asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether any experiments in the underground gasification of coal are proceeding or are under contemplation in Scotland.

No experiments on the underground gasification of coal have yet been made in Scotland. Short-term experimental work is going on near Chesterfield; no decision to extend it to other sites can be taken yet. If and when a decision is made, sites in Scotland will, of course, be given full and equal consideration.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will state the number of miners called-up as Reservists to serve in the Korean war.

This is a question for my right hon. Friends who are in charge of the Service Departments, and I notice from the Order Paper that other similar Questions have been put down to them.

asked the Minister of Food what price controls are still in force on the sale of poultry of all kinds in the home market; and whether he will state what poultry prices are now higher than those prevailing at Christmas 1949 and by now much the prices have increased.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-East (Mr. Coldrick), on 15th November.

asked the Minister of Food in view of his search for additional supplies of turkeys in order to check the high prices charged for them, whether he proposes to approach Canada and Hungary from both of which turkeys have been supplied in the past at prices which enabled working people to buy them.

Unfortunately there are difficulties in getting supplies from both these sources. On Hungary I would refer to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 13th November. As for Canadian turkeys, these would cost dollars, and I am afraid that at the moment, there are even more important claims on our dollar reserves.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent there is still a shortage of slaughterhouses in the country; and why he will not authorise the re-opening of the slaughterhouse at Westbourne in West Sussex.

The difficulty is concentrated in about six weeks; for the remainder of the year our existing slaughterhouses can easily cope with the work. I am having inquiries made about the Westbourne slaughterhouse and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the exorbitant price being charged by retailers for boiled ham, he will take steps to control the retail price.

I am afraid that if we tried to control these small unsubsidised supplies we should drive them off the market altogether.

asked the Minister of Food what benefits to the food supply of this country are accruing from the activities of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations; who are the British representatives on this body; and what are their functions.

The Organisation aims at improving standards of living and nutrition and at promoting an expanding and efficient agricultural economy in all member countries by such means as the exchange of information about agricultural conditions and developments and the provision of technical assistance. As the largest importer in the world of foodstuffs and other agricultural products, the United Kingdom is vitally interested in these objectives. The Organisation's staff is not composed of representatives of member Governments, but United Kingdom officials (or experts from outside Government service) attend as necessary, conferences and other meetings arranged by the Organisation.

asked the Minister of Food if he will take steps to improve the supply of cooking apples to the London area.

My information is that there are plentiful supplies of cooking apples on sale in all parts of the London area at prices well below the old controlled price.

asked the Minister of Food what are the administrative arrangements needed to enable old age pensioners to exchange sweet points for extra sugar.

To enable the option to be exercised I should have to print special coupons and distribute them to local food offices, and the food offices would have to make the necessary exchange of coupons. Records of the coupons exchanged would have to be kept, sent to headquarters and summarised, in order to enable me to save the equivalent quantity of sugar by reducing supplies to sweets manufacturers.

asked the Minister of Food to what extent the import of weasands from Belgium is now permitted.

Some licences are being issued, but the demand is small, as home production is generally sufficient to meet the needs of users in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the discussions which took place on Indo-China during the recent meetings of Foreign Secretaries in New York when the French request for aid was considered.

His Majesty's Government have entered into no commitment in respect of Indo-China as a result of these meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions a British representative has attended the meetings of the Interim Committee of the United Nations for Korean Affairs constituted in accordance with the decision of the Assembly of the United Nations on 7th October; and how many meetings this committee has held.

None. The Committee of which the United Kingdom is not a member has held 17 meetings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals he has made or intends to make concerning the future of Germany to take the place of those of the Potsdam Agreement, now discarded; whether such proposals have been or will be submitted for agreement by all the Powers allied to us in the late war with Germany; and whether he will refrain from entering into any fresh agreement with any or all such Powers until it is known whether the new proposals enjoy the same parliamentary approval as those entered into at Potsdam.

As my right hon. Friend said on 13th November, the Soviet Government's recent proposal for a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers to examine the question of carrying out the Potsdam Agreement on the demilitarisation of Germany is being considered in consultation with the United States and French Governments. I do not think it would be wise to attempt, at this stage, to anticipate the outcome in any way.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is expected to secure the release from the Russian Zone of Germany of a 19 year-old National Service- man, Sapper John William Bennett of Luton, who was detained by the Russians on 6th September, 1950, after being left behind by a Berlin-bound troop train which had stopped at a station in the Russian Zone.

