asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the great inconvenience caused to telephone subscribers in the Dorking division of Surrey owing to the long delay in repairing telephone lines damaged by storm; and, if his Department's repair services are inadequate to meet the demand, if he will consider the possibility of using the services of the Army.

I much regret the inconvenience caused to subscribers by the recent storm, and I can assure the hon. Member that repairs are being pushed forward with all possible speed. Of the 37,800 subscribers cut off, service has now been restored to 30,370. The total force now engaged on repairs is as large as can be effectively used. It includes engineers loaned from other areas, as well as assistance from the Army. I should like to say a word of praise for those who are engaged in repairing this damage.

asked the Postmaster-General how many outstanding applications for the installation of telephones there are in the Clapham area; and how soon it will be possible to extend the service at the Macaulay exchange to meet fully the local demand for telephones.

There are 1,107 outstanding applications. These are mainly held up by shortage of equipment at the Macaulay exchange. A small extension will be completed in the Autumn, and a further extension, sufficient to meet most of the outstanding applications, should be completed by next year.

asked the Postmaster-General how long the question of trade union recognition by the British Broadcasting Corporation has been under consideration.

I am informed that the General Council of the T.U.C. first approached the Corporation on the matter on 13th June, 1947.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that many complaints have been made in the parish of Moulton, Suffolk, about interference in local wireless and television reception; that, although the cause was traced some months ago by the local electricity company and the General Post Office as being due to a fault in the electricity mains between Gazeley and Kentford, nothing has as yet been done; and if he will make representations to the British Electricity Authority to remedy this fault.

I am aware of four outstanding complaints in which interference with wireless reception at Moulton, Suffolk, is thought to emanate from the electricity supply lines. I understand from the British Electricity Authority that the area Board's plant which was suspected of causing interference was overhauled on the 22nd March and that investigations are still in progress.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what feeder services he proposes to establish for Prestwick so as to enable this airport to fulfil its declared functions as an international airport.

The establishment of separate feeder services to Prestwick either by British European Airways or by its associates must depend on the amount of local and feeder traffic offering and whether it can best be served from Prestwick or Renfrew. I should also point out that surface transport is used to enable Prestwick passengers to connect with the network of services operating to and from Renfrew.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation by how much per annum the increase in duty on hydro-carbon oils will raise the cost of operating the present internal services of British European Airways; and what proportion this sum bears to the total cost of operating the internal services.

I understand from the Corporation that information, which in this instance is readily available, indicates that the increased cost per annunm may be of the order of £100,000, representing a little over 3 per cent. of the total cost of operating the internal services.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to what extent it is the practice for the Airways Corporations to consult the Minister in regard to any proposal for a major modification or change in the scale of passenger fares or freight rates, either for internal or external services; and to what extent the prior consent of his Department is required before any such major modification or change is announced or put into effect.

Fares and freight rates, as sources of revenue, affect the amount of grant assistance to the Corporations from public funds and any major changes therefore are subject to the prior approval of the Minister. International fares and freight rates are also subject to the approval of the United Kingdom and other Governments concerned under the terms of the international agreements exchanging traffic rights.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that Imperial Chemical Industries are manufacturing a product named "Edifas" and formerly called "Cellofas" edible grade; that this material is infected with bacteria; that Imperial Chemical Industries admitted that such is the case; that this material supplied to bakers is dangerous to health; and if he will take steps to prohibit its use.

I have heard of "Edifas" but I have no reason to believe that there is any danger to health involved in its use in foodstuffs. As all foodstuffs contain bacteria there is no particular significance in the statement that "Edifas" contains some. But if my hon. Friend has more specific information, I shall be pleased to look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of strawberry pulp ordered by his Department from Holland in 1949 is still due for delivery to the United Kingdom.

None.

asked the Minister of Food what were the average prices paid during the past six months or other convenient

