asked the Minister of Health what was the number of persons on the clerical and administrative staffs of hospitals in England and Wales in July, 1948, July, 1949, July. 1950 and January, 1951, respectively.

The figures are 20,933 at 31st December, 1948, and 23,797 at 31st December, 1949, the only dates for which figures are available.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the number of mental defectives awaiting institutional accommodation in the Liverpool area, he will take all possible steps to see that there is no extension of the Imperial Chemical Industries' explosive dump in the vicinity of the Newchurch Hospital, as it is the only place where any additional accommodation can be provided in reasonable time for those urgent cases.

I am aware of the need for additional accommodation for mental defectives in the Liverpool area and am in touch with the other Departments concerned to see how far it may be possible to adjust the conflicting requirements in connection with the New-church site.

asked the Minister of Health why the maximum allowance for loss of earnings or additional payments for members of hospital authorities, executive councils and certain other bodies in the National Health Service is 5s. less than the comparable allowance for members of Ministry of Labour and Ministry of National Insurance committees.

The allowances payable to members of the National Health Service bodies are the same as those payable to members of local authorities and I have no reason to think that they are not adequate for the purpose for which they are intended.

asked the Minister of Health whether reciprocal arrangements under the National Health Service have yet been made with the Netherlands.

Full reciprocal arrangements have not been made but under a convention recently ratified, indigent British subjects in the Netherlands will, as from 27th April next, have the same rights to free medical treatment as indigent Dutch subjects.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to augment the present facilities for training medical students and thus ensure a sufficient number of doctors, in view of the necessity for expansion of the National Health Service and of the estimated wastage of members of the medical profession.

I am advised that the present output of the schools should be sufficient to provide for some expansion as well as to replace wastage, and I am not at present satisfied that any special steps to increase it are required.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that no bed for a chronic sick case for which a court order had been obtained by the Whitley Bay local authority was available in the region last week; that a further court order will have to be applied for; and what steps are being taken to deal with the grave position disclosed in the northern region.

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health where the Royal Air Force officer, who took the smallpox infection to Brighton, was ill at the time he was taken to Dartford Isolation Hospital; and whether he was taken from a private house, nursing home or hospital to Dartford.

The officer mentioned was taken to Dartford Isolation Hospital from a private house at Portslade.

asked the Minister of Health why persons over 60 years of age are not to be employed as enumerators for the 1951 census.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Deedes), on 22nd February.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to ensure that the forthcoming census of population will be comprehensive in coverage and complete in detail.

The country has been divided into some 50,000 enumeration districts, for each of which an enumerator will be responsible under the direction of the local census officer. Special arrangements are being made by the Registrar-General with the Customs and Excise as regards shipping, the Service authorities as regards the Armed Forces, the police as regards vagrants, the transport undertakings as regards night travellers. The census schedules contain full instructions for their completion and help will also be given as needed by the enumerators.

asked the Minister of Health what further steps he proposes to take, in respect of overcrowded rest centres and homeless families, to encourage local authorities to acquire halls or similar accommodation for those who, through eviction or otherwise, have nowhere to live.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 13th February to the hon. Member for Epping (Mr. Nigel Davies), a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average time taken to settle claims in respect of the loss of poultry from fowl pest disease.

Owing to the large number of outbreaks of fowl pest, the average time taken for the payment of compensation claims has until recently been about five weeks. The period has now been reduced to four weeks and I hope that it will be possible to reduce it still further.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average amount of compensation paid per bird destroyed in the most costly of the four recent outbreaks of fowl pest in Cornwall; and the national average cost to the latest convenient date.

Agreement has not been reached with the owner about the amount of compensation payable in respect of birds slaughtered in the most costly outbreak in Cornwall and the matter has been referred to arbitration. The average compensation per bird slaughtered over the whole country is slightly less than 23s.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give an estimate of the percentage of the total imports of poultry carcases which would be affected by a ban of imports from countries known to be affected by fowl pest.

Approximately 25 per cent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now say whether he will make an order under the Diseases of Animals Acts for the better protection of horses during transit to and in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how soon he anticipates making an order under the Diseases of Animals Act for the better protection of horses during transit to this country.

