asked the Minister of Labour the results of his negotiations with the trade unions concerned so that union membership may be extended to the disabled ex-Service men who have been trained and trade tested at his Department's centres.

No negotiations are taking place as training in the Ministry's centres is given under schemes agreed with the industries concerned, and the trade unions encourage the people trained to apply for membership as soon as they get a job.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the position arising as a result of the redistribution of locomotive construction and repair work on the British Railways; and whether he is satisfied that unemployment will not be caused thereby at the Eastleigh locomotive works.

According to my information, there has been no substantial redistribution of locomotive construction and repair work on British Railways. Some readjustments as a result of economies have taken place, but these have not resulted in redundancy. The employment exchange has been given advance information of the impending discharge, due to shortages of materials, of 50 workers from Eastleigh carriage and wagon department and steps are being taken to assist these men to secure other suitable employment.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many standards of softwood will be required for the £4,700,000,000 required for the defence programme.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 20th March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will remove temporarily the import duty on those steel reinforcing bars which are specially imported for use on the building work of the defence programme.

I am always prepared to consider applications for adjustment or removal of import duties with a view to making appropriate recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. In general, however, there are no powers under existing legislation to make variations in duties on iron and steel goods imported by particular firms or for particular purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the tonnage of tinplate exported during the last quarter of 1950 and the first quarter of 1951, to the Continent of Europe and to South America.

United Kingdom exports of tinplate in the fourth quarter of 1950 to Europe were 6,200 tons, and to South America 8,500 tons; in the first quarter of 1951, the corresponding figures were 6,700 tons and 10,300 tons respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent specified standards of designs, types, measurement and weights of fittings and equipment in various countries are having the effect of defeating international trade treaties to which the United Kingdom is a party and tending to control imports contrary to international trade agreements.

I am not aware that the existence of standards of the type referred to by my hon. Friend has to any substantial extent the effects suggested. If my hon. Friend has any particular instances in mind and will let me have details I will, of course, have them examined.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that firms having stands at the British Industries Fair, Olympia, have been using these facilities for the purpose of selling printing machines made in Germany and which can now be imported into this country; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the Fair shall not in future be misused in this way.

No. Agreement under which space is allotted to exhibitors prohibits the display at the Fair of goods not mainly of United Kingdom origin. It has not proved possible by inquiry to establish that German printing machines have been sold at the Fair. If the hon. Member will give me more precise information, I will look into the matter further.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what action was taken by His Majesty's Government as a result of the publication by the United Nations of the review of international commodity problems.

I have been asked to reply. The Report to which the hon. Member refers is that of the Interim Coordinating Committee for International Commodity Arrangements which is concerned with the administration on an interim basis of the rules of procedure laid down in Chapter VI of the Havana Charter for an International Trade Organisation. The Report is a factual study of the developments which took place in 1950 in relation to international commodity problems, but it makes no specific recommendations for action by His Majesty's Government. The facts recorded in the Report are well known to the Departments concerned and have been taken into account in the day to day work done by those Departments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number of male and female personnel, respectively, employed in new industries established since 1945 in Sunderland; and what provision is being made to further increase employment.

About 2,400 men and 4,200 women are now employed in new industries established on Wearside since 1945. The firms concerned estimate that work for an additional 1,700 men and 270 women will be provided in factories already completed and under construction in the same area when they are in full production. Within the limits set by the need to restrict new building to projects of national mportance, everything possible is being done to bring new industry to this area, particularly industry which will provide employment for men.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will make public the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Weights and Measures; and indicate what action he proposes to take on the recommendations of the Report.

