asked the Minister of Food what reports he has received as to the implementation by butchers of the appeal made to them by the Butchers' Association at his request to display price tickets on meat.

There has been some increase in this practice, but not as much as I would like, and I am calling for further reports. I will renew my pressure if these reports show an unsatisfactory response.

asked the Minister of Food if he will arrange for butchers in Scotland to receive a fair share of the beef and mutton produced in Scotland; if he will investigate complaints by the Edinburgh Butchers' Association that Scotland is getting supplies of scraggy mutton that English butchers have refused to handle; and if he will see that a better allocation of fresh Scottish meat is available for Scotland.

We already arrange for Scotland, like other producing areas, to receive as large a share of meat from locally produced or fattened stock as is consistent with fair distribution over Great Britain as a whole; no meat refused by English butchers has been reallocated to Scotland.

asked the Minister of Food how long the sailing ship "Pamir" which arrived from Australia with a full load of grain has been used by him as a warehouse; if he is aware that unloading had to be suspended because the vessel's cargo was over-run with rats; what loss has been sustained; and, in view of this experience, if he will make a statement on his future policy regarding the use of ships for warehouse purposes.

The "Pamir" was making her last voyage before being laid up and since no berth was available for unloading she was offered by the owners and accepted for use as a floating store. The cargo of barley was kept on board for seven months. No rats were detected during periodical inspections but when unloading began rats were found. The local health authorities and infestation department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries at once took energetic action to get rid of them. Losses from all sources, including infestation, were by no means abnormal. The condition of the barley was good and it was perfectly suitable for animal feeding, for which purpose it was imported. Ships are used for storage only in emergencies and these are unlikely to recur.

asked the Minister of Food the approximate total cost of the annual subsidy allocated for rationed cheese for 1949–50; the approximate weekly subsidy to the consumer per ration; and what effect he estimates that the removal of the subsidy would have on the cost of living index figure.

Just over £20 million, representing a subsidy of about a penny farthing a week to ordinary consumers and 7d. a week to agricultural workers and others receiving special rations. The removal of the subsidy would raise the Interim Index of Retail Prices by about half a point.

asked the Minister of Food why he has controlled the price. of ducks' eggs below that of the most inferior hens' eggs.

The price is in fact the same as for small hen eggs; for the very good reason that duck eggs are not so much in demand as hen eggs.

asked the Minister of Food if he will revive the former practice of requiring the designation in butchers' shops of the country of origin of meat, mutton, poultry and other foods displayed for sale.

We hope to restore the prewar marking requirements as soon as we can, but there are still a number of difficulties, such as shortage of machinery to be overcome.

asked the Minister of Food the name of the new Chairman of the Overseas Food Corporation.

Yes. I am very pleased to tell the House that Sir Eric Coates, at present a member of the Board of the Overseas Food Corporation, has accepted my invitation to serve as Chairman. He will take up his new appointment on 1st July.

asked the Minister of Food what has been the total of groundnuts imported into the United Kingdom from West Africa during the last 12 months; what tonnage is in transit; and what is the tonnage purchased, but not transported, awaiting passage in Nigeria.

Imports during the 12 months ended 3rd June, 1950, were about 350,000 tons; the quantity in transit on that date was just over 22,000 tons, and the quantity in storage in Nigeria just over 142,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food under what authority he issued forms M.5., and M.5a., 4/50.

Under the provisions of Article 9 (1) and (2) respectively of the Food Rationing (General Provisions) Order, 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Italian arms found in Eritrea have been traced to an uninhabited island in the Massawa Archipelago, from which they are transported by night in Arab dhows to the mainland a few miles north of Massawa, and thence by camel to Keren, and that at least two consignments of modern rifles and ammunition have been delivered by this route for the use of Italian adherents; and whether he will take action to prevent such smuggling and consider whether the present practice of employing Italian police in Eritrea is justified in the interests of public order.

A report to this effect was current in April but upon investigation it was found to be quite untrue.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has seen the official pronouncement issued in Brussels by the Turkish Foreign Minister, Dr. Koprulu, indicating that the security of the Eastern Mediterranean can best be maintained by an extension of the system of alliances and whether he proposes to take action with a view to eliciting further the views of the new Turkish Government on this matter.

Yes, and a full statement of the Turkish Government's views about the security of the Eastern Mediterranean was contained in the Turkish Prime Minister's address to the Grand National Assembly on 29th May. These views which appear to follow closely those of the previous Government have been fully represented through the diplomatic channel before and since the new Turkish Government came into office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been received from the United States on the subject of Mr. Frank Hawley, "The Times" correspondent in Tokyo.

