asked the Minister of Health what, from the inception of the National Health Service to the most recent convenient date, has been the cost of prescribed proprietary medicines; what would have been the figure if Purchase Tax had not been payable; and what was the total cost of drugs and medicines prescribed in the above period.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on 30th March.

asked the Minister of Health if he is now in a position to make available evidence as to the percentage of deaf people who continue to use their Medresco hearing aids after an initial period of six months.

I have nothing yet to add to what I told the hon. Member on 23rd March last.

asked the Minister of Health when a lady, of whose address he has been informed, and who applied on 1st February, 1949, for a deaf aid is likely to receive the appliance.

I am informed that it is hoped to fit this patient in July.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present length of delay in supply of hearing aids to priority cases in the area served by the Birmingham hearing aid clinic.

The waiting period varies, with the priority of the case, from one month to two years.

asked the Minister of Health how much he estimates will be saved by cutting the allowance to chemists for medicinal bottles from 2½d. to 1¼d; and how much is being spent on the advertising campaign to encourage recipients of bottles to return them to chemists.

In a full year I hope that the saving may be something like £1 million. Expenditure on central advertising has totalled just under £2,000.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made to secure a suitable site for the erection of a new hospital in Bangor to serve the counties of Caernarvon and Anglesea.

I am informed that the designation of a site under the Town and Country Planning Act is to be considered by the Welsh Regional Hospital Board at their next meeting in a week's time.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of delays of over 10 months in the provision of glasses for growing children; and whether he will take steps to see that greater priority is given to glasses for the young in whose case there are the best chances of corrective treatment.

I am aware that there are delays in the provision of some children's glasses, but the priority arrangements already cover cases of the kind specified by the hon. Member. In general I believe these arrangements are working well.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that some hospitals do not allow parents to see their children while in-patients unless they are on the danger list or likely to stay in hospital for a long time; what is the.reason for this; and whether he will instruct all hospitals that parents should be allowed to see their children.

It is a problem on which opinions vary, and I have taken advice from the Central Health Services Council. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a memorandum on this which I sent to hospitals last September.

asked the Minister of Health what is the approximate number of beds occupied in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions by mental and nervous disease cases, as compared with the number of beds occupied for all other forms of illness.

On 31st December, 1949, there were about 390,000 occupied beds in the National Health Service in England and Wales, of which 140,000 were occupied by mental and 47,000 by mentally defective patients; in addition, some 1,400 beds were allocated to neurological and neurosurgical departments.

asked the Minister of Health why the decision to reduce the rate of payments to chemists for National Health prescriptions from 1st May was taken without reference to the machinery of negotiation provided through the Whitley Council, in view of the fact that the contract between his Department and the Pharmaceutical Association provides that the fixing of profit margins should be negotiated through the Whitley Council.

The matter was referred to the Whitley Council on 18th March and negotiations on the Council are still proceeding. I have undertaken to accept whatever percentage reduction is agreed by the Council or awarded by an arbitrator.

asked the Minister of Health why chemists have not been given the two months' notice, formerly agreed between his Department and the chemists' representatives, of the proposed changes in their rates of remuneration.

I approved the changes after consultation with the Chemists' Contractors' Committee, in accordance with the appropriate Regulations.

asked the Minister of Health approximately the number and percentage of, respectively, Irish, foreign, colonial and Dominion nurses and trainees now in British hospitals; what is the present estimated shortage of nurses; what is the number of those who withdrew from training before completion; and what progress is being made in further recruitment.

I have no details on the first point. Shortage is estimated by the hospitals at about 40,000. Trainees withdrawing before completion have been estimated at about 40 per cent. The total of hospital nurses increased during 1949 by about 10,000, and is still increasing.

asked the Minister of Health if he will arrange for mass X-ray units to carry out a regular examination of all schoolchildren.

I am advised that mass radiography can most usefully be applied to adults, but so far as possible examinations of children, particularly at school-leaving age, are also undertaken.

asked the Minister of Health why domiciliary midwives employed in the Dengie Hundred of Essex have not yet received the annual increment of salary due in April.

My information is that these increments have been paid, but if my hon. Friend will let me have full particulars I will make further inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health what his Regulations are to provide drugs in an emergency in the late evenings.

