asked the Minister of Labour how many persons there were whose deferment of call-up by reason of apprenticeship expired in each of the last three years or similar convenient periods; and how many of them have actually been called up.

The relevant statistics are not maintained on the basis of the year on which deferments expire but on the basis of the position of men in the various age groups at particular dates. They are as follows:

1929 class (registration completed in September, 1947)
Number deferred for apprenticeship on 5th December, 1947	42,700
Number remaining deferred on 5th October, 1951	600
1930 class (registration completed in December, 1948)
Number deferred for apprenticeship on 25th March, 1949	55,400
Number remaining deferred on 5th October, 1951	5,900
1931 class (registration completed in December, 1949)
Number deferred for apprenticeship on 31st March, 1950	60,100
Number remaining deferred on 5th October, 1951	41,000

Except for a negligible number of special cases (e.g., conscientious objectors or men granted postponement on grounds of exceptional hardship), all those originally deferred and not shown above as still on deferment have gone into the Forces unless medically unfit.

asked the Minister of Labour how many people are waiting to enter Remploy Limited, Bristol; how long is the average waiting time; who is responsible for the entry system; and whether he will take further steps to meet the needs of the registered disabled.

There is no waiting list of persons awaiting entry into the two Remploy factories in Bristol. The management selects men for engagement as vacancies occur. At one factory recruitment was slowed down earlier this year during re-organisation, but is now proceeding normally. Fifteen additional workers have been accepted by this factory since 1st September. At the other factory, which is for the tuberculous, six workers have started since 1st September and there are six vacancies for which no applicants are at the moment available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of days lost through industrial stoppage for each of the six years following the First and Second World Wars, respectively.

The aggregate numbers of working days lost in stoppages of work arising from industrial disputes in each of the six years following the First and Second World Wars were as follows:

Twelve months ended October				Approximate Number of Days Lost
1919	…	…	…	32,620,000
1920	…	…	…	26,240,000
1921	…	…	…	89,660,000
1922	…	…	…	20,020,000
1923	…	…	…	9,710,000
1924	…	…	…	9,150,000

Twelve months ended July				Approximate Number of Days Lost
1946	…	…	…	3,000,000
1947	…	…	…	2,320,000
1948	…	…	…	2,550,000
1949	…	…	…	1,530,000
1950	…	…	…	1,460,000
1951	…	…	…	1,810,000

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of registered unemployed in each of the six years following the First and Second World Wars, nationally and for the county borough of West Ham for the same period.

For employment exchanges in West Ham the available figures for November in each year were given in reply to a question by the hon. Member on 28th November, 1950.The figures for Great Britain are as follows:

—	Males	Females	Total
25th November, 1921*	1,470,247	378,822	1,849,069
20th November, 1922	1,185,172	215,921	1,401,093
26th November, 1923	980,146	281,692	1,261,838
24th November, 1924	941,357	249,235	1,190,592
12th November, 1945	155,529	122,629	278,158
11th November, 1946	273,514	102,700	376,214
10th November, 1947	198,356	83,927	282,283
15th November, 1948	242,963	84,980	327,943
14th November, 1949	233,893	89,716	323,609
13th November, 1950	201,380	100,691	302,071
* Comparable figures are not available for 1919 and 1920.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the figures of unemployed building trade workers registered at the Hackney and Stoke Newington employment exchange at the latest convenient date.

Ninety-four at 15th October, including 33 building trade craftsmen.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether he will state the aggregate softwood imports for the United Kingdom, excluding pitwood and plywood, in respect of 10 months ended 31st October, 1951, and 10 months ended 31st October, 1950 respectively; the relative figures for aggregate softwood consumption under Timber Control licences for these two periods; and to what extent he proposes to make a relaxation, in quantum, for softwood consumption licensing arrangements, in respect of the first half-year of 1952.

Softwood imports for the first ten months of 1950 and 1951 were 742,000 and 1,443,000 standards, respectively. Total consumption in the same periods was 880,000 and 981,000 standards. As my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, informed the House on the 7th November, it is intended to maintain softwood consumption at its present level in 1952.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will give sympathetic consideration to the claims of older retired teachers for an increase in their pensions.

