asked the Minister of Labour the unemployment figures for Tenby, Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest, Fishguard and Milford Haven, at the last convenient date; the corresponding figures for a year before; and for 1938.

I am having the information extracted and will send it to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour how many man hours have been lost through unofficial strikes in London docks and Liverpool docks, respectively, for each of the years from 1945 onwards; and what are the comparable figures for Cardiff docks.

Statistics are not available as to the number of man hours lost through disputes. The table below shows the approximate number of working days lost through stoppages of work due to industrial disputes during each of the years 1945 to 1950, inclusive, by dock

asked the Secretary of State for War what facilities are made available to soldiers wishing to play Rugby League football.

In the event of a unit wishing to form a Rugby League side a ground and kit would be made available.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons, showing men and women separately, registered as unemployed at each of the employment exchanges in Birtley, Chester-le-Street and Washington areas; and also the number of disabled persons registered in each area.

The following table gives the information desired:

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the fuel supply position generally at army camps and barracks; at how many stations was there no fuel for heating barrack rooms during December to January; how many camps have been partially closed; and how many men have been sent on leave owing to fuel shortage during the past three months.

In two stations in January it was reported that there was no fuel for heating barrack rooms for periods of five days and one day respectively. No cases have been reported of camps being closed or partially closed, nor of any men having been sent on leave owing to fuel shortage during the past three months. The fuel supply is now rather better.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in order to avoid cases of hardship, he will arrange for those Class Z reservists who are engaged in seasonal work, particularly in the holiday resorts, to have the option of being called-up for their training in a period outside their normal season of employment.

One of the main purposes of the recall of Z reservists is to bring together into units the men who will form these units in the event of a war. In consequence, it will not be possible to amend the programme of recall to suit the convenience of individuals. The overall period over which reservists will be recalled has, however, been spread as wide as possible in the interests of industry generally, and this should help to reduce its impact on the holiday period and on seasonal trades.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will now take steps to ascertain whether individual members on the Class Z Reserve are married or unmarried; and why steps to discover this particular have not been taken hitherto.

The marital status of Z reservists is not a criterion in determining the necessity for their recall. I therefore see no advantage in obtaining this information.

asked the Secretary of State for War what type of circumstances constitute excessive hardship sufficient to justify exemption from Class Z service of a man conducting a one-man business.

A Z reservist claiming exemption from recall on the grounds that he conducts a one-man business would be required to prove that he is personally and financially interested in the business, that his absence for 15 days would place the business in danger of collapse and that there is no possibility of making alternative arrangements for the business to be carried on.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the suggested bulk parcel scheme for the Forces.

I regret I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this scheme. There are many practical difficulties, but every effort is being made to overcome them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Commonwealth and other canteens and stores at which British troops on leave in Tokyo can spend their pay in sterling or in yen do not provide facilities comparable with those of the P.X.; what would be the approximate cost in dollars if each British soldier on leave or in hospital in Tokyo, or elsewhere in Japan, were allowed to change £5 of his accumulated pay into dollar scrip; and if he will ascertain from the commander of the United Kingdom Forces in Korea whether such a concession would be appreciated by them.

I have no detailed information regarding the facilities available in P.X. canteens and stores in Tokyo, but adequate Commonwealth canteen facilities are provided for British personnel on leave or in the British Commonwealth hospital in Japan. The cost of the proposed concession, if limited to British troops on leave or in the British Commonwealth hospital in Japan, would in present circumstances be of the order of £100,000 a year, but it would be impracticable to limit the concession in the manner suggested and it would inevitably lead to much heavier dollar expenditure. I am satisfied that the commander of the United Kingdom Forces in Korea will not hesitate to make any representations he thinks desirable for improving the conditions of his troops, and I do not therefore propose to refer my hon. Friend's suggestion to him.

asked the Secretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for providing clean uniform or civilian clothes for British troops on leave in Japan.

I have called for this information and will write to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement on the presence at a Fascist meeting in London, addressed by Sir Oswald Mosley, of a number of non-commissioned officers and private soldiers of the Parachute Regiment, who were brought to the meeting from Aldershot in a specially-chartered coach; and what steps he is taking to ensure that soldiers whose minds are affected by Fascism are not posted to Germany, where they will be able to contact and to encourage those Germans now working for a revival of Nazism.

Some 30 soldiers of the Parachute Regiment visited London in a privately chartered motor coach on 12th February and about 16 of them attended the meeting. There is no restriction on Service personnel attending political meetings provided their duties are not interfered with and they do not go on to the platform or make speeches.

asked the Secretary of State for War which items of warm and waterproof clothing issued to British officers and other ranks in action in Korea have been decided to be inferior to United States clothing; and by what date articles of an improved pattern will be issued in the field.

