asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider with the Government of British Guiana the setting up of a land valuation committee and, pending the report of such a committee, to suspend contracts for the acquiring of land at Campbellville, La Penitence and Bel Air Park owing to the exorbitant prices asked.

The terms for the acquisition of the lands in question were approved by the Legislative Council of British Guiana after full discussion. The general consensus of opinion was that the prices were fair and reasonable, and I see no reason to intervene. I understand that a member of the Legislative Council has put down a motion proposing the setting up of a land valuation committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider with the Government of British Guiana the establishment of their own printing department in view of the high prices charged locally for Government contracts.

The Government of British Guiana examined this question in July, 1949. They came to the conclusion that in view of the high capital and recurrent costs of setting up a Government printing establishment it was cheaper for Government printing to be carried out by contract.

asked the Minister of Defence what agreement has been reached with regard to organisation and command of North Atlantic Treaty Forces in the Mediterranean area.

asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of the flanking support to be given by the United States Sixth Task Fleet in the Mediterranean to General Eisenhower, he will state what progress has now been made towards agreement with the United States on Mediterranean naval command.

A measure of agreement has been reached on one aspect of this difficult problem relating to General Eisenhower's southern flank and it is hoped to make an announcement shortly. The wider problem of command in the Mediterranean generally is still under discussion.

asked the Minister of Food why Form EGC 3 has been revised so as to require caterers to give weekly figures of meals and hot beverages served, instead of giving one figure only, covering the total service of the whole 16-week period.

This change was made, in agreement with the trade associations concerned, so that caterers' supplies, which are based on this return, might more closely match the seasonal variations in their requirements.

asked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the request made to him in June, 1950, by the National Association of Master Bakers, Confectioners and Caterers on the question of retail bread delivery costs; and also with respect to the resolution passed at a mass meeting on 21st May, 1951, a copy of which he has received.

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on Monday, 11th June, to the hon. Members for Run-corn (Mr. Vosper), Derbyshire, West (Mr. E. Wakefield) and Heston and Isle-worth (Mr. R. Harris).

asked the Minister of Food if he will give a list of the various price and ration controls operated by his Department during the war, showing in each case the date of introduction and repeal of such orders and those remaining in force at present.

As the list will be a lengthy one I will send it to my hon. Friend as soon as it has been compiled.

asked the Minister of Food in how many newspapers and periodicals his advertisement, "Eggs," appeared; and what was the cost.

The advertisement appeared in no newspapers. It appeared in 10 weekly papers which went to press early, at a time when there was a reasonable prospect of a spring flush. The cost was just under £1,700.

asked the Minister of Food how many officials of his Department have the right to enter business or private premises without first obtaining a court order or a search warrant.

Six hundred and seventy officers of my Department are empowered to enter and inspect food undertakings. None are empowered to enter private houses.

asked the Minister of Food what representations he has received from the Trades Union Congress General Council on the need for the introduction of price control on fish and rabbits; and what reply he has given to their requests.

The General Council asked me to introduce emergency control on the price of fish and rabbits. For reasons which I have explained to the Council and, as regards fish, in the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 4th June, I have told them that I do not feel that such control would be in the interests of the consumer at the present time. I have, also invited the Council to appoint representatives to discuss the problem of the prices of perishable foods with me, if they so desire.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that on 10th May, at Grimsby Fish Market, 140,000 lb. of fish was sent for fish meal; and cod, sold for less than 3d. per lb., was being sold in Manchester and London at 1s. 2d. to 1s. 6d. per lb.; that cod costing 4d. per lb. on Hull Quayside sold retail in shops a few yards away for 1s. per lb.; that haddock, 6½d. per lb. quayside, was 1s. 6d. per lb. in shops; that in London, plaice was 2s. to 2s. 6d. per lb.; and, as these retail prices are above those allowed under price control, whether he will now re-introduce price control.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond) on 4th June.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps have been taken by his Department to satisfy themselves that the loss of the submarine "Affray" was not due to collision with the trawler "Twilit Waters," which was in the Channel, was reported overdue on 19th April and wreckage from which has been recovered; and whether he can give an assurance that the area likely to have been traversed by this vessel is being included in the search.