These claims have to be considered along with those of other classes of pensioners and, as my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury stated last week, the whole question is being reviewed in the course of the Government's general review of expenditure.

asked the Minister of Education what progress has been made with regard to the construction of a special school for handicapped children in Wales.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a special school for physically handicapped children. I have just received from the Glamorgan local education authority a proposal to build such a school in 1952–53, and I am considering this.

asked the Minister of Education how many State scholarships were awarded during the years 1947 and 1948; how many of these scholars went at once to their university before military service; how many failed to complete their degree course; how many took their final examinations, but failed to qualify for a degree; and how many have had their scholarship extended because of failure to pass some examination before their final.

—			Number of State Scholarships awarded	Number taken up in the year of award	Number of scholars who failed to complete the degree course	Number who failed the final degree examination	Number of extensions through failure to pass an examination before the final degree examination
1947	…	…	750	348	11*	—	—
1948	…	…	800	366	10†	5	—
* One died.					† Two died.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether he will state the number of persons employed in the Timber Control of the Ministry of Materials, including all regional and area offices in the United Kingdom; and the total estimated cost of this personnel during the year ending 5th April, 1952, including all overhead and administrative charges attributed to the Timber Control of the Ministry of Materials.

The number of persons employed in the Timber Control on 1st November, 1951, was 822.The total estimated cost of staff during the year ending 5th April, 1952, is £450,000.I should add that the reversion of softwood buying to private trade will enable a further reduction to he made next year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when Parts III and IV of the report of the Committee on Punishments in Prisons, Borstals, Approved Schools and Remand Homes is likely to be published.

Parts III and IV of the report are likely to be published early in December.

The following table gives this information for ordinary State scholarships. It does not cover technical State scholarships, many of which are not held at universities, nor scholarships awarded under the special scheme for mature students.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the standard wages of firemen have been based on that of policemen for over 60 years, and, in view of the recent award to increase the wages of the police by £2 a week, he will also authorise a similar increase to firemen throughout the country, especially in view of the increased cost-of-living since any advancement was made and the long hours of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will establish equal rates of pay and working conditions for members of the fire brigade service and the police force.

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Heeley (Mr. P. Roberts) on this subject last Thursday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the respective strength of the Civil Defence Corps and the Auxiliary Fire Service in the United Kingdom on the most recent date for which he has the figures.

At 31st October, the strength of the Civil Defence Corps and the Auxiliary Fire Service in England and Wales was 159,903 and 10,687 respectively. I have no personal responsibility in this matter elsewhere, but I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and by the Government of Northern Ireland that the corresponding figures at the same date were: in Scotland, 10,454 for the Civil Defence Corps and 640 for the Auxiliary Fire Service; in Northern Ireland, 1,406 for the Civil Defence Corps and 448 for the Auxiliary Fire Service.Following are the detailed figures for England and Wales:

CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS
Region	Increase during October, 1951	Total strength at 31st October, 1951	Strength per thousand of population
South-Western	796	18,357	6·08
Eastern	417	18,772	6·06
Southern	307	15,402	5·82
South-Eastern	271	11,938	4·67
Northern	624	12,395	3·95
Midland	417	14,696	3·32
Wales	257	8,513	3·28
North-Western	384	19,286	3·03
North-Midland	226	10,417	3·02
London	392	21,082	2·53
North-Eastern	170	9,045	2·21
	4,261	159,903	3·66

AUXILIARY FIRE SERVICE
Increase during October, 1951	Total at 31st October, 1951
19	10,687

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers have graduated from the Police College since its reorganisation after the war; and how many of these have been recommended as suitable for appointment as chief constables.

