asked the Minister of Pensions when the hon. Member for Huntingdom may expect to receive a reply to his letter of 1st November, 1950, about the pension of Mrs. Moulds of Old Fletton; and what pension this lady is entitled to receive.

After certain necessary inquiries it transpired that the matter was one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of National Insurance, to whom I have passed the correspondence.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider giving a Christmas bonus, either in money or in goods, to ex-Service men who are completely incapacitated.

My right hon. Friend has no power to make a payment of this kind. For the convenience of war pensioners arrangements have been made for pensions due for payment on Christmas Day, or on 26th December (except in Scotland), to be paid a week in advance.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the purchasing power of the pound to the nearest convenient date as compared with the pound in August. 1945.

About 16 shillings in mid-October, 1950, as compared with 20 shillings in 1945.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Marshall Aid is required by the United Kingdom for the current year in order to prevent a reduction in our standard of living; and how much American aid is being sought towards the cost of our rearmament.

The question of how much, if any, Marshall Aid would be necessary to prevent a reduction in our standard of living depends on a number of factors which cannot be precisely forecast, such as the rate of increase in production, the scale of our defence effort, and any change in the terms of trade, including the trade of the rest of the sterling area. As regards the second part of the Question, I have nothing to add to what was said by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 31st October.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the desire of the people of this country to take delivery of a low-priced car to sell for £300, he will make concessions to various car manufacturers to enable them to produce for the home market this type of car, such a car to be free of purchase tax.

No; I fear I could not agree to such a proposal in present circumstances.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the November issue of "Report To Women" had an article in its entitled, "The Mixture—Not as Before," which claimed novelty for the use of rayon mixed with cotton and wool although such mixtures have been widely used in the textile industry for many years.

The article did not claim novelty for the use of rayon mixed with cotton and wool: it did no more than direct attention to a statement by the British Rayon Federation that new ways of mixing rayon fibres with wool and cotton had been discovered and that these new mixtures would compare well with textiles made from natural fibres.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the approximate value of pictures exempted from Death Duties by the Act of 1930 for each of the last five years; and in how many cases have the heirs subsequently attempted to sell.

Separate figures for pictures are not available, but the values of all objects, including pictures, exempted from Death Duties by Section 40 of the Finance Act, 1930, are, for each of the last five years approximately as follows:

	£
1946	570,000
1947	437,000
1948	801,000
1949	754,000
1950 (up to 5th December)	1,285,000

The information asked for in the last part of the hon. Member's Question could not be provided without a disproportionate amount of work.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he anticipates he will be in a position to state whether His Majesty's Government accept the recommendations of the Gower Committee on buildings of historic and architectural interest.

I am afraid I cannot yet promise an announcement on any particular date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what enactment the consent of the Treasury is required for the removal of the registered office of a limited liability company out of the Kingdom; and how many companies have been given this permission since the termination of hostilities.

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to permission to transfer abroad the control of a company in which case the relevant enactment is subsection 2 of Section 30 of the Exchange Control Act, 1947.Since this Act came into force on 1st October, 1947, 30 companies are known to have been given permission, but records for the first few months are not complete.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of companies to whom he has given approval this year for the transfer of their registered offices to places abroad.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present cost of the periodical entitled "Target" issued by the Economic Information Unit; whether he is satisfied that the cost justifies the expense involved; and if not, whether steps can be taken to close it down at an early opportunity.

The present cost of "Target" is £921 a month. Although some 50,000 copies are circulated each month there is a waiting list of applicants and requests for it are still coming in from factories and trade unions. This continuing demand from industry is good evidence that "Target" provides a useful service and I do not, therefore, intend to close it down.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it has now been found possible to allow the British Pioneer Tobacco Growers' Association and similar bodies to shred tobacco leaf grown by their members.

No. There have been no developments since last May, when the question was fully reviewed, to justify such an extension of the wide concessions already enjoyed by amateur tobacco growers.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the 66⅔ per cent. Purchase Tax on gas water heaters prevents certain gas boards from hiring out new heaters for fear of not being able to recover the Purchase Tax they have had to pay; and whether he will reconsider this matter.

I am not aware that the Purchase Tax has the effect mentioned in the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's Question, but I will have inquiries made. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Derbyshire, West (Mr. E. Wakefield), on 24th October last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the approximate cost of carrying out war damage repairs in those cases which were notified to the local authorities, but which have been rejected by the War Damage Commission on account of late notification to the Commission.

