asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now reconsider the question of the completion of the Totnes by-pass in view of its importance both as a main traffic artery and as a strategical link.

I regret that in present circumstances I am still unable to approve the completion of the Totnes by-pass.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to restrict the width and length of two-wheeled trailer caravans which, when towed by fast private cars, sway dangerously and which, on account of their size, often completely obliterate the towing vehicle from the vision of following drivers.

With unimportant exceptions, all trailers drawn by motor vehicles are limited in overall width to 7 ft. 6 ins. and overall length to 22 ft. Private cars drawing caravans are subject to a speed limit of 30 miles an hour. I have no present evidence that two-wheeled caravans are especially unstable or productive of accidents, and I see no ground for any special restriction on them.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress his Department has made since March of this year in connection with the purchase of the toll rights of Selby Toll Bridge; and whether he will make a statement concerning the future of the bridge.

No progress can be made until I can hold out to the owners a definite hope of acquiring the toll rights fairly soon. I cannot do this so long as the present need for economy continues.

asked the Minister of Transport whether work has begun on the reconstruction of Park Street Bridge, Selby.

A contract for this work has now been let.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will ensure that notices of cancellation by his Department of driving test appointments reach the applicants as early as possible and in any case before the day of the appointment.

Endeavour is made to give as much notice as possible, but sudden cancellations are sometimes unavoidable through weather conditions or illness. If the hon. Member knows of any case of avoidably short notice, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to reduce the delay in giving driving tests to applicants for driving licences.

I have increased the numbers of examiners on driving test work by approximately 20 per cent. compared with last year. Taking petrol off the ration increased the number of applications for tests, but since mid-September there has been steady progress in reducing the number of applicants awaiting tests.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the fact that all the lights in the Penmaenbruch Tunnel in the County of Caernarvon are not lit, and that, in consequence, danger is caused to those using this tunnel; and if he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.

Full lighting is now being restored in this tunnel.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the dangers arising from the passage of the Leeds—Hull trunk road, A. 63, through Howden, and the unlikelihood of any by-pass of Howden being constructed in the foreseeable future, he will give favourable consideration to the recommendations of the East Riding County Council for the reconstruction of Batty's Lane, Howden, as a public highway.

I have carefully considered the Council's proposals but cannot see my way to approve them. I am, however, arranging to improve the corner of Batty's Lane in order to ease traffic conditions.

asked the Prime Minister what orders or directions have been issued under paragraph (2, a) and paragraph (4) of Defence Regulation 55, since August, 1945; and under what circumstances these powers have been exercised.

I have been asked to reply. Since August, 1945, no orders or directions have been made under paragraph (4) of Defence Regulation 55, and no orders under paragraph (2 a). A relatively small number of directions have been made under the latter paragraph by my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Trade and the Ministers of Supply and Food. These directions have related to particular activities of individual undertakings; for example, one direction required a firm to deliver a boiler and driving gear by a particular date. It has not hitherto been the practice to publish details of these directions or to give the names of the undertakings concerned, and I do not think it would be advisable to do so now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will publish a list of British citizens known to be held against their will by any Communist-dominated country which is a member of Cominform, giving details of date of arrest and stating whether the Governments in question have given permission for these persons to be visited by relatives, the British consul or British officers.

Following is the list, which includes only those cases where we have conclusive evidence of detention.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government will support the 13 nations in their appeal to the Northern Koreans not to advance beyond the 38th Parallel.

This appeal was addressed not only to the North Korean authorities but also to the Central People's Government of China. His Majesty's Government consider that this was a helpful and constructive move and welcome it as such.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the threatened reduction of workers in Dundyvan steel works, Coatbridge, because of withdrawal of supplies of material from the firm; and if he will take steps to increase the supplies.

There has been no withdrawal of supplies to this works. They closed down in the earlier part of this year and have only recently re-opened. The rate of future supplies will depend on the amount of semi-finished steel available and the importance of their output in relation to the national need.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on the shortage of nickel, and especially of nickel anodes.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Stechford (Mr. Jenkins) on 7th December. Nickel anodes normally take about 20 per cent. of the nickel consumed in this country and the balance goes into a wide variety of uses in the form of special steels and nonferrous alloys. I am investigating with the firms concerned the position regarding the supply of anodes, but I am advised that the present supply is well above the level of 1949, though it is less than in the first half of 1950.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that access from the Members' Writing Rooms over the East and West Division Lobbies as at present arranged is not as convenient as was the arrangement in the old Chamber; and whether, in view of the report of the architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, to the Select Committee, in which it was stated that amenities and arrangements would be retained in the new House as in the old, the necessary alterations will be made to improve the present access.

