asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the Royal Air Force huts at Stafford are in a bad state of repair and that the health of the men stationed there is being adversely affected by these conditions; and if he will take steps to have sleeping-out passes issued until the conditions have been improved.

Nearly half the airmen at Stafford are housed in modern barrack blocks of permanent construction which have been erected since the end of the war, and which are of a very high standard. The remainder are in accommodation which consists mainly of temporary brick built huts which were put up during the last war. These huts while inferior to the permanent blocks are in fair condition, although repairs to some of them are needed and the work is being put in hand. I have received a medical report which states that the standard of health of the men stationed there is good, and is not being adversely affected by camp conditions. The second part of the Question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will publish so much of the agreement with the United States of America on the presence of units of the United States Strategic Bomber Command in the United Kingdom as relates to their location and employment should a state of war arise involving one country or the other.

The stationing of units of the United States Strategic Air Command in this country is not governed by a formal agreement but by informal arrangements. It would not be in the public interest to give details of any arrangements for their location and employment in the event of war.

asked the Secretary of State for Air in what British territories other than the United Kingdom, units of the United States Strategic Bomber Command are now located; and what is their composition.

There are no units of the United States Air Force located in British Colonial Territories.

asked the Secretary of State for Air in what foreign countries operational units of the Royal Air Force under direct control of the Air Ministry are now located; and on what occasions the United States Government has allowed such units to be stationed in territory under her jurisdiction.

Royal Air Force units are located in Germany, Austria, Japan, the Canal Zone, Tripolitania, Iraq and Jordan. During the last war a Coastal Command squadron operated from American bases in the Caribbean area and R.A.F. staging posts were established in the Pacific on territory under the jurisdiction of the United States Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the note which he has received from the Government of Israel with reference to Israel's claims for reparations from Germany.

I have nothing to add to the statement made by my hon. Friend the Minister of State in reply to Questions on this subject on 19th March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the many difficulties experienced, he will make a statement on the future of British Consulates in China.

Yes. His Majesty's Government have decided to make arrangements for the closure probably by May of this year of the following consular posts in China: Chungking, Kunming, Hankow, Nanking, Tsingtao, and Amoy. This decision was taken in view of the reduced number of British subjects and interests in the consular districts concerned. In addition there have been serious administration difficulties in maintaining and staffing these posts. The protection of our interests in the districts concerned will be transferred to other posts. There is no intention of closing consular posts in districts where there are substantial British interests.

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent, in view of recent court-martial decisions, new instructions have been issued by the Service Departments relative to the duties of armed sentries; and whether he is satisfied with the present provisions of the Manual of Military Law on this subject.

Letters have been sent by the War Office and Air Ministry to all Commanders-in-Chief for the purpose of clarifying and where necessary amplifying the existing orders for armed sentries. A certain amount of discretion must, of course, be given to Commanders-in-Chief overseas and in areas of active operations. Instructions have also been given that special care is to be taken to ensure that sentries clearly understand their duties. The Admiralty are proposing to issue instructions on this matter as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Defence how many non-commissioned officers of the rank of corporal in the Army and equivalent rank in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have been released from the Service to return to the mines under recent regulations; and of these, how many were released from units serving outside this country.

As stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War in reply to three Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 20th March, no figures are yet available regarding the number of soldiers who are being released. Five applications have been received by the Air Ministry and 203 by the Admiralty. These are being scrutinised by the Service Departments and the National Coal Board. If the hon. Member wishes to pursue the matter further I would invite him to address Questions to the respective Service Ministers. I regret that the information requested in the last part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the importance of the matter, he will take powers to ensure the implementation of the model bylaws relating to cleanliness in the handling, wrapping and delivering of food.

In view of the excellent response from local authorities, I do not think that this is necessary. One thousand and eighty-seven of them have already made bylaws based on the model bylaws and have had them confirmed. Another 171 authorities have bylaws in various stages of preparation.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that his fish division have refused the Grimsby Fish Merchants' Association to put vegetable parchment for wet fish and greaseproof paper for dry fish in the Class 2 priority for essential food wrappings; and, since without these wrappings fish is attracting dirt during transit, if he will reconsider the decision and make a statement on the position.

