asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in Statutory Instruments issued during recent months by his Department and in the schedules and related schedules appended thereto, descriptive names are used in relation to goods which do not correspond and are not intended by his Department to correspond with the description; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the practice of his Department correspondents with the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887.

In preparing the schedules and related schedules care is taken that descriptive names do not conflict with trade usage: only the courts can decide authoritatively what corresponds with the provision of the Merchandise Marks Act, but I am not aware of any instance where they have been asked to adjudicate on any case involving the use of one of the descriptive names used in the Orders.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the Census of Distribution Offices send a standard form letter to all persons whose Census of Distribution return shows a deviation from average in respect of turnover per head, inviting the confirmation or amendment of the return.

Completed forms received in the Census of Distribution office are examined with a view to detecting inadvertent inaccuracies. One of the tests is to relate the turnover to the number of people working in the business. Those traders whose forms show a wide deviation from the normal range for their kind of business, are invited to confirm or amend the figures provided. This simple test will help to ensure that the report will contain accurate and reliable information.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent fibre made from wood, other than rayon, is now being manufactured in or imported into this country as material to blend with wool for clothing.

I am not aware of any textile fibre, other than rayon, which is made from wood. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me know what material he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the decision to increase old age pensions, he will grant corresponding increases in police pensions, especially in those of the higher-grade officers whose pensions are based upon the 1938 cost of living.

It is a fundamental feature of the Police Pensions Scheme, as of other public superannuation schemes, that pensions are related to the pay or rank held by an officer at the time of his retirement or death. There is no provision for varying police pensions in accordance with changes in the cost of living, and while I appreciate the difficulties which some police pensioners must be experiencing in present circumstances, I could not justify exceptional treatment for the police in this matter.The Pensions (Increase) Acts, which incorporate income limits, apply to police pensions as to other types of public pensions, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24th April last to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble).

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in England are now in prison sine die for contempt of court; what is the average time they have been detained; and what is the longest period that an individual prisoner has been in prison for this offence during the last five years.

On 30th April last, there were seven persons held sine die in prisons in England and Wales for contempt of court. They had been held for 450, 99, 60, 11, eight, four and three days, respectively, which gives an average of 92 days. The longest period for which a prisoner has been held for contempt of court during the last five years is 652 days.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the fact that Borstal boys are defying the existing punishments and are refusing to work, he will reimpose corporal punishment and the dietary punishment that was abolished two years ago as has been recommended at the recent conference of the Prison Officers' Association.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has taken note of statements made in the presidential address to the annual conference of the Prison Officers Association on 30th May on the subject of the inadequacy of the scale of punishment in Borstal institutions; and if, consequently, he intends to revise this scale.

I have received and have under consideration the Report of the Departmental Committee on Punishments in Prisons and Borstals, which will shortly be published. I hope soon to be in a position to make a statement on the Committee's recommendations, which of course cover the question of sanctions against indiscipline.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve the basic training syllabus for civil defence.

As a result of our experience over the past year, I have been able to revise the syllabus for basic training so that the time normally taken to complete it can be reduced from 32 hours to 22 hours without loss of efficiency.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has yet been able to issue any Civil Service sectional training manuals; and when the complete issue will be made.

Yes. The Ambulance Section pamphlet was issued in January; the pamphlets for the Welfare Section and the Warden Section have been completed and prints are being printed, and the pamphlet for the Rescue Section is now being written. The pamphlets for the other two sections will be issued as soon as possible after the study of certain problems has been completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many house fathers and house mothers have so far been trained by the Central Training Council; what has been the cost of such training; and what information he has as to how many remain in the work after having been trained.

386 men and women have qualified for the Central Training Council's certificate in the residential care of children. The average cost of the 14 months' training was £275 per student. Nearly all the students take up work in children's homes at the end of their training.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to arrange for men who have been called up as reservists to be excused jury service, on request, for a reasonable period thereafter.

A reservist who receives a summons for jury service and has good reason for not attending may apply to the summoning officer to be excused. The decision rests with the summoning officer or the court, and I have no authority to issue directions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much sugar beet was marketed in Kent, Sussex and Surrey during 1950.

94,000 tons during the 1950–51 season.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of agricultural machinery manufactured in the United Kingdom has been exported during the latest period of 12 months for which figures are available.

Fifty-two per cent. of the total value of the agricultural tractors and machinery produced in the United Kingdom in the year ended 31st March, 1951, was exported.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements he has come to with the British Transport Commission for granting special cheap railway fares to persons volunteering for work on farms during harvest time in 1951 and 1952.