The possibility that the two disasters were connected has been investigated, but the area in which the trawler was known to be fishing and in which wreckage from her was found is far west of where the submarine could reasonably have been. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has ordered a formal investigation into the loss of "Twilit Waters." Meanwhile, I would point out that the trawler's last message was sent on 11th April, and that "Affray" did not leave Portsmouth until 16th April.It is not proposed to extend the "Affray" search so far to the west, but to continue in the more probable areas to which my hon. Friend referred in his reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Gosport (Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett) on Wednesday, 30th May. If there is no result in these areas the matter will be reviewed and a further decision taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty upon what evidence his Department has satisfied itself that H.M. Submarine "Affray" was not lost in, or as a result of, collision.

It is unlikely that a heavy merchant ship could be in collision with H.M. Submarine "Affray" without being aware of it in the calm weather of the night of 16th April. Lloyds were asked on 19th April to investigate whether any of the ships which passed through the area at the time showed signs of damage. They have replied that 34 ships passed through the area, and that no report of damage has been received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what further areas have been and are to be searched for H.M. Submarine "Affray"; what results have so far been obtained; and what information he has as to whether the recently discovered area of oil in the eastern part of the Channel is likely to have emanated from that ship.

About half the new southern area mentioned by my hon. Friend on 30th May has now been searched. It is intended to search an area to the north of the main one when that to the south is complete. Diving on likely contacts continues, but all investigated so far have proved to be wrecks of surface ships. I do not consider that the oil found off the French coast can be from "Affray." It is over 100 miles to the north and east of "Affray's" last known position when she was on a westward course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he will extend to the 500 officers of the Sea Cadet Corps who have served six years or more and whose original uniforms are now old, shabby and worn out, the same allowances for uniforms that are given to officers now entering the corps.

These officers are now eligible for a tax-free allowance of £3 a year for upkeep of uniform. The issue of a new outfit could not be justified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps are being taken to preserve the balance of trades in His Majesty's Dockyards in view of the shortage of shipwrights.

The balance of trades in His Majesty's Dockyards is under constant review. To meet requirements for an increased number of shipwrights at Portsmouth a dilution agreement has recently been negotiated with the Shipconstructors' and Shipwrights' Association.

asked the Post master-General the amount of paper required for the reintroduction of inter leaves for advertisement purposes in books of stamps and the estimated revenue.

Forty-five tons annually: the estimated net revenue is of the order of £25,000 annually.

asked the Postmaster-General when the work rules of his Department were last revised and who deter mines any addition to them.

Operating rules in the Post Office are under constant revision. Modification of any individual rule is authorised by a headquarters officer dealing with the service affected, after consultation with executive chiefs in the field and, where appropriate, with the staff associations concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give an assurance that the erection of a central post office for Plymouth to replace the one destroyed by enemy action during the war will be commenced this year.

I regret that I cannot give this assurance; but as explained to my hon. Friend on 6th June every effort will be made to urge the scheme forward.

asked the Postmaster-General why there has been a reduction in the number of women employed in his Department during the past two years, while there has been a substantial increase in the number of men; and how many women clerks in post offices have been displaced by men.

This is due to the decline in the volume of work proper to women and to the inability to recruit sufficient women to fill vacancies. These vacancies have accordingly had to be filled by men. Women clerks in post offices are not displaced by men.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the present postal facilities available for Algarkirk, Lincolnshire; and what steps he is taking to improve them.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to posting facilities. Two letter boxes are already provided. A third is to be installed very shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General why a telegram, handed in to the House of Commons Post Office by the hon. Member for Toxteth on 8th June for transmission to Liverpool and so transmitted, never arrived; and what action he is taking in the matter.

I regret the failure in transmission of this telegram. I am making inquiry into the matter and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will affix a "No Smoking" notice on all telephone kiosks.

No; such a notice would not be acceptable to the public, and, in any case, could not be enforced.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the circumstances, details of which have been given to him, in which a Coventry builder was irregularly given preference for the installation of a telephone over a fellow builder; and what action he is taking in the matter.

