asked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to be able to announce the date of the commencement of the tenth quota period for softwoods.

I hope to be able to make an announcement within the next few weeks. All softwood quota holders will be informed as soon as the decision is made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the f.o.b. cost of softwood imports from the dollar area in 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950.

It is not in accordance with normal policy to reveal f.o.b. costs. The c.i.f. value of softwood imports from North America was: 1947, £44,787,000; 1948, £23,479,000; 1949, £18,594,000; 1950 (4 months ending 30th April), £461,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many cases have been reported to, or discovered by, his officers in the last convenient period of 12 months of partnerships which have failed to put the names of the partners on their notepaper; and in how many of these cases prosecutions were instituted.

During the year ended 31st March, 1950, there were reported to the Board of Trade 11 cases of firms, including six partnerships, which had failed to place on their letter paper the particulars required by Section 18 (1) of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, and prosecutions were instituted in three of these cases, one being that of a partnership.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the hosiery manufacturers are free to purchase the necessary raw materials without any restrictions or consent from his Department.

Yarn required by hosiery manufacturers may now be purchased freely and without restriction except for nylon yarn, silk yarn and cashmere yarn. It is still necessary to allocate these three types of yarns for which demand considerably exceeds supply.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the fact that the total net deficit on the services operated by the 60 county agricultural executive committees in 1948 was £14,296,112, what steps he is taking to prevent losses in the future; or if he will do away with them altogether.

All possible steps are being taken to reduce the deficits on the trading services of county agricultural executive committees by increasing charges, reducing expenditure by improved organisation, cutting down the scope of the activities as far as possible having regard to food production requirements, and reviewing the lands in possession of committees with a view to early derequisitioning of as much as possible. If the second part of the Question refers to the committees themselves, the answer is, "No."

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sums of money have been expended by his Department in connection with its experimental farm at Martyn Worthy up to 31st March, 1950, over and above the £30,000 spent on buildings, stock and equipment.

The experimental centres are designed to give research and advisory workers facilities for investigation and for testing results of research work under practical farming conditions, and the financial results will be in no way comparable to those for commercial holdings. For that reason there would be no useful purpose in publishing detailed accounts, or in giving particulars of running costs, for the several centres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the sum paid by his Department for the purchase of the property now owned by it at Martyn Worthy.

The purchase price of Bridget's Farm, Martyn Worthy. including tenant right valuation, was £43,025, 15s. 2d.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the price at present paid to farmers in this country for wool compares with the present world market prices for similar qualities.

The average price guaranteed for the 1950 clip represents 73 per cent. of current world market values.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now decided about the requisitioned land at Burton Wold, and, if so, to what effect.

I have given formal notice under Section 85 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, to the owners of approximately 740 acres of the land under requisition giving them an opportunity to make representations on the proposal to purchase the land compulsorily. My final decision will be made in the light of any representations they may make.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the closing date for the receipt of applications from lords of manors or from tenants for the determination of compensation for the extinguishment of manorial incidents under Section 140 of the Law of Property Act, 1922.

Applications will be accepted only if they are posted on or before 31st October, 1950. The parties concerned are strongly recommended to settle independently without reference to me. If they are unable to agree among themselves, however, they would be well advised in their own interests to arrange for applications to be sent in some time before the closing date. An explanatory memorandum and forms of application can be obtained, on request, from my Department at 4, Chester Terrace, Regent's Park, London, N.W.1.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what recent alterations there have been in the method of approving loans and grants under the Inshore Fishing Act, 1945; and what were the number and amounts of loans and grants, respectively, so approved during the last six months and the balance which is still available for purposes of the Act.

There has been no alteration in the method of approving grants and loans under the Inshore Fishing Industry Act, 1945. During the six months ended 31st May last, 51 applications were approved involving grants amounting to £14,719, and loans of £27,139. The balances available under the Act for grants and loans are £236,758 and £472,893 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any further statement to make about the Report of the Gowers Committee on Houses of Outstanding Historic or Architectural Interest.

The Report is being published tomorrow and copies are available in the Vote Office. I should like to take this opportunity of publicly thanking Sir Ernest Gowers and his colleagues for their extremely able and thorough inquiry into this difficult problem.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what have been the chief price increases since devaluation, giving the separate rise for each commodity or service.