The Report will be published tomorrow and copies will be available in the House. Before dealing with the second part of the Question, I should like to pay a tribute to the very long and detailed labours of this Committee over more than two years and to the value of the Report which they have produced, which is the first comprehensive survey of this important field of legislation for more than 80 years.Turning to the recommendations, I should say, first of all, that there are a few among them which the Government certainly cannot accept, at least for immediate implementation. No 2, which proposes that the Government should take steps towards the eventual complete adoption of the metric system in this country, clearly raises most important issues which could not be determined without lengthy and most serious consideration. This will be given to it as time permits and views will be sought from the Governments of other countries, particularly the Commonwealth and United States, which use the Imperial system. In the meantime, the Government cannot be regarded as in any way committed to accepting this recommendation. The same consideration must apply to recommendation No. 3 about basing the Imperial system on the international metre and kilogramme. Nor should I wish to be regarded as committed in principle to the proposal in recommendation No. 43 that the administration of weights and measures should be concentrated in the hands of the larger Local Authorities.There is a second small group of recommendations, on which I should not propose to take early action because either they would involve additional demands on manpower in the Board of Trade or in local authorities, or they would cause a certain amount of controversy owing to the changes in commercial practice which they would involve. Among these I would class Nos. 4–6 about an expert commission on weights and measures; No. 33, proposing the extension of weights and measures control to fresh fruit and vegetables; the second half of No. 40, proposing its extension to rail and canal deliveries of coal; No. 42, proposing the extension of control in general to wholesale transactions; and No. 44, proposing increased powers of supervision by the Board of Trade over the administration of the Act by the local authorities. These proposals will, therefore, be looked at further in consultation with the appropriate interested parties. Subject to the results of such consideration any necessary legislation will be considered at a later date. It will probably be necessary to postpone also the consolidation of the law proposed in recommendation No. 1Otherwise, the majority of the recommendations do not appear to raise controversial issues. In some cases, the Board of Trade already possesses the necessary powers and the changes in practice involved will be put in hand as opportunity affords. In other cases, a change of law would be involved and preparation of proposals for legislation will be dependent upon the extent to which it will prove practicable to spare staff from more essential work at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider approaching the Pakistan Government about the Koh-i-Sultan sulphur deposits with a view to their further development at this time of scarcity.

It is understood that the Pakistan Government are already investigating the possibilities of developing these sulphur deposits.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of goods, of types comparable with those in the utility range, which can be imported into the United Kingdom free of Purchase Tax.

The classes of imported goods of types comparable with those in the utility range which can, at present, subject to compliance with the prescribed conditions, qualify for exemption from Purchase Tax are cotton and rayon grey cloth, wool cloth for use by makers-up of utility clothing, and furniture.

asked the Secre- of State for the Home Department whether he will include in his instructions and advisory circulars to the police in respect of whist drives a direction or recommendation that differentiation should be made in the treatment of whist drives where money voucher prizes are given if such prizes are not a cloak for gambling of a serious kind.

My predecessors have given certain advice of a general character to the police on this subject. I am in agreement with that advice, but it is not within my province to give detailed directions as to the particular circumstances in which proceedings should or should not be taken. The decision in each case must be taken by the responsible chief officer of police.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision is made in police stations in the Metropolitan Police area for the care of stray dogs.

Kennels, biscuits and water are provided at all Metropolitan police stations for stray dogs coming into the hands of the police, but in bad weather or if dogs are noisy they are usually kept in some suitable place inside the station. Dogs are usually sent to the two dogs' homes appointed to receive stray dogs in the Metropolitan police district within 24 hours.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to set up a police council as recommended in the report of the Committee under the chairmanship of Lord Oaksey.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to the hon. Members for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) and North-West (Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the number of cars which will be parked in bombed sites in London during the period of the Festival of Britain, what protection will be given to such cars to ensure that they are not robbed of parts or taken away by an unauthorised person.

The special car parks are being managed by National Car Parks Limited who employ uniformed attendants. Most of the parks are connected by telephone direct to the local police headquarters and the extra police on duty in the areas concerned will give all possible attention to parked cars.

asked the Lord Privy Seal why advance hooking of tickets cannot be obtained at the South Bank site, particularly when the public arrive without tickets before 3 p.m. and all advance tickets have not been taken up previously.

I have been asked to reply. The Festival Office are reviewing the advance booking arrangements and they assure me that in making adjustments the utmost practicable facilities will be given.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give a detailed list of the number of inquiries for orders and the number of orders placed for industrial and other goods at the South Bank Exhibition of the Festival of Britain; and the total money value of such orders so far placed.