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what international action he has initiated or assented to for the purpose of stabilising commodity prices and ensuring a fair allocation of commodities.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for New Forest (Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyre) on 5th December, and to the communiqué issued at the conclusion of the discussions between the President of the United States and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, to which at present I have nothing to add.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will prepare a list of dollar strategic raw materials in short supply for which he will issue open general licences to encourage producers to develop production on a long-term basis.

Many scarce dollar strategic raw materials such as softwood, zinc, copper and aluminium are imported on Government account; other such materials are already licensed freely. I do not know of any scarce dollar strategic material the supply of which is held up by refusal to grant licences, but if the hon. Member has any particular cases in mind perhaps he would let my right hon. Friends or myself know of it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the mis-statements contained in publications of the Economic Information Unit, of particulars of which he has been advised, he will take steps to ensure that in future the information given is factual.

I am aware of only one mis-statement made in one publication issued four months ago. This was inadvertent, and has since been acknowledged and corrected. Full precautions will continue to be taken to ensure accuracy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the fiduciary note issue.

Yes. The Treasury Minute authorising the maintenance of a fiduciary note issue of £1,350 million expired on 10th December. In anticipation of the normal seasonal increase in the demand for notes the new Treasury Minute, which is being laid before Parliament today, authorises an increase in the fiduciary issue by £25 million to £1,375 million.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the present wage rates of messengers and women cleaners in Government offices; when and by how much were these rates increased; and why he rejected their most recent application for wage increases.

The present London rates for non-industrial messengers are 100s. a week on first being engaged rising to 103s. a week after one year: the rates elsewhere are somewhat lower. These rates date from 23rd March, 1949, when as a result of an award by the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal the existing rates were increased by amounts of between 3s. and 5s. a week. The London rate for women cleaners is 1s. 9¾d. an hour; here, also, the rates elsewhere are somewhat lower. These rates date from 1st April, 1949, when, as a result of an arbitration award, existing rates were increased by amounts ranging from 1½d. to 2d. an hour. The most recent application for increases was rejected on the grounds that the current rates were in line with the rates for comparable work outside the Civil Service. I am, however, reconsidering the matter in the light of representations by the union concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in which groups of the higher Civil Service, administrative, legal, scientific, medical and miscellaneous, respectively, and for which posts in those groups increases in salary have been put into effect as a consequence of the report of the Chorley Committee.

The report of the Chorley Committee covered all groups of the higher Civil Service; and revised rates of pay have been authorised or are about to be authorised for all grades or posts with salaries of over £1,400 a year or on scales with maxima of more than £1,400 a year.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider amalgamating the duties of public relations officers and Press officers in order to effect a saving in personnel.

A separate Press Officer is employed only in a Department where the volume of work is so great that it could not be carried by the information officer himself.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the difficulties in securing china and some woollen goods, and since the only available supplies are rejects from the export markets, he will take steps to ensure that the public are given larger allocations in the immediate future.

No. As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member on 24th October last, the reason for the shortages on the home market is our continuing need to earn dollars.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the value since the end of the war of exports of electrical generating machinery and equipment of all sorts which could be used either in the building of new generating stations or in the extension or modernisation of old stations; and what is the value of such equipment sent specifically to countries beyond the Iron Curtain.

Equipment intended for use in generating stations is not separately distinguished in the Trade Accounts, but the value of electrical generating equipment of a type used in power stations produced between January, 1946, and September, 1950, for export amounted to £32 million. Less than £2½ million of this total went to countries beyond the Iron Curtain.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the first Report of the National Research Development Corporation may be expected.

The Report and the Statement of the Accounts of the Corporation, were laid before the House yesterday, 11th December, and copies will be available as soon as they are received from the printers. I am sure that the House will agree that the Corporation have made a very good start on their task.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet taken any steps to convene a conference of Dominion and Colonial representatives to discuss the question of newsprint supplies.

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 30th November to a question by the hon. and learned Member for Hove (Mr. Marlowe).

asked the President of the Board of Trade the extent of the unsatisfied demand by industrial concerns for accommodation in industrial estates in Glasgow and the West of Scotland.

There have been over 200 inquiries this year about existing space or new building on industrial estates in the Scottish Development Area. In 26 cases the project has been approved and 33 cases are still under consideration. Available space on industrial estates in Glasgow and the West of Scotland is being rapidly absorbed, but we are always prepared to consider erecting a factory for a firm whose case satisfies the necessary tests.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the new order removing restrictions on the supply and use of various utility upholstery cloths includes leathercloth.

