asked the Minister of Food why there has been a decline in the proportion by value of foodstuffs obtained from Empire countries as com pared with foreign; and what steps he is taking to reverse this trend.

Although the proportion by value of imports of foodstuffs from the Commonwealth and the Irish Republic was lower in 1950 than in 1949, the proportion was higher in 1948, 1949 and 1950 than in 1947 and higher than pre-war. The facts, therefore, do not support the hon. Member's suggestion. We are already buying all the essential foodstuffs that the Commonwealth countries can send us and we are doing all we can to encourage them to send us more.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the carcases of mutton imported from Patagonia since October, 1950, have been condemned as unfit for human consumption.

No mutton has been imported from Patagonia since October, 1950.

asked the Minister of Food when the production of National Milk Cocoa ceased; and what is the reason for the curtailment of this preparation, which is widely used in industrial and staff canteens.

Production of National Milk Cocoa ceased at the end of January, 1951, because very little was being used.

asked the Minister of Food if he is satisfied with the now accepted method of importing carcases of meat from which the glands have been removed in view of the fact that this process lessens the possibility of tracing disease.

There are provisions regulating the removal of glands. Moreover we require inspection before and after slaughter and the meat imported must be accompanied by an official certificate indicating that the inspections have been of the necessary standard.

asked the Minister of Food what payment by way of compensation for loss of business has been, or now is being, paid to the individuals or firms formerly responsible for the purchase of meat from the Argentine and for its subsequent transfer to the United Kingdom.

At the outbreak of war in 1939, importers of meat were invited to join the Meat Importers National (Defence) Association Limited, a company formed to handle and distribute imported meat for the Government. The company is paid for its services by a commission on the tonnage of meat actually handled. The commission covers the expenses of the company and the balance is available for distribution to its members.

asked the Minister of Food if he is now in a position to make a further statement on tinplate supplies for fruit and vegetable canning in the 1951 season.

The fruit and vegetable canners will receive approximately the same number of cans during the second and third quarters of this year as during the corresponding periods last year. If the new tinplate mill comes into production in time, there should be an improvement in the fourth quarter.

asked the Minister of Food what is the proportion between meat ration issue and main meals for all types of catering establishments and canteens, including school canteens.

It is estimated that, of the total quantity of ration quality carcase meat consumed during 1950, 3.9 per cent. was supplied to industrial canteens, 3.6 per cent. to school canteens, and 4.4 per cent. to hotels, restaurants and clubs. Of the total main meals served by catering establishments in a recent period 24.1 per cent. were supplied by industrial canteens, 22.7 per cent. by school canteens, and 53.2 per cent. by hotels, restaurants and clubs.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the practice of some drivers to drive at night with the nearside headlamp switched on without being dipped or dimmed in any way; and what steps he proposes to discourage this practice.

The Highway Code enjoins drivers to dip their headlights when meeting other vehicles and a survey of night driving indicates that the vast majority of drivers comply with this direction. I propose, however, to review the whole problem of dazzle when I receive the final report of the Road Research Laboratory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research upon their investigation of the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will ensure that the Annual Report for 1950 of the British Transport Commission is printed and available to hon. Members by 13th July, 1951.

The Commission hope that the Report will be available in the early part of July.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of his agreement that the raising of the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles would increase the efficiency of road transport and reduce the costs thereof, he will now endeavour to accelerate the discussions and agreements making it possible for him to introduce the necessary regulation for this purpose, in view of the desirability of mitigating as, far as possible the harmful effects of higher road and transport costs resulting from the increased taxation of petrol.

I am drawing the attention of the National Joint Industrial Council for the Road Haulage Industry and of the British Transport Commission to the recent debate in the House.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the nature of the representations made to him by the Association of Municipal Corporations and the Urban District Councils Association on raising the speed limit of heavy goods vehicles from 20 to 30 miles per hour.

