asked the Minister of Fuel and Power whether he can see his way to increasing the capital expenditure allocation for electricity in rural areas in order to allow urgent schemes to be proceeded with.

In present circumstances capital expenditure is inevitably restricted, but we have made it possible for the area boards to proceed with the rural electrification schemes already in progress and to start some of the urgent new schemes.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the production target for the next coal year; and the estimated number of miners that is required to reach such target.

We have not fixed a specific target but have made it clear to the National Coal Board that it is the policy of the Government to secure the highest possible output of deep-mined coal.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of foreign workers drafted into the mining industry since 1945; and the number that has remained in the industry.

NUMBER OF MINES* AT WHICH HORSES AND PONIES WERE EMPLOYED UNDERGROUND AT 30TH JUNE, 1951
Number of mines employing
—		No horses	1 to 10 horses	11 to 50 horses	51 to 100 horses	101 horses and over
Scottish	…	325	20	1	—	—
Northern	…	49	13	27	14	3
Durham	…	61	20	63	22	16
North Eastern	…	101	24	46	11	4
North Western	…	138	1	1	—	—
East Midlands	…	46	39	51	—	—
West Midlands	…	118	30	17	1	—
South Western	…	142	131	90	4	2
South Eastern	…	4	—	—	—	—
Great Britain	…	984	278	296	52	25
* The figures refer to all mines as defined in the Coal Mines Act, 1911.

Since the autumn of 1947, 18,700 foreign workers have been placed at collieries, as the result of organised schemes. Of these, 11,300 were still at work in the industry at the end of 1951.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the aggregate sum of money represented by past and current licences issued by his Department for building, reconstructing, repairing or decorating of offices and showrooms for the British Gas Council.

Since nationalisation, work at the headquarters of the Gas Council, estimated to cost about £10,000 has been approved by my Ministry, after consultation with the Ministry of Works.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the number of individual mines in each coalfield or division at which no ponies and horses were employed below ground at 30th June, 1951; the number of mines in each division at which more than 10 and more than 50 horses and ponies are employed below ground; and the number at which more than 100 are so employed.

The following is the information:

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power the amount of coal contracted to be bought from the United States of America between 1st November, 1951, and a recent convenient date; the amount of these contracts subsequently cancelled; and the actual amount delivered to our ports.

Up to the end of the third week of January, the National Coal Board had purchased 460,000 tons of American coal, which is all but 40,000 tons of the authorised programme. One hundred and two thousand five hundred tons have already arrived in this country. So far, contracts for 190,000 tons have been cancelled.

asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what percentage of the oil that has to be bought from other sources, in consequence of the closing of the Abadan refinery and oilfield, has to be paid for in dollars; and what percentage in other currencies.

I am writing to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will distribute a greater proportion of the available supplies of sugar in an increased domestic ration and less for manufactured jams and confectionery.

In order to maintain the present 10 oz. domestic ration I have already had to cut supplies to manufacturers. These cuts have not yet been fully reflected in retail supplies. I am not satisfied that any further redistribution of current sugar supplies would be to the ultimate benefit of the consumer.

asked the Minister of Food the quantity and cost of apples imported this winter from the United States of America and the date of the agreement; if he will explain the circumstances under which this purchase was arranged; and why the available dollars were not used to increase the supply of rationed foods.

Up to the 12th January, 5,477 tons of United States apples had been imported on private account at an f.o.b. cost of about £160,000. The decision to allocate dollars for these imports was taken last summer in pursuance of a general policy of enabling traditional suppliers to this country to maintain at least a limited trade.

asked the Minister of Food the cost of imported and home-produced rationed foods, respectively, for 1951, exclusive of distributive costs; and what were the wholesale and retail costs of distribution.

The cost of imported and home-produced rationed foods sold for domestic distribution in the financial year 1950–51 was £385 million and £190 million respectively.The estimated costs of distribution were:

asked the Minister of Food whether he has now completed the inquiries being made by his Department following through the prices of fruit and vegetables; and whether he will make a statement.

These inquiries, as the hon. Member knows, were necessarily limited in scope and it is not possible to draw general conclusions from them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the extent of the financial help so far given by His Majesty's Government towards the settlement of the Arab refugees; and if he will make a statement as to international help.