At the request of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, the paper industry is operating a voluntary priority scheme, under which preference will be given to essential demands for wrapping foodstuffs. But I do not think that there is a sufficiently strong case to warrant our asking the industry to put demands from the fish trade for vegetable parchment and grease-proof paper ahead of other more essential requirements.

asked the Minister of Food if he will give the top prices, first-hand, inland wholesale and retail, respectively, of cod, haddock, plaice and best Scotch herring landed in United Kingdom, during each of the weeks commencing 22nd January, 19th February and 5th March, 1951.

I give below the table of figures. As my right hon. Friend has requested, I have given the highest prices reported, but I must emphasise that during these weeks fish was on sale at all stages of distribution and in all parts of the country at very much lower prices, and that during the last two supplies at the lower prices were very good.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will consider issuing an amending statement to Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 319, Supplies and Services (Food) (Meat Products) omitting, in the definition of milk powder, the words "buttermilk or whey."

The trade will be advised by the Sausage Makers' Association to use skimmed milk powder, and I see no reason why they should try to use unsuitable types of milk powder. In any case, the available supplies of whey powder are largely used for animal feeding compounds, and it is therefore improbable that a sausage maker could get any. But I do not want any misunderstanding to arise on this matter. I therefore propose to help the trade by making an appropriate amendment to the Order.

asked the Minister of Food why the maximum price of a quarter-pound packet of cocoa is to be raised by 2d. whilst the maximum price of a half-pound packet is to be raised by only 3d.; and if he will state the reasons for this variation of increase.

The reason is that the smaller pack is more expensive to produce and distribute.

asked the Minister of Food why the maximum prices of some of the cheaper kinds of sugar confectionery are to be raised by 2d. a pound, whilst the maximum prices of some of the dearer kinds are to be reduced by 2d. and 4d. a pound.

Our examination of costs has shown that profit margins were too high on some of the more expensive lines but inadequate on some of the cheaper lines.

asked the Minister of Food why he is importing apples and fruit from the Argentine, to the detriment of our home fruit growers' market.

The Ministry of Food does not buy apples or any other fruit from the Argentine. All imports are on private account; they are marketed here during the late winter and spring months when home-produced supplies of fruit are very small or non-existent.

asked the Minister of Food whether, in connection with the additional 2 oz. of tea per month which is now made available to those of 70 years of age and over, the allowance could be made available for those who are 65 years of age and over, especially bearing in mind those who live alone.

I am afraid that tea supplies do not permit an increased ration for all who are 65 or over; and it would be impracticable to vary rations according to the size of the household.

asked the Minister or Food whether he is aware that his Department is issuing insufficient meat to enable retail butchers to honour the ration at its present level having regard to the fact that the cutting allowance, instituted when the ration level was higher, is inadequate at an 8d. level; that there is an increasing percentage of unsuitable and wasteful meat being issued by his Department; and if he will increase issues to prevent a breakdown in the system.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar Question he asked on Monday 19th March.

asked the Minister of Food (1) in view of the fact that the Mexican canned beef in gravy which has been purchased from the United States of America, has come from a foot-and-mouth disease infected area, what steps he has taken to ensure that it will not itself carry infection:(2) in view of the fact that the distribution of Mexican canned beef and gravy has been banned in the United States of America on account of not conforming with the foot-and-mouth disease regulations of that country, if he is satisfied that it is fit for human food.

The Mexican canned beef and gravy recently purchased from the United States came from States in North Mexico which are divided by a wide belt of country from districts where foot and mouth disease has been prevalent. It was prepared from animals which, upon inspection both before and after slaughter, in accordance with the code of the United States Department of Agriculture, were found to be healthy, free from disease, and fit for human food. Proper standards of hygiene were maintained throughout the processing of the meat. Very large quantities are being supplied to the United States Army. I am perfectly satisfied that this product, which we have enjoyed in this country before, is of good quality and introduces no risk of foot-and-mouth disease infection. I am glad to have this opportunity of denying misleading and mischievous suggestions to the contrary which have appeared in some newspapers.

asked the Minister of Food what is the value of the weekly meat ration which agricultural workers living at the Agricultural Workers Hostel at Ivybridge, and similar hostels, receive.

Meat is supplied to workers' hostels, including hostels for agricultural workers, according to the number of main meals served. The present rate is about 1½d. worth per main meal.

asked the Minister of Food what new instructions he is issuing, or has issued, regarding the allocation of meat, for manufacturing purposes, to general butchers; and what percentage reduction this represents.

