asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by the new conditions of entry for factory inspectors; and if, in view of the value of industrial experience, he will revert to the usual practice.

If there is any dissatisfaction it must be due to a misunderstanding. Although the minimum age of recruitment for factory inspectors has been reduced from 23 to 21, the conditions of entry have not otherwise been altered. The Regulations have never stipulated industrial experience as a necessary qualification and candidates without such experience have always been eligible to apply and have been appointed.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the 22,653 unemployed on 15th May whose last employment was within the building industry were registered in Wales. Glamorgan and Cardiff, respectively.

2,276 in Wales, 1,179 in Glamorgan and 190 in Cardiff.

asked the Minister ot Education why the National Association of Schoolmasters is not represented on the Burnham Committee.

My Department has from time to time received representations from several associations of teachers, of which the National Association of Schoolmasters is one, claiming that they should be represented on the Burnham 'Committee. All these representations have been very carefully considered, and in some cases the matter has been discussed at personal interviews. I consider that the present composition of the Teachers' Panels on the Burnham Committees is already wide enough to ensure that the general views of teachers are represented, and I do not think that the addition of individuals from these minority associations would facilitate negotiations. Having regard particuarly to the definition of the powers under Section 89 of the Education Act, 1944, I am not prepared to insist on the inclusion of representatives of this Association.

asked the Minister of Education what response he has received from Welsh education authorities. in connection with his appeal to them to absorb, as far as possible, emergency trained teachers who are unemployed in-the principality.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to Circular 222 issued on 29th June. It is too soon to say what action will be taken by the local education authorities in Wales as a result of this circular.

asked the Minister of Education how many emergency-trained teachers are unemployed in Wales; and how many of these are resident in Glamorgan and Cardiff, respectively.

The number of teachers who have recently finished their courses at the Cardiff Emergency Training College and who have not yet obtained posts is, according to my latest information, 20. I have no figures for Wales as a whole, but I have no reason to think that the number is substantial. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Education what scheme he is preparing to enable unqualified assistant teachers with more than five years' experience, but who are unable to take the one-year's course of training to qualify in the same way as the emergency trained teacher for the increased scale of pay of the emergency trained teacher.

I shall do my best to make special one-year courses available for all eligible teachers who made application by the 30th June, 1950, but I have no other scheme in preparation by which uncertificated teachers who do not take a course of training can become qualified teachers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total yearly catches of elvers from the River Severn since 1900.

I have no information about the total catches of elvers from the River Severn. A depot for their collection was set up in 1908, since when the numbers dealt with at the depot have been:

Year	Number of Elvers	Year	Number of Elvers
1908	687,000	1930	4,740,000
1909	3,266,000	1931	5,550,000
1910	6,809,000	1932	8,510,000
1911	7,530,000	1933	5,102,000
1912	4,952,000	1934	4,705,000
1913	7,770,000	1935	3,870,000
1914	7,192,000	1936	3,990,000
1915	Depot closed	1937	4,938,000
1916		1938	4,038,000
1917		1939	6,420,000
1918	1,250,000	1940	Depot closed
1919	1,420,000	1941
1920	1,253,000	1942
1921	498,700	1943	1,830,000
1922	Depot closed	1944	3,270,000
1923		1945	3,277,000
1924	1,355,000	1946	3,020,000
1925	1,865,000	1947	1,478,000
1926	3,062,000	1948	771,000
1927	4,800,000	1949	65,000
1928	8,183,000	1950	Depot closed
1929	1,200,000

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the increase in the number of rabbits and the consequent damage to crops and trees, he will issue instructions to agricultural executive committees that their full powers are to be exercised in dealing with rabbits.

I have recently reminded county agricultural executive committees that they should not hesitate to use their power under Section 98 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, to serve notices requiring the destruction of rabbits when farmers and occupiers fail to co-operate voluntarily in controlling rabbits on their lands.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what fraction to the total output of pitwood produced by the Forestry Commission do the amounts of 930.000 cu. ft. supplied to the National Coal Board in 1947, 2,700,000 cu. ft. in 1948. 2,900,000 cu. ft. in 1949, and the estimated amount of 3,000,000 to 3.250.000 in 1950, represent.

The quantities mentioned represent the full output of pit-wood prepared by the Forestry Commission. I regret that there is no means of estimating how these quantities compare with the amounts of pitwood prepared by timber merchants from poles and standing timber sold to them by the Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give particulars of the contract under which the pitprops supplied by the Forestry Commission to the National Coal Board during 1947. 1948 and 1949, and being supplied in the current year, are sold.