His Majesty's Government have so far contributed approximately £7,766,000 to the relief and resettlement of Arab refugees from Palestine. This amount includes the contribution offered for the 1951–52 programme of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. In addition, His Majesty's Government, in 1949, made an interest-free loan of £1 million to the Jordan Government for economic development and the resettlement of refugees, and they propose to make a further interest-free loan of £1,500,000 to the same Government.As regards international help, I am glad to inform the House that the United Nations General Assembly, on 26th January, endorsed a three-year programme of relief and resettlement for the period July, 1951, to June, 1954, costing $250 million. The aim of this programme, which is without prejudice to the rights of refugees as regards repatriation and compensation, is to make them self-supporting as soon as possible by providing them with homes and work. The virtually unanimous support which the programmes received from the General Assembly and, in particular, the approval given to it by the delegations of the Middle East Governments concerned augur well for the success of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which is responsible for the execution of the plan.I warmly welcome this progress in dealing with a problem, upon the solution of which all progress with political problems in the Middle East so largely depends.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that a British subject, named Peter Ridgwell, second officer of the s.s. "Charles Dickens," has now been in Italy for seven months awaiting trial for manslaughter; and whether he will express to the Italian authorities the concern that is felt in this country at the prolonged delays in bringing this case to trial.

As explained in my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary's reply of 26th November, a number of unfortunate incidents have delayed the trial of Mr. Ridgwell by an Italian court.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take in view of the announced intention of the West German authorities to raise by conscription an army of 400,000 men; and whether he will make a statement.

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on 30th January to a Question by the right hon. Member for Bassetlaw on the form of a German contribution to Western defence.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many petitions for review have been received from German soldiers and sailors in British custody in Germany within the last 12 months or any other convenient period; and what action has been taken upon these petitions.

On 1st January, 1951, 32 former members of the German armed forces were detained as war criminals in British custody in Germany. Of these, seven were released during 1951: a further two are due for release next month. During the year 1951, four of these prisoners submitted petitions for review or clemency. All petitions are taken into account in the review of sentences now in progress, but are not the only factors affecting a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken on a petition, dated 17th February, 1951, from one, Major Doil, a prisoner in British custody in Germany.

A petition dated 17th February, 1951, was received by the United Kingdom High Commissioner in Germany from Major Doil's lawyer, Dr. Walter Grimm. This petition was brought to the notice of the officer reviewing sentences. No decision has yet been reached on Major Doil's case, which is still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken with the Indonesian Government with a view to their amending the present regulations under which British companies and individuals operating in Indonesia are forced to buy and sell at a fixed rate of exchange, but when allowed to remit the proceeds of sales or profits to the United Kingdom can only do so at a rate of exchange which represents a loss of about one third of the value of such remittances.

I understand that a statement was to be made in Djakarta during the weekend by the Indonesian authorities announcing the abolition of the system of which my hon. and gallant Friend complains. I have not yet received details of the new regulations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the number of road accidents in the region of the junction of Linden Road and Woodbrooke Road, Birmingham; and what steps he proposes to reduce the dangers on that stretch of road.

Yes, Sir. The Birmingham Corporation, who are the highway authority, are considering with my divisional road engineer what improvements can be made here.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what statistics are available of injuries and deaths caused to road users by their falling under the leading or rear wheels of trailers towed by lorries and tractors;(2) what statistics are available of injuries and deaths caused to road users by their falling under the unguarded rear wheels of lorries.

The details referred to are not included in the accident report form and I regret, therefore, that no relevant statistics are available.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he can now give the result of the investigations undertaken by the Road Research Laboratories and his Department about difficulties experienced by motorists in seeing some of the new zebra crossings at night in wet weather;(2) whether he will make a statement on the steps he has taken to provide adequate lighting for pedestrian crossings to be visible at times of half light and darkness; and whether he has considered the suspending of a winking orange light above the crossings as one of the methods of avoiding accidents on these crossings.

Different ways of illuminating pedestrian crossings at night have been carefully studied by the Road Research Laboratory and my Department, and the various forms of lighting installed for experiment include that suggested by the hon. Member. I expect to have a report very shortly.I shall have to consider this Report before deciding upon any action which local authorities should be asked to take in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what organisations interested in road safety he has consulted since December, 1951, concerning the Regulations relating to the use of pedestrian crossing; and what new Regulations he proposes to issue, in consequence of such consultations and of his own observations, to ensure greater safety on the roads.

I have had the advantage of informal consultations with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and a number of chief constables, but until the Regulations have been in operation for a longer period it would, I think, be premature to consult interested organisations in any comprehensive or formal way. The only amendments of the Regulations which I have at present in mind are to meet certain technical difficulties, including the provision of greater tolerance in the marking. I propose to make these amendments as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the light of the experience gained, Iunder review, as recently met he is satisfied with the working of the zebra crossings system; and what better methods he has considered of illuminating these crossings at night.

I think that it is still rather too early to judge the working of the new system, but it seems already clear that both motorists and pedestrians are giving more attention to the new zebra crossings than they did to the old type. I will continue to watch the system closely.For the second half of the Question may I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for Leicester North-West (Mr. Janner).

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the public misunderstanding of the use of zebra crossings, he will now issue a statement clearly defining the rights and responsibilities of the police, pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and horse-drivers in regard to them under his Regulations.