I am aware that present access from the Members' Writing Rooms might be considered less convenient than in the old Chamber. The Select Committee accepted the present arrangement as satisfactory. Possible alterations are under consideration. In the interests of economy generally, I hope that hon. Members will refrain from advocating alterations unless these can be shown to be essential. The long list of proposed alterations will add materially to the cost and increase the excess anticipated on the job.

asked the Minister of Works whether he is aware that the lift formerly known as the Ladies' Gallery lift, can now ascend no higher than the floor below the Committee Corridor floor, although provision was made, in Appendix three to the Report of the Select Committee on the House of Commons (Rebuilding), for this lift to serve the Committee Corridor floor; and whether he can arrange for the plans as agreed by the Select Committee and the House to be carried out in respect to this lift.

I am aware that the lift formerly known as the Ladies' Gallery lift now only serves the floors below the Committee Corridor floor. The provision of adequate reporters' accommodation above this lift made it impossible for the lift to serve the Committee Corridor floor. It is not now possible to alter this.

asked the Minister of Works if he will regulate the heating apparatus of the Chamber at a considerably lower level.

The air is brought into the Chamber at the various intakes at an average temperature of between 63° and 66° and is extracted at an average temperature of between 68½° and 69°. The temperature can be varied at will, and if the general feeling of the House is in favour of a lower temperature, this can be arranged.

asked the Minister of Works in view of the inadequate space provided for the Parliamentary exhibition in the Grand Committee Room during the Festival of Britain, whether he will consider obtaining the use of Westminster Hall, or part thereof, for that purpose, at least during the Parliamentary Summer Recess.

No. The exhibition, which will take place in London during the long Recess only, is to be so constructed as to be transportable. Its size must accordingly be limited, and it has been designed to fit into the Grand Committee Room.

asked the Minister of Works what was the total sum advanced to him and outstanding on 30th September, 1950, under Section 1 of the Building Materials and Housing Act, 1945.

The total sum advanced under Section 1 of the Building Materials and Housing Act, 1945, was £6,330,000 and the sum outstanding on 30th September, 1950, was £2,480,000.

asked the Minister of Works how many applications for licences have been received by his Department to enable shop-fitting work to be carried out in connection with the opening of retail shops; and how many have been granted and how many refused during the past year to the nearest convenient date.

It is not practicable to distinguish between shop-fitting and other work to bring shops into use, but in the 12 months ending 31st October, 1950, 1,967 applications were received for work to enable shops to open, of which 1,250 were granted and 714 refused; three are still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Works how many applications have been received by his Department during the past five years for licences to erect community centres and village halls; and how many of such applications have been granted.

In the last year 267 applications were received and 148 granted. The information is not available for the earlier period.

asked the Minister of Works when he expects that the site of the old Stationery Office building will be completely cleared so as to enable the construction of the new Colonial Office building to commence; and when, from that date, it is anticipated that the new Colonial Office building will be completed.

The demolition of the old Stationery Office should be finished by March, 1951. It is hoped to complete the new Colonial Office in about four years.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in view of the controversy about the use of the site of the old Westminster Hospital, he will arrange for the model of the proposed Colonial Office, showing its relation to its surroundings, to be exhibited again in the Palace of Westminster and subsequently to the public.

The model which was exhibited in July, 1949, is roughly made and is not true to scale, but an accurate model is being made and I will arrange for this to be exhibited after the Recess with material to show the relation of the proposed building to its surroundings.

asked the Minister of Works the number and value of licences issued by his Department since 1st July, 1945, for the construction of new cinemas and for the rebuilding of damaged cinemas, respectively.

It is impossible without an elaborate search in the records to provide information as far back as 1945 but I can inform the hon. Member that no licences for new cinemas have been issued during the past year.

asked the Minister of Works whether, in connection with the fuel efficiency drive, arrangements will be made to remove all impediments from the grant of licences required in connection with the installation of efficient heating apparatus for housing and industrial establishments and for the efficient heat insulation of houses and buildings of all kinds.

