asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will examine the position of lower-paid dockyard workers with a view to an increase in their pay.

An increase of 8s. a week in the wages of ordinary labourers in the home dockyards has been agreed on the Shipbuilding Trade Joint Council, with effect from November, 1950. Increased rates of pay for other grades of Admiralty industrial employees have also been agreed on the Council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to state the establishment for skilled labourers at Chatham Dockyard on 1st January, 1951; and the number of skilled labourers employed in the yard on that date.

The number of skilled labourers employed at Chatham Dockyard on 1st January, 1951, was 4,739; of these 1,615 were established.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many reserve Fleet Air Arm pilots have been called up since 1st July, 1950; and how many it is proposed to call up during 1951.

Twenty-three since 1st July, 1950. The number in 1951 depends on the response to a call for volunteers which will shortly be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many temporary assistants have been declared redundant and discharged from the Directorate of Navy Accounts during the last 12 months.

Nine.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the disparity in pay of 2nd lieutenants under 20 years of age in the Royal Marines holding National Service commissions at 7s. 6d. per day compared with 2nd lieutenants in the infantry at 13s.; and whether he will recommend an increase to bring them into line.

The pay, as well as the status, of 2nd lieutenants in the Royal Marines, is based on the pay of the comparable rank in the Royal Navy, and a comparison with 2nd lieutenants in the Army is not relevant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what allowances and cash grants are paid to National Service 2nd lieutenants in the Royal Marines ordered to serve in Malaya for a few months; and whether he will take steps to secure their increase.

Second lieutenants in the Royal Marines, whether serving on National Service or Regular commissions, are paid an allowance of 7s. a day to compensate for the high cost of living in Malaya. A small money grant is made to cover the cost of cerain articles of kit not supplied from official sources. The Malayan cost-of-living allowances are to be reviewed again shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the £100 re-engagement gratuity will now be extended to all ratings whose re-engagement dates from or after 1st September, 1950, and not only to those who decided to re-engage after that date.

I regret that I cannot add to what I said during the Adjournment debate last Monday.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what courtesy visits to Newport have been arranged by the Admiralty in connection with the Festival of Britain; what are the names of the vessels concerned; and the probable dates they can be expected to be there.

Subject to the exigencies of the Service, a visit will be made to Newport (Mon.) from 29th June to 4th July by the Home Fleet Frigates "Loch Insh" (Captain (F) 6th Frigate Flotilla) and "Loch Fyne."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how the 6,000 Royal Fleet Reservists are being selected for call-up for 18 months; and whether length of service in this Reserve is taken into account.

The selection of men for recall will be based primarily on requirements in the different categories and on availability. Selections will be made from men in the second half of their engagement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any further call-up of Royal Fleet Reservists is contemplated after the present call-up of 6.000 men.

There is no present intention to go beyond the numbers stated in Cmd. 8146.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many officers of the Emergency List, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer (Supplementary) Reserve, respectively, have

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a comprehensive list of naval vessels which will be visiting Welsh ports in connection with the Festival of Britain celebrations and the dates of these visits.

The information requested is as follows:volunteered for the 18 months call-up; and how the remainder of the 600 will be selected for this call-up.

The number of volunteers up to 26th February was: Emergency List, 10; R.N.V.R. (permanent), 3; R.N.V.S.R., 141; Retired officers and officers holding temporary commissions, 198. An appeal for volunteers is now being made by individual letter and until the result is seen it would be premature to make any statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain the basis on which a man in the naval Reserves is selected for call up; and what right of appeal for exemption, on compassionate or other grounds, is to be afforded.

The selection of men for recall is based primarily on requirements in the different categories and on availability. In selecting men for recall commodores of the depôts consider compassionate circumstances put forward by a reservist, but exemption from recall on other grounds is not contemplated except for underground coal workers, who are not being recalled.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many men, other than Royal Fleet Reservists, have been retained in the service after completion of their contracted term of service.

Five thousand two hundred and forty-seven R.N. ratings and Royal Marines other ranks have been retained up to 15th February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when he expects to start payment of compensation to those who have suffered loss of or damage to property in consequence of the heavy explosion of ammunition at Bedenham in 1950.

Approximately 5,000 claims have been received, of which 4,900 have already been settled. It is expected that all outstanding claims will be settled before the end of March. If the hon. and gallant Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Food what are the unusual payments made in continuation of pre-war arrangements in calculating manufacturing costs for margarine; how much they amount to annually; and why are they continued.