None. General MacArthur has, however, called the attention of the Head of the United Kingdom Liaison Mission to passages in certain of "The Times" correspondent's recent reports to which he took exception.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the total sum by way of compensation still outstanding to road hauliers.

Up to 31st May last, sums totalling £19,300,000 had been paid in respect of road haulage undertakings compulsorily acquired by that date, leaving a balance of approximately £1,400,000 outstanding in respect of provisional ascertainments recently computed on the basis of information supplied by transferors. The statutory 10 per cent. retention is excluded from both these figures. The outstanding amounts will be settled as soon as all the necessary legal formalities connected with the transfer of assets have been completed. It will not be possible to give an estimate of the total amount of compensation which will become payable in respect of the whole operation of acquiring long-distance road haulage undertakings until the extent of the assets yet to be taken over has been agreed or determined. The rate at which further ascertainments of compensation are completed depends largely on the availability of accounts and other essential information which only the transferors can supply.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused to many transport concerns by the slowness in the payment of compensation due to them following upon nationalisation; and if he will take steps to expedite the settlement of all the outstanding claims.

I am not aware of general dissatisfaction over the payment of compensation to road transport concerns. The Commission are taking all steps which the Transport Act permits to expedite settlement, but progress in the majority of cases is governed by the availability of accounts and other essential information which only the transferors can supply.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that since the increase in the price of petrol the smaller bus companies without large reserves are finding it uneconomic to operate their rural services, and that redress through the traffic courts may take up to 12 months; and whether he will therefore instruct the regional licensing authorities to make temporary dispensation in favour of these smaller companies.

I am advised that I have no power to give such instructions to the licensing authorities for public service vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of accidents caused by lorries carrying loads which overhang and are inadequately lit; and whether he will consult with the Secretary of State for the Home Department with a view to enforcing standard lighting arrangements, or the control of the movement of such vehicles with a dangerous outspan.

The lights to be carried by vehicles with overhanging or projecting loads are prescribed by the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, while under the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations it is an offence to use a motor vehicle or trailer if the weight, distribution, packing and adjustment of the load render it dangerous to other road users. I have no evidence that these statutory requirements are not generally complied with or that accidents arising from the inadequate lighting of such loads are frequent. Enforcement of the requirements is a matter entirely for the police.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider some special facilities for legless drivers of motor cars to park their motor cars in London in areas where parking is otherwise prohibited or limited to two hours duration.

I have every sympathy with disabled drivers, but I could not discriminate between different classes of drivers in "No Waiting" streets or street car parks.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the ease with which a driving licence can be obtained by men with criminal records; and if he will give consideration to a general tightening-up of the rules under which driving licences are issued.

Licensing authorities have no power to refuse a driving licence to an applicant on the ground that he has a criminal record; nor do I consider it right that any such wide power should be conferred on them.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now consider imposing on all drivers of road vehicles the necessity of passing a driving test every five years or at some other suitable period.

No.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if, in view of the withdrawal of the services provided by the Clyde and Campbeltown Shipping Company and the resultant increased road traffic between Campbeltown and Lochgilphead, he will reconsider sympathetically the application of Argyll County Council to have the road, A.83, scheduled as a trunk road;(2) if he is aware of the bad condition of sections of A.83 between Lochgilphead and Campbeltown; and whether he will give priority to the execution of the necessary roadworks in view of the fact that they are already scheduled under the Crofter County Scheme.

I am unable to agree that the additional road traffic resulting from the withdrawal of the steamship services justifies scheduling Route A.83 between Campbeltown and Lochgilphead as a trunk road. About half the total length of 52 miles has already been reconstructed at the expense of the Road Fund. It is proposed to reconstruct 10 more miles north of Campbeltown when funds permit, but it is not possible to give this expensive work priority at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the warning given in the Report of the West Riding County Council Highways Committee that substantial stretches of through routes in the West Riding of Yorkshire are in danger of disintegration because of restriction on maintenance grants; and whether, in view of the fact that these routes carry heavy industrial traffic which is vital to the national interest and that the amount of Ministry of Transport grants to the West Riding authority have actually decreased since the war, he can state what steps he intends to take to improve the position so far as the West Riding is concerned.

I have only seen a Press reference to this report. The Road Fund provision for maintenance grants is allocated with due regard to the condition of the roads, the traffic using them and other relevant considerations, and I am satisfied that the West Riding County Council have had a proper share of the total provision available, which, I regret to say, has to be severely restricted in present circumstances.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, now that petrol rationing has been entirely removed, he still proposes to continue asking some holders of "C" licences who buy new lorries to explain the nature of the goods they carry, in which district their vehicles are used, whether the new lorry is for a new or existing business, and whether the material to be carried was previously carried by some other means of transport.