It would be impracticable to give details of the price changes which have taken place since devaluation in the case of every individual commodity and service. Following is a list of the changes since devaluation affecting those groups of commodities and services which are included in the Interim Index of Retail Prices and in the Wholesale Price Index.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons, in the four months ending 30th April, 1930, volunteered information against British subjects suspected of committing currency offences; how much was paid to these persons; and how many of them were foreigners.

Five people, two of them foreigners, volunteered to give information about suspected offences against the Exchange Control Act; but in none of these cases was the information supplied of such value as to merit a reward.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum in United States dollars has been invested in industry in Great Britain since devaluation of the pound sterling.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to compel those newspapers who appeal to the public for funds to support their views to submit their accounts for audit and divulge the names and addresses of all contributors.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the many outstanding and unsatisfied claims for war damage, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce a War Damage Amendment Act during the life of the present Parliament.

No.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the present value in purchasing power, compared with the value as on 1st January, 1926, of the £1,000 receivable by the surviving spouse on intestacy under the provisions of the Administration of Estates Act, 1925.

About £600.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the number of days' sick leave per annum that a civil servant may claim; what is the limit to which such annual leave may be accumulated; and what was the average number of days so claimed, per employee, in each of the chief Departments of State in 1949.

Civil servants are not entitled to so many days sick leave a year in the same sense that, subject to the exigencies of the Service, they are entitled to so many days annual leave. Generally speaking, a civil servant may not take sick leave without producing medical evidence of incapacity to work, though Departments may at their discretion allow a few odd days of sick absence (not more than seven in any 12 months) to be taken without a medical certificate.Subject to there being a reasonable prospect of recovery, established staff may be granted six months' sick leave on full pay in any period of 12 months, followed by six months on half pay, subject to an overriding limit of 12 months' sick leave in any period of four years.Temporary staff may be allowed three months' sick leave on full pay in any period of 12 months. If they have completed at least five years' service, they may be allowed a further three months on half pay in any period of 12 months. The amount of sick leave allowable to temporary staff is also subject to a maximum of 12 months in four years.Comprehensive information about the average number of days sick leave per employee in the major Departments of State in 1949 is not available centrally except for the Post Office. In the Post Office the average number of days of sick leave per established civil servant was 12.6 (men); 15.8 (women).

asked the Minister of Health why the Queen Victoria Hospital, Morecambe, has been converted from a general practitioner hospital to a surgical hospital.

I am informed that this was a hospital where specialist work was done by general practitioners, supported by visiting specialists. The change made by the regional board has been to give specialists charge of this work.

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 am not yet able to add to what I told the hon. Member on 23rd March and 4th May last.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that patients in the area of the Blackburn and District Hospital Management Committee have to travel to Preston to attend the nearest hearing aid distribution centre; that this causes considerable inconvenience and expense; and whether he will set up distribution centres in other towns served by this committee.

The distance is not so great as to justify a new centre at present.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that 2,485 patients in the area of the Blackburn and District Hospital Management Committee are awaiting examination preparatory to the issue of a hearing aid; and what steps he will take to expedite the examination of these patients.

I undertsand that an extra diagnostic session will begin shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the technical investigations for adapting the Medresco hearing aid with a bone conductor receiver have not yet been completed, he will make arrangements whereby existing holders of commercial hearing aids can obtain battery replacements, free of charge; and if he will also make arrangements for deaf persons to obtain commercial hearing aids, free of charge, where it can be shown that the Medresco aid is unsuitable.

No.

asked the Minister of Health when Mr. A. G. Lawes of 32, Carberry Drive, Portchester, may expect to receive a hearing aid.

This is not a priority case and no date can be given.

asked the Minister of Health what was the number on the waiting list for hearing aids at the Royal Eye and Ear Hospital, Bradford, on 31st May, 1949; the number on the waiting list on 31st May, 1950; the rate of distribution at 31st May, 1949; and the rate of distribution at 31st May, 1950.

On these dates there were respectively 2,788 and 3,963 on the waiting list. The rate of distribution averaged 76 and 91 a month for the three months immediately preceding these dates.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Whitley Council's recommendations on rates of pay for hospital nursing staffs above the rank of ward sister have yet been received; and, if not, whether hospital boards have authority to proceed without further delay to fix new salary scales.

