asked the Minister of National Insurance how many cases were helped by Assistance Board payments; what was the total amount paid out during the past year; and how many of the applicants were holders of post-war credit certificates.

During 1950 the average weekly number of persons to whom assistance grants were paid direct was about 1,280,000, the needs of wives and other dependants being taken into account in the grants. The total amount paid was about £57,500,000. The number of applicants who held post-war credit certificates is not known.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what answer she has sent to the National Association of Old Age Pensioners in response to their recent demand for a pension of 40s. a week.

I received a deputation from this body last week and heard their representations. I made it clear to them that their claims would have to be looked at as part of the country's economic position as a whole.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he has taken to secure that sufficient coal and coke is available for warming school buildings.

I have given instructions that the needs of schools for

NUMBER OF HORSES EMPLOYED BELOW GROUND AT MINES*
At 30th June
—	Scottish	Northern	Durham	North Eastern	North Western	East Midland	West Midland	South Western	South Eastern	Great Britain
1930	1,582	4,463	13,579	6,932	766	7,303	2,497	11,722	—	48,844
1935	886	3,371	10,220	5,012	332	4,591	2,076	8,744	—	35,232
1940	631	3,247	9,812	4,263	231	2,964	1,648	7,169	—	29,965
1945	352	2,841	8,094	3,332	139	1,874	1,216	5,331	12	23,191
1950	157	2,435	6,873	2,584	59	1,336	828	3,168	—	17,440
* As defined by the Coal Mines Act, 1911, but excluding the stratified ironstone mines in Cleveland, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will make more coke available to domestic users in Dursley, Gloucestershire.

I am making inquiries about the supply of coke to domestic consumers in Dursley, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the estimated average calorific value of the coal raised in the United Kingdom in the years 1938 and 1950, respectively.

I regret that there are no national statistics available which show the average calorific value of the coal raised in 1938 and 1950.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of horses and ponies employed below ground at present in the mines of each of the divisions in the United Kingdom; the number so employed 5, 10, 15 and 20 years ago; and how far the tendency to do away with horses and ponies in mines is being accelerated in view of the extent of coalface and general mine mechanisation.

The following are the particulars asked for:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of mechanical conveyors in use at the coalface and inbye at present in each of the divisions in the United Kingdom; the number of such conveyors 5, 10, 15 and 20 years ago; the percentage of the total

MECHANICAL CONVEYORS IN USE AND PERCENTAGE OF COAL MECHANICALLY CONVEYED AT MINES*
—	Scottish	Northern (N&C)	Durham	North Eastern	North Western	East Midland	West Midland	South Western	South Eastern	Great Britain
Total number of mechanical conveyers in use
1930	653	226	277	450	313	414	410	984	20	3,747
1935	952	461	452	895	669	890	689	1,064	68	6,140
1940	1,166	509	576	1,511	947	1,324	833	1,437	89	8,392
1945	1,176	696	757	1,950	943	1,782	864	1,403	87	9,658
1949	1,981	1,603	1,925	3,165	1,441	3,249	1,278	1,997	161	16,803
Percentage of coal mechanically conveyed
1930	32·5	17·3	7·4	12·1	20·0	16·1	25·8	16·8	17·9	17·4
1935	52·0	37·6	18·9	42·3	55·7	58·8	58·0	30·1	82·1	43·0
1940	60·7	47·5	29·9	63·1	81·3	84·8	68·2	48·1	76·6	61·1
1945†	65·4	53·5	37·3	79·7	84·5	96·1	78·2	54·7	79·6	71·0
1949†	74·3	66·9	52·4	90·2	91·7	99·8	91·9	80·7	88·5	82·7
* As defined by the Coal Mines Act, 1911, but excluding the stratified ironstone in Cleveland, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.
† Percentage figures for 1945 and 1949 are based on coal raised and weighed and are not strictly comparable with earlier years. Approximately 1 per cent, should be deducted from the figure for Great Britain for the year 1940 to put it on to the later basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how soon the United Kingdom will ratify the Convention on Human Rights submitted by the European Consultative Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the United Kingdom intends to ratify the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed at Rome on 4th November, 1950.

The text of the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights was laid on the Table on 23rd January. If no objections are raised, the instrument of ratification will be prepared on or

Information about the output of coal carried by mechanical means other than conveyors is not available. The following is the information asked for about the use of mechanical conveyors:after 21st February and it should reach the Council of Europe later the same week.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what principle it is decided that the envoys abroad of this country should be Ambassadors or Ministers respectively.