Guidance has already been given in the official Press announcement issued when the new Regulations came into operation, and in unofficial broadcasts, television programmes, newsreel films and newspaper articles. I hope myself to broadcast a short statement on 14th February. Meanwhile I have brought to the notice of the Press generally some useful notes issued by the West London Road Safety Committee after consultation with my Department.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider authorising a "Stop—Children Crossing" sign, outside schools to give protection to children crossing the road, where there are adult patrols.

I am not sure whether the hon. Member has a new type of sign in mind, but "Stop—Children Crossing" signs authorised by the Minister of Transport have been in use for many years and have proved a valuable safeguard.

asked the Minister of Transport what decision he has reached in the light of his discussions about the difficulties which local authorities meet in providing traffic wardens.

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Education on 31st January.

asked the Minister of Transport when authority will be granted to carry out the urgent road repairs necessary at Three Tuns Lane, Stafford Road, Wolverhampton.

Ordinary road repairs do not require my specific authorisation, but I assume that the hon. Member is referring to a widening scheme now under consideration. As soon as this is submitted with application for grant, it will be sympathetically considered, but I cannot anticipate the result at the moment.

asked the Minister of Transport the cost per mile of the work now taking place on the main London—Canterbury road between the top of Charing Hill and Molash designed to smooth off the verges of the road; what quantity of steel per mile is being used; and what is the cost of the steel per mile.

This work which is being carried out by the Kent County Council is costing about £8,000 per mile and involves no consumption of steel.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his advisory committee has concluded their consideration of the Terrell Plan, and if so to what effect.

The Committee on Road Safety have not yet reported on Mr. Terrell's proposals and other suggestions in connection with the Highway Code. I understand, however, that I may expect a report shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to issue authority for the erection of traffic lights at the junction of Caversham Road and Tudor Road, Reading; and why this matter has been so long delayed.

An application has been received today from the County Borough Council for a grant towards the cost of installing these signals, and if the details are in order I propose to authorise them. Since my Department were first informed of the Council's proposal last August discussions have been taking place on technical points.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the congestion now prevailing in Park Street, W.1, he will consider making an order for unilateral parking in that street.

I will ask the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee to consider this, and give me their advice.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement as to the progress of the soundings for the Forth Road Bridge at the Mackintosh Rock site; and if he will give an assurance that this project, in view of its economic and strategic importance to the nation, will be proceeded with if the soundings are satisfactory.

The soundings have been completed. In the present situation I cannot say when it will be possible to proceed with this project.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now revoke the Emergency Powers (Defence) Standing Vehicles Orders, 1939 and 1940, in view of the fact that the reason for their imposition no longer exists.

The majority of the representative organisations consulted are against relaxing the restriction imposed by these orders and I have decided not to do so, except perhaps in minor details. I propose, however, to replace the existing Orders made under emergency powers by a new Regulation made under Section 30 of the Road Traffic Act. 1930.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the inclusion of Cornwall amongst those areas to which special concessions will be given on rail charges, because of the long distance from the main centres of distribution with special reference to the horticultural and fishing industries.

The increase of 10 per cent. in railway freight rates which I authorised to take effect from 31st December last was limited by a maximum addition of 10s. per ton generally. This limitation was designed to help the more distant parts of the country. The future position will, of course, be governed by the charges schemes which will be settled by the Transport Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the difficulties confronting railway pensioners as a result of the increase in the cost of living; and if he will make Regulations to ensure suitable increases in the pension rates.

I am aware of the difficult position of any person dependent on a pension or other form of fixed income in face of a rising cost of living. In addition, however, to the general questions of policy involved, any increase in pensions for railwaymen must depend on the ability of the British Transport Commission to meet the cost.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation to provide an appeal to an independent court of law on decisions to close branch lines made by the Executive of British Railways.

The central and area transport users' consultative committees provide facilities for discussion of matters affecting the services and facilities provided by the Commission, and I have the Commission's assurance that the Railway Executive will inform the appropriate area consultative committee of any proposed withdrawal of railway services. This procedure should provide adequate opportunity for full examination of such proposals.

asked the Minister of Transport how many appointments have been made, part-time and full-time, to the British Transport Commission, Railway Executive, London Transport Executive, Road Haulage Executive and Road Passenger Executive; and how far the annual cost of salaries and expenses of these appointments exceeds £60,000.

Particulars of these appointments including the salaries attaching to them are given in the White Paper "Public Boards" issued in December last. The salaries amount to £120,000 a year. In addition, a maximum of £4,000 a year is allowed for the entertainment expenses of members of the Commission and the executives as a whole. The amount actually expended under this head in 1950 was £2,231. This figure does not include the normal travelling and subsistence paid in respect of journeys on the business of the Commission.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the danger to life and vessels when large timber deck cargoes are being carried; and if he will take steps to revise the regulations made about 20 years ago regarding such cargoes.