I understand that the Nurses and Midwives Whitley Council has now reached agreement on the salaries of most of the senior hospital grades, and that those of the rest are under consideration. Hospital authorities will be given details as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Health what facilities exist for training in osteopathic treatment under the National Health Service; and what percentage of medical students are given such training.

The content of medical training is a matter for the General Medical Council and the medical schools, and not for me.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many recipients of such requisites as teeth and glasses under the National Health Scheme are unaware as to the party on which devolves payment for replacements following breakages; and if he will make widely known the conditions of payment so involved.

A person is normally required to pay the cost of replacements of dentures and glasses under the National Health Service if the damage was due to carelessness. I hope that my hon. Friend's Question will itself help in making this condition widely known.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases are now accommodated in the Middlesex Colony, Harpers Lane, Shenley; how many more are on the waiting list; how long the first case on the list has been waiting; and how long it will be before Rosemary Sutherland of 14, Chiswick Lane, W.4, can be admitted.

The Middlesex Colony, now known as Harperbury Hospital, now accommodates 1,445 patients. There are 240 on the waiting list. The first case has been on the waiting list since 1945. Rosemary Sutherland is not on the waiting list for Harperbury Hospital. She is first on the list for Clarefield Court.

asked the Minister of Health how far the National Health Service (Authorisation of Subscriptions) Regulations, 1950, restrict payments by regional hospital boards, boards of governors and hospital management committees out of their respective portions of income from the Hospital Endowments Fund.

Not at all.

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue instructions to regional hospital boards to ensure a wider representation of local interests on hospital management committees.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular which has already been issued to boards on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Miss M. Pearce of 75, Tichfield Road, Carshalton, who has been suffering from tuberculosis since December, 1949, has been refused admission to hospital by the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board, and as a result Master R. Pearce, her brother, aged seven years, has now contracted the disease; and what steps he is proposing to take to ensure that further infection does not occur amongst her family.

Miss Pearce has not been refused admission but is on the waiting list with some priority. Examination of the rest of the family as contacts, boarding out for the brother and subsequently a sanatorium bed for the brother have all been offered and refused.

asked the Minister of Health when Miss R. Long, at present residing at 39, Dukes Road, Gosport, may be admitted to hospital.

This patient is now on the waiting list at St. Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, and I understand that she will be admitted shortly.

asked the Minister of Health how long a contributor under the National Health Scheme has to wait for bifocal lenses from the time of having his sight tested till he receives them.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Sir J. Lucas) on 25th May.

asked the Minister of Health when Mrs. F. Voight, 39 Broomhill Road, Goodmayes, aged 70 years, is to receive her bifocal glasses, which were ordered from Levers Optical Company on 16th June, 1949.

I am making inquiries and will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he will take to remedy the deficiency of beds in hospitals under the West Cornwall Hospital Management Committee for aged sick persons.

Active treatment is enabling more patients to be handled, and a proposal to provide more beds at Redruth is being considered by the regional board.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider introducing legislation to give financial aid to tubercular patients who secure a bed in a private sanatorium either at home or abroad, since this would help the patient who might otherwise have a long wait for a bed at home under the Health Scheme.

No.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that on Sundays the nearest chemist's shop to Dagenham which is open is Aldgate, Shoreditch; and whether he will arrange for the clinic at Five Elms, Dagenham, to be opened during the closed hours for chemists to dispense medicines in cases of emergency.

I am informed by the executive council that under a rota system, four chemists in Dagenham are open to dispense prescriptions from 11–12 midday each Sunday and I think these arrangements are reasonable.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the shortage of medicine bottles in Dagenham; and if he will consider charging patients for medicine bottles, with the money returnable on return of the bottles, so as to deal with this situation.

I am not aware of the particular shortage. A deposit system was considered as an alternative to the recent reduction in the allowance paid to chemists for containers, but the reduction was preferred in view of the difficulties inherent in a deposit system. The public are urged to return clean bottles to chemists.

asked the Minister of Health what is the reason for the delay in the payment of the increased salaries for nursing assistants, operative from 1st February, 1949; and whether he will take urgent steps to expedite payment.

asked the Minister of Health why increases granted to nursing assistants have not yet been implemented.