One thousand, three hundred and ten members of police forces in England and Wales have completed courses at the Police College and 181 will complete courses next month. The objects of the college are to broaden the outlook and improve the professional knowledge of officers in the middle and higher ranks of the police service, but it is not a function of the college to recommend individuals for particular appointments. I may say, however, that up to the end of 1950 1,010 officers had attended the college and 652 of these had been promoted.The college also accepts a limited number of students from colonial and other police forces. One hundred and twenty such students have completed courses and 30 will do so next month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the number of attacks by hooligans on members of youth clubs in various parts of Hackney, in which members of clubs have been injured, necessitating in some cases treatment as in-patients in hospital; and what action he proposes to take.

I have received a very full report from the Commissioner of Police on the subject of such attacks on youths by hooligans as have occurred in the Hackney area in recent months, from which it appears that in only a very few cases can a connection with a youth club be traced. According to my information, in only one such case was treatment as an in-patient in hospital required. The police are fully alive to the need to deal effectively with hooliganism and will continue to give the matter their close attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what quantity of Indian hemp has been confiscated by the London police during the past 12 months; and what information he has as to the origin of the material in question.

Seven pounds eight-and-a-quarter ounces, of which one seizure accounted for 6 pounds. The origin of this hemp is not known, but I am advised that most of it probably comes from Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the authorised establishment and the strength of the Metropolitan Police on 1st November, 1951.

On 1st November the authorised establishment of the Metropolitan Police was 19,688 men and 388 women, and the effective strength (excluding persons seconded or serving overseas) was 15,489 men and 352 women.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much rent allowance he estimates will be paid during the current financial year to members of the Metropolitan Police.

£1,019,000 including £186,000 by way of compensatory grant to reimburse Income Tax paid on rent allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the number of cases in which lions and other dangerous animals have escaped from travelling shows causing terror or injury to citizens; and whether he will introduce legislation to protect the public from this menace.

So far as I am aware, such incidents are rare. I have no reason to think that persons who keep dangerous animals neglect their responsibilities for the protection of the public, and on the information before me, I do not think legislation is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the public anxiety over the number of convictions of parents for cruelty to their own or adopted children, he will, at an early date, set up a committee of inquiry into all aspects of the problem, including the adequacy or otherwise of the punishments inflicted upon the offenders, and the need for the co-ordination of educational, medical, social, religious and other activities aimed at raising the standards of conduct of the parents concerned.

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on 15th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Cornwall, North (Sir H. Roper), and the hon. Members for Barking (Mr. Hastings) and Southampton, Test (Dr. King).My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that this subject was discussed on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House on 19th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the large number of cases of indecency against children in cinemas, he will adopt the suggestion made to him by the National Council of Women, and take steps to make cinemas provide separate accommodation for unaccompanied children, as recommended by a Government committee last year.

The law relating to cinemas does not at present enable me to impose such a requirement, but I am considering the report of the inter-Departmental Committee on Children and the Cinema, which contains recommendations for amending the law on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many postal votes were cast at the General Elections of 1950 and 1951, respectively.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave last week to a similar Question by the hon. Member for Bristol, South-East (Mr. Benn). When the figures for the 1951 election are ready I will publish with them the corresponding figures for the 1950 election.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will receive a deputation from the borough council of Newcastle-under-Lyme on the subject of Civil Defence powers.

If the borough council wish to send a deputation I shall be glad to arrange for its reception.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to strengthen the law relating to the protection of children, in view of all the circumstances surrounding the recent journey of Thomas Kavanagh to the United States of America; and what further inquiries are being made to this end.

On the information before me I am not satisfied that any amendment of the law is necessary. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is, however, making certain further inquiries into the particular case referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause to be published a memorandum by the Council for Wales and Monmouthshire on its activities as was done in October last year.

It is for the Council to decide when to submit a further report on their activities. I understand that they do not propose to do so within the next few months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Defence Regulation 66, relating to delegation of functions of the Minister of Agriculture, was not included in the White Paper on Continuance of Emergency Legislation, Command Paper No. 8391.

I regret to say that Defence Regulation 66 should have been included in the list in paragraph 2 of Cmd. 8391. Its omission was due to an error in printing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he proposes to publish the report of the sub-committee on the administration of the Land Settlement Association; and what steps he proposes to take to cut down the cost of the central administration of this body.

