asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the importance of efficient communications between the Midlands and South Wales for the prosecution of the defence programme and the large-scale plans provided for this development area, he will secure priority for the provision of an improved road.

Plans are being prepared for improved road communications between the Midlands and South Wales, but in present circumstances it is not possible to incur the very considerable expenditure involved in putting them into execution.

asked the Minister of Transport to what extent limits have been imposed under his regulations for the weight of vehicles on the road; what is the heaviest at present permitted; and what steps he takes to satisfy himself that all main roads are able to carry this weight without detriment.

All mechanically-propelled vehicles in general operation on the roads and trailers drawn by them, except those coming within the motor cycle and invalid carriage classes, are subject to regulations limiting their maximum total laden weight. In nearly every case the maximum weight permitted on any one axle is also prescribed. The ordinary (petrol or diesel) heavy goods vehicle, including trailer if any, is subject to a maximum laden weight of 22 tons which may under certain conditions be increased to 32 tons for a vehicle and trailer if the trailer is fitted with power-assisted brakes.The highest aggregate laden weight permitted for vehicles in general operation is 62 tons which applies to heavy locomotives and trailers drawn by them, but there are comparatively few of these vehicles in use. The maximum axle weight permitted varies from 6½ to 10 tons according to the type of vehicle; for the ordinary (petrol or diesel) heavy goods vehicle it is 8 tons.These limits have been fixed with due regard to the general standard of road construction in this country and experience has shown that they are reasonable, subject to the special limitations placed on the use of certain individual roads and bridges.No maximum laden weight is at present laid down for vehicles specially designed, constructed and used for the carriage of abnormal indivisible loads or for mobile engineering plant, but there are special conditions including an indemnity against damage governing the use of thesevehicles and plant on the road

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause Down Street, Mayfair, to be made a one-way street.

I am now considering, in conjunction with the Police and the Westminster City Council, the question of introducing "one-way" working in Down Street from south to north between Brick Street and Hertford Street.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the fact that the Commissioner of Police has erected Festival No Waiting signs in Adam Street and on the south side of Leicester Square, for which no authority was granted by Statutory Instrument, 1951, No. 737; and what action he pro poses to take to compel the Commissioner to comply with the regulations.

These signs are authorised by Regulation 25 (2) of the Traffic Signs (Size, Colour and Type) Regulations, 1950.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statement to make about the level of capital investment in road, rail and other transport in the light of the overall reductions now proposed; and what items are to be afforded priority.

As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already informed the House, the provision of capital investment in roads and railways allows for increased expenditure in 1951, compared with that in 1950. The provision for ports also allows for some increase. Priority will be given to maintenance of trunk and classified roads, the provision of additional rolling stock and essential maintenance of railway works and structures and some further reconstruction of warehouses and other terminal facilities at ports.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the light of three years' experience of nationalisation, he will institute an independent inquiry into its operation, both as it affects the travelling public and railway workers.

No. I do not consider that any such inquiry is necessary. The Central and Area Transport Users Consultative Committees set up under the Transport Act provide machinery for ascertaining and looking after the interests of the travelling public. Railway workers have available full machinery for negotiation and consultation with the Railway Executive.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the fact that 95.2 per cent. of accidents during the month of April occurred when men were driving; and if he will say what percentage of driving-licence holders are men and women, respectively.

I am, of course, aware of the figure, which I gave in a written answer to the hon. Member on 25th June. No information is available with regard to the percentages of driving licences held by men and women, respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory condition of the stokeholds on the troopship "Empress of Australia"; that the ship is 39 years old; that it is not fit for the Far East run; and if he will take steps to take the vessel off this run.

No complaint regarding the stokeholds of this ship has been brought to my notice. I cannot agree that she is unfit for the Far East run, but she is normally employed between this country and Port Said and has only made two Far East voyages since the beginning of 1949.

asked the Minister of Supply how far steps are being taken to place orders for trucks and other military equipment in Italy in view of the surplus capacity which exists in that country.