The transport of horses within Great Britain has already been dealt with under the Transit of Horses Order, 1951, which comes into operation on 19th March. I propose also to make an order for the better protection of horses during transit to this country. A good deal of consideration needs to be given to the detailed provisions of the order and consultation with interests concerned will also be necessary. Therefore, although my Department will press ahead as quickly as possible, I am afraid it will inevitably be a few weeks before the order can be made.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of recent cases of cruelty to horses in transit, he will now take powers to enable him to prosecute any employer who knowingly employs a man, twice convicted of cruelty, in any capacity where there is a possibility of a similar offence again being committed.

No. It would not be appropriate to single out this particular type of case for special legislation. The law in relation to the transit of horses by road is being strengthened by the Transit of Horses Order, 1951.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give figures of the mortality among dogs caused by hard pad during the last three years; what steps have been taken to control or eradicate this disease; and if he will make a statement.

I am advised that it is often difficult to distinguish between true distemper and so-called hard pad disease. I have no particulars about the incidence of or mortality caused by hard pad. Research into hard pad disease is continuing and a serum of some protective and curative value is available to veterinary surgeons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the cost to the Exchequer in 1949 and 1950, respectively, of the county agricultural executive committees.

It is not practicable to give figures for calendar years, but for the last two complete financial years, i.e., 1948–49 and 1949–50 the net expenditure connected with the operation of trading services by county agricultural executive committees, together with costs of administration, was £13,895,000 and £5,300,000 respectively.

asked the Minister of Agriculture in view of the fact that the counties of North-Northampton and Rutland, Oxford, Kent, Worcester, Stafford, Nottingham, Northumberland, Sussex East, Sussex West, Derby, Northampton, Denbigh, Hertford, Cardigan, Berks, Gloucester, Westmorland, Suffolk East, Suffolk West, Warwick, Somerset, Buckingham, York East and Dorset have expressed their intention of not merging with the National Allotments and Gardens Society, what is his intention with reference to the report of the Brown Committee.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Dorset, West (Mr. Digby), on 8th February.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will increase the validity of coupons for feedingstuffs for poultry and other livestock from two to four months, and ensure that this feedingstuff has a larger percentage of whole grain.

No. The present period of validity is the longest that is compatible with efficient distribution, storage and delivery of rationed feedingstuffs. As regards the second part of the Question, the percentage of whole grains in the rationing pool depends on the total supplies available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department is to be represented at the international conference to be called on the initiative of the French Government to draw up a European agricultural plan.

No invitation to take part in such a conference has been received by His Majesty's Government and the hon. Member's Question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that, for climatic and other reasons which have interfered with the agricultural timetable, there will be the need for more workers on the land this year: and what plans he has in hand to ensure that adequate numbers of men will be available.

Although the weather has been adverse, I expect that the agricultural industry, with the usual assistance from the Ministry of Labour and National Service and my Department, will be able to handle the seasonal work ahead.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the number of livestock on English and Welsh farms on the last convenient date, giving separate figures for each country with respect to cattle, sheep, pigs and horses; and how this compares with the previous year.

Following is the statement:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, during the last quarter of 1950, the staff of His Majesty's Stationery Office was increased.

The increase is due to the engagement of staff to handle an increase in duplicating, addressing and photographic work undertaken for other Government Departments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what prices and on what date he based his estimate of £4,700 million for the three-year re-armament programme; and to what extent the estimate is altered by the increase of prices since it was made.

The figure was given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 29th January and was based on price levels then current. It would be premature to adjust the figure to allow for price changes in the short period since that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider giving law students some Income Tax allowance in respect of their study expenses where it can be proved that these are being undertaken in order to improve their qualifications and general efficiency.

Under the present law no allowance is due for expenses of this nature and I would not propose that the law should be altered.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many dollars have been spent since its inception on the Gambia eggs scheme.

I have been asked to reply. Two hundred and ninety-seven thousand, five hundred and thirty-eight.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what circumstances Income Tax is refunded to ex-Service men who were paying tax immediately before and subsequent to their period of service; what is the estimated number of ex-Service men entitled to such refund; and how many have applied for it.