I regret that I am unable to state how soon the Soviet authorities will release Sapper Bennett. His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow has pointed out to the Soviet Government that there is no justification whatsoever for the detention of Sapper Bennett and will continue to make every effort to secure his return, as will the British authorities in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, provided suitable terms can be internationally agreed, it is still the policy of His Majesty's Government to secure the banning, by international cessation, of the use of atomic bombs.

Yes. It is still the policy of His Majesty's Government to secure the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and of all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction, provided this can be achieved under an effective plan of international control.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Government will obtain a copy of the report of Mr. Cray to the President of the United States of America, on the future of the Marshall Aid, with a view to laying it before this House in view of its importance to the economy of this country.

The Report has now been received and a copy is being placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is now proposed to ratify the Convention on Genocide; or what reasons there are for not doing so.

The closing date for signing this Convention was 31st December, 1949. Since His Majesty's Government had not signed by that date the question of ratification does not arise and His Majesty's Government can now only become a party to it by accession. His Majesty's Government, for the reasons set forth in the reply to my hon. Friend on the 25th October, are not able at this stage to decide whether they should accede to the Convention. His Majesty's Government must take into consideration and are therefore carefully studying the effect of the reservations in the light of the debates on this subject in the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly and the subsequent reference of the whole question to the International Court of Justice. At the same time I must remind my hon. Friend of the implications which our accession to the Convention might have on our traditional policy of granting asylum to political refugees. These present considerable difficulties and are still being studied by experts.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take the necessary action to relieve professional men, such as doctors, dentists and veterinary surgeons in rural areas, from the need to obtain carrier's licences for estate motor cars used in the normal course of their duties.

I am giving consideration to the desirability of exempting dual purpose vehicles from the need for "C" carrier's licences when used by doctors, veterinary surgeons or dentists in the normal course of their professional duties.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the total imports into Cardiff Docks of Government-controlled food and merchandise in 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949, respectively, and the latest figures for 1950.

As the reply contains a list of figures, I am sending the hon. Member a complete statement. The statement covers imports by the Board of Trade, Ministry of Food and Ministry of Supply. I have no information as to any imports of food and merchandise by other Government Departments, but these would not materially affect the position.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to reduce road accidents, he will introduce regulations to ensure that all vehicles are fitted with a headlamp dipping device which will switch off the offside headlamp and focus the nearside headlamp on the nearside kerb when used.

No. Such a device as an absolute requirement, would preclude the use of other equally effective alternatives permitted by the current regulations. These alternatives include the use of a device for dipping both headlights which certain manufacturers are now fitting to motor vehicles so that they will comply with the requirement laid down for the future in the 1949 Convention on Road Traffic for vehicles used in international traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport how many vehicles per hour emerge from Clayton Road on to the Great North Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

I have no recent figures. The last census taken at this point was in 1937.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to assist the Transport Commission by subsidy or the provision of special vessels or equipment to facilitate the visit to this country of students and other young persons from France and Western European countries during 1951.

Visits to this country by students and other young persons from Western Europe are already facilitated by cheap rail fares for parties and this concession will now be extended to the boat fares. At week-ends during the holiday season, the British Transport Commission's vessels on the Continental routes are usually loaded to capacity, but accommodation is normally available in midweek. I am not in a position to provide additional vessels or equipment, but I have no reason to think that such visitors as the hon. Member has in mind will be prevented from travelling to this country by any lack of transport for which the Commission are responsible.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to ensure that Royal Ordnance factories are now in a proper state of readiness.

As far as resources permit, the Royal Ordnance factories are always maintained in a state of readiness. Labour is being recruited and additional equipment provided to meet the needs of rearmament.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will publish a list of names of all atomic physicists employed by him who are of foreign birth, together with their places of birth; and if he will indicate the dates on which any of these individuals became naturalised British subjects.

No. It would be contrary to the public interest and possibly the interests of the individuals concerned if I gave this information.

asked the Minister of Supply whether before ordering from United Kingdom manufacturers the vehicle designed to meet the requirements previously met in part by the American jeep, he had consultations with the United States Defence and Supply authorities.

Yes. There has been a full exchange of information on this subject.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the shortage of wood carving tools; and what steps he will take to improve the supply.

Yes. There is a shortage of these tools, but I am not aware that wood carvers are unable to obtain supplies for essential purposes. I am prepared to investigate any such cases which may be brought to my notice.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware of the limitation of raw material metal supplies, including brass, aluminium, mazah, zinc and steel to manufacturers and of the serious effects which this is calculated to have upon our export trade; and what steps he is taking to make more supplies available.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps are being taken to increase imports of zinc, copper, brass and aluminium, in view of United States buying and the engineering industry's commitments for export and rearmament.