AVERAGE PRICES PAID DURING SIX MONTHS ENDED 31ST MARCH, 1950
Commodity	Home-produced supplies	Imported supplies	Remarks
Beef	£145 per ton ex slaughterhouse.	Frozen fore and hindquarters—
		£100·90 per ton c.i.f. Boned and boneless—
		£100·30 per ton c.i.f.
Lamb and Mutton	£226 per ton ex slaughterhouse.	£107·50 per ton c.i.f.
Bacon	£289 per ton ex factory	£235·30 per ton c.i.f.
Shell Eggs	£7·417 per box of 360 ex packing station.	£4·07 per box of 360 c.i.f.
Cheese	£103 per ton ex factory (excluding milk subsidy).	£175·38 per ton c.i.f. (including private imports)	The price of milk sold for home cheese-making is below its cost to the Ministry. The difference over a full year is equivalent to £242·2 per ton of cheese. Part of this difference (estimated at £77·5 per ton) may be regarded as a subsidy on cheese, the balance falling into the subsidy on liquid milk.
Wheat	£23·62 per ton ex farm	£28·20 per ton c.i.f.	Home-grown wheat is not normally bought by the Ministry. Price excludes acreage payment estimated to cost £1·075 per ton. There will be no wheat acreage payment in 1950–51 but farmers will receive £28 per ton.
Barley	£23·72 per ton ex farm	£20·23 per ton c.i.f.
Oats	£19·48 per ton ex farm	£17·56 per ton c.i.f.
Linseed	£59 per ton ex farm	£54·22 per ton c.i.f.
Sugar	£33·86 per ton ex factory	£32·83 per ton c.i.f.	The price of home-produced raw sugar is fixed by reference to the average cost of imports for a full year (less Empire preference, plus the difference between the Excise duty on home-produced and the Customs duty on imported sugar).
NOTE: —The prices for imported supplies are based on the figures published in the Trade and Navigation Accounts for the period October, 1949–March, 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the sugar delegation from the West Indies is expected in this country; and if His Majesty's Government is prepared to reconsider its decision not to reopen negotiations on the long-term sugar contract.

The West Indian delegation are expected to arrive this week. In reply to the second part of the Question, I refer the hon. Member to the statement

Following is the answer:made by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food on 3rd April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Sydney Brown, of the East African Posts and Telegraphs Department, who wishes to return to Brighton with his family; and whether he will consider making an exception in his case as regards the free allowance for only three adults for the journey home.

Yes, my attention has been drawn to this case. Since the cost of any concession to Mr. Brown would fall to local funds, the East Africa High Commission are being consulted as to whether any further assistance can be granted on compassionate grounds

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Report will now be made available to Members of this House of the findings of the Nutrition Field Working Party in Gambia.

The Report of the first three years' work of the Nutrition Field Working Party in the Gambia is being prepared and is expected to be available within the next six months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what contribution is made by the Tanganyika Government to the capital or recurrent cost of the schools for employees of the Overseas Food Corporation.

The Tanganyika Government has now assumed full responsibility for the Overseas Food Corporation's Technical School at Ifunda. As regards schools for the children of African employees, the Government make a capital grant equal, subject to a prescribed maximum, to half the cost of buildings, and a recurrent grant equal to 95 per cent. of the salaries of registered teachers. No capital grant is made in respect of European schools, but the Government make a recurrent grant equal to total recurrent costs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the Report of the Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the recent disturbances in the Enugu coalfield; and when publication may be expected.

The Report has been received and will be published shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the grave rice situation in Sierra Leone, whether he will consider the establishment of a rice marketing board with a view to the encouragement of rice production and the guaranteeing of markets and prices.

My right hon. Friend is consulting the Governor and he will write to my hon. Friend when the Governor's views have been received.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any drive against the causes of malaria is taking place in the West African Colonies comparable to those carried on in Ceylon and British Guiana with the aid of D.D.T.

Intensive measures are being taken against the causes of malaria in certain areas in all the West African territories and modern insecticides such as D.D.T. are being used where their use is practicable and likely to be of value. It is not possible to compare this work with that carried on in British Guiana and Ceylon because different species of malaria-carrying mosquitos, and other factors such as terrain and population density, call for varying methods in the scientific approach to the problem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what consultations took place with the Liaison Committee in Malaya prior to the conclusion of arrangements for municipal elections next year and thereafter to the Councils in certain States and Settlements; and what views were expressed by the Liaison Committee.

The Communities Liaison Committee itself considered the desirability of introducing elections to the various legislatures in the Federation last year, and in a statement of agreed views, published in September, recommended that elections should first take place in municipalities and such States and Settlements as were ready for them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, although the daily paid rubber workers of Malaya recently received an increase of 12 per cent. as a result of arbitration, the monthly paid workers, whose claims have been pending for 12 months have received nothing; and if he will take steps to bring their claims before an arbitrator at an early date.