The Railway Executive has agreed to continue in 1951 the facility introduced during the war under which persons attending harvest camps may obtain return tickets for the cost of the single fare. The Executive has, however, decided that it cannot repeat these arrangements in 1952.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent Treasury control has been relaxed since 1945, as detailed in Sections 16 to 20 of the Second Report from the Committee of Public Accounts, H.C., No. 183, especially with regard to the extent to which the spending power of the Service Departments had been increased by the depletion of stocks and moneys voted by Parliament have only been used for the purpose specified; and why a period of two years is necessary to resolve these problems.

It is not a question of Treasury control, but of furnishing certain certificates to Parliament. For the reasons given in the Committee's Report, the resumption of such certificates is not practicable during the present re-armament period.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present position of outstanding advances in the Far East as detailed in Sections 21 to 25 of the Second Report of the Committee of Public Accounts, H.C., No. 183; and if he will make a statement.

There is not yet any substantial change in the figures given to the Public Accounts Committee last month and recorded in their Report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he intends publishing a pictorial pamphlet explaining simply what re-armament will mean to the people of this country, similar to the pamphlet explaining last year's Budget under the title, "The Budget and Your Pocket."

A short pamphlet summarising the Economic Survey and the Budget proposals has been prepared for local employment committees at the request of the Ministry of Labour, and is nearly ready. Other measures for achieving the object the hon. Member has in mind are under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why drawback of excise duty paid on petrol uplifted in this country by aircraft of Swiss, Greek and Iraqi nationality when flying to other countries is allowed, when similar concessions are denied to our aircraft when uplifting petrol in those countries.

Drawback of duty on aviation fuel loaded in this country for foreign flights by aircraft of Swiss, Greek, Iraqi or any other nationality, is paid under Section 2 (6) of the Finance Act, 1928. I understand that the three countries mentioned allow drawback of the whole or part of their duties on fuel for scheduled flights and that it is only in the case of non-scheduled flights that relief from duty is withheld. Apart from the general objections to fiscal discrimination, the Government do not think that any useful purpose would be served by the withholding of drawback in similar circumstances on our part.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the rises, to the latest ascertainable date, in wages, retail prices, import prices and export prices over the average level of 1950, as compared with the figures for the whole year assumed in the Economic Survey.

No specific assumption about the rise in wages was stated in the Economic Survey. The Ministry of Labour's index of weekly wage rates averaged over the period January to April, 1951, 5 per cent. above the average level for 1950, but this index does not cover all wage-earners and does not apply to salary earners.As regards retail prices, the Survey implied that the average prices of all consumer goods and services would be 7½ per cent. higher than in 1950. The Interim Index of Retail Prices for the period January to April, 1951, was on average 4½ per cent. above 1950. The interim index does not, of course, cover the whole range of consumers' goods and services.As regards import prices, the estimates in paragraph 96 of the Economic Survey (subject to the major uncertainties about the course of prices referred to in paragraph 47) imply import prices in 1951 as a whole about 30 per cent. higher than in 1950. The average for import prices January to April, 1951, was 27 per cent. above 1950.As regards export prices in 1951, no specific assumption was stated in the Economic Survey except that the rise in prices could not be expected to meet the whole of the required rise of 25 per cent. in export earnings (paragraph 101). In fact, export prices in the period January to April, 1951, were 11 per cent. higher than the average of 1950.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider amending the law which prevents off-licensed shops from selling spirits in quantities of less than half-bottle.

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer considered this proposal before introducing the present Finance Bill, but in the light of representations made to him for and against a change in the law, by the different sections of the retail liquor trade, he did not feel able to adopt it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by how much he estimates prices of items required for the £4,700 million defence programme have increased since January, and on that basis what extra sum will be required to be voted to the Defence Departments and the Ministry of Supply this year.

It would still be premature to adjust the figures given in January, but account will be taken of changes in prices when Parliament is asked to make supplementary provision for the cost of the accelerated defence programme in the current year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now give the revenue from the customs duties on imported foreign and Empire wines of less than 25 and 27 degrees proof spirit, respectively, for the whole of the financial year 1950–51.

The net receipts of duty during the financial year 1950–51 in respect of wine not exceeding 25 degrees proof spirit duty paid at full rates and wine not exceeding 27 degrees proof spirit duty paid at preferential rates were £2,521,183 and £376,101 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated percentage increase of commodity prices in this country which is due to devaluation; and the percentage due to world stockpiling and rearmament programmes.