No. The questions are no longer asked.

asked the Minister of Transport whether Service leave coaches are still banned by regional commissioners.

Since motor fuel was freed from rationing, coach journeys for Service men proceeding on week-end leave are no longer subject to the restrictions previously imposed by the regional transport commissioners in the interests of saving fuel. There are now no restrictions on such journeys other than the statutory requirements of the Road Traffic Acts.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent £750,000 grant for Highland roads recently promised by the Government will assist the restarting of the Crofter County Scheme for road construction.

Seven works included in the Crofter Counties Programme are still proceeding. The special provision which has been authorised for Highland roads will enable further work to be put in hand under this programme, and I am now considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State; which additional schemes should be selected for commencement.

asked the Minister of Tmileage of Class III roads in each of the Welsh counties since 1st April, 1946.

The changes in mileage of Class III roads in Wales and Monmouth since 1st April, 1946, are as follows:

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recent fatal accidents and of representations made to him in previous years and now repeated by local residents and organisations, he will reimpose a speed limit upon the trunk road at Castle Bromwich.

I much regret the unfortunate accident on 10th June in which two children were killed and one child was injured. I do not think, however, that a speed limit would have prevented this accident. Nevertheless accidents on this road seem to have increased somewhat during 1949 and 1950 and I have decided to have conditions there fully investigated by my divisional road engineer in consultation with the police and local authorities, to see what can be done to improve safety.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to widen or by-pass the A.5 road from London Colney to Markyate.

A by-pass for this section of road has been planned, but I cannot say when it will be possible to construct it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that petrol is not now rationed, he will take steps to arrange that estate cars and similar vehicles which are used by professional persons such as medical men and veterinary surgeons to carry their instruments for professional purposes, should be treated like ordinary motor cars for the purpose of speed limits.

Speed limits are governed by the Road Traffic Acts and the derationing of petrol has no bearing on the matter. I have had the question of speed limits for utility vehicles of the estate car type under consideration for some time and expect shortly to be in a position to consult the representative organisations.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what is the width of the Castleton road bridge on the main Perth—Forfar—Aberdeen road; and what is the average width of the road on either side of it;(2) how many accidents have occurred since the war at the Castleton bridge on the main Perth—Forfar—Aberdeen road.

The bridge is 15 feet wide and the road at either end 18 feet wide. Seventeen accidents have occurred in the five years since June, 1945.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the dangerous condition of the bridge over the River Laggan on the" high road to Port Ellen, in the Island of Islay; and if his Department will give sympathetic reconsideration to the request for a grant towards the cost of the reconstruction of this bridge.

Consideration is being given to the possibility of including this scheme in the list of works to be assisted from the proposed additional provision for roadwork in the Highlands.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that there are indications that the noise of a car radio interferes with the efficient driving of the vehicle; and if he will have this matter investigated as being a possible contributory cause of road accidents.

I have no evidence that car radios interfere with efficient driving or contribute to road accidents. Investigation of the matter presents considerable difficulty, but the Road Research Laboratory are giving attention to it. I shall be grateful for any information the hon. and gallant Member may have.

asked the Ministers of Supply how many de Havilland Moth training aircraft have been, or are in the process of being, broken up during the last 12 months.

During the last 12 months 239 Tiger Moths have been broken up, under a contract placed by my Department, to recover components and spares needed by the Royal Air Force. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air that the Royal Air Force have themselves also broken up 81 during this period, with the same object.

asked the Minister of Supply what is the estimated number of motor cars, excluding commercial vehicles, released to the home market, excluding the Government, in each year since 1945.

The following is the information.The figures to the nearest thousand are:

asked the Minister of Supply the number of all the types of motor cars produced in Great Britain last year; how many were allocated for home use and how many for export; and how many were required for official purposes.

Four hundred and twelve thousand cars were produced in 1949. Of these, 258,000 were exported and 154,000 delivered to the home market. One thousand six hundred and twelve were supplied against Government orders.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) how many cases of Royal Ordnance factory workers taking up spare time work while on sick pay have been reported to him since the inception of the sick pay scheme;(2) how many cases of malingering have been reported to him since the inception of the scheme to allow full wages for the first 13 weeks' of illness to workers in Royal Ordnance factories.

Thirty cases of employees taking other employment during sick absence have been reported. Of these, 20 were substantiated and disciplinary action taken. Two cases are under examination. Paid sick leave is conditional on the production of medical certificates. Disciplinary action has been taken in 26 cases where behaviour during sick absence was incompatible with unfitness for employment, or likely to retard recovery.

asked the Minister of Supply what percentage of the workers in the Royal Ordnance factories have not reported sick at any time since the inception of the scheme to allow full wages for the first 13 weeks of illness; what has been the average period of absence from work of those reporting sick; and what is the total to date of days of work lost per month to all the factories.