I would refer the hon. Member to paragraph 7 (9) of Part I of the 1st Schedule of the National Health Service (General Medical and Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations, 1948, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons in England and Wales have contracted smallpox in the last five years; and what percentage of these were successfully vaccinated within a period of three years prior to contracting the disease.

The number of cases in the years 1945 to 1949 was 146. It will take time to get out the vaccination history of all these cases, but I will let the hon. Member know as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken and proposes to take to ensure that former electricity employees now holding appointments in the National Health Service whose superannuation rights are preserved under the Electricity (Pensions Rights) Regulations, 1948, should be credited in the National Health Service (Superannuation) scheme with their full superannuation benefits in cases where the employees were transferred from the service of a local authortiy to an area board of the British Electricity Authority on 1st April, 1948; and when such employees will be so credited.

This matter primarily depends on the payment of transfer values by the Electricity Boards. I am ready to ensure that past service in these cases shall be credited in the Health Service Scheme as soon as the Electricity Boards can make the necessary arrangements. I understand the matter is not free from difficulty but I am in touch with the British Electricity Authority.

asked the Minister of Health what ports are declared infested at present; and which are declared infected on account of smallpox and which on account of plague, cholera or yellow fever.

From information received from the World Health Organisation and other sources I issue weekly to port health authorities a record of serious infections occurring at ports and other places throughout the world. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of last week's record.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to stop the pumping of water from the chalk of the Chilterns which is lowering the flow of the Rivers Ver and Lea, thus aggravating the pollution of these rivers by industrial and sewage effluents.

Both catchment areas have been defined by Orders under the provisions of Section 14 of the Water Act, 1945. I am not empowered to restrict abstractions from works that had been constructed before the Orders came into operation, but persons who wish to construct new works for the purpose of fresh or additional abstractions of underground water must obtain licences from me. It is also an offence under the Act for any person in the areas to waste underground water or to abstract water from underground in excess of his reasonable requirements.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to transfer to national charge the cost of maintaining distressed British persons arriving from abroad at Southampton and temporarily cared for there, which at present falls wholly on the Southampton Welfare Services Committee.

The cost already falls partly on the Exchequer since persons not able to pay the local authority for their accommodation receive assistance from the National Assistance Board.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the fact that smallpox in Britain during recent years has only occurred by importation, whether any steps have been taken to include in the papers of British and foreign seamen information regarding their vaccination and inoculation.

I understand that seamen serving in. United Kingdom ships normally carry these particulars. I cannot speak in regard to others.

asked the Minister of Health how many sewerage schemes in rural areas and in urban areas were postponed when the decision to cut capital expenditure was made in 1949; what was the total estimated expenditure involved in such schemes, respectively; and whether he is now able to say when authority to start on these schemes will be given.

Information in the form requested by the hon. Member is not available. The total demand for sewerage particularly in the rural areas is, due to past neglect, greater than can be met immediately out of the resources available. The schemes submitted by local authorities have therefore to be considered with due regard to their relative urgency. This review is a continuous process and I shall continue to authorise further schemes to the fullest extent practicable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make any statement on his investigation into Dr. Voeller's claim successfully to treat Parkinson's disease; and what steps he is taking to make the treatment available to all sufferers from the disease.

I am expecting a medical report this week, and when it is received I will consider what action should be taken.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present allocation of private building licences for the Hatfield Rural District Council.

The Council have discretion to issue up to nine licences.

asked the Minister of Health what increased allocation of houses he proposes to make to local authorities in the county of Norfolk as a result of the decision to restore the building target to 200,000 houses for 1950.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, East (Mr. Hardy) on 28th April, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health why the Cardiff authority is seriously lagging in fulfilling its housing target.

I am informed that all allocations made to Cardiff Corporation up to the end of 1949 are in approved contracts and that the available building labour is fully engaged.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consult with the Minister of Defence regarding the need for the issue of an additional allocation of building licences to the Beverley Corporation and the Beverley Rural District Council to enable a special provision to be made for the members of the Royal Air Force at Leconfield and the East Yorkshire Regiment at Beverley who have recently retired from the Service and have been served with notice of eviction from the married quarters which they at present occupy.