It has been necessary, because of the make-up of our stocks, to supply general butchers with ration meat for their manufacturing allowance. This has been the practice throughout most of the period of control. It enables butchers to cut out their rations more easily and to use their trimmings for manufacture. As this manufacturing allowance is expressed in money value, the quantity of meat the butcher will now receive varies according to the type of meat issued, but it is estimated that there will be a reduction of between 15 per cent. and 25 per cent. As most manufactured meat products are made by the large manufacturers and the pork butchers, whose allocations are unchanged, the total quantity available to the public will not be reduced seriously.

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of improvements in the sugar supply position, which have recently been made public, he is able to increase the present sugar ration; and whether he intends to end sugar rationing during 1951.

I think that the hon. Member is referring to a recent forecast of improved supplies in 1951 made by the Chairman of Messrs. Tate & Lyle, Ltd. Lord Lyle's statement was, I regret to say, over-optimistic and misleading. On the basis of the latest estimates, total exports from Commonwealth countries, together with supplies of home-produced beet sugar, are expected in 1951 to amount to about 2,150,000 tons of raw sugar. This is barely sufficient to maintain the ration at the increased rate of 10 oz. plus, of course, six bonuses. In the circumstances, I can see no early prospect of ending sugar rationing.

asked the Minister of Food what profit his Department made on sales of oils and fats to trade users in 1947–48, 1948–49 and 1949–50; and what percentage net profit on these sales these figures represent.

Details for all sales (two-thirds being for use in products other than food) are as follows:

Financial Year			Approximate profit (£ million)	Percentage of sales value
				Per cent.
1947–48	…	…	15	19
1948–49	…	…	13	16
1949–50	…	…	7	9

asked the Minister of Food what was the quantity in weight of English meat exported to Canada during 1950 and 1951 to date; and what percentage this represents of total supplies for home consumption.

The quantities of meat issued for the manufacture of meat products exported to specific countries are not separately recorded in my Department's records. During the period 1st January, 1950, to 31st January, 1951. which is the latest period for which complete records are available, the quantity of home-killed meat issued for the manufacture of meat products for export to all destinations represented about one-hundredth part of one per cent. of the total issues of all carcase meat and offals for home consumption during the same period.

asked the Minister of Food why he proposes to spend £2,800,000 on new slaughterhouses.

I do not know where the hon. Member gets his figure of £2,800,000 from. I hope, however, to make an early statement about the building of new slaughterhouses, the need for which is urgent and widely recognised by local authorities and trade interests.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why increases In pensions to higher grades of retired Colonial public servants to meet the cost of living have been refused though they are taxed by Colonial Governments at a higher rate than those on lower incomes.

Pensions of retired colonial public servants are paid from the funds of colonial Governments concerned and pension increase schemes are therefore primarily matters for those Governments. In general the colonial Governments have adopted similar principles to those sanctioned by Parliament for home service pensioners, but in some cases the colonial schemes are more favourable to the pensioner.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the other 50 schemes for colonial development besides the Gambia scheme which are in existence.

Since the list of the Colonial Development Corporation's undertakings is rather lengthy, I will, with permission, arrange for it to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. For further details of the individual schemes, I would invite the hon. Member to await the Report and Accounts of the Corporation for 1950, which are to be published in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the petitions of the Nyasaland 227 African Congress and the Northern Rhodesia African Congress against any federation of Northern and Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and their protests against the London conference of officials from these three Governments on this subject; and what action he proposes to take in response thereto.

I have received a petition on this subject from the Northern Rhodesia African Congress. This will, of course, be fully considered but, as I explained to the House on 8th November, 1950, the Conference of officials is purely exploratory and it will in no way commit any of the participating Governments to the adoption of any proposals that it may formulate. I also stated that full account would be taken of the special responsibilities of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom towards Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, and that adequate opportunity would be afforded for public' discussion of any proposals that may be put forward. This will include consultation with African opinion in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many lives have been lost in civil disturbances in the territories for which he is responsible during 1950, 1949, 1948, and 1946.

From the records available in my Department, the numbers are 110, 40, 59 and 163 respectively. These figures do not include lives lost in Malaya during the emergency period.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made with the proposal to grow cocoa in British Borneo.