WAGE RATES OF DAILY AND MONTHLY PAID WORKERS ON THE RUBBER PLANTATIONS IN MALAYA
Occupation	Daily Wages at present time (in Malayan dollars or cents)	In 1948
DAILY PAID WORKERS:	Dollars	Dollars
Tappers;
Malaysians—
Men	1·46–2·52	90 cents—1·30
Women	1·18–2·46	70 cents—1·05
Young Persons.	67 cents–1·62	—
Indians—
Men	1·46–2·63	90 cents—2·35
Women	1·18–2·63	70 cents—2·25
Young Persons.	67 cents–1·74	70 cents—75 cents
Contract Workers—
Men	7 cents—29 cents per lb. of rubber collected.	5 cents—24 cents per lb. of rubber collected. Payment by results.
Women
Young Persons.
Weeders and Field Workers;
Malaysians—
Men	1·46–1·74	90 cents—1·45
Women	1·18–1·40	70 cents—1·20
Young Persons.	67 cents—1·62	55 cents—75 cents
Indians—
Men	1·46–1·74	90 cents—1·45
Women	1·18–1·40	55 cents—1·20
Young Persons	67 cents—1·74	45 cents—1·00
Contract Workers—
Men	Variously based task rates. Average earnings Men 72·39 a month, Women 54·99 a month.	2·0–35·0 per acre task. Payment by results.
Women
Young Persons.
Factory Workers;
Malaysians—
Men	1·40–2·95	1·20–2·40
Women	1·15–1·70	65 cents—1·80
Chinese—
Men	1·50–3·00	1·25–2·40
Women	1·15–2·50	65 cents—1·80
Indians—
Men	1·50–3·50	1·20–2·90
Women	1·15–1·90	80 cents—2·25
By results—
Men	1½ cents—5 cents per lb. of dry rubber	1½ to 3 cents per lb. of dry rubber.
Women

The fixing of salary-scales for monthly paid employees is at present the subject of active negotiations between the workers' and employers' organisations. Under existing legislation in the Federation of Malaya the matter can be submitted to arbitration only with the consent of both parties and neither has, as yet, expressed such a desire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the wage rates of the daily and monthly workers on the rubber plantations in Malaya in 1948 and at the present time; and the price of rubber on the same dates.

Following is the reply:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will publish a report of the progress made by the Trade

Regarding the first part of the Question, we are in communication with the High Commissioner. My right hon. Friend intends to do all that his time in Malaya permits to familiarise himself with labour conditions there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that several Malayan tin mines have closed down for lack of workable ore and that others will also have to close down within the next few years; and what plans are being put in hand for future tin prospecting.

I am fully aware of the necessity of further prospecting for fresh mineral resources in Malaya. I have therefore recently approved a scheme to provide £325,000 from Colonial Development and Welfare funds for the expansion of the local geological survey.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been done, and is being done, to minimise difficulties and misunderstandings arising in the Colonies from changed rules for admission to United Kingdom universities consequent upon the new leaving certificate arrangements.

I am glad to say that universities in this country have agreed to recognise success in specified subjects of the present Overseas School and Higher Certificate for exemption of Colonial students from their entrance requirements until at least 1952. This in itself will minimise difficulties in the Colonies. An authoritative article on this subject is being published in the forthcoming issue of "Oversea Education" and I will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why he has refused permission for American technicians working in the Colonies under the Economic Co-operation Administration Plan to be accompanied by their wives.

The hon. Member is misinformed. American technicians working in the Colonies may be accompanied by their wives on exactly the same terms and conditions as are applicable to British officers serving in comparable appointments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Near East Arab broadcasting station has been set up in Cyprus; how far it is used for political propaganda; and on what conditions it operates.

The broadcasting station operated by the Near East Association, to which I presume my hon. Friend refers, was moved to Cyprus from Palestine in 1948 because of conditions in the latter country. No information about its broadcasts has been received in the Colonial Office. With regard to the last part of the Question, the Near East Association is a private company registered in Cyprus, its main object being to promote the exchange of cultural and general information throughout the Near East.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will bring up to date the figures supplied to the late hon. Member for Wednesbury by Written Answer dated 3rd August, 1943, and relating to the cost of issuing transfer forms free to the public, the cost of the concessions referred to Stock Exchange firms, the extent to which each Stock Exchange has taken advantage of the privilege, and similar totals to those previously supplied, from 31st March, 1943, to any recent convenient date.