My principal regional officer will be ready to consider applications from the two local authorities for reasonable additions to their present allocation of houses.

asked the Minister of Health how many reconditioning schemes in rural areas attracting grants under the Housing Act, 1949, have been approved; and in how many cases the work has been completed and the grant paid.

28 schemes involving 45 dwellings have so far been approved in rural districts. Grant has been paid in respect of three completed schemes providing five dwellings.

asked the Minister of Health if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the average amount his Department has permitted local authorities to spend each year on a three-bedroom non-parlour permanent house, exclusive of land, roads, sewers, etc., in rural and in urban districts from 1920 to 1950.

No. The information is not available and could not be made available without considerable labour.

asked the Minister of Health, on the basis of consumption and purchases of petrol, oils and vehicles for the year 1949–50, what is the effect of the Budget proposals, expressed in £ sterling and rate in £ for Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, the London County Council and the Essex County Council, respectively.

This information is not available and could not be obtained without a disproportionate amount of labour.

asked the Minister of Health what quantity of piping is required to complete the urgently required water system at Holwell, near Burford, in Oxfordshire; and whether he will ensure that this is available in the 1950 construction season.

Nearly a mile of piping is needed for the scheme, but I understand it will not be delivered before the end of the year. I am afraid that I could not obtain earlier delivery without interfering with equally desirable schemes.

asked the Minister of Health from where it is proposed to pump the water that will be needed by the new town of Stevenage and the proposed extensions to Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City, St. Albans and Hemel Hempstead.

Stevenage will be supplied from new wells in the parishes of Aston and Benington in the Hertford Rural District. The other areas will be supplied from the existing sources of the local water undertakers, but it may be necessary in due course to augment those sources.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to remedy the shortage of water in many Norfolk villages that occurred last year and in many previous years.

The local authorities are responsible for taking such measures as are practicable. Since 1945, I have approved 87 schemes for the county at an estimated cost of more than £3,300,000. Work has commenced on 66 schemes at an estimated cost of nearly £1,100,000; work on a further 18 schemes, at an estimated cost of £390,000, is expected to start this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are taken to ensure a satisfactory calcium content in lime spread on farms and subject to subsidy; and what standards are required.

There are no standards of general application, but liming materials are not approved under the agricultural lime scheme unless they are suitable for agricultural use; their prices are based on quality specifications which the producers are required to maintain. Samples are taken at the works to ensure that the quality of the output from production plants does not fall below the agreed standard and, in addition, under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act the seller must give the buyer the statutory declaration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will arrange for the National Farmers' Union to have cheap cartridges to enable public shoots to be held against rooks and jackdaws, whose depredations are now seriously jeopardising this year's crop.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will issue 12-bore shot-gun cartridges at reduced prices in order to reduce the number of rooks this season.

Issues of cheap cartridges were made to farmers exceptionally in the past two years in order to encourage and assist more intensive action than usual against rooks, which had increased appreciably in numbers during the war years owing to a decline in normal rook shooting. I am satisfied that, taking the country as a whole, these special campaigns have fulfilled their purpose, and I have decided to discontinue the supply of cheap cartridges for rook shooting this year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to get a forecast of this year's home fruit crop, particularly apples and pears, in order that import policy may be considered in the light of that forecast.

Estimates of this season's home fruit crop will be obtained in the usual way with the assistance of the Horticultural Crop Intelligence Committees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department is considering a marketing scheme for root, vegetable and flower seeds; and when he expects such a scheme to come into operation.

No scheme under the Agricultural Marketing Acts for the marketing of such seeds has been submitted to my Department. The second part of the Question does not, therefore. arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the hardships caused to small poultry keepers. who are making a valuable contribution to the provision of our food supplies, by the rise in the prices of feedingstuffs and whether he intends to take any action to alleviate their difficulties.

Yes; the hon. Member will recall that on 23rd March last I announced an extension of the Marginal Production Scheme designed to relieve certain small producers, including poultry keepers, of part of the increased cost of purchased feedingstuffs.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total acreage of land at present held under requisition in the Methwold Fen area; the number of owners involved; and how many owners desire their land de-requisitioned.

Two hundred and seventy-five acres are still under requisition at Methwold, belonging to eight owners. I understand that two owners have expressly sought de-requisition, but I have no specific knowledge of the wishes of the others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total number of inquiries put by farmers to the National Agricultural Advisory Service during 1949.

