asked the Minister of Health how many hospitals now have geriatric units; and what steps his Department is taking to promote the establishment of future units.

There are at present 67 such units established, many of which serve several hospitals. Guidance on the treatment of the chronic sick, including the development of these services, has been sent to hospital authorities to encourage the expansion of the necessary facilities as resources permit, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the fact that some chemists had to wait until December for the settlement of their February National Health Service accounts making it necessary for them to run bank overdrafts, he will take further measures to speed the process of payment.

I cannot accept the inference in the Question. Substantial payments on account are made each month and are supplemented when necessary. These payments are designed to put chemists in broadly the same financial position as they would be if final settlement of accounts were up to date.

asked the Minister of Health the number of hearing aids that have been issued; and the number of applications pending at each of the centres for this purpose in Wales, respectively.

The following are the figures:

asked the Minister of Health the average annual issue of batteries to each user of Medresco hearings aids.

The average supply is about 15 a year.

asked the Minister of Health what action has been taken to meet the complaint that the Northern Regional Hospital Board was at a financial disadvantage compared with other regions.

I have written to my hon. Friend giving a full explanation of the action I have taken.

asked the Minister of Health the number of staffed beds and the number of nursing and midwifery staff, whole-time and part-time, engaged in all National Health Service hospitals at 31st December, 1951.

The information is expected to be available about the middle of March.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now indicate how reductions in capital investment have affected plans for the building of new hospitals, especially mental hospitals and institutions for mental defectives.

The shortage of steel and other limitations on capital investment will inevitably delay a number of major hospital building projects, but full particulars are not available. I have asked Regional Boards in allocating their resources to give special attention to the need for accommodation for mental and mentally defective patients.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce legislation to amend the National Assistance Act to allow local authorities to make capital grants to voluntary bodies wishing to start homes for old people.

Local authorities already have power to make such grants.

asked the Minister of Health what reservations the Government propose to make against the International Sanitary Regulations adopted by the Fourth World Health Assembly in May, 1951; and how far the regulations will involve a substantial change in health control at seaports and airports in this country.

So far as the United Kingdom is concerned, Her Majesty's Government do not propose to make any reservation. As regards overseas territories for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible, consultation with the local governments is, of course, necessary and is still proceeding. Apart from the abolition of the Personal Declaration of Origin and Health by persons arriving by air, the Regulations will not involve any notable change in health control at ports in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce the Government's intentions with regard to the Heneage Committee Report.

When the Report was published, my predecessor announced that he was arranging for discussion of its main proposals with the interests concerned before he reached conclusions on policy. These discussions are likely to continue for some time, and I am not yet in a position to decide whether or not legislation should be introduced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that agricultural production is being hindered by the almost complete cessation of de- velopment work in the provision of electricity in rural areas; and if he will endeavour to make arrangements with the electricity authorities whereby at least some amount of development work can be started, even if confined for the present to urgent cases and to cases where there is only a short distance of wire required.

I am aware that for various reasons the initiation of new schemes of electricity supply to rural areas was slowed down in the autumn of last year. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Fuel and Power announced on 4th February, limited expenditure will be possible this year for schemes already in progress and on some urgent new schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements are being made this year to assist farmers to obtain adequate labour for the potato harvest.

Assurances have been given that the Government will do everything they can to help farmers to get the labour needed for harvesting the potato crop, and I am confident that with these assurances we can rely on the farming community to do all that is practicable to grow the increased acreage that the nation needs. The following are the special measures that are being taken:In England and Wales the Ministry of Labour will hold regional conferences with all concerned to concert action for getting supplies of labour from all sources to meet the expected demand. Local campaigns will be necessary and the Ministries of Agriculture and Labour will do all they can to help farmers in arranging these. County agricultural executive committees will continue to run volunteer agricultural camps where these are essential for potato harvesting.All local education authorities in whose areas labour for potato harvesting is likely to be a problem have received a letter from the Ministry of Education asking for their co-operation, where other sources of labour are insufficient, in making available the help of the older schoolchildren both during potato holidays when this can be arranged and during special term-time exemptions from school attendance.Special help from the Services will also be sought where harvesting would otherwise be in serious danger and the Services have promised wherever possible to do their utmost to help in such emergency in any particular locality.As regards Scotland, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland asks me to say that the schemes which the Department of Agriculture for Scotland have been running over the past few years will continue and should be sufficient to supply the labour required for the gathering of the potato crop in that country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what acreage of potatoes he expects to secure due to the ploughing up of grasslands and the contribution of £5 per acre.