Leathercloth is not included in the range of utility upholstery cloths and the order to which the hon. Member refers does not, therefore, apply to it. There are no restrictions on the supply and use of leathercloth, except that leathercloth used in the manufacture of utility furniture must conform with a minimum specification.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many requests to increase the prices of commodities he has received from trade associations this year; and what action he has taken in regard to them.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 7th December to my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Central Price Regulation Committee have completed their review of knitting wool prices; and whether he can now make a statement on the position.

I have received the Central Price Regulation Committee's report on knitting wool prices and I have decided to accept their recommendation that price control should be re-introduced. I am making an order prescribing maximum margins for importers, wholesalers and retailers of knitting wool. This order will come into force at the beginning of next month. The form of control over manufacturers' prices is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of reservists who have been released from further service; and on what conditions.

Of the reservists recalled for service with the active Army in Korea, 157 officers and 2,443 other ranks have so far been discharged or re-relegated to the Reserve, principally on medical or compassionate grounds or because their services were not required. In certain cases, where re-relegation to the Reserve takes place on medical grounds, the individual is examined by a medical board and, if found below the medical standard required, is discharged. In other cases individuals who are relegated to the Reserve remain liable to recall if their services are required.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many rural district councils are finding that men are holding back from joining the Civil Defence Force because they are waiting to see whether the Home Guard is to be resuscitated; whether he can now make a statement as to the present position; and whether any decision has been arrived at.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. S. Marshall) on 15th November.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to reconsider his decision to send the 1st Royal Dragoons abroad again in the near future, in view of their recent return to this country.

I regret that, in view of the numerous and heavy commitments now falling on the Army, it is not possible to alter this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will ensure that clothing allowances are paid to each officer immediately he is Commissioned.

The outfit allowance to which an Army officer is entitled varies according to his regiment or corps. He receives his first posting orders during the period of leave following his Commissioning and he is told at the same time to submit a claim for his outfit allowance. This is normally paid on receipt. I am unaware that any inconvenient delay in payment has resulted from this arrangement but, if the hon. Member has evidence to the contrary, I should be pleased to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any change of procedure regarding submission of despatches by commanders of British troops engaged in warlike operations is contemplated as a result of such troops operating as part of United Nations Forces.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for War how far additional antiaircraft resources have now been sent to the British Army of the Rhine.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend on 24th October, 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is to be the revised rate of pay for officers employed in Army legal aid sections.

These officers are paid at the rates set out in Command 8027 for the great majority of Army officers, and it is not intended to modify this arrangement.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who have been promoted since 1946 to the rank of colonel or above belonged before the amalgamation to the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps and Royal Army Ordnance Corps, respectively.

Twenty officers of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who were previously in the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps or Royal Army Ordnance Corps, have been promoted to the rank of colonel or above since the beginning of 1946. Five of these previously served in the Royal Engineers, one in the Royal Army Service Corps and 14 in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the scholastic and general ability standard required of men who are called up for military service.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence on 22nd November.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning why the National Parks Commission was not represented at the public inquiry into the Admiralty and War Office proposals for using over 5,000 acres on Roborough Down and Ringmoor Down, which are likely to be within the area of the Dartmoor National Park.

Because the Commission preferred to express their views, in a letter to the chairman of the inquiry.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning whether he is aware that the Third Annual Report of the Harlow Development Corporation shows that the multiplication of controls by various Ministries and authorities has created a cumbrous machinery which hampers their work; and what steps he is taking to ensure simple and efficient direction of new town development corporations.

asked the Minister of Town and Country Planning if he will take steps to prevent the waste of time and money arising from the complexity of overlapping control, to which attention has been called in the Report of the Harlow Development Corporation dated 9th May, 1950, and in the Report of the Crawley Development Corporation for 1948–49.

A number of authorities, both central and local, are necessarily concerned with the development of a new town, but my right hon. Friend has taken steps to simplify procedure and to accelerate the progress of the work.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she is aware that many old people are too proud to apply for supplementary allowances and in consequence are suffering great hardship; and if she will therefore increase the basic old age pension and abolish the supplementary pension.

Supplementation of pension by National Assistance in order to deal with special individual needs must always form part of any proper system of social security. Many tributes have been paid to the way in which this service is being administered and no one need suffer hardship by reluctance to apply. So far as the basic pension is concerned, I cannot add anything to the full reply given to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 7th November.

asked the Minister of National Insurance under which regulation the National Assistance Board is operating when its representatives question old age pensioners who are temporarily in hospital.