Consideration is being given to placing orders for vehicles in Italy. Orders to the value of several million pounds for other equipment have already been placed there and other large orders are under negotiation. An office of the European Purchasing Commission, whose setting up I announced in the House on 8th May last, has now been opened in Milan and the Commission is encouraging contractors in the United Kingdom to place sub-contracts in Western Europe.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will take into consideration the special claims of the development areas and the need to maintain a high level of employment therein when making allocations of scarce materials under the Government's new control system.

Yes. The special claims of the development areas will continue to be taken into account, although I cannot undertake to meet their requirements of scarce materials in full.

asked the Minister of Supply whether his attention has been drawn to the wide repercussions on many essential industries caused by the closing down of sections of the Sheffield steel plants; to what extent this is affecting defence and urgent home production; and what steps are being taken to meet the situation.

Yes. I know that the closing of sections of the Sheffield steel plants has caused dislocation of steel supplies. The needs of defence and essential civilian production will be safeguarded by the arrangements announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer last Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the position that has arisen through the imposition of regulations requiring British firms to submit elaborate details of goods passing through the Soviet Zone of Germany to the West.

There has recently been some difficulty over West Berlin's communications, but the situation has considerably improved as a result of local action. It is hoped that experts representing the four Commandants in Berlin will meet shortly for the purpose of reaching a settlement of the difficulties. In view of this I would prefer to say no more at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date towards the beginning of the year the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company asked the permission of the Foreign Office to make certain new proposals to the Persian Government; and on what date the permission asked was granted.

The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is not bound to seek the permission of the Foreign Office before making proposals to the Persian Government. Nevertheless the closest possible contact is and has been maintained between the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and all departments of His Majesty's Government concerned in formulating policy during the present dispute. The Company's representative told the Persian Prime Minister on 10th February, 1951, that the Company would be willing to examine an arrangement based upon an equal sharing of profits in Persia. This step was taken after discussions with the interested departments of His Majesty's Government at the end of January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what broadcasts have been directed to Persia during the past six weeks in an effort to explain the British point of view in the present oil dispute.

The B.B.C.'s Persian service is broadcast daily from 7.15 p.m. to 8 p.m. Persian time, which is the peak listening period. During recent weeks extensive news and comment about the situation in Persia has been carried, and our point of view clearly explained. The B.B.C. receive about 150 letters a week from Persian listeners which bear this out. On 20th June an additional 15 minutes was added at 1.30 p.m. Persian time, and on 28th June 15 minutes more was added at 8 a.m. Persian time, making a daily total of one and a quarter hours directed to Persia in the Persian language.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Persian oil dispute has yet been reported to the Security Council as provided for in Articles 34 and 35 of the United Nations Charter.

No. The articles mentioned impose no obligation on members to refer any matter to the Security Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who now represents his Department on the Universities' China Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when Sir John Pratt's appointment as Foreign Office representative on the Universities' China Committee will lapse.

Sir John Pratt is my right hon. Friend's representative on the Executive Council of the Universities' China Committee. His appointment is of indefinite duration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons have been authorised under the Diplomatic Privileges Act to attach C.D. signs to their cars.

None. The use of C.D. plates is not officially recognised or authorised in this country. As to whether steps should be taken to control it, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Joynson-Hicks) on 3rd November, 1949, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why sentences of imprisonment or fines of £E750 have been imposed on 15 members of the Sudan Peace Committee and Sudan Youth Congress.

A Sudan Government Local Routine Order makes any association in the Sudan which advocates or promotes or practices the theories or principles of international Communism or of the Cominform an unlawful association. All the 15 persons concerned are members of the Sudan Peace Committee and the Sudan Youth Congress. On 9th May, 1951, a Khartoum court found that both these organisations were illegal. As this was a first offence, the accused were offered the penalty of a fine as an alternative to imprisonment and all fines, totalling £750 Egyptian, were paid.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now state the policy of the Government towards the inclusion of Turkey in the North Atlantic Treaty.