As the response by the farmers to my appeal to plough up grassland will be governed in large measure by the weather during the next few weeks, it is difficult to say what additional acreage will be achieved in total. It is even more difficult to predict how that acreage will be distributed among the individual approved crops but, as I have already said, I hope this year's area of potatoes will be at least 50,000 acres above last year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce the steps he proposes to take to encourage a more regular marketing of beef cattle by producers throughout the year.

This is one of the problems which I propose to discuss with the National Farmers' Unions in the near future; I do not want to anticipate those discussions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take in the light of recent Government policy regarding food supplies, to stimulate further domestic food production.

Domestic food production is essentially a measure of self-help by individual households and voluntary organisations. Representative national organisations are at present receiving grant aid from the Government, on the advice of the National Council for Domestic Food Production under the chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary. The educational work of local authorities in this field is also grant-aided. The Government cordially welcomes and appreciates the work of these organisations and authorities.

asked the Minister of Agriculture his policy with regard to the duration of the present arrangements for food production on requisitioned common land.

I now have power to retain until December, 1954, possession of common land and other land requisitioned in the interests of food production. I propose to use that power wherever retention of such land can be justified in the national interest as a means of maintaining food production. Future policy about requisitioned common land after 1954 is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the necessity of increasing meat production, he will take all necessary steps to increase the animal population on Exmoor so that Exmoor may carry cattle to the maximum capacity.

I do not think Exmoor is understocked at present, but we are doing all we can to improve the farms there through grant-aided improvement schemes under the Livestock Rearing Act and through other schemes such as the Marginal Assistance Scheme. I believe that in time our efforts will enable more cattle to be grazed on Exmoor.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he is taking to check the flight of farm workers from the land.

A considerable number of farm workers have left the land during the last two years. By last June the regular labour force in England and Wales was 554,000, that is nearly 9 per cent. larger than in 1939. There was also a record new intake of 27,000 boys and girls into agricultural employment during 1951. At the same time, output per man has risen greatly and I am hopeful that our resources will be sufficient to maintain a high level of food production. Despite the keen competition for labour everywhere, I shall do my utmost, with the help of my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Labour, to meet any difficulties as they arise. In addition, special steps are being taken in various ways to get the additional casual labour needed for this year's harvest.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will cause the rules governing the procedure of agricultural land tribunals to be altered to enable tribunals to rectify errors in the recording of their decisions.

I am aware of the Lord Chief Justice's observations, and I am considering whether rules should be made to enable tribunals to rectify mistakes in the recording of their decisions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the weekly return, Form No. C190/S.S.Y., required to be completed by millers and corn merchants under the Corn Returns Act, 1882, still serves a useful purpose; and whether, in order to save time, labour and paper he will take steps to dispense with these returns.

I cannot take the action suggested without repeal or amendment of the Corn Returns Act, 1882. The number of markets from which information is required was reduced substantially in 1944, and I should be quite willing to consider any other ways of simplifying the procedure that were compatible with the Act.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps have been taken by him to ensure that all milch cattle shall be milked out upon arrival at markets; and whether he will consider the desirability of making this condition obligatory in all markets.

Officers of my Department have been instructed to use every opportunity to discourage the practice of exposing overstocked cows in markets; the co-operation of the N.F.U., the Breed Societies, market authorities and the Auctioneers' Institute has been sought; and Press notices have been issued from time to time. I have no power to require milch cattle to be milked out upon arrival at markets, but it is an offence under the Protection of Animals Acts to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal, and proceedings can be taken under those Acts where cruelty is caused as a result of overstocking.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now make a statement on smallholdings policy, with particular reference to the provision of part-time smallholdings.