It is not possible to give a precise estimate of this kind; moreover, other influences in addition to those mentioned by my hon. Friend have played a part. It may however interest my hon. Friend to compare recent price changes in the United States (where the devaluation of sterling if it had any effect at all, would have caused a fall rather than a rise in prices) with price changes in the United Kingdom. Figures are therefore given below showing price changes in the two countries between August, 1949, and June, 1950, and between June, 1950, and April, 1951.

PRICE CHANGES
—	United States		United Kingdom
	Wholesale	Retail	Wholesale	Retail
August, 1949	100	100	100	100
June, 1950	103	101	112	102
April, 1951	120	109(a)	139	109
(a) Figure relates to March.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he now proposes to take any steps towards the relaxation of exchange restrictions.

I have the matter continually under review and will make further relaxations whenever it seems possible to do so without endangering our balance of payments.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the representations of the Civil Service Clerical Association regarding the lowering of the age of 45 years as the minimum age at which temporary civil servants can opt for established status; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Taunton (Mr. Hopkinson) on 9th May.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if, in view of the increase in the cost of living, it is proposed to make any upward revision in the pensions of retired civil servants.

I can add nothing to my right hon. Friend's reply of 24th April to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelsea (Commander Noble).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the Lord President of the Council, where the supplies of bacteria used in the sulphur-producing experiments by the Department of Industrial and Scientific Research are obtained.

They are found in soils and natural waters in many parts of the world—including France, Holland, Italy, Persia, Libya, South Africa, the United States, Venezuela, and from near the hon. Member's own constituency in Kent. The strains of bacteria which are most effective in producing sulphur have been isolated in a pure state and cultures of these are kept at the Chemical Research Laboratory. As further quantities are needed they can be bred from these.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many gypsies are without identity cards; and what steps it is proposed to take to see that this is remedied in the near future.

No.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the lack of co-ordination between hospitals in Bradford A Group, which resulted in five-year-old Eileen Cunliffe, suffering from fatal bums, being taken to three hospitals before being admitted; whether his attention has been drawn to the jury's rider at the inquest; and what disciplinary action he intends to take with regard to those responsible for refusing the child immediate admission to the children's hospital in the first place.

The hospital management committee concerned have appointed a special sub-committee for the purpose of inquiring fully into this tragic incident, and I must await their report.

asked the Minister of Health what provision is made under his regulations regarding the admission of an urgent case to a hospital when the regulation number of beds therein is filled; and for resident medical officers to improvise arrangements to deal with such cases.

This is a matter which can never be satisfactorily dealt with by regulations, but only by proper action by the hospital staff on the spot.

asked the Minister of Health when he expects a unit for the treatment of burns to be available in the Bradford A Group of hospitals.

Three hospitals in the group have surgical units which provide normal facilities for the treatment of burns. The plastic surgery unit at St. Luke's Hospital provides additional special treatment, and patients with severe burns are moved there at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made in the investigations into the use of tyconium and similar cast alloys for the manufacture of dentures for the National Health Service; and whether this type of material is now available for use by dentists in Britain.

Two alloys of this type are under test. A third alloy is expected for testing shortly.

asked the Minister of Health by what sum the recent Annual Estimates of the Leeds Regional Hospital Board were cut by him; how that cut has been dealt with as between administration and medical and hospital services; how many officers and servants have been dismissed or by what total amount establishments have been reduced; and what has been the overall effect on the bed accommodation within the region.

The total sum approved for the Board for 1951–52 is £13,177,000, which is £900,000 more than last year but £1,100,000 less than the Board's original estimate for this year. I have not yet had the Board's proposals for the distribution of the approved total between Committees or services.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements have been made for members of the National Hospital Service Reserve to be given special leave by their employers, without loss of pay, to enable them to train at times convenient for the hospitals.

All Government Departments are authorised to grant special leave, with pay, for this purpose, to officers having a low annual leave entitlement. I hope that employers generally will be prepared to grant similar facilities to their employees.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent his medical advisers consider it necessary for a diabetic to supplement his ration with unrationed foods in order to sustain his special diet.

A diabetic is allowed the extra quantities of rationed food generally considered necessary for this condition. He needs to supplement these with foods which are not rationed to the extent advised, in each individual case, by the physician.

asked the Minister of Health if, with a view to encouraging persons to enter employment after reaching the age of retirement, he will consider a modification of the provisions of Regulation 24 of the National Health Service (Superannuation) Regulations, 1950.

No. The same object is already achieved elsewhere in the Regulations, which entitle a person who goes on working to a higher pension when he ultimately retires.

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to keep open the day nursery at Broad Street, Swindon, which it is proposed to close.

