asked the Minister of Health if he will investigate the circumstances under which Messrs. Fairs, Blissard Barnes and Stowe, Solicitors, of Bank Chambers, 1434, London Road, Norbury, have been unable to obtain any answer to their letters addressed to the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases for a period of over five months on behalf of their client, Mr. H. H. Wackett, with a view to putting an end to such delays.

My right hon. Friend much regrets the hospital's delay in answering the solicitors' letter, and he is asking them to take steps to avoid such delays in future; but I am told that the secretary of the Board of Governors last month informed the solicitors by telephone that he again proposed to consult the Ministry. He has now done so, and the matter will be dealt with as quickly as possible.

asked the Minister of Health how many boards of governors of teaching hospitals complied with his proposal that expenditure on Christmas festivities for the patients should be met from endowment moneys; and how many declined to do so.

The boards of governors, like other hospital authorities, had discretion in this matter, and I regret that the information asked for is not available, and cannot be obtained without a special inquiry which my right hon. Friend does not consider would be justified.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will arrange that an emergency dental service shall be available whereby anyone can secure immediate temporary treatment if away from home, or be otherwise prevented from being attended by his own registered dentist.

Under the National Health Service people can seek treatment from any dentist taking part in the Service, and executive councils have been asked to seek the help of the profession in making suitable arrangements, whether by rotas or otherwise, to provide for dental treatment in an emergency.

asked the Minister of Health if he has studied the Report of the North Regional Hospital Board drawing attention to the fact that it is getting less than its proper share of the national expenditure on hospital services; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this situation.

Yes; and my right hon. Friend is also considering a report on a meeting which took place two days ago between representatives of the Board and the Ministry. I will let my hon. Friend have a copy of the reply which is sent to the Board.

asked the Minister of Health when a hearing aid will be granted to Mrs. Orchard, Hope House, Chalford, Gloucestershire, who was examined by the Bristol Royal Hospital for such an aid in August, 1949.

I regret that it is not possible to say when her aid will be fitted, but patients examined in March. 1949, are now receiving their aids.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that the Medresco hearing aid does not suit all deaf persons, he will allow such persons a grant to purchase alternative equipment in cases where this is recommended by a doctor.

New types of aid are being developed to meet the needs of those not helped by the Medresco aid, which is the appliance issued under the National Health Service. I have no power to make grants of the kind suggested.

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the figures showing the number of children reaching school age of five years on 30th September for each of the years from 1935 to 1952.

Figures are not available in the form asked for by the hon. Member, but the following is a series of estimates compiled by the Registrar-General showing the number of children aged four and under five at 30th June for each of the years in question.

asked the Minister of Health if he will make a further statement on the progress being made in the use of the drug cortisone both for the treatment of rheumatism and for eye inflammation.

My right hon. Friend is advised that the time is not yet opportune for giving a considered opinion as to the efficacy of cortisone in the treatment of rheumatism. Controlled investigations, in which the Medical Research Council co-operates, are still continuing.The efficacy of cortisone in the treatment of certain forms of eye inflammation has now been established and special supplies are being made to appropriate hospitals for this purpose.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that some local authorities are considering closing down day nurseries; and whether she will send a circular to all local authorities recommending that these nurseries should not be closed down owing to the hardship which would be caused to mothers who must work.

My right hon. Friend has no doubt that local authorities, when closing day nurseries, will deal with any cases of hardship for which it is their duty as health authorities to provide, and he does not think it necessary to issue a circular on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider introducing further legislation to give the farming community greater protection from damage caused to livestock by straying dogs.

Yes. I am considering whether we can introduce effective legislation that would help farmers with this difficult problem. The N.F.U. have put forward a number of proposals which have been examined by my Department, and which I am hoping to discuss with the Union in the very near future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent the Agricultural Land Commission intend to farm redundant airfields that are being taken over; and to what extent they are going to be let out to individual farmers.