My hon. and gallant Friend is presumably referring to cash payments to temporary Crown servants who on entry into Crown service suffered overlapping payments of tax and who, in consequence of the introduction of "Pay as you Earn" were deprived of the compensatory tax holiday which they would otherwise have enjoyed on leaving Crown service. Full details were given in a Parliamentary Answer on 14th June, 1945, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. Some 25,000 claims have been lodged and payment was found to be due in about 12,000 of these cases; separate figures for ex-Service men are not available. Special steps were taken to notify all possible claimants and the number of eligible persons who have not claimed is thought to be very small. The arrangement will not apply to anyone leaving Crown service after the end of this year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statement to make on the recent talks with the Danish Ministers in London.

Yes. The Danish Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Finance visited the United Kingdom from 28th February-2nd March for exploratory conversations with the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other United Kingdom Ministers on problems affecting Danish food exports to the United Kingdom and imports from the United Kingdom of goods essential to the Danish economy. The conversations were cordial and helped towards a better understanding of our mutual problems.The Danish Ministers emphasised the serious effects on their economy of the deterioration in the terms of trade following the devaluation of sterling, pointing out that the situation had been aggravated as the result of events in the Far East. They drew attention to the grave difficulties facing Denmark due to the increasing shortages of raw materials and semi-manufactures essential to Danish production and referred to the dependence of their country on the United Kingdom for many of their essential needs, such as coal and coke, oil, iron and steel, nonferrous metal products, etc. The Danish Ministers also drew attention to the difficulties facing Danish agriculture as the result, amongst other things, of higher costs of production and expressed the fear that the present prices paid by the United Kingdom for Danish foodstuffs would result in a decline in production.The United Kingdom Ministers pointed out that the United Kingdom was similarly affected by the serious deterioration in the terms of trade. They understood Denmark's difficulties and would assist to the greatest possible extent in meeting Denmark's vital needs, bearing in mind the increasing demands of defence on supplies of metals and the limitation put on exports by decreased availabilities of certain imported raw materials and subject, of course, to any undertakings under international arrangements. It was agreed that the question of exports from the United Kingdom of goods essential to Danish production should be kept under review and that further consultations should take place if necessary.There was a full and frank discussion of problems of mutual interest in relation to the exports of foodstuffs from Denmark to the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom Ministers said that they were anxious to see deliveries of Danish foodstuffs to the United Kingdom increased. They undertook that full account would be taken of the representations made by the Danish Ministers in relation to food contracts. It was agreed that experts from both sides should meet together in London at an early date to review the whole range of problems affecting Danish food exports to the United Kingdom. In particular the experts would consider all factors—including prices, availability of feedingstuffs and the like—which would affect the ability of Denmark to maintain or expand her sales of foodstuffs to the United Kingdom.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement in regard to the proposed minting of the new coin, a five shilling piece to commemorate the Festival of Britain.

The authority of a Royal Proclamation is required for the issue of a new coin, and hon. Members will not expect me to anticipate any Proclamation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, because the cost-of-living index is considerably below the real cost of living, over 1,500,000 workers whose wages are based directly on the index are being paid lower wages than they should receive; and, in view of the importance of removing this injustice, if he will state when he expects to receive the report of the Cost of Living Advisory Committee.

The question how far the Interim Index of Retail Prices correctly reflects the increase in prices that has taken place since 1947 is being examined by the Cost of Living Advisory Committee, but it is too early yet to say when the report will be available.

asked the Minister of Labour to state all the data upon which the cost-of-living index is based, giving the description, quality, price and quantity of each item separately.

The Retail Prices Index covers nearly 250 items and each month's index figure is based on many thousands of price quotations, the prices and qualities varying from month to month. Full details of the items included in the index and of the relative weights assigned to various items or groups of items are given in the Stationery Office publication "Interim Index of Retail Prices: Method of Construction and Calculation".

asked the Minister of Labour what weight is given in the cost-of-living index to the price of rail fares; and by how much it is estimated this would be altered if rail fares went up by 2s. in the £.

The weight assigned to rail fares in the Interim Index of Retail Prices is eight out of 1,000 for all items. As the index is calculated by reference to a fixed series of weights, an increase of 2s. in the £ in rail fares would not alter the weight for fares, but it would cause a rise in the all items index figure of approximately one-tenth of a point.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will set up an independent committee of experts, unconnected with Government Departments, to recommend what form the cost-of-living index should take.