This is a matter for the Wiltshire County Council. I am informed that the nursery is in fact being continued on a reduced scale.

asked the Minister of Health when Mrs. L. Day, 5, Albany Road, Doncaster, is likely to receive the hearing aid she urgently needs and applied for 12 months ago.

I am informed that there are no grounds justifying priority for this patient, and I regret therefore that she will probably have to wait some considerable time yet.

asked the Minister of Labour if he has any further information to give the House in respect of the lifting of existing labour restriction affecting ex-prisoners of war now working here; and whether he is satisfied in respect of reasonable hours and working conditions of foreign girls employed domestically and otherwise in this country.

Former prisoners of war who have been in this country for at least four years since they became civilians may apply for release from the present restrictions on their employment, and from 1st January, 1952, all former prisoners of war will be eligible to apply. In reply to the second part of the Question, in those cases where the employment of an alien requires my permission, that permission is not given unless I am satisfied that the proposed wages and other conditions of service are not less favourable than those commonly accorded to British workers for similar jobs in the district.

asked the Minister of Labour what categories of staff are retired compulsorily at 60 years of age; and what proportion of staff attaining that age are so retired on reaching it, or within six months either way.

No category of staff in my Department is subject to automatic compulsory retirement at the age of 60, but the retention of an officer beyond 60 is subject to continued fitness and efficiency and the existence of a real need for his services. Apart from cases of ill-health, no member of the staff has been compulsorily retired between the ages of 59½ and 60 during the past two years. The proportion of officers reaching the age of 60 during the same period who were compulsorily retired at that age or within six months thereafter is 13.3 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people were employed in the stone building industry in Scotland, as at December, 1939, as compared with December, 1950.

It is assumed that the Question refers to the number of masons in the building industry. The following table gives such information as is available:

NUMBERS OF INSURED MASONS IN THE BUILDING INDUSTRY IN SCOTLAND*
—	Estimated total number, employed and unemployed, at mid-year	Number registered as unemployed in December
1939	4,670	665
1950	2,400	32
* The figures for 1939 relate to persons aged 14–64 insured under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, whereas those for 1950 relate to persons aged 15 and over (including men aged 65 and over) insured under the new national insurance scheme which came into operation in 1948. The figures for both years exclude employers and persons working on their own account.

asked the Minister of Food what quantities of apples and pears, respectively, have been imported from Argentina in 1950 and 1951; and whether such imports have been made in terms of the Trade Agreement of 27th June, 1949.

During 1950, 1,916 tons of pears, but no apples, were imported. From January to the end of April, 1951, which is the latest date for which official import figures are available, 7,318 tons of apples and 6,469 tons of pears were imported. Imports of this kind were provided for in the trade agreement of 1949 and are consistent with the terms of the trade agreement and the protocol signed last April.

asked the Minister of Food the number of orders issued by his Department since the 1st June, 1950, which had for their purpose an increase in the price of some item of food or drink.

As far as retail prices paid by the consumer are concerned, the number is 28.

asked the Minister of Food what will be the cost and capacity of each of the nine slaughterhouses now to be erected; and whether they will be owned and operated by his department.

The estimated cost is as follows:

Canterbury	£85,000 each
Grimsby
Salisbury
Swindon
Poole and Bournemouth District Guildford Experimental Slaughter house
Sunderland	£160,000
Bolton, Leigh and Wigan District	£160,000
Fareham Experimental Slaughter house	£190,000

These slaughterhouses will be built and owned by the Ministry of Works, but my Department will be responsible for the slaughtering arrangements. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 4th June to the hon. Member for Aberdeenshire, West (Mr. Spence), about the capacity of these slaughterhouses.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if, in view of the continued rise in the rents of council houses, he will introduce legislation which will give the same protection to the tenants of council houses as is enjoyed by the tenants of privately owned houses.

As already stated, my right hon. Friend has no immediate intention of introducing legislation to review the Rent Restrictions Acts.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why gas companies can supply consumers with unrestricted quantities of coke when these same gas companies cannot supply merchants orders.

I am assured that it is not the practice of gas undertakings to supply direct to consumers unlimited quantities of coke and not to supply merchants' orders, but if the hon. Member will let me know of any particular case he has in mind I shall be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now announce the name of the person selected to undertake the inquiry into certain matters affecting the Colonial Development Corporation's poultry scheme in the Gambia.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6th June to the hon. Member for Langstone (Mr. Stevens).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a further statement on technical education in East Africa.

I have recently announced the grant of £150,000 from Colonial Development and Welfare funds towards the capital cost of establishing a new technical college at Nairobi which will serve students of all races from all the East African territories and should, in due course, provide facilities for the training of 1,500 full-time and 1,000 part-time students.