The conditions governing the stowage of timber deck cargoes and the assignment of timber load lines were laid down internationally in the Load Line Convention of 1930, and I have no evidence that the Regulations made to apply those conditions are in any way inadequate. These Regulations, like all other Regulations which affect the safety of life at sea, are, however, kept constantly under review.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the maximum fine that can be imposed for overloading a ship is frequently less than the extra profits made by the illegal freight; and if he will take steps to prevent profits being made by breaking the law.

I am aware of the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers. The maximum penalties for overloading ships are prescribed in the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1932, and legislation would be required to change them. During recent months my Department has initiated a number of successful prosecutions, and I hope that the watch which is being kept in our ports and the action which is taken when ships are found to be overloaded will themselves prove to be effective deterrents. I will keep the matter under close review.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the results of the preliminary inquiry into the circumstances in which the old battleship "Sao Paulo" was lost in the Atlantic with eight lives whilst being towed to England.

Following the preliminary inquiry into the presumed loss of the "Sao Paulo" I have ordered a formal investigation under the Merchant Shipping Acts, which, in accordance with usual practice, will be held in public. The hon. Member will not expect me to anticipate the findings of the court.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware of the concern that the announcement of the cuts in steel supplies to the cycle industry has caused; and, in view of the low stocks still held by the industry, if he will reconsider the matter at an early date so as to avoid the disruption of the working of the industry.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) the results of his conversations with a deputation from the cycle industry on the subject of steel allocation to this section of industry;(2) if he is satisfied that the allocation of steel for period I of this year to bicycle manufacturers will enable them to maintain their export programmes; and if he will increase the allocation.

I recently met representatives of the bicycle manufacturers and discussed with them their steel requirements. Having regard to the substantial contribution which this industry is making to the export trade, I hope to be able to increase their steel allocations in the second quarter of the year.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he is aware that owing to a shortage of steel for reinforcement work for housing in Newport, the work of the erection of new houses is likely to be retarded; and what action he is taking to secure sufficient supplies.

The production of reinforcing steel has not been keeping pace with the growth of demand in the last 12 months and many building schemes have been affected. Steps are being taken to increase supplies of reinforcing steel as quickly as possible and I hope that there will be some improvement in the second quarter of this year. The control of distribution of steel, which came into force today, will help to secure that authorised requirements are satisfied.

asked the Minister of Supply the detailed distribution, industry by industry, of United Kingdom steel production in 1951.

Information about the distribution of finished steel, both produced in the United Kingdom and imported, to consuming industries is published regularly in the Monthly Statistical Bulletins of the British Iron and Steel Federation. Figures for the first 11 months of 1951 are shown in Table 17 of the Bulletin for December, 1951, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. Figures for December, 1951, are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Supply when he intends to publish a revised list of maximum prices for steel.

The matter is at present being considered. Meanwhile, I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Supply what steps he is taking to ensure that small firms throughout the country receive their fair share of contracts in connection with the rearmament programme.

Firms on the Ministry of Supply trades lists, whatever their size, have an equal opportunity of tendering for direct contracts. Any firm can apply to be included in the Ministry's lists, but normally the capacity of small firms is more suitable for sub-contract work. The Ministry's regional controllers keep records of firms suitable for such subcontract work and this information is made available to main contractors seeking sub-contract capacity.

asked the Minister of Supply how many firms in the United Kingdom produce machine tools; and if he will state the number of workers in these firms.

Metalworking machine tools are produced by approximately 350 firms in the United Kingdom, with a labour force of about 40,000.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will reconsider the status of progress chasers in the Nottingham Royal Ordnance Factory, with a view to putting them on the same footing as progressmen doing the same work.

No. The status of the progress chaser has already been examined and no justification found for any change. The duties and authority of the two grades are not the same.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in view of the damage caused to property by the passage of tanks from the Royal Ordnance Factory, Nottingham, along built-up public roads, he will adopt for test purposes the road on the waste land to the west of the factory.

The possibility of using this road is being investigated with the help of the city engineer. If so, a means of access would have to be provided and improvements made to the road.

asked the Minister of Supply what reply he has received from the Electric Lamp Manufacturers Association concerning the report of the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission on the supply of electric lamps.

I have received the Association's proposals and they are under consideration. I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Minister of Supply if he is aware that 6,000 tons of abandoned tram-track rails are awaiting to be lifted and sold for scrap in Liverpool; and what steps his Department are taking to assist the local authority financially to make the scrap available.

The iron and steel industry is assisting the Liverpool Corporation financially to make available all the scrap from the tram tracks in Liverpool as the tramway services cease. The industry has already purchased 1,400 tons, of which 1,000 tons have been cleared and sent to steelworks.

asked the Minister of Supply if he will give an assurance that all Government surplus stores being sold to private traders are, in fact, surplus; and if he will review the terms and conditions of these sales to traders to ensure that there is no waste to essential services.

