asked the Minister of Works on what grounds he granted a licence to Messrs. Lamb, Woodford Avenue, to extend their premises by 10,000 square feet: what was the value of this licence; and how many licensed extensions this garage has carried out in the last six years.

The licence to a value of £11,200 was issued on the sponsorship of the Ministry of Transport. Two other licences for extensions to these premises have been issued during the past six years.

asked the Minister of Works on what grounds he granted a building licence to Express Bodies, Pinkham Way, Southgate, to extend their garage; and what was the value of the licence granted.

A licence for £7,180 was issued last year on the sponsorship of the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Minister of Works if he will, in consultation with the Building Research Station, immediately prepare a comprehensive specification for the use of stressed steel concrete walls, floors, stanchions, girders and beams, for circulation throughout the building industry; and issue, in accordance with this, a model byelaw for the guidance of local authorities so that they may permit the use of stressed steel concrete in place of structural steel for urgently-needed buildings during the period of the steel shortage.

I am anxious to encourage the development of pre-stressed concrete and I am considering what further steps can be taken. I am advised that it would be premature to prepare comprehensive specifications at the present stage of development, but a good deal has already been published on the subject by the professional bodies concerned, by the Building Research Station and other interests. The question of issuing a model bylaw to local authorities is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing.

asked the Minister of Works what was the cost of reconstructing and redecorating houses in Belgrave Square for the use of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as offices; how much of the total cost fell upon Her Majesty's Government; and what use is to be made of these premises now that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is moving from London.

The total cost of reconditioning the houses in Belgrave Square, allocated to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, was approximately £35,000. This expenditure was met by Her Majesty's Government. The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation are being charged a commercial rent for the space allotted to them. No decision has yet been made as to any future use of these houses.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed at the West Ham employment exchanges in the month of February, 1951, and 1952, respectively.

Eight hundred and eighty-two at 12th February, 1951, and 1,428 at 11th February, 1952.

asked the Minister of Labour how much foreign labour has been brought in to work on the railways.

Under arrangements made with the Railway Executive 720 Italians have been brought to this country since November, 1951, for unskilled work on the railways.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now considered the recommendations of the Committee on Weights and Measures Legislation; and if he will introduce legislation to deal with the anomalies disclosed.

My right hon. Friend has not yet completed consideration of the numerous recommendations in the report. He has arranged for consultations with interested parties on some of these recommendations before determining what action to take.

asked the President of the Board of Trade to what he attributes the recent fall in British exports to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

I asume that the hon. Member has in mind the fall in United Kingdom exports to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in 1951 as compared with exports in 1950. The marked decline in exports of electrical generating sets accounts for the greater part of the fall and reflects the cessation of Russian orders. The concentration of Russian buying on the engineering industry, together with the effect of the controls which it has been necessary to impose on strategic grounds, have also contributed to the fall.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many new schemes have been authorised during the past six months for industrial buildings in the development areas and how many extensions of existing schemes; and what is the location of such schemes.

During the six months from 1st August, 1951, to 31st January, 1952, the Board of Trade have granted industrial development certificates for 36 new factories and for 85 extensions to existing factories in the Development Areas. According to the latest information available to the Board of Trade, building licences have been issued for five of these new factories and for 16 of these extensions to existing factories.The answer to the second part of the Question is as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of cider apples and cider have been imported during 1949, 1950 and 1951.

Imports of cider apples were 406 tons in 1949. There were no imports in 1950 or 1951. Imports of cider and perry were 1,833,000 gallons in 1949, 1,085,000 gallons in 1950 and 720,000 gallons in 1951.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what new building work by the North Eastern Trading Estates Company Limited is at present in progress.

Work on one new factory of 150,000 square feet and ten extensions to existing factories, totalling 113,500 square feet, is in progress. In addition, work is being finished on three extensions and a small canteen, totalling 62,500 square feet in all.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that his hand-propelled chair was withdrawn on 10th January from Mr. Ernest Hetherington, 22, Buchanan Road, Carlisle; and, in view of Mr. Hetherington's amputation of both legs, if a hand-propelled chair can be supplied without delay.

I am glad to say that the repairs to Mr. Hetherington's tricycle have now been completed; it was sent back to him by rail on 5th March.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the reason for the delay since August, 1951, in supplying an invalid chair to Mrs. S. Scott, 342, Raffles Avenue, Carlisle.