I regret that the information asked for in the first and second parts of the Question is not available and could not be secured without a disproportionate expenditure of time and labour. Since the answer to the third

asked the Minister of Supply when he expects that the supply factory at Greenhill Estate, Coatbridge, will open.

Work is expected to begin at this factory in two or three months' time.

asked the Minister of Supply to what extent he estimates that unemployment in Coatbridge is due to competition in price of steel from Belgium; and at what prices he permits Belgian steel to be imported into this country.

There is no competition in price, since Belgian steel is sold in the United Kingdom subject to the same statutory controlled maximum prices as British steel.

asked the Minister of Supply what price is being paid for the Marathon aircraft to be used on the Scottish Islands services.

It would be contrary to established practice to disclose contract prices.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to increase the manufacture of the necessary pipes in order to speed the distribution of piped water to rural areas.

New capacity for steel pipes for water and gas was installed at the end of 1948, and production is now double that of two years ago. A further scheme of expansion has been approved and the plant should come into operation in 1953. Substantial increase in production of cast iron pipes for water and gas depends on obtaining additional labour to run the existing plants to full capacity. Every endeavour is being made to increase the labour force in this industry.

asked the Minister of Works in how many cases Section 52 of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945, has been applied for the purpose of rehabilitating agricultural land damaged by Government war work or by Government war use.

Section 52 of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945, has been applied to agricultural land in 2,915 cases in Great Britain at a total cost of £1,853,940.

asked the Minister of Works how many licences have been granted by his Department for the building of new hotels or the extension of existing hotels in England and Wales during the last two years; and how many of these licences have been granted in North Wales.

The information is available only for the 18 months November, 1948, to April, 1950. In that time 364 licences for hotels were granted in England and Wales, of which 14 were in North Wales, for new work, including extensions costing more than £1,000.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give in tabular form the total number and value of civil building licences issued during the years 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950 respectively, in the following categories: cinemas and music halls, hotels, public houses and restaurants, offices and banks, warehouses and shops, industry, agriculture, sports, association football, and miscellaneous, respectively.

It is regretted that the information required cannot be provided without the expenditure of an unjustifiable amount of staff time.

asked the Minister of Works how many food offices in the country are in requisitioned houses; and how many of these offices have been closed or removed from such houses since the end of 1945.

There are 49 food offices in requisitioned houses; 54 food offices have vacated requisitioned houses since 1945.

asked the Minister of Works what quantity of cement has been imported from other countries this year; to what regions of his Department the cement has been sent for distribution; and if any has been sent to Merseyside.

Import figures have only been published in the Trade Accounts up to the end of April but, according to reliable information which I have been able to obtain, 14,733 tons of cement have been received up to the end of June. The whole of this went to Scotland. In consequence, however, cement produced in this country, which would otherwise have been shipped to Scotland, has been available for redistribution in a number of areas, including Merseyside.

asked the Minister of Works why the cement shortage has been getting so much worse in Nottinghamshire recently; and what is being done about it.

Deliveries of cement in the Nottingham region have been somewhat higher than last year, and have been well maintained in recent weeks. Demand has, however, continued to rise, and I know that difficulties are occurring. The total amount of cement available for distribution has now been increased, and I hope Nottinghamshire will benefit from the general improvement.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that there is now a serious shortage of cement in the Edinburgh area which is slowing down the building of houses for the corporation and is threatening the steady employment of building operatives; and what steps he intends to take to deal with this situation.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the shortage of cement in Scotland; and what action he is taking to increase the supply.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will take steps to prevent the recurrent and serious shortages of cement in Orkney and Shetland.

Deliveries of cement in Scotland during the past 10 weeks have averaged 17,300 tons a week compared with 16,100 tons during the corresponding period last year, and I am not aware of any unfairness in its distribution. Imports of Continental cement will now make it possible to increase the Scottish supplies still further, and I have arranged for a total weekly supply to Scotland of 18,000 tons to be delivered as from last week.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the construction and repair of houses in west Middlesex is being delayed by the shortage of cement; and what action he is taking.

I am not aware that west Middlesex is receiving less than its due share of cement. The supply of cement is increasing and this area should share in the general improvement. No case of stoppage due to shortage of cement has been reported to me.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the serious position of house building in Glasgow caused through the shortage of cement; and when the supply is likely to be adequate for the building programme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given today to the hon. and gallant Member for Edinburgh, West (Lieut.-Commander Hutchison), and the bon. Members for Kilmarnock (Mr. W. Ross) and Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond).

asked the Minister of Works what amounts of cement, in weight and value, have been exported in 1950, up to the latest available date, distinguishing between exports to dollar markets and exports to non-dollar markets.