There is no contract between the Forestry Commission and the National Coal Board for the supply of pitprops.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the next issue of the Economic Survey, he will give an estimate of the cost of holidays with pay.

No. The information necessary for making such an estimate is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much has production increased since his Budget statement.

As I informed the House on Monday last the Index of Industrial Production shows an increase of 9 per cent. for the first four months of 1950 compared with the corresponding period in 1949. Information so far received suggests that in May the rate of increase was maintained at or near the same level.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange with the Customs authorities to examine passengers' luggage in train ferries while they are en route as is done by the French Customs and not leave such examination until the arrival of passengers at their destination.

I am satisfied that the present arrangements, which leave passengers undisturbed until they reach Victoria Station, meet the general convenience of train ferry passengers better than would the suggested alternative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many cases legatees have not been informed until they become eligible and apply for the post-war credit of a testator that such credit has been offset against the Income Tax liability of the deceased person; and whether he will notify such legatees at the earliest possible date that the post-war credit of the deceased person has been absorbed in Income Tax.

The information asked for in the first part of the Question is not available. As regards the second part, post-war credit certificates for the year 19452013;46 normally show a net amount after taking account of any arrears of tax which fall to be set off against the postwar credit, but certificates for earlier years normally take no account of any arrears. I am now arranging that, in future, all certificates issued to beneficiaries or creditors of a deceased person's estate, whether for 19452013;46 or for earlier years, shall show the net amount after set-off of any relevant arrears. I must point out that under this procedure it will not be possible to issue the certificates to the beneficiaries or creditors as promptly as in the past, as the deceased's tax affairs will have to be cleared up first.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what consideration he has given to the resolution recently passed by the National Federation of Post Office Veterans, representing nearly 20,000 Post Office pensioners, asking for improvements in the 1947 Pensions (Increase) Act; and what action he proposes to improve the position of such pensioners.

I have considered this resolution, but I am afraid that I cannot hold out any prospect of further legislation to amend the Pensions (Increase) Acts.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the reason for the refusal of the authorities of the British Museum to allow Dr. Randolph Hughes to see Ashley MS.1755, letters by Simeon Solomon, Ashley MS.5081, letters from A. C. Swinburne to C. A. Howell, Ashley MS.5256, a poem by A. C. Swinburne, Ashley MSS. 5271, 5751, A4395, A4406, and B4436b, verses, A4464b, letter from A. C. Swinburne to T. Watts-Dunton, for a period of one year.

It is regretted that in 1948, owing to a misunderstanding in the Department of Manuscripts of the Trustees' regulations and instructions for the custody of these papers, Dr. Hughes was led to believe that he could not have further access to these manuscripts without the special permission of the Trustees. It was only recently that these facts came to the notice of the Keeper of the Department, who at once saw Dr. Hughes and explained to him the misunderstanding which had arisen.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take the necessary action to make it obligatory for all goods being sold retail on barrows, stalls or in shops, to be properly and plainly marked as to the purchase price by the vendors concerned.

No. Some kind of price-controlled goods must be marked with their maximum prices, but I have no power to require retail traders to mark their selling prices on all goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give full details of his proposal to give financial help in the equipment of hotels to attract dollar tourists.

As I indicated in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling) on 6th July last, the details of the scheme are being worked out as quickly as possible in close consultation with the British Travel and Holidays Association and the hotel industry. An announcement will be made as soon as they are settled, and I will see that a copy of it is sent to the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many standards of softwood have been purchased since last November; how many standards had been purchased during the corresponding period, November to July, 1949; and whether he is satisfied that the needs of house-building contracts in all parts of the country will be fully met during the next three months.

It is not the practice to disclose our contract position. As regards the last part of the Question, I consider that on present evidence there should be sufficient softwood to meet the house-building programme over the next three months, though there may be cases where a builder cannot immediately obtain the exact specification he prefers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in March, 1950, exports of copper semi-manufactures from Germany were over eight times the volume that they were in 1949; and what steps he is taking to meet this competition.

I am aware that there has been a substantial increase in the export of copper semi-manufactures from Western Germany in the period referred to by the hon. Member. But in the absence of any evidence of unfair trading practices, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to his Question on 15th June on this subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the Committee overhauling the present utility clothing scheme will have completed their studies and make a report.