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The South Bank and other exhibitions of the Festival of Britain are not trade fairs and although information and other facilities have been arranged to enable interested persons to get in touch with manufacturers, no detailed information about such inquiries or about orders that may arise out of them is available. The British Industries Fair and other trade exhibitions cover this field.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption in this country.

No.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the number of fruit growers who have failed to make a return of their fruit crops for inclusion in the 1951 Fruit Census.

The returns are being collected by local officers of my Department who are responsible for a preliminary examination of the returns and for making enquiries where the returns are lacking or are of doubtful accuracy. I have no information about the number of occupiers who have so far failed to make a return.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when a decision will be given in respect of land belonging to Mr. T. F. Ford, Ford's Retreat, Runwell, near Wickford, Essex, which it is proposed to acquire compulsorily under Section 85 of the Agriculture Act, 1947.

I am unable to say when a final decision will be reached in this case. Representations from the owners are under consideration, and if it is decided to proceed with purchase, they will have the right to appeal to the Agricultural Land Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution, a copy of which has been sent him, dealing with the February Price Review passed by the Kent County Branch of the National Farmers' Union on 3rd May; and what action he proposes to take to meet the views expressed.

Yes. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Food to the hon. Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the work of the Norwich and District Food Production Council in increasing the amount of domestic food production in Norfolk; and if he will consider encouraging the formation of similar associations in other parts of the country.

I am well aware of the good work done by this and other local bodies in stimulating interest in domestic food production, but I feel that the development of such bodies is a matter that can best be left to local initiative and to the various national organisations of domestic food producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is now taking to reopen the question of coracle fishermen's licences on the River Teifi in view of the Pembroke County Council's recent resolution.

It is not for me to initiate steps to reopen this question. Until this morning I have not received any representations about it since my hon. Friend raised it on the Adjournment in November last, but I have now been furnished with a copy of a resolution passed by the Pembrokeshire County Council and supported by the Cardiganshire County Council which I am sending to the South-West Wales River Board for them to consider in the first instance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the difficulties experienced in transporting the racehorse Helioscope to South America, and to the injuries sustained by this animal while being forced into a plane; and whether he will give such instructions as will stop this unnecessary and unjustified suffering to a highly strung animal.

I understand from the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, one of whose inspectors saw the horse shortly after the incident, that the animal appeared to be comfortable and showed no signs of injury. The Protection of Animals Act, 1911, makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal and I do not think that I am called upon to give any instructions in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much lower than the £235,000,000 for the first quarter of this year our adverse visible balance of trade would be if allowances were made for imports being c.i.f. and exports f.o.b.; and how much would this adjusted figure be adversely reflected in his calculation of our invisible exports.

A detailed analysis of our balance of payments position, with imports valued f.o.b., is made half-yearly. No reliable figures are available quarterly, but I would refer to my right hon. Friend's replies to the hon. Member on 1st May on the same subject.So far as the second part of the Question is concerned, the larger part of our imports is carried in United Kingdom-owned ships, and no charge on our balance of payments is involved in paying this freight. Freight paid to foreign shipowners is already included as one of the components of our "invisibles."

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he proposes to mint a 1½d. coin to meet present day needs.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will mint a new coin of the value of 1½d.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now add a 1½d. coin to the currency.

I would refer to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Morley).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much the standard Income Tax would have to be increased to cover the cost of an additional increase to all old age pensioners of 8s. per week as from the first week in June, 1951.

The standard rate of Income Tax would have to be raised by 8d. with pro rata changes in the other rates, to cover the cost of such an increase in contributory and non-contributory old age and retirement pensions in the first full year, with present number of pensioners. The cost of the increase in pensions would rise by about 50 per cent. in the next 25 years, but it is not possible to foresee with any accuracy what increase in Income Tax would be necessary to meet this.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what conditions a resident in this country wishing to buy a farm in Canada at a cost of approximately £5,000 and to emigrate may effect the transfer of the purchase money.