Experimental plantings with seed from West Africa, Malaya and local sources have been carried out with varying but on the whole successful results. Some of the plants at three years are now beginning to bear, and results so far obtained encourage the hope that cocoa will make a useful contribution to the economy of these territories.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps it is proposed to take to encourage the practical application in the West Indies of the report on the industrial utilisation of sugar cane by-products recently issued by the Caribbean Commission.

The report is a summary of known methods of using these by-products. This question has been receiving constant attention for some time past, and a laboratory for the study of sugar technology including the use of by-products has just been opened at the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinidad. The C.D.C. also have a mission in the West Indies inquiring into the use of bagasse for the manufacture of paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a sum of £2,000 has been donated by the Communist-controlled International Federation of Trade Unions to, and accepted by, a Nigerian trade union built up on British lines with the help and guidance of the Trades Union Congress; and if he will have this union de-registered.

I am aware of reports to this effect, but it is not possible to say definitely what transactions may have taken place or who may have been the actual recipients of any money that may have passed. In any event, Nigerian law does not provide for cancelling a union's registration on such grounds alone. There are of course other, and better, ways of countering Communist activity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of the proposals for a new constitution in Nigeria; and, approximately, when it is anticipated a new constitution and election will come into operation.

I cannot yet add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 21st February, but will keep the House informed of any important developments. The answer to the second part of the Question is—during the latter half of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the honoraria allowed to the mayor and deputy mayor of Lagos, Nigeria, respectively.

As regards the mayor's remuneration, I have nothing to add at present to the information given in the reply of 28th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. T. Reid); nor have I any information at present about proposals for the remuneration of the deputy mayor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement on the wages of the sisal workers on East African estates over the last two years during which period the price has risen from £95 per ton at the time of decontrol to the present price of £210 per ton.

Yes. In Tanganyika, which produces over 75 per cent. of the total East African sisal crop, wage rates have, risen as follows over the last two years (wages quoted are for 30 working days; bonus is paid if those 30 days are completed within a period of 42 days):—

—	1949	1951
Categorv I (Production)	21/- plus bonus 5/-	21/- plus bonus 12/-
Category 11 (Transport)	21/- plus bonus 5/-	21/- plus bonus 10/-
Category III (Brushes)	15/- plus bonus 5/-	21/- plus bonus 10/-
Category IV (Plant and Development)	15/- plus bonus 2/50	15/- plus bonus 5/-

In addition, all categories of labour receive free rations, according to the scale laid down by law, worth 12s. to 22s. per head per month according to locality, as compared with 10s. to 12s. two years ago. Housing and medical attention as required by law are also provided free, and the standard has recently been improved. It has recently been decided to increase the wages-bonus total by from 42 per cent. to 58 per cent.In Kenya, wages have risen from a minimum signing-on figure of 20s. to 26s. in the past two years. Free rations, housing, medical attention and educational facilities are also provided on the majority of plantations. A large proportion of the labour is paid by results and often earn up to 40s. over and above the minimum wage.No comparable figures are available for Uganda, which provides only about 0.6 per cent. of the East African sisal crop.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that 514 persons were sentenced to corporal punishment in Tanganyika in 1949; if he will state the offences in the Penal Code which allow the infliction of this punishment; and why the policy announced at the Fourth Committee of the United Nations that corporal punishment could only be awarded for three categories of prison offences has not been implemented.

The answer to the first part of the Question is, yes. The Penal Code allows such punishment for certain offences against property and the person; for example, robbery with violence, aggravated assault and rape. The United Kingdom representative made it clear to the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly that, althbugh it is our aim to restrict the award of corporal punishment as soon as possible to those categories of prison offences for which it is imposed in this country, this policy cannot be achieved overnight. The Governor of Tanganyika, with whom I have been in communication on this subject, proposes that the number of offences for which corporal punishment may be awarded should, as a first step, be substantially reduced. I am satisfied that he is giving the fullest practicable effect to the policy explained to the United Nations.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is his policy towards the establishment of a modern textile spinning and weaving industry in Cyprus.

Provided that such an undertaking showed promise of succeeding without subsidisation or excessive protection, it would naturally be welcome.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the circumstances which led to the setting up of a Government spinning mill at Nicosia in Cyprus in 1946, and its subsequent sale in November, 1950; and whether he will issue a financial statement on the whole transaction.