Yes. After consultation with the Smallholdings Advisory Council I have decided that Smallholdings Authorities should have greater freedom, consistent with the provisions of Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1947, to administer their smallholdings estates in the way which seems to them most suited to local conditions. In certain areas part-time holdings are an established part of the social structure and are still sought after by ambitious and experienced agricultural workers, for whom they provide a real opportunity for advancement.I am accordingly informing Smallholdings Authorities that I am prepared to consider proposals for the retention of existing part-time holdings where suitable conditions exist and the authorities are satisfied that a proper standard of husbandry can be maintained. I should also, very exceptionally, be prepared to consider proposals for the creation of new part-time holdings where this does not divert the efforts of Smallholdings Authorities from the main objective of providing full-time holdings.I am also amending the existing regulations governing the selection of tenants with a view to giving Smallholdings Authorities greater discretion to grant a tenancy to the widow of the former tenant of the holding where the authority is satisfied that the widow has sufficient agricultural knowledge and experience to enable her to run the holding efficiently.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the difficulties in procuring supplies of imported foods rich in proteins, he will encourage the production of such indigenous foods as Morecambe shrimps.

Yes. My Department and the White Fish Authority will certainly do all they can to encourage production of British-caught shrimps and other shellfish.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the nature of the new order regarding coracle fishing on the river Teifi for which application has been made by the West Wales River Board.

The Order for which the River Board have applied is an Order under Part IV of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1923, to amend Section 62 of that Act so as to make the provisions of that Section which enable netting to be regulated in public waters applicable to coracle fishing in the River Teifi between Cenarth Bridge and Llechryd Bridge.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps were taken to notify the owners of land on the Peacehaven-Saltdean Estates of the hearing of the Agricultural Land Tribunal last October which decided in favour of compulsory acquisition.

Notices of their right of appeal to the Agricultural Land Tribunal were sent by post to all owners whose names and addresses were known. The land is split up into potential building plots belonging to a great number of owners, some of whom originally purchased their plots over 30 years ago, and it was not possible to trace all of them. Notices of the right to appeal to the Tribunal were put up on the land itself. All owners who had expressed a wish to appeal were notified by post of the sitting of the Tribunal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether consideration can now be given to exemp- ting from quarantine dogs brought to this country direct from Malta in view of the fact that there have been no case of rabies in Malta for many years.

No. There are several countries which claim to have been free from rabies for some years, but I am advised that if dogs from those countries were exempted from the quarantine requirements the opportunities for getting dogs illegally into this country would be greatly increased. Moreover experience has shown that even when dogs are brought direct from countries which are free from rabies it is impossible to avoid some risk that they will come into contact with other dogs or cats while in transit to this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the Civil Service will have been cut by the present Government, including the effect of decisions already announced.

As my right hon. Friend told the House on the 29th January, it is his aim to cut out 10,000 posts in the first six months of this year. This represents about 1½ per cent. of the Civil Service's non-industrial staff. As he also stated on the same occasion, he aims at further reductions after these.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what effect the new proposals for retirement from the Civil Service will have upon the special classes of ex-Service men who joined the Civil Service after the 1914–18 War and upon disabled ex-Service men.

The retirement policy which I announced on the 5th February in reply to a Question by the the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) applies to all civil servants, including ex-Service men and disabled men. All civil servants between 60 and 65 years of age who wish to stay and for whom there is useful work, will be retained so long as they are fit and efficient; and in judging the fitness of disabled men due regard will be paid to their disability.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange for the abolition of Purchase Tax upon Service uniforms.

No. Officers receive rates of pay which take into account any Purchase Tax charged on uniforms which they buy and they are allowed Income Tax rebates for the maintenance and replacement of uniforms. Other ranks and ratings receive upkeep allowances calculated to meet the full cost of maintaining their kit.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent Purchase Tax is payable on gifts by manufacturers to charitable organisations when these consist of articles made by them which normally attract Purchase Tax; and by whom.

No tax is payable if the goods are to be kept or distributed by the charity for the purpose of relieving distress. Otherwise, the manufacturer has to account for the tax in the normal way.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of all securities and trade investments held by the Bank of England.

No. It would be contrary to precedent and not in the public interest to disclose particulars of the Banking Department of the Bank of England other than those contained in the Weekly Bank Returns.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in framing his Budget proposals, he will bear in mind the arguments for repealing Section 36 of the Finance Act, 1951, which impedes the activities of British businesses overseas.

This Section will with others be under review in connection with the next Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in framing his proposed legislation on excess profits, he will give special consideration to the exceptional nature and purpose of payments received by film-producing companies from the British Film Production Fund, Limited, and especially to the fact that this fund was created so as to make it possible for efficient film production to become self-supporting.