The amount which any emigrant to Canada may transfer is limited to £1,000 in the first four years. Normally transfer is spread over that period, but if an emigrant needs the money for some special purpose such as making a down-payment towards the purchase of a house or farm, he may apply for permission to transfer the whole £1,000 at once. At the end of the four-year period income from any assets in this country can be transferred.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider making it obligatory that when the owner of a dog is making application for a renewal of his licence he must produce the dog with his name on the collar.

No.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what quantity of copper and nickel is used for our coinage per annum.

The production of coin is governed by public demand and other factors and varies from year to year. The quantity of copper and nickel used in 1949–50, the last year for which firm figures are available, was 892 tons and 242 tons respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will cause an inquiry to be made as to the feasibility and desirability of altering the content of one shilling from 12 to 10 pennies.

No. I am satisfied that it would be quite impracticable either to regard the shilling as being worth 10 pennies, or to exchange all existing shillings for coins worth 10 pence.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economies in the amount of metal coinage required he estimates would result from the introduction of the metric system of 10 pennies to one shilling, and the withdrawal of halfpennies and farthings.

I am satisfied that to exchange all existing pennies for coins worth one-tenth of a shilling, or to revalue the penny, would be quite impracticable. Halfpennies and farthings are still required by the public and their abolition would inevitably tend to increase prices. It is impossible, therefore, to make any estimate of the savings which would result from such action.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many married couples had an income of less than £5 per week during the year ended March, 1950; if he will have the classification of incomes before tax by family circumstances inserted in future in the same way as in the Inland Revenue Report for the year ended 31st March, 1949, Table 87: and if he will also give the number of dependants or children.

As explained in paragraph 99 of the Inland Revenue Report to which my hon. Friend refers, an income census is being taken for the year ended 31st March, 1950, and the results will be published as soon as they are available. The classification of incomes in the same form as in Table 87 of the 1949 Report will appear in the next Report which will be published in January, 1952.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider reducing the Purchase Tax on rush baskets, in view of the fact that the raw materials used will otherwise be wasted, and that the volume of baskets made is so small that the loss of revenue would be trivial.

The considerations mentioned by the hon. Member would not justify my proposing, in present circumstances, that rush baskets should be treated differently from the other baskets which are subject to the same rate of Purchase Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the intention to extend the arrangements made last year to relieve the civil flying clubs of the increased petrol duty so as to relieve them also of the additional duty of 4½d. a gallon included in this year's Budget.

Yes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can now make a statement on equal pay in the Civil Service.

I would refer the hon. Lady to the answer given on 8th May to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Morley).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in view of the number of professional, scientific and technical officers that are employed in the Civil Service what numbers of officers, in which of these classes, are attached to the Organisation and Methods Division of the Treasury to assist them in investigating the work where officers in these professional, scientific and technical grades are employed.

The Treasury Organisation and Methods Division does not investigate the methods employed in the technical work of the classes mentioned, and no member of the professional, scientific and technical grades is employed on the staff of the Division.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the arrangements being made as to the civilian pay of reservists in Government employment will ensure that their recall to the Services for 15 days or longer will in no case cause them to suffer financially.

The arrangements in question provide for a measure of special leave with pay for those called up for 15 days, and for balance of civil pay for those called up for longer periods. While I cannot say that no financial loss will be incurred in any circumstances, I am satisfied that the arrangements are generally fair.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the annual cost of the rail transport of civil servants on official business in each of the past five years.

This information is not available centrally, and I do not consider that the time and labour involved in collecting it would be justified, particularly in present stringent circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the canteens in Government Departments are self-supporting; and whether anything is charged for the accommodation and heating and lighting and any general equipment provided.

At present there is a difference between non-industrial and industrial canteens. The former pay for heating, lighting and equipment; the latter do not. No charge is made for accommodation in use by either class of canteen.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with B.C.G. immunising vaccine tests; and whether he can now recommend it to the medical profession for general use.