Details of the Whitley Council agreement have now been circulated to employing authorities. I am sending copies to the hon. Members.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that revised salary scales for nursing assistants were agreed on 1st March, 1950, but that notification of the same has not yet been received by employing authorities; that this delay has given rise to considerable unrest within the nursing service; and if he will take steps to ensure that such long delays shall not occur in future.

Details of the Whitley Council agreement have now been circulated, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a building suitable for maternity cases is available in Spalding; and whether he will now arrange for the reception and accommodation there of maternity cases from Spalding and district.

I understand that a house is available, but that it would need considerable adaptation before it could be used.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give up-to-date information about the present intake of students into dental schools; whether there has recently been any decrease in the numbers; and, if so, for what reason.

The annual pre-war intake of students in dental schools in the United Kingdom was about 400. The corresponding figure now is between 600 and 700, fluctuating according to the places available. The number of applicants greatly exceeds the number of vacancies and I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of my reply to the Question asked by the hon. Member for Barking (Mr. Hastings) on 25th May.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present annual cost to the National Health Service of drugs and dressings; and how much of this sum represents the payment of Purchase Tax.

In the 12 months ended 31st May, 1950, a total sum of £32,826,278 was paid to general medical practitioners and chemists for the provision of pharmaceutical services. It is estimated that Purchase Tax accounted for about 1 per cent. of this amount.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of pneumoconiosis are having treatment at the Royal Infirmary, Stoke-on-Trent; what is the average cost of treatment of each case per year; and whether any evidence of clinical or radiological improvement has been noted in any of the cases treated.

About 120 are being treated as out-patients; it is not possible to state the average cost, and it is too early to assess the value of the treatment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the rates of pay for qualified house officers, medical and dental, in the hospital service are substantially below the rates paid to clerical division clerks; and whether, in the circumstances, he proposes to review these rates of pay so as to bring them more into line with professional status and qualifications.

These are matters for the appropriate negotiating machinery.

asked the Minister of Health the death-rate from tuberculosis in the City of Stoke-on-Trent, average pre-1914 annual, 1920–1930 yearly average, 1930–1940 average yearly, 1945–1948 average yearly, figures for 1949, and for each period the number of tuberculosis notifications.

The average annual death-rates per million living in the four periods mentioned were approximately 1,880, 1,310, 1,010 and 630, and in 1949 the rate was (provisionally) 565. Notifications averaged 930, 580, 520 and 350, and in 1949 were 453.

asked the Minister of Health what progress his Department has made or what assistance he has given to other medical organisations in their efforts to improve the treatment for muscular dystrophy.

The various forms of treatment, none of which is generally accepted, are available under the National Health Service. Research is in progress, and it is hoped to extend it, but no early result can be foreseen.

asked the Minister of Health when he proposes to re-introduce the prewar check on the number and cost of prescriptions issued by medical men to their patients.

The exact pre-war method is not practicable under present conditions, but a special investigation of prescribing is under way.

asked the Minister of Health what representations he has received and from what main organisations consequent upon the prohibition on Press reporters taking notes of marriage announcements at register offices for subsequent publication.

A letter has been received from the Newspaper Society and also from the editor of a provincial weekly newpaper, and an open letter appeared in another paper.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now satisfied that supplies of timber will be sufficient for the housing programme during the remainder of this year.

I am assured by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that supplies of timber should be sufficient for the housing programme during the remainder of this year.

asked the Minister of Health what proportion of the houses under construction or approved for construction by local authorities in stone-producing areas are of stone and reconstructed stone.

The information is not available and could not be made available without considerable labour.

asked the Minister of Health what is approximately the number of people either in the whole country or in the south-eastern region who are living in ex-Army, ex-Navy, or ex-Air Force, or other similar hutted camps as tenants of local authorities administering these camps on behalf of his Department.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Housing Return for 31st March, 1950, in which he will find the information for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Health what will be the effect on the cost of houses being built in South-West and West Middlesex as a result of the delays caused by the shortage of cement in that area.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Works to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) on 19th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the non-availability of cement in the Sevenoaks rural district council area is seriously holding up the provision of houses; and since, in order to obtain future allocations of houses, those at present authorised must be completed within a certain period, what steps he proposes to take to make sufficient cement available.