I must ask my hon. Friend to await the detailed proposals relating to the Excess Profits Tax which will appear in the Finance Bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will extend to all 100 per cent. disabled war pensioners over the age of 65 years the concession now applicable to old age pensioners whereby they receive tobacco subject to reduced rates of duty.

I have reviewed this matter, but I am afraid that the objections that have hitherto precluded any extension of the field of Tobacco Duty relief are still decisive.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many Statutory Instruments made from 7th December, 1951, to 28th January, 1952, were not signed by a member of Her Majesty's Government.

The number of instruments made from 7th December, 1951, to 28th January, 1952, which were not signed by members of Her Majesty's Government is 169. Of these, 152 were local Orders relating to such matters as diseases of animals, traffic movements, local government, etc. The procedure followed in the case of the remaining 17 was in accordance with established practice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many films have been produced by the Crown Film Unit since its inception; how many technicians and workers will be unemployed as a result of closing the unit; and what was the average cost, per year, of maintaining it.

Since the formation of the Central Office of Information in 1946, the Crown Film Unit has produced 184 films; the number of films made between 1929, when the Unit was originally founded by the Empire Marketing Board, and 1946 is estimated at 400. As a result of the closing of the Unit, 104 members of the staff will be made available for other employment.The average annual expenditure of the Unit since 1946, including the cost of the films produced, has been about £225,000. In addition, it has been necessary to provide for the distribution and showing of some of the films which would not have obtained showing through normal channels. The average cost of the film distribution system of the Central Office of Information has been £180,000 per annum, and although a large proportion of this is attributable to showings of films produced by other film producers, the decision to close down the distribution service and save the £180,000 was an additional reason for closing down the Crown Film Unit, which would otherwise have been producing films with no means of distributing them.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of the annual grant which he proposes to make to the universities for the next quinquennium 1952–57.

It is the normal practice to settle for five years at a time the amount of annual grant to be made available to the universities. The present settlement expires next July at the end of the academic year, and I have been considering recommendations made to me by the University Grants Committee for the grants to be made in the ensuing quinquennium.The quinquennium now ending has been a period of rapid expansion. Student numbers are 70 per cent. above the pre-war figure and the academic staffs have been doubled. It will be some time before the financial effects of this expansion have worked themselves out and in the next few years commitments already incurred will involve expenditure on a rising scale even if no further expansion is undertaken. Rising prices and wages have also affected every branch of university expenditure, so that the total recurrent grant for the present year, the last of the old quinquennium £16,600,000, would not be enough next year to pay for present activities. Further, non-recurrent grants will not in future be made for new furniture and equipment for accommodation already in use, and allowance has therefore to be made for the cost of necessary purchases in assessing the total of recurrent grant.Taking all these factors into account, I propose to provide recurrent grant as follows for the five next academic years:

The first year's provision is the least sum with which the universities can maintain their present activity; it makes no allowance for fresh expansion. Part of the increases in the later years will be needed to meet the rising expenditure to which the universities are already committed, but they should also enable some development to be undertaken, particularly towards the end of the quinquennium. In making some provision for development, I have in mind particularly the need for scientific and technological progress, and I am sure that the University Grants Committee will keep this in mind in distributing the grant.I realise that it would be helpful to the universities to have some assurances as to the scale of non-recurrent grants for capital expenditure which will be available to them over the quinquennium. This is, however, not a matter of financial provision only. The demand for building work for purposes of major importance to the economy so far exceeds at present what can be done by the building industry, that it is necessary to control the distribution of building work through the investment programme and the licensing system.So long as this situation continues it is not possible to give long-term assurances as to the amount of building work which the universities can undertake, and provision will be made annually in accordance with general investment policy, as in the later part of the present quinquennium. I shall, however, consider whether I can, at a rather later stage, give any useful guidance to the universities as to the scale on which they should frame their long-term plans.A White Paper on university development in 1947–51 is now available in the Vote Office.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has yet appointed an independent chairman under Section 97 of the Transport Act, 1947, to settle the claim of British Transport Commission Police for parity of pay and allowances with other police forces.

I have now nominated an independent chairman in accordance with Section 97 (2) of the Transport Act, 1947.

asked the Minister of Labour what action he is taking to ensure the resettlement in civilian employment of those Regular Service men who have been retained in Her Majesty's Forces beyond the normal expiration of their agreements.