I regret the delay which was mainly due to the fact that a special type of chair was necessary The chair was sent to Mrs. Scott on 5th March.

asked the Minister of Pensions when he will be in a position to state the results of the Government's consideration of the claims of the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association for higher rates of pensions, as submitted to the Government in November last.

I hope that a statement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Pensions what would be the cost of a 50 per cent. increase in all pensions paid in respect of limb amputations after the pensioner has attained the age of 50 years.

About £1,115,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions what would be the cost of increasing war disability pensions of all ranks up to sergeant, up to those now in payment in respect of that rank, while at the same time maintaining all the supplementary allowances.

Approximately £3,700,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will arrange for the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute's Headquarters, Claygate, and all Navy, Army and Air Force Institute's shops in Great. Britain to accept orders on payment for gift parcels to be delivered to our troops overseas by their local Navy, Army and Air Force Institute.

A scheme by which gift parcels can be sent to troops serving in Korea and Malaya is to be introduced. I hope that it will be in operation by 1st May. A standard range of parcels, comprising articles that are known to be available in the particular overseas theatre and costing various sums between 10s. and 30s., will be advertised in all N.A.A.F.I. family shops in this country. The sender will select the type of parcel and pay for it. Overseas N.A.A.F.I. will pack the parcel and send it to the man by post.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the release from the service of 22581672 Private H. Lines, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who, owing to physical disability has had three spells in hospital and whose curvature of the spine and half-inch shortening of his leg would appear to make him entirely unsuited to the rigours of basic training.

No. I arranged for a further specialist examination of this soldier and I am satisfied that there are no medical grounds for his discharge from the Army. He has spent 22 days in hospital, 9 days of which were due to a septic finger.

asked the Secretary of State for War why 14462099 Gunner D. H. Mann, 32 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, has been posted to Hong Kong after the date of his original contract; and if, in view of his previous service of three years in India and the Middle East, he will reconsider the decision not to permit this soldier to complete his service at home.

My hon. Friend has explained to the hon. Member why this soldier was eligible to accompany his regiment overseas. I cannot reconsider the decision, since this would mean giving the man an advantage over others similarly placed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for The Hartlepools which was sent to him on 15th January, 1952, and acknowledged by his Department on the following day.

A reply has now been sent to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that all enthusiasm for military service disappears if the young entry are kept waiting several months at training regiments in Catterick after passing the War Office Selection Board and before passing on; and whether he will state the reasons for the present hold-up and will take steps to accelerate the output.

At certain times of the year a potential officer at these and other training regiments may have to wait for a vacancy at an officer cadet school, but I do not think that this delay has the far reaching effects suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend. These delays occur because most of the boys who become officers leave school at the end of the summer term and consequently the demand for vacancies at officer cadet schools fluctuates throughout the year. The demand is greatest between November and March, when a potential officer may have to wait at most two months for a vacancy. In the other months there is usually no waiting period. It would only be possible to eliminate all delays by extravagant increases in these schools.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the minimum length of training given to National Service men before active service.

National Service men drafted to the Middle East receive at least 10 weeks' training, those to the Far East 16 weeks. Additional training is carried out on troopships.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that threats and dictatorial methods are being used to persuade National Service men to sign on for further service; and if he will take immediate steps to have this practice stopped.

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a Question by the hon. Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes) on 4th March.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement with regard to the fire which broke but on the night of 4th March at Guys Marsh Military Hospital, Shaftesbury; and if he will hold a full inquiry into the cause of the outbreak.

This hospital is at present occupied by the United States Forces. I am informed that a full inquiry will be held by their authorities, to which my Department will be invited to send a representative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is satisfied with the conditions and amenities of Her Majesty's Forces serving in the Canal zone under existing circumstances.

No, since improvements can always be made. But my Department is giving all possible help to the commanders on the spot in meeting the difficulties of the present situation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the present ration entitlement of troops in the Canal area of Egypt.

British troops in the Canal zone get the ration scale applicable to overseas garrisons generally. This comprises a basic ration and a supplement for men doing strenuous work. The details are lengthy and I am sending them to my hon. Friend.A special supplement consisting of meat, bacon, rolled oats, potatoes and dried peas or beans, has recently been authorised. This is intended to meet the present abnormal conditions and is issued at the Commander-in-Chief's discretion where some addition, other than the supplement for strenuous work, is justified.

asked the Secretary of State for War what shortages exist in the normal services provided by Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes in the Canal area of Egypt.