No. But steps have been taken to meet any difficulties that might arise.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of houses permitted to be built by the Rochford Rural District Council under their allocation for the second half of 1950.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Hardy) on 28th April.

asked the Minister of Health from what dates respectively is the restoration to take place of the national housing allocation to 200,000 houses annually, and the local authority's right to issue permits for private housebuilding on a ratio of one to four council-built houses.

The current programme is running at approximately this figure and will be so maintained in 1951 and 1952. As regards private building licences I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) on 16th June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health who is occupying or going to occupy the seven large and six small houses transferred to his Department by the Ministry of Works since 30th September, 1949; and whether they are paying economic or nominal rents.

Four houses have been derequisitioned, the others are being used by the local authorities for families in urgent need of accommodation; the charges for occupation are in general less than the economic rents.

asked the Minister of Health how far the resources of the building industry available locally are taken into account in deciding the allocation of houses to local authorities; and how these resources are estimated.

One of the factors taken into account is the availability of building labour for housing work, as estimated from progress on current contracts and in the light of employment statistics.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities who have not been able to build up to their housing allocation for 1949; and the number of local authorities who, during 1949, secured an extra allocation of houses over and above their original allocation for that year.

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

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the serious shortage of cement and timber in the Borough of Doncaster and the consequent possibility of all building ceasing in two or three weeks; and what steps he proposes to take to improve the position.

I understand that there has been some difficulty over cement and timber for the house-building programme in the Doncaster area. Steps have been taken to resolve these difficulties.

asked the Minister of Health how many local authorities have taken powers to prevent the undue pollution of the atmospheres in their localities by smoke or noxious fumes; and what steps he proposes to take to introduce general legislation on the subject.

Eight authorities have smokeless zone powers; 17 have powers to control the installation of industrial furnaces; and 48 have district heating powers. I propose to see how these new powers operate in practice before considering general legislation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to give approval for a start to be made on the construction of the East Stanway Sewerage Scheme.

Yes. Work on the scheme is to start shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has now considered the Report of the Rivers Pollution Prevention Sub-committee of the Central Advisory Water Committee; and what action is contemplated.

Yes. The Government accept generally the findings of this Report, but I am not at present able to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation on the subject.

asked the Minister of Health if he will now give authority for work on the extension to the sewage disposal works at Motney Hill, Rainham, Kent, to commence.

I regret that this is not possible at present in view of other more urgent demands.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to see that local authority by-laws are revised in such a way as to specify that only British Standard water fitments are used.

Before I confirm by-laws submitted by water undertakers. I make sure that provision is made in them for the use of British Standard fitments where it is appropriate to do so.

asked the Minister of Health for what reason he has abandoned the scheme inaugurated in 1924 for Government-sponsored brass foundry fittings bearing the registered Swan mark.

The Swan mark is registered by the British Waterworks' Association and was used by manufacturers under licence from the Association, who decided to terminate the arrangement, as far as the home market is concerned, from the end of last year. I had no responsibility for this decision.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet fixed a date for the holding of a public local inquiry into the Oswestry and Ellesmere Rural District Council's comprehensive water schemes.

I have not yet sufficiently definite information on which to proceed to inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health how many authorities have accepted and how many have rejected the findings of the Committee of the Association of Municipal Corporations, relative to the salaries of town clerks.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the findings of the Joint Negotiating Committee of employers and employees set up to consider the salaries of town clerks and clerks of district councils. These salaries do not require my approval and I have no information as to the extent to which the Committee's finding have been accepted or rejected by individual authorities.

asked the Minister of Health when his Department will give their approval of a site for the erection of a factory at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Merioneth.

A site has been recommended to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and discussions about its development are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the fact that no woman was appointed on the United Kingdom delegation to the International Labour Conference, what employees' organisations were consulted by the Government in framing their replies to the questionnaire; and whether any women's professional organisations were consulted.

Before replying, consideration was given to observations received from the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and the British Employers' Confederation, and the views expressed by a deputation representing a number of women's professional organisations. The United Kingdom Delegation to the Conference, which is tripartite in character, includes women advisers.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the answer to question (5) (c), Report No. 2 of the International Labour Office is to be taken as implying that His Majesty's Government has now reversed their earlier endorsement in principle of the policy of equal remuneration; and what attitude he took on this matter at the recent International Labour Conference at Geneva.