No. The Cost of Living Advisory Committee, which is at present considering this matter, includes independent experts, and the majority of its members are unconnected with Government Departments.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will ascertain how many of the 260,000 male aliens resident in the United Kingdom, will, in the case of emergency, be eligible for military service.

The only male aliens resident in the United Kingdom liable for military service in an emergency would be those who are members of any of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces, of whom there are, I understand, about 10,000 at most.

asked the Minister of Labour how many former agricultural workers whose call-up was deferred have now, on change of occupation, become liable for National Service.

I regret that this information is not available

asked the Minister of Labour whether exemption from National Service or deferment will be given to agricultural workers in cases where no alternative labour is available.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 1st March.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the normal full strength number of His Majesty's inspectors of factories; what is the present number of inspectors; the number of resignations in 1950; and what steps are being taken to fill any current vacancies.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Luton (Dr. Hill) on 23rd January. Two open competitions for filling posts are to be held this year.

asked the Minister of Labour what are the present salary scales of His Majesty's inspectors of factories; and if any improvement in such salary scales is under consideration with a view to attracting and retaining the necessary number of inspectors to keep the inspectorate up to full strength.

A salary claim on behalf of the general inspectorate is under consideration. The present salary scales of factory inspectorate are:

Chief Inspector £2,125 (fixed); Deputy Chiet Inspector £1,800 (fixed) (Men); £1,625 (fixed) (Women).

asked the Minister of Labour the total value of pay and allowances, both in kind and in cash per week, paid to displaced persons in hostels when they are not working.

None.

asked the Minister of Labour, in view of the recent succession of strikes in Britain, whether he will consider taking powers similar to the powers taken by the Australian Government to deal with strikers and with those who incite others to strike.

No.

asked the Minister of Labour what plans he is making to arrange for hostel accommodation for those engaged, or to be engaged, on the re-armament programme in Scotland.

So far as can be seen at present, additional hostels are not likely to be needed in Scotland.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the number of people registered as unemployed in Wallasey on 14th February, 1951; or the nearest convenient date.

One thousand three hundred and eighty-seven at 12th February.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Remploy factories make no provision for part-time employment.

In Remploy factories, other than those specially provided for the tuberculous, all workers are, as a general rule, expected to work a full week of 44 hours. This requirement may be relaxed, particularly when the nature of a man's disability makes it desirable that he should start with shorter hours, and gradually work up to the normal number. In the special Remploy factories for the tuberculous, the hours worked are generally shorter, especially in the early stages of employment.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the Remploy factories are now working to capacity.

The 86 Remploy factories, when working to full capacity, will provide employment for about 7,800, and are now employing 5,097 severely disabled persons. Many of the factories are still engaged in recruiting and training their labour force and in building up their trade connections.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Remploy factories are now in existence; what is the total number of disabled men employed in them; and what is the total number of disabled workers they employ at home.

asked the Minister of Education if he will give the names of the Welsh education authorities who are not conforming to the generally-accepted proposals concerning the payment of grants to university students.

Five Welsh local education authorities have not, as yet, adopted the standard figures of maintenance and the financial principles recommended in Administrative Memorandum No. 332. They are Anglesey, Cardiganshire, Carmarthenshire, Flintshire and Merthyr Tydfil.

asked the Minister of Education whether he has considered the resolution from the Kent County Council,

There are 86 Remploy factories employing 5,097 severely disabled persons. 4,926 of these are men, and 171 women. In addition, 146 homeworkers are employed.

asked the Minister fo Labour whether he will list the products now made at Remploy factories.

The activities of Remploy, Limited, may more conveniently be summarised under trades, and they are as follow:a copy of which has been sent to him, calling attention to the high cost of education and requesting economies by the central Government; and what action he proposes to take on that request.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement arising out of the resolution of 26th February by the Kent County Council, a copy of which has been sent to him, which draws attention to the burden of expenditure borne by the ratepayers and urges Government action to lighten this burden until such time as the financial resources of the nation are improved.

asked the Minister of Education if he has considered the resolution sent him by the Kent County Council with regard to educational expenditure; and what action he intends taking.