The only item of clothing which is regarded as definitely inferior to United States clothing is the British balaclava, which is not so windproof as the parka with a hood. Supplies have been ordered of a new combat suit with a hood attached, to replace the present white smock and trousers. Boots which are in certain conditions superior to those at present in use have also been ordered. The new items cannot be available for the present cold season, but it is hoped that they will be available for issue if necessary before next winter.

asked the Secretary of State for War what complaints he has received regarding the fact that officers and other ranks in Korea receive less money per week adding pay and allowances together than equivalent ranks in Hong Kong.

A number of hon. Members have made representations on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the detailed instructions will be forwarded to the home commands, to enable them to make their full preparations for the creation of the Home Guard.

Very shortly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of outside bodies which receive Government grants; the total annual amount involved; and whether he will give a list of the recipients.

This information is being extracted from the Estimates, but is not yet available. The list will be rather long, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will place a copy of it in the Library as soon as it is complete.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will relate interest on Post Office Savings Bank accounts to the minimum level of a depositor's balance over a given period.

This is already the rule; interest is related to the minimum level of a depositor's balance during any calendar month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the new National Savings Certificates purchased during the first week of issue were purchased in blocks of 500 certificates.

I regret that this information could not be made available without a disproportionate expenditure of time and effort on a detailed examination of certificate sales.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that many people who hold National Savings certificates of early issues are uncertain as to how they stand regarding the earning of further interest, he will make a statement on the subject.

I welcome this opportunity to confirm that all earlier issues of National Savings certificates continue to attract interest as before. Full information about interest earned on different issues is available in a leaflet which may be obtained from post offices and savings centres or banks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the back-leathers worn by coal carters are classed as garments and so made subject to Purchase Tax.

The term "garments" includes protective clothing of which these back-leathers are but one example. As has frequently been explained, a general exemption from the tax for all protective clothing is quite impracticable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why His Majesty's Customs and Excise refused to permit the importation of 410 bundles of 5 1b. blocks of processed Caerphilly cheese by Messrs. Graham and Jordan Limited, Albert Square, Belfast, on 27th November, 1950.

Because this consignment of cheese from the Irish Republic was not properly packed and labelled as required by the terms of the open general licence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the advertising of British Railways, the National Coal Board, the British Electricity Authority and the National Gas Board for the purpose of reducing the demand for their respective goods and services will be an allowable expense for Income Tax purposes.

I cannot supply information about the Income Tax treatment of particular concerns. The general rule, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, is that advertising expenditure is deducted in computing profits for Income Tax purposes if it is incurred wholly and exclusively for the purpose of the business in question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend the concessions now granted to old age pensioners of buying cheaper tobacco and tea, to other essential commodities.

No. I could not agree to extend to other commodities the special arrangements for tobacco. There is no cheap tea concession.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the tax respectively from greyhound racing tracks and football pools separately, for September, October and November, 1950.

The monthly figures of receipts of pool betting duty from football pools (together with other similar pools included under the same heading) and greyhound race-course totalisators and of bookmakers' licence duty, are as follow:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Treasury has suspended their direction to the Ministry of Civil Aviation to prepare statutory trading accounts.

Because of suggestions made by the Public Accounts Committee that less elaborate methods of calculating expenditure might be introduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Treasury has withdrawn the requirement that the trading accounts of the British Phosphate Commission should be examined and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General; why other auditors are to be employed; and if he will give their names.

The volume of trading accounts and balance sheets is normally confined to trading services conducted by Government Departments. The inclusion of the British Phosphate Commission, an independent body in which other Commonwealth Governments are partners, was anomalous. The Commission's accounts will, however, be published as a Command Paper, and they will still be open to examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General; they have, of course, always been audited by outside firms of accountants. The auditors for the year ended 30th June, 1950, were Messrs. Kent, Brierley and Fisher, Melbourne (Australia).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to implement the report of the committee appointed to review the organisation and administrative methods of the Inland Revenue Department.

The report is at present being considered by the Board of Inland Revenue in consultation with the appropriate staff associations.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total number of officials authorised to carry out inspections and investigations without a search warrant in business premises at 10th February.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 15th February.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why Dr. K. Fuchs is shown on page 1076 of the British Imperial Calendar and Civil Service List for 1951 as being the holder of an appointment in the Ministry of Supply.