Yes. I have gone into this case and am satisfied that relative priority was properly assessed. It is hoped to provide service in the second case in two to three months' time, when further equipment has been installed at Foleshill Exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will ensure that future mobile services are not granted licences to operate in the waveband 88–100 megacycles, since otherwise this wave band, internationally agreed for broad casting, will not accommodate the stations required for adequate coverage of the United Kingdom.

Although this waveband is allocated generally for the use of broadcasting services in Europe, the regulations provide for exceptions. Fire and police services in this country are licensed to operate in the band 95–100 megacycles. I am aware of the importance of the point made by the hon. Member and will bear it in mind in future planning of the use of various wavebands.

asked the Postmaster-General why no medium wave low-power sound transmitter has been allocated to Tees-side in view of the poor reception of the Home Service in that area; and what action he is taking to eliminate interference.

The B.B.C. is unable to provide an unlimited number of additional stations and has considered first those areas where the need for improvement is greatest. I understand that the Home Service should be received satisfactorily from Stagshaw on 261 metres. The Spanish authorities have removed their interference with Moorside Edge on 434 metres. The Russian interference is less troublesome than earlier in the year and I hope it will disappear.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give an assurance that before accepting the proposals of the British Broadcasting Corporation for improving reception in certain areas, he will give full consideration to the particular needs of the rural districts arising from their greater isolation, and satisfy himself that in those areas where reception, already poor, cannot be improved, at least no deterioration will result from measures to be taken.

I am assured by the B.B.C. that in selecting localities for the 12 new stations for improving reception the needs of the rural districts were taken into account, and that, where the new stations will share wavelengths with existing stations, care has been taken to avoid deterioration in the existing services.

asked the Postmaster-General by what approximate date the new low-power medium wavelength broadcasting transmitter serving the Brechin-Montrose area is expected to be in operation; and what programmes it will make available to listeners in the North-East of Scotland.

It is too early to say when this station will be working; it will transmit the Scottish Home Service programme.

asked the Postmaster-General what area in Devon is likely to be covered by the transmitter to be built between Bideford and Barnstaple.

I understand from the B.B.C. that the new station which is to be near Barnstaple will serve that town and Bideford and their outlying districts.

asked the Postmaster-General the general area in which it is anticipated reception will improve by the installation of a low-power medium wavelength transmitter at Pwllheli, North Wales; and when he expects this transmitter to start operating.

I understand that the B.B.C. hopes that a substantial part of the coastal area in Cardigan Bay will benefit. As a site has not yet been secured, the B.B.C. cannot yet say when transmissions will begin.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he has considered using the 15 ex-British Overseas Airways Corporation Solent flying boats for Coastal Command; and if he will make a statement.

It has been decided, after full consideration, not to acquire these Solent flying boats for Coastal Command.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made with regard to a replacement flying boat for the Sunderland.

The question of a replacement for the Sunderland flying boat is still under consideration. My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he has had any further technical information on the Soviet fighter type M.I.G. 15 encountered by United Nations Forces in Korea; and how this aircraft compares in performance with British types of jet fighters.

For the present there is nothing I can add to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend to the hon. Member for Morecambe and Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser) on 6th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give details of all further allocation of grants from the Royal Air Force Prize Money Fund since his reply to the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion, on 31st March, 1950.

The following grants from the Royal Air Force Prize Fund have been made since 31st March, 1950:

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the continued disappointment caused in many parts of the country by the suspension of the Airmet weather broadcasts; and if he will again consider the possibility of restoring these broadcasts.

Yes. My right hon. and learned Friend has again consulted my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General and has been informed that for the reasons given to the House by the Assistant Postmaster-General on 14th December there is no prospect of this service being restored.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the recent accident on the Great North Road, near Leeming Royal Air Force station, when an aeroplane taking off from the east to west runway crashed into a lorry causing serious in juries to its occupants; and whether he will erect traffic lights operated from the control room of the aerodrome in order to prevent further accidents.

My right hon. Friend's attention has been drawn to this distressing accident. The installation of traffic light signals on roads adjoining aerodromes is the subject of an experiment now being carried out by the Ministry of Transport in conjunction with the Air Ministry at Waddington. There is, unfortunately, a danger, which this experiment has illustrated, that drivers may overrun signals in open country. The experiment is however continuing. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made at Leeming for the use by pickets of special portable signs bearing the words "Stop—Aircraft Crossing."