The cost of the transfer forms issued free to the public in the period 1st April, 1943, to 31st March, 1950, was approximately £3,950. The following table shows (a) for each Stock Exchange the effect over the same period of the operation of Section 42 of the Finance Act, 1920, as amended by the Finance Act, 1931, and (b) the aggregate total from 1st September, 1920, when that

Exchange			Duty if exigible at £1 per cent. or £2 per cent.*	Exigible and paid under Section 42	Difference
			£	£	£
London Stock Exchange	…	…	7,874,559	1,045,404	6,829,155
Birmingham Stock Exchange	…	…	16,014	3,251	12,763
Bristol Stock Exchange	…	…	11,557	2,601	8,956
Cardiff Stock Exchange	…	…	14,383	4,812	9,571
Halifax Stock Exchange	…	…	267	66	201
Huddersfield Stock Exchange	…	…	349	18	331
Leeds Stock Exchange	…	…	371	155	216
Liverpool Stock Exchange	…	…	29,382	3,556	25,826
Manchester Stock Exchange	…	…	13,183	4,563	8,620
Mincing Lane Tea and Rubber Shareholders Association Ltd.	…	…	2,758	531	2,227
Newcastle Stock Exchange	…	…	236	29	207
Provincial Brokers Stock Exchange.	…	…	11,719	1,831	9,888
Sheffield Stock Exchange	…	…	29,519	4,002	25,517
Glasgow Stock Exchange	…	…	5,370	779	4,591
(a) Total for period 1st April, 1943 to 31st March, 1950	…	…	8,009,667	1,071,598	6,938,069
(b) Total from 1st September 1920 to 31st March, 1950	…	…	21,358,670	3,511,154	17,847,516
* The rate of duty was raised from £1 per cent. to £2 per cent. with effect from 1st August, 1947 (Section 52, Finance Act, 1947).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why officers, members and personal representatives, within the meaning of paragraph 28 of the Schedule to the Fire Services (Ranks and Conditions of Service) (No. 2) Regulations, 1950, have been assessed to Income Tax upon supplementary allowances and compensatory grants therein defined; whether grants received upon the authority of the said paragraph by way of reimbursement of Income Tax have been, or will be, assessed to Income Tax; and why taxes are levied which fire authorities are required by the said Regulations to reimburse.

The supplementary allowances and compensatory grants payable to members of fire brigades under previous Regulations were income within the meaning of the Income Tax Acts and were accordingly taken into account in computing the Income Tax liabilities of the recipients. The Regulations referred to have abolished the supplementary allowances and provide for the termination of the compensatory grants after next year except in the case of Chief Officers and

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will explain the circumstances which necessitated the provisions, relating to Income Tax, of paragraph 28 of the Schedule to the Fire Services (Ranks and Conditions of Service) (No. 2) Regulations, 1950.

The Schedule to which the hon. Member refers amends and consolidates the Fourth Schedule to the Fire Services (Hanks and Conditions of Service) Regulations, 1948, and the paragraph in question re-enacts an earlier provision which gave effect to an award of the Industrial Court. The purpose of compensatory grant is to put firemen who are not provided with free quarters and who receive allowances in respect of rent in the same position as regards Income Tax as those who are provided with free quarters and are not liable to tax on the value of the quarters. In consequence of a fresh award of the Industrial Court providing for consolidated rates of pay to replace the former supplementary allowances, paragraph 28 provides for the termination of compensatory grant with the payment due next year for all ranks below Assistant Chief Officer. Chief Officers and Assistant Chief Officers continue to receive rent allowances and compensatory grant.

STUDENTS ADMITTED TO PERMANENT TRAINING COLLEGES IN THE YEARS STATED
Year	MEN Two-Year Training Colleges			Two-Year Training Colleges	WOMEN Three-Year Housecraft Training Courses	Total Women	Total Men and Women
	Recognised Students*	Others	Total Men
1938	1,182	6	1,188	3,450	462	3,912	5,100
1946	1,573	254	1,827	5,263	543	5,806	7,633
1947	103	2,061	2,164	5,211	546	5,757	7,921
1948	121	2,135	2,256	6,115	510	6,625	8,881
1949	873	1,593	2,466	7,250	703	7,953	10,491
1950	Not yet available		2,250	7,800	750	8,550	10,800
(estimated)
* i.e., with grants under the Training of Teachers Grant Regulations.