The number would have been so large that even an approximate figure could not be given without a country-wide inquiry that would not justify the time and expense it would require.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the strength of the gang labour and how they are constituted in each of the agricultural committees in Wales; and what strength is contemplated for 1951 and 1952.

The numbers of pool workers employed by the Welsh county agricultural executive committees on 31st March last were as follows:

County	Men	Women	Total
Anglesey	26	46	72
Brecon	66	29	95
Caernarvon	19	—	19
Cardigan	63	41	104
Carmarthen	64	25	89
Denbigh	99	34	133
Flint	48	58	106
Glamorgan	243	60	303
Merioneth	—	—	—
Monmouth	76	52	128
Montgomery	126	25	151
Pembroke	169	54	223
Radnor	45	—	45
Total Wales	1,044	424	1,468

These numbers are likely to be substantially reduced over the next year or two, but it is not possible at present to give figures for 1951 and 1952.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish figures showing the changes in the cost of living in the years 1931 to 1940, inclusive, and in the corresponding values of the pound sterling.

The figures are as follows:

—		Cost of Living Index	Purchasing power of the £ sterling
		1931=100	1931=100	1931=20/-
				s.	d.
1931	…	100	100	20	0
1932	…	98	102	20	5
1933	…	95	105	21	0
1934	…	96	104	20	10
1935	…	97	103	20	7
1936	…	100	100	20	0
1937	…	104	96	19	2
1938	…	106	94	18	10
1939	…	107	93	18	7
1940	…	125	80	16	0

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to reduce the high cost of living, especially to old age pensioners and those living on low incomes both earned and unearned.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Budget Statement by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the rules governing the clearance of air freight through Customs were originated and when last amended.

Clearance of imported goods is subject generally to the requirements of the Customs Acts, and these requirements are applied to aircraft under the authority of the Air Navigation Orders. The first rules were made in 1919; there was an Air Navigation (Consolidation) Order, 1923; and the current Order was made in 1949.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Petrol Duty will add to the country doctors' expenses; and what action he proposes to assist doctors in this matter.

It would be impracticable to relieve doctors of the increase in the Petrol Duty.- As regards relief by way of additional remuneration, I cannot add to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health to the hon. Member for Luton (Dr. Hill) on 2nd instant.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a White Paper showing the distribution of revenue and expenditure as between England, Scotland and Wales, respectively.

This matter is under consideration but I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer with which self-governing members of the British Commonwealth His Majesty's Government have not yet concluded a Double Taxation Agreement; and what progress is being made.

Double Taxation Agreements have not yet been concluded with India, Pakistan and Ceylon. Discussions with India and Ceylon are proceedings.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate and make a statement on the leakage of news which occurred on 26th April concerning the negotiations, on behalf of the Government, by the Bank of England for the sale of their holding of shares in Tanganyika Concessions.

This matter has been investigated and there appears to have been no leakage from official sources.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions have been brought against British citizens for selling £1 notes abroad.

None. But I should like to emphasise that it is an offence against the Exchange Control Act, 1947, for United Kingdom residents to sell sterling notes outside the Scheduled Territories.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will specify the relevant factors he considered when assessing the amount attributable to recurrent and non-recurrent factors, respectively, as they affected the improvement in the gold and dollar position of this country.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the remarks on this subject in the Economic Survey for 1950 (Cmd. 7915).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make available sufficient United States currency to British businessmen visiting the United States of America to enable them to hire " drive-yourself " motor cars to facilitate their business in connection with the export drive.

United Kingdom residents travelling abroad on business are allotted foreign currency on a basis which takes account of all reasonable expendi- ture likely to be incurred. The use of such foreign exchange for hiring cars is in no way restricted. Businessmen who have to do an exceptional amount of travelling which cannot be paid for in sterling in advance, may apply for additional foreign currency and in appropriate circumstances this would be granted for the hire of " drive-yourself " motor cars or other suitable means of transport

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in view of the terms of settlement afforded by His Majesty's Government to the Israeli Government under Article 9 of the AngloIsraeli Financial Agreement, what scaling down of sterling balances held by Israel has taken place.

None.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many motor cars are maintained out of public funds for the use of the Cabinet and other Ministers of the Government, respectively; what is the annual cost to the taxpayer; how much petrol they consume annually; and how these figures compare with those for 1938.