At the beginning of February, 41 out of the 85 canteens in the Canal zone were being run by units owing to shortage of N.A.A.F.I. staff. During the month 401 volunteers from the staff in this country were flown out to Egypt and N.A.A.F.I have been able to re-staff 27 of these canteens. The remaining 14 canteens continue to be run by units who draw their supplies in bulk from N.A.A.F.I. stores. Other N.A.A.F.I. services are operating as fully as conditions allow.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consult with the British Transport Commission with a view to obtaining a special refund on railway season tickets for Class Z reservists during their period of training; and if he will give the fullest information to reservists on their existing rights in this matter, after consultation with the British Transport Commission.

No. I understand that the normal arrangements provide fairly and reasonably for the needs of these men. I am sure that the railway authorities readily explain the position to any ticket holder who is in doubt about his rights.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the rent charged by his Department for cubicle or simple barrack accommodation for single civilians; and whether this charge covers heating, lighting and water.

The charge for the sole use of an officer's quarter is £1 4s. 6d. a week as a minimum. The charge for the sole use of an N.C.O.'s cubicle is 7s. 0d. a week, and that for barrack accommodation 3s. 6d. a week. These charges cover lighting, heating and water.

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation where accommodation is provided for servants of his Department or employees of contracting firms, what is the rent charged for cubicle or simple barrack accommodation; and whether this charge covers heating, lighting and water.

Sleeping accommodation is provided at 18 stations. The list is given below.The rates, per week, charged are:

These charges are inclusive of heating, lighting and water.Following is the list:

asked the Secretary for Overseas Trade, as representing the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, whether, in view of last year's increase in the profits made by paper manufacturers, and last year's increase in the price of stationery, he will impose controls on the price of paper.

I have been asked to reply.Newsprint and mechanical printing paper are subject to price control, and a review is now proceeding which will take into account the recent reduction in the price of raw material.Price control over the many differing types of other paper would be a very complicated business, but is is reasonable to suppose that the fall in raw material prices will be reflected in the prices for these types of paper also.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give an assurance that in issuing the notice to naval ratings proceeding to Malta to be vaccinated within two years he reminded ships' officers of the right of men in the Royal Navy to refuse vaccination.

No. It is clearly laid down in Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions that officers and ratings may decline vaccination or revaccination.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when it is intended to introduce regulations regarding the transport of cattle by air, on lines similar to those relating to the transport of cattle by rail or sea.

The transport of cattle by air in any numbers is a very recent development, but I am having the possibility of making regulations examined

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the number of cattle in Great Britain in June, September and December, 1938, 1949 and 1951, respectively.

The number of cattle (including calves) in Great Britain on these dates was as follows:—

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many new applicants in the area covered by the Cardiff telephone office are waiting for instruments; how many old instruments have recently been replaced for existing subscribers; and why this should be done for subscribers who have not asked for re placement in preference to urgent applicants waiting for service.

No applications in the Cardiff area are held up for want of telephone instruments. About 4,500 telephones in Cardiff were replaced because of the change to automatic working. A further 1,300 were replaced in Abergavenny and Brecon because of a change in the method of manual working at those exchanges.

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General what arrangements have been made to meet a deputation from the local authorities from the North-East and Members of Parliament to discuss grievances from lack of television facilities and a shared wavelength.

My noble Friend has invited members of the Conservative and Labour Parties and representatives of the local authorities to meet him on 18th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the strength in the West Riding of Yorkshire at the latest convenient date of the Civil Defence Corps, Auxiliary Fire Service, National Hospital Service Reserve and the Special Constabulary.

On 29th February the strengths of these Services in the West Riding of Yorkshire were: Civil Defence Corps, 7,881; Auxiliary Fire Service, 854; National Hospital Service Reserve, 1,319; and Special Constabulary, 5,727.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether agreement has yet been reached between Newcastle-upon-Tyne Corporation and Northumberland County Council with regard to the acquisition of further land for re-housing.