The payments to which the hon. Member refers arise out of trading agreements between individual firms made before the war but still in operation. I cannot give any further details concerning them without violating the confidence of firms whose private arrangements have been disclosed to us for the purpose of our control; and this we are not prepared to do.

asked the Minister of Food what was the cost of 3,200 tons of strawberry pulp ordered but not accepted from Holland; and, in view of the remarks of the Comptroller and Auditor General on this matter, if he will give an assurance that he will cease these bulk-purchase operations.

Two hundred and one thousand seven hundred and fifty-seven pounds and ten shillings. My Department stopped the bulk purchase of fruit pulp a year ago.

asked the Minister of Food what price per dozen was paid by his Department for eggs for the years 1948, 1949 and 1950; and what was the average price of poultry feedingstuffs per ton for the same years.

(1) Prices to be paid to producers in the United Kingdom for hen and duck eggs sent to the licensed egg-packing stations are fixed under the Agriculture Act, 1947. The following are the prices fixed for the financial years 1948–49, 1949–50 and 1950–51:(a)

asked the Minister of Food if prices for the different varieties of the 1951 potato crop have been agreed; and when an announcement will be made so that growers can plan their planting programme.

There are to be further discussions with the growers' representatives and an announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Food why he has increased the price of the pan loaf in Scotland.

The price of the pan loaf in Scotland was increased to restore the long-established difference in price per lb. which existed when the 1¾ lb. pan loaf and the 2 lb. batch loaf were sold at the same price. The weight of both pan and batch loaves has been the same from 5th May, 1946, but the pan loaf cost much more to produce. This extra cost caused an increase in the bread subsidy which will now be eliminated.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the provision of new central abattoirs in West Cornwall.

My right hon. Friend is hoping to make an early statement about certain immediate proposals for new slaughterhouses, but I am afraid that it is unlikely that any of these will be sited in Cornwall.

asked the Minister of Food what is the price paid by his Department for casualty sheep skins where the carcase has been condemned; and whether the price paid is a standard price.

There is a standard scale of prices, payable whether or not the carcase has been condemned, which varies from 2s. 3d. to 8s. a skin according to the size of the animal, the time of year, and whether or not the animal has been shorn.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to his decision on the control of fish prices.

asked the Minister of Food whether he intends to reimpose controlled prices on the fishing industry.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now in the position to introduce price controls on the price of rabbits and fish.

My right hon. Friend undertook to examine retail fish prices in relation to supplies in the middle of the present month. The expected increase in landings has taken place and a larger supply of fish has been available since mid-February. I am glad to state that this has brought prices down generally.Prices of cod fillets average 1s. 3½d. per pound which was, in fact, the controlled price. Haddock fillets are down to an average of 1s. 7d. per pound which is only ½d. over the controlled price. Herrings, although this is not the season for home catching, are 7d. to 8d. a pound, whilst the controlled price was 6½d. As cod, haddock and herring represent about 63 per cent. of our fish supplies, my right hon. Friend has decided that there is nothing to be gained by imposing price control. In view of the increases in the costs of fishing and distribution, prevailing prices cannot be said to be unreasonable. We are, however, maintaining our provisional arrangements for the imposition of controls in case prices become excessive.On rabbits I would refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Itchen (Mr. Morley) on 19th February.

asked the Minister of Food why there has been no increase in maximum prices for meat paste and tinned meats since S.I. 1949, No. 782, dated the 20th April, 1949, despite the fact that all varieties of meat have risen by anything up to 50 per cent. in price since then.

The price of meat sold to manufacturers of meat products for sale in this country has not changed since April, 1949.

asked the Minister of Food if he has discussed with the Secretary of State for the Colonies the possibility of the development of meat supplies from the Benenda Division of the Northern Cameroons.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the low price offered by his Department for soya beans is reducing production; and why, in view of the value of this crop, he will not now free the purchase and sale of soya beans.

There is no evidence that our prices have had any effect on world production of soya beans, of which only a very small part comes to this country; nor does my right hon. Friend consider that it would be in the public interest at present to decontrol this commodity, which is a potential source of edible oil for use in the manufacture of margarine and cooking fat.

asked the Minister of Food what is the present position with regard to the grain stored at Leiston Aerodrome.

About 632 tons of Plate maize is in store at Leiston Aerodrome. The grain is in good condition.

asked the Minister of Food if, in view of the Comptroller and Auditor General's remarks in the Trading Accounts for 1949–50, a straightforward method of recovery of the food subsidies on ships' stores supplied to ocean-going vessels is now in operation.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Louth (Mr. Osborne) on 19th February.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the shortage of cable and wireless operators, he will suspend the 30 years of age rule.