The name of Dr. Fuchs was inadvertently allowed to remain in the index, although the entry in the text of the list was correctly omitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the fact that the French Government has again refused to allow the importation of British footwear into France; and what action he is proposing to take in view of the obligations of the French Government under the agreement to liberalise trade.

The French Government have agreed to quotas for small quantities of footwear imported from the United Kingdom. As regards liberalisation of trade, the decisions taken by the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation do not require a member country to relax restrictions on particular goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by many reputable publishers and writers in obtaining paper for their businesses and its accumulation by speculators under present conditions, he will consider the reimposition of controls and rationing.

Within the framework of the voluntary priority scheme announced by my right hon. Friend during the debate on paper and boards on 24th November, the Publishers' Association have recently made an arrangement with the British Paper and Board Makers' Association for the prompt supply of paper to book publishers in cases of special difficulty or hardship. I should hope that these arrangements will render unnecessary the reimposition of control. I have had no evidence of the accumulation of paper by speculators.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it is proposed to review the work and future of the Cotton Board in accordance with the statutory provision contained in the Industrial Organisation and Development Act, 1947.

This review is now taking place in consultation with the Cotton Board and organisations representative of the employers and employees concerned.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the continuing delay over the peace treaty with Germany, he will pay out, up to a maximum figure, the assets of British-born wives and widows of German subjects.

The assets of British-born wives and widows of German nationals are released to them in full if they return to the United Kingdom for permanent residence. Further, partial releases are made in cases where the women in question are resident in Germany and are in financial need.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the sterling value of the trade between this country and Albania in 1948 and 1949, giving exports and imports separately.

United Kingdom exports to Albania in 1948 were £16,000 and in 1949 £7,000. There were no imports.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning why he has refused to make allowance for reasonable expenses properly incurred, authorised under Section 43 of the Housing Act, 1936, to the Nuns of the Sacred Heart Convent, Chew Magna, relating to their objection to a compulsory purchase order of a piece of their land, in view of the nature of their order, and that, as a charity, they were morally bound to object to a proposal which takes away part of the land required for the purposes for which that charity was set up.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter sent by my right hon. Friend's predecessor to the solicitors to the owners, which gives the reasons for this decision.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on those responsible for finding sites for essential outdoor advertising by his decision, on 1st February, disallowing all 10 appeals of one firm for the display of advertisement panels on six main streets in Manchester; and whether, in view of the fact that in many of these cases the sites proposed for these advertisements were in streets largely occupied by business premises, he will state on what general principles he is now dealing with such appeals and what steps he has taken to encourage wherever possible, the negotiation of friendly agreements about such sites between the local authorities and the advertising agents of industry.

No. My right hon. Friend upheld the Manchester City Council because he thought their refusals were justified on amenity grounds. My right hon. Friend issued a circular to local planning authorities on 5th February—of which he is sending the hon. Member a copy—encouraging discussion between the authorities and the advertisers.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he has now given further consideration to the possibility of exempting from development charge hostels erected for agricultural workers.

Yes. In future where a farmer erects a hostel for his own agricultural workers no development charge will be payable so long as the hostel continues to be so used.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether any special precautions are taken in collecting and disposing of domestic refuse in those areas where fowl pest exists so that the remains of any dead fowls are not left in open dumps.

My right hon. Friend has advised local authorities to take all necessary action.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether, before sanctioning a loan to the Peterborough Joint Education Board to cover a supplementary payment to the contractors to the Arthur Mellows Village College, he satisfied himself that the Peterborough Joint Education Board were liable for that additional payment.

My right hon. Friend has received no application for loan sanction for this project. When he does, he will consider it in consultation with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he will consult with the Postmaster-General with a view to having the new valuation lists made available to public inspection in all local post offices.

No, but these lists will be available for inspection at the offices of local authorities.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning by how much the cost of a standard size house will be increased by the latest wage award for the building industry, and what is the average addition it will mean to weekly rents; and what has the total increase in cost and in average weekly rent caused by all the wage increases in the industry granted since 1946.

It is impossible to estimate this as yet.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he is aware of the unsatisfactory operation of the five to one ratio in the issue of building licences in many districts; and if he will now either alter the ratio so as to allow of a greater number of private houses being built or preferably sanction an overall increase in the total number of licences which local authorities may issue.

No. My right hon. Friend is, however, ready to consider on their merits proposals submitted by particular local authorities.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will now allow additional building licences for people who wish to erect houses in their spare time.

I am prepared in such circumstances to consider applications from individual authorities to increase the proportion of houses to be built under licence.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how many houses and flats, respectively, qualifying for grant, were built within the administrative county of London by the London County Council and the Metropolitan boroughs, respectively, in each of the years 1930 to 1939, inclusive; and, in the case of the London County Council, how many such houses and flats were built on out-county estates.