No. The policy of the Government remains as set out in the statement made by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer to Parliament on the 11th June, 1947, and the attitude of the United Kingdom Delegation at the Conference has been, and will continue to be, based on that policy.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in view of the fact that remuneration depends largely on training, vocational guidance and employment counselling, he supported the inclusion of such facilities in the proposed International Convention at the recent meeting of the International Labour Conference at Geneva.

The discussions at the International Labour Conference on the item relating to equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal value have not yet dealt with the matters to which the hon. Lady refers.

asked the Minister of Labour in view of difficulties attending women who come to this country from the Continent with a view to entering domestic service and undertaking similar work, what steps are taken to provide these young women with information for their assistance; and whether suitable literature will be given to them on arrival.

Foreign women coming into this country for employment may be brought under official recruitment schemes for which I am responsible, or they may be engaged privately by employers for work for which permits are granted. In the former case they are given a booklet specially prepared to assist European Volunteer Workers to settle in this country. I cannot undertake to extend similar help to those who come under private arrangements, but the Ministry's Welfare Officers are always ready to give advice and assistance to any foreign workers who may call on them. Experience has shown that foreign workers who come to this country under private arrangements do not hesitate to come to local offices for advice.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the present position with regard to the taxicab strikes in the Metropolitan area.

The technical position in regard to this dispute was discussed yesterday with the parties by officers of my Department and a joint meeting will take place tomorrow.

asked the Minister of Education how many deaf children there were in England and Wales unable to obtain special education; and how this figure compares with 1949 and 1948.

It is not known how many deaf children were awaiting admission to special schools in 1948. In February, 1949, there were about 470 such children. In January, 1950, despite the fact that the number of deaf children in special schools was increased by 130, there were still some 460 children known to be awaiting admission.

asked the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to ensure that there are an adequate number of properly qualified teachers for the teaching of deaf children.

The number of full-time teachers in schools for the deaf and partially deaf has increased steadily from 356 to 411 between January, 1946, and January, 1949, the latest date for which I have figures. A further increase will be needed, particularly of women teachers, in the next few years to keep pace with the provision of additional deaf school accommodation and the problem of meeting this need is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he has taken to obtain more foster parents for deaf children and the organisation of a list of them.

Children who do not live within reach of a day deaf school (normally go to boarding schools, and hardly any cases have come to my notice of deaf children needing to be boarded out with foster parents in order to attend a deaf school. It would be for the local education authority to make suitable arrangements in such cases, and I have not found it necessary to take any action in the matter.

asked the Minister of Education if he is aware that graduate teachers cannot complete the 40 years' service necessary to qualify for the maximum pension by the time they retire at the age of 60; and if he will give the names of those local education authorities which require teachers to retire at the age of 60.

The answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes." On the second part, I regret that I have no information.

asked the Minister of Education when Osterley Park, which has been leased by the National Trust to the Victoria and Albert Museum, will be opened to the public.

A certain amount of essential work remains to be done before these premises can be opened to the public, and I cannot therefore give a firm date for the opening. I hope, however, that it will be during the course of the summer.

asked the Minister of Education if he will ascertain from the Burnham Committee when their consideration of the revision of teachers' salary scales is likely to be completed and the committee's recommendations submitted to him.

The committee held their first meeting on 2nd June, and it is obviously premature to expect them to say when they will be in a position to submit their recommendations to me.

asked the Minister of Education whether in view of the great importance to people in later life of good foot health he will consider instituting a system of foot inspection in all primary schools.

The importance of giving attention to the condition of children's feet at the time of medical inspection has been emphasised in recent reports by the Chief Medical Officer and is increasingly recognised by local education authorities. Shortage of medical and auxiliary staff would make it impracticable to institute a separate system of foot inspection.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is aware that in Deal, though for many years it has been the practice for certain schoolchildren who are Royal Marine cadets to attend the special dress rehearsal of the Royal Tournament, this year they have been prevented from doing so on the ground of interference with school hours; if he approved this decision; whether he will ensure that such instructions are cancelled for the future; and whether, in this instance, he will, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for War, arrange for these children to visit the Royal Tournament next Saturday on equally favourable terms.

