asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many destroyers are now in course of construction.

Eight.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is now proposed to increase the cruiser strength of the Royal Navy.

No.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the total number of naval vessels to be refitted under the programme recently announced.

Eighty-eight.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty in the case of how many of the naval vessels to be refitted under the programme recently announced will the work be carried out in Merseyside yards.

Eight.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why His Majesty's Government are discharging boom defence officers on grounds of redundancy at a time when the Russians are completing the biggest submarine force in naval history.

There has been no discharge on account of redundancy of officers engaged on boom defence work and none is contemplated. The reductions which are being made in the staff of the boom defence and salvage organisation are on the salvage side, where the volume of work is diminishing.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will take further steps to make it clear that employees of His Majesty's Dockyard are not guilty of an offence in approaching their Members of Parliament about their problems.

No. The regulations make it clear that civil servants must not attempt to bring political or other outside influence to support their personal claims as civil servants. I think that the hon. and gallant Member will agree that it is improper for a civil servant to seek to obtain promotion or advancement by the help of persons with influence. Personal official problems can be fully represented through the usual channels, including Whitley machinery when appropriate.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the present annual entry to Dartmouth College; and what increase in the number of half-yearly admissions is expected.

About 231, at present, increasing to some 317.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the number of cadets in Dartmouth College before the age of entry was raised; and what it will be when no cadets of the lower age of entry are left in the college, based upon present anticipations of annual entry.

About 490 and 280 respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the report on the ammunition explosion at Bedenham, near Gosport, will be published.

It is not the intention to publish this report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement on the inadequacy and unsuitability of His Majesty's Hospital Ship "Maine" for service in Far Eastern waters, and in particular about the lack of air-conditioning or adequate ventilation.

After the war it was necessary to replace the old hospital ship "Maine" which was then 45 years old, and the s.s. "Empire Clyde" was taken over, converted into a hospital ship, and renamed His Majesty's Hospital Ship "Maine." She is a temporary replacement and was fitted out to do no more than meet the normal peace-time needs of the Royal Navy, namely, to accompany a fleet on cruises. For this she is adequately and suitably equipped. Air-conditioning is fitted in the operating theatre, in one of the wards and in some of the accommodation. Ventilation is adequate in the rest of the ship, except on E deck, which is fitted with ventilation of the punka louvre type. The wards on this deck were not intended for patients confined to bed.During the early stages of hostilities in Korea, His Majesty's Hospital Ship "Maine" was the only hospital ship in the area under the control of the United Nations and she was continuously employed in transporting wounded, mainly American, from Korea to Japan. She is due in the near future to proceed to Hong Kong for refit and a well-earned respite from her arduous duties.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent owing to the restriction of slaughtering facilities still in force, it has been necessary to refuse fat lambs and cattle offered by farmers in the past two months.

No fatstock have been refused in the past two months, though to avoid congestion in the markets we have in some cases delayed grading for a day or two.

asked the Minister of Food how the current prices c.i.f. for butter from New Zealand and Australia compare with the price paid to Denmark.

The present prices are 265s. 7d. from New Zealand, 265s. from Australia and 276s. 7d. from Denmark.

asked the Minister of Food what increases in shipments of dairy produce from New Zealand and Australia he expects to obtain in 1951 and 1952.

Within the last few months both of these countries have ended domestic butter rationing and I cannot yet say what effect this will have. In any case, although their production of dairy produce is increasing on balance, weather conditions have a very important effect on the amount of butter and cheese shipped in any one year and it is therefore impossible to say how much we shall receive in 1951 and 1952.

asked the Minister of Food how many prosecutions for overcharging in the sale of meat have been instituted by his Department since 1st January, 1950; and what steps he proposes to take to deal more effectively with this problem.

From 1st January to 30th September this year 617 butchers were prosecuted for overcharging on meat on a total of 1,821 charges. I have asked my Department to make a special investigation of the problem and in the meantime my enforcement officers have had instructions to give it high priority. Housewives could greatly assist them by providing evidence if they are overcharged.

asked the Minister of Food for what purpose he has ordered the inquiry into alleged over-charging by some retail butchers; if he is now in a position to make a statement; and if any other similar inquiries are to be instituted into other trades.