No. But my right hon. Friend hopes that these authorities will reach agreement in due course.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is the estimated total additional cost of housing subsidies to the Exchequer, and to the local housing authorities, respectively; and if he is satisfied that this extra subsidy will cover the whole of the additional cost of house construction arising from the increased interest charges on housing loans.

My right hon. Friend would ask the hon. Member to await the Financial memorandum which will accompany the Bill.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that, due to the increased interest rates, local housing authorities will find themselves burdened with an additional charge on the local rates; that his recently announced housing subsidies do not offset this additional charge; that this is especially hard on bomb-damaged towns and cities; and whether, in the case of West Ham, which is the worst bombed borough with a rate of 26s. in £, he will arrange to pay a special subsidy so as to free that council from any additional burden on their local rates.

I would ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Housing Subsidy Bill.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have applied to him for permission to purchase or requisition under-occupied dwellings for the purpose of rehousing the occupants in smaller houses and replacing them with tenants from the local authority housing lists; how many houses were involved; and in how many cases was permission granted.

My right hon. Friend's Ministry knows of no such case.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware that mining subsidence at Brandon Colliery, County Durham, is having a disturbing effect on 160 miners and their families; if he will consult with the National Coal Board on this matter; and if he will also consider increasing the council's allocation of houses to meet this situation.

My right hon. Friend understands that the local authority have had consultations with the National Coal Board. He will of course consider any application for further instalments of the housing programme which the council may make.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered a resolution from the Accrington Tenants' Federation; and what action he proposes to take on its contents.

Yes. My right hon. Friend thinks the housing policy of the Government deserves, and will, he trusts, receive their support.

asked the Minister of Dousing and Local Government why only 15,692 new permanent dwellings were completed in January, 1952, as against 19,322 in December, 1951.

This is an annually recurring feature as the following figures show:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the continuing difficulties being experienced by ex-Service men and women in obtaining a place upon the list of a local authority, as instanced by the correspondence sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North; and if he will now repeat the circular sent out on this subject by his predecessor.

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular I addressed to all local housing authorities on 31st January last.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the failure of the local electricity board to supply electricity for a number of houses at Witton Gilbert, Durham Rural Council, and of the inconvenience caused to the tenants, most of whom are miners; and if he will make representations to the British Electricity Authority on this matter.

My right hon. Friend has made inquiries and he understands that the provision of a supply system has now been authorised.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will indicate the result of an inquiry held by an inspector of his Department into proposed coast protection works at Over-strand, Norfolk; and the contribution he will make towards the cost of the scheme.

My right hon. Friend has now approved the works. Grant will be considered in the light of the accepted tender.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will increase his proposed contribution of £6,600 towards the cost of coast protection works at Mundesley, Norfolk, in view of the heavy cost to the Erpingham Rural District Council of coast protection schemes on the North Norfolk coast.

This grant was made after full consideration, and so far as my right hon. Friend is aware is regarded as fair by the authority concerned.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will provide a statistical summary, giving the total amounts received in contribution, and the amounts paid in benefits under the National Insurance and Industrial Injuries Act; and state the cost of administration of the two schemes as a percentage of the contributions and benefits, respectively.

During the year ended 31st March, 1951—the period covered by the last published accounts of the funds—the total amount received in contributions under the National Insurance and Industrial Injuries Acts (including contributions by the Exchequer but excluding contributions to the National Health Service) was approximately £535½ million; the amount paid in benefits was £382 million. The cost of administration of the two schemes as a percentage of the contributions and benefits, respectively, was 4.7 and 6.5.

asked the Minister of National Insurance if he will make a statement indicating the amounts received in contributions in respect of the benefit for death grants under the National Insurance Act; the amount paid in grants and an estimate of the cost of administering this benefit.

It would, I think, be misleading to earmark specific parts of receipts from contributions under a comprehensive scheme of this kind to particular benefits: especially in view of the changes which have taken place since the scheme was originally launched. It is estimated that about £3 million will be paid in death grants in 1952–53. It is not possible to estimate separately the cost of administering this benefit.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he is aware of the effect of the increasing cost of living on councillors serving on local government bodies who, in spite of receiving the maximum allowance for loss of work, are still making sacrifices and experiencing hardship in carrying out this important work; and if he will have an inquiry made into this matter with the view of permitting further allowances under his Regulations.