I know of no impediments to the installation, in new buildings, of efficient heating apparatus or thermal insulation. In the case of existing buildings, applications for licences to improve heating and insulation are treated as sympathetically as possible, subject to the limits imposed by the capital investment programme.

asked the Minister of Works what proportion of building trade workers is now engaged on repair and maintenance work, construction of new dwellings and other work, respectively.

At the end of October, 1950, the proportions of building trade workers engaged on repair and maintenance work, construction of new dwellings and other work were estimated to be 48.8 per cent., 24.5 per cent. and 26.7 per cent. respectively.

asked the Minister of Works whether he has yet completed his examination into the employment of overseas staff in his Department; and whether he will now make a statement.

I have now completed my examination of the organisation of the Middle East office of my Department in Cairo, and as a result nine officers are being withdrawn and will in future work from London. The locally engaged staff has been reduced by six. I estimate that there will be a saving of about £10,000 per annum in overseas allowances, wages, rent, etc., but against this must be offset the additional cost of travel by administering the services from London. I shall keep a careful watch on this experiment.I have not yet completed my examination of the New Delhi office organisation. I do not propose to make any alteration at present in the organisation of services in the Far East.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that, although the total number of fatal and other accidents in the coal mines is the lowest ever recorded, the percentage due to the use of explosives remains very high; and what plans are being considered to lessen the general use of explosives.

I am aware that the number of accidents due to the use of explosives has not shown the marked downwards trend of accidents due to other causes. This, no doubt, results from the fact that the amount of explosives used has increased by 40 per cent. since 1938.I have drawn the attention of the National Coal Board to the urgent necessity of using less explosives; the question has been considered by the National Consultative Council; the divisional boards are reviewing the arrangements at all their collieries; the Board are developing the use of machinery and appliances which do not require explosives. I am taking steps to improve the education, training and supervision of all who fire shots, and to tighten up the relevant statutory requirements.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will give the average weekly earnings for coalface workers for the years 1947, 1948 and 1949.

The average weekly earnings for face workers in the mines (including allowances in kind) were £8 4s. 9d. in 1947, and £9 10s. 10d. in 1948. In 1949 the basis of calculation was changed; for that year, the average weekly earnings of face workers, on the old basis, were £9 19s. 6d.; on the revised basis, they were £10 5s. 8d.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why he instructed the National Coal Board to contract to export coal before the amount available became known.

It is necessary towards the end of each calendar year to estimate the amount of coal likely to be available for exports and bunkers during the following year, having regard to the probable level of output and the probable needs of the home market. This procedure was followed a year ago; the estimate then made was used by the Government in their subsequent negotiation of bilateral trade agreements, and by the National Coal Board in planning their forward contracts for the export of coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power upon what date he instructed the National Coal Board to buy coal abroad; and whether his instructions were expressed to take effect from the date upon which a Statutory Instrument should authorise such purchases.

The National Coal Board were instructed to make arrangements for the purchase of American coal on 18th November. They were not instructed to purchase the coal themselves in advance of the authorisation by the Statutory Instrument, and they have not, in fact, done so. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has instructed the National Coal Board to purchase and sell foreign coal for the account of the Board or as agents for his Department.

The purchase and sale of coal from abroad is being done by the National Coal Board for their own account.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the-sustained public interest in coal production, the Government can issue a pamphlet, in précis form, setting out the steps that the Government have taken to maintain coal production throughout the year 1950.

The House is to discuss the measures taken by the Government to maintain coal production tomorrow afternoon. I will consider, in the light of the debate, whether any useful purpose would be served by a pamphlet of the kind which the hon. Member has proposed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware of the serious shortage of domestic fuel in Blackburn; and why supplies of unscreened deep-mined and opencast coal which were used as an addition to the allocation of householders have been withdrawn from the north-west area whilst continuing to be sold in other divisions.

I am advised that there are no special difficulties about house coal supplies in Blackburn. Unscreened coal, which is essentially an industrial fuel, has not been withdrawn from the domestic market in the North-Western Region. But owing to the demands of industry, very little is at present available in any region.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what decision he has now reached on the proposal to prospect for opencast coal in the Cordwell Valley on the Lancashire-Yorkshire border.