I recognise, as I have said in the past, that the great majority of butchers co-operate loyally with the Ministry in securing a fair service to consumers. But I have received reports from my regional offices and from many hon. Members which indicate the prevalence of overcharging on sales of meat and widespread public concern about it. These reports were amply confirmed in my own experience during a recent visit I made to some of my regional offices. Accordingly, I ordered an investigation to be made through the enforcement division of my Department. Any action resulting from it will be taken in the normal course of the division's work.In reply to the last part of the Question, it is the duty of my enforcement officers to enforce the Ministry Orders as they affect various food trades; and special attention is, of course, always given to specific enforcement problems as they arise.

asked the Minister of Food what trading profits were made by his potato and carrot division for the year 1948–49; and how far these were used to reduce the final net loss of £11 million as shown in the Auditor-General's report.

The only trading profit made by the potato and carrot division in 1948–49 was one of about £10,000 on seed potatoes; and this was used to reduce the overall loss.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is taking to ensure that isolated districts will receive adequate supplies of food in the event of there being severe winter weather with snow and ice.

It is a standing arrangement that residents in isolated districts can, on application to regional food offices, use their coupons four weeks in advance so as to stock food. In the event, however, of any abnormal situation arising, the emergency machinery of my Department will be quite ready to take any action which may be necessary.

asked the Minister of Food why only 5 per cent. to 10 per cent. of home produced meat is sold in the shops as grade B, while between 30 per cent. and 40 per cent. of the cattle sent by farmers to grading centres, are graded as B; and who gets the profit.

I fear the hon. Member has fallen into the error of confusing two systems of grading which, in fact, are quite separate. The grading of live cattle has no relation to the grading of carcase meat. Grading for the former is concerned solely with the estimating of what the trade calls "killing-out percentages."

asked the Minister of Food when the sugar ration will be increased.

The effect of the Korean crisis on world sugar markets has been virtually to exhaust supplies of sugar from sterling and dollar sources alike. I am buying all available supplies from the Commonwealth and home sources but for the time being I can hold out no prospect of increasing the ration.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity of Australian rabbits are still stored by his Department; and if he will guarantee that no more will be imported.

I cannot, for reasons which I am sure hon. Members opposite will appreciate, give details of my Department's stocks. I said in reply to the hon. Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn) on 21st June that we are placing no further orders for Australian rabbits. They may, however, be imported privately under open general licence.

asked the Minister of Food how much prior notice he gives to manufacturers and distributors of a pending increase in rationed foodstuffs.

As long as possible depending on particular conditions, but there can obviously be no fixed period. In these matters I have to balance the interests of the traders, the rights of the consumers, and my desire to advise this House whenever possible. Obviously, I cannot fix any specific period in these circumstances.

asked the Minister of Food how many copies of each issue of the leaflet "Cookery Calendar" are printed; how many circulated; how many persons are employed in its distribution; and what is the total cost.

The average monthly print is 192,000 copies. All are distributed: approximately 170,000 immediately, the rest in response to specific demands. Distribution is made chiefly through Women's Voluntary Services, local education authorities, gas and electricity boards, cookery demonstrators and similar agencies. The time spent on distribution at the Ministry of Food and at His Majesty's Stationery Office is equal to a little more than the working hours of one clerk. The total cost of production and distribution is, on average, £150 per issue.

asked the Postmaster-General what precautions are taken by his Department to see that when telegrams or cables are addressed to a recipient by name and telephone number it is the person so named or an authorised agent who takes the message.

After verifying the telephone number, the operator quotes the particulars given in the address and inquires whether the person answering the telephone can accept the telegram. On receipt of an affirmative answer, the operator proceeds to dictate the telegram.

asked the Postmaster-General is he is aware of the unsatisfactory collection and delivery service in the New Maiden postal area; and if he will make inquiries, with a view to including this district in the London area.