Very few people over 30 years of age can be trained to become efficient operators. The 30-year limit does not apply to recruits with operating experience.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the delay in Press cables sent from London to Australia on the night of 12th-13th February.

The average period before telegrams to Australia could be transmitted after 6 p.m. on the night 12th-13th February was 30 minutes for Press telegrams at the urgent rate and 9 hours for ordinary Press telegrams.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an estimate of the approximate cost of granting free wireless licences to all old age pensioners and all old age pensioners over 70 years of age, respectively.

I understand that there are about 4½ million old age pensioners, of whom about three-fifths are over 70 years of age, but I have no means of estimating how many of these pensioners are wireless lincensees.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he is taking to remedy the disorganisation of the postal services from Northern Ireland occasioned by the reduction of sailings by the service between Belfast and Heysham.

All practicable steps are being taken by re-routing mails proper to the Belfast-Heysham steamer service by alternative routes.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the complaints made by the public as to the poor quality of the paper used in the making of air letters; and whether he will arrange for the use for this purpose of paper of a better quality and with a smoother and more absorbent surface.

Air letters are popular and the annual user is some 40 million a year. Complaints of the quality of paper used have been very few indeed. The problem is to strike a fair balance between the conflicting claims of quality and weight. I am satisfied that the paper used fairly balances these claims. It is, however, open to private firms to manufacture air letters provided they conform to Post Office specifications as to weight and make-up.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will reconsider the question of the site for the new sub-post office at 91, Wilson Road, Ely, Cardiff, in view of its inconvenience to the public; and if he will take steps to have a temporary building constructed at a convenient site.

I have reconsidered this matter and in the circumstances cannot agree that the amount of unavoidable inconvenience would warrant the exceptional steps suggested.

asked the Postmaster-General to state the rates of pay and allowances in Cable and Wireless at the time of nationalisation; and the present scales.

The details requested by the hon. Member would take up several columns of the OFFICIAL REPORT. Direct comparison between the two periods would be difficult, since the variable profits bonus in operation up to 1st January, 1947, was consolidated as from that date. Other factors would need to be allowed for, such as changes in the basic rates on which overtime and pension are calculated. Moreover, some of the scales differ according to dates of recruitment. If the hon. Member wishes to have any specific particulars, I shall be glad to provide them.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that prospective buyers of 6, Marlborough Place. a key business position in Brighton, have cancelled negotiations for purchase on learning that a telephone is not likely to be installed for some considerable time; and whether he will state the reason why this telephone cannot be supplied.

These premises are at present served by two exchange lines. Additional lines will be available when new cables are completed about the end of this year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mr. G. T. Irving, 134, Marlborough Road. Salford, 8, ex-Service man, has been registered for a telephone since October. 1945; and when he is likely to have one installed.

Additional plant is being provided and Mr. Irving will be given service later in this year.

asked the Postmaster-General if it was with his approval that the Finance Branch of the London Telecommunications Region announced recently that as capital is not being spent quickly enough they would encourage capital expenditure during the remainder of the current financial year.

The statement referred to by the hon. Member appeared in the Regional Monthly Progress Bulletin. It was based on a justified and timely reminder from headquarters that the region was falling behind schedule on the works covered by its annual allotment for telephone development.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will place a fixed washable writing plaque in all telephone kiosks, and so help to minimise the wanton disfiguration that takes place.

I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion and write to him.

asked the Postmaster-General what was the date when he made his second representation to the Roumanian Government about the radio use of 285 metres by Bucharest II; whether he has yet received a reply; and, if not, what action he is taking in the matter.

The second telegram was sent on 9th December; no reply has yet been received. Further representations have now been made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will initiate experiments, with a view to obtaining a better reception of the British Broadcasting Corporation in Orkney and Shetland.

I understand from the B.B.C. that reception of the Scottish Home Service and the Light Programme should be reasonably satisfactory in both Orkney and Shetland.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, arising from the letter which he has received from the hon. Member for Harrow, East, he has anything further to report with regard to conditions at the Royal Air Force station at Weeton.

I have now received a full report on conditions at Weeton. In order to provide the maximum amount of physical warmth with the amount of fuel available in the present crisis, the officer commanding the station has given first priority to the station hospital. The balance of fuel enables one fire to be lighted in each hut between 5 p.m. and until the men retire for the night. A proportion of the boiler houses on the station have been shut down in order to make the available fuel go as far as possible.I am assured that all airmen at R.A.F. Station, Weeton, can get hot water in which to shave every day. A proportion of the airmen have, however, in the last few weeks, had to go a little further from their huts to get the hot water than they have had to do before. This is, however, the only way in which the necessary quantity of hot water can be made available for all airmen with the minimum expenditure of fuel. In addition regular and frequent inspections of bedding are made to ensure that blankets and mattresses are not damp. The Commander-in-Chief of Technical Training Command has personally visited the station and is satisfied that there is no reasonable cause for dissatisfaction in current conditions there.

asked the secretary of State for Air what steps were taken by his Department to trace those persons of the G Reserve who failed to reply to the check of their addresses made in August of last year.