The two Committees which I set up to advise on the cotton and rayon utility schemes have each so far met twice, but I cannot yet say when their reports will be ready.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the serious effects on the profession of journalism and the newspaper industry generally of the recent cut in supplies of newsprint; and if he will give an assurance that the Government will in the future accept all available supplies of newsprint from Canada.

I am fully aware of the newsprint supply position. The amount of newsprint which we can import from Canada in future must depend not only upon the supplies available hut upon the adequacy of our dollar resources to meet the many claims on them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how far the present shortage of newsprint is due to any shortage of woodpulp or any other raw material for conversion in the home mills.

Not at all. The wood-pulp and other raw materials available for the production of newsprint in this country are, and have for some time been, sufficient to keep all mills working to full capacity. The limiting factor is the capacity of the mills, which it will take some time to extend. Suggestions to the contrary which have recently appeared in the Press are therefore entirely inaccurate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quota figure which has been agreed between the British and Czechoslovakian Governments for the import of Czechoslovakian leather and rubber footwear and wooden lasts into this country expressed in pairs, sets, and value in pounds sterling.

These quotas are expressed only in terms of value. The figures agreed for the year July, 1950—June, 1951, are as follows:—Leather footwear, £70,000; rubber footwear. £80,000; shoe lasts, £7,000.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what considerations of stategy an 1 defence have prompted his approval of the establishment of another large oil refinery at Southampton Water, approximately opposite the existing one at Fawley.

As the hon. Member was informed on 5th July, all the circumstances were taken into account before a decision was reached in this case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has now received a report from our High Commissioner about the imposition of the duty on British rayon piece goods into Australia; and if he will make a statement.

The United Kingdom High Commissioner has not yet received a reply to his approach to the Australian Government. As the hon. Member for Skipton (Mr. Drayson) was informed on 4th July, I have already taken the opportunity of seeing the Australian Minister Resident in London, and explained to him the great concern of the United Kingdom Government regarding this matter. I also expect to discuss this question of the new Australian duty on rayon piece goods with the Australian Prime Minister during his visit to London.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the price paid for timber from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the agreement recently concluded and give a comparison of the price with the Swedish price taking freight into account.

It is not the practice to state the prices at which contracts are concluded. As regards the landed cost of this Russian timber, I cannot predict the course of freight rates; but I have reason to believe that, quality for quality, the Russian supplies will bear comparison with the landed value of any other contracts we have made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken with regard to the proposal put forward by the Italian Government for the establishment of a preferential tariff area among the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation group of countries.

It would be premature to form any judgment on this proposal until the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation have completed the full examination they are currently giving to it and to other proposals for closer European integration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that two out of three nylon stockings sold in this country are rejects and unsuitable for export, what action he proposes to take to prevent the widespread exploitation in the sale of seconds and thirds.

The hon. Member has been misinformed; over half the supplies to the home market are perfect stockings and imperfections in others are often slight. Action is being, and will continue to be taken against offenders who sell imperfect nylon stockings at excessive prices.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider what steps can be taken to bring to the notice of shopkeepers the measures they can take to protect their property against breaking offences.

I am confident that chief officers of police take such steps as are open to them to bring to the notice of shopkeepers the steps that can be taken to protect their property against breaking offences, and this aspect of crime prevention has been emphasised in most of the local campaigns organised in consultation with the Central Office of Information and the Home Office. I have received encouraging reports of the success of these local campaigns, and I do not think that any further action on my part is necessary at present.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the status of road safety patrols now under the direction of the Metropolitan Police; what are the hours of work and pay; and why the annual paid fortnight's holiday has been abolished.

These school-crossing patrols are part-time civil staff employed under the Commissioner of Police; they derive their authority from the sign authorised by the Minister of Transport under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, which they carry. Hours of duty and, therefore, wages vary in accordance with needs; in Leyton the daily hours of duty are 2 hours 10 minutes in term time and 1¾ hours for those employed during the holidays to supervise children going to and from schools for meals, and their weekly rates of pay are £2 5s. and £1 15s. respectively for men and £1 17s. 6d. and £1 9s. 2d. respectively for women. Under their conditions of employment the staff do not receive holidays with pay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that when the owner of a dog that has worried sheep transfers the ownership to someone else, neither the original owner nor the new owner are liable to punishment; and if he will take steps to end this anomaly.