The mill was set up to help in meeting the war-time shortage of textiles. Owing to delays in obtaining the machinery it did not begin production until December, 1945. As imports returned to normal, it threatened to suffer from the competition of imported cotton, and the rate of profit fell sharply. The Cyprus Government decided not to continue to work it under peace-time conditions and it was sold as a going concern in January, 1950. I am making inquiries into the point raised in the second part of the hon. Gentleman's Question and will write to him as soon as they are completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply he gave to the petition from the Chinese colony and Chamber of Commerce in Singapore containing their request that Chinese, with certificates of admission who have gone to China, be allowed to return to the Colony.

I cannot reply to this petition until I have the Governor's recommendations, which I expect to receive shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the United States Government have decided to purchase no more tin; and what action he is taking to prevent the workers in the tin mines of Malaya from suffering industrially as a consequence of this action.

The United States Government have announced publicly that they have suspended purchases of tin for their stockpile until the price falls to what they describe as a reasonable level. After a heavy initial fall the price of tin has been recovering, and it still remains to be seen how long this decision will be maintained and what its ultimate consequences will be. I do not expect any immediate suffering by the tin miners in Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he will take to ensure that there is no race discrimination in Bermuda and that negro residents will be permitted to attend theatrical performances on the same terms as white people.

I understand that all theatres in Bermuda are open to the general public, including coloured persons.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make available the academic and other qualifications of leading members of the new Gold Coast Assembly.

I am informed that the following qualifications are possessed by the Representative Members of the Executive Council, who are drawn from the Legislative Assembly:

• Kwame Nkrumah—M.A. (Philosophy) and M.Sc. (Education) University of Pennsylvania.
• A. Casely Hayford—Qualified in the United Kingdom as Barrister-at-Law.
• K. A. Gbedemah—Educated Achimota College. Former Schoolmaster.
• K. Botsio—B.A., Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, 1944. Diploma in Education, Oxford.
• T. Hutton-Mills—Qualified in the United Kingdom as Barrister-at-Law.
• Dr. Ansali Kai—Qualified Medical Practitioner, M.R.C.S., M.R.C.P.
• E. O. Asafu-Adjaye—B.A., University College, London. Qualified in the United Kingdom as Barrister-at-Law.
• J. A. Braimoh—Educated Tamale Government School, Kabachewura, and Secretary, Gonja Native Authority.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that a Dr. Dering who was a former camp doctor at Auschwitz is in charge of a hospital in British Somaliland; and what were the reasons for his appointment to that post.

Dr. Dering was appointed last year as a temporary medical officer in the Somaliland Protectorate. The details of his previous career were fully investigated before my predecessor decided to select him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what use it is intended to make -of the Port Edgar naval base as a part of the re-armament programme.

H.M.S. "Lochinvar," the naval base at Port Edgar, is still in commission; consideration is now being given to the expansion of the naval activities at this base.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the conditions under which ex-miners will be released from the Royal Navy, mentioning any classes that are debarred from the scheme.

With the exception of those employed under United Nations Command in the Japanese and Korean area, the scheme for the release of ex-miners applies to all men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines now serving on Regular engagements who joined, or rejoined, on or after 1st January, 1949. The men must, at some time before that date, have been employed for at least six months as underground workers, and not be above leading rate in the Royal Navy or corporal in the Royal Marines. Royal Fleet Reservists who have already been called up and National Service men are excluded from the scheme.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what naval construction is contemplated in the next financial year in naval and private shipyards, respectively, in the counties of Devon and Cornwall.

One warship will be under construction in the Royal Dockyard, and two in private shipyards.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the variability of the reception in Redruth and district of the West of England Home Service Programme, he will ask the British Broadcasting Corporation, until this defect is rectified, to re-broadcast it from the Redruth transmitter instead of the Third Programme.

The B.B.C. has taken note of this suggestion and my right hon. Friend understands it is being examined with other proposals for improving Home Service reception in various parts of the country including Cornwall.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the continued bad wireless reception in the Dover and Deal area, consideration is being given to very high frequency broadcasting, possibly from Wrotham; and whether he is in a position to make a statement on the subject.