I am at present reviewing the position.

asked the Minister of Supply the cost of the Valiant bomber that crashed recently; how many of the same type have been ordered; and to what extent production has been held up pending inquiry.

It would not be in the public interest for me to reply to the first two parts of the Question. The accident will not cause any delay to production.

asked the Minister of Supply when he intends to publish the consolidated balance sheet of the Iron and Steel Corporation.

I shall lay a copy of the accounts of the Iron and Steel Corporation of Great Britain before the House as soon as possible after I receive them from the Corporation.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will institute an iron and steel scrap drive.

A scrap drive has been carried out by the Iron and Steel and Scrap Merchants' Federations since January, 1951. They are at present working out arrangements to intensify it.

asked the Minister of Supply whether he will make a further statement about the agreement recently made with the United States authorities for the shipment of steel to this country; in particular, the type of steel or steel-making materials which it is anticipated we will receive; the time they will be received; and the detailed method by which the aluminium and tin, to be delivered to the United States of America, will be released and sold.

Under the Agreement the United States Government will make available to the United Kingdom for purchase during 1952 iron and steel to a total of one million long tons. Of this, some 800,000 long tons are expected to be delivered as steel, mostly in the form of ingots, and some 200,000 long tons as scrap and pig iron. In addition, the American steel industry will endeavour to make available to the United Kingdom some 750,000 long tons of iron ore, mainly by restricting their purchases from European or African sources.Details of the selling arrangements which have already been agreed for tin are set out in the White Paper (Cmd. 8464) published last week.The Aluminium Company of Canada will be authorised to deliver the specified tonnage of aluminium to buyers in the United States instead of delivering the metal to this country under His Majesty's Government's long-term contracts. They will sell it in accordance with the wishes of the United States authorities.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether he will make a statement on the tin and aluminium for steel agreement recently negotiated with the United States of America.

WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (SUPPLEMENTATION) SCHEME, 1951
—	Total incapacity	Partial incapacity	Totals
Number of claims received between 11th July-31st December, 1951	675	2,158	2,833
Number of allowances awarded by 31st December, 1951	670	1,641	2,311
Number of claims disallowed by 31st December, 1951	5	162	167
Estimated amount of allowances payable for the week ended 31st December, 1951	£300 (approx.)	£2,200 (approx.)	£2,500 (approx.)

44 allowances were terminated during the period, the majority because of death.355 claims were undecided at 31st December, 1951.

asked the Minister of National Insurance for an estimate of the number of ex-miners who are partially disabled by reason of pneumoconiosis who are not in receipt of compensation.

I regret that, owing to the absence of adequate information, I have not been able to form any reliable estimate of the probable number of these cases.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will seek an amendment in the National Insurance Act to enable widows to qualify for a pension in circumstances where the paid contributions paid by a

I would refer the hon. Member to the White Paper (Cmd. 8464) published on 29th January, 1952, which sets out the full text of the Agreement.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the number of applications received by the Workmen's Compensation Board (Supplementation), Pre-1924 Cases, from 8th July, 1951, to 31st December, 1951, setting out the number of total incapacity cases, the number of partial incapacity cases, the number of claims disallowed, and the total amount of compensation paid out to these cases, respectively.

The following are the figures:deceased husband fall short of the required minimum of 156 contributions, in view of the hardship caused at present.

Rules requiring that a certain number of contributions must have been actually paid before people can get benefit have always been a feature of National Insurance. Several rules of this kind are embodied in the Act of 1946 and I cannot undertake to promote legislation on the subject now. I have, however, noted the point raised by the hon. Member as one to be gone into in connection with the first statutory review of the National Insurance Scheme.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what arrangements exist under his Regulations by which a contributor to National Insurance may pay arrears of contributions arising from a period of sickness to enable his widow to qualify for a pension in the event of the husband's death and to meet the requirements of the Act that at least 156 contributions should be paid.

Although contributions can be paid in arrear in certain circumstances the arrangements at present in force do not enable payment to be made for a period for which sickness benefit has been paid and credits have been granted.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will authorise the repayment of all weekly insurance contributions paid by a widow who on receiving a widow's pension is automatically debarred from deriving many of the benefits from such contributions, unless her previous authority for contributions to be continued has been obtained in writing.

Under the Regulations these widows can elect not to pay contributions; but if the contributions were properly paid I cannot refund them. These Regulations were made in 1948 after full consideration by the National Insurance Advisory Committee and I cannot undertake to review them now.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if, in view of the hardship caused to many old age pensioners by the recent substantial rise in the cost of many essential articles, he will now expedite the review of pension rates and supplementary scales.

asked the Minister of National Insurance what steps the Government propose to take to alleviate the hardships caused to old age pensioners by the rising cost of living.