There is no fixed principle. The status of His Majesty's representatives abroad and of the representatives of foreign States accredited to His Majesty in this country is a matter for mutual agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the country concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the considerable concern that arises from the lack of food, clothing and shelter for many of the refugees entering the British zone in Germany; and what improvement is to be expected in this situation.

I am aware that some concern exists, especially with regard to overcrowding in the holding camps, but the condition of refugees entering the British zone of Germany is, in general, good and has improved further as a result of the remedial measures taken by the Federal German Government with the assistance of German and international welfare societies. In any case, the welfare of these refugees is the concern of the German authorities and no longer a matter for which either the Allied High Commission or His Majesty's Government are responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government propose to carry out a review of sentences imposed on Nazi war criminals similar to that recently undertaken by the American authorities; and if he is aware that any appreciable reduction in these sentences to those guilty of these crimes will be deeply resented.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stafford and Stone (Mr. H. Fraser) on 29th January. With regard to the last part of the Question, the fact that the sentences are to be reviewed does not necessarily imply a revision or reduction of those sentences.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the value of the property in the British zone of Germany belonging to Alfred von Krupp, a war criminal released from imprisonment by the Americans; and if he will state his intentions in regard to the disposal of this property.

I welcome the opportunity of putting this matter into proper perspective. Our intention regarding the property previously owned by the firm of Friedrich Krupp remains unchanged. The armaments works have been dismantled and the remaining properties are being de-concentrated under Law 27 which has as a primary purpose the prevention of the return to positions of ownership and control of those who have been found or may be found to have furthered the aggressive designs of the Nazi party. The annulment by the American High Commissioner of the previous American court order confiscating Alfried von Krupp's property does not affect the operation of this law or the obligations of the Allied High Commission thereunder. In announcing this decision, the American High Comissioner stated that he was

"making no judgments as to the ultimate title of the former Krupp property. The property of the firm of Friedrich Krupp will be subject to Allied High Commission Law No. 27 'Reorganisation of the German Coal, Iron and Steel Industries' and is not affected by this decision."

As regards the first part of the Question, I am unable to state the value of the personal and other property in the British zone of Germany of Alfried von Krupp, as the terms of his father's will have not yet been disclosed and as the validity of the wartime German law regarding the Krupp property may be contested.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of calling together an international conference on the question of migration and especially before any Peace Treaty is signed with Japan.

I do not think that such a conference would be likely to achieve useful results at the present time. Migration of the subjects of sovereign States is normally a matter dealt with under bilateral agreements. If, as we hope, a Japanese Peace Treaty is concluded soon, the Japanese Government will then be in a position to negotiate, if it so desires, with other states for Japanese emigration overseas.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he intends to impose restrictions on the movements of members of the Hungarian Legation in retaliation for the restrictions recently imposed on members of foreign missions in Budapest.

Yes. The Hungarian Minister has been informed that he and all Hungarian members of his staff and their dependants, as well as visiting members of the Hungarian Foreign Service, will in future be required to obtain permission from the Foreign Office for all journeys beyond a distance of 18 miles from Hyde Park Corner. Such permission will be refused if the administration of the corresponding restrictions in Hungary renders this desirable.

asked the Minister of Food what tonnage of fish meal will be distributed to producers in the United Kingdom during 1951.

About 80,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of feedingstuffs are to be imported during 1951; and how they compare with the quantities imported in 1950.

asked the Minister of Food what quantity and value of animal feedingstuffs it is proposed to import during 1951.

It is impossible so early in the year to estimate this year's imports of feedingstuffs, but I hope they will be at least as great as last year's, which amounted to 2,579,000 tons.

asked the Minister of Food what action he intends taking to arrest the rising retail price of fish.

Retail fish prices are high at present but the weekly surveys made by my Department show that over the country as a whole there has been no sharp increase in recent weeks. I have already, on a number of occasions, explained to the House the serious difficulties involved in reimposing a full scheme of control or a temporary measure. Given reasonable conditions, increased landings of fish are expected this month by the trade and I am waiting to see what effect this will have on prices before making any final decision to reimpose control.

asked the Minister of Food how much poultry and how many eggs were received by his Department from the Gambia chicken scheme during the year 1950–51.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) on 31st January.

asked the Minister of Food how much of the 300,000 tons of assorted grains have been received from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; and what steps are taken to examine all imported grain to ensure that it is free from ergot and other harmful seeds.

