred on them by Regulations made by him under the Section.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he proposes to make future polls on the question of Sunday cinemas subject to the same Regulations as those governing a Parliamentary election.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the committee which he has appointed to inquire into cruelty and neglect of children in their own homes will be reporting; and whether the report will be available to Members of the House of Commons.

The working party of officials of the Home Office and other Departments to which I referred in the Debate on cruelty to children on 12th December has just submitted a report, which I propose to consider with the other Ministers concerned. The report, which is of the nature of recommendations made by officials to their Minister, will not be published, but I will as soon as possible inform the House of the conclusions which my colleagues and I reach on these recommendations.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now remove the restrictions which prevent poultry breeders in England from sending growing stock to customers in Scotland.

I am at present considering whether some relaxation can be made in the restrictions which prevent the movement of live poultry into Scotland and the four northern counties of England from the rest of Great Britain.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the delays in procuring clearance of goods imported from Hong Kong under open general licence; and if he will speed up these clearances thereby eliminating the stagnation of many thousands of pounds of capital.

I am not aware of any avoidable delay in the clearance of Hong Kong goods attributable to the Customs; but if the hon. Member will let me have sufficient particulars of the date and port. of importation of any consignments so delayed, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has permitted the Governments of Middle Eastern countries to which armaments have been sold to draw on their sterling balances in order to pay for them; and, if so, by how much the total of these sterling balances have been reduced.

In the five-year agreement made with Iraq in 1947 and in the agreements with Egypt for the years 1947, 1948 and 1949 provision was made for the release from No. 2 Account (i.e. blocked) sterling for the purchase of surplus military stores and fixed assets lying in the country in question. It would be contrary to public policy, however, to give details of these or other military purchases by foreign Powers. There have been no other releases of sterling balances specifically for the purchase of armaments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what grounds the nationalised industries are applying for exemption from Profits Tax; and whether he will give an assurance that they will not be treated more favourably than private firms in this respect.

No such application has been made to my right hon. and learned Friend. I assume that the hon. Member has in mind the representations made by the nationalised industries to the Tucker Committee on the Taxation of Trading Profits in which they contended that certain special provisions of the Profits Tax law affected nationalised concerns adversely as compared with private industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of wages and Service pay and allowances, respectively, in 1946 and 1949.

These amounts are shown in Table 8 of the White Paper on National Income and Expenditure (Cmd. 7933).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Road Fund tax at a flat rate on all motor cars without discrimination according to the date of their first registration would produce the same revenue as the present discriminatory method.

Approximately £13.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why a plastic pencil box shaped like an animal, which in 1948 carried 33⅓ per cent. Purchase Tax, now carries 100 per cent.

The article to which the hon. Member refers cannot be positively identified from the particulars given, but if the hon. Member will give me more precise particulars, I will have further inquiries made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why there is a discrimination between the tax deducted from totalisators on greyhounds compared with that on horses.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reasons given by my predecessor in his Budget Statement when he introduced the Pool Betting Duty on 12th November, 1947.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount of expenditure on day-to-day repairs to the permanent way and rolling stock of the railways which has been excluded from the Economic Survey for 1950 so far as capital expenditure is concerned; and what was the amount so included in capital expenditure in the Economic Survey for 1949.

The value of day-to-day repair and maintenance of permanent way which has been excluded from the figures of capital investment in the railways in the Economic Survey for 1950 is about £20 million a year. The cost of running repairs to rolling stock and other plant and machinery which has also been excluded is about £75 million a year. Both these items were included in the main table showing investment in the railways on page 51 of the Economic Survey for 1949. In the estimate of total gross fixed investment in Table 7 of the 1949 Survey, however, the expenditure on running repairs to rolling stock and other plant and machinery was excluded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on the sale by the Bank of England, on behalf of the British Government, of certain shares in Tanganyika Concessions, Limited.

Under an agreement between the Governments of the United Kingdom and France, dated 29th April, 1946 (Cmd. 6809), the French Government undertook to repay certain balances due to the Government of the United Kingdom by the transfer of agreed securities. Among the securities so transferred and still remaining unsold are 1,667,961 Ordinary shares of 10s. each in Tanganyika Concessions Ltd. which are held by the Bank of England on behalf of His Majesty's Government. This holding represents about 19 per cent. of the voting power of all shareholders.The Bank recently received an offer from an Anglo-Belgian group to purchase these shares with the intention of offering part of them to an American group. It was contemplated that the maximum number of shares which might be transferred to the American group would be 750,000. The object of the offer to the American group would be to interest American capital in the development of African territories through Tanganyika Concessions Ltd.The Bank of England have now been authorised by the Treasury to accept the Anglo-Belgian group's offer to purchase subject, as regards 1,500,000 of the shares, to certain conditions, which include the following:

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the decision to increase the completion rate of houses to 200,000 a year, he will make arrangements to ensure that housing priority is now given to the areas with the greatest need—namely, the bomb-damaged areas.

