asked the Minister of Labour why Mr. W. A. Granshaw of Clevedon, Lusted Lane, Tatsfield, near Westerham, Kent, has not yet received the medical examination required before he can take a course of industrial rehabilitation.

The hon. Member was informed on 7th November that this man's medical re-examination was delayed by sickness. The examination took place on 17th November and I am advised that an industrial rehabilitation course of the kind provided by my Department would not be appropriate in his case. The hospital where he was examined is endeavouring to arrange a more suitable kind of rehabilitation for him under the National Health Service.

NUMBERS OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS ON THE REGISTERS OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES IN WALES AT 16TH OCTOBER, 1950
County			Total number on registers (excluding severely disabled persons who are unlikely to obtain work other than under special conditions)	Disabled persons suitable for ordinary employment (included in Col. 2)	Unemployed severely disabled persons who are unlikely to obtain work other than under special conditions (excluded from Col. 2)
(1)			(2)	(3)	(4)
Anglesey	…	…	942	89	4
Brecknockshire	…	…	380	86	7
Carnarvonshire	…	…	2,096	316	10
Cardiganshire	…	…	488	105	2
Carmarthenshire	…	…	2,388	1,317	213
Denbighshire	…	…	1,673	425	32
Flintshire	…	…	1,169	125	5
Glamorganshire	…	…	17,433	5,485	728
Merionethshire	…	…	316	74	9
Monmouthshire	…	…	5,043	1,270	238
Montgomeryshire	…	…	125	23	2
Pembrokeshire	…	…	794	126	11
Radnorshire	…	…	85	15	—
TOTAL	…	…	32,932	9,456	1,261

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the shortage of factory inspectors, he is satisfied that he is attracting the right type of people; to what extent the qualifications at present demanded tend to bring in recruits of the purely academic type; and whether he can indicate the number and percentage

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons registered as unemployed at each local office of his Department in Caernarvonshire.

The numbers of persons registered as unemployed at 13th November, 1950, were as follow: Bangor, 188; Bethesda, 148; Caernarvon, 425; Conway, 113; Llanberis, 87; Llandudno, 344; Penmaenmawr, 131; Penygroes, 221; Portmadoc, 159; Pwllheli, 399.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons unemployed in each county of Wales and Monmouthshire; and how many in each case are disabled.

The following table gives the information desired:of his present staff of factory inspectors who have had experience of earning a living in a factory before they were appointed.

I am completely satisfied that we have attracted the right type of people for these posts and I should be glad to see more of them. The regulations which remain unchanged in this respect provide that candidates should, in general, be university graduates but suitable candidates without this qualification who have considerable works experience are also accepted. Only candidates who prove to be in all respects suitable are, of course, appointed. As regards the third part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Reading (Mr. Mikardo) on 20th July.

asked the Minister of Labour, in regard to the scheme which he has sponsored for the training of disabled men as dental mechanics, what is the length of training given; and how far has the scheme the support of the employers' organisations and the appropriate trade unions.

This course, which is usually one of 18 months, but may be extended up to two years in suitable cases, was arranged in 1946 in consultation with the appropriate employers' organisations and trade unions.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the relative cost of living index figures for the years between 1935 to 1939, and 1945 to 1949.

There are no official statistics giving the relative cost of living from 1935 to 1949. The cost of living index, which was based on a 1914 standard of living, was terminated in June, 1947, and was replaced by the present interim index of retail prices, with the average level of retail prices at 17th June, 1947, represented by 100. The two indices are radically different in scope and method of compilation, and it is not possible to obtain any reliable comparison of pre-war and post-war cost of living or price levels by linking the two indices together.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many inquiries for industrial space at East Kilbride have been received; and how many and of what type have been approved.

Inquiries for industrial space at East Kilbride have been received by the New Town Development Corporation from 20 firms. Three of these firms have not pursued their negotiations with the Corporation. Of the remaining 17, one—a factory for the production of electrical appliances—has been approved for immediate development while some others are at a very advanced stage of negotiation and final decisions are likely to be reached shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the report of the Committee on Physiotherapists will be published.

Arrangements for printing this report are being made but I am not yet able to give the date of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any further information on the scheme of development for Lerwick Harbour.