Since the question whether a non-contributory pension or an assistance grant can be paid depends on the circumstances of the applicant, it may be necessary to see him even though he is in hospital. If the hon. Member has any special point in mind perhaps he would let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what proposals are being considered to improve the lot of old age pensioners in the light of the recent increase in the cost of living.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. G. Roberts) on 7th November.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that many youths of over 18 on leaving school have an unemployed period while waiting to go to a university; that, if such youths are turned down, this period is extended while they are waiting to be called up for National Service; and whether, if such boys are rejected for National Service and enter civilian employment without stamped cards, she will, in all cases of this kind, allow the insurance credits on application to her Department for the period in question.

My right hon. Friend cannot see her way to extend the existing provisions for the grant of credits on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she will make an obligatory fuel grant of 2s. 6d. per week, during six winter months, in cases where one or two old people, without other resources, are living alone and drawing National Assistance; and what would be the approximate annual cost of such a grant.

It has for some years been the practice for regulations governing assistance to provide for uniform rates throughout the year and the current regulations, approved last May, contain no provision which would enable a general issue of fuel grants during winter. I do not think it would be practicable to limit a grant of this kind to old people as the hon. Member suggests, but if it were so limited the cost would be about £1½ million a year.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, as the present rate of National Assistance is intended to cover clothing renewals and repairs, she is prepared to treat clothing as a common need and not as an exceptional need.

I am not sure what the hon. Member has in mind. I agree that clothing is a common need, and that it is for this reason that the weekly allowance accordingly makes provision for renewals and repairs.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if her attention has been called to the remarks of the North London magistrate on 1st December in a case where a woman was obtaining a family allowance which was not properly payable to her; and what steps are being taken to prevent such losses to public funds.

Yes. The adequacy of the steps taken to bring such cases to light is constantly under review.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what receipt or acknowledgment is given to an insured person under Clause II when he hands in a card fully stamped with 52 stamps.

No receipt is given for the surrendered card itself, but every insured contributor receives in due course a statement of his contributions and credits for the year.

asked the Minister of National Insurance on what specific ground the Gateshead Tribunal have dismissed the appeal of Mr. Thomas Kain, of 7, Moorfoot Gardens, Lobley Hill, Gateshead, to unemployment benefit.

My right hon. Friend has already informed the hon. Member of the ground on which the Tribunal dismissed the appeal in this case in the letter sent to him on 5th December. As Mr. Kain has now appealed to the National Insurance Commissioner I cannot make any comment at this stage. I will inform the hon. Member of the Commissioner's decision.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she can now make a statement regarding the position of pre-1924 workmen's compensation cases.

Yes, my right hon. Friend hopes very shortly to introduce legislation to authorise payment out of the Industrial Injuries Fund of additional allowances in these cases. The general effect will be that, as from a date to be fixed, those concerned will be put as nearly as may be in the same financial position as if the later Workmen's Compensation Acts had applied to them.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why persons who have been dismissed owing to non-membership of a trades union are being refused unemployment benefit, having regard to the fact that trades union membership is not, by statute, essential to employment.

I am aware of only one such case of recent date. As it is at present the subject of an appeal to the National Insurance Commissioner, it would be improper for me to comment upon the matter at this stage.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many seasonal women workers have recently registered at the King's Lynn and Downham Market employment exchanges; how many have been granted unemployment benefit; and on what grounds those were granted benefit and others disallowed.

On 9th December, 532 women agricultural workers, of whom 407 were married, were registered at these exchanges. Of these 217 married women and 52 unmarried have had claims for unemployment benefit disallowed by the Insurance Officer on the ground that they were seasonal workers claiming in their off-seasons who failed to satisfy the the special conditions applicable to such persons. Ninety claims have still to be determined. Where benefit has been disallowed there is a right of appeal to the local tribunal and, in certain circumstances, to the National Insurance Commissioner.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what would be the cost of doubling the increments for postponement of retirement pensions; and whether she will give consideration to this method of encouraging those elderly people who wish to do so to remain at work.

I regret that this information is not available, but the hon. Member's suggestion has been noted for future consideration.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) how many appeals were submitted to the National Assistance Board Appeals Tribunals in Scotland between January and September of this year; and how many appeals were successful, partly successful or refused, respectively;(2) how many appeals were submitted to the National Assistance Board Appeals Tribunal in Glasgow between January and September of this year; and how many appeals were successful, partly successful or refused, respectively.