The extent of the need, due to war damage, is one of the factors already taken into account in making allocations to individual local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the decrepit condition of the huts at Sunnyside Camp, Theale, and the high rate of sickness among the families living there, he will allow the Bradfield Rural District Council an additional housing allocation so that these families can be rehoused and this camp closed.

I am assured that the accommodation is reasonable for this class of structure, and I have received no reports of abnormal incidence of sickness. It is not practicable at present to replace the camp by new building.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the effect of incentive schemes introduced by contractors engaged in building houses for local authorities; and to what extent the time taken to build houses is thereby reduced.

I would suggest that the hon. Member should await the Second Report of the Girdwood Committee on House Building Costs.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the cost of the average subsidised house goes in materials, in labour, and in roads, sewers and land, respectively.

I would suggest that the hon. Member awaits the Second Report of the Girdwood Committee on House Building Costs, which will be published soon.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to simplify the procedure by which Metropolitan Borough Councils have to obtain approval of their housing schemes, at various stages, from the London County Council and which is causing considerable delay.

Negotiations are proceeding between the London County Council and the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee. I cannot say yet whether legislation will be necessary.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to revise the programme of local authority house-building for the years 1950 and 1951; and whether he will state the new figures for the Metropolitan Borough of Lewisham.

Local authority housing programmes are fixed from time to time under standing administrative procedure. Future programmes for Lewisham borough will be discussed with the council later in the year.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that his Department has introduced a method of calculating the number of houses to be built by the Wareham and Purbeck Rural District Council during 1950 which results in that council being unable to issue any private building licences at all; and whether he will change this.

The council have temporarily outrun their quota of licences. I have, however, agreed to their issuing a few more licences in cases of urgency.

asked the Minister of Health whether any research work is being undertaken to find suitable substitutes for softwood timber in house-building.

Yes. A considerable amount of research has been undertaken during the last few years and is still in progress.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to increase the licences for local authority and private house building in the Boroughs of Bewdley and Kidderminster, in view of the enlargement of the national programme for house building from 175,000 to 200,000 during the year 1950–51.

Under standing administrative procedure future allocations will be notified to each local authority in due course by my principal regional officers.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in consideration of the increase in the national rate of construction of houses during 1950–51, he will give special attention to the requirements of rural housing for agricultural workers.

Due consideration will continue to be given to the needs of agricultural workers in making new allocations.

asked the Minister of Health approximately how many family units have been provided in newly constructed flats as distinct from houses since 1945; and what is the average difference in cost as between family accommodation in houses and flats.

The number of flats completed in England and Wales up to 31st December, 1949, is 34,969. Detailed figures of comparative costs are not available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the acreage of land in Great Britain absorbed since the war by new housing estates now completed; what are the acreages scheduled for absorption by housing estates now under construction, and earmarked for new housing estates, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to Table No. 1 in the Quarterly Housing Return.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many licences have been granted for the private building of houses in the Bridge-Blean Rural District Council area during the present year;(2) how many licences have been granted for the private building of houses in Whitstable during the present year.

The statistics are given in the Quarterly Housing Return.

asked the Minister of Health why he had refused to the City of Nottingham permission to pass to private builders such portion of its allocation as it was unable to complete itself.

I hope to make shortly a statement about revised arrangements for the issue of licences for private house building and I will consider the position at Nottingham in the light of that statement.

asked the Minister of Health how many families are now living in former service hutments; and if he will make a survey to see which of these are unfit for use as living quarters.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Housing Return of 31st December last. As regards the second part, the huts are constantly being inspected with a view to their maintenance in reasonable condition.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases in which he has confirmed compulsory purchase orders, made in respect of premises occupied by their owners, in which the assessment of compensation has excluded, or will exclude, any element of value for vacant possession, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in all cases where in any local authority area the permitted number of private house building licences has been issued, and an applicant can prove that he has a site, has obtained permission under the Town and Country Planning Act, and approval of his plans by the local authority, and that a builder is willing and has the men and material to enable him to start building at once, he will allow the local authority to issue an additional licence.