A report has been made by the Scottish Home Department on the application which the Lerwick Harbour Trustees have made to the Treasury for assistance towards a development scheme. No decision has yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War to what extent it is his practice when a Regular Service man dies before completing his period of service, to grant an ex gratia grant of a proportion of the gratuity otherwise to be paid upon the completion of the service and dependent upon the proportion of the service completed to the soldier's dependent wife or mother.

It is not the practice in the event of the death of a soldier to pay to dependants part of any gratuity or pension which might have been earned by the completion of his service. When death is due to service, provision for awards to dependants is made by the Ministry of Pensions.

asked the Secretary of State for War why British wounded in Korea at British 33rd General Hospital are supplied with American uniforms only.

The evacuation of British wounded from forward areas in Korea to the base has been through United States channels and, where soiled uniforms have had to be changed, United States pattern has been issued. On their arrival at 33 British General Hospital, British wounded have, since 13th October, been issued with British uniform.

asked the Secretary of State for War why no British awards for gallantry in Korea have been made or made public.

Recommendations are now coming forward and awards approved will be announced from time to time. The first two will be gazetted this evening.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he has taken to ensure the rapid transmission of mail between the British troops in Korea and the United Kingdom whilst so many aircraft of British Overseas Airways Corporation are grounded.

While the British Overseas Airways Corporation eastward route is suspended, Forces' air mail to and from Korea is being routed via the United States.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for British troops proceeding overseas on active service to be accompanied by the Navy, Army and Air Forces Institutes' personnel and facilities.

Troops proceeding overseas on active service are accompanied by N.A.A.F.I. personnel and facilities wherever practicable. Where delay in the establishment of a N.A.A.F.I. service is likely to occur on the arrival of the force at its destination, N.A.A.F.I. packs are provided to bridge the gap before the N.A.A.F.I. service comes into operation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is taking in view of a possible coal shortage to discharge skilled miners from the Army.

The possibility of allowing miners who have recently volunteered for the Forces to return to the pits is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will discontinue his Department's practice of deducting lying time from the pay of employees, especially in the case of established workers who are not likely to leave their employment without due notice.

The arrangements for the application of lying time to the pay of War Department employees are now being reviewed in consultation with the employees' representatives.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of debt owing to us from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics which was outstanding after the First World War; what interest this debt carries; and what steps have been taken to secure repayment.

The amount owing by Russia in respect of advances made during the 1914–18 war was £568 million on 31st March, 1920. The Treasury Bills held against this debt carried interest at 5 per cent. Debts were owing to His Majesty's Government on other accounts at the end of that war of about £120 million. The Soviet Union Government denies responsibility for these pre-revolution debts. The question was raised with them on several occasions in the inter-war period, the last occasion being in 1934, but no settlement has ever been reached.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that sample equipment imported by manufacturers engaged in the export trade, is being charged Customs duty and Purchase Tax at full rates; and whether he will take steps to ensure that this discouragement to those engaged in the export trade is discontinued.

I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind. Section 11 of the Finance Act, 1950, provides for the duty-free admission of goods which are imported for the purpose of examination or tests with a view to promoting or improving the manufacture in the United Kingdom of similar goods. A further scheme will shortly be introduced under which bona fide trade samples required for the promotion of our export trade may be admitted free of duty and Purchase Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the serious situation which is being created in the leather goods trade by the heavy burden of Purchase Tax and the inevitable result that craftsmen are leaving the trade, he will consider abolishing Purchase Tax on these goods.

This is a matter which with other similar representations will be considered when the tax is next reviewed.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many copies of the Administration of Justice (Pensions) Bill have been made available to the public at His Majesty's Stationery Office, Belfast; and when were copies first made available there.

There is no general demand in Belfast for British Parliamentary Bills. Copies of British Finance Bills are kept in stock there, but copies of other Bills are obtained from London as required. One copy of the Bill referred to in the Question was sent on 29th November in response to an order.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements are in force regarding the dispatch by persons in this country of duty-free presents of cigarettes and tobacco to British soldiers in Korea; and in what respect these arrangements differ from those normally regulating the despatch of such presents to British troops serving in an overseas theatre of war.