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the recent negotiations between the United Kingdom High Commissioner for Germany and the State Secretary of the German Foreign Office, he is now in a position to inform the House whether Heligoland will be restored to the Frisian natives in advance of the agreed date of 1st March, 1952.

No. Particulars of two alternative sites which would be suitable have been given to the German authorities, but no reply has yet been received. While I hope we may be able to advance the date of the release of Heligoland, the hon. Member will realise that, even when a decision has been reached, it will take a little time to make the necessary technical arrangements for the new site.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why arrangements have not been made to repeat the successful Royal Air Force Display at Farnborough during this Festival year; and if he will make arrangements for a display in future years, in view of the need to publicise the achievements of the service and the need to encourage recruitment.

It was decided not to repeat last year's Royal Air Force Display in 1951 because of the interference it would cause to the Royal Air Force programme of operational training which must be treated as of paramount importance. The Royal Air Force is, however, taking part in a large number of smaller displays, including Festival events, this year and these it is hoped will prove of value in furthering Royal Air Force recruitment. The question of holding a full scale Royal Air Force display in a future year will be considered in the light of the conditions obtaining at the time.

asked the Minister of Labour what reply he has made to the formal request made by the British Transport Commission to exempt their employees from being called-up.

The request was not that employees of the Commission should be exempted from call-up but that the calling-up of individual men, among those employed by the Railway Executive in certain grades and districts, should be deferred for 12 months. I have replied that I am unable to grant this request.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury by what authority and for what purpose letters recently received in Blackpool from the United States of America and from New Zealand have been opened by censorship or other authorities at the Post Office.

Letters arriving from abroad may be opened under the Foreign Postal Packets (Customs) Warrant 1948, for Customs and currency examination. This examination is confined to checking that the contents do not include articles which may be dutiable or sterling bank notes or other prohibited imports. The question of censorship does not arise.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement about the fiduciary note issue.

Yes. The Treasury have authorised an increase in the amount of the fiduciary note issue by £50 million to £1,400 million as from 12th June, 1951, in anticipation of the seasonal increase in the demand for notes. The Treasury Minute will be laid before Parliament.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will make a statement on the preparation of a Bill to consolidate the enactments relating to the management of Customs and Excise.

A draft has been prepared which will be examined by a Committee which I have set up with the following terms of reference:

To consider a draft Bill submitted to the Committee by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise designed to consolidate the enactments relating to the management of Customs and Excise with such amendments as are desirable for the purpose of simplifying them and bringing them into conformity with the requirements of modern practice and conditions; and to report whether the draft Bill, either as submitted to the Committee or with such alterations as they think proper to suggest, reproduces the existing law subject only to alterations of the description mentioned above, and, in particular, whether the Committee consider that any such alterations are of such importance that they ought, in their opinion, to be separately enacted by Parliament.

I am glad to say that Lord Kennet has agreed to act as Chairman and Lord Nathan as Deputy Chairman. The other members will be:

The hon. Member for Chesterfield (Mr. Benson); the hon. Member for Chippenham (Mr. Eccles); Sir Otto Mundy, lately Deputy Chairman, Board of Customs and Excise; Sir Leonard Browett, Director of the National Union of Manufacturers; Mr. M. H. B. Gilmour, Chief Solicitor to the British Transport Commission; Mr. R. G. Glenday, Economic Adviser to the Federation of British Industries; Mr. J. Gifford Gordon, representing the General Council of British Shipping; Mr. F. Huth Jackson, Vice-Chairman, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, representing the Association of British Chambers of Commerce; Mr. H. E. Marking, Secretary and Solicitor, British European Airways, who will also represent the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the British Air Charter Association; Mr. P. W. Martin, Deputy General Manager, Port of London Authority, representing the Dock and Harbour Authorities Association and also certain organisations of Wharfingers, Master Lightermen and Barge owners; and Mr. H. T. Parkin a Member of the Transportation Committee of the London Chamber of Commerce. Mr. A. R. Jabez-Smith of His Majesty's Customs and Excise has been appointed Secretary.