I would refer to the reply which I have given today to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Watkinson) and others.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many licences for private building during 1950 have been granted in respect of the Canterbury City Council area;(2) how many licences for private building during 1950 have been granted in respect of the Herne Bay Urban District Council area.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have given to him today.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities authorised to issue licences for houses to be built for sale or owner-occupation; the number of such authorities who have issued fewer licences than the maximum proportion of total licences allowed; the number of licences of this type which though allowed have not been issued in the most recent period for which figures are available; and the proportion which the licences issued for such houses represents of the total licences issued, respectively.

It is left to the discretion of all local authorities to issue licences for private house-building up to a specified proportion—at present one-tenth—of their total allocation. For the rest of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the figures of licences issued given in the Quarterly Housing Return.

asked the Minister of Health if he will review the remuneration given to domiciliary midwives and district nurses, to bring their salaries in line with their resident counterparts.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of considerable disquiet among health visitors, certified midwives, nurses and similar members of the public health services with the rejection of their claim for equivalent salaries to those employed in hospitals, and also in view of the injurious effect of different salaries being paid to those of similar qualifications, what steps he propeses to take to remove this grievance.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the slow progress made in the revision of the salaries of district midwives and district nurses; and when he is likely to be able to make a statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the discontent among health visitors with reference to the question of salaries; and what action he is taking in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the anomaly regarding the salaries of hospital nurses on the one hand and district nurses on the other; and what action he is taking in this matter.

asked the Minister of Health when application was made for an increase in the salary of domiciliary midwives; and what stage has been reached in dealing with this claim.

This matter is now before the Industrial Court. A hearing took place on the 24th April, but the Court's award has not yet been made known.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue a free travelling voucher half-yearly to the closest relative of patients at sanatoria whose homes are at a long distance from the hospital.

I have no power to do this. The Railway Executive have granted facilities for reduced fares for visitors to sanatoria and other long-stay hospitals.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in Cardiff who are over 55 years of age and have been certified during the past 12 months as suffering from tuberculosis; and how many of these have been admitted to hospital.

Thirty-six have been notified of whom nine have been admitted to hospital. In addition one was a hospital patient, two have refused admission, 13 have not been recommended for admission and seven have not been referred to the local chest physician. Only four remain on the waiting list.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in the number of cases of tuberculosis and the swing of incidence from persons aged 15 to 25 to those aged 45 to 75; and what action he proposes to take to accommodate chronic cases of persons in the latter age group who are at present often compelled to live in their own homes surrounded by children.

Notifications have increased through the use of mass-radiography and other improved methods, but this does not necessarily imply an increased incidence. Every effort is being made to recruit staff for more beds.

asked the Minister of Health whether in view of the lack of accommodation in tuberculosis sanatoria due to the shortage, of nursing staff, he will undertake a special propaganda campaign to show that such sanatoria are less dangerous to the health of the nursing staff than ordinary hospitals.

I see no particular advantage in concentrating on this one aspect; but, with my advisory committees, I have the whole wider question under review.

asked the Minister of Health, whether he will investigate and report on the method of treating tuberculosis known as cavernostomy practised in Switzerland, of which details have been sent to him; and if he will render all possible assistance to surgeons and physicians who desire to make a personal investigation on the spot into this new method of treatment.

I cannot trace the information to which the hon. Member refers, but I am quite prepared to consider it.

asked the Minister of Health the present membership of the Wolverhampton Hospital Managament Committee; what interests they represent; and how many representative trade unionists serve on the committee.

The present membership is 24, including the chairman; the members are not appointed as representatives of particular interests, and the last part of the Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether it has yet been established to what extent certain types of immunisation have caused infantile paralysis.

No. The matter is being investigated by my Department in association with the Medical Research Council. The investigation will take some time.

asked the Minister of Health what instructions he has given to local authorities regarding the attendance of midwives on ambulances when patients are being conveyed to a maternity hospital.

No special instructions have been given. Shortage of staff would make it impracticable to send midwives to accompany every case conveyed to hospital by ambulance.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated consumption of replacement batteries for Medresco hearing aids, and what is the actual demand for replacement batteries at the present time.

The actual present demand for replacement batteries is 166,000 a month. This is about two-thirds of the original estimate, which was based upon people using the aids about 15 hours daily.

asked the Minister of Health what checks have been instituted to ensure that recipients are continuing to make full use of their Medresco hearing aids; and what steps are being taken to secure the return of hearing aids which have been issued but which are no longer being used by recipients.

