asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of a pension for the widow and family of a special constable killed in Singapore of whose name he has been informed; and whether he will have this case reexamined.

Yes; the Singapore Government are reconsidering this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the lack of substantial improvement in the position in Malaya, he will give an assurance that all necessary military assistance is available; and if he will consider taking further steps to mobilise completely the local resources to overcome the resistance of the terrorist forces.

The strength of the military forces required for the operations in Malaya is under constant consideration; it is not at present intended to send additional troops there. The Federal War Council has already been reconstituted to include three prominent unofficials and a representative of the planters, and in order to mobilise civilian resources, powers were recently taken by the Federation Government to direct persons to undertake Home Guard duties. In addition, the Federation Government now proposes to take powers to direct manpower generally and the Legislative Council has unanimously given its assurance that it will support such a measure.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether native councils have yet been restored in Malaita in the Solomon Islands.

No. It has not yet been possible to restore native councils in Malaita. The Resident Commissioner has, however, held meetings with native leaders about this, and it is hoped to reestablish the councils in the coming year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) if he is satisfied that the Explosives Regulations were being properly observed at Bedenham Pier at the time of the explosion there, with particular reference to the amount of explosive accumulated as against the safety radius, the propinquity of loaded lighters to one another, and the provision of a warning alarm system to the neighbourhood;(2) what portions, if any, of the report on the Bedenham explosion he will make public; and, in particular, what progress has been made in identifying the culprit or culprits.

The Regulations governing the handling of explosives in naval custody are based on recommendations of the inter-service Explosive Storage and Transport Committee. I am satisfied that they were being properly observed at Bedenham, that the quantity of explosive on the pier and in the lighters was not excessive, and that the arrangements for notifying outside authorities of the outbreak of fire were carried out promptly. It must be appreciated that explosions develop very rapidly and that there could be no guarantee that a warning would be given before the explosion occurred.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why naval officers eligible to volunteer for the pool of officers employed on inspection, research and design lose between £120 and £300 a year in the case of married officers and £45 to £200 in the case of single officers when they join the pool.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave him on 18th September. Employment in the pool is quite different from active naval service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why men who re-engage to complete time for pension before 1st September are debarred from receiving the bounty of £100 which is available to those who re-engage between 1st September and 31st December, 1950.

The bounty was introduced as an inducement to men who had not already re-engaged to do so, and it would not assist the present purpose of the scheme to make it retrospective. The limiting dates of 1st September, 1950, and 31st December, 1951, are common to the three Services.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will make a statement regarding the effects of the recent pay increases and re-engagement bounty on numbers of ratings re-engaging to complete pensionable service.

It is not possible to make a reliable comparison because all ratings are being retained and need not yet make up their minds about re-engagement. But there are indications that the re-engagement rate is rising.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will cause a revision to be made of allowances paid to men recalled to the service with the Royal Fleet Reserve, so as to make provision for the children of such men.

No. Children's allowances were abolished from 1st July, 1946, when flat rates for marriage allowance were introduced in all three Services.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has discovered the identity of the man who recently presented himself at the gates of Chatham dockyard and, claiming he was a radar expert, inspected H.M.S. "Sheffield" and if he will make a statement.

On Monday, 4th December, a man, falsely representing himself to be employed on radio work at another naval establishment, gained admission to Chatham Dockyard and went on board H.M.S. "Sheffield," where he introduced himself to an officer who recognised him as a former naval rating. He made another visit on Tuesday, 5th December, but then came under suspicion and was not seen again. An arrest has been made and the matter is, therefore, sub judice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what are the established strengths of the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Fleet Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; and if these Reserves are up to strength.

The establishment of the R.N.R., R.F.R., and R.N.V.R. is as follows:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the reason for the fall of 50 per cent. in Regular recruiting for the Royal Navy during the last two years; and why recruiting for the Royal Navy during the third quarter of 1950 is less than in the second quarter, although a substantial increase has occurred in the rate for the Army and the Royal Air Force.