No decision has yet been reached on this proposal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can give an estimate of what alleviation the coke oven and coal distillation plants of the coal industry could give to the impending sulphur shortage.

The amount of sulphur at present recovered from treating coal gas from coke oven and coal carbonisation plant is approximately 100,000 tons a year. It is estimated that if that part of the coal gas derived from coke ovens and coal carbonisation plants which is now used without purification, were treated for the recovery of sulphur, the additional sulphur so obtained would be about 50,000 tons per annum. The cost would, however, be very high.These figures relate to all coke oven and coal carbonisation plants, including those at gas works and not only to those of the coal industry. To obtain separate figures for the coal industry alone would involve a great deal of labour, which, as I think the hon. Member will agree, it would not be justifiable to undertake.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps are being taken to encourage the further development of up-to-date and scientific automatic stoking plant, with a view to fuel economy and the greatest efficiency, and also to ensure a high grade quality of fuel.

At the request of my Department, the Combustion Engineering Association have set up a special National Committee to encourage the further development of automatic stoking plant, and to prepare a comprehensive manual of information for the guidance of potential purchasers. The Committee includes representatives of the National Coal Board, of the manufacturers and users of the plant and of the goal distributors. The manual will give full information about the various kinds of plant, and about the range of available coals which can be used efficiently with each of them.The National Coal Board are taking steps to encourage the installation of such plant and to supply the appropriate coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when branded petrol will be reintroduced.

The sale of petrol under brand names, and of the higher octane petrols associated with many brand names, will be allowed when it can be done without reducing the total supply of petrol. I cannot yet say when this will be, but I am keeping the question under review.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware of the serious shortage of coke in the Tonbridge rural area; and whether, in view of the fact that this shortage is in part due to the fact that during the London gas strike gas works in various parts of Kent sent their reserve supplies of coke to London, steps can now be taken to ensure that the Kent area shall not be penalised on that account.

As I said in answer to a Question by the hon. Member for Halifax (Mr. Brook) on 28th November, supplies of gas coke to consumers other than essential consumers will be somewhat less this winter than a year ago. I can assure the hon. Member, however, that Tonbridge will not be penalised in any way, as a result of the strike at certain London gas works earlier in the year. Supplies of coke are now being sent into the Tonbridge area from Sevenoaks, London, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of coke, a number of institutions, such as hospitals and schools, and a large number of private users in the East Riding of Yorkshire are without coke; and if he will take steps to improve supplies from Harworth coke ovens, Bawtry, one of the main sources of supply for coke in this area.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that schools, bakeries and market gardens in the North Riding of Yorkshire are experiencing difficulty in obtaining supplies of coke essential for their needs; and what action he is taking to remedy this situation.

I have given instructions that the needs of essential consumers, such as hospitals, schools, bakeries and nurserymen shall be supplied in full. I am informed that, so far as gas coke is concerned, regular consumers in the areas concerned are receiving their supplies. If the hon. Members know of any of their constituents who have had difficulty in getting supplies, and will let me have the details, I will cause immediate inquiries to be made.I understand that allocations of hard coke to the North Riding are being honoured in full. In the East Riding, there has been some interruption of supplies from the Harworth Coke Ovens, but the despatch of normal quantities has now been resumed.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what principles guide the authorities in the matter of load shedding so as to minimise inconvenience to homes and factories.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the widespread power cuts to be expected this winter, he will institute a definite rota system all over the country giving days and hours when these cuts can be expected; and, further, if he will arrange with the British Broadcasting Corporation for warnings of power cuts to be announced at a given time each day.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make representations to the British Electricity Authority with a view to obviating domestic power cuts at hours when housewives are engaged in cooking the evening meal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that the recent practice of cutting off the electricity supply from the areas in and around Rye without warning between 4 and 5 p.m. on Mondays causes serious inconvenience to households preparing an evening meal for people returning from the day's work; and whether he will direct that the hour of the cut be advertised in advance and that it should be carried out at a less inconvenient time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he has considered complaints which have been sent to him concerning the difficulties and hardships of the members of the Petts Wood Chamber of Commerce caused by power cuts; and what action he proposes to take.