There are special arrangements at employment exchanges to help ex-Regulars to obtain suitable employment, and these will be fully used to help these men. There is much good-will in industry towards ex-Regulars and many industries and services give them special consideration. So far there is no indication that retention in the Services causes any additional difficulty in resettlement, and I am confident that employers generally will be only too glad to employ these particular men.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the financial position of denominational schools.

I can give no information on this point at present other than that given in my reply on 31st January 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 if she is yet in a position to make a further statement on the school transport for children on the Avery Hill Estate, Eltham.

I am informed that there has been an appreciable improvement, partly due to a more frequent service of buses and partly because the local education authority have been able to find temporary school accommodation for infants near the site. The present difficulties should largely disappear when the new primary school now under construction on the estate is completed. It is now hoped that part of the school may be occupied early in the summer term.

asked the Minister of Education if she will give her estimate of the cost of introducing equal pay for women teachers.

On the basis of the number of women teachers expected to be in post on the 1st April, 1952, and of the present Burnham Reports, it is estimated that the annual expenditure on the salaries of teachers in grant-aided schools and establishments in England and Wales would be increased by some £11.5 million if women teachers were to be paid at the same rates as men.

asked the Minister of Education how far her proposed economies will mean a cut in the road safety patrols for schoolchildren in Kent; and what will be the annual saving.

I understand that at their meeting yesterday the Kent County Council considered a recommendation that school crossing patrols employed by the education authority should be abolished, with an estimated saving of £4,150 in a full year, and decided to post-pone action on the recommendation in the hope that arrangements would soon be made for the Police to take over responsibility for patrols.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of the steadily-diminishing numbers of students taking full-time day courses at technical colleges; and what she proposes to do in this matter

No. Statistics for the current session are not yet available, but up till the session of 1950–51 there was a continuing annual increase in spite of the termination of the Further Education and Training Scheme.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the Somerset County Council economy proposals will mean that some 67 village schools will be closed and that some 100 Somerset teachers will be redundant; and if she will give an assurance that she will refuse her consent to such measures.

I am aware that the local education authority are considering certain proposals for closing nursery schools and some small primary schools. I have reminded them that my policy is to maintain intact the essential fabric of the education service and that indiscriminate closure of schools of any type would not be appropriate. I expect the authority to examine all the circumstances of each case, as I shall do when any proposals to close schools are submitted to me.

asked the Minister of Education how many children in Northamptonshire are waiting for places at special schools; and what action she intends to take on the proposal of the Northamptonshire Education Committee in their recent review of 1952–53 expenditure to postpone, until September, 1953, the opening of a residential special school at Loddington Hall.

On the 1st December last there were, according to returns submitted by the local education authority, 150 handicapped children awaiting places in special schools, of whom 134 were educationally sub-normal.I approved plans for the adaptation of Loddington Hall on 19th January, 1952. I have not been informed by the authority that they have decided to defer carrying out the work, but on my present information I should not regard the postponement of this proposal as justifiable.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the need not to reduce the standard of efficiency in the School Health Service; and what action she intends to take on the proposal of the Northamptonshire Education Committee in their recent review of 1952–53 expenditure to omit from their forecast provision for an additional medical officer and for £1,552 to be spent on drugs, medical requisites and apparatus.

Yes. I understand that for three years the authority have provided in their estimates for an additional post of school medical officer, but that this officer is no longer needed as the work done by his predecessor, which was mainly ophthalmic, is now carried out for the local education authority by the National Health Service. The authority have therefore now omitted this item from their estimates and I do not consider that I need take any action in the matter. The sum of £1,552 is for the provision and equipment of the mobile dental clinic referred to by the hon. and learned Member in his previous Question.

asked the Minister of Education if the Government policy recently announced will entail the abandonment of building schemes approved by her Department and, in particular, of the extension of the Salford Technical Institute and the building of the new Salford Grammar School.

No Salford projects which I have approved will have to be abandoned. The authority propose that the extension of the technical college should start in 1953–54, but I cannot yet say what may be included in that building programme. The new Grammar school is not included in the revised 1952–53 programme, but it is doubtful whether it would have been ready to start this year in any case.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware that several local education authorities in Staffordshire are unable to make a 5 per cent. cut in their expenditure without impairing the essential fabric of their services, and what action she proposes to take.