The number of Regular recruits accepted for the Navy is limited to the numbers required to maintain the approved strength. In accordance with this policy recruitment was restricted as from the fourth quarter of 1949. Recruiting for the Navy is generally satisfactory and there has been an increase in the number of suitable men applying to reenter. The position of the Navy is different from that of the other two Services whose entries were considerably below their needs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if, in view of the international situation, he is satisfied that H.M.S. "Campania" can be spared by the Royal Navy for use in connection with the Festival of Britain.

There is no present naval requirement for H.M.S. "Campania." It is a condition of her loan to the Festival authorities that she will be returned to the Admiralty if the need arises.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many frigates have been transferred to the Royal Egyptian Navy since 1st January, 1948; and on what dates H.M.S. "Whimbrel," H.M.S. "Mendip," H.M.S. "Cottesmore," H.M.S. "Mallow," H.M.S. "Nith," H.M.S. "Spey " and H.M.S. "Usk" were so transferred.

Seven. H.M. Ships "Nith," "Usk" and "Spey" in November, 1948, H.M.S. "Mallow" in October, 1949, H.M. Ships "Mendip" and "Whimbrel" in November, 1949, and H.M.S. "Cottesmore" in July, 1950.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will now extend the entry of chief and petty officer pensioners into the Reserve Fleet to include the shipwright branch.

No. Entry is restricted to those branches which are short of active service ratings. There is no shortage of shipwrights.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty on what grounds Mr. Clifford Llewellyn Jones has been suspended on full pay from Chatham Dockyard.

Mr. Jones has been suspended in accordance with the policy announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his statement of 15th March, 1948.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many workpeople at Royal Naval Dockyards in the United Kingdom, exclusive of juveniles and women, receive a weekly wage of £4 15s. or less; and what was the weekly wage paid to workpeople in the same categories at 31st August, 1939.

One thousand six hundred and thirty-one workpeople at Royal Naval Dockyards in the United Kingdom receive a regular weekly wage of £4 15s. or less. Overtime, work on payment by results and allowances for exceptional working conditions bring the weekly earnings of about 50 per cent. of this number to more than £4 15s. Work-people whose current wage is £4 15s. would have received £2 15s. a week in August, 1939.

asked the Minister of Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that Communists called up for His Majesty's Forces are not given positions of trust and responsibility nor employed on educational tasks.

As regards the general policy, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Gosport and Fareham (Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett) on 26th July. This policy extends to the educational services.

asked the Minister of Defence in what circumstances and under what conditions male nurses can be commissioned in His Majesty's Forces.

Male nurses are accepted for commissions in the Services, if suitably qualified, in certain technical and administrative branches.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will state the number of jet fighter aircraft delivered to India and Pakistan, respectively, during 1950.

No. As I explained to the House on 29th November, it is contrary to the normal practice to give details of sales of defence equipment to Commonwealth or foreign countries.

asked the Minister of Food how many bananas arrived at Liverpool in the "Apapa" on or about 4th December; what proportion were too ripe to be sent to shops; on whose instructions, at whose expense and at what cost a free issue was made to some dockers; and whether on future occasions he will arrange for such distributions to be extended also to persons in need and suitable institutions.

About 71 tons, of which about 18 tons were not fit for sale. A few—but by no means all—of the bananas classified as unsaleable were fit to eat, but they were in no condition to be transported any distance from the docks, and the dockers, in accordance with what I believe is the usual custom, very sensibly ate them. I can, however, assure the hon. Member that whenever possible arrangements are made to send some of these bananas to local hospitals and institutions, and that there was no loss to the Exchequer, since losses on unsaleable fruit fall on the shippers.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the latest developments of the purchase of meat from the Argentine.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made today after Questions.

asked the Minister of Food under what conditions a child over five years and not attending school full time may qualify to receive free milk or milk at a special price.