I cannot add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd) by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury last Tuesday.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether, in view of the high and rapidly rising cost of living, he will give urgent consideration to the need for an increase in the old age pension rates; and recommended similar increases to the National Assistance Board.

With regard to the first part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Stockton-on-Tees (Mr. Chetwynd), by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury last Tuesday. With regard to the second part, I have no doubt the National Assistance Board are watching the position closely.

asked the Minister of National Insurance why the increase in retirement pensions to persons over 70 years of age is not being paid to pensioners who go to live in Eire.

No provision was made for the payment of the increase to pensioners living abroad when it came into force. This follows the arrangement made when pensions were raised in 1946.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will raise the maximum limit for casual earnings, without reduction of retirement pension, from £2 to £3 in any pension week.

No. The amount which a retirement pensioner can earn in any pension week without reduction of pension was raised from £1 to £2 only last July. To raise the limit still further would tend to discourage those of pension age from continuing in full time employment.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many claims for attendance allowance were refused by insurance officers for the year ended 30th June, 1951; how many of such claims were successful on appeal to a local tribunal; and how many subsequent appeals to the Commissioners have been disallowed.

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of National Insurance how many people are employed full-time and part-time, respectively, by his Department including members of local tribunals; and what is the total cost per annum.

The staff employed by my Department on 1st January, 1952, was 32,954 full-time and 1,883 part-time officers. The cost of their salaries and wages shown in the estimates for 1951–52 was £14,328,000.The local tribunals are served by 337 chairmen and reserve chairmen paid by fee, and by about 12,800 unpaid members who attend in rotation. The total cost of tribunals shown in the Estimates for 1951–52 was £86,000.

asked the Minister of National Insurance when the National Insurance Advisory Committee will have completed its review of the time limits for claiming and obtaining benefits under the National Insurance Act; and what consequential action is contemplated.

I understand that the Committee will shortly have completed their consultations and that I may expect their report next month. I cannot say what consequential action is likely to be taken until I have received it.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the percentage of sickness benefit claims which were disallowed in the period July, 1950, to July, 1951, because of errors made in completing the claim form.

I am not aware that sickness benefit is ever disallowed for the reasons stated. If my hon. Friend has a case in mind and will send me particulars I will look into it.

asked the Minister of National Insurance whether he will amend his Regulations so that voluntary contributors to old age pensions prior to the new Act, who at some time ceased to be voluntary contributors, may have their years of voluntary contribution counted as qualifying years for retirement pensions, or have their voluntary contributions returned to them.

No.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the total number of local tribunals; how often does each tribunal sit each year; and what is the cost of each tribunal session.

There are 270 local tribunals which on average sit about once a week, and the cost of each tribunal session has been about £6.

asked the Minister of National Insurance the approximate annual savings resulting from the operation of the National Insurance (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations as applied to the dependants of war disability pensioners; and if he will reconsider this saving in view of the strong sense of grievance felt by war disability pensioners, and the work and costs involved in administering the deductions.

The information asked for in the first part of my hon. Friend's Question is not available; in reply to the second part, I would refer him to the answer given him on this subject on 12th November last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what quantities of steel are being allocated to the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries; and whether this will ensure that the present volume of work will be maintained.

The Iron and Steel Distribution Order comes into operation today, and for the period ending 31st March each of the shipbuilding yards has been given an authorisation to acquire steel representing its fair share of the total tonnage of steel allocated to the shipbuilding industry. The effect of this allocation on the industry as a whole will be a relatively small curtailment on the present output of new merchant tonnage. The ship repairing yards will be allocated the steel necessary to meet the reasonable requirements of the work in progress.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, how many tons of cadmium have been stolen from his Department in recent months; and what steps he is taking to prevent further thefts.

A consignment of 7½ tons of cadmium was stolen on 24th January on its way from the London Docks to a storage depot. Approximately 7 tons have so far been recovered, and an arrest has been made. This is the only theft of Government-owned cadmium which has occurred. Discussions are proceeding with the police authorities as to any further action which can be taken to safeguard valuable materials in transit. No financial loss will be incurred by the Ministry as a result of the theft as it was covered by the haulage company's insurance policy.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer his proposals to extend rationing of essential raw materials to industry and the details of arrangements to differentiate between the home and export market.

Control of the distribution of steel comes into effect today but, apart from this, no further rationing of essential raw materials is contemplated.In answer to the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Chancellor's statement on the financial and economic situation on 29th January.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Government will take steps to stabilise the price of all foodstuffs until the review of pensions has been completed.

There can be no question of doing what the hon. Lady suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total of the annual payments to members of public boards, details of which are given in Command Paper No. 8433.