I do not think I should be justified in incurring the expenditure involved in publishing this report of the sub-committee of the Smallholdings Advisory Council, but I am placing a copy in the Library for the information of hon. Members, together with the Memorandum of Agreement that has been reached between representatives of the Land Settlement Association and of the National Association of Land Settlement Association Tenants in the light of the recommendations in the report. It is a feature of these agreed recommendations that the Land Settlement Association's smallholdings scheme should aim at becoming financially self-supporting, and with that end in view changes in the organisation of the Land Settlement Association have already been made and substantial economies effected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will transfer the control of the individual Land Settlement Association estates to the smallholdings committee of the local county council for the county in which the estate is situated and dispense entirely with the central organisation of the Land Settlement Association.

No. The organisation of the smallholdings estates, provided with centralised services, which has been developed by the Land Settlement Association is different from that of the smallholdings provided by the county councils. I recently had an opportunity of attending a representative gathering of tenants from the various estates of the Land Settlement Association, and I found them eager to play a full part in the new arrangements which give them a voice in formulating policy and directing administration of the Land Settlement Association scheme, and I am anxious to maintain the existing L.S.A. organisation so that these arrangements may continue.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated tonnage of plums and soft fruit wasted in Kent this season owing to the shortage of tinplate.

As far as I am aware there has not been any wastage of soft fruit or plums in Kent this season owing to a shortage of tinplate, but if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any case which has come to his notice I will look into it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on the recent outbreaks of foot and mouth disease and the probable sources of infection.

The first outbreak of the present series was confirmed in the East Riding of Yorkshire on 14th November. Up to this morning, 24 outbreaks had been confirmed, most of them near the east coast of England from Yorkshire to Essex.Infected stock and contacts have been slaughtered and the usual infected area restrictions have been imposed in the vicinity of outbreaks. In addition, because of the large number of initial outbreaks and the risk that the disease may be spreading to other areas of Great Britain, practically the whole of Eastern England from Yorkshire to the English

ESTIMATED PRODUCTION OF APPLES (EXCLUDING CIDER APPLES) AND PEARS (EXCLUDING PERRY PEARS) HARVESTED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, 1936–37 to 1938–39 and 1946–47 to 1951–52 (PROVISIONAL)
(Thousand Tons)
—	1936–37	1937–38	1938–39	1946–47	1947–48	1948–49	1949–50	1950–51	1951–52 (provisional)
Apples:
dessert	*	*	*	*	*	120	144	140	200
cooking	*	*	*	*	*	264	370	308	450
Total Apples, dessert and cooking	345	156	86	361	595	384	514	448	650
Pears: dessert and cooking	28	10	10	24	39	32	40	23	27
* Separate figures for dessert and cooking apples are not available before 1948–49

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will publish a table showing the domestic production of apples and pears in each of the postwar seasons and in the last three pre-war seasons; and if he will make an estimate of what production and importation are likely to be in the present season.

The figures of home production are given below. This year's production (apart from cider apples and perry pears) may provisionally be put at 650,000 tons of apples and 27,000 tons of pears. I cannot at present give any reliable estimate of this season's imports, but up to 1st November, 5,000 tons of apples have been imported.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated crop of dessert apples produced in England and Wales during 1951; and what proportion of this crop still remains unsold.

The crop is estimated at 200,000 tons, of which approximately 60 per cent. had been sold by 1st November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the amount of grants made to farmers in Merionethshire under the Hill Farming Act, 1946, during the 12 months ending 31st October, 1951; and the number of applications which were unsuccessful.

The amount of grant paid was £18,500. Eleven applications were rejected or withdrawn.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his intention has been drawn to the prevalance of sheep worrying by straying dogs in many parts of North Wales; and what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the position.

I am aware that in North Wales as in other parts of the country a number of cases of sheep worrying by dogs occur. The National Farmers' Union have recently put forward suggestions for dealing with this matter and those suggestions are at present receiving careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average produce per acre for any variety of cereals or crops for which the information is available; and what is the amount of carcase meat that can be obtained per acre from cattle, sheep and pigs, respectively.