Circular 242 does not ask authorities to make a 5 per cent. reduction in their expenditure, but to aim at a reduction of about that amount in reviewing their Forecasts for 1952–53, which were prepared last autumn. I have now received letters on this subject from two of the seven local educational authorities in the geographical County of Staffordshire. As I told the hon. Member in a previous answer, one of these letters did not call for any action on my part; the other is receiving consideration.

asked the Minister of Education how many new schools are at present being built, and how many are planned to start in 1952, under the Stafford County Education Authority.

On 31st December last there were 24 new schools under construction in Staffordshire, together with four major extensions to existing schools. The revised 1952–53 building programme is now being discussed with the Authority. It will probably include

asked the Minister of Education what provision is made by her regulations for the procedure to be followed when the Burnham Committee fail to reach agreement.

Under Section 89 of the Education Act, 1944, it is the duty

asked the Minister of Education how many school buildings, which have been condemned as unsuitable, are still in use at the latest date for which figures are available; and how many of these are in the county of Stafford.

598 of the schools on the 1925 black list are still in use, including nine in Staffordshire.

asked the Minister of Education the numbers of school places, showing primary and secondary education separately, which have been created by new building in each of the years 1945 to 1952; and the ratios between the additional numbers of school places so created and the additional numbers of children reaching primary and secondary school entry ages in each year.

The following are the figures:of the Committee approved by the Minister under that Section, consisting of persons appointed by bodies representing local education authorities and teachers respectively, to submit to the Minister such scales of remuneration for teachers as they consider suitable. The Act does not provide for the possibility that the Committee might not find it possible to submit proposals to the Minister.

asked the Minister of Education why the Hornsey Grammar School, Middlesex, has been closed and re-opened as a modern secondary school.

Because there were more Grammar school places in this part of the county than could be filled by pupils capable of benefiting from this type of education, while there was an acute shortage of accommodation for other types of school.

asked the Minister of Education what are her plans for the promotion of physical education in, and in connection with, school courses.

I do not control the curriculum in schools, but physical education is taught in all grant-aided schools, and is, like other subjects, inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectors who give such advice as they think necessary. The importance of physical education is generally recognised by local education authorities and teachers, and while I shall of course take any opportunity for offering suggestions, I do not think that any special action on my part is called for at the present time.

asked the Minister of Education how many trained science teachers are lacking to fill vacancies in grammar, technical and modern secondary schools, respectively, in England, Scotland and Wales; and what additional steps she has in mind to recruit the necessary teachers.

I have no information as to unfilled vacancies, but we are certainly not recruiting as many graduate teachers of science as we should like in order to meet the actual and prospective needs of the schools in England and Wales. Any questions as to Scotland should be put to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The solution of our difficulties depends primarily on establishing a better relation between the total output of science graduates from univer- sities and the total demand for their services in all forms of employment. The problem is not one which can be solved by my Department alone, but I shall certainly make every effort to help towards its solution.

asked the Minister of Education how many schools, work upon which was planned to begin in Sunderland during the next financial year, will not now be commenced during that period.

The authority's 1951–52 programme consisted of three new primary schools, none of which has started, and their original 1952–53 programme of two more primary schools. I am in the process of discussing the revised 1952–53 programme with the authority, and I cannot yet say what new building will be begun in the next financial year.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware of the widespread desire that the existing regulations which prevent a boy from taking the school leaving certificate until he is 16 years of age should be amended; and whether she will make a statement as to what action she proposes to take in this matter.

I would refer the hon. Member to what I said in reply to the hon. Members for Solihull (Mr. M. Lindsay) and Blackpool, South (Mr. R. Robinson), on 31st January.

asked the Minister of Education if she will obtain from local education authorities a detailed statement of all economies to be made in response to Circular 242.

No. I have given general guidance to authorities in Circular 242 on the basis on which the review of their forecasts should be carried out and it is open to any authority to consult me—as some have already done—where they think it necessary to do so.

asked the Minister of Education if she is aware of proposals made by the Salop Education Committee, arising from her request for economies, to close four out of their total of six nursery schools, including those at Shrewsbury, Oakengates, Hodnet and Madeley, which would leave only two nursery schools in the whole county; and if she will refuse to sanction such proposals, which have stimulated public opposition and are contrary to the needs and desires of the inhabitants of the areas affected.