The Committee will meet shortly, and it is expected that an early announcement will be made as to the manner in which consultation with interested parties will take place.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish a table showing the population of Wales and of each county and county borough as compared with 1931 according to the recent census.

I have been asked to reply. Such a table will be included in the "1951 Census Preliminary Report for England and Wales" which will be presented to Parliament in a few weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will give the House a summarised review of the progress of recent experiments in underground gasification; and when he anticipates the experimental stages will be followed by production for sale.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Nabarro) on 4th June. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the paper published in the Journal of the Institute of Fuel and am arranging to make a copy available in the Library. As regards the latter part of the Question, it is too soon to make any forecast of the date of possible commercial production.

asked the Attorney-General why people wishing to appeal to the Lands Tribunal are compelled to pay £1 stamp fee to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue; and why the rules governing the Lands Tribunal can only be obtained by paying 9d. for them to His Majesty's Stationery Office or a bookseller.

The fee of £1 is payable in accordance with Rules made by my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor under the provisions of Section 3 of the Lands Tribunal Act, 1949, in cases which, before the setting up of the Lands Tribunal, would have been referred to an official arbitrator and is the same as the fee charged in those cases: on a rating appeal to the Lands Tribunal, the fee payable on the notice of appeal is only 2s. 6d. (which is the same as the fee which was previously payable on a rating appeal to Quarter Sessions).The Lands Tribunal Rules, 1949, are a Statutory Instrument, and the price payable is the usual price charged by H.M. Stationery Office for Instruments of this size to cover the cost of production and distribution.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the work of the Cotton and Rayon Utility Scheme Committees in relation to furnishing fabrics.

I have received from the Cotton and Rayon Utility Scheme Committees their joint recommendations on cotton and cotton mixture furnishing fabrics. They have recommended that a number of broader specifications should be introduced into the range of utility furnishing fabrics. I have accepted their recommendation and orders will shortly be made to bring them into operation.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many women farm workers who registered as unemployed at the King's Lynn, Downham Market and Stoke Ferry exchanges were classified as seasonal workers and refused benefit; and how many were paid unemployment benefit.

The records do not enable me to give figures covering the position of all the workers concerned during the period since the Seasonal Workers Regulations came into force. In reply to earlier Questions by my hon. Friend, I have been able to give certain information about the position at the particular time when the Questions were asked. No such workers have been under disqualification recently on these grounds.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what medical qualifications are required for membership of Industrial Injuries and Pensions Boards; and how many years' experience are required of candidates for such an important appointment.

Medical boards under the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act are normally composed of doctors with wide experience who are in active general practice. No specific seniority is stipulated, but doctors are not usually appointed under 30 years of age and most of those serving on the boards are considerably older.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what cuts in hospital expenditure have been ordered since the beginning of the year.

The budgets of the regional hospital boards for the financial year 1951–52 were approved in March. In accordance with the normal procedure, the final figures were reached after detailed examination. They include many adjustments but no large cuts on a percentage basis.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when any special or additional assistance for the improvement of 14 miles of Loch Arkaigside road is contemplated so that the owner can build up a hill farm stock.

This is a classified road, and any special assistance that I might be able to give under the Congested Districts (Scotland) Act could only be supplementary to the usual Road Fund grant. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport whom I have consulted, feels unable to offer a grant for the reconstruction of the road. I do not feel that in present circumstances I would be justified in pressing him to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether in addition to the proposed North Ford bridge construction by the Royal Engineers in the Outer Isles, he will approach the Secretary of State for War to enable units of the Royal Engineers to undertake the construction of a road from Lochailort to Glenuig.

In present circumstances I would not feel justified in asking my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War to undertake other works of this kind in the Highlands.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposed Norwich Radial Road is intended to replace the Lea Valley Road as a through road in the parishes of Waltham Abbey, Nazeing and Roydon.

A new line for this section of the Lea Valley Road, which forms part of the proposed Norwich Radial Road, is now to be shown on the County Development Plan. It is slightly to the east of the previous line, which has been abandoned.