Where a dog has done injury to cattle or sheep, the owner of the dog at the time of the injury is liable under Section 1 of the Dogs Act, 1906, for damages but not to any other penalty. Section 2 of the Dogs Act, 1871, empowers a court of summary; jurisdiction on receiving a complaint that a dog is dangerous and not kept under proper control to make an order requiring the dog to be kept by the owner under proper control or destroyed. I am advised that no such order can be made where the ownership of the dog has been transferred to someone else before the complaint is made, but I cannot hold out any hope of legislation being introduced to alter this position.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent a gill is a recognised measure for the sale of spirituous liquors in licensed premises in England under his control.

The gill is not used as a measure in the Carlisle State Management District. The measures used for the on-sale of spirits are one fluid ounce for a small glass and two for a large glass. The bottle used for off-sales of spirits is the standard bottle in use in the licensed trade and contains one-sixth of a gallon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances an issue of summer uniform to a member of the police force is refused.

The Police Regulations have since July, 1948, provided for the issue in alternate years of closed-neck and open-neck jackets to constables and sergeants, and in most forces an initial issue of open-neck jackets introduced in 1948 has now been made. With a view, however to economy of materials, the war-time system of replacing garments only when they become unserviceable is still followed with my approval in most forces and will apply to second or later issues of open-neck jackets. It is also open to the police authority to withhold a free issue of a garment where the need arises from a man's own default.

asked the Minister of Health if the fair wage clause in the National Health Service General Dental Regulations applies to dental technicians employed by dental laboratories as well as to technicians employed directly by dentists.

No.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the case of Mr. J. Whitfield, of 33 Lamb Street, Carlisle, who after the amputation of a limb in hospital, was not supplied with crutches on discharge; and if he will take steps to prevent a recurrence.

Yes. As my hon. Friend has been informed, I am afraid this was due to a misunderstanding, which certainly should not recur.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the inconvenience and waste of time caused in West Suffolk to users of hearing aid appliances in that they are forced to travel considerable distances to Cambridge for any technical adjustments or repairs to their appliances, and, in view of the fact that there are over 50 patients attending deaf aid clinics at Bury St. Edmunds and between 20 and 30 each at Sudbury and Newmarket, if he will arrange for the technician to make periodic visits to these centres.

Although I accept the principle of this proposal, I am not sure that it would represent the best use of the staff at present available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet reached a decision as to the future status of the Lloyd Hospital, Bridlington.

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to remove the discrepancy between the salaries paid to health visitors and those paid to assistant welfare officers by bringing the former's remuneration to the same level as that of assistant welfare officers, in view of the higher professional qualifications and training required by health visitors.

This is a matter for the negotiating machinery. A new salary scale has recently been agreed for health visitors as a result of an award by the Industrial Court.

asked the Minister of Health what information he has showing to what extent catering and administrative staffs have increased in hospitals during the past two years; and the cost of the increase.

Senior catering staff increased from 7,885 on 31st December, 1948, to 8,515 on 31st December, 1949. No separate figures of cost are available. On administrative staff I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Carlton (Mr. Pick thorn) on 20th April.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the case, particulars of which have been sent him, in which a patient, in full possession of her mental faculties, has been placed in a ward with mental cases; and what action he proposes to prevent such cases in future.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health what is the correct procedure advised by him under the Health Scheme for a person suffering from acute toothache who is unable to obtain immediate attention from a dentist; and to what authority an appeal can be made in such cases of emergency.

In most areas dentists set aside stated times for emergency cases. The clerk to the executive council, the address of which is obtainable at post offices, should be able to help in case of need.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the recent case in which it was alleged in court that the bankruptcy of a chemist was due to failure of prompt payment by his Department; what similar cases have been brought to his notice; what is the average period of payment to chemists now in arrears; and whether he will make a statement generally on delay in payment by his Department.

I have seen a Press report of this case: the estimated outstanding balance owing to the firm is small. Cases thought to involve hardship are brought to my notice from time to time. The total outstanding balance owed to chemists at the end of any month represent roughly the value of one month's prescriptions.

asked the Minister of Health why copies of certificates of registration of births are charged 5s. plus postage when supplied by post but only 3s. 6d. when called for.

Because in postal cases the search in the index has to be made by the General Register Office, whereas personal callers make their own search.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the recent outbreaks of poliomyelitis and other infectious diseases, he will take steps to prevent the import of unlaundered textiles from Far Eastern sources.