During this period the Tribunals heard 2,405 appeals from decisions of the Board's officers in Scotland: they revised the decision in favour of the appellant in 625 cases and confirmed it in 1,780. The corresponding figures for Glasgow are 1,458, 393 and 1,065.

asked the Minister of Health what are the Government's intentions in respect of a revision of the structure of local government.

This matter is under consideration, but the Government are not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Labour the percentage of men posted to His Majesty's Forces from the 1929, 1930, 1931 and 1932 classes, respectively.

For the 1929 class, 69 per cent.; for the 1930 class, 59 per cent.; for the 1931 class, 51 per cent. These include all postings up to the end of November, 1950. Further postings are being affected as deferments expire. The eventual yield from the 1929 and 1930 classes is likely to be slightly over 70 per cent.; that from the 1931 class will be rather less owing to the improved methods of medical examination. The balance will consist of those medically unfit and of agricultural workers, coal miners and merchant seamen, and men who volunteered for the Regular Forces. Figures for the 1932 class are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour why he did not re-appoint Lord Ammon as Chairman of the National Dock Labour Board.

Lord Ammon's appointment was for a definite period, expiring on 31st December, 1950. It is not customary nor would it be desirable to state why a particular person is not considered for a particular post. I would like to take this opportunity of expressing publicly, as I have already done privately, the Government's appreciation of Lord Ammon's services during his tenure of this office.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement on the future composition and jurisdiction of the National Dock Labour Board.

This is a matter which I shall have to consider after I have received the report of the Committee of Inquiry into the position at the London Docks.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed persons on the register at the employment exchange, Stockton-on-Tees, at December, 1948, and December, 1950; and whether he will express these as percentages of the total insured population at this exchange.

One thousand three hundred and ninety-seven at 15th November, 1948, and 853 at 13th November, 1950, representing about 2.7 per cent. and 1.6 per cent. respectively, of the estimated total number of insured employees in the area. Figures for December are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Labour how many workers were registered as unemployed in Sheffield on the last available date; how many vacancies were notified to the Sheffield employment exchanges on the same date; and what were the comparable figures a year ago.

The following table gives the information desired:

EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES IN SHEFFIELD: NUMBERS UNEMPLOYED AND UNFILLED VACANCIES
—	Unemployed persons on the registers		Vacancies notified to the Employment Exchanges and remaining unfilled
	Date	Number	Date	Number
Nov., 1950	13th	1,432	22nd	3,381
Nov., 1949	14th	1,339	23rd	3,444

asked the Minister of Labour how many building trade workers are out of work in Sheffield; and the average duration of their unemployment.

One hundred and seventeen (including labourers and other ancillary workers) at 13th November. Information about duration of unemployment is not available in respect of individual industries.

asked the Minister of Labour how many stoppages there have been in the coalfields during the last six months.

During the six months ended November, 1950, there were 408 stoppages of work at coal mines arising from industrial disputes, involving the loss of approximately 312,000 working days.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will make a further statement on the present state of the strike in the British Overseas Airways Corporation.

Work was resumed yesterday morning.

asked the Minister of Health what was the cost of purchase and the cost of alterations, decorations and equipment of the maternity home at "Greenways," Chippenham.

"Greenways," Chippenham, transferred to me under Section 6 of the National Health Service Act, 1946. The total amount involved in alterations, decorations and equipment is £14,318, of which £3,805 covers equipment and £1,033 is in connection with a new drainage system.

asked the Minister of Health how many posts of registrar and senior registrar respectively, in hospitals in Cardiff, Glamorgan and Wales, will be abolished when his recent circular is fully implemented.

For Wales as a whole there will be no reduction in the number of registrars. The number of senior registrars will be reduced by about 32. Separate figures for individual areas cannot be given until I have received the proposals of the boards for the allocation of posts within the regional totals.

asked the Minister of Health how many people were accommodated in local authority homes prior to the coming into force of the National Assistance Act, 1948; how many new homes have been constructed or adapted since that date; and how many people were accommodated in all homes maintained by local authorities at the last convenient date.

The number of persons (excluding casuals) accommodated on the night of 1st January, 1948, in establishments administered under the Poor Law Acts was 114,214; the number of new homes provided by local authorities under Part III of the National Assistance Act, since 5th July, i948, is 174; and the number of persons resident on the night of 31st January, 1950, in all homes provided under Part III of the Act was 50,671.

asked the Minister of Health if he will reconsider his decision to acquire compulsorily 13 acres of Street Farm, Loddon, in view of the availability of alternative land of far less agricultural value.