I am well aware of the importance of maintaining sufficient supplies of metals to manufacturers. There has recently been a considerable increase in world demand for non-ferrous metals and we are mainly dependent on imports. My Department is making every effort to secure adequate supplies. Total supplies of steel are greater than ever before. There has, however, been abnormal buying following the outbreak of war in Korea and the announcement of the Government's rearmament programme. This has caused delay in obtaining supplies.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make available to British industry during the present shortage the large tonnages of copper wire ordered by China and now going into storage in this country and the export of which he has forbidden.

I am informed that no copper wire has yet been stored to the order of Chinese purchasers and, therefore, the question of diverting it to home uses has not arisen.

asked the Minister of Supply if he has yet received the new proposals from the motor industry to ensure the fair distribution of new cars on the home market; and if he will make a statement.

No; but I hope that an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Works when he expects to replace the existing temporary and inadequate heating arrangements in the Members' cloak rooms.

The Members' present cloak rooms are themselves temporary and will be discontinued when the new cloak rooms are ready, which I hope will be next autumn. The temporary heating system must, I am afraid, remain meanwhile.

asked the Minister of Works what private accommodation will be derequisitioned when the staffs of Government Departments move into the new office block which it is proposed shall be built for them in the Headrow, Leeds.

Six buildings or parts of buildings will be derequisitioned including three private houses and a church institute. Two leased buildings will also be given up.The buildings to be derequisitioned are:

asked the Minister of Works what plans he has for developing and improving the Lido in Hyde Park during the coming season.

I propose to provide additional changing space; to increase four-fold the amount of hanger accommodation and generally to improve the layout.

asked the Minister of Works the policy of his Department regarding the watering of roadways in the Royal parks; and why Birdcage Walk was watered on 11th November, the morning after it had rained continuously for about 12 hours.

Roads in the Royal parks are washed whenever their condition justifies such treatment. On 11th November, owing to a breakdown of the mechanical gully cleaner, it was necessary to clear mud and leaves from the gullies in Birdcage Walk by hand in order to relieve flooding of the roadway caused by heavy rain. As a result, the road surface was left in a dirty condition and had to be washed.

asked the Minister of Works whether in view of traffic congestion in the rush hours, he will raise the speed limits in the London parks from 20 to 30 miles an hour.

No. Increasing the speed limit would not relieve the traffic congestion.

asked the Minister of Works if he will make available to local authorities information of the licences granted to build, other than for houses, in the area controlled by the local authority.

This is already done. In addition local authorities are normally consulted in advance about proposals for the provision of local amenities such as entertainments or social facilities and often about important shops. The programme of work in each area is arranged as far as possible so as not to interfere with the new housing programme of the local authority.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware that confusion exists in the minds of the local authorities and private individuals on the correct interpretation of conditions for licensing repairs and alterations under Defence Regulation 56A; and whether he will review the regulations so that their interpretation is placed beyond reasonable doubt.

I am not aware of any general confusion that could be remedied by a review of the Regulation, but if the hon. Member has any particular point in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Works whether the rebuilding of Quin and Axtens in Brixton Road. London, for which he has approved a licence of £300,000, is to be proceeded with.

I do not propose to cancel the licence for £230,000 which has been issued for this work, sanction for which was given on 25th February, 1950.

asked the Minister of Works if he will arrange for the bases of the demolished Nissen huts at Croft House Farm. Allerthorpe, Yorkshire, to he removed, so that this land can revert to its original agricultural use.

I am awaiting a report on the matter from the local committee which deals with the removal of defence works. I hope that it will he possible to reach a decision within the next fortnight.

asked the Minister of Works if he will give the trades classification of the 50.4 per cent. of building trade labour employed in civil engineering, etc.. work.

I regret that statistics of the trades classification of the 50.4 per cent. of building trade labour employed on civil engineering, etc., work are not collected. Figures for building and civil engineering combined can be found in the Working Party Report on the Building Industry.

asked the Minister of Works how the total building force was apportioned between new house building, house repairs and civil engineering in 1935 as compared with today.

These statistics were not collected in 1935.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of increased building needs for Government purposes, he will reconsider the decision to disband the Mobile Labour Force.