I am advised that there is no evidence that poliomyelitis is conveyed in this way. As to other diseases, there are various powers already contained in the International Sanitary Convention; but if the hon. Member will let me know what particular suggestions he has in mind I will gladly consider them.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take all necessary steps to ensure that all old peoples' homes have a trained nurse as matron, and male and female sick rooms.

No. The hon. Member will be aware of the provisions of Section 37 of the National Assistance Act, 1948, and the National Assistance (Registration of Homes) Regulations, 1949, I do not think it necessary or desirable to impose further requirements.

asked the Minister of Health how many new houses were built in England and Wales in the five years following the First World War; how many war-damaged houses were repaired; how many new homes were provided; and if he will give comparable figures for the five years ended on 30th June, 1950.

The number of new houses built between January, 1919, and September, 1923, was 288,975 (local authorities 162,370 and private enterprise 126,605). Information is not available as to the numbers of war-damaged houses repaired and rebuilt during that period. From 1st April, 1945, to 31st May, 1950, 627,833 new permanent houses and 125,070 temporary houses have been built.

asked the Minister of Health why he refused the request of the Beverley Corporation for an immediate additional allocation of housing licences to cover the requirements of retiring ex-Service men at the Victoria Barracks, Beverley, and in the married quarters of the gunnery school at Leconfield who, at present, are under notice of eviction and are without alternative accommodation.

The Council have been offered a small additional allocation on the understanding that in selecting tenants for any of their houses they will consider applications from the ex-Service men, equally with those from other applicants, on a basis of housing need.

asked the Minister of Health why he has, by the Housing (Rate of Interest) Regulations, 1950 (S.I., 1950, No. 1008), authorised local authorities to charge interest at 4 per cent. per annum when they can borrow from the Local Loans Board at 3 per cent., or less.

These Regulations prescribe only the rate of interest to be charged on a refund of an improvement grant made under the Housing Act, 1949. This rate of interest is not related directly to the rate at which local authorities can now borrow.

asked the Minister of Health how far it is still his policy to urge municipalities to provide furniture on hire-purchase terms to tenants of council houses.

This matter is left to the discretion of local authorities, whose attention has been drawn to the powers conferred by the Housing Act, 1949.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent local authorities are showing willingness to accept building licences transferred from other local authorities; and whether he will issue a circular urging fuller adoption of this practice.

Details of transfers of building licences between local authorities are not available. Special attention was drawn to the power to make such transfers and their advantages in a circular issued on 17th May last, and I do not think that any further action on my part is required.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent the transferable licence scheme has proved successful; and how far he is proposing to use his power of direction in the case of local authorities who have resisted the scheme.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter).

asked the Minister of Health if he will provide details of successful schemes of district heating authorised by him for dwelling-houses or flats.

There are four district heating schemes in operation at present, the oldest of them not yet four years old and the youngest hardly three months. At this stage it is not possible to make a final appraisement. I will gladly send my hon. Friend the details at present available if he wishes.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will arrange for local authorities in the areas that suffered severe war damage in the late war, who have thereby lost a large amount of their rates and now have a rate of 25s. or more in the £, to obtain an interest-free loan on request to, and examination by, his Department,(2) to state the local authorities which suffered severe war damage in their respective areas that now have a local rate of 25s. or more in the £; and what would be the estimated initial cost of granting them an interest-free loan of £50,000.

The only local authority concerned is West Ham County Borough Council. The estimated initial cost of the proposed loan would therefore be £50,000. I cannot at this stage make any commitment about the period after the present grant expires.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the high rate of sickness, 50 per cent. above normal, occurring at Sunnyside Camp, Theale, he will call for a special report on the living conditions there and the need for housing these families more satisfactorily.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to, his previous Question on 27th April. I have now made further inquiries of the local authority and they do not support the allegation that there is an abnormal rate of sickness at this camp.

asked the Minister of Health the percentage of houses in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, which are overcrowded.

I regret that no up-to-date information is available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the quarterly figures of the number of houses built in the years 1937, 1938 and 1939.

Quarterly figures are not available but the following is a statement of the figures for the half-year ended March, 1937, and for each succeeding half year up to March, 1940.