A child of more than five but less than 16 years of age, who because of disability of mind or body is unable to attend school, may receive one pint of milk per day at the reduced price of 1½d. per pint. Children who are normally in full-time attendance at school but who are temporarily absent on account of sickness may, where suitable arrangements can be made, have their school milk taken to their home.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give the figures of the amounts of foreign broccoli and cauliflower which will be allowed to be imported into this country during the months of January, February and March. 1951.

I cannot yet add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member's Question on 22nd November.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has now received a reply from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the representations made by him on account of persistent Russian interference with certain British Broadcasting Corporation programmes.

No. I have now sent a further telegram.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to improve radio transmission to East Anglia, particularly Norfolk.

I understand from the B.B.C. that reception of the Light Programme on 1500 metres, should be reasonably satisfactory provided that an efficient aerial is used. Third Programme coverage should improve when the B.B.C. brings the new 464 metre transmitter into service at Daventry early in the New Year. Apart from an area near the North coast and, subject to interference caused by foreign stations, the greater part of East Anglia should be adequately served by the Home Service broadcasts on 276 and 330 metres.Any steps which may be practicable to improve reception in East Anglia and elsewhere will depend on the outcome of the investigation to which I referred in my answer to the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Granville) on 3rd November, and on the extent to which the B.B.C. can incur capital expenditure for the purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General what plans he has for linking our Forces at Singapore with radio broadcasts from this country at an early date.

I understand that the B.B.C.'s General Overseas Service contains regular items whose object is to link men in the Forces overseas with the home country. These programmes are broadcast on short waves direct from this country and they are also being relayed from Radio Ceylon and Singapore.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a telephone kiosk was erected at Broadmere, Farleigh Wallop, Basingstoke, in January, 1950; that a new cable to Preston Candover was laid on in the spring; that the kiosk was painted in the summer; that the kiosk is still painted and in position but still without a telephone; and when it is proposed to install one.

There was unavoidable delay in completing the new cable from Preston Candover to Basingstoke, but I am glad to say that the kiosk was opened for service on 27th November.

asked the Postmaster-General how many applicants were awaiting the installation of a telephone at the latest available date.

543,326, including 61,722 in course of completion, and 33,127 under examination.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. I. Farrar, of 74 Rawcliffe Lane, Clifton, York, a dental surgeon under the National Health Service, has been for five years an unsuccessful applicant for a telephone; that the operation of the National Health Service in this neighbourhood is being prejudiced by this failure on the part of the Post Office; and what action he now proposes to take to remedy this situation.

As the hon. Member was informed on 23rd November, service is now being installed at Mr. Farrar's home, and I hope that the installation will be completed by the end of this month. Mr. Farrar has had a telephone at his surgery.

asked the Postmaster-General how many persons in Devonshire were waiting for telephones to be installed a year ago; and what is the number at the latest convenient date.

Nine thousand one hundred and twenty-nine applications were outstanding on 30th September, 1949, and 7,888 on 30th September, 1950. The latter figure includes 1,104 in the course of being provided.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the dependence of blind people on the telephone, he will consider reducing the rental charge for this section of the community.

While I fully share the hon. Member's interest in the welfare of the blind, I regret that I could not justify adoption of this suggestion.

asked the Postmaster-General whether in order to provide titters of sufficient skill to instal telephone equipment already available for those who require telephones in the Liverpool area, he is prepared to train men or women, or both at present unemployed on Merseyside.

I regret that we cannot recruit additional fitters in the Liverpool area as it already has its full complement within the quota of expenditure allocateable from our limited capital resources.

asked the Postmaster-General how far his policy of compelling old telephone subscribers who change their address, and surrender their private line to share a fresh line, is rigidly enforced; what groups are exempt and on what grounds; and why doctors are not included.