Cigarettes and tobacco, including presents for British soldiers in Korea, qualify for relief from duty when exported by licensed manufacturers. In the case of parcels sent by post the minimum quantity for this purpose is 2 lb. weight. During the recent world war this quantity was reduced in respect of parcels despatched to British troops serving overseas, and I am considering whether such arrangements, which involve some administrative complication, should be introduced in the case of our troops in Korea.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement showing the cash value of gifts made or promised by Britain since April, 1938, to each of the various international relief and other agencies and to each foreign country.

Gifts made by His Majesty's Government to these agencies and countries, and future gifts covered by Parliamentary authority, are shown below. The list includes assistance given in kind to Allied countries during the 1939–45 war, but excludes regular contributions or subscriptions to international organisations, such as U.N.O. and its specialised agencies.

TABLE A
International Agencies
Relief and administrative
£ million
1. Contributions to International funds in connection with the civil war in Spain	.2
2. Grants to voluntary societies for the administration of relief abroad	.3
3. International Red Cross, Relief Fund for prisoners of war	.2
4. Inter-governmental Committee on Refugees	1.2
5. International Refugee Organisation	21.8
6. United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration	153.2
7. United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund	.1
8. United Nations Fund for Arab Refugees in Palestine	2.6
TOTAL TABLE A	179.6

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the special tax concession which has been made in recent years as regards cases in which an employer, who had been in the habit of making Christmas presents in goods to subordinate employees, decided to substitute gifts of equivalent value in the form of Savings Certificates, saving stamps, National Savings Gift Tokens or direct credits to savings bank accounts of the employees is to be continued this year.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the high salaries offered by private firms to individuals having qualifications and experience appropriate to the higher Civil Service; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the permanent Civil Service is not adversely affected by such competition.

This was one of the considerations taken into account by the Chorley Committee in recommending improved salaries for the higher Civil Service and by the Government in accepting these recommendations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the undesirable practice of mentioning certain trades in the Monopoly Commissions' Report without producing any evidence whatsoever; and whether he will give consideration to the introduction of amending legislation to render this unnecessary.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the Board of Trade's Annual Report on the operation of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices (Inquiry and Control) Act, 1948. I do not accept the implications in the first part of the Question and the answer to the second part is, therefore, "No."

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he refused recently to allow the export of 1,029 tons of copper wire to a firm in Tientsin, which had already been paid for.

During recent months, demands for exports of copper products have been much in excess of quantities available for export, and, in consequence, it has been necessary to restrict exports to normal demands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many persons were adjudicated bankrupt during the years 1946, 1947, 1948 and 1949, respectively; and during the first six months of 1950.

The following are the numbers of persons adjudicated bankrupt during the years 1946–49 and during the first six months of 1950:

Year	Number
1946	323
1947	626
1948	1,132
1949	1,491
1950 (first six months only)	913

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the f.o.b. price received for the 1,500 tons of best quality Malay rubber shipped from the Port of London in the s.s. "Sestrorestk" and the "Mikhail Frunz" on or about 5th October; what was the destination; and whether any has been shipped since.

It is not the practice to disclose information about individual consignments for export as declared to Customs, but the vessels referred to by the hon. Member were destined for the Soviet Union. The average f.o.b. value of exports of 4,147 tons of raw rubber recorded in the Trade Accounts as consigned to the Soviet Union during October was 23.8 pence per lb. I am not yet in a position to say whether there have been any shipments of raw rubber to the Soviet Union since October.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the effect on the earnings of the employees of carpet dealers of the reduction on the distributors' margins prescribed by Statutory Instruments Nos. 1704 and 1707; and what action he proposes to take to safeguard their interests.

I see no reason why the orders reducing the maximum margins of carpet retailers should have any adverse effect on the earnings of their employees.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the reasons for the price increases authorised in Statutory Instrument No. 1844 of 1950.

The increase in the maximum prices of perambulators allowed by this Order is due to increases in costs of raw materials and components over the last two years.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why German lead pencils can be bought cheaper and quicker than those made in Britain.

I have no information that this is so in general, though I am aware that in one recent case a tender by German suppliers was accepted. Pencils from Germany are now on open general licence.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give a list of all raw materials, semi-finished and finished goods, for which his Department restricts export to the United States of America.