I cannot add to the statement made in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Mr. Awbery) on 8th February last.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what disciplinary action he proposes to take against those concerned in making payments of wages and salaries in excess of the approved scales; and what action he is taking to secure adherence to the scales laid down, as commented upon by the Comptroller and Auditor General in Section 6 of Command Paper No. 158;(2) if, in the interests of the taxpayer, he will insist that hospitals maintain adequate store accounts and inventories, in accordance with the criticism of the Comptroller and Auditor General in Section 8 of Command Paper No. 158;(3) what action he is taking to speed up the communication to hospital authorities comments made by the auditors in accordance with the Comptroller and Auditor General's remarks in Section 5 of Command Paper No. 158.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the comments made on the Health Services Accounts, 1949–50, by the Comptroller and Auditor General; and what steps have been, or are being, taken to deal with the matters referred to.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 9th May.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what further steps he is taking to bring the pricing of prescriptions up to date, in view of the criticisms made by the Comptroller and Auditor General in Section II of Command Paper No. 158;(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that an adequate system of control is in operation for paying hospital wages and salaries, in accordance with the Comptroller and Auditor General's criticism in Section 7 of Command Paper No. 158;(3) if he will take steps to ensure that the purchase of all supplies by hospital management committees shall be made under the system of competitive tendering as indicated by the Comptroller and Auditor General in Section 9 of Command Paper No. 158;(4) how much money has been paid to ophthalmic medical practitioners for tests, although the tests had been carried out in hospitals at which practitioners were employed as part-time consultants; and what steps he is taking to recover these amounts and to prevent irregularities in future, in accordance with the criticism of the Comptroller and Auditor General in Section 13 of Command Paper No. 158.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) on 9th May.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give any estimate of the number of visits made by patients to doctors in the course of one year; and the number of visits paid by doctors to patients.

No.

asked the Minister of Health what is the present position with regard to amending the Dentists Act.

Proposals are under consideration, and while it is not possible to introduce legislation in the present Session, it is the Government's intention to do so at an early opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health how many persons are awaiting admission to hospital as in- patients for all forms of illness at the present time.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on 3rd May to the hon. Member for Colchester (Mr. Alport).

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the delays in supplying deaf aids to patients in the South-West Metropolitan Region; and what steps are being taken to increase the supply.

Yes. I am allocating to centres as many aids as the limited resources allow.

asked the Minister of Health how many pay beds under Section 5 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, there are in hospitals under his control; how many cases are now waiting for admission to such beds; and what is the approximate average period of waiting.

The number of beds is 6,875, and the waiting list was 1,190 at 31st December, 1950. The average period of waiting is not known, but in any case an average would have little significance.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made since 1st February, 1951, to deal with the shortage of hospital accommodation for chronic cases in Durham and Chester-le-Street areas.

A 26–bed unit has been opened and a second unit, of 23 beds, will be available within a few weeks.

asked the Minister of Health if he will set up an independent committee, presided over by a prominent King's Counsel, to make an investigation regarding the dismissal of Mr. John Griffith from his appointment on a hospital management committee, particulars of which have been sent to him.

Mr. Griffith was secretary of the committee. The appointment and dismissal of hospital staff are matters for the hospital authority concerned, and I am not prepared to intervene.

asked the Post master-General what were the estimated quantity and the cost of production of the unsold stocks of the nine issues of postage stamps which were withdrawn from sale on 2nd May; and whether these stocks are to be destroyed.

Stocks of these stamps had been run down to a bare minimum in preparation for the change, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to estimate what was the quantity on hand at the change-over. Stocks of the five low denomination stamps of the old design will be pulped; the high value denominations will remain on sale until they are exhausted.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if his attention has been drawn to the number of instances in recent months where children have been drowned in water accumulated in gravel pits, quarries and similar places; and if he is considering whether additional legal measures are needed to ensure that such places are rendered less dangerous and less accessible to children.

My right hon. Friend will consider the matter.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning the total number of applicants for council houses throughout the country; and the total number of applications for private building licences from England.

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt) on 13th March.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will give a list of local housing authorities whose original allocation of private licences to build have been increased during the present year.