I have received a copy of the resolution. The increased expendi- ture on education in recent years in this, as in other areas, is due mainly to the increase in the number of children of school age and the general increased cost of goods and services. I have no power to relieve local education authorities from the performance of their statutory duties, nor can I undertake to discriminate in favour of particular authorities in the payment of Exchequer grant. In Circulars 209 and 210 I have, however, brought to the attention of authorities suggestions for securing economies, and these measures continue to be applied.

asked the Minister of Education if, in view of the increasing expenditure borne by the ratepayers of Kent on education, he will take such action as may be necessary to reduce such expenditure until such times as the financial resources of the nation are adequate to meet the full implications of the Education Act, 1944.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to the hon. Members for Ashford (Mr. Deedes) and Dover (Mr. Arbuthnot) and the hon. and gallant Member for Gillingham (Squadron Leader Burden).

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is proposing to take to deal with the illiteracy problem in schools as revealed in his pamphlet on reading ability; and, in particular, whether it is intended to continue sending to secondary schools backward and illiterate pupils.

In so far as such pupils are suitable for education in normal schools they will proceed to secondary education. The pamphlet offers help and practical suggestions to teachers, who can be relied upon to play their part in reducing the volume and incidence of illiteracy.

asked the Minister of Education how many State scholarships will be offered in 1951; and how this figure compares with 1950 and 1945.

Two thousand State scholarships will be offered in 1951. The comparable figures for 1950 and 1945 were 1,050 and 360 respectively.

asked the Minister of Education whether he will make a statement about the abolition of the system of four-year grants to students under the Training of Teachers Grant Regulations.

The decision to abolish a system of four-year grants for intending teachers was announced in Circular 234, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. This step was recommended by the Working Party on University Awards and more recently by the National Advisory Council on the Training and Supply of Teachers, provided steps were taken to increase the provision of normal university awards. I have already increased the number of State scholarships and I am confident that I can rely on the good will and cooperation of local education authorities in maintaining a continued supply of students entering the teaching profession through the universities.

asked the Minister of Education how many children ceased to take school dinners when the price was raised from 5d. to 6d.; to what extent this was due to other reasons than the increase in price; and what are the present circumstances which make it necessary to increase the present charge for school dinners to 7d.

In the returns made for a single day in October, 1949, and October, 1950, the percentages of children present who took school dinners were 53.2 and 50.4. It is not possible to say how much of the difference was due to the increased charge and how much to the operation of other causes. My reason for deciding to increase the charge to 7d. was, as indicated in a recent Circular (of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy), the need in present circumstances for reducing the charge on the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Education (1) if he is aware that the Kent Education Committee, without consulting the Divisional Executive, decided to close down the Bedonwell Hill Nursery School, Belvedere, which has 90 places and a waiting list of 200 and was opened 10 years ago; and if he will take the necessary action to ensure that the provisions in Section 13 (1) and (3) of the Education Act, 1944, are followed, and that parents are enabled to make their objections known;(2) if he is aware of the widespread concern in Kent at the decision of the Kent Education Committee to close down all nursery classes in the county; that this has been decided without consulting the Divisional Executive; and whether he will intervene, with a view to having this decision reconsidered.

I am aware of, and deplore, the Kent local education authority's decision to close their nursery schools and classes, regardless of the particular circumstances. Section 13 of the Education Act, 1944, does not apply. I am, however, asking the authority to reconsider their decision.

asked the Minister of Education what higher education, or other grants, are available for men wishing to train as merchant marine radio officers; and how many grants have been made by his Department for this purpose over each of the last five years.

During the last few years my Department has made grants to ex-Service men under the Further Education and Training Scheme for courses in radio engineering and, as a permanent arrangement, local education authorities have power to make similar grants. I cannot say how many grants have been or are being given for these courses which are, in any case, not restricted to persons intending to enter the Merchant Navy.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement giving full information regarding his recent overseas tour, with details of the countries visited and talks held.