Up to the end of April 10,522 tons of cement, valued at £54,781 were exported to dollar markets and 608,749 tons, worth £2,727,141 to non-dollar markets.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that the continued shortage of cement is still causing difficulty in many parts of the country; if he will make a statement as to anticipated deliveries from home manufacturers during the remainder of 1950; and what amounts it is contemplated will be imported during the same period.

I am aware of the difficulties to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. In the absence of any unexpected setback, something like 4,350,000 tons of British cement should be delivered in the home market during the remainder of the year. I explained the import prospects in my answer to the hon. and gallant Member for Liverpool, Toxteth (Major Bevins) in a written reply on 13th June.

asked the Minister of Works if any steps are being taken to increase the production of bricks in order to ensure the supply of bricks to the building trades in the Merseyside area.

Yes. Officers of my Department met brickmakers from Lancashire and Cheshire on 31st May and urged them to step up production. Three brickworks which have been closed since the outbreak of war are due to re-open shortly, and it is likely that one or two others may also be opened.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the delays experienced in Liverpool's housebuilding programme as a result of the shortage of bricks; and what steps he is taking to overcome this shortage.

Yes. Brick production in this region increased in May by 12 million bricks over the production in April. My regional director has discussed the position with local brickmakers and I hope, as a result, that production will be further increased in the coming months

asked the Minister of Works why he has twice refused permission for the extension of the British Legion headquarters at Laceby, North Lincolnshire, despite the fact that the precast sections windows, frames and roof, have been obtained from a surplus Government stock and no materials are required which are subject to control; and, in view of the correspondence sent to him, if he will reconsider the matter and grant a licence for this work to be done.

As one of the measures to achieve the reduction in capital investment announced last October, I am not generally allowing new work on clubs and similar places. Although this is a small scheme it is of no greater urgency than many I have had to refuse, and some building labour is required

asked the Minister of Works when the Ocean Hotel, Saltdean, Brighton, will be derequisitioned and handed back to its owners; and for what purpose he intends to use it in the near future.

It is hoped to derequisition the Ocean Hotel towards the end of next year, when the Home Office Fire Service College, which is at present in occupation, will move to other premises.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will arrange as soon as possible to connect the electricity supply to the glass case containing tally sticks in its new position just inside the Terrace door.

Yes. I am arranging for the lighting to be re-connected forthwith.

asked the Minister of Works what arrangements he proposes to make when the Control of Building Operations Order expires at the end of this month.

I have today laid on the table the Control of Building Operations (No. 15) Order, 1950, which continues for the year beginning on 1st July, 1950, the existing exemption limits for licensed and authorised building under Defence Regulation 56A.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that his plan to build on the vacant site in the Gallowgate, Aberdeen, conflicts with the approved new plan for improving the city; that it is thereby causing dissatisfaction and will involve financial loss; and if he will have this reconsidered in the light of the city's improvement plan before the new building work proceeds further.

Yes, and I will endeavour to assist the Corporation; but this will mean delay in the release of requisitioned premises.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will publish the labour costing system used by the mobile labour force at Capenhurst; and what were the unit labour costs for the main items of work such as excavating, both in trenches and on the surface, mixing and placing concrete, and brickwork, &c.

I am arranging to make available the principles of application of the incentive bonus scheme used by the mobile labour force for the benefit of the industry. I am not prepared to publish unit costs at a particular time on a particular site for reasons which the hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate.

asked the Minister of Works what number of men he directly employs at Capenhurst; how many of them are in the mobile labour force; how many are local direct labour; and what will be his Department's future labour requirements on the site.

Nine hundred and seven men are at present employed by my Ministry at Capenhurst, of whom 117 are mobile and the remaining 790 are locally recruited for this particular work. To meet the programme requirements as at present known the present strength will be maintained until the end of September, 1950, and will decline thereafter to the completion date.

asked the Minister of Works what action has been taken on the Report of the Working Party on the Building Industry; and what further action it is intended to take.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 8th May to a Question by the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans), and to the Debate about the Working Party Report on 22nd May. Last week I completed the first review of the recommendations in the Working Party Report and the Report of the Anglo-American Productivity Team with my National Consultative Council, agreed on the action to be taken on a number of points, and arranged for further detailed

asked the Minister of Works the numbers employed on housing in the month of April, 1948, 1949 and 1950 respectively, in the Cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Kingston-upon-Hull, Bradford, Leicester, Nottingham, Blackburn and Stoke-on-Trent, respectively.

