asked the Minister of Fuel and Power, in view of his request to householders to stock up coal supplies during summer months and as coal merchants are receiving inquiries for coal far in excess of previous summers what steps he is taking to see that adequate supplies to meet this demand are allocated to Birmingham.

In the first 10 weeks of the present summer period, 13,000 tons more coal has been sold to domestic consumers in Birmingham than in the corresponding period a year ago. I earnestly hope that the householders who have bought the coal are building up their stocks for the winter months.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what steps he is taking to improve the supplies of coke in the city of Birmingham.

The industrial demand for gas in Birmingham has greatly increased; in consequence, much coke must be used to make carburetted water gas, and the coke available for sale has been reduced. The domestic demand has also increased.The gas boards in the south have taken over some the commitments of the West Midlands Board, and the movement of coke from one area to another is being discussed. I hope that these measures will increase the supplies in the West Midlands, but I will write to my hon. Friend about the situation as soon as I can.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power if he is aware that, owing to the demand for wood logs in the City of Birmingham, prices are still at the high winter levels; and what action he is taking to reduce these prices to enable householders to stock-up for the winter.

I have no reason to think that the prices charged for wood in Birmingham are unduly high, but if my hon. Friend will let me have the details of any complaints he has received, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what action he proposes to take to increase the number of miners available where they are urgently required.

The Government have ceased recruiting in the coalfields for the Armed Forces of the Crown. They have extended the scheme under which ex-miners who had volunteered on regular engagements may return to digging coal; and they have just made a new appeal to these men to do so. In conjunction with the National Coal Board, they are starting a new campaign to obtain additional recruits for the pits. There is the closest collaboration between the National Coal Board and the employment exchanges.The Government have approved in principle a scheme for supplementary pensions for miners, submitted to me by the National Coal Board and the National Union of Mineworkers.Ten thousand additional houses have been allocated for 1951 and 1952 to meet the needs of local authorities in mining areas. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Local Government and Planning and I are receiving further proposals from the National Coal Board for additional housing schemes where they would help.My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is recruiting men in Italy for service in the pits.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what programme he has for harnessing wind, water power, &c., in order to increase the supply of electric power for facilitating the delivery of plant, for ensuring earlier delivery dates, and for the construction of power houses; what increase he expects to achieve annually; and when it is expected that the supply of power will meet the demand.

The British Electricity Authority, the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board, and the Electrical Research Association are all experimenting in the use of wind for power. The Hydro-Electric Board are rapidly expanding the use of water power in Northern Scotland; the B.E.A. are studying its use elsewhere.But much the greater part of our electricity must be supplied from thermal stations using coal. I hope that 1,100 megawatts of new capacity will be commissioned this year; this rate of commissioning should increase to 1,400 megawatts by 1954.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power why it was necessary to make a new Severn tidal model when one had been made at the Manchester University in 1926 and 1930 under the direction of Professor Gibson, Metropolitan Vickers and Fodens directors, with experiments and drawings which satisfied the experts: if he will have inquiries made as to the results of the experiments on the model made in 1947, and the investigation carried out by the Hydraulics Research Organisation; why action has not been taken on the official reports prepared in 1926, 1929, 1932, 1933 and 1945 concerning the proposed Severn Barrage; what is the estimated amount of coal that would be saved per annum and the amount of power generated; and if he will now treat this matter as one of great economic urgency.

The report of 1945 was prepared by a panel of engineers under the leadership of Sir William Halcrow. One of their recommendations was that a new tidal model of the Severn Estuary must be made, in order to determine whether the Barrage would cause the silting or the flooding of the Bristol Channel ports. I hope this model will be completed in 1953.Sir William Halcrow estimated in 1945 that the Barrage would give 2,190 million units of electricity a year; that it would save 985,000 tons of coal a year; that it would take eight years to construct: and that it would require 560,000 tons of cement, 250,000 tons of iron and steel, and 20,000 tons of alloy steel, copper, and aluminium. In the light of these facts, we must clearly await the results of the experiments on the new model. But I agree with my hon. Friend that the scheme is of great importance for the future.

asked the Attorney-General if he has now considered the report from the Director of Public Prosecutions concerning the alleged contravention of building regulations by the Yorkshire Electricity Board; and if he will make a statement thereon.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to the hon. and gallant Member for Wembley. North (Wing Commander Bullus).

asked the Minister of Food whether he will include in the plan for new slaughterhouses one to be provided in Devon, preferably either at Newton Abbott or Exeter.