I cannot at present add to the statements made on 30th May in reply to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Watkinson). We are still discussing this question with our allies, but I hope it will not be long before we reach a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has had an opportunity of considering the information sent to him by the hon. Member for Canterbury regarding the United States Psychological Warfare Board; and whether he will make a further statement.

Yes, but I can add nothing to the statements already made by the Prime Minister and my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, from which it will be clear that there is appropriate liaison with the United States Government. We see no need, in the different circumstances existing here, to set up a psychological warfare board.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether arrangements are being made to set up a Psychological Warfare Branch within the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

No.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements exist for co-ordinating psychological warfare policy between the three occupying powers in Western Germany.

The machinery of the Allied High Commission provides for tripartite consultation on all matters of common concern. There is a tripartite sub-committee specially charged with information and cultural affairs, which meets at regular intervals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now take further steps to endeavour to secure the passage of British tankers through the Suez Canal.

His Majesty's Government have taken all action which appeared open to them through the diplomatic channel, and we are still awaiting the Egyptian Government's reply to our latest representations. Meanwhile the matter may be discussed in the Security Council in connection with the report from the Chairman of the Mixed Armistice Commission to the Secretary-General of the United Nations dated 12th June. I understand that this report condemns the measures taken by the Egyptian Government as aggressive and contrary to the spirit of the Armistice Agreement. Our future action will depend in large measure on the outcome of these discussions in the Security Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long will His Majesty's Government's offer remain open that rival claims in the Falkland Island Dependencies shall be brought before the International Court of Justice.

No time limit has been set. The position remains as set Out in the statement of the late Foreign Secretary on 25th February, 1948, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now make a further statement on Mr. Malik's proposal to end the war in Korea.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply of my right hon. Friend to a Private Notice Question today.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of President Synghman Rhee's official announcement that Koreans will fight on until the last Communist is driven north of the Yalu River, he will propose to the United Nations some further statement clarifying Allied intentions in Korea.

His Majesty's Government have for some time past been discussing with other Governments concerned the issue of a declaration clarifying the intentions of the United Nations in Korea. Hon. Members will now have seen reports of the acceptance by the North Korean and Chinese Commands of General Ridgway's offer to discuss a cease-fire, and I think it would be best to await developments concerning this.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give such published figures as exist showing the strength of the British, American, French, Turkish, Belgian, Greek, Danish and other armed forces operating under United Nations command in Korea; and the number killed, wounded and prisoners.

With regard to the first part of this Question I would refer the hon. Member to the written reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Gunter) on 14th June. The information requested in the second part of the Question is being sought from the appropriate authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Far Eastern Commission was consulted with regard to the decision to restore to Japanese public life on 20th June, 1951, the 69,000 persons previously excluded because of their responsibility for Japan's course of aggression abroad and totalitarianism at home.

No. The so-called "purge" ordinances issued by the Japanese Government in response to Directives from the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers in Japan, apply to persons who, before the surrender, were active exponents of militarism and militant nationalism. Large numbers of those excluded from public life under these measures were barred by designation alone and not as a result of judicial or administrative inquiry. Inquiries were made only if a person already subject to the purge attempted to stand for elective public office. The release of a large number of Japanese hitherto subject to the purge is now contemplated. This release has the approval of the Supreme Commander in Tokyo and applies to persons who have been found, after inquiry, not to have been active exponents of militarism and militant nationalism. This action is within the power of the S.C.A.P. under the terms of the Directives of the Far Eastern Commission.

asked the hon. Member for Gravesend, as representing the Church Commissioners, whether he will place in the Library a map showing the proposed rearrangement of the parish of Holy Trinity and adjoining parishes in Lambeth.