Nineteen motor cars are maintained out of public funds for the use of Cabinet Ministers and 19 for other Ministers of Cabinet rank. The annual cost of running these cars, including depreciation, is estimated at £37,600. The annual petrol consumption is estimated at 32,400 gallons. Other Ministers use the pooled cars of the Official Car Service or of their Departments. The costs of journeys carried out by these Ministers are not segregated in the accounts nor are separate records kept of petrol used on these journeys.In 1938 official cars were not provided for Ministers, except for the Home Secretary and the Service Ministers. In September, 1939, the provision was extended to all Cabinet Ministers and in 1943 to Ministers of Cabinet rank. Records of annual cost or of petrol consumed by these cars are not available.

asked the Minister of Education what arrangements will be made to provide classroom accommodation for new pupils at Hitherfield Road Primary Infants' School, Streatham.

I understand that the L.C.C. are considering the provision of additional classroom accommodation at this school.

asked the Minister of Education for how many years it is intended that the Further Education and Training Grants Scheme shall continue; and what further steps will be taken to provide assistance for men leaving the Forces and desiring to go to universities.

asked the Minister of Education (1) what is the exact number of State scholarships which he proposes to offer in 1950; and for what reason it is not regarded as practicable or desirable to increase the number to at least 2,000 during the current year having regard to the fact that the universities are increasing their awards at a higher rate than his Department;(2) to what extent the 7,131 new awards granted by local authorities in 1949 to university students, includes students at institutions of higher education outside the universities.

asked the Minister of Education the number of university students in England and Wales who received direct grants last year and who will receive them this year; and if he will make a statement on the policy governing such grants.

In the current academic year rather more than 14,700 new awards tenable at universities and university colleges were taken up; this figure included 7,600 direct grants and 7,131 grants by local education authorities. I estimate that in the forthcoming academic year at least 12,700 awards will be available and the local education authorities and the universities have agreed on a procedure which will permit the number of local awards to increase as circumstances require. The number of State scholarships offered next year will be 1,050 and I do not consider that there is a strong case for any further increase at present, especially in view of the fact that 2,000 new awards under the Further Education and Training Schemes are expected. Most of the open university awards, the number of which is at present over 1,300 and, I am glad to say, is increasing, are supplemented by my Department, the estimate for which purpose has increased this financial year by £180,000. So far as my Department is concerned students called up after September, 1947, are not eligible for Further Education and Training awards, and it may be assumed, therefore, that new awards under this scheme will virtually cease after this year. For this and other reasons I shall certainly keep the position under careful review and consider what increase is called for in the normal provision for awards in 1951.

asked the Minister of Education if he has considered the letter of the Leeds University Grants and Welfare Sub-Committee, a copy of which has been sent him by the hon. Member for Leeds, Central.

Yes. I understand that the letter was written by a Committee of Students of Leeds University, and I can quite understand their anxiety that, with the gradual disappearance of Further Education and Training grants, there should be enough normal awards to enable suitably qualified students to enter the university each year. In fact I estimate that there will still be some 2,000 Further Education and Training grants awarded this year, and I would point out that the number of new awards granted by local education authorities in 1949 was already 7,131. I am satisfied that there will be no serious shortage of grants for students this year. As to the future I will keep the matter under close and constant consideration, and I would point out that an agreed procedure has been drawn up by the local education authorities and universities which should have the effect of increasing the number of major awards as circumstances require.

asked the Minister of Education if he will make a statement as to the future of the Further Education and Training Grants Scheme; and, in particular, how long it is intended that this scheme shall continue.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have given today to the hon. Members for Epping (Mr. Nigel Davies), Leeds, North-West (Mr. Kaberry), and Brighton, Pavilion (Mr. Teeling), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Education the number of teachers in the education service of England and Wales; the number of administrative staff in the service in the year 1939; and if he will give the comparative figures for the latest available date.