The present contract is in fact for 800,000 metric tons of coarse grains. One hundred and eighty-nine thousand tons had been shipped by 25th January and 127,000 tons had reached this country. Samples of all shipments of imported grain are drawn on arrival and examined by experts so as to ensure, among other things, that it is free from harmful matter.

asked the Minister of Food if he will ban the importation into this country of horticultural produce, apples and pears, during home peak production periods, except those produced by workers enjoying wages and working conditions no less favourable than are enjoyed by farm workers in this country.

As announced recently imports of certain fruits and vegetables will be restricted this year during the main seasons of home production. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the Notice. I am afraid that any further restrictions on the lines suggested would be impracticable; and they would in any event be contrary to the Government's policy of liberalising trade as far as possible.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has yet reached a decision concerning the provision of a modern slaughterhouse in Sittingbourne, where present facilities are inadequate.

This local question cannot be settled until the national slaughtering policy on which my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and I are now consulting the various interests, has been agreed.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that for the past three Thursdays calves have been killed at the Liverpool abattoir, and because butchers will not pay the price required for the calves' heads approximately 250 at each killing have been thrown on the waste heap; and if he will make it possible for any further calves' heads to be made available to hospitals or children's meals centres in order to prevent waste of nourishing food, and see that the same method is not operating in other abattoirs.

My hon. Friend will be glad to know that arrangements have now been made to sell for human consumption all suitable calves' heads.

asked the Minister of Food what is the highest price which may be charged for steak in Great Britain.

The maximum retail price which can be charged for first quality home killed rump and fillet steak is 2s. 8d. a 1b. and for imported, and second quality home killed, 2s. 4d. a 1b. The corresponding prices for shoulder or chuck steak are 1s. 10d. and 1s. 6d. a 1b.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, if the 20 per cent. cut in tinplate to the Lady Dane Canning Factory, Faversham, Kent, is not restored, not only will 200 workers lose their jobs, but much food will be wasted; and if he will reconsider the matter.

I am afraid that I cannot increase the supply of tinplate for this factory during the present quarter but its supplies during the next quarter when the need will be greater should be much better. I should be glad to discuss the problem of the factory with my hon. Friend if he will get in touch with me.

asked the Minister of Food why he paid 10 times the pre-war price for the 10,000 tons of sunflower oil which he has recently bought from the Argentine.

This spot purchase of oil was made at a competitive price from a private trader in the ordinary course of commercial negotiations, just as we buy other oils from time to time on the open market to supplement the long-term contracts which provide the greater part of our supplies. We have no long-term contract with Argentina for oils.

asked the Minister of Food whether meat negotiations with Uruguay have been resumed.

No, but we have told the Uruguayan Government that we are prepared to continue negotiations with them at any time.

asked the Minister of Food how long he proposes to maintain the present corned beef ration in view of the breakdown of negotiations with Argentina; and what are his alternative sources of supply.

I cannot forecast the future make-up of the ration. Argentina is not our sole supplier of canned corned meat. Supplies also come from Australia, New Zealand and Paraguay.

asked the Minister of Food under what conditions he is prepared to restore the import of meat to the system prevailing before the war.

I am at present engaged in a series of discussions with all sections of the meat trade, in the light of which the Government will consider its long-term policy for meat.

asked the Minister of Food what percentage of meat consumed in South Wales is imported into Cardiff Docks.

About 22 per cent. of all the meat issued for the ration in South Wales during 1950 was imported into Cardiff Docks.

asked the Minister of Food the number of ships that have been directed by his Department to discharge at Cardiff during the past year; and whether he will attempt to increase this number.

One hundred and seventy-six ships carrying imports controlled by my Department discharged at Cardiff last year. Forty-nine of them were deep sea ships and 127 coast-wise ships. We shall continue to do our best to see that Cardiff and the other South Wales ports get a fair share of our traffic, but it should be recognised that I have no compulsory powers of direction over shipping.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is satisfied that sufficient stocks of rationed food will be available during the period of the Festival of Britain to ensure that the influx of visitors will not cause a reduction in the allocation to the public.