Yes. I am having a copy of the map attached to the draft scheme now lying on the table of the House placed in the Library, and have had it re-coloured to show the proposed changes in the ecclesiastical parishes affected.

asked the Minister of National Insurance in which industries workers may develop occupational emphysema.

Emphysema is common among the population generally. It is not recognised as an occupational disease in respect of any industrial process except in so far as it may occur in association with pneumoconiosis or byssinosis in the processes for which those diseases are prescribed under the Industrial Injuries Act.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he is aware that 4s. 6d. of the 5s. weekly increase in superannuation given recently by a trade union is being deducted by the National Assistance Board from their allowance; and if he will take steps to have the full 15s. superannuation disregarded by the Board.

The extent to which superannuation payments are to be disregarded for purposes of National Assistance is laid down by the National Assistance Act, which prescribes a figure of 10s. 6d.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether she will make the necessary arrangements for the National Assistance Board to have discretionary powers to provide a free wireless licence in cases where one or two retirement pensioners are living alone and in receipt of assistance; and what would be the estimated cost of this concession.

I cannot agree that this is a need for which special provision ought to be made over and above the normal weekly allowance. Information on which to estimate the cost is not available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when legislation is contemplated to remove the anomaly of excluding men suffering from pneumoconiosis from full compensation rights on the grounds that they had been five or more years out of the occupation in which they contracted the disease.

Discussions on the various aspects of this complicated matter are proceeding with the T.U.C., but I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of women and men, drawing retirement pensions in Coatbridge in age groups 60–65 years of age and 65–70 years of age; and the number in receipt of supplementary benefits to these pensions.

The number of retirement pensioners in this area is not known as it is not possible from our records to give this figure by localities. On 29th May last the National Assistance Board office at Coatbridge (which extends beyond the large burgh) were paying assistance, in supplementation of retirement pensions, to about 140 women aged 60–65 and about 310 men aged 65–70.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if she is aware that a married woman in Louth, whose husband receives a maximum relief of £2 18s. 6d. per week as a disabled person, has been offered part-time employment by a local authority at 25s. per week, but is advised that if she works her husband's allowance will be reduced by 15s. a week; and in view of the fall in the purchasing power of the £ sterling since this regulation was imposed, if she will have the regulation reconsidered as a matter of urgency.

I am informed by the Board that the information given to the wife by the local office was not correct. Under the Statutory Regulations the assistance payable in this case would be adjusted only to the extent to which the wife's net earnings, after allowing for expenses, exceed 20s. a week.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what arrangements she has in mind to let retirement pensioners in Wales know what they need do to obtain an increase in their pension; and whether any special arrangements are being made for the Welsh speaking areas.

A special leaflet will be issued at post offices in Wales and there will be Press advertisements, posters and broadcasts. Arrangements for Welsh speaking areas include a leaflet in Welsh, broadcast announcements in Welsh, and advertisements in the Welsh language Press.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the need to encourage elderly persons to remain at work, she will amend the existing arrangements under which persons over pensionable age who continue to work, can only draw sickness benefit if, in addition to satisfying the usual conditions for receipt of that benefit, they would also be entitled to a retirement pension if they did retire.

To provide sickness benefit for people over pensionable age who have not been insured long enough to acquire a right to a retirement pension it would be necessary to amend a number of provisions of the 1946 Act specifically directed to the position of these late entrants into insurance. I have no reason to think these provisions, which include excusal from contributions while working, are having the effect suggested.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will introduce legislation to prevent officials of the gas boards from entering private houses in the absence of the occupants.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to the hon. Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. H. Price), on 4th June.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power on how many building projects, under his auspices, there is now a standstill for want of steel.

I am aware that, owing to shortage of steel, work has temporarily stopped on various parts of some building projects authorised by my Department. I regret that information about the exact number of such projects, and the kind of work affected, is not available.It will now be possible, however, to claim preferential treatment for the steel requirements in such cases under the interim scheme, announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28th June, to safeguard the requirements of important civilian production and the fuel and power programmes.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he will strengthen the South-West Consultative Council for the supply of electricity by inviting the trade unions in the region to nominate representatives to sit on this body.