All removing residential subscribers are required to accept liability to share their new lines, except only where sharing would be prejudicial to the national interest or to the efficiency of the telephone service. Doctors are not liable to share the lines to their surgeries.

asked the Postmaster-General how many skilled engineers have resigned from the telephone service in the Oxford telephone area since January, 1949; and how far short of establishment is the engineering staff in that area at the present time.

Forty-one. The Oxford area is five men short of its present limited allotment.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consider extending the number of weekly hours of employment of part-time night telephonists, having regard to the fact that the present 15-hour period of duty provides them with inadequate remuneration, and deprives them of sick pay, holidays and other privileges of service.

This is a part-time grade, and subject to the needs of the service, restriction of weekly hours of part-time telephonists to 15 applies only to those who have other Government employment on a full-time basis with the privileges attached to such employment. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increasing need for a telephone kiosk at Sizewell, Suffolk, in the interests of public safety, he will now reconsider his decision on this matter.

I regret that provision of this kiosk could not be justified at present.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephones that have been installed in the Oxford telephone area since January, 1949, in establishments under the administration of various Government Departments; and how many telephones have been installed for the use of local residents during the same period, making a distinction between private residences and farms and offices.

The particulars desired are as follows:

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephones have been installed at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell, and its subsidiary branches in the Oxford telephone area since January, 1949; whether there are still demands for more instruments that have not yet been met; and when it is likely that the mechanics and engineers concerned with these installations will be freed to attend to other work within the Oxford telephone area.

Six hundred and sixty new telephone stations have been provided since 1st January, 1949; others will be required as new buildings are completed. The engineering staff employed at Harwell consists of one maintenance engineer, stationed permanently, and one fitter who goes there when necessary. I cannot say when it will be possible to free the latter completely for other work.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new telephones have been installed in Cheltenham since 1st January, 1949; and how many of this total have been installed for local residents as opposed to Government or local authority departments.

One thousand one hundred and sixty exchange connections have been made since 1st January, 1949. One thousand one hundred and four were for local residents and business people, and 56 for Government and local authority departments.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give an assurance that all free forces air letters receive equal priority with other air mail letters despatched from Korea.

Yes.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to secure that letters postmarked 6 p.m. or earlier in Wolverhampton reach addresses in Central London not later than first delivery next day, unless a Sunday.

Letters postmarked 6 p.m. or earlier at Wolverhampton are due to be delivered by first post next weekday in Central London. If the hon. Member will let me have details of any failures, I will gladly have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it was with his permission that a letter addressed to a person, whose name and address have been communicated to him, was opened by the Customs authorities; and why this letter, which contained nothing dutiable but which was of an important and confidential nature, was detained by the Post Office for nearly a week before being re-posted.

The packet was submitted to the Customs and Excise authorities in accordance with the provisions of Section 18 of the Post Office Act of 1908. Exceptional pressure of work in the Customs Department prevented earlier examination.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to grant full recognition in accordance with the principles presented in Staff Relations in the Civil Service, 1949, to the trade union duly registered as the National Guild of Motor Engineers which claims the adherence of more than 50 per cent. of the motor transport staffs of his Department.

As the Guild were informed on 21st June, I decided not to grant them recognition. This decision was reached after full consideration of their claim in the light of the factors set out in my statement to the House on 17th May last.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total number of regular Post Office employees who are entitled to the issue of uniforms in the postal districts of Stratford-on-Avon, Evesham, Redditch, Birmingham, Rugby, Banbury and Leamington Spa; and how many of these have, during the past two years, received the complete issue of uniform to which they are entitled.

Three thousand and thirty-eight, of whom 2,979 have received their complete issue during the past two years. Provision of uniform is proceeding for the remainder.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the first mail delivery at Woodley, near Reading, is timed for 9.15 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., and that it frequently arrives after 10 a.m.; and what steps he is prepared to take to improve this service.

I am inquiring into the matter and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General how he has secured the limitation of the number of free parcels sent to members of His Majesty's forces in Korea and Malaya to one parcel per man.