I have no statistics of the number of administrative staff in the education service of England and Wales. On 31st March, 1938, which is the latest date before the war for which I have complete figures, the number of teachers employed in public elementary schools and secondary schools other than direct grant secondary schools and independent schools was 188,700. The number of teachers employed in maintained and assisted primary and secondary schools, as returned by local education authorities in February, 1950, was 211,423.

asked the Minister of Education to state, in figures, the number of school dinners served daily to children in Cardiff, Glamorgan and

PUPILS IN OVERSIZE CLASSES
Age range class		Size of class
		31–35	36–40	41–45	46–50	51 and over	Total
(a) Entirely under 5	…	16,061	8,620	2,814	1,062	584	29,141
(b) All others except (c)	…	—	—	793,508	559,521	86,340	1,439,369
(c) Entirely over 11	…	584,381	441,808	170,289	45,563	7,308	1,249,349
Total	…	600,442	450,428	966,611	606,146	94,232	2,717,859

These figures relate to the position in maintained primary and secondary schools in January, 1949, the latest date for which information is available. It Wales, respectively, before and since the price of meals in schools was raised; and what action he proposes to help the children of the poorest to have an equal opportunity of obtaining decent dinners.

The arrangements for the poorest children to have free meals are entirely unaffected by the change in price; in February, 18 per cent. of the dinners in Wales were free.

asked the Minister of Education how many children in the schools of England and Wales are at present being taught in overcrowded conditions.

" Overcrowded conditions " is a relative term. The most relevant information I can make available is contained in the table which follows, though I must not be regarded as committed to the view that children registered as pupils of a class which exceeds the prescribed maximum are necessarily being taught in overcrowded conditions.should be borne in mind that in a number of cases, particularly in secondary schools, children are not taught in as large classes as are assembled for registration. There were 16,532 full-time teachers, other than head teachers, in secondary schools who were not in charge of classes compared with 54,161 full-time teachers in charge of classes.

asked the Minister of Education the number of classes of over 40 pupils, and of over 50 pupils, in April, 1949, and for April, 1950, respectively.

The latest available information is for January, 1949, and is contained in the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Horncastle (Commander Maitland) on 9th March last, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Education how many children in the schools under his jurisdiction are being taught in classes larger than the number considered desirable as a maximum.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Wembley, North (Wing-Commander Bullus).

asked the Minister of Education what provision is made for the education of spastic children in Wales.

There is at the moment no special provision in Wales for the education of spastic children. I understand that the Welsh Joint Education Committee is considering the needs of handicapped children in Wales, with a view to assessing the further educational provision required.

asked the Minister of Education the estimated cost for the current year, per child, in the elementary schools; and how this compares with the corresponding estimate for 1938–39.

The cost per pupil in public elementary schools for the year ended 31st March, 1938, was about £15 16s. Since the coming into operation of the Education Act, 1944, public elementary schools, as such, have ceased to exist. The estimated net expenditure per pupil in maintained primary (including nursery) schools for 1949–50 is about £25 including all the ancillary services such as school milk and meals and social and recreative training.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give details of schemes for the exchange of teachers and students between this country and abroad for the year 1950.

Following is the information:1.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware of the dissatisfaction expressed by schoolmasters over their salaries; and what action he proposes to take.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. Haire) and the hon. and gallant Member for Norfolk, Central (Brigadier Medlicott) on 23rd March last. I am sending him a copy of my Answer.

asked the Minister of Education when he expects to be able to make a statement on the discussions concerning the financial problems of those responsible for voluntary schools.

I would ask my hon. Friend to await my remarks in the Debate this afternoon.

asked the Minister of Education whether the furnishing and equipment required at Sidestrand Hall for its use as a residential school can be carried through in time for its opening in September with due regard for economy without injury to its special educational purpose.

I hope so, but I understand that the local education authority have not yet invited tenders.

asked the Minister of Education what instructions he has given local authorities concerning the reduction of grants and loans to students going to universities and training colleges in October, 1950; the total sum involved in these reductions; and what effect these reductions will have on the total number of students at the universities.

No such instructions have been issued.

asked the Minister of Education how many school places it is estimated will be required in Cardiff in 1953; and whether he anticipates a deficiency.

It is estimated that the number of pupils on the registers of maintained primary and secondary schools in Cardiff in January, 1953, will be 37,280, an increase of 4,220 over the number in January, 1949. The full implementation of the local education authority's approved building programmes will provide 4,350 additional places.

asked the Minister of Education what additional sum his Department estimates will be needed to transport children to and from schools as a result of the additional tax on petrol.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education on what date it is proposed to put into effect the scheme which sets up the Hertfordshire Educational Foundation.