It is not possible to divide the numbers of men exactly between ex-Service men and ex-National Service men, but the table shows separately the number of men admitted with grants under the Training of Teachers Grant Regulations, and the number whose courses at permanent training colleges have been financed in other ways. Since the war practically all the men whose courses at these colleges have not been aided under the Training of Teachers Grant Regulations have been men who were entitled to awards under the Further Education and Training Scheme in virtue of wartime service of one kind or another. Since 1947 no man student has been able to begin a course of training unless he has done his National Service or is exempt from service. It can therefore be assumed that most of the men admitted in 1949 with grants under the Training of Teachers Grant Regulations were ex-National Service men.Over the period 1945–50 the number of students admitted to Emergency Training Colleges was close on 36,800, of whom nearly 24,000 were men and some 12,800 women. All these men and women were engaged in some form of National Service during the war years.

asked the Minister of Education the number of students at training colleges in October, 1938, and in October of each year since 1946, and the anticipated number in October, 1950, showing the number of ex-Service men and ex-National Service men, separately.

The following table gives the available information:

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much out of £I spent on cotton goods goes to distributors.

It is not possible to say how much of £I spent on cotton goods goes to distributors, partly because it is not known what proportion of goods goes through wholesalers and what proportion goes direct from manufacturers to retailers, nor to what extent distributors take less than the maximum permitted margins for these goods.The maximum percentage gross margins which distributors are permitted to add to the price they pay for utility cotton goods vary according to the class of goods. For example, in the case of utility cotton shirts, the maximum gross margins for wholesalers and retailers would together represent 6s. 8d. in the £1 on the maximum permitted retail selling price, while for utility sheets and towels the corresponding figure would be 5s. 11d. These margins have, of course, to cover wages, rent, rates and all the other costs incurred in distribution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total number and values of horses exported from this country during the last two quarters of 1949 and up to 30th April, 1950, indicating how many were sent to each of the countries concerned.

I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member a statement of the latest information available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that firms in Bradford and Derby are unable to supply Messrs. Muller & Company, Limited, Cleobury Mortimer, with workmen's overalls owing to shortage of materials; and what steps he will take to remedy the position.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Worcester (Mr. Ward) on 25th April, a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Transport what provisions he is making to prevent a repetition of the track-side fires such as occurred in Kent last year due either to dumping burning ashes or from flying sparks setting fire to the long grass and weeds beside the railway lines.

In view of the experience during the dry summer of last year, special consideration has been given to this matter by the Government Departments concerned, including my own. A working party has been set up on which the Railway Executive is represented to revise and co-ordinate instructions and advice relating to the prevention of such fires. In the meantime all practicable steps are being taken.

asked the Minister of Health how many grants under Section 20 of the Housing Act. 1949, he has approved in all; and how many of them were in the Borough of Kettering, the urban districts of Corby, Desborough, Rothwell and Barton Latimer, and the rural districts of Kettering and Brixworth.

None of the 13 grants so far approved has been in the areas mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the worsening of the housing conditions of many families in the Woodside division of Glasgow through increased overcrowding; and whether he will agree to give Glasgow a large supplementary allocation of houses for 1950 and 1951.

I am aware of the serious overcrowding which exists in the city as a whole. I have arranged to meet the Housing Committee of the Corporation on 26th May to discuss their plans for the immediate future.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to receive the report of the committee which has been inquiring into the question of the pollution of Scottish rivers.

I hope to receive the report in the late autumn.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will publish a short pamphlet giving the differences between the Shetland wool scheme and the United Kingdom wool scheme.

This would seem unnecessary since the promoters of these two draft marketing schemes published pamphlets explaining the provisions of the respective schemes.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what complaints he has received from blacksmiths in Gloucestershire as to the quality of the coal supplied to them, and what steps he is taking to improve the supply.

No complaints have been received by my Department about the quality of coal supplied to blacksmiths in Gloucestershire. I am advised, however, that one blacksmith has made a complaint about the quality of his supplies to his merchant. The merchant is pursuing the matter through the usual commercial channels described in paragraphs 286 to 288 of the National Coal Board's Report for 1948. I am also informed that the complaint is now being investigated by the Board.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures for the present retail price of coal per ton in Newcastle, Hull, Cardiff, Nottingham, Birmingham and Southampton, respectively.

Various grades of house coal at different prices are on sale in the places referred to but the average retail prices per ton are approximately: Newcastle, 65s. 1d.; Hull, 79s. 8d.; Cardiff, 76s. 9d.; Nottingham, 69s. 3d.; Birmingham, 74s. 7d.; Southampton, 96s. 2d.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much electricity is generated and how much electricity is consumed each year in Wales and Monmouthshire.

The amounts of electricity generated and sold to consumers in Wales and Monmouthshire (including a part of Cheshire) in the last two years are as follows:—

		Year ending 31stMarch, 1949	Year ending 31stDecember, 1949
		(Million units)
Generated	…	2,965	2,823
Sold	…	2,666	2,752