In response to invitations from the Governments of the Union of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, I have recently visited those two countries. I left London on 18th January and returned on the 4th March. During that time I also visited Basutoland, the Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland. I owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Governments of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia whose guest I was and who did everything possible to make my tour interesting and profitable.In both the Union and Southern Rhodesia it was my purpose to learn as much as I could of all aspects of the national life. I met and talked with Ministers about matters of common concern to our countries. I visited the capitals and other large centres and toured in country districts. I saw a great deal of industry, agriculture and mining and I met a great number of people of all kinds and in many walks of life. Everywhere I met with great kindness and generous hospitality.In the High Commission Territories I met Chiefs and other notables, and addressed representative gatherings of the people. This enabled the inhabitants of the Territories to express their views and enabled me to explain His Majesty's Government's policy. I was much impressed in all three Territories by the work being done by the Colonial Development Corporation and under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (1) what mutual arrangements exist for the exchange of Government-produced documentary films with Commonwealth Governments;(2) what assistance the Central Office of Information give to Commonwealth Governments for the distribution of Commonwealth documentary films in this country.

The United Kingdom Government have arrangements with the Governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia for the exchange of Government-produced or sponsored documentary films. These arrangements cover the non-theatrical use of such films. Each country reserves the right of commercial distribution of its own films to public cinemas in the territory of the other. The United Kingdom Government have also made known to the Government of India their desire to secure, for non-theatrical distribution in the United Kingdom, documentary films produced by that Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what reply he gave in Basutoland to the request of the people for the removal of their South African officials.

In my reply to a speech by the Paramount Chieftainess in which she raised this point, I repeated the assurance given in reply to a Question by the hon. Member on 17th November, 1949. I said that I, too, have every confidence in the staff of the High Commission Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what pensions paid by the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan, respectively, to former servants of the Government of undivided India now resident in the United Kingdom are subject to Indian or Pakistan income tax; and to what extent.

Pensions paid by the Government of India include pensions both to former servants of the Government of undivided India and former servants of the Provinces which are now part of India except Bengal and the Punjab. The Government of India have given notice that from the beginning of this month recipients of these pensions residing outside India will be liable to Indian income tax. The incidence of the Indian income tax and the administrative arrangements for its collection from persons resident in the United Kingdom are not yet know, but I will communicate with the hon. Member when full information is received from the Government of India.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the average increase in the price of home-grown and imported hardwood since bulk purchase by Timber Control ceased a year ago.

I have not enough information about the prices currently being paid by private traders for the many species and grades of home-grown and imported hardwoods to give the figure asked for. We are at present trying to revise the hardwood element of the Wholesale Price Index, in consultation with the hardwood trade, to provide weightings which accord more closely with the present pattern of consumption and to get price quotations. Until this revision is completed satisfactorily, the Index will not reflect changes in hardwood prices as accurately as we could wish.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that his labelling division have objected to the spelling of the word "nett" and insisted on its being spelt "net" for the weight of canned fish, as indicated on the correspondence sent to him; and, for the sake of clarity, if he will permit the original spelling to be used.

I understand that the local authority weights and measures office mentioned in the correspondence forwarded by the hon. Member is now acting upon the advice issued by my Department last November and is not objecting to the spelling "nett" on labels for pre-packed foods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a ship carrying £1,250,000 worth of rubber now on its way to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from a British port; and whether he will now give consideration to stopping the export of rubber to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics from British as well as from colonial ports.

I am aware that ships carrying rubber to Russia have recently left British ports, but I understand that the value of the rubber is much less than is stated by the hon. Member. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Hitchin (Mr. Fisher) on 1st February.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what materials, needed for the re-armament programme, he has recently imported from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other countries of Eastern Europe.

It would be very difficult to distinguish the imports of materials needed for the re-armament programme from other imports, but during the fourth quarter of 1950 we imported raw materials, mostly timber, worth £8.5 million from the Soviet Union and £8.7 million from other countries in Eastern Europe, including Finland and Yugoslavia. I am sending the hon. Member a statement giving details of the main imports from these countries for the fourth quarter of 1950.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make an announcement about the use of zinc and copper in articles of silverware for export; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the craftsmanship in the industry for which Sheffield is world famous.