£688,290.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider reverting to the former practice of renewing dog licences on 1st January of each year.

I am keeping the matter under review in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government.

asked the Chencellor of the Exchequer the amount received by the Treasury, month by month, from the bookmakers' licence duty on greyhound tracks for the months January to December, 1951.

The monthly figures of receipts of bookmakers' licence duty are as follows:—

1951				£
January	…	…	…	134,578
February	…	…	…	136,810
March	…	…	…	159,083
April	…	…	…	155,050
May	…	…	…	189,080
June	…	…	…	161,690
July	…	…	…	172,896
August	…	…	…	200,649
September	…	…	…	157,387
October	…	…	…	165,840
November	…	…	…	166,113
December	…	…	…	140,470

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the figures of the receipts of the betting duty for football and similar pools, month by month, for the years 1950 and 1951.

The monthly figures of receipts of pool betting duty during 1950 and 1951 from football and similar pools are as follows:

—		1950	1951
		£	£
January	…	1,358,409	1,712,464
February	…	1,663,565	1,804,278
March	…	2,026,731	2,148,413
April	…	1,505,321	1,710,761
May	…	1,228,230	1,396,398
June	…	131,914	382,472
July	…	57,528	220,513
August	…	144,974	242,344
September	…	1,496,161	1,486,927
October	…	1,747,157	1,980,707
November	…	2,136,884	2,188,998
December	…	2,185,022	1,944,117

asked the Minister of Supply how many drivers and cars were available through the Government car pool in October, 1951; and what are the comparative figures today.

The number of drivers in the Official Car Service, other than motor cycle drivers, was 612 in October and is at present 603. These drivers are employed on all types of vehicles, including cars, vans, utilities, trucks and coaches. The number of these vehicles was 654 in October and is at present 626. Reductions are being planned and will take effect progressively.

asked the Minister of Supply the number of Departments which during the past month have ordered a pool car in the morning and kept it for full use during the whole day.

Twenty-six.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury when the new rule with regard to the use of cars by Ministers came into operation; and how many chauffeurs have been dismissed as a result.

From 11th December. The organisation of the Official Car Service is at present under review, as indicated by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in his reply to the hon. Member for Accrington (Mr. H. Hynd) on 3rd December, and in the meantime no chauffeurs have been dismissed, though some have, of course, been transferred to other driving duties.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the tonnage of waste paper recovered in the Palace of Westminster during 1951; the proceeds of the sales of the waste paper; and the purpose to which the proceeds were devoted.

Records are not maintained by the Stationery Office in such a form as to show separate running totals for each source from which waste paper is collected. An analysis of the records for the last six months of 1951 indicates that about 25 tons of normal waste paper were collected from the Palace of Westminster during that half-year. The proceeds of sale, approximately £300, were brought to account as an appropriation-in-aid of the Vote for Stationery and Printing.In addition, 58 tons of used election ballot papers previously stored in the Victoria Tower were pulped under security conditions at the end of the normal period of storage. The pulp was sold and £1,130 paid to His Majesty's Treasury for the Consolidated Fund Account.

asked the Minister of Works the aggregate sum of money represented by past and current licences issued by his Department, for the building, reconstructing, repairing or decorating of offices and staff residences for the National Coal Board.

The total value of licences issued between 1st January, 1947, and 31st December, 1951, for the building, reconstruction, repair and decoration of offices, including colliery offices, for the National Coal Board, is £1,090,646. The corresponding figure for staff residences is not available in my Department as licences for living accommodation are normally issued by local authorities

asked the Minister of Works what decisions have been taken on the future of the South Bank Festival of Britain site.

I am in close consultation with the Government Departments concerned and with the London County Council, and I hope a decision will shortly be reached.

asked the Minister of Works whether he will investigate all possible means of expanding the production of clay roofing tiles to assist the housing programme.

My present information is that supplies of roofing materials are adequate. I am in touch with the Clay Federation, and will discuss with them ways of expanding production of clay tiles if the need arises.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what proportion of medical staff have resigned from the pneumoconiosis research unit at Llandough Hospital, Cardiff, during the past month; and whether he will make a statement on the future operations of this research unit.

Of the medical staff of 11 on this unit, the director and one other member have recently been offered university appointments. Their resignations to take these posts do not denote any change in the unit's policy, and the whole of its current research programme will be continued, except that, on the director's advice, certain purely physical studies which seemed unlikely to lead to important new results will not be developed further. Two non-medical members of the staff who were concerned with the physical work have sought and obtained posts elsewhere. The name of the new director will be announced shortly.

asked the Minister of Health how many hearing aids and wigs were issued free of charge to National Health Service patients in England and Wales during the most recent period of 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the total cost, respectively.