The Trades Union Congress is one of several national bodies covering the whole country from whom I have invited and have received nominations which I consider when I am making appointments to the various electricity Consultative Councils. There are two trade union members serving on the South Western Electricity Consultative Council at the present time.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what representations he has received from the Chairman of the National Coal Board regarding the delay in the delivery of underground mining equipment, particularly conveyor units; and what action he has taken to ensure quicker delivery.

I do not know to what particular representations the hon. Member refers, but my Department and I are, of course, in touch with the National Coal Board about their supplies problems. The action taken by the Government has been explained in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Heeley (Mr. P. Roberts) on 4th June and in the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 28th June about steel supplies.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he is aware that residents in the Harrow area of Middlesex are experiencing great difficulty in obtaining supplies of domestic boiler fuel; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

I have explained in reply to previous Questions that there is a growing demand in all areas for boiler fuel; that the National Coal Board are making every effort to increase the supplies of anthracite and phurnacite; and that I am now considering how the distribution of coke can be improved. The Harrow area will continue to receive its fair share of the supplies available.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether an additional allocation of coal can be granted where housewives have only coppers that take coal to heat the water for washing clothes and no other heating facilities in the house other than that requiring coal.

These coppers are normally used for a few hours only every week; as a rule, they can be fired effectively with slack, refuse, wood, unscreened coal, briquettes, and other kinds of unrestricted fuel. The difficulties of increasing the supply of restricted fuels would be great, and to my regret I think it would, therefore, be inadvisable to act on my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the figures for the annual consumption of coal by the following categories of user in the years 1935, 1939 and 1945; public utilities, industry, domestic, and other inland consumers, respectively; and the export tonnage for the same years.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the information given in tables 65 and 66 in the Ministry of Fuel and Power Statistical Digest for 1948 and 1949. Further information is not available.

asked the Minister of Food if he can now give an assurance that he has sufficient tinplate to enable this season's fruit crop to be canned.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to release more tinplate to fruit-canning factories in order that adequate arrangements can be made to preserve this year's crop.

As we do not yet know how much fruit will be available for canning, I am unable to give the assurance asked for; but there should be enough tinplate to pack as much as last year.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is now in a position to increase the domestic sugar ration.

I see no prospect of a further increase in the sugar ration in the near future. At the moment, the weekly ration is 10 oz. following the recent increase from 8 oz. and, in addition, as I have stated, we are issuing supplementary sugar bonuses of 1 1b. per person per month, seven in the current year.

asked the Minister of Food on what grounds he decided to allow bakers to make charges for bread deliveries; and if he will give particulars as to the dates when such charges were made prior to and during the recent war and the dates when they were discontinued.

The Bread Order already authorised a higher price for bread delivered by bakers to customers in certain sparsely populated areas. Inquiries I have made over a long period show conclusively that there were some other bakers who would have been unable to continue delivering bread unless permitted to make a charge for delivery. Consequently I authorised this charge as a permissive increase. It is not compulsory, and customers who do not want to pay it can transfer to bakers who do not charge it.With regard to the second part of the Question, bakers were at liberty to make a delivery charge prior to the war and since, except from 31st August, 1947, until 23rd June, 1951.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the difficulties in getting a supply of empties at the Covent Garden and other produce markets; and if he will take steps to ameliorate the position.