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Tiverton (Mr. Amory) on 16th July.

asked the Minister of Food what effect the higher prices now fixed for veal calves is having on the offering of bobby calves at grading centres.

Since the revised calf prices were introduced there has been a decrease in the weekly purchases of bobby calves, but the period covered is much too short for reliable conclusions to be drawn.

asked the Minister of Food how many local authorities have asked for a reprieve from the obligation to wind-up their civic restaurants, after showing a loss for three consecutive years; in how many cases has this reprieve been granted; and in how many has it been refused.

Out of 24 applications received 16 have been granted, three rejected, and five are still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Food what was the maximum number of civic restaurants operating at the same time during the past six years; what is the present number in operation; and whether further reductions are proposed.

The highest number of civic restaurants operating in the past six years was 1,578 in July, 1945. The number in operation in May, 1951, was 310. Local authorities are responsible for civic restaurants, and I cannot say whether there is likely to be any change in the numbers in operation.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that numerous complaints are being received in the Winchester and Romsey districts with regard to the refusal of the extra cheese ration to building workers whose work is not near a canteen, and is distant from their homes; and what is his policy in this matter.

Building workers qualify for the special cheese allowance, provided that they are regularly employed for at least six months in a rural district two miles or more from ordinary catering facilities and where canteen or other suitable facilities cannot be provided on the job. Doubtful cases are not very numerous, but I am glad to consider sympathetically any cases that may be brought to my notice.

asked the Minister of Food whether he can now allow personal points, issued for the sweet ration, to be used alternatively for an additional purchase of sugar.

asked the Minister of Food whether in order to facilitate domestic jam-making, he can now make arrangements for unused sweet coupons to be used to obtain extra quantities of sugar.

There are many practical difficulties in a scheme of this sort, and I am satisfied the work involved, both for traders and for my own Department, would be out of all proportion to the benefits. Sugar is not the only ingredient in sweets, and I think people overestimate the amount of sugar they could hope to get out of an arrangement of this sort.

asked the Minister of Food if a decision has been reached upon the granting of licences for the import of turkeys and poultry from France and Poland; and how far he anticipates difficulties in the supply of poultry for the Christmas trade from any other traditional suppliers.

We have this matter under review, and I cannot yet say whether it will be possible to allow imports from France and Poland later in the year. It is too early to say whether any difficulties are likely to arise with regard to supplies from other traditional sources.

asked the Minister of Food if, in the interests of cleanliness and for the convenience of housewives and grocers, he will arrange for cooking fats to be put up in packets at the factory.

The demand for pre-packed cooking fats before the war was very limited and factories are not equipped to pre-pack the sizes and quantities which would be necessary to meet today's requirements.

asked the Minister of Food by how much the retail price of imported and home grown sirloin, ribs of beef, legs and shoulders of lamb were, respectively, increased on 22nd July.

The following is the reply:

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to take steps to give effect to the change in paragraph (a) of Article 25 of the Statute of the Council of Europe.

The revised text of Article 25 (a) of the Statute of the Council of Europe provides that representatives of each member country

" shall be elected by its Parliament or appointed in such manner as that Parliament shall decide."

The composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the Consultative Assembly is arranged through the usual channels and announced in Parliament. So far as I am aware this procedure is in accordance with the wishes of Parliament. His Majesty's Government therefore consider that the present system of appointing representatives to the Consultative Assembly fulfils the requirements of the amended Article 25 (a) of the statute.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the circumstances which led to the requisitioning of two tanker vessels under construction in Sunderland for Polish owners.

These two vessels were requisitioned by His Majesty's Government for defence purposes under the authority granted by the Defence Regulations and enactments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has received from the Polish Government concerning the requisitioning by the Admiralty of two tankers built in a British shipyard to the order of the Polish Mercantile Marine, paid for in accordance with the contract concluded on 14th May, 1948, and recently launched; and what reply he has returned thereto, with particular reference to the violation of Article 6 of the Anglo-Polish Trade Agreement of 14th January, 1949, involved in this breach of contract.