A limited range of raw materials, semi-finished and finished goods require licences for their export from the United Kingdom, but certain of them are exempt from this requirement when the destination is the United States of America.The goods in question are listed in the Export of Goods (Control) (Consolidation) Order, 1949 (Statutory Instrument, 1949, No. 2466), as subsequently amended.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is his intention to review the existing scale of tariffs on horticultural products, so as to avoid the situation of smallholders being faced with bankruptcy and farmers generally being compelled to discharge their workers, due

—			1946	1947	1948	1949	1950 (January-August)
				£ (c.i.f.) per cwt.
Australia	…	…	3·30	3·69	3·67	3·62	3·37
New Zealand	…	…	4·21	*	4·24	5·53	5·54
British West Indies	…	…	3·28	3·59	3·65	3·64	3·84
Irish Republic	…	…	—	—	—	11·36	10·75
Chile	…	…	—	*	3·37	3·53	3·11
Argentine Republic	…	…	2·71	*	*	2·91	3·55
All countries	…	…	3·32	3·70	3·68	3·61	3·51
* Negligible imports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the revision of the Anglo-American Film Agreement.

Yes. A revised Anglo-American Film Agreement, in respect of the 12 months ending 29th September, 1951, is being signed in New York today. I have arranged for copies of the text of the Agreement to be put in the Library of the House and I hope to issue it shortly as a White Paper.

I have received applications from producers' organisations for the revision of import duties relating to a wide range of horticultural products, and these are now under consideration. I am, of course, unable to forecast whether the examination of these applications, which will necessarily take some time, will lead to any changes in the existing tariff rates.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantities of honey were imported in the years 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and the first eight months of 1950; and what prices were paid for these imports.

Imports of honey into the United Kingdom during the years 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and the first eight months of 1950 were 38,000 175,000 137,000, 340,000 and 125,000 cwts. respectively. The average c.i.f. values of these consignments recorded in the Trade Accounts are shown in the following table; they are averages concerning all qualities of honey.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what recent changes he has made in the class of case in which the National Film Finance Corporation are authorised to make loans.

The Corporation have now had considerable experience of the working of the Act, and, accordingly, I have authorised them, where they see fit, to make loans to persons engaged in the business of producing cinematograph films without attaching the specific provisos about organisation, experience, and private investment, which I mentioned in the answer I gave on 3rd February, 1949, to the then hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Craddock). In granting this authorisation I have told the Corporation that I presume, in cases where private investment can reasonably be expected, it would be their intention to secure it.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning on what date he approved the plans for the St. Paul's Cray housing estate; and whether the plans approved by him include facilities for adult recreation.

These plans, which were approved by the local planning authorities, provide for open spaces, a community centre and other places of recreation and entertainment.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning approximately how many building workers have intimated their willingness and desire to settle at Harlow; and at what rate are they likely to be absorbed.

Sixty-two have already been housed at Harlow and applications have been received from another 150, to whom the Corporation will be able to allocate houses within the next four months if they can find employment with the contractors on the site.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning what plans he has to develop the town of Stowmarket as a central or junction town for Suffolk, in view of its geographical position and rail and road facilities.

This is primarily a matter for the East Suffolk County Council, who are now preparing a development plan for the county to be submitted to my right hon. Friend for approval.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning when he will be able to announce the result of the public inquiry into the extension of the St. Albans City gas works and his decision in the matter.

As soon as certain consultations, in which my right hon. Friend is engaged, are completed.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she is aware that widows approaching 60 years of age are allowed to qualify for pension on condition that they pay arrears of contributions; that these amounts are sometimes £10 and over; and if she will consider allowing this to be deducted from postwar credits, where these are due to the widow of this age.

My right hon. Friend has no power to make an arrangement of this kind, which would be inconsistent with the principle that contributions are legally payable week by week as they fall due. In so far, however, as a widow is, under the regulations, permitted, for benefit purposes, to pay arrears after attaining pensionable age, she can use the proceeds of her post-war credits for the purpose if she applies for them in good time.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why, for the purposes of eligibility, her regulations prescribe that the weekly earnings of a wife working in the school meals service should be regarded as including the value of meals provided, even if the wife does not, in fact, accept the meals.