My inquiries at Covent Garden and other wholesale markets do not show that traders are having any serious difficulties over this; but if the hon. Member has any specific cases in mind, I will certainly look into them.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is prepared to release any variety of sweets such as, for instance, coconut ice from surrender of points.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that coconut ice is being sold off the ration by some traders to the detriment of others who are observing the regulations; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

While I am anxious to deration all sweets as soon as supplies permit, I do not think that to release individual varieties from the ration piecemeal is the right course. I am glad of this opportunity to make clear to the public and to the traders concerned that for the purpose of my Department's rationing arrangements coconut ice is sugar confectionery and that I have instructed my officials to take appropriate action, including prosecution in all suitable cases, if it is sold off the ration.

asked the Minister of Food by how much the prices of rationed foods have increased since he made his forecast that by the end of 1951 the cost of rationed foods per ration book would increase by 8½d.; and whether that estimate still holds good.

Retail price increases already announced and put into effect have added 3½d. to the cost of rationed foods per head per week since 1st April, 1951. We shall have to make further increases (such as on meat) but, subject to unforeseen increases in procurement and distribution costs, my estimate still holds good.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements, by licensing or otherwise, he proposes to make in order to enable present stocks of sterilised cream to be sold to the public or trade after 1st July.

It was in order to give ample notice to traders to clear their stocks by 3rd July that I announced the ban on cream sales well in advance—nearly a month ago, in fact. This period of notice should have been adequate to enable traders to clear their stocks.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that practice in good outside employment is the criterion on which men's wage claims are settled in the Civil Service, he will permit professional and administrative classes of the women's Civil Service to make wage claims on the same basis.

The grounds on which claims are presented is a matter for the staff association concerned.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many instances convictions have resulted from premises having been entered by Government officials without a search warrant or court order.

This information is not available and it is not possible to obtain it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress is being made in implementing the Colombo Plan.

As hon. Members will be aware the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic Development in South and South-East Asia was first conceived last year, and a report bringing together the individual development programmes of Commonwealth countries in the area was prepared by the Consultative Committee and published in November. The official starting date of the Plan was yesterday, 1st July, and I took the opportunity afforded to send a message of encouragement and good will to my colleagues on the Consultative Committee. Copies of my message and of the replies so far received, which give some indication of the progress made by the various countries, are available to Members in the Library of the House.A great deal has been done in the past few months to prepare the way for the execution of the programmes embodied in the Plan. Despite the difficulties which re-armament and its consequent shortages are causing, the spirit of continued co-operation which marked the inception of the Plan has not diminished. The United States Government, which has already given concrete evidence of its intention to assist in the common effort, has joined the Consultative Committee, as also have the Governments of Viet Nam and Laos. The International Bank has associated itself with our work. Details of the form of continuing consultation have been worked out. The technical co-operation scheme is making good progress and the supplying countries have indicated the scale of their contributions. Further, there is little doubt that the countries in the area will themselves be able to finance a substantially higher proportion of the programmes than seemed possible last year.A source of particular encouragement has been the way in which the Governments concerned have been pressing forward with those parts of their development programmes that were already in hand or were ready to start. I should like to take this opportunity of reaffirming the United Kingdom Government's determination to support this great enterprise to the maximum extent our resources allow.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of gross fixed investment that will be devoted to agriculture, forestry and fishing in the current financial year; and how this amount compares with the amount allocated to these industries in the two previous financial years.

Statistics are not available on a financial year basis. It is estimated that, in common with investment for all civil purposes, gross fixed investment in agriculture, forestry and fishing in 1951 will be less than in 1950 and about the same as in 1949.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government will introduce legislation to limit the profits made by armament manufacturers to the smallest possible margin.

Legislation is not required. I can assure my hon. Friend that contracting Departments have all the powers necessary in present circumstances to ensure that profits on Government contracts, including defence contracts, are no more than fair and reasonable. The position is kept under constant review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will open negotiations with the German authorities to raise the limit of the export of 600,000 tons of scrap to this country to which he agreed in September, 1950.

Discussions are already proceeding in Bonn on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the number of recent visits by British subjects resident in this country to countries abroad whose Governments are actively or passively supporting the North Korean offensive against the United Nations Forces, he will introduce legislation requiring an exit visa on all British passports, together with a declaration that the holders will not visit the countries in question.