No reduction in rations will be necessary for this reason. Less than 0.1 per cent. of the ration requirements of the United Kingdom for the Festival period would be needed for every million visitors for every week they stayed.

asked the Minister of Food what has been the total tonnage of groundnuts purchased by his Department from West African producers this season; at what price; and how does this figure compare with what was paid in 1948–49–50.

The West African groundnut season is not yet over, but up to the middle of January my Department had bought from the Produce Marketing Companies of Nigeria, The Gambia and Sierra Leone the following quantities: Shelled Groundnuts, 127,000 tons; unshelled groundnuts, 49,750 tons. The prices paid this season and in the two preceding seasons are as follows:

£'s per long ton c. &f. U.K.
—		1950–51	1949–50	1948–49
Shelled	…	70	53	55
Unshelled	…	55	43	45

These are prices paid to the Marketing Companies; my Department does not buy directly from the producers.

asked the Minister of Food what offers have been made officially by other countries that if his Department will stop the bulk buying of food supplies they will stop bulk selling.

Apart from a tentative and limited offer during the recent Argentine meat negotiations, an offer which applied to meat of one type only, no countries have approached my Department with official offers to discontinue bulk selling if bulk buying by the Ministry of Food should cease.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give a list of uncompleted grant-aided trunk road schemes estimated to cost more than £10,000 when completed on which work has been stopped; and indicate the estimated cost of, and amount already spent on, each such scheme.

As the list contains considerable detail, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, send it to him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the great increase in the number of accidents on roads without a speed limit in the London traffic area; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he will arrange for a public inquiry to be held to consider what steps shall be taken to make the use of these roads safe.

I am aware of the increase in 1949 over 1948, but the figures for 1950 are not yet available. I give careful consideration to all proposals designed to make particular roads safer and I am assisted in this matter by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, a body representing all interests and authorities concerned, and a general public inquiry would not help that Committee in their deliberations.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will circularise local authorities suggesting the organisation of a campaign urging dog owners to ensure that dogs are not allowed to run unaccompanied in main streets with a view to lessening road accidents.

Local authorities are well aware of the importance of this problem, and local safety committees are constantly urged by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents to give particular attention in their local campaigns to the need to keep dogs under control. I do not think, therefore, I need issue a special circular just now, but I will bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the scarcity of sheet steel, zinc, brass and copper, and of the necessity for conserving these materials, he will consider introducing legislation to give effect to the Waleran Report which would reduce the numbers of petrol pumps being manufactured for other than the armaments drive and other priority needs.

The recommendations of the Waleran Committee are not directed to the conservation of scarce materials and I am not considering them from that point of view.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent he has accepted financial responsibility for losses incurred by the British Transport Commission as the result of his directions to them to cut their passenger traffic on the railways.

I have not directed the Commission to cut their rail passenger services. In common with industry the railways have had to accept a reduction in their deliveries of coal and to meet this have found it necessary to take off a number of trains. I am not in a position to accept any financial liability for any losses which may result.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in setting up area schemes for road passenger services, as provided for in the Transport Act, 1947.

The British Transport Commission have submitted to me a scheme relating to the northern area of England and, in accordance with the procedure prescribed in the Eighth Schedule to the Transport Act, 1947, I have returned it to them with my observations, and it is still under discussion with them. I have received no scheme for any other area.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that private road hauliers' licences to operate outside a 25-mile radius are being withdrawn in Lincolnshire; and, since the county farmers are dependent upon the services of the private haulier, if he will introduce legislation to increase the maximum radius to at least 60 miles.

I assume that this Question refers to permits issuable by the British Transport Commission and not to carrier's licences under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. I am not prepared to introduce legislation to alter the conditions under which goods may be carried for hire or reward by road without such a permit. The necessary services beyond the 25-miles radius will be provided either under permit or by the Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport how many Government-owned ships are at present being broken up for scrap in Hong Kong waters; and to whom it is proposed to sell that scrap.

None.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that a vessel was transferred from the ship-repairing yard at Bristol to the Continent to undergo repairs, causing unemployment among this section of workers; and what steps he is taking to discourage a repetition of this.

I assume my hon. Friend refers to the "Birmingham City" which has recently left Avonmouth for Antwerp for loading and completion of repairs. To confine the repair of British ships to repair in this country would be contrary to the liberalisation agreements reached in the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation to which His Majesty's Government are a party.

asked the Minister of Supply what are the rates of pay for test pilots employed by his Department; and why they compare unfavourably with those in the employ of aircraft manufacturers.