In 1948, the Association of Municipal Corporations repeated their previous intimation to me that they were not in favour of the proposal, and added that the reintroduction of the basic petrol ration made it most inopportune at that time. The Urban District Councils Association wrote that they disapproved of the proposal, fearing increased danger to life and limb and increased damage to highways resulting from increased speed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider amending his regulations so as to enable the British Transport Commission to carry morphia in addition to first-aid equipment on all trains.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the work carried out by the Military Mission to Ethiopia set up in 1942 during its stay in that country.

When the Italians were defeated in Ethiopia the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories started to reform the Ethiopian army on modern lines and a Military Mission was formed. Its strength in June, 1941, was 99 officers and 158 N.C.Os., and the training organisation and administration of the Ethiopian Army were carried out by British ranks as part of the Ethiopian units. The duties of the Mission were confirmed by the Military Convention between His Majesty's Government and the Emperor of Ethiopia in January, 1942.The Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of December, 1944, made the head of the Mission responsible to the Ethiopian Minister of War for the organisation, training and administration of the Ethiopian army. The strength of the Mission at that time was 119 officers and 113 other ranks.When the Chief of the Imperial General Staff visited Ethiopia in December, 1947, the Emperor agreed with his suggestion to reduce the size of the Mission to 62 all ranks. The rôle of the Mission was also changed to an advisory one. The Mission advised on the most suitable organisation on which the Ethiopian Army should be based, and on administrative matters, and provided training teams which were attached to Ethiopian formations. In addition, the Mission provided the chief instructor and five other instructors for the Haile Selassie Military Training College, which combines the functions of a cadet school and a staff college.The strength of the Mission at the time of its withdrawal in March, 1951, was 26 officers and 23 N.C.Os.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further talks are taking place with other Governments under which additional financial aid either by way of monetary credit or the supply of raw materials would be this year granted to Yugoslavia.

United States, French and British officials are exchanging views in London about the Yugoslav economic situation. They may make recommendations to the three Governments at the end of their talks but I cannot forecast now what the recommendations will be.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why it is proposed to close down the digest magazine "Echo" although it is largely self-supporting and has a wide circulation in Italy, France and Holland.

The average monthly circulation of these magazines during the last quarter of 1950 was 61,711. A saving of about £20,000 a year will be achieved by their discontinuance; in other words, we are losing 6½d. on each copy. We are obliged by the pressing need for economy to do without means of publicity which are expensive in relation to the results achieved; and the "Echo" series is one of these.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of negotiations now being carried on with the Egyptian Government, he will make clear that there is no change in His Majesty's Government's declared policy that the future of the Sudan shall be decided by its own people.

Yes. This has already been made quite clear on a number of occasions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement with regard to the outbreak of fire at Hassa Heisa, Blue Nile Province, Sudan; and if he will say how much cotton was destroyed and whether the cause of the fire is known.

The Financial Secretary to the Sudan Government made the following statement in the Sudan Legislative Assembly in answer to a similar question on 11th April:

"A preliminary and very rough estimate of the seed cotton lost as a result of the fire at Hassa Heisa ginnery is 70,000 large kantars completely destroyed and 5,000 large kantars badly damaged. The total estimated value of this seed cotton, all of which was insured, is very roughly £E2,100,000. The cause of the fire is still unknown."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has now received from the United Nations Organisation a copy of the Pyongyang Note sent by the North Korean Government to the United Nations; and if he will make a statement.

Yes. The Note is mainly a recital of alleged atrocities by United Nations forces and South Koreans in Korea, and ends up with a demand for a settlement on the terms put forward by the so-called "World Peace Council" at its meeting in Berlin last February. In my right hon. Friend's view a communication of this kind can hardly be calculated to contribute towards the attainment of a settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the United States Government by His Majesty's Government in regard to the proposed Peace Treaty with Japan.