The average yields per acre of the main cereals and of potatoes are approximately:

• Wheat, 20 cwt.
• Barley, 19 cwt.
• Oats, 18 cwt.
• Potatoes, 7 tons (equivalent in food value to about 32 cwt. of grain).

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the main subjects which the White Fish Authority are now engaged in considering; and whether these include the question of transport charges for fish.

The Authority are exploring a wide variety of subjects, and ideas are still in the formative stage. In these cases I do not think it would be desirable to attempt to give a list but as my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Food said in reply to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) on 12th November last, we understand that the White Fish Authority are considering the question of equalising transport charges.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the figures showing the total cost of the Armed Forces and the re-armament programme in this country in 1951, and this total expressed as a cost per head of the working population, respectively.

In the last Budget speech the cost of defence and Civil Defence in the financial year 1951–52 was estimated at about £1,295 million. This total expressed as a cost per head of the working population is approximately £55.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made by the committee set up by his predecessor to review the present system of Purchase Tax affecting those classes of goods within which the utility schemes operate.

I understand that the Committee are making good progress with their consideration of this complex question, but that they have still a substantial programme of work in hand. It is likely, therefore, to be some considerable time before any statement can be made about the Committee's recommendations and the Government's attitude towards them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Ministers now receiving £4,000 a year will draw the Parliamentary allowance to which they became entitled under the Ministers of the Crown Act, 1946, Section 3.

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Sowerby (Mr. Houghton) on 20th November.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for repayments of Income Tax of sums of £20 or less to be made, at the option of the payee, by means of money order or postal order, whichever may be appropriate to the sum involved, as an alternative to payment by cheque.

No. It has been the practice for many years, for reasons of security and economy, to make all repayments of income tax by cheque and I have no evidence that this practice has caused any appreciable inconvenience. If, however, any particular case of inconvenience is known to the hon. Member and details can be supplied, I shall be pleased to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what profits have been received by the brewing and distil- ling industries, respectively, after payment of taxes during the last financial year and during the year 1938–39.

After deducting depreciation allowances, Income Tax and Profits Tax (or N.D.C.) the net profits of the brewing industry for the accounting years ending in 1938–39 and 1949–50 were £17 million and £15 million, respectively.The figures include profits arising from trade ancillary to the main business. Figures for the profits in 1950–51 are not yet available.I regret I am unable to give information about the profits of the distilling industry.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he proposes to take to increase the statutory limit of £200 upon the shareholdings of members of agricultural co-operative societies.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 20th November to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe (Mr. J. Hynd) to which at present I have nothing to add.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what changes have been made in the constitution and functions of the Economic Planning Board.

None.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated cost of paying widows the post-war credits of their late husbands.

I regret this information is not at present available. I hope, however, to be able to make a statement about them in the very near future.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of postwar credit still outstanding; what was the amount outstanding on 1st August, 1945; and what steps he proposes to clear the present liability.

The total amount of post-war credit originally created was £800 million, of which £603 million is still outstanding. It is not possible to say how much was outstanding on 1st August, 1945, since that date was before the end of the last year for which post-war credits were created.Post-war credits are now being released at a rate of £17 million a year. Whether this rate of release can be accelerated must depend upon the general economic position, and my right hon. Friend will consider the matter when he reviews the economic and financial state of the country at the time of the next Budget.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will establish long-term Government borrowing on a 4 per cent, basis.

The Government like any other borrower always seeks to borrow at the lowest rate of interest which circumstances permit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Festival crown pieces have been minted so far; what has been the cause of the delay in supply; whether he is aware of the disappointment of many people that the standard of workmanship is not of the very high quality associated with British coinage in past years; and whether he will take action to ensure a higher standard of commemorative coinage in the future.