The month's publication of the sealed scheme, as required by the law, is due to begin next week. If no petition is presented of the kinds mentioned in Section 13 of the Endowed Schools Act of 1873, the scheme will, at the expiration of the publication period, be presented for the approval of His Majesty in Council and the scheme will have legal effect as from the date of the Order-in-Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when the report on the ritual murders in Basutoland will be published.

The report on the recent inquiry into the so-called " ritual " murders in Basutoland has been submitted to the High Commissioner, who will forward it to me with his comments on the recommendations made in it. Until I have studied the report and his comments, I cannot say whether it will be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether, simultaneously with the consideration of new administrative proposals for Bechuanaland, there will also be similar consideration in respect of Swaziland and Basutoland.

In all three High Commission Territories steady progress is being made in the development of instruments of local government based on indigenous institutions. It is intended that the local authorities shall progressively acquire a more representative character, and as they gather strength and experience they will be given increasing responsibilities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will assist the London Price Regulation Committee in the efforts they are making with the help of the Metropolitan Police to stamp out offences by street traders in Oxford Street against the Goods and Services (Price Control) Acts, 1939–43, as amended by the Defence (Price Controls) Regulations, 1945, by taking steps to increase present maximum penalties for infringements under these Acts and Regulations.

I have no reason to think that the present maximum penalties for these offences are inadequate, amounting as they do to 12 months' imprisonment and a fine of £500 on summary conviction. On indictment the penalties are much greater, extending to seven years' imprisonment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will arrange for the publication of the evidence obtained in connection with the Lloyd-Jacob Report.

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to improve the supply of cigarettes and tobacco to Altrincham and Sale.

The Board of Trade does not control the distribution of cigarettes, but we have no reason to think that the level of supplies in Altrincham and Sale is lower than elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made by the manufacturers of fishing nets to the Central Price Regulation Committee for an increase in prices following on the recent increase in the price of cotton; and with what result.

No such representations have been received.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can yet make an announcement as to. the future of the factory at Clayton-le-Moors now occupied by Messrs. Courtaulds.

No, not yet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the needs of the paint, linoleum and printing ink industries for the months of January, February, March and April, 1950, for linseed oil have been adequately met: and if he will consider the abandonment of Government control of distribution.

Increases in the allocations of linseed oil to the paint, linoleum and printing ink industries have been made since the end of 1949, and with a further increase made for May, the total quantities available for consumption are now, I consider, likely to be adequate. The continuation of Government control of distribution to individual users is already under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of newsprint he has licensed for use by the national daily newspapers, the provincial daily newspapers, the local newspapers and the periodical trade respectively at the latest convenient date; for what

—			(Figures in tons)		(Figures in tons)
			3rd July–5th November, 1949		6th November, 1949–4th March, 1950
			Home produced	Imported	Home produced	Imported
Newspapers	…	…	120,000	62,000	129,000	64,000
Periodicals	…	…	20,000	—	20,000	—

In the four weeks ending 12th February, 1950, the total newsprint consumed by newspapers was estimated to be shared in the following proportions:

National mornings and evenings	47·6 per cent.
Provincial mornings and evenings	24·9"
Local and weekly newspapers	8·5"
Sporting and Sunday newspapers	19·0"

It is not possible to give complete figures for the current four-monthly period ending 1st July, 1950, as licensing is still in progress. It is hoped to maintain the current rate of allocations from home production during the second half of the year, but it is still too early to give a

—	1935 to 1938	1938 to 1946	1946 to 1949	March, 1949 to March, 1950
Percentage increases in average prices of industrial materials and manufactures (excluding coal)	14·5	76·6	36·0	6·9
Percentage increase in average price of coal	20·2	98·1	24·5	1·2

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make a statement explaining the present system of priorities in the granting of licences for the purchase of softwoods.

Statistics are not available in the form requested, since newsprint is licensed for delivery to publishing houses and not for use by the individual newspapers which may form part of one group.The following approximate quantities of newsprint were licensed for delivery in the two most recent four-monthly periods for which complete figures are available.reliable estimate of imports which depend in part upon factors beyond our control.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will publish a statement showing the percentage changes in the wholesale price of coal and of all industrial materials and manufactures excluding coal during the periods 1935–38, 1938–46, 1946–49 and 1949–50.