I have no reason to think that the increased building needs for Government purposes will be such as to justify me in varying the decision on the future of the Mobile Labour Force contained in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Wallasey (Mr. Marples) on 26th June last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many inshore fishing vessels have been built and are in the process of being built during the year 1950 under the terms of the Inshore Fishing Industry Act of 1945.

Thirty-eight fishing vessels have been built in Scotland and 18 in England and Wales during 1950 under the terms of the Inshore Fishing Industry Act, 1945. A further three vessels in Scotland and three in England and Wales are at present under construction.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the output of beef and veal, respectively, in England and Wales each year since 1938; and how many beef animals were kept annually in the same area over this period.

The estimated output (in thousands of tons) of beef and veal from farms in England and Wales was:

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many hostels are still under requisition to his Department or to the Ministry of Works for his use; the number of inmates and the estimated annual cost.

The number of agricultural hostels is being steadily reduced; 282 were held under requisition by my Department or by Ministry of Works on my behalf on 31st October last. The number of workers (excluding staff) was 11,100. The cost to the Exchequer in respect of requisitioned hostels (including Ministry of Works and administration costs) in the financial year 1950–51 is estimated at £785,000.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what precautions are taken to ensure that cattle transported from abroad are reasonably cared for during transit; and whether he is satisfied that the regulations are always obeyed.

Orders have been made under the Diseases of Animals Acts requiring vessels engaged in the transport of cattle to and from this country to be suitably fitted for that trade with a view to ensuring that no unnecessary suffering is caused to the animals while in transit. I am satisfied that all practicable steps are taken to ensure that these regulations are observed. All vessels regularly employed in the trade are inspected annually by my Department's Marine Superintendent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the ill effects on National Savings of the uncertainty as to whether a capital levy will be imposed upon them, he will give an assurance that the pledge made by the late Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the special contribution was once and for all, still represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

I see no reason to add anything to my right hon. Friend's predecessor's statement in his Budget speech in 1948.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total outstanding of war damage claims at the latest convenient date.

War damage claims for cost of works payments are still being received at the rate of nearly 5,000 a week and at the beginning of November some 19,300 such claims, for about £5¼ million, were under examination. It is impossible to say how many more claims for cost of works payments will be received since such claims can only be made when work has been done. In addition some 8,500 value payments amounting to about £11 million were outstanding. There were also about 1,000 claims totalling some £650,000 outstanding under Part II of the Act. The total number of claims now deferred under the Business Scheme is 38,600 and the amount (excluding interest) about £41 million.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that on the night of Monday, 13th November, 1950, there was in the City of Aberdeen a complete electricity blackout which lasted from 35 minutes to one hour and disorganised the business of the city; can he state what was the cause of this; and what steps it is proposed shall be taken to obviate a similar occurrence in future.

The electricity black-out which occurred in Aberdeen at 10.20 p.m. on 13th November was due to a technical fault which disconnected an important supply circuit. This in turn caused overloading which automatically shut off the generating plant. To prevent a recurrence the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board are making a detailed examination of the incident.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, to encourage National Savings, he is prepared to consider a scheme whereby occupants of five years or longer of municipally-owned houses should have the opportunity of buying them from the local authority on an appropriate and convenient instalment plan; and if he is prepared to allow, as an experiment, selected local authorities to inaugurate the proposal by giving them permission to sell a limited number of houses to those who desire to purchase them.

I regret I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Member on 24th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made by the committee set up to consider the financial and economic position of Scotland.

The Committee on Scottish Financial and Trade Statistics has met four times under its Chairman, Lord Catto, and will be meeting again very shortly. I understand that it is making good progress.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when the public inquiry into the loss of the Dakota at Heathrow will start.

A public announcement will be made as soon as the date is fixed.

asked the Postmaster-General what telephone facilities were placed at the disposal of the World Peace Congress in the Sheffield City Hall; how many man-hours were used in providing these facilities; and what was the cost.

Thirty-seven temporary exchange lines with switchboards, etc., were provided for the use of the organisers and members of the Congress and of the Press. The number of man-hours required to provide and remove the apparatus is estimated at 400, and the direct cost at £60.

asked the Postmaster-General what arrangements are being made for the Christmas mail for the British troops in Korea; if this will be by air mail; and what will be the rates of postage for letters and parcels.

Christmas mails for transmission by air to British troops in Korea may he posted in this country up to and including 8th December. Surface mails posted before 27th October should also secure delivery by Christmas Day. The rates of postage are as follows:SURFACE MAILS.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether decorated pottery will be available for catering establishments in the South Bank Exhibition.