As the council's order has been confirmed, I have no further jurisdiction.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will consider a special approach to the Commonwealth countries with the purpose of seeking their co-operation and acceptance of a greater proportion of the burden of rearmament, in view of the burden on this country.

We are in constant consultation with other Commonwealth Governments on many of the problems arising from rearmament, but I cannot disclose the nature of any approaches that we have made or intend to make to those Governments.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the fact that the co-partnership rights which workers in the gas industry enjoyed so long as that industry was run by private enterprise are to be terminated, what regulations he proposes to make with regard to the compensation to be paid to such workers.

Section 59 of the Gas Act left the future of co-partnership in the hands of both sides of the gas industry and, to enable negotiations to take place, the schemes have been continued in being until 31st March next by the Gas (Co-partnership) Regulations 1949. Until the negotiations which, I understand, are now taking place are completed, I cannot say what further regulations, if any, will be required.

asked the Minister of Works for what purpose the property at the corner of Montrose Street and George Street, Glasgow, is being erected; and what is the estimated cost.

The purpose of this building is to provide office accommodation for Government staffs at present in premises which are held either on requisition or on short lease. The cost is estimated at £350,000.

asked the Minister of Works why he has supplied no copies of the draft regulations, entitled the Hyde Park Regulations, 1950, to the Vote Office for the use of hon. Members, having regard to the fact that these regulations are subject to negative resolution for 39 days commencing 1st November, 1950.

I am required by statute to lay these Regulations in draft before Parliament for 40 days before they are made. They were laid in the normal way on 1st November by the depositing of three copies with the Votes and Proceedings Office and two of these copies have been available in the Library since that date. At the same time 15 copies were sent to the Select Committee on Statutory Instruments. It has not been the custom to make extra copies of the draft parks regulations available to hon. Members through the Vote Office, but I am prepared to do so in future.

asked the Minister of Works why he has not published the Draft Hyde Park Regulations, 1950, a copy of which was laid before the House of Commons on 1st November.

There is no statutory requirement to publish draft parks regulations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement about constitutional reform in the Leeward Islands.

In June last, Lord Baldwin had discussions in the Colonial Office on proposals for constitutional reform in the Leeward Islands. I have carefully considered his proposals and I have now accepted, in principle, that certain changes should be made in the General Legislative Council of the Colony, and in the Presidential Legislative Councils of Antigua. St. Kitts and Montserrat.

My view is that these changes should be broadly similar to those recently approved for Legislative Councils in the Windward Islands, and should include provision for unofficial elected majorities on the General Legislative Council of the Colony and the Legislative Councils of the three Presidencies. The details of the proposals have yet to be determined, but it is proposed, inter alia, that Presidential Legislatures shall elect certain members to the Executive Councils.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how many public transport aircraft registered in the United Kingdom are operating contrary to Article 16 (5) (i) of the Air Navigation Order, 1949, without obtaining his approval to written loading instructions.

Aircraft become "public transport" aircraft as defined in Article 2 of the Air Navigation (General) Regulations by virtue of the use to which they are put on a particular flight, and there is no certainty that an operator who has not submitted loading instructions for approval is using the aircraft for "public transport" work. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to give the figures asked for. I should add that an information circular was published in August drawing the attention of operators to their obligation to obtain approval of loading instructions and that steps have been taken to secure enforcement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state what improvements be proposes to put in hand in respect of the Exeter to Leeds trunk road, A. 38; and when the necessary work will begin.

I hope to put in hand early next year improvements at Patchway Bridge, Filton Park Halt Bridge, Berkeley Road Station Bridge, and Hornshill. Schemes at Gossington, at the "Swan," Almondsbury, and at Hengaston Farm are already in progress, and others will follow when my resources permit. Details have been communicated to the Gloucestershire County Council in a letter of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many colliery workers have enlisted at Royal Air Force recruiting centres since 1st January, 1950.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bedwellty (Mr. Finch) on 21st November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what administrative action has been taken to reduce the risks of future losses by fire in Forestry Commission areas.

I would refer the hon. Member to pages 64 and 65 of the Thirtieth Annual Report of the Forestry Commissioners, which was presented to Parliament on 13th November last.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the loss by fire in acreage and money to the Forestry Commission property in the year ended 30th September, 1950.

The acreage of plantations burnt was approximately 160, valued at £7,200.