Chorleywood U.D.C., Cuckfield U.D.C., Hornsea U.D.C., Hoy-lake U.D.C., Leatherhead U.D.C., Preesall U.D.C., Exeter C.B.C., Saltash B.C., Aireborough U.D.C., Billericay U.D.C., Fareham U.D.C., Ilkley U.D.C., Sandown and Shanklin U.D.C., Spenborough U.D.C. and Kirbymoorside R.D.C.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will now implement Section 79 of the Housing Act, 1936, and give power to local authorities to sell municipal houses to sitting tenants.

No

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether, in view of the shortage of naphthalene for essential purposes, it is intended to take any action to secure its use only for such purposes.

It is not easy to discriminate between the various uses of naphthalene and to say that some are essential and others are not. The shortage of naphthalene has been caused largely by the increase in demand and action was taken early in February to restrict exports. Discussions are at present taking place between the naphthalene producers and the chemical industry on the general question of future supplies and new naphthalene plant is being installed. These measures should result in more naphthalene being made available, but it may be a little time before they can take effect.

asked the Minister of Works which of the recommendations of the committee on Parliamentary participation in the Festival of Britain have been implemented.

The recommendations of the Parliamentary Supervisory Committee, which were announced by you, Sir, on 21st November, 1950, are being implemented except that it has been reluctantly decided, in consultation with the Lord Chancellor, not to proceed with the proposed ancillary exhibition on the Influence of British Common Law.

asked the Minister of Works if he will publish the official specification with which the Government requires paint manufacturers to conform. for both oil and water paint used in Government contracts.

No manufacturing specification is issued, but on application to the Ministry manufacturers can obtain details of the conditions of approval and the performance specified for paints supplied under the Department's guarantee scheme. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Food what plans he has made to enable farmers, whose milk is taken by the milk factory at Lapford, to dispose of their milk during periods of load-shedding at that factory during the summer months.

Arrangements of this sort must obviously be made on the spot as and when the need arises. There is no question of interrupting the collection of milk from farms. If one depot cannot handle the milk, it is switched to another depot that can.

asked the Minister of Food what steps he is proposing to take to ensure that calves sent to Creech St. Michael slaughterhouse during the coming summer and autumn are slaughtered on the day of their arrival and not left without food and water until the following day.

Calves are sent to this slaughterhouse on Saturday afternoons because the store and dairy sale and collecting centre at Taunton Market are held on that day. We are consulting the local interests concerned about the practicability of altering the collecting day for purchases by the Ministry to a day earlier in the week.

asked the Minister of Food what proportion of the meat allotted to sausage making is whalemeat.

No whalemeat is issued by my Department for sausage making or for any other purpose.

asked the Minister of National Insurance under what conditions workers on a four-day week can draw unemployment benefit for the remaining two days.

The interpretation of the rules in individual cases is a matter for the statutory authorities. Broadly speaking, however, benefit will only be payable for two days in a week during which a man has worked four days, if in addition to satisfying the ordinary conditions, (a) no wages are paid for these days and (b) the man's normal working week is more than four days.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps she is taking to reduce the period of seven weeks which has to elapse before the issue of a further draft, when a postal draft for sickness benefit fails to be delivered to the recipient owing to loss or theft, and during which period the beneficiary is without any subsistence money.

Arrangements already exist for speedy replacement of a missing draft where delay in payment of the benefit due for a particular week would cause hardship. Normally, however, a reasonable period of delay is necessary before replacement, as in many cases the drafts reported as lost are, in fact, cashed.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when the draft scheme under Section 1 of the Workmen's Compensation (Supplementation) Act providing for weekly payments to injured workmen will be laid.

The draft scheme has been laid today.

asked the Minister of Transport how many proposals for the alteration of bus stopping places have been considered by the Stopping Places Advisory Committee in the last 12 months.

During the 12 months ended 30th April, 1951, the Stopping Places Advisory Committee considered proposals for the alteration of 585 stopping places for buses.

asked the Minister of Supply how the inspectors in his Department of the armament products of the Royal Ordnance factories are recruited; whether they are permanent civil servants; and whether they are expected to belong to a trade union.