When the Polish Ambassador was informed on 14th July of the decision to requisition the tankers, he said that he would report to his Government, which he felt sure would take a very serious view of this action. No formal communiqué has since been received from the Polish Government.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty under what Defence Regulations two tankers, recently built in Britain for the Polish Mercantile Marine, were requisitioned by his Department in violation of Article 6 of the Anglo-Polish Trade Agreement of 14th January, 1949; for what reasons this action was taken and by what authority a British naval officer boarded one of these vessels three days before she was due to sail for Poland and ordered her Polish captain and crew ashore.

The two tankers were requisitioned under paragraph (1) of Regulation 53 of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939. They were requisitioned because they were required for defence purposes. The last part of the question presumably refers to the action taken by the Admiralty in the exercise of these powers to obtain possession of one of the ships. About six Polish officers and one civilian were on board at the time, and they all left voluntarily when invited to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has conveyed to His Majesty's Ambassador in Teheran his repudiation of the inaccurate statements which have been made as representing the policy of His Majesty's Government.

I do not know what inaccurate statements the hon. Member has in mind. His Majesty's Government naturally cannot take responsibility for any statements made by private individuals. Certain statements emanating from Teheran which appeared to conflict with the policy of His Majesty's Government were found on inquiry to have been wrongly attributed to His Majesty's Ambassador or his staff.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how soon His Majesty's Government expect to be able to make clear their position in regard to British co-operation with the Schuman Plan.

His Majesty's Government are going into this matter very thoroughly at the present time, but I regret that I cannot yet say how soon a statement can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is anticipated that a Peace Treaty with Austria will be signed.

Although His Majesty's Government, together with the French and American Governments, have pressed for the conclusion of the Treaty for the Re-establishment of an Independent and Democratic Austria, I regret that the attitude of the Soviet Government makes it impossible for me to give any indication of when it is likely to be completed and ready for signature.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will agree to receive a deputation from the Far Eastern Prisoners of War Association to discuss methods of distribution of such funds as may be allotted from Japanese sources in accordance with the provisions of the Draft Peace Treaty.

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await a further statement about the disposal of such funds as may be available, which my right hon. Friend hopes to make on Wednesday, 25th July. I should then be happy to meet a deputation from the Far Eastern Prisoners of War Association if they so desire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning representations made by his Department to the United States Government over United States-Spanish defence negotiations.

There have been interchanges of views between His Majesty's Government and the United States Government on the question of a Spanish contribution to defence. On 12th February last the United States Government informed His Majesty's Government that they were instructing their new Ambassador to explore this question with the Spanish Government. On 16th February his Majesty's Ambassador was instructed to inform the United States Government of the United Kingdom Government's views on the matter. On 21st June there was a further exchange of views in Washington, and on 10th July His Majesty's Ambassador again made our views known to the United States Government.

asked the hon. Member for Bristol, North-East, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what was the cost of providing the special restaurant facilities for the Press; and what has been the loss in operating catering services for the Press during the past 12 months.

The cost of providing plant and equipment for the Press Restaurant was £4,107 17s. ld. The loss in operating the catering services for the Press during 1950 was £2,852. The loss for the current year to the end of June is £1,538.

asked the Minister of Transport when he will conclude his discussions with the police and Westminster City Council with a view to making Down Street, Mayfair, a one-way street.

A trial scheme of one-way traffic from south to north in Down Street, Mayfair, has been agreed with the police and will be put into operation shortly as soon as the practical details are settled.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give consideration to an increased use of the River Thames as a means of transport in the event of war; and if suitable craft are available in sufficient numbers for this purpose.

This is a matter which falls for consideration in connection with preparations for national defence. The hon. Member will not expect me to give specific information on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the fact that he has taken steps to arrange for a certain amount of repair work on limited areas of London streets to be undertaken during the week-ends, he will now make similar arrangements for more extensive work of this character to be undertaken at such periods, with a view to avoiding interference with weekday traffic as much as possible.