The views of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on the proposed Peace Treaty with Japan were fully but informally discussed with Mr. John Foster Dulles, the Special Representative of the President of the United States, by the United Kingdom Political Representative at Tokyo, by Sir Esler Dening at Canberra, and by His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, during January and February this year.On 12th March, the views of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom were officially communicated to the United States Government by His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Washington. On 9th April, a draft Peace Treaty based on the views already communicated to the United States Government was given to the Department of State by His Majesty's Ambassador at Washington as a preliminary working document.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the most recent information about the Chinese invasion of Tibet.

As far as we are aware, there have been no significant military developments since the early weeks of the Chinese advance last October. A Tibetan Delegation is, however, now reported to be on its way to Peking to discuss a settlement with the Chinese.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the fact that the Iraqi Law No. 12, 22nd March, 1951, is a violation of the undertaking given by Iraq to Britain as a condition of the termination of the mandate over Iraq, he will take steps to urge the withdrawal of this law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Iraqi law of 10th March, 1951, which threatens to deprive Iraqi Jewish citizens of their nationality, is a breach of the specific guarantees given by Iraq when the British Government put forward a successful application to the League of Nations for termination of the British mandate in respect of Iraq; and whether he is bringing this fact to the attention of the Iraqi Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Iraqi Law No. 12 of 1951 contravenes the guarantee given by Iraq that Iraqi nationals who belong to racial and religious minorities would enjoy the same treatment and security in law and in fact as other Iraqi nationals, which guarantee was given by Iraq when Britain placed Iraq's application for the termination of the British mandate over Iraq before the League of Nations; and what steps he is taking in the matter.

I presume that the undertaking or guarantee to which my hon. Friends refer is the Declaration signed and submitted to the Council of the League of Nations by the Iraqi Government prior to the admission of Iraq to the League. Article 10 of the Declaration stated that the stipulations thereof, as far as they affected persons belonging to racial religious or linguistic minorities, were declared to constitute obligations of international concern and would be placed under the guarantee of the League of Nations.While the precise legal status of this Declaration made to the former League of Nations is uncertain, nevertheless His Majesty's Government have drawn the attention of the Iraqi Government to the unfortunate consequences which might ensue if any ground was given for a charge that those who are affected by these laws were being subjected to any form of persecution.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will give an assurance that the agricultural expansion programme will not be prejudiced by the reduction in the allocation of steel in 1951–52 for the manufacture of agricultural tractors and machinery.

I cannot foretell steel allocations so far ahead, but there is no reason to suppose that the supply of agricultural tractors and machinery to the home market will not be adequate.

asked the Minister of Supply when adequate facilities for the type testing of lubricating oils and hydraulic system fluids for vehicles and aircraft will be available in this country so that no British oils for Government tenders will require to have been previously approved by an analyst of the United States Government.

We have planned to equip a Ministry of Supply test house, but, owing to the difficulties of obtaining the necessary equipment, I am not optimistic that it will be ready under two years. With the considerable facilities already existing in industry, this should make the United Kingdom almost, if not quite, self-sufficient.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) what is the present shortfall of American sheet-steel deliveries to Britain;(2) what representations he has made to the American suppliers of sheet-steel on contract to Great Britain, in order to ensure that supplies are delivered as contracted.

The present shortfall in deliveries of steel sheet from the United States is 19,500 tons. In addition, orders have been placed for 30,000 tons of hot rolled coil for delivery between now and the end of the year. The orders are commercial transactions between the British Iron and Steel Corporation and individual steel companies in the United States and I have, therefore, made no representations to the suppliers.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make representations to the International Materials Conference, in order to ensure that steel supplies produced by its members are fairly allocated.

No. The main difficulties arise from shortage of particular materials used in steel-making, and certain studies in this field are already being carried out by the International Materials Conference in Washington and by other international bodies.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give an assurance that the tool steel necessary for the implementation of the re-armament programme for the year 1951–52 is available.