I have relied upon the British public's response to my appeal to observe the limitation in order not to imperil the successful operation of the scheme. It may re-assure the hon. Member to know that up to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, 12th December, 10,350 parcels had been despatched under the concession.

asked the Postmaster-General when he expects to receive the report of the Advisory Committee set up under the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949.

The Chairmen of Advisory Committees have stated that their Committees will not be in a position to advise me of their views for some time yet.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent mails for the Forces serving in the Far East have been delayed by the strike of electricians at London Airport.

Despatches of mail by air from this country to the Forces in the Far East were maintained with not less than normal frequency during the strike, except for a short period between the 3rd and 5th of December when mails for Malaya were held up.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will now state the towns in which later collections will begin early in the New Year; and whether they will be made at all boxes therein.

Local staff consultation is proceeding and for the present it is not possible to give a definite answer to the hon. Member's question, but I hope that many towns will be enjoying the new facilities early in the New Year. Notice of their introduction will be given locally. In London, two collections are to be provided. The first of these will be full; the second in common with the collection to be provided in provincial towns, will be made on a selective basis.

asked the Postmaster-General how many registered letters and packets were lost in 1949 and in 1950 to date, respectively; and how much compensation was paid due to these losses.

Figures in respect of registered letters and packets lost for the financial years 1948–49 and 1949–50 were 8,281 and 7,019 respectively out of a total of some 116 million items posted in the first and some 112 million in the second year. The amounts of compensation paid were £47,661 and £45,351 respectively.

asked the Postmaster-General why a new system has been introduced for the delivery of telegrams from head post offices, instead of telephoning them to sub-post offices; whether it is general over the country; and what is the estimated increased cost.

Delivery is only made from head offices when it provides speedier service and economy in handling. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will detail the unions in the Post Office which have official recognition.

Following is a list of staff associations recognised by the Post Office:

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many B29 aircraft have been delivered to this country from the United States of America; and how many are in operational use.

It would not be in the public interest to give this information. I can, however, assure the hon. and gallant Member that with the deliveries expected by the end of this month, satisfactory progress will have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been drawn to the fatal accident to Aircraftsman, Second Class. Donald William Smith, of Harborough Avenue, Manor Park, Sheffield, at the Royal Air Force station Sheringham, Holt, Norfolk, which was caused by the insufficient knowledge of weapons of the non-commissioned officer in charge; and what steps he intends to take to remove the danger of further accidents from the lack of weapon training.

I regret that I cannot yet comment on this case as the matter is still sub judice. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the importance of weapon training is fully recognised in the Royal Air Force and that all recruits are given such training.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve personnel are now refused payment for expenses for attending non-continuous training in excess of 130 hours; and, in view of the present emergency, if he will take steps to encourage extra training effort on the part of individuals by authorising payment of such expenses incurred.

The requirement for non-continuous training in the R.A.F. Volunteer Reserve is 130 hours for pilots and navigators and 100 hours for signallers, but personnel may voluntarily put in a further 60 training hours, for which they receive payment. Though these hours are ordinarily ample to maintain efficiency, payment is also made in cases where extra training can be provided which would have a useful purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air for what purpose Brigand aircraft are being used against the bandits in Malaya; and what have been the recent results of their use against the bandits.

Brigands are used to attack terrorist camps with bombs, rockets and cannon-fire. These attacks, with those of other aircraft of the Far East Air Force, are carrying the offensive to the terrorists wherever they attempt to concentrate. Detailed results in casualties and camps destroyed are difficult to assess.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many bombing raids were carried out by the Royal Air Force in Malaya between November, 1948, and October, 1950; what was the estimated cost of these raids; and how many bandits were killed.