It is desirable that street works should be carried out with as little delay as possible, especially when they cause serious inconvenience to traffic. But week-end working can be very expensive, and I have no powers to insist that local authorities carry out works during week-ends, nor can I assist local authorities in London by a grant towards the extra cost of week-end work.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the concern felt by the Roads Committee of the Warwickshire County Council over the Government restrictions on necessary maintenance and improvement work on roads; and whether he will consider the allocation of more money to reduce the arrears of the past 12 years.

Yes. I have recently allocated more money to Warwickshire out of additional funds which have been made available for the maintenance and minor improvement of trunk and classified roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take the necessary action to ensure that the public users of road and rail transport have adequate opportunities of presenting their case for reductions and reclassification of fares, where necessary.

A scheme covering all the road and rail passenger services provided by the Commission has been submitted to the Transport Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of the Transport Act and will be considered by the Tribunal at public hearings at which bodies representing users of these services will be heard.For services not provided by the Commission, fares on omnibuses and coaches are settled under the Road Traffic Acts by the licensing authorities for public service vehicles to whom representations may be made and on trams and trolley vehicles by myself after public inquiry in the case of fares exceeding the statutory maxima.I think, therefore, that transport users have adequate opportunities for making representations about fares.

asked the Minister of Transport when Magpiehall Road, an important thoroughfare for traffic between Harrow and the Watford By-pass Road, will be open to traffic.

This road has been closed to enable the Water Board to lay a 40-inch water main. The work has been delayed by the weather and technical difficulties, but I understand that the road will be re-opened in about three weeks' time.

asked the Minister of Transport on what date he drew the attention of the National Joint Industrial Council for the Road Haulage Industry and of the British Transport Commission to the views expressed in the debate in this House on the desirability of raising the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles; whether he has yet received from those organisations any response; and if he will now indicate by what approximate date he intends to take steps to raise the speed limit in question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will raise the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles from 20 to 30 miles per hour.

Letters were addressed to the bodies concerned on 1st May last. I understand that, after consideration of the position previously reached on the Road Haulage Wages Council, the Transport and General Workers Union decided to open discussions on the matter with the Road Haulage Executive, and these are still proceeding. It is my intention to await the outcome of these negotiations before making any statement.

asked the Minister of Transport what time he has allowed under Section 76 of the Transport Act for the laying of a freight charges scheme before the Transport Tribunal.

I have received an application from the British Transport Commission that I should allow a further period of two years from 5th August next for the preparation and submission to the Transport Tribunal of their draft charges schemes. Any longer period which I may allow must apply to all draft schemes not yet submitted, as I have no power to allow different periods for particular schemes. The further period of two years is likely to be required in relation to the draft scheme for dock charges, which will cover between 80 and 90 undertakings, each of which now has a separate schedule and different charges designed to meet the trade and customs of the particular port.In the case of the draft merchandise charges scheme, the Commission would require to avail themselves of only a few months of the further period. The primary reason for any postponement in this case is the need to allow further time for further discussions with coastal ship-ping interests, and this need has been endorsed in a communication which I have received from the Coastal Shipping Advisory Committee.I am giving careful consideration to the Commission's application and will announce my decision shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has now reached a decision with regard to the installation of traffic lights at the junction of Great Cambridge Road and White Hart Lane, Tottenham.

I have examined this case, and I am prepared to authorise the erection of traffic control signals.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he has taken upon the recommendation made in paragraph 73 of Command Paper 8060, submitted by the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire in October, 1950, that where it can be certified by the Minister of Agriculture that the condition of a public unclassified road is detrimental to the economic development of a holding eligible for assistance under a marginal land scheme, Exchequer grants should be payable to the highway authority towards the cost of the necessary reconditioning.

None, I have no power to make grants towards the maintenance of unclassified roads in counties.

asked the Minister of Transport what has been the cost of the improvement at the junction of trunk roads A 350 and A 354 at Blandford St. Mary; how many fatal accidents have occurred at this point during the 10 years to January, 1951; and whether a census of traffic has been taken.