Every patient who receives an aid is asked to return it if he stops using it. In addition, general arrangements are being made for hospitals to follow up every patient who stops collecting batteries.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that applicants for a hearing aid in the Maidstone division are being required to wait a year or more before receiving one; and if he will take steps to end this situation.

The waiting period depends on the priority of the case, and in some is as low as three months. Extension of the distribution centre at Canterbury is being considered.

asked the Minister of Health when Miss Root, of St. George's, Cudham, near Sevenoaks, Kent, who has been waiting for a pair of spectacles since 20th April, 1949, may expect to receive them.

The Kent and Canterbury Ophthalmic Services Committee have been unable to trace the case from the particulars given. They are making further inquiries and I will inform the hon. Member of the outcome.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will increase the allowance to owners of motor cars lent for the Hospital Car Service in view of the increase of the petrol duty.

The allowance paid to volunteer drivers to cover their expenses is not settled by me; it is a matter for negotiation between local health authorities and the voluntary bodies running the scheme.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the new arrangements for the remuneration of chemists; on what date these new arrangements will come into force; and what notice was given of the proposed changes.

The amount of the overhead on-cost, added to the price of drugs and certain appliances, is to be reduced from 33 per cent. to 16 per cent. from 1st May; but if a different percentage is agreed on the Whitley Council, or is awarded by an arbitrator, that different percentage will be substituted as from 1st May. The proposal to reduce the on-cost was submitted to the Whitley Council on 18th March: the Chemists' Contractors' Committee were consulted on 14th April, about the date from which the reduction should take effect.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of staffed beds in sanatoria for tuberculosis; and how many State-registered, assistant and student nurses are in charge of the patients in them.

The following figures relate to 31st December, 1949:

asked the Minister of Health how many outbreaks of infectious disease in 1948 and 1949 have been traced to milk; and in how many of these cases was the milk from tuberculin-tested herds, accredited or pasteurised, respectively.

Information is not immediately available in this form, but I will look into the matter and communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health on what date he received the application for arbitration from the Royal Hospital and Home for Incurables, Putney, in respect of its position under the National Health Service Act; and when he will take the next step in the proceedings.

The application was received on 8th June, 1948, but it was later agreed to await the arbitrator's decision on the case of the Home and Hospital for Jewish Incurables. This has only recently been received and the position of the Royal and similar homes is being considered.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give information which will assist Mr. J. S. Lomas, 10, London Road, Macclesfield, in obtaining supplies of pitressin tannate in oil ampoules, which are urgently needed owing to his condition, details of which have already been sent him.

I will make inquiries and let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that free health services are extended to foreigners who come to this country, with which countries he has now arranged for the giving of reciprocal facilities.

A Convention on Social and Medical Assistance with Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands has been signed and awaits ratification. Another agreement on details has also been signed. The arrangement is that nationals of any one of these countries, who are without sufficient means and who lawfully reside in the territories of another, can benefit by the medical and social legislation of the country in which they are.

asked the Minister of Health what steps are taken by local authorities under the National Health Service to rehabilitate patients who have been discharged as cured from tuberculosis hospitals.

All local health authorities are under statutory direction to provide for the after-care of tubercular persons, and it is part of this duty to help in the occupational resettlement of restored patients, particularly in association with the functions of the Ministry of Labour and National Service under the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take action to enable local authorities to make a proper charge in respect of children in day nurseries under their control in cases in which the circumstances of the parents do not justify the cost of the care and maintenance of the children falling. upon public funds.

Any alteration in the basis of the charges now made would require legislation.

asked the Minister of Health how many identity cards have been replaced in each of the years from 1946 to 1949 inclusive.

The total number of cards exchanged or otherwise replaced on account of marriage, other changes of name, change of nationality, loss, theft. and acquisition of permanent residence in this country is approximately one million a year.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that neither the court nor the petitioner's solicitor is under any obligation to inform the respondent in an undefended divorce action that a decree nisi or a decree absolute has been pronounced, he will take steps to make it a function of the Registrar General to register divorce decrees in the same way as births, marriages and deaths.

A register of all divorce decrees is already kept at the Principal Divorce Registry at Somerset House. I see no reason why the Registrar General should maintain a duplicate.

asked the Minister of Health whether, to secure that the marital status of any person can be easily ascertainable, he will arrange for the Registrar General to cross-enter particulars of marriage, divorce and death upon the birth register.

No. Such cross-entering could never be complete and false inferences would therefore be drawn.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will ensure that, when and where British students and foreign students are available for agricultural employment during the coming season, British students are employed in preference to foreign students.