It is the policy of the Agricultural Land Commission to let all airfield land under their control as soon as they can make suitable arrangements to do so. No such land is being farmed by the Commission at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will review the Regulations issued in March, 1949, governing the collection of kitchen waste to enable a licence to be transferred from one collector to another in cases where, at the discretion of his Department, there would appear to be good and sufficient grounds for such a transfer.

Under the Kitchen Waste (Licensing of Private Collectors) Order I already have power to transfer a licence from one collector to another; but to avoid the risk of animal disease we try to see that waste goes through a central plant wherever possible. Old-established collectors are given licences so that they can go on collecting from their old rounds, but this is a purely personal concession and we do not usually allow licences to be transferred if there is a central plant to which the waste could go.

asked the Minister of Agriculture with a view to increased food production, if he will consult with the British Electricity Authority in regard to the promotion of rural electricity schemes in Wales, and as to whether certain small extensions of mains at Velindre, Dunvant and Llanmorlais in the Gower Division which have been discussed by the local farmers, by the Electricity Board's officers and the Member of Parliament for the constituency shall now be authorised and completed so as to provide for the earliest possible supply of current for lighting and small farm power units.

The extent to which the electricity boards can give electricity supplies in rural areas, including those in Wales, depends on the resources which can be made available. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power hopes to make a statement on the general position shortly.

asked the Minister of Agriculture for what purpose he is proposing to acquire by compulsory purchase land at Peacehaven, Saltdean and adjoining estates, belonging to private owners who are anxious to develop their plots for building houses.

This land was requisitioned by the County War Agricultural Executive Committee during the war in the interests of food production. The proposal is to purchase the land under Section 85 of the Agriculture Act, 1947, to secure or maintain its full and efficient use for agriculture. It is not scheduled for development.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the recent increase in the number of fox-hunting packs, he will take steps to restrict the consumption of fodder by horses and hounds.

The ration of feeding-stuffs issued to certain hunts on grounds of pest destruction are already restricted to the needs of a small fraction of prewar numbers of horses and hounds.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet received a report from the South West Wales River Board regarding the issue of licences for coracle fishermen on the River Teifi.

An application from the River Board for an Order under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Acts has been received and is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has yet received any report or proposals from the White Fish Authority.

The Departments concerned have received and are considering the Authority's proposals for financing the building of near and middle water fishing vessels, and the Authority have also announced their intention of submitting to Ministers a transport equalisation scheme. The Authority have several further proposals under examination, but the hon. Member would not expect me to enumerate them when they are still in the formative stage.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can yet make a statement about the proposals for the compulsory purchase for afforestation of a large area in the Towy Valley.

Yes. I should welcome an opportunity of explaining the position.A draft Order for the compulsory purchase of some 11,450 acres was published on 18th September, 1950, objections were lodged and a public local inquiry into them was held. The report of the inspector appointed to hold the inquiry was submitted to me on 20th November, 1951.I have examined the proposals and considered the objections as reported by the inspector. After considering all the circumstances, including the country's financial and economic situation, my conclusion—with which the Forestry Commission concurs—is that it is not expedient to proceed with the project, which would involve heavy capital expenditure as a preliminary to a programme extending over 20 years. I have, therefore, after consulting my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary and Minister for Welsh Affairs decided not to make an Order.The decision in this particular case must not be regarded as indicating that the importance and urgency of increasing our home production of timber has in any way lessened. As the House will recognise, the need to increase the national resources of growing trees in Great Britain is very acute, and I am satisfied not only that a substantial part of this increase must come from the afforestation of bare land by the State, but also that the upland areas of Wales, including the Towy area, must continue to make a sustained contribution to this objective.I look with confidence to all concerned to do everything they can to achieve this result by co-operation with the Forestry Commission and by individual effort to develop new plantations and restore derelict woodlands. The Forestry Commission will assist owners and others to the maximum extent possible by way of advice and, where appropriate, grants to private individuals and co-operative associations who apply themselves to the task of getting more growing trees.I am convinced that given goodwill and co-operation between the interests concerned, agriculture and forestry can be complementary and of the greatest benefit to each other and to the nation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of his policy of restricting credit facilities to firms and businesses, he will instruct all Government Departments to pay all moneys due by them to firms and individuals with the same degree of promptness as prevails in commercial transactions generally.