It is regretted that the information required cannot be provided without the expenditure of an unjustifiable amount of staff time.

asked the Minister of Works what is the present position in regard to the requisitioning of Shilton Aerodrome in Oxfordshire.

The greater part of the land at Shilton (Broadwell) Aerodrome has already been released, but two areas are retained for temporary housing and for a hostel.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give the numbers employed in England on housing and on non-housing during the first five months of 1947, 1948. 1949 and 1950 respectively.

I regret the figures for the first five months of 1947 are not available. The remaining figures are as follow:

asked the Minister of Works what is the value of the licences for building and alterations which have been granted to the "Daily Worker" offices in Farringdon Street, EC., since July, 1945.

Licences to a total value of £68,610 have been issued.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will indicate the extent of the delay caused to the construction of the new refinery at Fawley by the non-availability of suitable labour without withdrawing men from local reconstruction schemes; and what efforts were made to bring civil engineering workers into the district temporarily.

While the likelihood of the availability of labour had to be examined carefully before work on the Fawley project could be authorised, I am glad to say that the company tell me that since construction started, there has been no holdup on account of labour, either because of the number of workers available or because of the quality of their work. The company is, in fact, very pleased with the progress that has been made, and as I have already said, construction is ahead of schedule. Top priority for labour has been given to the scheme, and workers have been recruited from other parts of the country, as well as locally,

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to what degree experiments with petrol economisers recently carried out by his Department have met with success; and when details will be published to allow the general public to benefit from the results.

My Department have no facilities for experimenting with petrol economisers. Devices of this type submitted to my Ministry, have been referred to the Ministry of Supply, who are responsible for the design and development of vehicles required by the Services and by other Government Departments. I have not heard that any such device has been notably successful.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what negotiations he has entered into, and what discussions he has had with his colleagues, about the establishment of an oil refinery or storage plant by the Caltex Company on the eastern side of Southampton Water in the Hook or Brownwich areas of the Fareham urban district.

A proposal was submitted for the erection of an oil refinery somewhere on Southampton Water between Portsmouth and Southampton and has been approved in principle by His Majesty's Government; but the precise locality is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when compensation due to Scottish local authorities in respect of the severance of their gas and electricity undertakings will be paid.

The regulations prescribing the principles on which severance compensation to local authorities in respect of their gas and electricity undertakings is to be distributed are in the course of preparation and will be published as soon as possible. I understand from the Gas Council and the British Electricity Authority that compensation should be paid to the authorities shortly after the regulations are made.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power to state, category by category, the current rate of export of sterling oil products to soft currency countries in terms of both volume or weight and value; and what percentages these exports are of the total exports of sterling oil products of corresponding categories to all countries.

In the absence of any accepted definition of a soft currency country, I am afraid that I could not give an estimate of supplies to all such countries taken as a group. Nor could I give estimates for individual countries, since the figures of the quantities and values of petroleum products supplied by British-controlled companies to individual countries are given to my Department in confidence and on condition that they are not made public.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how much it costs to print the new and now useless petrol ration books.

The cost of a petrol ration book was about a halfpenny, or a total of £10,000 for the books required for the period from June to November. In order that the books might be ready for distribution on 8th May, the order was placed early in January. About a million and a quarter books were issued before 27th May, when petrol rationing was ended; before this date, many of the coupons had been used.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many coupon books and application forms were printed which have now been rendered unnecessary by the ending of petrol rationing; and what was their cost to the taxpayer.

The cost of a petrol ration book was about a halfpenny, or a total of £10,000 for the books required for the period from June to November. In order that the books might be ready for distribution on 8th May, the order was placed early in January. About a million and a quarter books were issued before 27th May, when petrol rationing was ended; before this date, many of the coupons had been used. The stocks of application forms on 27th May were 8 million; they cost about £2,000.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he intends to allow branded petrols to be on sale in this country; and when the present quality of issued petrol will be improved.

The use of brand names, and the sale of a higher quality of motor spirit will be permitted, when this can be done without reducing the total supply.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will define the powers, other than Section 16 (2) of the Motor Spirit (Regulation) Act, 1948, enabling the making of S.I. 1950, No. 870, and in particular, the proviso to paragraph 2 thereof; and why the Order enable legal proceedings to be commenced or continued notwithstanding the expiry of the said Act, when he had already undertaken that prosecutions would be withdrawn.

In accordance with an almost invariable practice, the words "and of all other powers enabling him" were included in the Order in Council mentioned by the hon. Member, but I am advised that, in fact, the Order rests entirely on Section 16 (2) of the Motor Spirit (Regulation) Act, 1948. I have neither given, nor could I give, any undertaking that all prosecutions would be withdrawn and it would not be in accordance with the general rules of law to prevent proceedings being brought in respects of acts that, when done, were offences against the law.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he decided to abolish petrol rationing.