My right hon. Friend has had no special representations on this matter. Legislation would of course be required to alter these allowances.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the names of the members of the new town corporations who have been re-appointed, and those who have not had their reappointments confirmed, together with newly-appointed members since October, 1951.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in his review of the financial provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, he will bear in mind the hardships caused by development charges to persons of limited means desirous of building their own homes.

Yes.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will give details of those members of New Town Development Corporations whose terms of office he has decided not to extend; and whom he proposed to appoint in their places.

The following are the names of members of new towns development corporations (a) re-appointed, (b) not re-appointed, (c) newly appointed, since October, 1951:

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what were the circumstances which led him to override the objections of the local planning authority in granting permission for the erection of police married quarters at Chatsworth Road, N.W.2; and how far there was consultation with the local planning authorities at all stages of the development proposals.

There was no objection in principle to the building of flats on this site by either the Willesden Borough Council or the Middlesex County Council; the objection was only to the lay-out which both authorities thought would be damaging to local amenity. After careful consideration of their representations I came to the conclusion that the objections were by no means strong enough to justify withholding my approval.As to the second part of the Question, there was full consultation at all stages between the Metropolitan Police authorities and the two councils.

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has yet considered the information sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, concerning the financial difficulties of the West Ham Borough Council; and whether he will make a special grant to cover the difficulties there set out.

Yes. A special grant of £50,000 is being paid for 1952–53.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what total saving he expects in educational expenditure as a result of his recent circular to local authorities.

The amount of savings to be made in educational expenditure in Scotland as a result of the circular to education authorities will depend mainly on their own decisions. I am therefore unable to make any estimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the dissatisfaction expressed by the Association of County Councils in Scotland, the Scottish Counties of Cities Association, and the Convention of Royal Burghs regarding the new housing subsidies; and if it is his intention to have further negotiations with them on the matter.

The three associations have asked to see me and I hope to arrange an early meeting. I cannot, however, hold out any hope of an advance on the substantial increases in subsidy which I have already announced.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the means by which he intends to further industrial development in Scotland.

This subject is too wide to be dealt with fully in Question and answer. The Government are, however, taking all possible steps to encourage industrial development in Scotland by giving Scottish firms opportunities to tender for contracts and by developing and extending the use of Scottish capacity in connection with the re-armament programme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the reason for his delay in announcing an increase in herring oil meal prices.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now announce the prices which will be paid this year for herring meal and oil.

The necessary consultations on this matter are not yet complete. I am myself receiving a deputation from the fishermen on this subject later this week.

asked the Minister of Transport what balance remains of the £750,000 promised for Highland roads; how it will be spent; and what road grants will be available for Orkney and Shetland this year.

About £479,000 remains to be spent. In the financial year 1952–53 about £77,000 will be spent on major improvement works already in progress as well as £35,000 for maintenance and minor improvement. I propose to consider again towards the end of the year how soon it will be possible to begin the improvement schemes which remain to be done.Road grants for maintenance in Orkney and Shetland in the coming financial year will be available to the extent of £24,000 and £47,300 respectively.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of strategic reserve stocks accumulated to date and their cost of replacement at present day prices.

It is not in the public interest to make known this information.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that several letters from the local collector of taxes addressed to a Mr. H. Arbeiter at No. 4, Carlton Mansions, W.9, have been delivered there despite the assurances of the householder that no such person resides at that address; and if he will give instructions for these communications to stop.

I much regret that the householder in question was put to inconvenience in this way. The trouble arose through an error in the records. This has now been corrected.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the officers of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have discontinued to collect auctioneers' licences of £10 per year each and valuers' licences of £2 per year; and what is the loss to the Revenue as a result of this failure to collect.

With certain other licence duties, these were abolished by the Finance Act, 1949. The annual yield of the whole group at the time of abolition was about £150,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for compensation under Part VI of the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947, and the corresponding Scottish Measure, have been rejected under the de minimis provisions of Sections 63 and 60 of those Acts, respectively; and what was the total amount known by the district valuers of the Inland Revenue to have been claimed in such cases.

Up to 29th February, 1952, the Central Land Board had prepared determinations for about 5,000 claims in England and Wales and 4,000 in Scotland as falling within the de minimis provisions of Sections 63 and 60 respectively.As to the second part of the Question, claimants were not required to state the amount claimed and most of them did not do so The information is, therefore I regret not available.