Within the general limits laid down in my grant regulations it is for the governors of a school to decide whether or not pupils should be given leave of absence, and I should not wish to interfere with their discretion. Pupils cannot demand leave of absence as a right, and I could not therefore accept the principle that they should be compensated if it is refused. I understand, however, that the governors of the school concerned may be prepared to consider giving a school holiday on the day of the dress rehearsal of the Royal Tournament in future, if they are given adequate notice.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning the estimated number of workers who will be employed in the factories at present licensed by the Ministry of Works for erection in each of the new towns; and the anticipated number of such workers when each new town is completed.

The following is the answer:

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when the master plan for the Basildon new town will be made public.

The Development Corporation intend to display the master plan at a public local exhibition in the autumn before finally deciding on the form in which to submit it for approval.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what information has been reported to him as a result of the inquiries made by the Greater London boroughs, in accordance with his request, as to how many industrialists in their areas would be prepared to move to new towns; and how many would not.

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such request; but if the hon. Member will tell him what he has in mind, he will look into it.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the waste of large quantities of skimmed milk in the Frampton on Severn district during the Whitsuntide period; whether he will state the quantity wasted; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence in the future.

Yes. About 12,000 gallons were wasted because all processing factories were working to capacity, and after all possible demands for stock-found for it. The difficulty occurred because the peak of milk production this year coincided with the reduced manufacturing demand during the Whitsun holiday. No full cream milk was wasted and I hope that by next year we shall be able to handle larger quantities of skimmed milk.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement about the scheme to recruit 4,500 men in Britain for six-year engagements with the Australian Regular Army; and what terms are to be offered to these men.

The Australian Regular Army wishes to recruit in the United Kingdom some 2,500 technicians and tradesmen. Later, 2,000 administrative personnel may be required. Details of the scheme are under discussion between the Australian military representatives in this country and the Departments concerned.

asked the Attorney-General what sum was expended from public funds for the purpose of poor persons' matrimonial causes for the years ended 31st March, 1949, and 31st March, 1950, respectively; and what proportion of each total sum was expended in divorce proceedings.

The total amount expended from the grant-in-aid to the Law Society for poor persons' litigation on matrimonial causes in the year ended 31st March, 1949, was £178,372 out of £180,604. No definite figures for the year ended 31st March, 1950, are yet available, but the estimated figures are £204,800 out of £207,125. It is not possible to extract from the total spent on matrimonial causes the amount expended on divorce proceedings, nor is it possible to estimate what proportion of the total cost of the administration of justice (including the salaries of judges and kindred services) in the period in question ought to be attributed to the disposal of these causes.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many persons are eligible for pensions in each of the age groups 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, 80 to 84, 85 and over, respectively; what is her Department's estimate of corresponding figures for the years 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000, respectively; and what is the total amount of money required to meet such pensions during the present year, and the estimated total amounts for each of the above-mentioned years, respectively.

I am consulting the Government actuary, and will let the hon. Member have the information as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) whether, in the light of recent experience, she will state approximately what is the expectation of life of a workman suffering from silicosis in the pottery industry in the first, second and third stages of the disease and also from silicosis in any stage, accompanied by pulmonary tuberculosis;(2) whether she will give the expectation of life of a workman suffering from pneumoconiosis where the loss of faculty is estimated at from 20 to 30 per cent.

I regret that the detailed information for which my hon. Friend asks in these Questions is not available.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what further developments he can report in respect of the Bawangwato chieftainship and administrative problem in Bechuanaland.

I am at the moment engaged in discussions with the High Commissioner for Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland, who is now in this country, about the best way of implementing the undertaking given in paragraph 20 of the White Paper (Command 7913). I am afraid that I cannot at present give any further information on the subject.

asked the Minister of Pensions in what ways his Department is assisting bedridden ex-Service men in obtaining television sets.