I have been asked to reply. The Board of Trade Index Numbers of Wholesale Prices shows the following changes:

Softwood is allocated in two stages. Supplies are allocated between the Departments responsible for all essential users; and Departments are responsible for settling, within their allocations, the amounts to be licensed to the various users for whom they are responsible. If the hon. Member will let me know if he has any particular use in mind, I will do my best to advise him further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in connection with the Government's proposals to restore the housing programme to 200,000 houses this year, he is aware of the possibility of a serious shortage of softwood timber which may interfere considerably with the fulfilment of this programme; and what measures he is taking to meet this situation.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on 27th April to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his decision to allow free import of pencil sharpeners from France in view of the fact that the increase of Purchase Tax from 33⅓ per cent. to 100 per cent. on many kinds of pencil sharpeners has seriously affected the home demand for them and that full employment in this industry now depends upon the home market.

No. There has been no increase of Purchase Tax on pencil sharpeners, and I see no grounds for reimposing the restrictions on imports which were removed on 5th October last as part of a concerted effort to liberalise intra-European trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the needs of the paint, linoleum and printing ink industries for the months of January, February, March and April, 1950, for glycerine have been adequately met; and if he will consider abandoning the present method of allocation which is both cumbersome and costly.

Due to the shortage of glycerine, which is a by-product of soap manufacture, it has not been possible to meet in full the requirements of the industries in question, and so long as this shortage persists it will be necessary to continue the allocation of available supplies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total payments to date made to the British Export Trade Research Organisation; and the amount of future commitments to that body.

The payments made to the British Export Trade Research Organisation to date total £106,500. This represents three out of five annual contributions to be made not exceeding the amount required to meet one-half of the deficiency between the annual expenditure of the Organisation and its revenue from commissions executed, within a maximum of £150,000 in all and subject to an equivalent contribution from industry. On this basis there is a future commitment to the extent of £43,500, but I am glad to be able to say that a final contribution of considerably less than this sum and not exceeding £35,000 will need to be paid in the current year as a result of the arrangement for mutual aid recently announced, which we welcome, between the Organisation and the Federation of British Industries.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will insist on the sole use of chlorine dioxide as a flour preserver since it appears to have no ill-effects on animals.

I do not propose to insist on the sole use of chlorine dioxide as a flour improver, because the only flour improver which has been shown to have ill effects on animals is nitrogen trichloride or " agene." I am glad to be able to assure my hon. Friend that the use of this is being discontinued in favour of chlorine dioxide.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that in some parts of the country the facilities for slaughtering cattle and pigs are inadequate; and if he will look into this question, with a view to helping to provide additional facilities where they are needed.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Maidstone (Mr. Bossom) on 1st May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the volume of merchant shipbuilding in the United Kingdom has fallen by 348,484 tons since June, 1948, during which period the amount of construction abroad has increased substantially; and what steps he is taking to encourage the reduction of United Kingdom costs, and so prevent a rise of unemployment in the industry.

The answer to the first part of the Question is " Yes." In reply to the second part, I am satisfied that the shipbuilding industry fully realises the importance of reducing costs in the face of the inevitable increase of foreign competition. The volume of work in hand in June, 1948, was swollen by delays in completions caused by shortages of raw materials and manufactured components. There is no significant rise in unemployment in the industry since that date, and there is sufficient work in hand and on order to maintain employment at about the present level for another two years.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects the Tooting Broadway area to be cleared of tram tracks.

Present indications are that the tracks in question will be removed early next year.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the Report of the Committee on Road Safety, published in May,1947, he has considered the raising of the speed limit of 20 miles per hour at present applicable to heavy goods vehicles.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 1st May to a Question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers).

asked the Minister of Transport if any discussions have taken place with shipping companies responsible for recruiting merchant seamen from ports outside the British Isles, to ensure that medical examination and a certificate of freedom from infectious diseases is submitted before being able to sign on as a merchant seaman.

The normal practice is for seamen recruited abroad to be medically examined before they are signed on. No discussions with the shipowners have taken place.

asked the Minister of Transport what he estimates will be the average increase in the price of coal both for industrial and for domestic uses resulting from the proposed increase in freight charges.