The rates of pay for civilian test pilots employed by my Department are:—Chief Test Pilot £1,200; Test Pilot £900×25—£1,000. The rates of pay of test pilots employed by the aircraft manufacturers are not strictly comparable owing to the differences in the work and the responsibilities involved.

asked the Minister of Supply why allocations of sheet steel, aluminium, zinc, brass and copper are being cut by 15 to 50 per cent. to companies engaged in the manufacture of equipment for the Armed Forces.

The cuts to which the hon. and gallant Member refers are in the supply of metals to first line users, such as fabricators, to whom guidance has been given on the distribution of their products. In particular, it has been made clear that the requirements of defence must be met in full.

asked the Minister of Supply what further cuts are contemplated in the supply of sheet steel to the motor industry.

None. The motor industry is expected to receive in the first quarter of 1951 approximately 85 per cent. of deliveries in the last quarter of 1950. It is hoped to maintain supplies at the same level in the second quarter.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the shortage of scrap steel, he will take steps to consult with the authorities concerned, with a view to arranging for the collection of tramlines that are now disused.

I am already in close touch with the authorities concerned with a view to arranging the maximum recovery of tramlines for use as scrap.

asked the Minister of Supply what price per ton has been fixed for scrap metal in argicultural districts; and whether he is satisfied scrap metal merchants will be induced to collect from farms at the price offered, including sorting and dispatch to industrial collecting centres.

The prices of all scrap, including scrap from farms are controlled by the Iron and Steel Scrap Order, 1950. The British Iron and Steel Federation, who, in conjunction with the Scrap Merchants' Federation, are organising a home scrap drive, are to discuss with the National Farmers' Union arrangements to facilitate the collection of scrap from farmers.

asked the Minister of Supply what amount of work has or is being allocated to Lanarkshire under the Government's rearmament programme.

The form in which contract records are kept does not readily show the totals of work placed in a particular area. Substantial orders have, however, been placed in Lanarkshire, which is receiving the preferential treatment given to all Development Areas.

asked the Minister of Supply what was the output of rolled strip and fillet from the Royal Ordnance factories and the Royal Mint for the three months ended 31st December, 1950, in each of the following metals bronze, nickel brass, cupro nickel, copper, brass, nickel and other alloys.

The output of rolled strip and fillet from the Royal Ordnance Factories and the Royal Mint for the three months ended 31st December, 1950, was as follows:

			Tons
Bronze	…	…	174
Nickel Brass	…	…	104
Cupro Nickel	…	…	620
Copper	…	…	14
Brass	…	…	3,622
Nickel	…	…	Nil
Other Alloys	…	…	109

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will appoint a committee to investigate whether the percentage of disabled persons compulsorily employed should be increased in appropriate occupations and industries.

No. There is no need for a new committee as this question has already been investigated and is kept under continuous review by the National Advisory Council appointed under Section 17 of the Disabled Persons (Employment) Act.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of seasonal agricultural workers, applying to employment exchanges in the Faversham, Sittingbourne, Maidstone and Medway towns areas, for alternative employment in their off-seasons have been placed since October, 1950.

The information desired by my hon. Friend is not available, but it is known that since 31st October approximately 300 women, who had worked for a time on the land during 1950, and who registered at the employment exchanges specified, have been placed in or found other employment.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what adjustment has been made in the wages of temporary clerks, Grade III, in the Ministry of National Insurance to take account of the increase in the cost of living.

Temporary clerks are employed on similar terms in most Government Departments. The maxima of the scales of pay for all grades of temporary clerk throughout Government Departments were increased by 8s. a week for men and 6s. a week for women as from 1st October, 1950. This settlement was agreed with the representative Staff Association who have, however, asked for it to be reopened. I am considering their claim.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will allow remission of Purchase Tax on radio sets purchased by the recognised national society for the use of bedridden people.

The exemption introduced in 1945 of wireless sets for the blind was an exceptional measure, and it was made clear that relief could not normally be provided for particular users of chargeable goods. The concession was accepted by the House on that basis, and I regret that I cannot at this stage allow any further departure from an established principle of the tax.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now reverse his decision not to stop the importation of all poultry, live or dead, in view of the increase of fowl pest and the necessity for combining a ban on imports with the slaughter policy, if it is to be fully effective.