On 26th May.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he proposes to take to improve the quality of coal supplied to domestic consumers at Silloth, Cumberland.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will take steps to improve the quality of coal supplied to domestic users in Norfolk and other parts of East Anglia.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Southport (Mr. R. S. Hudson) on 8th May, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on what additional area of agricultural land opencast coal working is definitely contemplated.

Proposals to requisition a further 6,000 acres of agricultural land for the opencast working of coal are now under consideration by the local authorities and Government Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the fact that many old age pensioners have no facilities for storing coal, he will allow them to buy their coal next winter at summer prices, and so enjoy the advantage of reduced summer price.

As I said on 26th May in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. P. Smithers), I regret that it would not be practicable to arrange for old age pensioners to be supplied with coal at reduced prices.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power in view of the fact that the price of coal is to be reduced in the summer and increased in the winter, what steps he is taking to ensure that no hardship will be caused to people with small receptacles for their fuel or low incomes who cannot therefore purchase their coal in the summer months.

The reduction of coal prices in summer, and the corresponding increase in winter, are intended to encourage the summer stocking of coal, and thus to prevent a breakdown in winter distribution. Such a breakdown would all too probably occur if the recent tendency to defer the purchase of coal until the autumn and winter were to continue. The National Coal Board, the Coal Merchants' Federation and the Co-operative Union, who together prepared the scheme, have found it impracticable to differentiate in the winter price between the consumers who, for whatever reason, purchase the bulk of their supply in the winter. Arrangements will be made to ensure that consumers who cannot stock in the summer will have the benefit of priority of delivery in the winter, and they will, I hope, regard the slightly higher winter prices as an insurance premium which will give them an additional security for their supply. I add an expression of my earnest hope that everyone, including those who have little space for stocking, will buy whatever they can in summer, even if it is only a few hundredweights.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what success was achieved by the preliminary experiment in the underground gasification of coal at Newman Spinney, near Chesterfield; and whether his Department will continue with such experiments.

Some success has been achieved at Newman Spinney in igniting a coal seam underground and in producing combustible gas. Experience has been gained which should be of value when the time comes to plan a full-scale trial. In the meantime, the present experiments will go on.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the estimated annual quantity of coal wastage in the London area and throughout the country through inefficient coal utilisation and inadequate control of smoke emission; and what action he proposes to take.

A reliable estimate of the waste due to the inefficient use of coal cannot readily be made. There is no doubt, however, that large savings can be made, both by the wider adoption of efficient methods of burning coal, and by the more efficient use of the resultant heat and power. I propose to continue the programme of work described by my predecessor on 12th December, 1949. The technical staff of my Ministry are always available to give advice on improved methods of operation.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when he will be in a position to give the estimated capital cost of the proposed North Wales hydroelectric scheme.

The British Electricity Authority expect to complete the surveys of all the schemes in North Wales in about a year from now. It should then be possible to give a useful estimate of the capital expenditure which the schemes, if executed, would require.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what proposals he is making to have a tidal power scheme built within the British Isles, from which to obtain experience in the working of such schemes.

The only scheme of this kind at present envisaged is that based on the Severn Barrage. Even if the necessary preliminary experiments were complete, it would be difficult, in the present conditions of restricted capital investment, to give it priority over housing and other more pressing needs. This will not, however, always be true, and arrangements are, therefore, in hand for the construction of a tidal model of the estuary of the Severn, which is an essential preliminary to the project.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will now make a statement about the disposal of the reserve funds which belonged to former local authority electricity undertakings in South-East Scotland.

I understand that the British Electricity Authority have now replied to the representations made to them by the South-East Scotland Consultative Council. They also sent to me on 12th June their comments on the representations which the South-East Scotland Electricity Board had made to me. These representations, and the British Electricity Authority's comments, are now under consideration.

asked the Attorney-General what steps have been taken to secure the extradition of Sidney Stanley from France.

None. Extradition proceedings are not normally taken in respect of bankruptcy offences. In any event, I do not think that any obvious public interest would be served by procuring the return of this individual with a view to his possible detention at the public expense for a period not exceeding two years and with the eventual result that he might be able to engage here in activities which the country can quite well do without.

asked the Attorney-General whether aged magistrates placed on the supplementary list have been thanked for their long and voluntary service, on the occasion of their being removed from the active list; and, if not, whether this will be done.