The development of very high frequency broadcasting in the United Kingdom generally is being considered, but it is too early for my right hon. Friend to make a statement.

asked the Postmaster-General on what date a final decision was taken to proceed with the building of the television station at St. Lythams; and what progress in building has been made.

My right hon. Friend gave his approval of the site at Wenvoe on 6th December, 1950; on a recent review, on 9th March, 1951, it was decided that this station should be completed. Foundations have been laid and construction of the walls has begun.

asked the Postmaster-General why a charge of 1s. is made to an addressee who is forced to inquire the address of the sender of a reply-paid telegram, due to an insufficient return address being shown on the telegram.

The charge is made as a contribution towards the cost of the telegram to, and reply from, the originating office to obtain the sender's address. Counter officers, when accepting a reply-paid telegram, advise the sender that his address should be included in the message if it is not known to the addressee.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new delivery vans have been found necessary to carry out the new scheme of deliveries to areas based on Perth General Post Office; how many sub-post offices are affected; and by how much it is estimated the emoluments of sub-postmasters will be reduced by this change.

Eleven new vans are being employed on delivery and collection work under the scheme for reorganisation and improvement of postal services introduced in the Perth area on 12th of this month. The scheme affects 12 sub-postmasters, 10 of whom will be due for reductions in emoluments of varying amounts aggregating some £600 a year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will now make a further statement with regard to the projected direct telephone service between London and Caracas.

The number of calls likely to be exchanged with Venezuela would not justify the opening of a direct radio-telephone service, but arrangements have been made for calls to be connected via New York. This service was opened on Monday, 19th March.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the total cost per hour to his Department caused by Sittings of the House after 10.30 p.m.; and what are the items included in that total cost.

The total cost per hour incurred by the Post Office on account of Sittings by the House after 10.30 p.m. is two guineas. This figure consists of the overtime payable to postmen clearing the letter boxes, stamping and despatching correspondence, to the telephonists at the private branch exchange and to the drivers of Post Office cars.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the purposes for which official paid On His Majesty's Service envelopes, imprinted in the bottom left-hand corner with the words House of Commons, may be used by hon. Members.

The envelopes are intended for use by hon. Members when writing to Ministers and Government Departments, or to officials of the House on Parliamentary business.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will identify the powers enabling other than those specified, to which reference is made in Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 244; and why these are not specified in the instrument.

The only specific statutory powers under which this Order is made are those conferred by Section 10 of the Wages Councils Act, 1945, and referred to in the Order. The reference to other powers, as already explained in the answer to a similar question on Friday, 9th March, is a formula which is customarily used to comprehend any ancillary powers. It is by way of a legal precautionary device.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning (1) if he will identify the powers, other than those specified, to which reference is made in Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 209; and why these are not identified in the instrument;(2) if he will identify the powers enabling, other than those specified, to which reference is made in Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 231; and why these are not identified in the instrument.

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to his question on Monday, 12th March.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning the number of houses completed since 1945

——			Houses completed to 31st December, 1950			Percentage of total to population
			Permanent	Temporary	Total
Salford	…	…	1,041	121	1,162	0·6
Wolverhampton	…	…	3,649	425	4,074	2·5
Stoke-on-Trent	…	…	3,434	662	4,096	1·5
Sheffield	…	…	5,658	2,066	7,724	1·5
Bradford	…	…	1,484	301	1,785	0·6

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if, in view of the fire which occurred at Bucklebury Common hutted camp on 9th March when a baby was burned to death and the mother seriously burned, he will ensure that everything possible is done to minimise the exceptional fire risks in such hutted camps; and if he will allow local authorities a special building allocation to replace hutments that are considered unsafe on fire and general health grounds.

The attention of local authorities has already been drawn to the need for precautions against the risk of fire in hutted camps under their control and in the allocations made to them all factors are taken into account.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning, if he will state, with regard to rural water schemes in England and Wales, the value of schemes submitted to him for approval; of schemes approved in principle but not yet authorised to go to tender; of schemes authorised for commencement, but not yet completed; of grants paid in respect of these schemes;

The information is as follows:of grants promised, but not yet paid, in respect of schemes, respectively, up to the latest convenient date; and how far delay in the payment of grants promised will be caused as a result of revisions of the capital investment programme arising from re-armament.

The following details relate to the period from the end of the war to 28th February, 1951:

(1) Value of all rural water schemes submitted for approval: £59,859,149.