Up to the 20th November, 1,917,221 Festival crown pieces had been issued. The demand at the South Bank (more than 15,000 a day in the closing weeks of the Exhibition) absorbed nearly the whole of the Royal Mint production of these coins. Orders from other sources had to be deferred until the Exhibition closed. Outstanding orders will be met within a few weeks.I do not accept the implication in the last part of the Question. Only three complaints (involving the quality of six coins) have been received. Commendatory letters on the design and finish of these coins have reached the Royal Mint from all parts of the world.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer by what proportion, as a result of the cuts in imports announced on 7th November, imports of foodstuffs, textiles, paper and paper-making materials, respectively, will be reduced.

Imports of foodstuffs from all sources will be reduced by approximately 8 per cent. in value below the present level of imports. Most textiles are excluded from the cuts. A final decision has not yet been taken on the level of imports of paper and paper-making materials in 1952.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that disappointment has been caused by the poor quality both of the metal and finish of the campaign stars issued for service during the 1939–45 war; and if he will investigate this question with a view to ensuring that all stars or medals issued in future are made of suitable metals and are of a higher standard of workmanship.

Over 8,000,000 campaign stars have been issued for the 1939–45 War and the number of complaints about their finish is negligible. The alloy used was bronze which is traditional for awards of this character. Every effort will continue to be made to ensure that the finish of such stars is the best possible having regard to the numbers required and the time available for manufacture. If, however, the hon. Member has in mind any particular examples of poor quality perhaps he would get in touch with me.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the forthcoming London Conference of Commonwealth Finance Ministers.

No. My right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to add anything to the statement he made in the House on 7th November.

asked the Minister of Health how many foreign dentists and doctors are now domiciled in this country and unable to follow their profession: and what steps he is taking to utilise the services of these professional men.

I regret that no figures are available. Foreign-trained dentists and doctors can be registered in this country if they can satisfy the criteria laid down by Parliament. The question of reviewing the arrangements applicable to dentists so as to facilitate registration is being considered.

asked the Minister of Health what directions he has issued to doctors and midwives employed in the National Health Service, when they are required to make a decision as to whether to save the life of the unborn child or the mother in cases of complications in confinement.

None.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he will take to ease the position of overcrowding at the Winterton Mental Hospital, Sedgefield, County Durham.

The position should be eased before the middle of next year, when some of the patients will be transferred to other accommodation now nearing completion.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the desire of the Sheffield Health Authority to establish a health centre in the premises already provided in Firth Park, Sheffield; and if he will state his policy in respect of health centres generally.

Yes, and discussions are proceeding between representatives of my Department and the British Medical Association with a view to settling a model form of contract for doctors in health centres which will, I hope, solve some of the difficulties which have arisen on earlier schemes. The development of health centres must however be subject to the general limitations in respect of building work.

asked the Minister of Health what directions or instructions are given by him covering the appointment of chairmen to regional hospital boards; and what are the general considerations taken into account in making recommendations of individuals for appointment.

No directions or instructions have been given covering these appointments, which are made by the Minister himself. In making them, the considerations taken into account are experience and personal suitability.

asked the Minister of Health by what amount the establishment of the Leeds Regional Hospital Board has been reduced consequent upon the reduction of the current estimates by his predecessor; and how many employees of the board have been dismissed or places not filled consequent thereon.

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the headquarters staff of the board The establishment of this staff has been reduced by one since March. At that time there were 24 vacancies; these have been left unfilled.

asked the Minister of Health what are the National Health Service arrangements for replacing spectacle frames, other than steel frames, broken without negligence; and at what cost to the patient.

The detailed arrangements depend upon the circumstances of each case. Broadly the person pays the net cost of the frame and there is a small service charge which is in some cases remitted.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, despite the urgent representations concerning the need for treatment of tonsil and adenoid defects made to local regional hospital authorities during the last two years, the waiting lists for operations in Ealing and Acton has grown from 100 at the introduction of the National Health Service in July, 1948, to 703 on 5th November this year; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the immediate future to assist the local authority to deal adequately with the serious tonsil and adenoid defects amongst school children in the borough of Ealing.

Yes. The regional hospital board are hoping in the very near future to open additional beds for the treatment of these cases at Clayponds Hospital.

asked the Minister of Health if he will set up a Working Party to review the National Health Service to see where it can be improved and where waste can be eliminated.