The regulations are in general terms. They provide that where earnings have to be assessed for purposes of the National Insurance Acts they are to be calculated on the basis of net remuneration or profit. Their interpretation in relation to a claim for benefit is a matter for the statutory authorities.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why a period of grace is not allowed under the National Insurance Act, 1946, between the date on which an applicant retires from employment and the date on which an application for a retirement pension must be made.

The normal practice is for notice of intention to retire to be given well in advance of the actual date. Where this is done no question of a period of grace arises. In other cases it is essential to establish the date of retirement without delay because retirement changes an insured person's status under the scheme in relation to both contributions and benefits. My right hon. Friend has, however, asked the National Insurance Advisory Committee to examine the retirement notice requirement along with other time limits for claiming and receiving National Insurance benefits.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in order to assist old age pensioners to augment their income by occasional earnings, she will introduce legislation to increase the allowance for casual work to £2 or higher, before disqualification for a retirement pension becomes effective.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) whether she will raise the maximum limit for earnings which a woman over 60, but under 65, in receipt of a retirement pension may earn, without reduction of pension, from 20s. to 60s. in any pensions week;(2) whether she will raise the maximum limit for earnings which a man over 65, but under 70, in receipt of a retirement pension may earn, without reduction of pension, from 20s. to 60s. in any pensions week.

One of the objects of the retirement pension provisions of the National Insurance Act, by providing larger pensions for those who go on working, is to encourage, in the national interest, continuance in regular full-time employment beyond minimum pension age. An earnings rule is an essential part of these provisions because, without such a rule, a person could notionally retire and thereafter earn such an amount that it would be impossible to decide whether he had retired from work or not. The figure of 20s. was fixed on the basis that for this and other purposes of the National Insurance Acts it was a reasonable measure of an employment which could be ignored. The suggestions put forward in these Questions would be inconsistent with this conception and might well tempt people deliberately to choose a life on pension supplemented by part-time earnings in place of regular full-time work, which is so much more important in the national interest. Some of the suggestions would amount to abolishing the retirement condition entirely and so reverse one of the major decisions embodied in the National Insurance Acts.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what was the balance of the National Insurance Fund at the latest known date; what estimate of unemployment was made by the Government actuary to balance benefits and contributions; what is the present figure to account for the surplus; and whether it is her intention to increase benefits or reduce the contributions.

The balance in the National Insurance Fund on 31st March, 1949, was about £195 million, which includes £100 million transferred from the N.I. (Reserve) Fund. This is the figure given in the last statutory account, and in accordance with long-standing practice I am not prepared to anticipate the next account, which will shortly be presented to Parliament. An average rate of un-employment of 8½ per cent. was assumed by the Government actuary, on instructions from the Government, for the purpose of estimating the cost of unemployment benefit and the contributions required for this benefit. Since the inception of the scheme the rate has been between 1½ and 2 per cent. The rates of contributions and benefits could only be re-adjusted as part of a general review of the finances of the scheme as a whole.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that a number of established clerical assistants working in her Department in Blackpool have been forced to leave as a result of that Department's removal to Newcastle and are prevented from qualifying for a gratuity which they had previously earned by temporary service because they were successful in the competitive examination for establishment in 1948; and what action she proposes to take to remedy this hardship.

Some 28 clerical assistants finally felt unable to transfer to Newcastle. They had accepted establishment with the consequential conditions of service. These include liability to transfer of station. There is no power, under the Superannuation Acts, to grant a gratuity in respect of their prior temporary employment.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the serious effects the percentage reduction in cans will have on the demand for high quality homegrown fruits and vegetables; and if he will restore the can allocation for fruits and vegetables to the original 1949 level.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the serious position which is arising in the horticultural industry owing to the shortage of tinplate for the manufacture of cans; and whether, in view of the importance of the fruit and vegetable canning industry, he will restore the 1949 allocation of tinplate to this industry.

We know that the shortage of cans may prevent canners contracting for all the fruit and vegetables they would wish, but my right hon. Friend cannot restore allocations to the record level of 1949 until more tinplate is available.

asked the Minister of Food what function will be performed during 1951 by the Eggs Division of his Department and the National Egg Distributors' Association Limited, respectively; what is the total cost of each of these organisations for the year 1951, including all overhead charges; how many persons are currently employed by each organisation; and what future plans he has for these organisations.