When the demand for electricity from consumers exceeds the capacity of the power stations, some of the load must be shed, to prevent a breakdown of the plant. Thus, the timing of load-shedding is not determined by the British Electricity Authority; it depends on the consumers themselves, whose demand varies from hour to hour and from district to district, according to the weather and other factors.The area boards do everything they can to minimise the inconvenience caused. Whenever possible, they reduce the voltage as much as they can before they cut consumers off. The reductions which they can make are limited, however, by technical factors over which they can have no control.The institution of a rota is a matter for the area boards. Rotas are already operated in many places with considerable success. But a rota cannot, unfortunately, be made precise. I am considering the whole subject of warnings, but there are great difficulties to be overcome, since the fluctuations of electricity demand cannot be foreseen, and cuts have often to be made at a few minutes notice.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he will make representations to the British Electricity Authority with a view to obviating domestic power cuts during the Christmas holidays.

I am glad to assure the hon. and gallant Member that, as most of industry will not be working during the Christmas holidays, the demand for electricity will be much reduced and it is, therefore, extremely unlikely that power cuts will be required.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether the experiments for eliminating sulpur oxides from the combustion products of oil fuel have been completed; and whether he can now give a guarantee that no sulphur fumes will be produced from the new power station opposite St. Paul's.

The experiments were designed to find out which of the two practicable means of eliminating sulphur would be more suitable and effective. They have now been completed, and I am glad to assure the hon. Member that the method adopted will ensure that Bankside Power station will not damage St. Paul's or other buildings in the neighbourhood.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consider giving greater priority to electricity supplies to the rural areas, particularly to agricultural holdings and cottages.

My predecessor asked the area electricity boards to give to supplies to farms and farm-workers' cottages when the supplies would assist food production, a priority equal to that of new housing and essential public service requirements. There has been no change in this policy, but the rate at which the rural network can be extended is naturally controlled by the amount of capital investment which the nation can afford.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make a statement indicating what steps the Government propose taking to improve the serious state of affairs revealed in the Report and Statement of Accounts of the British Electricity Authority for the year ended 31st March.

A full debate on this Report and on the Statement of Accounts will no doubt take place in due course. Meanwhile, if the hon. Member will put down a Question stating more precisely what he has in mind, I will endeavour to give him a reply.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the disclosure of the fact that there were 5,329 cases of food poisoning notified to the medical officers of health in the period 1st January to 30th September, 1950, he will now confer with the Minister of Health with a view to ensuring for the future that every safeguard is effectively exercised and with the local authorities to encourage the setting up of clean food guilds.

These figures emphasise the importance of a high standard of cleanliness and scrupulous care in the handling and preparation of food by traders and the public. We are very closely and actively in touch with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on the problem; but its solution depends as much on a wider awareness of the need for care as on official safeguards.Clean food guilds are one of a number of useful ways for developing a more general understanding of this problem. I shall not myself regard the situation as thoroughly satisfactory until we have established much higher standards of cleanliness throughout the food trades.

asked the Minister of Food how many applications have been made in the last 12 months to his Department by private traders or associations of private traders for permission to charge increased maximum prices, or increased maximum trading margins; how many of these applications have been refused, how many agreed to, and how many agreed to in modified form; and if he has estimates of how much the extra cost to the consumer would have been if those which have been refused or agreed in modified form had been agreed in full.

A considerable number of applications for increased maximum prices or trading margins have been received in the last 12 months. I cannot, however, give the details requested by my hon. Friend because when increases in the prices of materials or operating costs seem likely to affect prices or margins, the position is examined whether representations are received or not and I cannot relate increases to particular claims. But my hon. Friend may be assured that the potential cost of the claims I receive very greatly exceeds the increases allowed.

asked the Minister of Food how many slaughterhouses formerly owned by local authorities are still under his control; and what plans he has for returning them to local authorities control.

Two hundred and four slaughterhouses owned by local authorities are still under our control. This control is necessary as part of the meat rationing system and I cannot forecast when it will be possible to lift it.

asked the Minister of Food why, before he grants applications for the import of dried peas, he is imposing conditions that the trader shall purchase twice the quantity from his Department's stocks; and whether he will review this introduction of a system of bargaining with the exercise of his administrative powers.