No. The Government have these matters under very close review and I do not think there would be any advantage in any further committees.

asked the Minister of Health why, in view of the continued need for nurses, the opening of the new nurses training school at Tynemouth has been postponed although the building has been acquired and a considerable amount of equipment provided.

The opening of the school was deferred because the regional hospital board did not expect to be able to meet the cost of running it from their reduced maintenance estimates. They are, however, now hoping to be able to open it shortly.

asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals in England and Wales there are which normally deal with maternity cases; how many, and which, of those have pre-natal relaxation and natural childbirth training clinics for expectant mothers attached to them or provide facilities for this purpose; who conducts these clinics; what percentage of expectant mothers are covered by these facilities; what efforts are made to inform expectant mothers of the existence of these clinics; whether he is able to report on the success or failure of these clinics; and whether he is satisfied that there are enough of them to meet the need.

Six hundred and nineteen hospitals have maternity beds but I have no information of the number with pre-natal relaxation clinics. Such clinics are normally conducted by physiotherapists under the supervision of the obstetric staff who would themselves refer suitable patients to the clinics. The value of these clinics is primarily a matter of professional opinion, which I understand is at present divided.

asked the Minister of Health how many people are now employed in the administration of hospitals in the United Kingdom; and how many were employed in the same capacity prior to the introduction of the National Health Service.

I can speak only for England and Wales. There, the regional hospital boards, boards of governors and hospital management committees employed 29,078 administrative and clerical staff on 31st December, 1950, the latest date for which I have figures. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the Question is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an assurance that in revising the Public Health (Tuberculosis) Regulations, he intends to preserve the existing statutory functions of the metropolitan borough councils in this field.

asked the Minister of Health to what extent he has under consideration a curtailment of the powers of the metropolitan borough councils to deal with tuberculosis; and whether he will make a statement on the matter before he takes any definite step.

The statutory functions of these councils under the Public Health (London) Act will not be affected.

asked the Minister of Health if he will consider setting up an inquiry into the cause of the high incidence of foot deformity among children, with a view to making recommendations to prevent such deformity.

Information on this matter is continually being collected and considered by existing authorities and preventive action is being taken in several ways. I doubt whether any new and separate inquiry is needed.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the policy of the British Sugar Corporation in regard to sugar beet pulp for 1952 when the prices will be increased to growers to £19 15s. per ton bagged pulp in spite of protests by the interests concerned and whether he will take such action as will mitigate the hardship to growers.

After careful review of all the circumstances we would not feel justified in asking the British Sugar Corporation to cancel the recent increase in the growers' price for beet pulp from the 1952 crop. Even at the new price, pulp will still be considerably cheaper than other feeding stuffs.

asked the Minister of Supply what action he proposes to take on the Monopolies Commission's report on electric lamps.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he has studied the report of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission on the supply of electric lamps; and what action he proposes to take in view of the facts described in that report.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he proposes to take to implement the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission on the restrictive practices found to be operating in the electric lamp manufacturing industry.

I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave last Tuesday to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Fenner Brockway).

asked the Minister of Supply if he will state the number of agricultural tractors produced in the years 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1948, 1949, 1950.

The figures asked for are as follow:

Agricultural tractor production
1936	…	…	…	not available
1937	…	…	…	17,949
1938	…	…	…	10,029
1948	…	…	…	117,038
1949	…	…	…	90,411
1950	…	…	…	120,211

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether it is his intention to allow the work of building power stations to continue in view of the importance of increasing the power load available to industry.

Yes. It is my right hon. Friend's intention to encourage the building of power stations so far as national resources permit.

asked the Minister of Works when the Scottish Office in London will return to its old quarters at Dover House, Whitehall.

The Scottish Office cannot return to Dover House until extensive structural repairs have been carried out. In present circumstances I cannot say when it will be possible to do this work.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will arrange that all Service establishments equipped with stand-by power supplies are instructed to use these in order to off-load the mains and lessen the industrial electricity cuts.