Neither of these roads is a trunk road. The Dorset County Council, who are the highway authority, have altered the layout of the carriageway at this road junction at a cost of about £1,500. No fatal accident is recorded as occurring at this point during the 10 years to January, 1951, but records were not kept during the war. So far as I know, no census of traffic has been taken at this junction. 1938 census figures are available for points on either road within about two miles of the junction.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has considered the letters from the hon Member for Caithness and Sutherland on the urgent need for a lighthouse on Strathy Point and the letter from the Commissioners for Northern Lighthouses referring to their unsuccessful efforts over a long period to have a lighthouse established there and the persistent refusal of the Department concerned to find the money; and if he will now grant the necessary funds.

I understand that the history of this proposal is as follows. The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses put forward proposals for a lighthouse at Strathy Point on several occasions, the last being in 1934 to the Board of Trade, when the proposal was turned down on the grounds that such a light was not necessary in the interests of general navigation. If this question is to be re-opened it is the responsibility of the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses to put forward fresh proposals.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps have recently been taken to speed up the production of Chipmunk aircraft.

Increased orders have been placed in the last few months and deliveries are up to programme.

asked the Minister of Supply if he has now agreed to an increase in pay for the civilian test pilots employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

No agreement has yet been reached for an increase in pay for the civilian test pilots employed by my Department, and the matter is still under negotiation with the Institution of Professional Civil Servants. An offer has been made which the Institution has so far been unable to accept.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will describe the arrangements with the Iron and Steel Federation for the general discharge of their duties, including the importation of iron ore.

The Federation has formally recognised the Iron and Steel Corporation's responsibilities for the publicly-owned iron and steel industry. The detailed arrangements provide for close collaboration between the Corporation and Federation on all matters of interest to the publicly-owned companies. In particular, the Corporation will be represented on various policy committees and on the boards of the British Iron and Steel Corporation, Limited, and its subsidiaries, one of which handles imports of iron ore. The Corporation's approval will have to be obtained in respect of various financial aspects of common service activities.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why he has issued instructions altering the markings on the wrappers of National Butter from net weight to gross weight; and whether this instruction applies to all distributors.

I am unable to trace the issue of any instructions recently to change the requirements of marking of weight on wrappers of National Butter. If the hon. Member is aware of any specific request for a change in practice. I will make fuller inquiries on receipt of full particulars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will arrange that the Agricultural Research Council shall inquire into the efficient use of mechanised farm implements; and that the county agricultural executive committees shall be instructed to obtain all information in regard to failures, etc., during hay harvest; and to make a report on the soundness of design and suitability of material used in construction for use in the United Kingdom.

The efficient use of mechanised farm implements is being constantly studied by those concerned with farm mechanisation, including those responsible for agricultural machinery research, which is carried out at the National Institute of Agricultural Engineering under the scientific oversight of the Agricultural Research Council.Although it would not be practicable for county agricultural executive committees to undertake a comprehensive inquiry such as the hon. Member suggests, points of special interest or importance are brought to notice from time to time and are taken up with the manufacturers concerned. The manufacturers themselves, with the help of their agents and their customers, maintain a close watch on the performance of their machines, with a view to improving both design and materials in the light of experience in the field.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to extend protection by tariff and guaranteed prices to the British horticultural industry.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Chichester (Mr. Joynson-Hicks) on 15th February last, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has accepted, and what action he has taken upon, the recommendation made in paragraph 70 of Command Paper No. 8060, submitted in October, 1950, by the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire, concerning the development of marginal land; and whether he will make a statement.

The provisions of the Hill Farming Act, 1946, were extended by the Livestock Rearing Act, 1951, to enable grants to be made for the improvement of livestock rearing land in upland areas which is suitable for use for the breeding, rearing and maintenance of sheep or cattle, but not for the carrying on to any material extent of dairy farming or the production of fat sheep or fat cattle or crops for sale. County agricultural executive committees advise my Department on the eligibility of land and farming enterprises for improvement grants under these Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of its importance to the local farming industry, he will consult with the Transport Commission in an effort to prevent the closure of the passenger service on the Waveney Valley railway line.

No. I am satisfied that adequate facilities exist for representations to be made by any local interest likely to be affected.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to protect the Bermuda cahow.