The importation of live poultry from countries where fowl pest is prevalent is already prohibited. As regards poultry carcases, I cannot at present add to the answer I gave to a number of Questions on 25th January.

asked the Minister of Health what is the number of aged sick cases awaiting admission to hospital; and the average period of waiting in the area of the South-West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board.

There are now 1,510 aged sick on the waiting list in this area. Waiting periods vary so much according to individual circumstances that an average would have little meaning.

asked the Minister of Health how many people suffering from tuberculosis in Gloucestershire are awaiting admission to a hospital or sanatorium at the present time, as compared with the same time of year in 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950, respectively.

The number at 31st December, 1950, including the county boroughs of Bristol and Gloucester, was 197. The corresponding figures for the years 1945 to 1949 were respectively 211, 271, 258, 244 and 270.

asked the Minister of Health what evidence he has that the increased incidence of tuberculosis is due to malnutrition, including insufficiency of meat.

I have no such evidence. There was a marked drop in new cases of tuberculosis last year.

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to carry out the provisions of his circular about the dismissal of specialists under training from his hospitals; with what professional bodies he is discussing this action; and what results have yet accrued from such discussions.

I have received the proposals of some of the hospital boards and am awaiting others. These will, where necessary, be discussed with representatives of the boards. I am also having discussions, which are not yet complete, with the medical profession's Joint Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the hardship involved, he will make an ex gratia payment to Mr. L. Crookall in respect of the death of his son, Mr. John Crookall, who died as a result of tuberculosis contracted in the course of his duties as a student nurse at Lancaster Moor Hospital.

I have been fully informed of the circumstances attending the death of Mr. John Crookall and fear I should not feel justified in making an ex gratia payment to his father.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will remind directors of smallpox hospitals of the views of experienced doctors that pitting and blindness can be prevented by proper nursing of the cases, including constant use of oil to alleviate irritation.

I am confident that hospital physicians who have charge of smallpox cases are fully skilled in the treatment of the disease.

asked the Postmaster-General how many requests for telephone installations are unsatisfied in the area served by the Skegness, Wainfleet, Horncastle and Spilsby exchanges; and what steps he is taking to see that this productive agricultural district is not adversely affected by lack of telephone communications.

Two hundred and thirty-one, 37, 25 and 47. Substantial additions to the local cables and exchange equipment will be brought into service this year and next.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction among the Forces in Japan due to the delivery of mail by British Overseas Airways Corporation planes at Tokyo instead of in the vicinity of the troops; and whether he will consider the use of Royal Air Force planes on a regular service to deliver mail to the Forces.

I am unaware that there is any dissatisfaction amongst the members of His Majesty's Forces in Japan for the reasons mentioned, but I am looking into the matter and will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what public works to a value of £5,000 and upwards are now being undertaken by contracting firms in connection with harbours, railways, buildings, etc., in British Colonies; how many of these contracting firms are British; when were the contracts let; and what is their value, respectively.

I regret that this information is not available in the Colonial Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give details of the strength of the Class Z Reserves, with special reference to the strength of age groups, to the number of disabled persons, and to the proportion of married to unmarried persons upon it.

The present strength of the Z Reserves (including Z, Z (T), W and W (T)) is 2,850,380 other ranks. The strengths by age groups at the latest known date, 31st August, 1950, are shown below. Other ranks not up to the medical standard required by the Army are not normally relegated to, or held on, the Reserves. Instances occur, however, where reservists become unfit after delegation. Where individual cases are reported, immediate discharge action is taken. As Reservists in this class are only required to notify changes of address, and not changes in their marital status, the proportion of married to unmarried persons is not known.

Over 50 years of age	…	29,788
41–50 years of age	…	560,024
31–40 years of age	…	1,259,344
30 years of age and under	…	1,007,228
		2,856,384

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many horse carcases were exported from this country last year; to which countries they were sent; and from which ports in Great Britain they were consigned.

No information is available from the United Kingdom Trade Accounts of the exports of horse carcases as these are not separately distinguished.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will, in view of the public interest aroused by the recent investigation into the affairs of the Bristol Rovers Club, Limited, make public the report of the inspector.

Yes. I have given instructions for the printing and publishing of the report.