Four hundred and ten air strikes have been carried out in the period and more than 300 terrorists are believed to have been killed. It is, however, impossible to measure the effect of these air attacks by the numbers actually killed. Their effect on military operations generally and on the morale of the terrorists and of our own forces is considerable. The cost of these air strikes is not available.

asked the Secretary of Sate for Air what steps he has taken to investigate the complaint brought to his notice on the occasion of his recent visit to North Weald, that the socks issued to airmen are all of standard size and too large for men with small feet: and if he will make a statement.

Airmen's socks have in the past been stocked in four sizes only, and abnormal sizes have been procured specially to meet needs as they arose. To meet increased demands for abnormal sizes, arrangements are being made to stock three additional sizes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking to ensure that Royal Air Force personnel in Korea and Japan receive the necessary form of declaration F/Vote/33 in order that their votes may be recorded when necessary.

Full instructions in regard to the completion of Form F/Vote/33 were issued in an Air Ministry Order and this was supplemented by a notice board leaflet giving a brief explanation of the procedure. I am able to say that all eligible R.A.F. personnel in Korea and Japan have received the necessary form of declaration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why third party insurance is not compulsory for civil aviation as for motoring; and if he will take steps to remedy this anomaly.

An international Convention which would make provision for insurance against damage to persons and property on the ground is in an advanced stage of negotiation and is to be further considered next month.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is in a position to make a statement on the progress of the discussions relative to the City of Manchester continuing to retain its own airport at Ringway.

No, except to say that the negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily. No differences of principle have emerged, but there are difficult financial issues still to be resolved.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when British European Airways Corporation will introduce a service between London and Ringway to take the place of the private company's service recently withdrawn as a result of action taken by the Corporation.

British European Airways Corporation already operate a scheduled freight service on this route, and they plan to introduce a night service for both freight and passengers next year, and daily services the year after. I cannot, however, accept the implication of the latter part of the hon. Member's Question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to state the results of his further investigations into the blocks of ice which have fallen recently.

Of the six cases reported, in one it is probable that the ice formed around an aircraft's waste water outlet, and became detached on descent into warmer air. This possibility is being examined with the operators thought to have been concerned. To obviate trouble of this nature in British aircraft the Air Registration Board is, at the request of my Ministry, requiring from 1st January, 1951, that waste water systems discharging overboard shall be designed so that water from them cannot freeze on the aircraft. In another case it is probable that the ice fell from a particular aircraft but from which part of it has not yet been established. In the other four cases there is no direct evidence that aircraft were involved. It is not considered that meteorological phenomena were responsible and investigations continue.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if, in view of the fact that the return fare to Paris by airline is £14 and only £5 by charter aeroplane and that similar disparities occur in other passenger and freight charges, he will introduce legislation to allow private operatives to offer regular trips at scheduled prices.

No. The policy of the Government, recently reaffirmed by my noble Friend, reserves all scheduled services to the Corporations and their Associates. Without knowledge of the circumstances, I am unable to comment on the £5 return fare by charter aeroplane. The fares charged by both British European Airways and Air France on scheduled services are fixed by the International Air Transport Association and approved by the United Kingdom and French Governments and necessarily take account of the fact that full loads cannot be guaranteed on these services. In addition to the normal fare of £14, the regular airlines offer a return fare of £10 available on early morning and late evening services.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men volunteered for service in Korea from Scotland and from what counties.

One hundred and sixty-one volunteered for service at recruiting offices situated in Aberdeen. Dumfries, Angus, Midlothian, Lanarkshire and Inverness.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many Centurion tanks have been captured by the enemy in the Korean campaign.

One Centurion tank has been reported abandoned in Korea and is presumed to have been captured.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how much money and paper was expended by the Central Office of Information in distributing to voluntary organisations, industry and trade unions the poster entitled "The National Investment Programme, 1950."

The cost of production and distribution of this poster was £700. It used just under three tons of paper.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the rising cost of living and the conflicting claims being made, she will call for a report from the Government Actuary, so that Parliament may, during 1951, review the National Insurance and National Assistance Acts.