(2) Value of schemes approved in principle but not yet authorised to go to tender: £14,081,296.

(3) Value of schemes authorised to start (completed and incompleted): £22,593,782.

(4) Grants promised finally or conditionally under the Rural Water Supplies and Sewerage Act, 1944: £9,142,769.

(5) Portion of (4) paid to 28th February, 1951: £1,445,175.

There is no reason to expect delay in payment of grants promised for schemes already approved.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will consider the question of bringing piped water to the village of Yaxley, in view of the fact that during the last two summers all but one of the public wells dried up and the inhabitants were forced to carry supplies from tanks, which in some instances involved crossing the busy Ipswich—Norwich Road.

This question is part of a much larger scheme proposed by the Hartismere Rural District Council, which I am now considering.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how many sewerage schemes are in progress in rural areas; how many are at present held up owing to shortage of pipes, and by limitations of capital expenditure, respectively; and what priority such schemes have in the capital investment programme for the next 12 months.

851 rural sewerage schemes providing for 1,000 parishes at an estimated total capital cost of £12,887,000 have been started since 1945, 340 of which, at an estimated total capital cost of £7,300,000, started during the last two years. A further 90 schemes, covering 133 parishes and costing £2,831,000, will be starting during the next few months. 247 more schemes, at an estimated total capital cost of £6,692,000, have been approved in outline and are now being prepared in detail. Another 650 schemes at an estimated total capital cost of £20,911,000 are not yet ready for approval. Few schemes are being held up specifically by shortages of pipes. The capital investment programme provides a reasonable amount of expenditure for rural sewerage and sewage disposal and every effort will continue to be made to meet the urgent requirements of this service.

asked the Secretary of State for War between what dates did Headquarters, 29th Division, receive the 15 recommendations for the Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal, of which the hon. Member for Solihull has been notified by the Financial Secretary; who is authorised to make these awards; and when will a decision be taken.

These recommendations were received by Headquarters 29th Brigade between 16th and 26th January, 1951. The Commander-in-Chief, British Commonwealth Occupation Force, Japan, is authorised to make up to a total of nine immediate awards of the Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, Distinguished Conduct Medal or Military Medal to United Kingdom troops in each six months period as from 1st January, 1951. Recommendations which the Commander-in-Chief considers are not of sufficient urgency to warrant an immediate award are forwarded to the War Office for His Majesty's approval and inclusion in the periodical list. Awards, other than immediate awards, in respect of the period 1st January to 30th June, 1951, will be published in the periodical list as early as practicable after the latter date, unless in exceptional circumstances earlier publication is considered desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will arrange for the inclusion of Persia among the countries to which the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, is to pay a courtesy visit.

Following his assumption of the command of the Middle East theatre, the Commander-in-Chief naturally wishes to pay courtesy visits to all Middle East countries. It is, therefore, logical to assume that he may include Persia in his programme.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he will take to ensure notification to the next of kin of casualties of the latest information received concerning them.

Information regarding casualties is passed on to the next of kin without delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War what instructions are issued to His Majesty's Forces serving in Korea as to their conduct in the event of capture and interrogation as to their views on the participation of British forces in the Korean campaign.

Troops serving in Korea are instructed that if captured they should give their name, rank, number and date of birth and should produce their identity certificate. They are also instructed not to answer any other questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in preparing his Budget, he will take into consideration the widespread concern which is felt at the present level of Purchase Tax on ecclesiastical cassocks.

The hon. Member may be assured that I am aware of this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue a 5s. currency note in connection with the Festival of Britain.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made in the preparation of a Bill to consolidate the Income Tax Acts.