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, Monday, 27th November, 1950; Vol. 481, col. 770], supplied the following information:The functions of the Eggs Division of the Ministry and of National Egg Distributors' Association Limited are reviewed from time to time. As far as can be foreseen during 1951 the functions of these two organisations will be as follow:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of vacancies, the number of candidates, the number who failed in the written examination, the number who failed in the interview and the number appointed as cadets in the forthcoming January entry under the new Dartmouth Scheme; and if he will give a list of successful candidates' schools.

Details of the January, 1951, entry under the new Dartmouth Scheme are given below:

ENTRIES TO DARTMOUTH UNDER NEW SCHEME OF ENTRY AT AGE 16 (JANUARY, 1951 ENTRY)
Number of vacancies
Executive Branch	13
Engineering Branch	11
Supply and Secretariat Branch	3
Total	27
Number entered as cadets
Executive Branch	13
Engineering Branch	9
Supply and Secretariat Branch	3
Total	25
Number of applicants	188
Number who sat the examination	181
Number who failed the examination	124
Number who failed the interview	31
Medically unfit	1

asked the Minister of Health the effect of his consideration of the Middle Lea sewage scheme; whether any decision has been arrived at; and what are the financial implications thereof for the county of Hertford.

I have approved the Harlow Development Corporation's scheme for draining the new town to a sewage disposal works to be built at Rye Meads. I am arranging for a public local inquiry to be held shortly into the Stevenage Development Corporation's proposals to drain their area, also, to Rye Meads. I am, furthermore, ready to consider proposals from other authorities in the area to participate in the scheme. In so far as the works involved are attributable to new town development the cost, in the first instance, would fall mainly on the development corporations concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedure is adopted with respect to the inoculation of persons confined in mental hospitals who are rational in most respects and express objections to these injections; and whether his regulations allow such persons any right of refusal.

I have been asked to reply. There are no regulations with regard to the inoculation of persons in mental hospitals; but if a patient expresses a rational objection to an injection it would not be administered.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of trained and assistant nurses at present engaged predominantly in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in sanatoria, general hospitals and fever hospitals and also as health visitors or clinic nurses in chest clinics, respectively.

The numbers of nursing staff employed in sanatoria and tuberculosis hospitals are as follow:

—	Full-time	Part-time
Trained nurses	2,074	323
Enrolled assistant nurses	967	325
Student nurses	1,372	—
Other nursing staff	1,003	424
	5,416	1,072

The numbers of staff engaged in the treatment of tuberculosis in general and fever hospitals are not known, and no separate figures are available for pulmonary tuberculosis as distinct from other forms of the disease. Returns from local health authorities show the nurses engaged as tuberculosis visitors number approximately 360 full-time and 1,130 part-time. No separate information about hospital service nurses engaged in chest clinics is available.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the cost of the printing and publication of the coloured handbill bearing the slogan, "Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases," and what was its circulation.

Two posters have been prepared and distributed illustrating this theme. Particulars of one of these was given in a reply to the hon. Member for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay) on 9th November last.The relevant details for the other are as follow:

Distribution—to local authorities, chemists, brewers	50,000
Costs—Printing	£155
Paper	8½ cwts.

asked the Attorney-General in how many cases will the salaries payable to registrars of county courts exceed the salaries paid to the judges.

Two.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what grants have been made for farm drainage and farm water supplies in the Hawarden and Overton rural districts, respectively, to the latest convenient date.

The information is as follows:

GRANTS MADE TO 30TH NOVEMBER, 1950
—	Hawarden	Overton
Farm drainage	£6,585 (459 schemes)	£9,250 (588 schemes)
Farm water supplies	£4,798 (87 schemes)	£3,864 (41 schemes)

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the average acreage growing potatoes over the years 1935–39; what has been the average over the last three years; what was the average yield in each case; how many acres in each case were affected by eelworm; and how many acres are known to be affected now.

The average acreage under potatoes in England and Wales over the years 1935–39 was 461,000 and the average yield per acre 6.8 tons; the average acreage over the years 1948–50 was 971,000 and the estimated average yield per acre 7.4 tons.The only estimate of the acreage of land under potatoes affected by potato root eel-worm relates to the period 1946–49, during which it is estimated that the average was 150,280. The total acreage affected by this eelworm is considerably larger but no estimate is available.