I have been asked to reply. Section 39 of the National Insurance Act, 1946, directs the Government Actuary to review the operation of the National Insurance Scheme during the period ending 31st March, 1954, and at the end of each fifth year thereafter. He has also to make an interim review for the period to March, 1950. These reports have to be laid before Parliament and it is hoped that the latter will be available in the near future. The scales of National Assistance were reviewed and increased in June of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements will be made for the Token Imports Scheme in 1951.

His Majesty's Government have decided that the Token Import Scheme, which in general provides for the import in token quantities of commodities entering traditional trade which would otherwise have to be excluded on balance of payments grounds, shall be continued in 1951 for the same countries and the same commodities as in 1950. The token import quota will, however, be increased from 20 per cent. to 40 per cent. by value of each individual manufacturer's trade with the United Kingdom in 1936–38 in the commodity in question. In addition certain administrative easements will he introduced, details of which will be announced later.

asked the Lord President of the Council what steps are being taken by the Agricultural Research Council to ascertain whether the use of maleic hydrazide can provide an effective and economic method of retarding fruit blossom so as to avoid spring frosts.

Investigations on the effect of maleic hydrazide in delaying the opening of fruit buds are in progress at both East Mailing and Long Ashton Research Stations.

asked the Lord President of the Council what investigations have been carried out by the Agricultural Research Council into the practicability of doing away with the winter washing of fruit trees and substituting in its place a spring application of an insecticide containing gemmexane.

Investigations have been in progress for some time, and are continuing, both at East Mailing and Long Ashton Research Stations, on the use of spring applications of several types of insecticides including gammexane.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many temporary houses were applied for by the City of Edinburgh; how many were allocated; and how many have been erected and occupied up to date.

Edinburgh Corporation applied for 7,500 temporary houses and were allocated 4,000. All of these houses have been erected and occupied.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if arrangements can be made for deposit in the Library of the House of Commons of a complete list of the secretaries of local committees and local representatives appointed under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Scheme, 1950, for the benefit and convenience of hon. Members.

I understand that a copy of this list is already available in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance is given to local authorities in the provision of caravan sites with roads and services, these sites to be so provided that they can ultimately be used as sites for permanent houses.

I have issued no general guidance on this subject. It is for local authorities to decide in the circumstances of their area how far it is practicable and desirable to make such provisions.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision is made for the use of the 10 per cent. allocation, or any balance of it, for privately built houses, when it is not taken up by miners, teachers, persons of ill-health, spare-time builders or those living in unfit houses in any specific area.

Any houses not taken up will remain part of the local authority's allocation of houses to be built for letting.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of service cottages in Scotland occupied by farm workers by virtue of their employment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of beds in hospitals and sanatoria which are unoccupied owing to the shortage of nursing staff.

The returns for 30th September last showed 5,078 beds unoccupied and unstaffed in Scottish hospitals including sanatoria. This does not mean that all those beds would be occupied if staff were available because beds are frequently empty for a variety of other causes such as normal turnover of patients, seasonal variations in demand, maintenance of reserves for epidemics and other emergencies. Also some wards are under repair.

I regret that precise statistics are not available but the hon. Member will find some information on the subject in Farm Economics Nos. 17 and 19 issued by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, copies of which I am sending to him.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of families who are on the waiting list for houses in each of the following burghs, Kilwinning, Irvine, Stewarton and Troon, and further, if he will indicate in the case of each burgh the number of families residing in unfit houses, overcrowded houses and in sub-tenancies.

The following figures have been obtained from the local authorities concerned:

asked the Minister of Health whether he will ensure that Mrs. Crossland, 34, College Road, Framlingham, a married woman with two young children who are living with three other members of the family in four very small rooms, which are overcrowded and not suitable for habitation, receive the housing priority provided for under Section 85 (2) of the Housing Act, 1936.

The local authority are aware of the unsatisfactory housing conditions of this family, and I am informed that they will give the case consideration as soon as they have other accommodation available.