The admission of foreign students to supplement the workers available for seasonal agricultural work should not prejudice the employment of British students, who also have opportunities of similar employment abroad. I do not think that hard-and-fast rules can be laid down as to the allocation of the work available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of unemployed carpenters and joiners registered in Gateshead at the end of December, 1949, and March, 1950.

Twenty-two at 5th December, 1949, and 23 at 13th March, 1950, are the nearest available dates.

asked the Minister of Education what decrease there has been in the number of school meals taken since the recent increase in charges in the County of Somerset; and in the country as a whole.

In the return made for a single day in October and in February, the percentages of children present who took school dinner compare as follows:

asked the Minister of Education what is the total amount of money paid in remuneration to all categories of the teaching profession who are paid from Treasury or local authority sources; and what proportion this represents of the total public money spent by the nation on education.

On the basis of the revised estimates of local education authorities for the financial year 1949–50, the total estimated expenditure on teachers' salaries in maintained schools and other maintained educational institutions amounted to about £104,723,800, representing about 43 per cent. of the authorities total estimated net expenditure on all Ministry of Education services.

asked the Minister of Education what further steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendations made by the Working Party on University Awards; and if he will make a statement.

The main recommendations of the Working Party were concerned with an increase in the number of State and local awards and a revision of the financial basis for calculating awards. The number of local awards has already increased considerably and a new procedure has been worked out through the co-operation of local authorities and universities for future awards on the lines recommended by the Working Party. Some increase has already been made in the number of State and supplemental awards and will be continued as circumstances permit. The new financial basis recommended by the Working Party has been adopted for State awards and also by more than half the local education authorities. In general I am satisfied that the progress already made has been satisfactory and T do not consider that further steps are necessary or opportune at the present moment. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that the matter will be kept under constant review.

asked the Minister of Education if he will arrange for this country to participate in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation token scheme for the purchase of foreign films of educational or scientific value, similar to the existing scheme for the purchase of books which would otherwise require foreign currency.

I am at present investigating, with the co-operation of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the question whether the United Kingdom is able, within the terms of its existing trade agreements and arrangements, to participate in this scheme.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is now considering giving any grant in aid to Roman Catholic schools; and whether he will make a statement on his policy towards denominational schools in general.

asked the Minister of Education if he will now give sympathetic consideration to an extra financial grant to non-provided schools, equivalent to meet the increase in building costs and maintenance since the last arrangement was made.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the continued concern about the existing financial provisions relating to voluntary schools; and what steps he proposes to take to ease their burdens.

Under the Education Acts the managers and governors of aided and special agreement schools can already get substantial financial assistance towards the alteration or replacement of existing voluntary school accommodation. Even so, I am aware that there are difficulties and I will make a statement as soon as possible about the discussions which are proceeding with representatives of the denominations.

asked the Minister of Education what is the number of male teachers in country primary and secondary modern schools, respectively, employed in England and Wales at the most recent convenient dates.

Precise figures are hot available, but it is estimated that in January, 1949, there were 20,400 men teaching in county primary schools, and 21,900 in county secondary modern schools in England and Wales.

asked the Minister of Education how many probationary qualified teachers after completing their 12 months' training at Sefton Park Training College are still without appointments; and how many have indicated a willingness to accept a position in any district.

I am informed that not more than 44 of the 180 men who completed their emergency training course at Sefton Park, Liverpool on 8th March are still without a post. I cannot say how many of them have indicated their willingness to serve in any district.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what was the nature and extent of the recent disturbance in Bechuanaland; what is the present nature of the restrictions now imposed on Seretse Khama; and what steps he has taken to find out the present attitude of Bechuanaland leaders in regard to the Seretse Khama issue.

The extent of recent disturbance in the Bamangwato reserve was as follows:—The

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what stage negotiations had reached between the British and South African Governments at the outbreak of the war on the handing over of the High Commission Territories.

In a statement made to the House on 29th March, 1938, the Secretary of State for Dominions Affairs explained that as a result of General Hertzog's visit to this country it had been agreed that there was room for closer co-operation on the lines envisaged in the aide memoire of May, 1935 (Cmd. 4948). It was accordingly agreed to set up a standing joint Advisory Conference, consisting of the Resident Commissioners of the three High Commission Territories and of three officers of the Union Government to study openings for co-operation and to consider matters of joint concern to the Union and the Territories. It was also agreed that the Union Government should prepare memoranda setting forth the terms which they might propose for the transfer of the Territories and that these memoranda should be made available for the information of the African and European inhabitants of the Territories.The Advisory Conference did in fact meet before the war, and the Union Government proceeded with the preparation of a memorandum. On the outbreak of war the whole question was left in abeyance.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations under what circumstances a European farmer has been committed for trial on a ritual murder charge in Swaziland.