I am seeking further information to enable me to consider these proposals on their merits.

asked the Minister of Education if she will make it clear to local education authorities that there should be no reduction in the number or amounts of university awards as part of the economies she has instructed.

asked the Minister of Education if she will circularise those local education authorities whose university awards are below the national average, based on school population, in number and amount, urging that increases be made; and if she will now give a list of these local education authorities.

I shall be sending a communication to local authorities on this matter shortly as promised in Circular 242. I also propose to circulate a table showing the number of awards granted by individual authorities related to the relevant population statistics.

asked the Minister of Education what percentage of local education authorities' university awards is met by Exchequer grant and what percentage by local rates; and what percentage of total expenditure of local education authorities is represented by university awards.

Sixty per cent. of the cost of university awards made by local education authorities is met by Exchequer grant through my Ministry. Of the remaining 40 per cent., varying proportions are met by the Exchequer through Exchequer equalisation grant in areas qualifying for that grant, which may I understand amount to well over 50 per cent. in the case of the poorest areas, the rest falling on the rates.The annual financial returns made to my Department by authorities do not show the cost of university awards separately from the cost of other awards to pupils and students. The total cost of awards to pupils and students amounted to 4.9 per cent. of the total expenditure of local education authorities on main grant services, on the basis of the pre-audit returns for 1950–51, and to about 5 per cent. on the basis of their revised estimates for 1951–52.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is aware that the Essex County Council have, on the grounds of economy, altered the school-staffing formula so as to reduce the number of teachers in Essex by about 150; and whether, in view of the fact that the Essex school population is rapidly increasing owing to the building of new towns and new housing estates by the London County Council and other authorities, she will refuse her assent to this step.

I have no information about the decision of the Essex Local Education Authority referred to in the Question. I have told all local education authorities that adequate teaching staffs should be employed.

asked the Minister of Education the total number of girls, aged 15 years, at present attending provided and non-provided schools; what percentage of these have, since attaining the age of 15 years, voluntarily absented themselves without leave; and what is the average number of days lost by each such absentee.

In January, 1951, there were 47,557 girls on the registers of county schools and 9,349 on the registers of voluntary schools and schools transitionally assisted by local education authorities. My Department keeps no records of individual attendances.

asked the Minister of Education whether she is yet able to announce her proposals for the award of State scholarships for students going to universities this year.

I propose to offer the same number of State scholarships as last year and also to continue on the same basis as hitherto the award of State scholarships supplementing University open awards.

asked the Minister of Education if she is now able to say how soon. Apsley House will be open to the public.

I am not yet in a position to fix a date for the opening of Apsley House to the public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what is to be the scope of the inquiries of the group on development in the Commonwealth over which he presides.

The Working Party on Development set up by the Commonwealth Finance Ministers has now completed a first series of meetings. The scope of its inquiries were, as set out in the statement issued by the Conference of Commonwealth Finance Ministers on 21st January, to examine the opportunities for an early increase in the productive power of Commonwealth countries within the sterling area and the possibilities of matching available financial and technical resources with the enterprises most likely to achieve that purpose. The group took account both of the general development requirements of Commonwealth countries in the sterling area and their need for capital equipment, and of the possibilities of increasing their production of food, raw materials and other essential goods.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as numbers of people will be prevented from spending their holidays abroad owing to the decrease in allowances for foreign currency, he will take steps to ensure that hotels and boarding houses in the British Isles do not increase their charges because of the increased clientele during the holiday seasons.

I am sure that hotels and boarding houses will realise that it is not in their own interests to take advantage of the recent restrictions on foreign travel to increase their charges. In fact, the number taking holidays abroad is usually very small compared with those taking their holidays in this country, and these restrictions are not likely to increase appreciably the demand for holiday accommodation as a whole.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refer to the Monopolies and Restrictive Practices Commission the practice of petroleum companies taking exclusive rights in the distribution of petrol by offering inducements to the garage owners on condition that they only supply the products of one company.

I will consider the supply of petrol as a possible subject for reference to the Commission when I come to select further references.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what priorities are being given to industries in the Development Areas in the allocation of scarce raw materials.

In allocating scarce raw materials, first regard is had to firms, including those in Development Areas, engaged mainly on exports, re-armament and essential civilian production. We shall continue existing arrangements whenever they will assist firms in the Development Areas in these fields.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will amend his Hire Purchase Order so that motor cycles are included in the same category as motor cars.