Standing instructions already exist on this matter. But if my hon. Friend knows of any case in which these instructions were not observed, I shall, of course, be happy to look into it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now consider lowering the age at which post-war credits are paid in respect of widows and persons who have had a long period of illness.

I am afraid that I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the continued difficulties experienced by trustees who are limited to the existing range of investments authorised by law for the investment of trust funds; and if, in view of the altered conditions which now prevail, he is now prepared to introduce legislation to widen the range of such investments.

I am aware that trustees do sometimes experience difficulties arising from the limitations imposed by the existing Trustee List, but I have not yet had sufficient opportunity to discover how real and widespread these difficulties are. I am now having the whole matter examined in order to see whether any action is desirable or possible.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the purchasing power of the £ sterling, calculated over the whole field of personal expenditure, taking 1st January, 1945, as £1, on 1st January, 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1952.

Figures are not available for the dates specified. But taking 20s. as the average for 1945, the corresponding averages for 1948, 1949 and 1950 were 16s. 11d., 16s. 7d. and 16s. ld., respectively. A comparable figure for 1951 is not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the purchasing power in this country of the £, taking 1900 as 100, for each decennial period since; and if he will give similar figures, on the best estimates available, calculated over the whole field of personal expenditure for the latest convenient date.

Only approximate figures can be given as different bases must be used for different periods and an index covering all consumer goods and services has only been available since 1938. Subject to this qualification the figures are as follows:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now make a statement on the reviewing of the fixed pensions paid to older Post Office workers, policemen, teachers and civil servants, in view of the rising costs of living.

This matter forms part of the pensions review we are now making and I cannot yet make a statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated amount of sterling at present held by Japan; and whether in negotiations for the trade agreement with Japan he will not allow convertibility into dollars of such balances until Japan's pre-war debts to this country have been repaid, or a settlement concerning them, reached.

I regret that I cannot disclose figures of the sterling balances of an individual country. No arrangements are in train for a trade agreement with Japan and the second part of my hon. Friend's Question does not therefore arise. I should perhaps explain however that payments relations between Japan and the Sterling Area are regulated by the Sterling Payments Agreement of 31st August, 1951.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent the psychological tests described in Section IV of the Memorandum by the Civil Service Commissioners on the use of the Civil Service Selection Board, 1951, are still in use for the examination and selection of candidates for the foreign and civil services; and whether it is intended to continue those methods.

Psychological tests, which include intelligence tests, continue to form part of the selection procedure described in the Memorandum and it is the present intention to continue their use, as modified from time to time, during the experimental period.As I told my hon. Friend on 20th November, one psychologist is employed on these duties.

asked the Minister of Labour how many farm workers became liable for National Service in November and December, 1951; and in how many cases call-up has been deferred.

Approximately 18,000 farm workers became available for call-up in November and December, 1951. By 31st December 9,744 applications for deferment had been received, of which 4,823 were granted. 2,346 cases were still under consideration at that date.

asked the Minister of Labour how many agricultural workers in Scotland have now been called up for military service.

Before 1st November, 1951, agricultural workers were, in general, not called up for National Service so long as they remain in the industry. As from 1st November, 1951, agricultural workers born in 1933, other than those in certain categories, became available for call-up, and the number from the first three-quarters of the 1933 age class who were called up in Scotland in November and December, 1951, was 468.

asked the Minister of Labour to what extent the Royal Ordnance factories are short of labour; and what steps are being taken to fill the vacancies.

A few Royal Ordnance Factories, which are situated in areas where there is a shortage of labour, have been unable to obtain workers at the required rate of intake. Special attention is being given by my local offices to filling these vacancies and the Notification of Vacancies Order will assist them in their task.

asked the Minister of Labour the total national wage increases granted in the year 1951.