It is the mutual advantage of traders and the Ministry to dispose of Government stocks in an orderly and equitable manner and the arrangements for the disposal of dried peas have been made in close consultation and agreement with the trades affected. The condition referred to by the hon. Member applies only to a limited proportion of the proposed imports and to a limited proportion of the stocks for disposal. Licence applications covering approximately half of the permissible imports up to 30th June, 1951, will be considered without commitment as to purchase from my Department's stocks.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is yet in a position to make a statement on the results of his Department's trading in canned Russian crab.

Yes. All the canned Russian crab imported to date has now been sold. The total quantity purchased was 2,934 tons. The total cost including freight, duty, landing, storage and all other expenses incurred (and including the double freight on the consignments returned from United States of America) was £2,146,300. The total amount realised was £2,621,000, showing a net profit of £474,700.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the items of expenditure by which he has calculated from the survey that 6s. 9d. per week is spent on food other than basic-subsidised food.

Following are the details. The survey gave the following estimate of average weekly expenditure per person on food other than subsidised foods:

	s.	d.
Fruit of all kinds (including nuts)	1	6¼
Meat (excluding carcase meat) and meat products	1	2¼
Cakes and biscuits	1	0½
Vegetables and vegetable products (excluding potatoes)		9¾
Fish and fish products		7¾
Other cereal foods		6¼
Preserves, syrup and treacle		4¼
Condensed and dried milk		1½
Coffee, cocoa and cocoa drinks		1¼
Unrationed cheese and fats		1
Miscellaneous items (a)		4¼
	6	9
(a) Soups and extracts, spreads and dressings, patent drinks and foods, condiments, etc.

asked the Minister of Food for what reason a speech, made by himself at Bradford, making claims for Government bulk purchase, of a controversial nature was reprinted in the official Ministry of Food Bulletin No. 575.

Extracts from my right hon. Friend's speech were published because they were considered to be of interest to readers of the Bulletin.

asked the Minister of Food what is the annual cost of editing, printing and distributing the Ministry of Food Bulletin; and how much of this cost is recovered from sales to the public.

The Bulletin is published primarily for the information of the Ministry's staff, to whom about 4,000 copies are sent free of charge. About 2,000 copies are sold to the public. Since the Bulletin was put on sale at the beginning of this year, its total cost has been

					Crop Year
—					1947–1948	1948–1949	1949–1950	Estimate 1950–1951
					tons	tons	tons	tons
Potatoes used for human consumption (a)				…	4,937,000	5,399,000	5,367,000	5,213,000
Total production (b)	…	…	…	…	6,742,000	10,132,000	7,605,000	8,214,000
Imports (ware, seed and new, including shipments from Northern Ireland) (c)				…	397,000	341,000	397,000	350,000
Exports (ware and seed) (c)		…	…	…	46,000	98,000	25,000	100,000
Ware potatoes surplus to human consumption needs were either sold or processed for stockfeeding or exported.
The operation of fixed growers' prices is only one of the ways in which my Department implements the Agriculture Act, 1947. The total net cost of potato control (excluding Acreage Payments) is as follows:—

							£
Year ended 31st March, 1948 (including carrots for which separate figures are not available)	…	…	…	…	…	…	10,415,978
Year ended 31st March, 1949	…	…	…	…	…	…	11,099,064
Year ended 31st March, 1950	…	…	…	…	…	…	10,876,600 (provisional)
Year ended 31st March, 1951	…	…	…	…	…	…	6,224,000 (estimate)
(a) This figure is based on recorded movements off farms; it includes an allowance for usage on farms.
(b) This item includes potatoes produced for human consumption and exports, seed potatoes, potatoes used or processed for stockfeeding and normal wastage, disease losses and shrinkage in store.
(c) Based on Ministry of Food statistics.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the fact that the quantity of tinplate available for canning in the year 1951 is to be reduced, he will take steps to exclude foreign fruit and vegetables when homegrown produce is available.

My right hon. Friend cannot accept the implication in the Question that any shortage of tinplate for canning in 1951 would provide about £7,000; receipts from sales and advertising have been £1,795.

asked the Minister of Food what was the total consumption of potatoes in tons in Great Britain during the years 1947, 1948 and 1949 respectively; what was the total tonnage each year grown at home and imported, and, separately, exported; what happened to the surpluses; what was the total cost each year to the taxpayer involved in the operation of fixed growers' prices; and what are the estimated figures in each case for 1950.