I am considering this suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding Grenfell and Grenfell Concession factories with a view to increasing the number of disabled persons employed.

There has been no change in the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the Grenfell factories, which is to encourage the maximum possible employment of disabled persons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider the reduction in the coming season of imports of cut flowers now allowed under licence, in the interest, not only of saving foreign exchange in the country's present economic difficulties, but of alleviating the position of the home flower-growing industry, which has become serious through the increases in costs of production and the repercussions of the increase in the import of flower bulbs since these were placed on open general licence on 1st May, 1951.

Imports of cut flowers allowed under licence are already restricted in quantity. I do not propose to intensify these restrictions in the coming season.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what steps he is taking to obtain increased supplies of strategic raw materials from Burma in view of the present scarcity of these materials.

The producing and commercial interests concerned are fully alive to the desirability of increased im- ports into this country of scarce raw materials from Burma, both on private and public account; and representations have been made from time to time to the Government of Burma on the importance we attach to them. My noble Friend will be glad to consider any suggestions for further action that may be made to him.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, what steps he is taking regarding those persons whose appointments to the Raw Cotton Commission terminate during 1952.

Vacancies arising in the Raw Cotton Commission will continue to be filled by the Minister of Materials and the President of the Board of Trade in the normal way.

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, at what price he has sold rubber to the United States authorities; and what profit or loss this represents on the basis of the most recent market prices.

The price to be paid by the United States authorities will average about 45 cents per lb. Net receipts from the sale are estimated at £8.6 million; at current prices the cost of replacement would be approximately £7.7 million.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what auspices, and why, was Count von Westarp allowed to come to this country last December; and if he is aware that this man is the right-hand man of General Remer, the leader of the new Reich Socialist Partei, which is, in essence, a revival of the National Socialist Party in Germany.

Count von Westarp was granted a visa to enable him to pay a visit to a relative who lives in the United Kingdom and he was in this country for four days. I am aware of his political activities in Germany and any future application by him for a visa will be carefully scrutinised.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Shops Act in the light of the recommendations of the Gower Committee; and whether he will consult with the various interests in the distributive trades, including the trade unions.

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject, except that I shall certainly consult all the interests concerned, including the trade unions, before introducing legislation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take action to make it a legal obligation on all garage proprietors to notify the local authority of any change of ownership or any alteration in the construction of a garage or petrol storage place.

Under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act, 1928, local licensing authorities are empowered to attach to any licence which they may grant, conditions as to the safe keeping of petroleum spirit. I am advised that such conditions could include requirements of the kind to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set up a committee of inquiry into the law relating to the illegitimate child.

The problem of the illegitimate child is linked with other questions of family life which fall within the terms of reference of the recently appointed Royal Commission on Marriage and Divorce, and I think it would be wiser to await the Commission's report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the uncertainty amongst members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, he will make a statement on the Government's policy with regard to continuous periods of training outside the normal auxiliary training obligation during 1952.

The special three months' training for which the Auxiliary Fighter Squadrons were called up last year will not be repeated. This applies not only to those called up last time but to all those who have joined up since or will do so in the future. I can at the same time give an assurance that no other members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force will be called up for special training in this or future years.

asked the Minister of Food what savings of staff and money he estimates could be made in local national registration and food offices by the termination of national registration; and when these could be effected.

Our estimate is that some 1,500 staff, costing about £500,000 a year, may be saved by the ending of National Registration. Staff will be released as quickly as possible. But in most offices National Registration work has formed only a small part of the duties of the food office clerks and some re-organisation will therefore be necessary. Moreover most of the staff affected will be retained until the end of May to help in the issue of ration books in place of a corresponding number of casual staff. Staff savings will consequently be spread over a period of several months.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police inquiries into the circumstances of the departure of Thomas Kavanagh to the United States of America have been completed.

I am informed that the police have completed their inquiries in this country subject to any further investigation which may be found necessary when the results of certain inquiries made in the United States are available.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in the light of experience of the last five years, he will review the functions and operation of Cable and Wireless, and the relations of this industry with the Post Office since April, 1950.

The existing organisation was not an act of the present Government, but my noble Friend is inclined to doubt whether it would be profitable to attempt any uprooting. The new organisation has as yet hardly had time to settle down.