ENGLAND AND WALES
HOUSES BUILT IN 1937, 1938 AND 1939
6 MONTHLY PERIODS
Period			Number of houses
6 Months ending—
31st March, 1937	…	…	181,468
30th September, 1937	…	…	155,666
31st March, 1938	…	…	181,936
30th September, 1938.	…	…	158,942
31st March, 1939	…	…	173,418
30th September, 1939.	…	…	107,179
31st March, 1940	…	…	88,783

asked the Minister of Health the percentage of houses in England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, which are unfit for human habitation.

I regret that no up-to-date information is available.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the Water Scheme for the Halstead Rural District Council.

A public inquiry into the Council's proposals has been fixed for 25th July.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Mid-Northamptonshire Water Board has.about £50,000 worth of water pipes on order and that the long delays in delivery are seriously hindering the performance of the duties for which the board was recently constituted; and whether he will arrange priority for the board's order or otherwise assist it to get early deliveries.

I regret the delay in the delivery of pipes but I am afraid that special priority for the board could be arranged only at the expense of other equally urgent needs.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects to receive the report of the Departmental Committee on the Rating of Site Values.

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Ilford, North, (Mr. G. Hutchinson) on 25th May.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will make a statement on the manpower needs of the Armed Forces, and in particular if, in view of the new ideas that are being introduced, the same number of men are required.

No change has been made in the estimate of the manpower requirements of the Armed Forces given in the Statement on Defence, 1950.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will now say when it is intended to end conscription.

There is at present no intention of ending National Service but the whole position will be reviewed when we consider the extension of the present National Service Act beyond the date of its expiry at the end of 1953.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what has been the amount of petrol consumed in Great Britain during the first complete month since de-rationing as compared with the amount consumed during the last complete month before de-rationing.

In the five weeks ended 29th June, 1950, deliveries of motor spirit by the bulk petroleum distributors averaged 109,000 tons per week or 12,300 tons per week more than in the five weeks ended 25th May, 1950.

asked the Minister of Food how long his Department takes to confirm the appointment of fat stock graders, after they have been democratically elected by the local branches of the National Farmers' Union.

Members of livestock certifying authorities are not elected; they are appointed by the Ministry under the Livestock (Sales) Order, 1949. My hon. Friend is probably referring to the nomination of new farmer graders in place of the present ones by some county branches of the National Farmers' Union. There is no unnecessary delay in dealing with these nominations, but sometimes detailed inquiries and correspondence cannot be avoided. The final decision whether or not to accept nominations must, of course, rest with the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Food the volume of imports of table poultry in 1949 and the similar figure for 1938; and what reduction would be involved by the cessation of imports from Hungary, Poland and France.

The quantities of dead poultry imported into the United Kingdom in 1938 and 1949 were 22,036 tons and 30,777 tons respectively. Imports from Hungary, Poland and France in 1949 amounted to 6,765 tons. The exclusion of these countries would reduce the total by about 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Food why His Majesty's Government reserves 250,000 tons of sugar for buying on the free market to maintain its seat on the International Sugar Council, whilst the United States of America reserves only 45,000 tons for the same purpose; and whether he will reduce this reservation in order to guarantee larger quotas from the West Indies.

As my hon. Friend will have seen from the recent joint statement, we have now reached agreement with the West Indies and British Guiana delegation about arrangements for the period after 1952.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that important housing contracts, in both West Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, are being held up because of the difficulties being experienced in securing deliveries of cement; and whether, in these circumstances, he will have an inquiry instituted for the purpose of ascertaining the cause of this hold up in the supply of this essential house building material.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to him on 10th July.

asked the Minister of Pensions if military casualties in Korea will receive British war pensions for wounds received in action; and if pensions will be granted to dependants notwithstanding that British troops are fighting under the United Nations flag.

Yes, members of His Majesty's Forces involved in military operations in the Korea area are fully covered, in respect of injuries, by the war pensions provisions which I administer; and in the regrettable event of their death their dependants are similarly covered.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent his Department is concerned in regard to the question of enfranchisement referred to in paragraph 65 of the Final Report of the Leasehold Committee.