The total amount of wage increases granted in 1951 is not known, but it is estimated that increases in weekly rates of wages granted in 1951 to workpeople in industries covered by my Department's statistics, amounted to about £6½ million a week at the end of the year.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the publication of information on absenteeism, he will give the figures, where practicable, for all industries, or cease publication of these figures for the mining industry alone.

Statistics of absences from work are not available for any industry other than the coal mining industry. The question whether publication of the figures for that industry is to continue is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power and the National Coal Board.

asked the Minister of Education whether the report of the investigation into the case of a girl nine years of age who had her lips sealed with sticking plaster by a teacher in Salford recently has been completed; and what action she proposes to take in the matter.

I have received a report from the local education authority, who have completed their inquiries and taken suitable action. I am satisfied that no action on my part is called for.

asked the Minister of Education whether her attention has been called to the case of a boy, aged 13 years, who was caned in a Cardiff mixed and infant school recently, as a result of which he received six weals from three to seven inches long on his back and other injuries; what was the crime for which this punishment was given; and how far such treatment is in accordance with the regulations.

I have seen reports of this incident in the Press. The punishment was given for alleged impudence and insubordination. Regulations about corporal punishment are made by local education and school authorities and are not subject to my approval.

asked the Minister of Education whether the Report on the investigations into punishment and rewards of children in schools undertaken by the Foundation for Educational Research as announced on 24th April, 1947, and which the House was informed on 31st May, 1951, had been completed, has now been received; whether the report will be published in full or in summary; and what steps are proposed to be taken in the matter.

I have received a copy of this Report which was published today. I cannot at this stage give any answer to the third part of the Question.

asked the Minister of Education how far her proposed economies will mean a cut in the grants to Young Farmers Clubs.

I cannot yet say what grants will be available for Young Farmers Clubs next year.

asked the Minister of Education when she proposes to make a statement upon the future building economies, particularly as they will affect technical education.

I hope to issue a circular on this subject very shortly.

asked the Minister of Education what proposals she has made on completion of her review of economies in the field of expenditure on educational services financed directly by the Exchequer.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the presentation to the House of my Estimates, together with the detailed memorandum upon them; but if the hon. Member wishes for information on any particular service, I will do my best to provide it.

asked the Minister of Education the estimated saving in educational expenditure for the financial year 1952–53 as a result of the issue of circular 242 to local education authorities.

As the hon. Member is aware, local education authorities were asked to aim at a reduction of 5 per cent, on their preliminary forecasts of expenditure for 1952–53. I cannot yet say what saving they are likely to be able to make as a result of the issue of the circular and their review of the forecasts.

asked the Minister of Education what replies she has received to Circular 242 from local education authorities in Staffordshire; and what further action she proposes to take.

One, which did not call for any special action on my part.

asked the Minister of Education what effect the educational cuts will have upon aid to students entering the universities.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will state her policy in regard to the number and value of awards given directly by the Government to any class of students.

I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly about awards given directly by my Department and those made by local education authorities for students entering Universities, etc.

asked the Minister of Education if she will give an undertaking that, on all future occasions when cuts in educational expenditure have been decided on, these cuts are announced at a time when this House is sitting and the matter can be discussed.

While I can give no absolute undertaking in a matter which must necessarily depend on the particular circumstances at the time, the hon. Member may take it that I will always do my best to time the issue of important announcements of policy from my Department so that the House may have the opportunity of discussing them.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the proposed economies will impose great hardships upon the local education authorities in their provision of recreation grounds, clothing for physical training, administration, furniture and transport; and whether she will consider the withdrawal of Circular 242.