All the islands and areas upon which the cahow is believed to nest and the waters surrounding them to a depth of 50 yards have been declared bird sanctuaries under the provisions of The Protection of Birds Act, 1949, with the exception of Inner Pear Rocks, which are within the United States base leased area. The United States authorities have been requested to prohibit the landing of persons on these rocks so that they may, in fact, be preserved as if they were statutory bird sanctuaries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the new International Sanitary Regulations adopted at a recent meeting of the World Health Organisation have been made public; and where printed copies can be obtained.

I have been asked to reply. I understand that these Regulations are now being printed by the World Health Organisation and will be on sale at His Majesty's Stationery Office in the near future. I will let my hon. Friend know as soon as they are available.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the cases notified as diphtheria were re-diagnosed in 1948 and 1949.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him on 7th December, 1950.

asked the Minister of Health how many death certificates were received in 1950 on which vaccination, vaccinia, post-vaccinal encephalitis or any other complication of vaccination was mentioned; and what were the ages of the victims.

Two, the ages at death being 18 and 67.

asked the Minister of Health how many deaths from smallpox were recorded in 1950; and what were their ages.

No deaths from smallpox were recorded in 1950.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how many slum houses have been cleared in Wales, Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Merthyr and Neath, since July, 1945; and what are the comparable figures for the six years preceding 3rd September, 1939.

The number of unfit houses demolished in the period 1st April, 1945, to 31st March, 1951, in the areas specified were: Wales, 937; Cardiff County Borough, 12; Newport County Borough, 5; Swansea County Borough, 25; Merthyr County Borough, 87 and Neath Borough, nil.The number of unfit houses demolished in Wales during the six-year yeriod 1st April, 1934, to 31st March, 1940—the nearest to that asked for, for which figures are available—was 4,884.The figures for the individual local authorities are not available.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning what will be the average erection cost and the average site preparation cost for each of the 610 houses planned for completion in the new town of Hemel Hempstead during 1951.

Average costs cannot be determined until the houses and site works have been completed and final bills settled.

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning how many men are engaged on house construction, including site works within the curtilage, in each of the new towns, in December, 1950, in March, 1951, and at the latest convenient date for which figures are available.

The table below gives the numbers of men engaged on house construction and associated site development for Development Corporations in New Towns on the last pay days of December, 1950, March, 1951, and June, 1951. The figures do not include labour engaged on G.P.O., gas and electricity services.

New Town	December, 1950	March,1951	June,1951
Aycliffe	295	381	543
Basildon	73	79	308
Bracknell	12	23	56
Corby	—	—	—
Crawley	488	559	821
Cwmbran	—	—	22
Harlow	589	759	887
Hatfield	64	118	135
Hemel Hempstead	500	737	939
Peterlee	129	290	395
Stevenage	294	589	1,081
Welwyn	157	177	245
TOTAL	2,601	3,712	5,432

asked the Minister of Local Government and Planning if he will give a list of all the types of temporary prefabricated houses authorised by his Department; and state approximately when their usable life is due to terminate.

The list is as follows: Aluminium, American, Arcon, Orlit, Phoenix, Spooner, Tarran, Uni-Seco and Universal.On the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to Section 2 (1) of the Housing (Temporary Accommodation) Act, 1944.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the plans for the future of Sheilabost School, Isle of Harris.

I understand that Inverness education authority are now ready to accept tenders for the erection of a new school at Shielabost and that work should commence at an early date

asked the Secretary of State for War what proportion of campaign medals in respect of World War II and due to members of the West African Frontier Force have so far been distributed.

Approximately 17.5 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has considered Bramshill Common as an alternative site to Lea Copse for the Arborfield Grenade Range; and what objections he has to it.

Yes. Bramshill Common would be unsuitable because, for units stationed at Arborfield, its location would involve a march of considerably more than two miles each way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a mammoth fête organised by the Grantham Division Conservative and Unionist Association in June of this year, a corps of drums was provided by the Army Cadet Force; and whether he will prevent this non-party, non-political body being associated with party political functions.

The band in question was supplied by an Army Cadet Force unit without the permission of the appropriate authorities. Steps have been taken to ensure that this does not occur again.

asked the Secretary of State for War when he hopes to be able to give an answer to the question relating to the pay of certain temporary male clerks, Grade III, raised by the hon. Member for York in a letter to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, dated 28th November, 1950.

The hon. Member will now have received my hon. Friend's letter of 18th July.