The following is the information:reasonable grounds for excluding imports of fresh fruit and vegetables which compete with home-grown produce. I cannot say what the reduction, if any, will be, but it would certainly be very small indeed in relation to the total supply of fresh fruits and vegetables.

asked the Minister of Food whether, as part of his campaign for cleaner food, he will instruct the agents of his Department in the meat trade to issue suitable overalls and head-coverings to meat porters and make their wearing of them compulsory.

We have already issued these instructions.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will increase the supply of tinplate to biscuit manufacturers.

We cannot, I am afraid, make more tinplate available for the manufacture of biscuit tins until the overall tinplate supply position improves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what alternative sources of sulphur supplies are now being sought; and what preparations made for its manufacture from other raw materials.

In the last two years, a special investigation has been conducted into the possible existence of crude sulphur deposits in the Colonies and reports of the existence of deposits elsewhere in the Commonwealth and in foreign countries have been followed up. These inquiries have not shown the existence of any workable deposits. Processes for the extraction of sulphur from sulphur-bearing materials such as pyrites and spent oxide have been investigated in detail and, although they were uneconomic at the time, are being reconsidered in the light of the present situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to state, in convenient categories, the tonnage of chemicals which could be used for making ammunition, which have been shipped to Communist China since 30th June, 1950.

The hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate that it is impossible to identify in the Trade Returns all the chemicals which might be used in the manufacture of ammunition, and that many of these chemicals are used for commercial purposes as well as in making ammunition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of the four hotels arranged to be derequisitioned and which the hotels industry is not willing to take over.

In March, 1950, the Board of Trade had its attention drawn to seven Civil Service hostels occupying premises in Central London which, prior to requisition, had been hotels. In consultation with the other Departments concerned and the British Travel and Holidays Association, we considered whether any of these buildings might be converted into tourist hotels, and other hostel accommodation secured for the present residents.An inspection showed that it would be possible to rehabilitate four of the seven hostels without undue difficulty; the others would have required extensive structural alterations to make them suitable as hotels for overseas visitors. The four premises were the Hazelcourt Hotel, 22, Courtfield Gardens, Earls Court; the Belvedere Hotel, Granvill Place, and 10, Emperor's Gate, S.W.7; the Uffington House Hotel, 13–16, Craven Hill Gardens, W.2; the Queen's Gate Hotel, 96–98, Queen's Gate, S.W.7. The Board of Trade asked the British Travel and Holidays Association to assess the likelihood of these premises being reopened as hotels if they were derequisitioned. The Association reported that the owners' agents know of no hotel-keepers who wanted to take over these former hotels and our other inquiries gave the same result.Had any hotel-keepers been willing to take over these four premises we should have carried on with the arrangements for their release from requisition. As no hotel-keepers came forward the matter was dropped. The London Hostels Association are now negotiating with the owners of the premises to take them on lease. If these negotiations are successful, the Ministry of Health requisition will be terminated.

asked the Minister of Defence what proportion of the extra expenditure allocated to rearmament over the next three years has now been translated into orders placed with industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister during the debate on Foreign Affairs on 30th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what purpose the Central Office of Information film, "How to make a Telephone Call," was made; and what was the cost.

The film "How to Use the Telephone" was made for use in staff training courses in Government Departments, to impress on members of the Civil Service the improvement which the efficient handling of the telephone is likely to achieve in their conduct of business and in their relations with members of the public. It cost approximately £6,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the Central Office of Information film, "Four Men in Prison."

This film was commissioned by the Home Office at a cost of £16,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why His Majesty's Stationery Office has been unable to supply to the public, or to the Vote Office, copies of the draft regulations entitled the Hyde Park Regulations, 1950, a copy of which was laid before the House of Commons on 1st November, 1950, printed by them.

Draft Statutory Instruments are published and supplied to the Vote Office only at the request of the rule-making authority. In this case no such request was made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why HANSARD, of 6th November, is out of print.

This Daily Part went out of print when the type was being used for the bound volume. A few copies are now available and the present known demand does not justify reprinting. Copies of the Weekly HANSARD containing this part are also available.

asked the Lord President of the Council what instructions are given to the speakers from the Central Office of Information regarding incorporating political propaganda in their speeches when speaking on its behalf; and whether such instructions are written or verbal.