The requirement of an exit visa would not fulfil the purposes which the noble Lord has in mind, since once a person had left this country our authorities would possess no control over his subsequent movements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to take any action following the judgment of the Divisional Court in the case of Willcock v. Muckle, with regard to the production of identity cards.

The Commissioner of Police, after consultation with my right hon. Friend, has issued a police order the effect of which is that members of the Metropolitan Police Force will in future exercise their power to demand the production of identity cards only when this is absolutely necessary, e.g. in cases where they have reason to suspect the commission of a serious crime or where the person may be suspected of being a deserter or absentee without leave from His Majesty's Forces. My right hon. Friend has also invited chief officers of police generally to review their procedure in the light of the observations of the Divisional Court.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police authorities have not yet started to replace police employed on indoor duties by civilians.

Since March, 1950, when I asked police authorities to review their practice with regard to the employment of police officers on indoor duties, the number of civilians, including cadets, employed in police offices has increased by 838. There are only three forces in which civilians are not yet employed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the complete list of all licensing districts in which an extension of permitted hours to 10.30 p.m. has been granted on weekdays, either for the whole year or a lesser period, indicating where such extensions were newly granted at the last annual licensing meeting.

I am sending the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the original estimated cost of the Loch Sloy, Loch Morar and Lochalsh hydro-electric projects; what, to date, is the actual expenditure; and what is the latest estimate for the completion of these projects.

The estimated cost in 1944 of the three projects mentioned was £4,600,000. I am informed that the expenditure on these projects to the end of May, 1951, was £9,043,000 and that the latest estimated cost for their completion —excluding those parts of the small Morar and Lochalsh scheme which have been postponed—is £9,235,000.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the total number of men in the Royal Navy in March, 1951.

One hundred and thirty-two thousand nine hundred.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the annual consumption of coal and other fuels by the horticultural industry during the past three years; what percentage of this consumption has been used in the production of tomatoes and cucumbers in heated glasshouses; and what has been the cost of such fuel in each case.

I have no detailed information, but the total fuel consumption of the glasshouse industry is estimated to be of the following order:

Thousands of tons
—	1948–49	1949–50	1950–51
Coal, including anthracite	430	370	380
Coke	80	130	120
Fuel Oil	6	7	12
Total	516	507	512

The percentage of the consumption used in the production of tomatoes and cucumbers in heated glasshouses in each of these years is approximately 90 per cent., 87 per cent. and 82 per cent. The information asked for in the last part of the Question cannot be given as the cost of the fuel used varies considerably on different holdings and in different parts of the country.

asked the Minister of Health the number of residences provided by local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales under section 21 (1) (a) of Part III of the National Assistance Act, 1948; the number of persons accommodated in these residences, excluding staff; and the number of local authorities concerned.

At 1st January, 1951, there were in England and Wales 718 residences accommodating 47,494 persons provided by 146 local authorities. For information relating to Scotland I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many seconded British officers or other ranks are serving with the Malay Regiment; and whether those attached or posted to the regiment serve under conditions similar to those of officers of the Brigade of Gurkhas.

On 18th June, 1951, there were 145 British officers and 63 British other ranks serving with the Malay Regiment. The conditions of service of officers posted to the Malay Regiment are broadly similar to those of officers serving with the Brigade of Gurkhas. There are, however, small differences, in that for instance an officer of the permanent cadre of the Brigade of Gurkhas receives a slightly higher rate of additional pay and somewhat better leave terms.

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will remove the maximum time of 190 hours per year for pilots in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve who want to attend for longer training.

Experience has shown that 190 hours' non-continuous training is normally ample to enable pilots who were already properly qualified on entry into the R.A.F.V.R. to maintain their proficiency. This period is, however, not an overriding maximum and additional training may be specially authorised in cases where it would serve a useful purpose.