I am glad to say that a large proportion of Class G Reservists replied readily to the questionnaire sent to them. Action has been taken in co-operation with other Government Departments to trace those who have failed to reply to reminders, and this has had some success.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what honours and awards have been granted to Royal Air Force personnel in the war in Korea.

No recommendation for any honour or award has so far been received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if, in view of the likelihood of widespread dislocation of railway traffic due to intended strike action, he will make a statement on the direction he will issue to British European Airways Corporation with regard to the making of preliminary plans for the introduction of daily air passenger services between London and Manchester and other provincial centres likely to be affected immediately a strike begins.

No. It would not be in the public interest to make such a statement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the withdrawal of the direct air service between Edinburgh and London; and intimate when this service will be re-opened.

I understand that unfortunately the service was interrupted because of shortage of aircraft. A limited service was restarted on the 26th February and B.E.A.C. intend to re-introduce the full service as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on his proposal to withdraw the standard beam approach blind landing aid from aerodromes at which the instrument landing system has been installed.

Except at London Airport, it is intended to continue to operate existing S.B.A. installations in parallel with the new instrument landing system for a period sufficient to enable operators to obtain and equip their aircraft with I.L.S. airborne receivers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why it is proposed to remove the standard beam approach blind landing aid from London Airport; and what would be the additional cost per annum of keeping it in service.

Standard Beam Approach is an obsolescent system very seldom used at London Airport. All regular users of the Airport are now, or shortly will be, equipped with I.L.S. (the accepted International Standard Aid). When Number 1 runway is closed for major constructional work, therefore, the S.B.A. will not be moved to Number 5 which will become the main Instrument runway. The cost of moving the equipment would be £3,500 (beside the cost of acquiring the land), with an annual maintenance charge of £800. This expense is not justified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether any decision has yet been reached about the suggested abolition of safety belts for air travel.

No such suggestion is being considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation at what hours the surveillance radar element at London Airport is operational; and, when it is closed down, what is the delay before it can be brought into full operation.

Usually between 0400 hours and midnight. During the remainings four hours it is undergoing technical maintenance but is available at one hour's notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when the first report of the Inter-Departmental Committee on helicopters will be published.

It is expected that the report will be published about the middle of March.

asked the Secretary of State for War from what source he has received information that certain British soldiers and airmen missing in Korea are prisoners of war; what arrangements are being made to supply them with parcels and comforts; and if he has any further information regarding the fate of the remaining men who are missing but not acknowledged as prisoners of war.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend yesterday to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Mr. Keeling). I regret that it has not yet been possible to make arrangements for the supply of parcels or comforts to British prisoners of war in Korea, or to obtain further information regarding the fate or identity of the remaining British prisoners of war. The prisoners of war who were recently released spent some five weeks in Chinese hands. Their reports indicate that they suffered no ill treatment during this period. They were accommodated in buildings in villages, which were heated at night, and were given the same food as their Chinese captors, consisting of two bowls of rice daily. Medical attention was given to the wounded and there was no discrimination between British, Americans and South Koreans.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a joint policy has yet been agreed between Great Britain and the United States of America with regard to the re-crossing of the 38th Parallel in Korea.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies I gave to Questions on this subject on 26th February. As I stated on that occasion in reply to a supplementary question by the right hon. Member for Warwick and Leamington (Mr. Eden), on this particular issue we have reached a very large measure of agreement with the United States.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he will now make a statement with regard to the introduction of legislation to expedite and improve the supply of water to rural areas.

No, not at present.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether he is yet in a position to authorise the West Kesteven Rural District Council to advertise for tenders for carrying out the water scheme at Gunby and Stainby, Lincolnshire.

Not yet.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has considered the recommendations of the Gowers Committee on Houses of Outstanding Historical or Architectural Interest; and what action he proposes to take.

The recommendations are being considered, but I regret that I cannot yet make any announcement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much it will cost to publish the report of the inspector who recently investigated the affairs of the Bristol Rovers Club; how many copies will be printed; and how much paper will be used.

The cost of publishing the report is estimated at £225; the number of copies printed will be 1,500 and the amount of paper used 3¾ cwt.