I cannot at present give such an assurance because the production of tool steel depends on the availability of tungsten and other scarce alloying materials and I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made on this subject last Friday.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to deal with the shortage of all classes of steel in the United Kingdom.

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 13th April in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson).

asked the Minister of Supply by what amount the rate of import of sheet steel in 1951 is less than the rate in 1950; what proportion this difference is of the rate of consumption by the motor industry at the end of 1950; and what other factors have been at work to make necessary the cuts which have been imposed on the motor industry.

Imports of sheet steel of a kind suitable for the motor industry in the first quarter of 1951 were at a rate approximately 17 per cent. below the rate in 1950. The allocation to the motor industry for the second quarter is approximately 23 per cent. below the estimated consumption in the last quarter of 1950. Allocations in 1950 assumed a greater rate of import than was realised. Moreover, increased provision has now to be made for defence needs.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will publish the list of the committees that act as a link between his Department and industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Watkinson), on 19th March. I will place a copy of the list in the Library of the House.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will confer with representatives of the principal British mining houses as to what steps may be taken to ensure greater output of non-ferrous metals in Great Britain.

My Department will be glad to discuss specific proposals, but I do not think a conference in general terms would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he obtained competitive tenders before purchasing Army grey socks at 96s. a dozen.

These socks are purchased by competitive tendering, but so far the prices paid have been lower than 96s. a dozen pairs.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to develop the zinc and lead resources in Wales; and what action he has taken on the correspondence sent to him on this matter over two weeks ago from Mr. M. Dandrick who owns mines near Aberystwyth.

A few lead and zinc mines are operating in Wales but in general, as the Report of the Mineral Development Committee (Cmd. 7732) indicated, the prospect of any early and substantial output is poor. Mr. Dandrick was advised on 12th April to approach the mining firms already operating in Wales.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will make a statement on metal supplies, particularly as affecting the Midland engineering and brass foundry industries.

I have at present nothing to add to the statements which have recently been made on metal supplies. On the effect of the shortages on Midland engineering and brass foundry industries, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Sparkbrook (Mr. Shurmer) on 16th April.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is satisfied that all possible sources of scrap are being tapped to provide the steel industry with this essential raw material.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Altrincham and Sale (Mr. Erroll) on 19th February last. Intensive efforts are being made to secure all the scrap available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many women farm workers have applied for unemployment benefit at King's Lynn employment exchange during the four months December, 1950, to March, 1951; how many have been granted benefit and how many have been refused benefit on the ground that they were seasonal workers; and how many cases have yet to be determined.

I regret that figures are not available for the period in question but on 15th March, 1951, 183 women agricultural workers were registered as unemployed at King's Lynn employment exchange. Of these 111 had been considered under the Seasonal Workers Regulations, and of these 54 were receiving benefit and 57 were under disallowance. The answer to the last part of the Question is "None."

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she will increase the National Assistance scales to a level which increases the supplementary pensions in such a way as to make the 4s. rise in the basic old age pension a reality.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she will reconsider her decision not to propose to the National Assistance Board that they should review the scale rates payable by the Board, in view of the rise in the cost of living.

Under the Statute any revision in the scales of assistance is a matter in the first instance for the National Assistance Board. I would ask the hon. Members to await a statement which my right hon. Friend hopes to make on this subject on the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill on Thursday this week.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she has made the necessary arrangements to amend the National Assistance Acts to enable all old age pensioners in receipt of supplementary pensions and assistance to enjoy the full increase in the basic retirement pension as envisaged in the Budget statement.

Under the Statute any revision in the scales of assistance is a matter in the first instance for the National Assistance Board. I would ask the hon. Member to await a statement which my right hon. Friend hopes to make on this subject on the Second Reading of the National Insurance Bill on Thursday this week.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she will give, for the latest convenient stated date, the numbers of old age pensioners over 70 years of age in the case of men, and 65 years of age in the case of women in receipt of supplementary payments from the National Assistance Board to the extent of 4s. or more per week; and the total cost of such payments in any stated period.