The delivery and collection facilities provided in New Maiden postal area are similar to those enjoyed by provincial towns generally: I regret that the inclusion of New Maiden in the London postal area is not practicable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now in a position to make a statement about the resumption of the Airmet weather information broadcasts.

I regret that despite exhaustive examination of the problem, it has been found impracticable to make any broadcasting frequency available for the restoration of the Airmet service. Other possible ways of improving the weather information available to the public are being considered in conjunction with other Departments and the B.B.C.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the unsatisfactory mechanical condition of the telephone exchange at Great Witchingham, Norfolk; and if he will arrange for improved equipment to be made available in the near future.

The exchange itself is mechanically sound, and the difficulties derive mainly from interference by trees with the overhead wires. These are largely being replaced by insulated aerial cables and the work is expected to be finished in about three months. I am confident that the service will then be much improved.

asked the Postmaster-General how far the telephone route between Kinbrace and Kildonan is provided and maintained by British Railways; and how far their staff is responsible for the maintenance of the telephones.

Responsibility for the efficiency of the telephone line serving the call offices at Kinbrace and Kildonan rests with the Post Office The main section of this line runs on the railway pole route, and is provided and maintained for the Post Office by the railway authorities. They also maintain the apparatus in the call offices, which are on or adjacent to their property

asked the Postmaster-General the number of applicants awaiting a telephone in the Caterham area; what are the numbers for business premises and private houses, respectively; and if any priority is given in cases of sickness.

Three hundred and fifty-two, of whom 36 are for business premises and the remainder for private houses. A priority grading is given in cases of serious illness where it is vital to have a telephone in the house.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to re-man the R.D.F. air-raid warning system.

Measures to ensure that the radar system is adequately manned are being taken as part of the programme for modernising and extending the system. The establishment of full-time personnel is being increased; the fighter control units of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force are being strengthened by the formation of additional Auxiliary flights on all operational radar stations: and National Service men will be given refresher training in radar duties after completing their whole-time service. Arrangements have been made for the speedy recall in an emergency of the large number of released personnel with radar experience, sufficient to bring the manning of the radar chain up to full strength.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many radar reporting units have been formed since 13th July, 1950; and whether these have the training equipment they require.

One. In reply to the second part of the Question, one trainer and one receiver have already been installed and two receivers and two calculators are to be delivered next month. As the hon. Member will know the work of installing the calculators is considerable. Two further trainers are on order and will be delivered next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what has been the result of his discussion with the Engineering Trades Joint Council for Government establishments with regard to the award of merit pay.

No reference has yet been made to the Engineering Trades Joint Council about merit pay for dilutees but preliminary negotiations with the union concerned are proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he proposes to appoint civilian adjutants to Air Training Corps Wings; and from what date.

A scheme for the appointment of civilian adjutants to Air Training Corps Wings has been approved. Details will be announced in the next few days and appointments will be made as soon as practicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the existing arrangements for controlling the export of works of art, antiques and similar objects; and what steps he is taking to review them.

The present control over the export of works of art, etc., rests on the Export of Goods (Control) (Consolidation) Order, 1949, made under the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act, 1939. These powers are administered by the Board of Trade in accordance with the policy announced in the House of Commons on the 26th May, 1944, by the then Parliamentary Secretary to that Department.In administering these powers the Board acts on the advice of the appropriate museum or gallery; there is also in existence a Reviewing Committee to which cases go if an export licence is refused and the would-be exporter appeals. This Committee, under Treasury chairmanship, consists of officers of the Treasury, Foreign Office, and Board of Trade, assisted by a panel of experts from the national museums and galleries.As my right hon. and learned Friend told the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Donner) on 4th July last, he has decided that both the policy and the arrangements need to be reviewed; and he has therefore set up an independent committee with the following terms of reference:

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on what basis the cost of Colonial Annual Reports is fixed.

The prices of Reports printed in the Colonies are based on the cost charged by the Colony plus a percentage to cover selling expenses. Reports printed in this country are priced in accordance with the average pricing scale for official publications generally, which is designed to recover the costs of production and selling.