Following are the numbers of houses provided by the London County Council and the Metropolitan borough

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he has considered details, which have been sent to him, concerning permanent sectional bungalows which can be erected for approximately 1,500; and, in view of the housing shortage, if he will take steps to make these available.

This bungalow would cost more than a three-bedroom permanent house. I cannot, therefore, encourage it.

asked the Minister of Works how long Friars, Smallfield Road, Horley, a bungalow which is the property of his Department, has been empty; and what steps he has taken to find a tenant.

My Department was asked to dispose of the cottage known as "Friars," Smallfield Road, Horley, in July last year. Negotiations for disposal to the local authority have now been settled and I believe they are in course of selecting a tenant.

asked the Minister of Works if he will indicate the total value of private building work authorised by his Department in 1949 and 1950 in England and Wales.

The total value of private building work licensed by the Ministry of Works in 1949 and 1950 in England and Wales amounted to £264 million and £248 million respectively.

asked the Minister of Works the total value of private building work authorised in Scotland during 1950 by the Scottish Departments, by the Scottish local authorities and by United Kingdom Departments operating in Scotland.

Of the total value of private building work licensed in Scotland during 1950, £1.4 million was for work sponsored by the four Scottish Departments, £4.5 million for private enterprise houses and repairs to existing houses licensed by local authorities, and £17.3 million for work sponsored by other Departments. The last figure includes about £5 million for small works and maintenance.

asked the Minister of Works how many people were engaged on, and what was the cost to the taxpayer of, the schemes sponsored by his Department of films and lectures to the building industry in 1950.

No one in my Department is employed exclusively in organising film shows and lectures for the building industry. A technical information officer in each region makes these arrangements as part of his ordinary duties. The majority of the lectures are given by civil servants in their spare time and without special payment. The total estimated cost in 1950 for the production of films, hire of accommodation and equipment, and lectures was about £13,500.

asked the Minister of Works whether monopoly value is charged in respect of 2, Park Street; and who makes the payment.

An ex gratia payment is being made from the Government Hospitality Fund to the Board of Customs and Excise in respect of licence duty and monopoly value.

asked the Minister of Works if he will consider placing a brass plaque in Westminster Hall to commemorate the visit of Their Majesties and the Commonwealth Speakers on the occasion of the opening of the new Chamber.

No. If I did this I should also have to record similarly other great ceremonies in Westminster Hall.

asked the Minister of Works if he is aware of the inconvenience to hon. Members and their constituents caused by the dim light in the Central Lobby; and if he will authorise some improvement.

I am providing floor standards to give additional lighting in the Central Lobby. Temporary lighting has been provided at the desk used by members of the public and at the pillar box and Post Office writing table.

asked the Minister of Food what plans he has in mind for effecting an immediate improvement in the transit of cattle in Scotland in order to prevent unnecessary suffering and deterioration in the value of the meat.

I have made inquiries, but I can find no evidence that the arrangements made by my Department for the movement of cattle in Scotland cause unnecessary suffering to animals or lead to a deterioration in the value of the carcases. I cannot therefore accept the implication in the hon. and gallant Member's Question.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Inter-departmental Committee on Meat Inspection has yet reported; and at what date the report will be published.

The Committee submitted their report a day or two ago and I am now considering it in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health. I will make a statement about publication as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if, in view of the prospect of a long term shortage in coal supplies, he will investigate the potentialities of further hydro-electric projects beyond those at present planned, including medium and small-scale schemes.

The British Electricity Authority have under consideration a number of hydro-electric projects of small and medium size, and investigations are proceeding to see whether they would be economically sound.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the shortage of sulphur, he will consider taking measures to ensure that all gas from coke oven and coal carbonisation plants is treated for sulphur recovery.

All gas supplied to the public from gas works and coke ovens is treated for the recovery of sulphur. The National Coal Board and the iron and steel industry are investigating the possibility of extracting sulphur from some of the coke oven gas which they themselves use, at present, in an unpurified form.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether in view of the increase in prices, he will give an assurance that he will continue the transport subsidy on coal.

The coal freight subsidy was introduced as a special wartime measure to meet conditions which no longer obtain, and the Government have decided that it should be withdrawn in autumn, 1951, following progressive reductions during the year. The coal shipping trade has been informed accordingly.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power how many dollars he proposes to spend importing solid fuel from the United States of America.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Members for Louth (Mr. Osborne) and Hornsey (Captain Gammans) respectively on 4th December.