It is estimated that the total number of retirement pensioners, aged 70 or over in the case of men and 65 or over in the case of women, who are in receipt of regular weekly grants of national assistance is 700,000. I regret that the other information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance (1) on what date did the engineering, shipbuilding, pottery and cotton industries begin to contribute towards National Insurance; on what date did the miners begin to contribute; on what date did the heavy industries begin to contribute towards old age pensions; how many engineers contributed in 1914, 1925 and 1945, respectively; and if she will give the same figure for the mining industry;(2) if she will give the numbers of insurance contributors for the years 1914, 1923 and 1949, respectively.

Between 1911 and 1948 there were several separate schemes of insurance, the scope of which changed from time to time. The extraction of statistics showing the number of contributors to these schemes in the various categories at different dates would involve an expenditure of time and labour which would not be justified.For figures relating to the new comprehensive scheme which came into force in July, 1948, I would refer my hon. Friend to the First Interim Report of the Government Actuary (House of Commons Paper 103 of 1951).

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many voluntary contributors towards National Insurance Funds there were in 1925 and 1945, respectively.

In 1925 there were about 30,000 voluntary contributors to National Health Insurance. By 1945 just under a million individuals had taken advantage of arrangements enabling voluntary contributions to be paid for some or all the benefits of the health and contributory pensions schemes.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, as a result of a recent case of which she has had notice, she will instruct the officials of her Department to alter their practice of refusing to accept as conclusive evidence of widowhood a marriage certificate and a death certificate of the husband.

A marriage certificate is normally accepted as sufficient evidence of marriage but exceptionally, as in the case mentioned by the hon. Member, facts are brought to notice which make further inquiries necessary before the statutory authorities, who decide these claims, can determine whether the statutory conditions for benefit are satisfied or not.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of widowed mothers with one child in receipt of 6s. 6d. per week, or more, from the National Assistance Board at any stated date and the total amounts paid.

I regret that the precise information desired by my hon. Friend is not available. The number of widows in receipt of widowed mother's allowances who are also receiving regular assistance grants from the National Assistance Board is estimated to be 40,000.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many people draw family allowances in respect of more than one child.

I assume that my hon. Friend wishes to know the number of families for whom an allowance at the rate of 10s. or more a week is being paid, that is, those with three or more children in the family. The present number is about 1,100,000.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of old age pensioners between 65–70 years of age in the case of men and 60–65 years of age in the case of women, the total amount of pensions paid in each case, and the amounts of supplementary payments received from the National Assistance Board, at the latest convenient stated date.

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) on Monday last, 16th April. I regret that the further information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why the Government have fallen behind with their programme to meet the demand for electricity and what is the reason for their failure to achieve their own plans foreshadowed by the then Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Economic Survey for 1948.

As was explained in the Economic Survey for 1949, the estimated rate of investment set out in the White Paper on Capital Investment in 1948, on which the figures in the Economic Survey for 1948 were based, resulted from an over-optimistic assessment of the speed with which the industries manufacturing electricity generating plant could expand their capacity. Moreover, at the date of publication of the White Paper in 1948, it was not possible to assess the extent of the delays which resulted from the lack of co-ordinated ordering and construction work before the electricity supply industry was nationalised.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will consult with the Minister of Civil Aviation with a view to introducing legislation to change the name either of the British Electricity Authority or British European Airways so as to prevent the present confusion of using the same initials.

In order to avoid the confusion foreseen by the hon. Member, arrangements were made some time ago for the use of the full titles of the Corporations where the context is likely to involve any risk of misunderstanding.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give the names and experience of his advisers, both full-time and part-time, on matters relating to the development of metalliferous mining in Great Britain.