My Department is concerned to the extent that it leases a number of properties to civilian users.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantity, kind and value, respectively, of Japanese textiles were imported into British Guiana in 1947, 1948 and 1949 respectively; and what are the estimated figures for 1950 and 1951

There were no imports of Japanese textiles into British Guiana in the years 1947 and 1948. Figures for 1949 and estimated requirements for 1950 and 1951 are given below:

Cotton Piece Goods 1949
Direct	61,000 square yards	£3,845
Via U.K.	292,000 Squate yards	£23,208
TOTAL	353,000 Square yards	£27,053
Rayon Piece Goods 1949
Direct	96,000 square yard	£9,127
Estimated requirements for 1950, Cotton Piece Goods	3,000,000 square yards	£235,000
Estimated requirements for 1950, Rayon Piece Goode	1,000,000 square yards	£88,000
Estimated requirements for 1950, Apparel		£10,000

Estimated requirements or 1951 may be put at the same figures as for 1950 for all categories with the possible exception of Apparel for which the figure may be £20,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many co-operative societies trading in the West Indies are registered under local colonial insular statutes; what is the extent of their capital and membership; and how many British recruited persons are employed by them.

My right hon. Friend is making inquiries of the Governors concerned and will write to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what quantity, kind and value, respectively, of Japanese textiles were imported into the British West Indies in 1947, 1948 and 1949.

The quantity, kind and value of Japanese textiles imported into the British West Indies, including Bahamas and Bermuda but excluding British Guiana, in 1947, 1948 and 1949 were as follows:

Cotton Piece Goods 1947
Colony	Square Yards	Value
All Colonies	Nil	Nil
Cotton Piece Goods 1948 Colony	Square Yards	Value £
Barbados	976	112
Jamaica	2,535,461	153,114
Trinidad	24,346	2,456
Other Colonies	Nil	Nil
TOTAL	2,560,783	155,682
Cotton Piece Goods 1949
Colony	Square Yards	Value £
Bardbados	186,305	15,695
British Honduras	7,080	347
Jamaica	12,030,564	615,619
Montserrat	6,171	475
Trinidad	526,121	36,895
St. Lucia (via U.K.)	4,485	312
St. Vincent (via U.K.)	4,123	288
Dominica (via U.K.)	2,459	168
TOTAL	12,767,308	669,799
Rayon Piece Goods 1947
Colony	Square Yards	Value £
Jamaica	1,000	282
Other Colonies	Nil	Nil
TOTAL	1,000	282
Rayon Piece Goods 1948
All Colonies	Nil	Nil
Rayon Piece Goods 1949
Colony	Square Yards	Value £
Trinidad	26	2
Grenada (via U.K.)	12,490	1,085
TOTAL	12,516	1,087

Apparel and other manufactured articles 1947*
Colony	Value £
Trinidad	3
Other Colonies	Nil
TOTAL	3
Apparel and other manufactured articles 1948*
All Colonies	Nil
Apparel and other manufactured articles 1949*
Colony	Value £
Trinidad	275
Dominica	513
Bermuda	24
Jamaica	1,162
TOTAL	1,974
* Including woollen piece goods in 1949. There were no imports of woollen piece goods in 1947 or 1948.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in investigating the "unknown disease" of coconuts in Jamaica.

The research into the "unknown disease" of coconuts in Jamaica, started in 1943, was delayed by difficulty in recruiting scientists and the plant pathologist now in charge only took up his duties in February, 1949. Investigation is proceeding in accordance with the plans he has drawn up. The reports received so far do not show whether or not it will be possible to discover the cause of the disease, or to control it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a complete list of all the official delegations of foreign visitors coming to this country between now and 1st November, together with the date of their arrival and information as to how they can be contacted.

Information about official delegations intending to visit this country varies from day to day and any list given would be incomplete and to that extent misleading. The Conference and Supply Department of the Foreign Office are however always ready to supply such information as they may have and advise how contact may be made with visiting delegations.

asked the Minister of Transport what percentage of drivers pass the test at the first examination and what percentage of drivers have to take the test a second time before passing.

I regret that the information is not available. Candidates are not asked for information about previous failures.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of meetings held, since their formation, by the Transport Users' Consultative Councils for Wales and Scotland, respectively.

The number of meetings held since their formation by the Transport Users' Consultative Committees for Scotland and Wales is four and three respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport how many applications for loans for the purchase of public service vehicles were made by municipal authorities during the year ending 31st May, 1950; how many of these and of what value were granted and rejected.

During the year ended 31st May, 1950, 41 applications, amounting to approximately £2.9 million, were received from municipal authorities for sanction to borrow in respect of the purchase of public service vehicles. Thirty-four of these applications, amounting to £2.7 million, were sanctioned or promises made to issue sanction when delivery dates are known. At the end of the period the remaining seven applications, amounting to £200,000, were under consideration.