Various friends and organisations have kindly provided television sets for Duchess of Gloucester House and for three of my hospitals which are within the range of the television service. Inquiries have been made by my welfare service on behalf of a few pensioners to ascertain whether television sets might be obtained for them from ex-Service or other voluntary funds, but at present no fund can see its way to provide sets for individual pensioners.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what rise in the cost of living has taken place in Nigeria during the past 12 months; and what has been the corresponding increase in wages as well as Civil Service salaries

No index number is at present published. Wage increases of approximately 15 per cent. were granted to Africans in the larger commercial firms in 1949. In April of this year the basic salaries of civil servants were temporarily increased by 10 per cent. for the senior Service and 12½ per cent. for the junior Service.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the schemes of bulk purchases and storage in the Gold Coast are also being considered or adopted in other West African colonies.

All the West African Governments appreciate the importance of encouraging production of foodstuffs for local consumption. In Sierre Leone a scheme for the purchase at guaranteed price and storage of rice, the staple food, is to be introduced shortly. In the Gambia the Government is considering the establishment of marketing boards for two staple foodstuffs, rice and millet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in view of the shortage of rice in Sierra Leone what measures are being taken to prevent black market operations and to prevent the export of rice.

By a Rice Control Order of 21st April the Sierra Leone Government has limited the stocks of rice that may be held by any person except under licence. Illegal exports are checked by patrols on the frontiers and by the examination of boats. The movement of rice out of the Scarcies area in the Northwest, except under permit, is controlled by order. Whilst small leakages occur, everything possible is being done to prevent them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Minister for Lands and Mines in the Tanganyika Government stated on 20th May that 60,000 acres of land were to be alienated near Songea and that another 150,000 acres should be available for alienation when the natives moved southwards from the non-native block from Kilimanjaro and Meru; and whether he will give an assurance that a division of Tanganyika into areas for European and African settlement is not intended.

Yes. The first area is unoccupied and will not be required for occupation by Africans within the foreseeable future, while the second area is generally unsuitable for native cultivation. I most certainly assure my hon. Friend that there is no intention of dividing Tanganyika into areas for European and African settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to hasten the construction of new houses for lower and middle income families in Georgetown, British Guiana.

The central housing and planning authority is about to complete its planning scheme for Georgetown, and a Bill is being introduced in the Legislative Council to authorise a loan for the purchase of land for housing schemes to help the authority in giving early effect to its plans.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many of the directors of the Colonial Development Corporation have had experience obtained in colonial territories as required by Section 2 of the Overseas Resources Development Act, 1948; and how many committees have been appointed to study the circumstances and requirements of the inhabitants as laid down in the Act.

The majority of directors have had experience in colonial territories. The appointment of committees is at the discretion of the Corporation. So far no committees have been set up, and I understand that the Corporation wish to gain more experience of the territories in which they are operating before they establish this formal machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what steps have been taken to deal with the Masinga Rule Movement in the Solomon Islands;(2) why in June, 1949, 250 people were arrested on Ulawa and in August, 1949, 144 people on Santa Anna, Solomon Islands;(3) what steps are being taken to promote technical education and restore native councils at Auki in Malaita.

The "Marching" or "Masinga" rule movement which developed during the war in the Western Pacific had, by 1947, acquired a subversive character manifesting itself in disobedience to Government authority and attempts to coerce the local population into obedience with its dictates, including the establishment of non-Government courts which imposed fines on those who were unwilling to co-operate. After firm measures in the latter part of 1947 by the local police force, the movement lost ground but recrudesced a year later, particularly in Malaita, and further arrests had to be made at Ulawa and Santa Anna.There has been a general improvement in the situation over the last year, but fulfilment of plans for the political and social development of the Protectorate have inevitably been slowed down. A native boarding school financed from Colonial Development and Welfare funds with special emphasis on agricultural training was opened at Auki last October, but the establishment of native local authorities which has been successfully achieved in the western part of the Protectorate, has had to be postponed in Malaita.I am consulting the High Commissioner as regards the actual number of arrests made at Ulawa and Santa Anna, and asking him for the latest news about the local councils. I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I have received a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reports he has received from the Overseas Food Corporation on their plans for developing the 8,000 acres recently acquired in the Bahamas.

The Colonial Development Corporation have informed me of their proposals for developing this land. They intend to develop the production of the existing farm and to make it a centre from which production elsewhere on the islands can be expanded. The main products will include tomatoes, pineapple juice, citrus and dairy produce.