This Circular invites local authorities to review the whole of their proposed expenditure in the coming year; it makes clear that I do not expect reductions which would impair the essential fabric of the education service and indicates certain economies which should specially be considered. I therefore cannot accept the suggestion made in the first part of the Question and I am not prepared to withdraw the Circular.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will now make a statement on the age limit for the general certificate of education.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will now amend the regulations so as to enable children to sit for the general certificate of education before reaching the age of 16 years; and whether she will introduce a distinction mark for this examination.

The Secondary School Examinations Council have themselves undertaken a review of the new examination system as a whole in the light of such experience as has now been gained. The Council have recommended to me that no change should be made in the published arrangements for the 1952 examination, and I have decided to accept this recommendation. I shall now await their considered conclusions in the matter.

asked the Minister of Education if she will now abolish the rule by which examinations are taken at certain age levels and leave it entirely to the abilities of the entrants.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given today to my hon. Friends the Members for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay) and Blackpool, South (Mr. R. Robinson).

asked the Minister of Education what steps have been taken to draw the attention of local authorities and of industry to the Productivity Report on Universities and Industry published in November, 1951.

I understand that this Report has received very wide circulation without any intervention on my part.

asked the Minister of Education to what extent her Department has, in the past year, grant-aided courses of instruction provided by local education authorities in hairdressing, flower arrangement, choral weekends, golf and other pastimes formerly outside the range of the State education service.

Full information for last year is not yet available, but so far as I am aware any classes in hairdressing and in flower arrangement provided by local education authorities were mainly vocational. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a circular in which I have recently suggested that local education authorities should consider making recreational classes financially self-supporting.

asked the Minister of Education what advice she has given to local education authorities about the need for providing traffic wardens for schoolchildren, especially at places where pedestrian crossings have been removed.

I have, in consultation with my colleagues, been considering how best to overcome the difficulties which have arisen in many places. It has been decided that the best way to provide this service would be for chief officers of Police to be given definite responsibility for recruiting, training and organising the patrols; this, and the method of financing the service, will be discussed with local authorities in the immediate future. I hope that local education authorities will in the meantime maintain their existing arrangements for the protection of school children.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will make clear to local education authorities that the five per cent. cut in expenditure for which she has asked should not be allowed to interfere with the provision of traffic wardens to protect children on their way to school.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given to his previous Question.

asked the Minister of Education whether she has completed her discussions with the representatives of the voluntary schools; and whether she has any proposals to ease the financial burdens upon these schools.

asked the Minister of Education how many interviews she has had since accepting office with the interests concerned with building grants for voluntary schools; what was the date of the last such interview; and when she proposes to have further interviews.

I have invited representatives of the denominations and other interested parties to meet me to discuss my proposals for amending legislation.

asked the Minister of Education what steps she proposes to take to relieve the financial burden upon voluntary schools.

asked the Minister of Education if she is yet in a position to announce her decision about displaced pupils and other problems concerning the voluntary schools.

I would refer to the answer I have given today to the right hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) and the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd).

asked the Minister of Education the cost, per child, in elementary and secondary schools, respectively, for the years 1900, 1910, 1930, 1940 and 1951.

The cost per pupil in board schools and voluntary elementary schools in the year ended 31st March, 1900, was about £2 10s. 0d. There was no public secondary school system at that date. In 1910 the cost of elementary education per child was about £4 9s. 0d.; no separate figures of expenditure on secondary schools at that date are available, For the years ended 31st March, 1930, and 31st March, 1940, the cost per child in Public Elementary Schools was about £12 15s. 6d. (net) and £15 14s. 0d. (net), respectively, and the cost per pupil in secondary schools about £28 15s. 0d. (gross) and £36 (gross), respectively. For 1950–51, on the basis of the revised estimates of local education authorities for that year, the estimated net expenditure per pupil, including all ancillary services, such as milk, meals, social and recreative training, was about £26 for maintained primary (including nursery) schools and about £44 for maintained secondary schools.

asked the Minister of Education what percentage of the 1951–52 educational building programme has been started; and what percentage of the programme will need to be carried forward into 1952–53.