The General Note for Lecturers says:

"1. So that the Lecture Service may be safeguarded against any suggestion of bias, no lecturer whose activities would reasonably lead the public to associate him or her with any political party will be regarded as eligible for membership of any panel.

2. It is a condition of engagement, and a tradition of the Lecture Service, that lecturers must not introduce any party political issues or show political bias in the presentation of their subjects. This of course also applies to the question or discussion period which may follow the talk. Expressions of personal opinion on any controversial issues must not be made.

3. The members of the lecturers' panels are proud of the reputation which has been established for accuracy, objectivity and punctuality over a period of ten years, with audiences of all types throughout the country."

Written instructions, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy, are given to lecturers as a condition of engagement.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that a person making a rating appeal from the decision of a local valuation court must attend before the Lands Tribunal in person; that no provision is made in Section 48 of the Local Government Act, 1948, for a person serving with His Majesty's Forces abroad to be represented at either the local valuation court or the Lands Tribunal when he cannot attend himself; and if he will provide facilities for such persons to be represented at these courts and extend free legal aid facilities in appropriate cases.

A person appealing to the Lands Tribunal from the decision of a local valuation court need not attend in person but may be represented by a barrister or solicitor or, with the leave of the Tribunal, by any other person. Personal attendance is also unnecessary in the case of proceedings before the local valuation court, and there accordingly appears to be no need to make any special provision for persons serving with His Majesty's forces abroad. It is not at present intended that free legal aid should be made available in proceedings before local valuation courts or the Lands Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Education by what percentage will the ordinary maximum salary of graduate teachers increase over 1938 on the basis of the Burnham Committee's recommendation; and how does this compare with the increase in the cost of living since 1938.

Though the main features of the Burnham Committee's proposals have been published by the Committee, they have not been officially submitted to me. I am not in a position, therefore, to comment on any particular recommendation.

asked the Minister of Education when it is proposed to issue a memorandum of guidance on the question of boarding grants to local education authorities.

I have this matter under consideration, but I cannot tie myself to any date for the issue of this manual of guidance.

asked the Minister of Education the total capital expenditure allocated separately for primary and secondary schools for the country as a whole for the calendar year 1949; for the financial year 1950–51; the estimate for the year 1951–52; and the similar capital expenditure in the above periods separately for primary and secondary schools in the administrative counties of Lancashire, Middlesex, the West Riding of Yorkshire, Essex and Kent.

A single allocation of investment is made for primary and secondary schools together. The allocations for England and Wales in the calendar years 1949–51 are as follows:

	£ million
1949	16.5
1950	30.0
1951	37.0

Comparable figures are not available for individual local education authorities. The following table shows, for the authorities listed, the estimated cost of the approved programmes of primary and secondary school building work to be started:

PROGRAMME
	1949	1950–1951(a)	1951–1952
	£	£	£
Essex	1,512,000	1,805,000	1,953,000
Kent	1,697,000	2,132,000	1,459,000
Lancashire	2,911,000	1,939,000	1,118,000
Middlesex	3,755,000	3,141,000	2,007,000
Yorks. (W. Riding)	1,571,000	1,363,000	936,000
(a) 1st January, 1950–31st March. 1951.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the number and annual value of long-service Navy pensions that are subject to regular revision by reference to the interim index of retail prices.

None.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give the average size of agricultural holdings on which improvement schemes have been approved under the Hill Farming Act, 1946, in England, Wales and Scotland respectively.

The average size of holdings for which schemes have been approved is: England, 390 acres; Wales, 270 acres; Scotland, 2,550 acres.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will introduce an immediate subsidy for winter beef.

No. I assume that the hon. Member has in mind an increase in the price paid by the Ministry of Food for winter-fattened cattle. At the Farm Price Reviews in February, 1949, and March, 1950, the difference between the prices paid for cattle marketed during the spring and early summer and those marketed during the rest of the year was increased with the object of encouraging the production of winter-fattened cattle. The prices of fat cattle will be reconsidered, together with the prices of other agricultural commodities, at the next annual review.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will, by immediate public announcement, make it clear that the new arrangement for post-free Christmas parcels to troops serving in Korea applies to Royal Marines in the 41st Independent Commando, whose address is c/o B.F.M.O., Tokyo, and to airmen in the Far East Flying Boat Wing stationed at Iwakuni, Japan, and engaged operationally in the Korean war.

Yes, this has been done.