No. Careful consideration has been given to this matter, but in view particularly of export needs it has been decided not to use decorated pottery in these establishments.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many colliery workers have joined the Army since 1st January, 1950, and how many have been called up as reservists.

One thousand, four hundred and fifty-five colliery workers have enlisted at Army recruiting offices since 1st January, 1950. Up to date records are not kept of the civilian occupations of Regular Reservists and it is not therefore possible to say how many of the Regular Reservists who have been recalled were colliery workers.

asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent the erection of the television station on the proposed site at St. Lythan's, Cardiff, will constitute a danger to aircraft using St. Athans Airport; on what date he received official intimation of the proposed change of site; on what date he took a decision concerning the suitability of the St. Lythan's site; and on what date his decision was conveyed to the Postmaster-General.

The aerial mast for this television station will be 750 feet in height. It will, therefore, constitute a general obstruction to air navigation, and it will accordingly be necessary for the mast to be fitted with red obstruction lights. My Department was first officially consulted about the proposed change of site on 15th November and was able to give the necessary clearance on the same day.

asked the Minister of Education whether arrangements will be made during the summer holiday period in 1951 to provide temporary accommodation in the schools of this country for the large number of students from France and other Western European countries who are anxious to visit Great Britain during the Festival year but will not be able to do so unless facilities of that kind are made available.

The British Travel and Holidays Association has opened registers of individuals and institutions willing to provide short-term accommodation for overseas visitors to the Festival of Britain. Accommodation for this purpose has been offered by a number of schools and colleges, with whom the Association will put such inquirers in touch.

asked the Minister of Education what steps he proposes to take to encourage local authorities to provide during the Festival year holiday camps in the areas under their control in order to provide accommodation for students and young persons from France and other foreign countries.

The main demand for accommodation of this type is likely to centre on London. To help to meet this demand the London County Council have accepted responsibility for the management of the Clapham Deep Shelter from 1st March, 1951, to 30th September, 1951. There will also be a large tented camp, run by a voluntary organisation, at Chigwell, and there may be one further camping site near London. In all this accommodation a measure of priority will be given to parties of overseas visitors, including students and young people. Neither my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health nor I propose to take other steps to encourage local education authorities to provide holiday camps to accommodate overseas visitors to the Festival of Britain.

asked the Minister of Education what are the total amount of contributions paid by and for men teachers in the whole country for the period 1942 to 1949, the amount of pension benefits paid to men teachers for the same period, the total amount of contributions paid by and for women teachers in the whole country for the period 1942 to 1949, and the amount of pension bene- fits paid to women teachers for the same period, respectively.

I can only give estimated approximate figures based, so far as concerns the war years, on certain arbitrary assumptions. The following figures must, therefore, be treated as rough approximations expressed in round figures. The total amount of net contributions paid in respect of men teachers in England and Wales for the period 1942–49 amounted to about £24.5m: the corresponding figure for women teachers is about £30m. The total amount of benefits drawn by men teachers during the same period amounted to about £30.5m. and by women teachers to about £48m.In considering the above figures the hon. Member will, no doubt, bear in mind that (

asked the Minister of Education what is the establishment of school dentists in Cardiff and Glamorgan, respectively; and what deficiencies exist.

Following is the information:

asked the Minister of Education how many unemployed emergency trained teachers there were resident in Wales on the latest date for which statistics are conveniently available.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the recent sudden increases in the price of knitting wool and woollen goods has been permitted before any of the new wool purchased in Australia at the new enhanced prices can have been shipped to England and made into woollen goods.

Controlled maximum prices of utility cloth have not yet been increased to reflect the higher prices fetched by this season's Australian wool clip. I understand that the recent increases in knitting wool prices, which are not at present controlled, were related to rises in raw wool prices which occurred before this season's auctions opened. The Central Price Regulation Committee are, however, considering whether it is advisable to reimpose control over the prices of knitting wool, and I hope to have their recommendation shortly. The question whether control should be reimposed over the prices of any other non-utility wool Goods will be considered in the course of a general review, which I have invited the Committee to undertake, of the position in regard to those consumer goods in the Board of Trade field which have been freed from price control.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he has consulted the Government of New Zealand with a view to co-operation between the United Kingdom and the Dominion in the large scale development of newsprint supplies from forests in the North Island, to the mutual advantage of both countries; and if he will make a statement.

No, although I understand that the New Zealand Government have under consideration a project for the development of newsprint in the North Island. Any increase in the production of newsprint within the Commonwealth would be welcome.