Approximately 35 per per cent. of the 1951–52 educational building programme had been started by 1st December last, when the general postponement of starting dates took effect. I cannot say what proportion of the programme will be carried forward to 1952–53 until the existing 1952–53 programme has been recast in the light of a circular which I propose to send to local education authorities very soon.

asked the Minister of Education how many major projects of the local education authorities building programme have been started in the last three months; and how many will be starting in the next three months.

During November last work was started on 34 major educational projects. Firm figures are not yet available for the two following months. I cannot yet forecast how many projects will be started during the next three months.

asked the Minister of Education whether she will give details of the school building programme for 1952.

I intend soon to issue a circular on educational building and will send the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Education if she will bring forward legislation to amend the Education Act, 1944, so as to enable local education authorities to retain at school children reported under Section 57 (3) of the Act where, in the opinion of their head teachers, it is in their best interests until local health authorities have made proper provision for them.

No.

asked the Minister of Education what action it is proposed to take to improve the artificial lighting of the Burnham-on-Sea Council Infants' School since the electric mains are laid in the road immediately fronting it but candles are the only source of lighting on dark days and on winter afternoons.

I understand that the local education authority do not consider this work urgent in comparison with the other claims on the investment resources available to them, and that they are giving priority to the improvement of sanitary facilities, water-supplies and heating.

asked the Minister of Education what financial provisions are made for the education of children who have won scholarships, but for whom no places are available.

This is a matter for local education authorities who have power, when necessary, to supplement the provision in maintained schools with places in other types of schools and to pay the fees of pupils.

asked the Minister of Education if she will arrange mobile canteens for school meals for village schools not at present covered by the School Meals Service.

No. Such an arrangement would appear to be both unsatisfactory and impracticable.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will defer the part-time national service obligations of medical students until such students have completed their medical studies.

I am advised that part-time service under the National Service Act should not seriously inconvenience medical students completing their studies.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many technical teachers there are in Bechuanaland.

There are nine technical or vocational teachers in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how often His Majesty's Government have evoked the safeguard in the Constitution of Southern Rhodesia regarding discriminatory legislation affecting Africans.

The Government of Southern Rhodesia invariably consult the Secretary of State before introducing legislation which applies to Africans provisions different from those applied to persons of European descent. The purpose of the safeguard is thus achieved by means of prior discussion, and it has never been necessary to advise the exercise of the power of disallowance.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to commence work on the Ellishader Township Road, since the county council have indicated that they were prepared and ready to undertake works in that area; and whether he will make a statement concerning the scheme of this proposed new road.

The county council's proposals are under consideration, and I hope to be able to give them a decision on their application for grant at an early date.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many telephone kiosks will be allotted to Orkney and Shetland, respectively, for construction in 1952.

Four to Orkney and 21 to Shetland, for the financial year 1952–53.

asked the Minister of Works to what extent re-armament is responsible for the delay in the supply of water pipes required for his Department.

My Department places its orders for water pipes well in advance and its programme has, therefore, not been delayed by shortages. Delivery dates in general are, however, unsatisfactory and this has been mainly due to the scarcity of labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total cost of the belt-conveying and loading out plant manufactured by the Simon Handling Company for the Overseas Food Corporation to serve a part of the groundnuts scheme; what efforts have been made to sell it; and with what result.

The total cost was £125,000. The Overseas Food Corporation have employed first their London office and latterly Messrs. George Cohen and Company, Limited, as selling agents, but it has not yet been sold.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Trusteeship Committee of the United Nations on 19th December, 1951, urged Great Britain to abolish flogging as a punishment in all territories they administer under United Nations trusteeship; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

Due note has been taken of the Resolution adopted by the Fourth Committee on 11th January, but there are practical difficulties in putting it into effect.Two major difficulties have to be overcome. First there are the deeply-rooted traditional practices, particularly in parts of Africa where opinion is strongly in favour of the retention of such punishment for certain offences. Secondly, alternative methods of treatment are not yet fully developed, especially in the case of juvenile offenders.