During 1951 the issues were 93,454 and 9,750 respectively, and the estimated cost excluding overheads was £329,000 and £124,000.

asked the Minister of Health what has become of the £10,000 given by the Shuttleworth Trust to the Lincoln County Hospital for the purpose of building a chapel.

The money was transferred to the Hospital Endowments Fund in accordance with Section 7 (4) of the National Health Service Act, 1946.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many head of poultry and other birds were destroyed on his order following fowl pest epidemic or other similar cause during 1950; the variety and number in each case; and what compensation was paid.

The number of birds slaughtered on the orders of my Department in connection with outbreaks of fowl pest during 1950 and the amount of compensation paid in respect of them are shown in the following statement. No birds were slaughtered for any other similar cause.

—		Number Slaughtered	Compensation
			£
Domestic fowls	…	67,276	67,260
Turkeys	…	142	546
Geese	…	103	195
Ducks	…	1,182	987
Guinea fowl	…	75	41
Pigeons	…	9	2
		68,787	£69,031

asked the Prime Minister if he can give comparable figures for the rates of long service pensions payable to men who have served in the police, the fire service and the fighting services in 1938, 1947 and 1952.

No truly comparable figures can be given, since the pension codes for the fighting services on the one hand and for the police and the fire service on the other are based on quite different principles; they are related to different kinds of career and to ages of retirement which are normally different.

TABLE I—FIGHTING SERVICES
				Weekly rates
Year of discharge		Rank (Army)		Award after service of
				22 years		30 years		37 years
				s.	d.	s.	d.	s.	d.
1938 ("old code")	…	Private	…	19	3	26	0	26	0
		Sergeant	…	27	8½	36	0	36	0
		W.O.I	…	36	9	48	1½	55	0
1947 ("new code")	…	Private	…	26	4	43	4	70	0
		Sergeant	…	34	0	53	3	80	0
		W.O.I	…	42	10	62	6	95	7
1952*	…	Private	…	26	4 (+£100)	43	4 (+£180)	71	4 (+£250)
		Sergeant	…	40	10 (+£200)	61	10 (+£320)	91	10 (+£425)
		W.O.I	…	52	10 (+£300)	78	4 (+£460)	115	7 (+£600)
* "New Code" as improved from 1950—terminal grant shown in brackets.

TABLE II—POLICE
Weekly rates
Year of retirement			Rank				Award after service of
							25 years		30 years
							s.	d.	s.	d.
1938	…	…	Constable	…	…	…	58	11	63	5
			Sergeant	…	…	…	69	10	75	1
1947	…	…	Constable	…	…	…	69	10	93	l
			Sergeant	…	…	…	82	3	109	8
1952	…	…	Constable	…	…	…	81	0	109	2
			Sergeant	…	…	…	93	11	125	4

TABLE III—FIRE SERVICE
Weekly rates
Year of retirement			Rank			Award after service of
						25 years		30 years
						s.	d.	s.	d.
1938	…	…	Fireman	…	…	39	7	63	4
			Sub-Officer	…	…	46	11	75	0
1947	…	…	Fireman	…	…	58	4	93	4
			Sub-Officer	…	…	68	9	110	0
1952	…	…	Fireman	…	…	83	9	111	8
			Sub-Officer	…	…	97	9	130	4

NOTE: The 1938 pensions are liable to increase under the Pensions (Increase) Acts, 1944 and 1947, and the corresponding Service Instruments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the information obtained from the Census of Production is accurate; and whether he can now indicate the methods by which he intends to simplify the system of obtaining and collating this information.

I am satisfied that the Census of Production reports are substantially accurate. The figures returned are scrutinised and checked at various stages of compilation, but the results or estimates obtained from statistical inquiries of this kind are inevitably subject to some degree of error. The sample census of production for 1952 is described on page 1326 of the Board of Trade Journal for 29th December, 1951.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action has been taken to re-house the 2,000 Malayan Chinese squatters in the Payar Lebar district, Singapore, who were to be removed to make way for a jet-bomber base.

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the plans which are being made for the construction of a new civil airport at Paya Lebar. The Singapore Government are considering the resettlement of the present occupants of the airport site and I can assure the hon. Member that satisfactory arrange- ments will be made to resettle the people concerned. I am asking the Governor for a report.

asked the Minister of Defence how many Regular Service men on joining the Colours in the years 1949, 1950 and 1951 have given their previous civilian employment as agriculture.

This information could only be obtained by examining about 150,000 individual record cards. I do not feel that such a task could be justified at a time when we are concentrating our Service man-power on essential employment.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is aware that, in assessing rents for land and property in redevelopment areas, certain local authorities take account of the immediate availability of building licences which the local authority can make available in the area; whereas in assessing compensation for the acquisition of the same land no account is taken of this fact; and if he will take steps to prevent local authorities from using their powers as building licensing authorities to influence land values in areas which they acquire.

If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case which he has in mind I will have it looked into.