The main technical advice at my disposal on the long-term development of this industry is that which was provided to my predecessor by the experts of the Mineral Development Committee in their Report published in July, 1949. I have no specialised staff dealing with this matter, and as, to my regret, there is no early possibility of implementing the recommendations in that Report, I do not think it would be right to appoint any.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what was the outcome of his investigations in the case of Mr. R. Hodson, 118, High Street, Rayleigh, particulars of which have been sent to him.

The hon. Member will by now have received a letter from my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary dealing fully with the outcome of these investigations.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is now satisfied that stocks are sufficient to ensure that medical priority certificates for fuel can be honoured immediately.

Yes. The position is still as described in the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 12th March.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he can now say what arrangements he is making to ensure an increased supply of household coal in East Anglia next autumn and winter.

I regret that I am not in a position as yet to make a statement on the arrangements proposed to be made for the supply of coal to the domestic market next winter. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that East Anglia will receive a fair share of the total supplies available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what is the explanation of the shortage of fuel in the St. Austell area of Cornwall; and what steps he is taking to remedy it.

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

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he has yet considered the 15-year plan of the National Coal Board for the development and modernisation of the industry; and if he has indicated his approval.

In accordance with their policy of the fullest consultation with those whom they employ, the National Coal Board, before they submit their National Plan for Coal to me, have been discussing the proposals with the industry's National Consultative Council. I am expecting to receive the Board's recommendations in the early future.

asked the Attorney-General whether he will institute a prosecution for criminal conspiracy against Mrs. Caple and the two enforcement officers of the Ministry of Food for conspiring to induce butchers to supply meat in excess of the ration.

No. I am aware of no evidence whatever suggesting that Mrs. Caple has been guilty of criminal conspiracy with enforcement officers of the Ministry of Food or anyone else, or that any butcher was induced by her to supply meat in excess of the ration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will now give a report of the negotiations with the Argentine authorities on the question of meat supplies;(2) what other matters are being discussed besides meat supplies with the Argentine Government; and what progress has been made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement with regard to the outcome of the meat negotiations which are at present taking place in the Argentine.

I understand that these negotiations are very nearly concluded, but I am not in a position to make a statement yet.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to be able to report the progress being made in the Washington talks on the allocation of raw materials.

I give below the latest statement about the work of the Commodity Committees set up in Washington, which was issued by the International Materials Conference on 8th April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the amounts collected in Purchase Tax by each of the first, second and third rates in the year 1950–51; and what are the amounts by each rate for which he has budgeted in the year 1951–52.

I regret that this information is not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the total amount put to repayment of the National Debt in each year since 1945; and what is the reduction in interest charges, each year, on the National Debt.

In the years 1945–46 and 1946–47 there were Budget deficits of £2,200 million and £569 million respectively, and after allowing for "below the line" transactions the net borrowings in those years were £2,053 million and £1,884 million respectively. In the four years from 1947–48 to 1950–51, the Budget surpluses of £635 million, £831 million, £549 million and £720 million were applied in debt redemption, but in those years transactions "below the line," as shown in the published accounts, resulted in net borrowings in the years 1947–48 and 1950–51 of £3 million and £48 million respectively and net sums applied in debt redemption in the years 1948–49 and 1949–50 of £484 million and £1 million. Most of the "below the line" expenditure is, of course, covered by assets.Interest of the National Debt charged against revenue increased in the years 1945–46, 1946–47 and 1947–48 by £40 million, £43 million and £5 million respectively. It decreased by £25 million in 1948–49, by a further £5 million in 1949–50 and by a further £3 million in 1950–51. Particulars of debt transactions and of interest payments in each of the years up to 1949–50 are shown in the National Debt return (Cmd. 8058).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the subjects to be discussed next month at a conference called to examine the difficulties encountered by sterling area countries in meeting the requirements of European co-operation; and which sterling area countries will be represented at this conference.

I have no knowledge of any such official conference next month.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet decided to make up the pay and salaries of civil servants called up under the Class Z scheme; and to what sections of the employees of the Cable and Wireless undertaking this will apply.