My Department's armament inspectors, including those at the Royal Ordnance factories, are recruited through local employment exchanges or by promotion of existing Ministry of Supply employees. A substantial number are established civil servants. These employees are encouraged, but not required as a condition of service, to be members of a trade union or staff association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ascertain through the various colonial Governments what major capital works are in course of construction in their territories of over £100,000 in value; how many will be completed in 1951; and how many will be completed in 1952–53.

Yes. I will make inquiries of the colonial Governments and will write to the hon. Member later.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long work has been in progress on the building of the new aerodrome in the leased territories on the mainland at Hong Kong; and when it is expected to be ready for service.

No constructional work has been undertaken on the proposed new civil aerodrome at Deep Bay in the leased territories, as consideration is now being given to an alternative proposal to improve the existing aerodrome at Kaitak.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what machinery is being devised in respect of the practice bombing range at Idlicote Hill, Warwickshire, in order to give farmers adequate prior notice of bombing programmes, so that they can make cultivation plans; to enable farmers to request the closing of the range for important agricultural operations; to ensure that inhabitants can make immediate representations to the Royal Air Force station concerned in the event of damage or danger caused by bombs dropping outside the range; and whether he will ensure that all those concerned are fully informed of such arrangements.

Detailed conditions for the use of this range are now being drawn up. These will be referred to the local interests concerned before they are put into force to ensure that, so far as is practicable, their requirements will satisfactorily be met.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why full-time service with the Central Advisory Council of Education to His Majesty's Forces during the war is not reckoned as service under A.M.O. No. N. 386, of 19th April, 1951, for incremental pay benefit to temporary non-industrial staff in his employ; and whether he will grant this benefit to employees whose work was wholly concerned with His Majesty's Forces during the war.

The arrangements announced in Air Ministry Order N.386/51, for the counting of previous service with the non-Government bodies listed in that Order, result from an agreement reached on the National Whitley Council and apply to temporary non-industrial civil servants generally. In these circumstances, I regret that I am unable to make any addition to the list.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any bounty is to be paid to officers and men of the auxiliary fighter squadrons or aircrew reservists called up for special training this summer.

Members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force and aircrew members of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who are called up for three months' training this year under the terms of the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Training) Act will receive bounties at the following rates:

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the terms of the convention on the valuation of goods for Customs purposes, signed on 21st February and providing a new definition of value for Customs purposes, will be made available to the public.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Education whether he is satisfied that local education authorities have satisfactorily responded to his appeal in circulars 189 and 192 to review their system of educational maintenance allowances for pupils over compulsory school age.

In general the answer is "Yes"; having regard to the present financial position.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the regulations for special campaign pensions will be altered to ensure that when recipients get an increase in their old age pensions they will not suffer a corresponding reduction in their special campaign pensions.

No. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. and learned Member for Hove (Mr. Marlowe), on 25th July, 1950.

asked the Secretary of State for War why envelopes marked, "On His Majesty's Service, War Office, Urgent, by Special Messenger," and, "Answers to Questions," used by his Department, bear also an inscription, "Penalty for Private Use to Avoid Payment of Postage, $300."

These envelopes were obtained from United States sources either during or immediately after the war. The original inscriptions "War Department," "Official Business" and "Penalty for Private Use to Avoid Payment of Postage, $300," have been deleted by overprinting, and the new markings to which the hon. and gallant Member refers have been added.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he has any further information on the progress of the search for H.M. Submarine "Affray"; and if the search is still confined to the area originally designated.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement I made on 9th May.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what steps he has taken with the Government of India to protect the interests of ex-members of the Secretary of State Services in India or Indian Army officers who are now resident in the Channel Islands, Eire and the Colonies and who are in receipt of pensions from the Government of India for which Indian tax is being deducted at source.

A number of questions relating to the collection of Indian taxation on the pensions of ex-members of the Secretary of State's Services in India, and of Indian Army officers, remain to be settled. I am hoping that discussions on this question with the Indian authorities will take place shortly. These discussions will concern the levying of taxation on all pensioners resident outside India and will thus embrace the cases to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations when he expects to be in a position to deal with the case of Major A. K. Storey, details of which have been sent to him.

Major Storey's claim to disability pension has been strongly represented to the Government of India, whose reply I await.