On 1st June approximately 2,030 justices on the English and Welsh Commissions were transferred to the Supplemental List on account of age under the Justices of the Peace Act, 1949. The figures for Scotland are not yet available. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has asked me to express, as I now do, his warm thanks to these justices for the public services which they have rendered for so many years since their appointment to their Commissions of the Peace. He much regrets that, in view of the large number of justices transferred on this occasion, he finds it impracticable to write a separate letter of thanks to each of them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what supplies of chlorine dioxide are manufactured in the United Kingdom; and when sufficient quantities will be available so as to be independent of imports from other countries.

I understand that the necessary plants for the production of chlorine dioxide are being installed but that it will be some time before all the flour mills are fully equipped. There are no imports of chlorine dioxide.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of growing unemployment in the heavy industries in Coatbridge; what are the reasons for this; and what prospects he anticipates for employment in this area in the future.

I am aware that unemployment among men increased in Coatbridge between April and May, due, I understand, to temporary short-time working in some branches of the iron and steel industry. The employment prospects of the area depend very largely on the future level of activity in the iron and steel, heavy engineering and coalmining industries, but work for a substantial proportion of those at present unemployed should be found in the two factories on the Greenhill Estate and in those on the Newhouse Estate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what measures he proposes to take to remedy the present shortage of timber.

Stocks of timber art-good, except for softwood. The present low state of softwood stocks is only temporary, and I have taken steps to prevent essential work from being held up. In addition to the 150,000/200,000 standards negotiated recently in Moscow by the Timber Controller, substantial contracts had previously been placed with Finland, Yugoslavia, Poland. France and North America. Further purchases will be made, principally from North America.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the amount of the imports of timber estimated for June, July and August, 1950, respectively.

It is not the practice to anticipate future imports or to disclose our buying position.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of new licenses issued to manufacture utility furniture during each of the latest available 12 months.

In the 12 months ended 31st May, 1950, 829 licences were issued to manufacturers permitting them to apply the Utility mark to furniture manufactured by them Monthly figures are as follows:—

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the facts communicated to him by the hon. Member for Darwen concerning the desire of all the building operatives of a specified firm of builders to work longer hours in the national interest; whether he is aware that this has been prohibited, with the sanction of his Department; and whether he will now remove the prohibition.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to similar Questions on Tuesday last.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that old age pensioners can only obtain their pensions by proxy if they certify that they are prevented by illness from attending at a post office; and whether she will amend the wording on the form so as to make it possible for old age pensioners to appoint a proxy if they have difficulty for any reason in attending at a post office.

Appointments of proxies to draw pensions have been limited to cases where a pensioner is ill or infirm, in order mainly to restrict the possibility of abuse such as the illegal assignment of pension. Such appointments also involve additional supervision by my Department and additional administrative expense. The present instructions are designed to cover circumstances in which obvious hardship might result, but if the hon. Member has any special types of case in mind I would be prepared to consider them

asked the Lord President of the Council what steps have been taken to publicise the Festival of Britain in the United States of America; and how much has been spent on advertising it there

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Darwen (Mr. Prescott) on 15th June.

asked the Minister of Health what action he has taken or intends taking in the building industry to speed up the provision of houses and reduce costs.

On the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Statements made in the course of the Debate on 22nd May last. On the second, I am sending him a copy of Circular 58/50 I have recently addressed to local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War under what Statute or regulations he becomes, by virtue of his office, a member of the Armed Forces of the Crown.

The Secretary of State for War does not by virtue of his office, become a member of the Armed Forces of the Crown. Since there is not a state of war in Malaya there is no obstacle to arms being borne by civilians against Communist terrorists, who are themselves civilians, and this is, in fact, a common practice.

asked the Secretary of State for War why, on his recent visit to Malaya, he carried arms in active operations against Communist terrorists; and under whose command he then operated.

I carried arms on my recent visit to Malaya because I was requested to do so by the officers in command of my party at various times. I was under the orders of these officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, after his recent visit to Malaya, he has found it possible to reduce the number of National Service men in that theatre of military operations.

National Service men are sent abroad only to the extent that the fulfilment of our overseas commitments renders this necessary.

asked the Attorney-General what, to the most recent convenient date, has been the total remuneration paid to the Law Officers of the Crown arising from the conduct of proceedings and prosecution of war criminals.

The only fees paid to the Law Officers in connection with the proceedings against war criminals in which they have been concerned arose out of the case before the International Military Tribunal of Nuremberg. Of the total fees to counsel in this case, amounting to £52,396, the sum of £967 10s. 0d. was paid to the Attorney-General. A further sum of £1,34315s.0d. was credited and set off against the Attorney-General's inclusive remuneration after 1st April, 1946, since which date the Law Officers have been remunerated in a fixed annual sum and not by fees.