A draft has been prepared which I am presenting to Parliament as a White Paper with a view to introducing a Consolidating Bill in the Autumn Session. I must emphasise that, as is more fully explained in a preliminary note to the White Paper, the Bill will be purely a consolidating Measure intended to leave the law precisely as it is. My predecessor in his Budget speech in 1949 expressed the hope that this work might be undertaken as a first step in the reform and simplification of the Income Tax Acts. It is only a first step, but, I think, a very useful one, for the provisions of the existing law are contained in upwards of 50 Acts of Parliament, and their consolidation will, I hope, be of assistance both to the Royal Commission on the Taxation of Profits and Income, which has recently started its sittings, and to others who have to deal with Income Tax matters. It will also clear the ground for codification when that can be put in hand.As regards the particular procedure I have adopted, the object of issuing the draft as a White Paper is to give an opportunity to anyone who is interested to make any suggestions he may wish for its correction or improvement before a final draft is produced and introduced to Parliament as a Bill. I must add that suggestions that would, or might, have the effect of altering the law could not be accepted. It is the more necessary to give this warning, as the draft is far from being an ideal presentation of an Income Tax code. That, I fear, is inevitable in view of the material with which it has to deal.I have arranged for copies of the White Paper to be available to Members in the Vote Office at 11 o'clock tomorrow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will issue a standing order to all Government Departments instructing them, when engaging temporary workers for such occasional purposes as taking a census, acting as poll clerks in a general election or local elections, issuing new ration books, etc., to make full use of the employment exchanges and to seek alternative sources of supply only when suitable workers are not available at the exchanges.

Standing instructions already provide that all vacancies for temporary staff in Government Departments must be reported to the appropriate department of the Ministry of Labour and National Service. I understand that specific instructions to the same effect are also issued by the responsible Departments in connection with the engagement of staff for the purposes referred to by my hon. Friend. In engaging such staff local conditions and the qualifications required for particular duties have of course to be taken into account.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the present difficult position of this country concerning our importation of sulphur, he has taken steps to obtain supplies from Spain, in view of the fact that Rio Tinto Mines, in Spain, owned by a company in this country, produces much of the required sulphur.

Spain has no crude sulphur available but sulphur bearing ore in the form of pyrites is mined by the Rio Tinto Company. We are receiving from Spain sufficient pyrites to maintain in full production our sulphuric acid plants which are designed to operate on this material.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a further statement on the production of the atom bomb in this country.

No.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, in the city of Birmingham, many more cases are dealt with by ophthalmic practitioners than in the eye hospitals; and whether, in view of the present need to avoid all inessential expenditure and use of manpower on civil building, he will postpone until further experience has been gained, plans for the building and development of new central ophthalmic clinics designed to take over the present services from the scheme operated by private enterprise ophthalmic opticians.

The Government's policy for ophthalmic services remains as stated in the White Paper on the National Health Service Bill but there are at present no plans for the building of central ophthalmic clinics in Birmingham.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the establishment of a national dental school for Wales in conjunction with the scheme for the 1,000-bed teaching hospital to be established at the Heath, Cardiff.

Yes. I, for my part, will be glad to consider any proposals that may be submitted.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons on the waiting lists for admission to tuberculosis sanatoria in Wales in the years 1939, 1944 and at the latest convenient date.

The figures were as follows:

—		Adults	Children	Total
Year 1939	…	148	35	183
Year 1944	…	647	112	759
3rd March, 1951	…	1,090	68	1,158

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the cost of freight included in the retail price of coal at Dingwall, Tain and Shieldaig in Ross-shire.

Dingwall and Tain are supplied by rail direct, the average freight cost being about 22s. per ton. Shieldaig is supplied by merchants operating from the Strathcarron district where the rail head is located. The average rail freight to Strathcarron is about 25s. per ton.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of agricultural subsidies in Wales in the financial year 1949–50 and in the current financial year.

The total amount of such subsidies in Wales in the financial year 1949–50 was £3,127,064. The corresponding amount in the current financial year to 31st January last, the latest date to which figures are available, is approximately £1,888,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that in the event of war, the full facilities of Cardiff Docks will be needed and that, owing to lack of trade, these facilities are being impaired; what use he has made of the powers he possesses under Defence Regulations to increase the trade of Cardiff Docks; what use he proposes to make of them; and whether he will make a statement.

I appreciate that in the event of war it might from time to time be necessary to make intensive use of the facilities at particular ports of which Cardiff might be one. I have no reason to think, however, that the facilities at Cardiff Docks are being impaired through lack of trade. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave the hon. Member on 29th January last.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when a report can be expected from the interdepartmental committee dealing with child emigration.

I think that there is some misunderstanding. I have not appointed any such committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he proposes to take to investigate the possibility of improving and developing land in the Spey Valley.

I am arranging for a special survey of the whole of the River Spey area to determine what may be practicable in the way of improvement of agricultural land and forestry development.