Stand-by power supplies will be used to the maximum possible extent consistent with operational requirements.

asked the Minister of Works what is the total loss on the Festival of Britain, to the nearest convenient date.

While it is impossible to arrive at final figures for financial out-turn of the Festival of Britain until the dismantling of the South Bank and other exhibitions has been completed and outstanding claims on contracts have been settled, I am in a position to give the House a preliminary and provisional appreciation.The total net expenditure authorised for the Festival of Britain by the previous Government was £9 million, or £8,940,000 after deducting the £60,000 which the Festival Office provided as a net contribution to the cost of the Festival Pleasure Gardens which are now being continued so that their eventual financial results cannot yet be judged. While it is impracticable to be quite definite at this stage, the Festival Office hopes to succeed in keeping within its estimate in spite of steeply rising costs at the time the exhibitions and other events were being prepared and held.The total gross authorised expenditure of £11,500,000 is divided as follows:

	£
Festival Office	10,051,350
Ministry of Transport	709,000
Council of Industrial Design (Board of Trade)	318,000
Arts Council (Treasury)	400,000
British Film Institute (Treasury)	15,500
National Museum of Wales (Treasury)	6,150
	£11,500,000

Against its gross expenditure of £10,051,350 the total revenue from all sources to be received by the Festival Office is now estimated at about £2,500,000, which compares with estimates before the opening of £2,560,000. This figure does not take account of scientific and artistic exhibits, purchased for the Festival exhibitions at a cost of some £200,000, which it is proposed to ask the House to approve as gifts to appropriate public institutions in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. While allowance has been made for the salvage value of the buildings, no account has been taken in this estimate of the additional revenue which will be received from the sale of exhibits or other articles used in the exhibitions.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will give the numbers in receipt of public assistance in the county borough of West Ham in each of the six years following the first and Second World Wars.

I regret that the precise information asked for by the hon. Member relating to the period following the First World War is not available, but I will send the hon. Member such information as I am able to procure.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British soldiers in Korea have been treated for venereal disease.

From November, 1950, to September, 1951, 2,570 British soldiers in Korea were treated for this disease.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that the county borough of West Ham was the worst bombed borough during the last war; that 14,000 houses were completely destroyed, a total of 56,700 buildings damaged, resulting in an urgent housing list of over 14,000 families to date, which is growing at the rate of 140 per month; and what action he proposes to take to assist this council to overcome this housing problem.

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to several Questions regarding war-damaged cities (including West Ham) on 13th November.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when the Government intend to introduce legislation to amend the Rent Restriction Acts.

The Government will consider the matter in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the shortage of barges in the Surrey Commercial Docks; and if he will make a statement.

I am aware that there is a shortage of barges in the Port of London generally, including the Surrey Commercial Docks, but great progress has been made in restoring the heavy wartime losses of barges and I understand that the carrying capacity of the craft in London today is now not less than it was in 1938. New barges are being built as quickly as possible, but there are limitations on the amount of steel which can be made available for this purpose. The present shortage appears to be primarily due, not to any deficiency in the number or capacity of the available barges, but rather to delays in loading and particularly in discharging them.The problem can only be solved by the whole-hearted co-operation of all concerned, and I am glad to know that the Port Operations Consultative Panel of the Port of London is giving special attention to the problem, and that the lighterage industry is working closely with other port interests and with the shipowners in an endeavour to minimise delays to barges.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what parts of Germany the termination of the state of war announced by His Majesty's Government on 9th July, 1951, applies.

The announcement made by His Majesty's Government on the 9th July, 1951, terminated the state of war with the whole of Germany.

asked the Minister of Pensions when he received the approach from the British Legion for increased disability pensions; what reply he has sent; and how much would it cost to accede to their demands.

I assume the hon. Member refers to the pamphlet recently issued by the British Legion, a copy of which has been received by me. No reply has been sent. It is estimated that the cost of meeting the British Legion's demands for the basic rate of disability pensions to be increased by 45s. a week would be about £32 million a year.