Civil servants who are called up for 15 days' training as Class Z reservists will be allowed a measure of paid special leave. Staff called up for longer periods under the plans announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 29th January will receive balance of civil pay. Arrangements for both categories are being discussed with staff representatives. Questions on the treatment of employees of the Cable and Wireless undertaking should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he proposes to reply to the letter sent to him from the hon. Member for Wells of 1st December last concerning the case of his constituent Mr. H. C. Collingbourne.

I regret that it has taken some time to investigate afresh this complex case which, as the hon. and gallant Member knows, relates to events alleged to have taken place in Egypt and elsewhere in 1940 and was the subject of much correspondence between 1947 and 1949. I have been anxious to review the matter thoroughly and I hope to reply fully to the hon. and gallant Member in the course of the next few days.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now announce the rate of hill cattle subsidy for England and Wales for this year.

Yes. The rate of subsidy for breeding cows and heifers suckling calves on hill land will be £5 per head and that for other eligible cattle £2 15s. per head. These compare with last year's rates of £4 and £2 17s. 6d. respectively. The rate for breeding cows and heifers has been increased to encourage the breeding of more hardy cattle on the hills in the interests of meat production. To achieve this increase a slight reduction in the rate for other eligible cattle has been necessary. To enable hill farmers to make plans ahead I take this opportunity of announcing that the new rates will continue in 1952 and 1953. The necessary Statutory Instrument will be laid before Parliament shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent it is the policy of his Department to encourage further large-scale slaughter of birds for table poultry during the remainder of 1951; whether the egg production of the United Kingdom is expected during 1951 to equal or exceed the 1950 figures; and what steps he is taking to remedy shell egg numerical deficiencies during the next non-flush period.

As indicated in my right hon. Friend's reply on 5th April to my hon. Friend, the Member for Norfolk, South-West (Mr. Dye), we are asking the United Kingdom poultry industry to do its best, with the resources available, to rear more birds for the table, but I should deprecate any indiscriminate slaughter of laying birds. I do not anticipate that total egg production in 1951 will be materially different from that in 1950, but I hope that a greater proportion of that production will be achieved in the autumn and winter months through the operation of the seasonal scale of prices. This scale is being widened this year so as to give more encouragement to winter egg production, and the Ministry of Food pay more to their overseas suppliers in the winter than in the spring. As a further measure to even out supplies, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food is storing some of the home spring supplies and is arranging for overseas suppliers to store substantially more eggs for us than hitherto.

asked the Minister of Labour how many seasonal workers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies the Governor has power to deport without trial or appeal.

The Colonial Territories in which the Governor or High Commissioner, as the case may be, has power to deport from the territory without judicial process are Gibraltar, Kenya, Nyasaland, Somaliland, Tanganyika, Uganda, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony and the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. The Federation of Malaya is not strictly within the terms of the Question, but there also similar powers are possessed by the High Commis

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Education if he will make a comprehensive statement on the cost of school meals in town and rural areas respectively, showing how this sum is made up; and what is the proportion due to actual cost of foodstuffs, for wages and supervision, and for transport, respectively.

The nearest available figures to those asked for are as follow:sioner, in association with the Rulers of the States. The position is broadly similar in Brunei and Zanzibar.In this connection, I would draw the attention of the hon. Member to my statement on the subject of powers of deportation during the debate on the adjournment of 8th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress he has made in his consultations with colonial Governors over the power of deportation.

There are in the Colonial Dependencies between 30 and 40 different legal systems governing the question of deportation, and complex legal political and administrative issues are involved. For this reason consultation with colonial Governors is bound to take a certain time, but I shall make a statement as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning what instructions are now being given by his Department to local authorities with regard to the releasing of requisitioned houses to their owners if the owner or any member of his family desire to occupy it.

None. But I should like to see local authorities make an order of priority for the release of requisitioned properties as opportunity offers, and I think that in doing so they should give some special consideration to owner-occupiers.