The matter is sub judice, and I cannot, therefore, make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether Dr. Malan's Government asked the views of His Majesty's Government before he received a deputation from Kenya and Tanganyika.

To the best of my knowledge no such deputation has been received by the Prime Minister of South Africa. The question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the amount of textile machinery ordered for installation in the spinning and the weaving sections, respectively, of the home cotton textile industry in the years 1948 and 1949; and what are the comparative figures for 1938 and 1939 after making the necessary adjustments for price variation.

Orders received for spinning machinery amounted to £3,700,000 in 1948 and £4,250,000 in 1949. The corresponding figures for weaving machinery were £1,600,000 and £2,100,000. No figures are available for 1938 and 1939.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that there is a shortage of high voltage insulators; that this shortage is leading to.a delay in supplying commercial and private prospective consumers of electricity; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that supplies of high voltage insulators are increased.

Yes. I am aware that there is still a shortage of some types of high voltage insulators, but the supply is improving and will continue to improve as the measures already taken to increase manufacturing capacity become fully effective.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he expects that the canteens and hostels operated for his staff and industrial employees in 1950–51 will be operated at a profit or at a loss, after taking into account the provision of building and equipment; and what is the estimated amount of such profit or loss.

In 1950–51 it is estimated that Ministry of Supply canteens will be operated without loss. A deficit of approximately £200,000 is fore-cast in 1950–51 for hostels. Increased charges for non-industrial residents are at present under consideration, and this deficit may, therefore, be reduced. Neither of the estimates takes into acount the initial provision of buildings and equipment.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will ensure that the regulations for silencing motor-cycle engines, running on public roads, are adequate to curtail the nuisance of excessive noise, in view of the considerable increase in the number of such machines.

I have no reason to believe that the regulations in force are inadequate.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make supplementary petrol available to recognised associations to convey old and infirm people to entertainments arranged for them.

Yes. I have authorised regional petroleum officers to make small issues of supplementary petrol coupons, for the purpose of taking old and infirm people to entertainments or other social gatherings specially organised for them, to recognised social organisations which have as one of their objects the relief or welfare of the physically infirm.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what assistance was afforded by the Admiralty in the search for the United States naval aircraft missing on a flight from Weisbaden to Copenhagen.

None, since no request for assistance was received from the American authorities.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give details of the application of the £246 million paid from the food subsidy account to cheapen consumers' prices in respect of home-produced food.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of Pâté de foie gras have been imported into the United Kingdom recently or will be imported in the near future; and what were the countries of origin.

Pâté de foie gras is imported by private traders and is not distinguished separately in the official trade returns. I am unable therefore, to give figures of past imports or to estimate what future imports will be. Pâté de foie gras is imported from France and so far during the calendar year 1950 licences have been given to private traders for imports from that country to the value of about £3,000.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of frogs' legs have been imported into the United Kingdom recently, or are expected to be imported in the near future; and what are the countries of origin.

Frogs' legs are imported b▪ private traders and are not distinguished separately in the official trade returns. I am unable therefore to give figures of past imports or to estimate what quantities may be imported in future. France is the main country of origin, but small supplies may come from other non-dollar countries under open general licence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the nature of the suffrage in the Bahamas; whether the ballot is secret; and if he will make a statement on the present constitutional position in the Colony.

There are two legislative houses in the Bahamas, a wholly nominated Legislative Council, constituted by Letters Patent and Royal Instructions, and a wholly elected General Assembly constituted by local law.To be entitled to be registered as a voter at elections of members of the General Assembly a person

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider establishing fruit-canning factories in the West Indies.

Factories are already established for canning tomatoes in Jamaica, citrus juice in Trinidad, coconut in the Bahamas and grapefruit juice in British Honduras. There are a number of other projects under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how many African, and how many white students, respectively, have been granted bursaries by the Kenya Government since 1945 for the purpose of studying law in the United Kingdom; and how many applications were refused to each category.

Five bursaries have been given to European students from Kenya to study law in the United Kingdom since 1945, three of them being ex-Service men's awards. None in the particular field of law has been awarded to an African student. I am making inquiry of the Governor of Kenya about the number of applications refused and the reason for their refusal and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of the reply.