Yes. I am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that my Department will be prepared to consider applications for licences to use zinc and copper in the manufacture of silverware for export. I am sending him a copy of a statement which will appear in the Board of Trade Journal, dated 10th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will undertake further active steps to encourage the development of the paper salvage scheme, in view of the fact that British horticulturists and farmers cannot at present obtain cardboard cartons and packing paper for their products.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Central, Norfolk (Brigadier Medlicott) on 29th January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken to ensure supplies of wrapping paper for food traders.

I have asked the paper industry to ensure supplies of wrappings where these are essential for protection or transport of foodstuffs, and, in particular, for the pre-packing of rationed foods. But, while the present shortage lasts, it may not be possible to supply all the shop wrappings which we should normally like to see used.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why, during the last quarter of 1950, the National Assistance Board increased their staff.

The increased staff was required to enable the Board to deal with the larger numbers of applicants for assistance and to carry out additional duties, including those placed on them by the Legal Aid and Advice Acts.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning what steps he is taking to ensure that in the new towns sites are being provided in numbers adequate to meet the reasonable requirements of the different denominations wishing to provide places of worship for their members.

I would refer the hon. Member to the last part of my right hon. Friend's reply to his Question on 30th January. I am informed that the arrangements mentioned are working very well.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the proposed scheme for breeding reindeer in this country.

I have informed the Reindeer Council of the United Kingdom through the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) that the Government are prepared, as an exceptional arrangement in view of the possible advantage to the Scottish economy, to authorise the import of 25 reindeer from Sweden so that an experiment to determine whether they can be usefully and successfully reared on a suitable site in the Highlands and Islands may be carried out. The experiment would be subject to strict conditions which have been suggested by the Nature Conservancy and to animal health safeguards. The Reindeer Council have not yet informed me whether they are prepared to accept these conditions.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that compounders of animal feedingstuffs in this country find great difficulty in securing manganese for inclusion in their mixtures; and whether, in view of the fact that manganese constitutes an important mineral constituent in certain animal feedingstuffs, he will say what steps he proposes to take to enable the compounders to overcome this difficulty.

I am not aware that compounders of animal feedingstuffs are having difficulty in securing supplies of manganese but if my hon. Friend has received a complaint and will let me know the name of the compounder, I will gladly arrange for the matter to be investigated.

asked the Minister of Food what were the maximum and the minimum prices received by his Department for casualty skins sold during the past year.

Casualty sheep skins are processed before sale, the wool and the pelts being sold separately. It is not possible, therefore, to state the prices received for the skins as purchased.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the tax on water heaters is detrimental to the clean food campaign; and if he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer as to its removal.

The clean food campaign is making good progress, and I am not aware that this tax is detrimental to it.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position in the dispute between lighthouse keepers and their employers.

Negotiations between the parties will shortly be resumed as directed by the Industrial Courts.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to increase the imports of tungsten.

Tungsten ore is at present mainly imported on private account, and importers are primarily responsible for securing adequate supplies. The Ministry of Supply presses for the highest possible quotas in trade agreements with producing countries and is itself negotiating long-term contracts for new or increased production from mines overseas. Production in this country will be re-started as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the damage done to waterlogged roads in Shetland this winter; and what Grants will be available for repairs.

I am aware that roads in Shetland, as in other parts of the country, have suffered this winter from frost, snow and floods. The cost of repair of classified roads is eligible for grant within the overall classification grant made annually to the county council for road maintenance.

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons were respectively killed and injured in accidents at or upon occupational level crossings in 1950.

The provisional figures for casualties at occupation level crossings in 1950 were 15 killed and 29 injured; 31 were occupants of road vehicles, four were railway servants (injuries only) and nine were pedestrians.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the hon. Member for Solihull can expect to receive the information promised him on 15th February, 1951, concerning recommendations for certain decorations received by brigades headquarters in Korea; and whether he has called for this information by wireless.

This information, which was obtained by signal, has now been sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of civilian hour-rated aircraft mechanics employed at 29 Maintenance Unit, Royal Air Force, High Ercall; how many of these are employed as registered dilutees; and how many were formerly so registered who are now classified as craftsmen.

The number of metal working craftsmen employed on the repair and modification of aircraft at No. 29 Maintenance Unit, High Ercall, is 184 of whom 102 are registered dilutees. The number of craftsmen recognised as fully skilled who were formerly registered as dilutees is 10.