Written Answers To Questions
Monday, 21st April, 1952
Barton's Transport Limited (Service Licence)
1.
asked the Minister of Transport if he will reconsider the decision to withdraw the licence of Barton's Transport Limited to run a daily coach service from Melton Mowbray to Llandudno.
The licence in question has been revoked in accordance with my decision and I cannot re-open the matter.
Transport Commission (New Buildings)
9.
asked the Minister of Transport how much of the £697,000 spent on new buildings and alterations to offices for the British Transport Commission was authorised before 1st November, 1951.
The amount is £687,000.
Coal Prices (Bank Rate)
35.
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power what effect he estimates the increase in the Bank rate will have upon the controlled price of coal.
None so far, and I would not expect a significant effect in the future.
Fuel-Saving Scheme (Appliances)
asked the Minister of Fuel and Power when details of the Government's proposal to make available a sum of £1 million for loans to firms to facilitate the installation of approved fuel-saving equipment are likely to be available.
I hope to publish details of the scheme before the end of next month.
Uk-German Payments Agreement
50.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reviews of the Payments Agreement made between this country and Germany on 9th December, 1950, have yet taken place, in accordance with Article 10 of that Agreement.
No review has yet been necessary under this provision, the purpose of which was to allow any change in the European Payments Union arrangements to be taken into account.
Textiles (Government Orders)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the new orders for textiles amounting to £25 million represent an increase of Government orders over those already placed, or which would normally have been placed in the current year.
The new Government orders will amount to between £20 and £25 million and will be additional to orders already placed and to the orders which would normally have been placed in the financial year 1952–53.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will be introducing a supplementary estimate covering the £25 million for additional textile orders.
It is not possible to forecast at this stage in the financial year whether the additional orders amounting to £20 to £25 million will involve a net increase on the total expenditure provided for in the 1952–53 Estimates of the Departments concerned.
Ministry Of Food
Fish Prices
asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that, during the Easter holiday there was a glut of fish landed at the ports, and yet the price of fish on sale to the public was almost double that when controls were on; and whether he will now reintroduce price control on the retail price of fish.
As is usual, landings of fish increased at the beginning of Holy Week, but there was no glut. Demand is always at its highest during this week and prices rise accordingly. Since the holiday demand and prices have fallen. It is misleading to attempt to compare prices under control with prices now since under control there was no variation for quality. Resumption of price control would not be in the best interest of the consumer.
Tea Imports
asked the Minister of Food the amount of tea imported during the periods January, 1950, to February, 1951, and January, 1951, to February, 1952, respectively.
The amount of tea imported into the United Kingdom during the periods January, 1950, to February, 1951, and January, 1951, to February, 1952, were 470 million lb. and 587 million lb., respectively.
Bakers' Profit Margins
asked the Minister of Food if he has completed his discussions with the Master Bakers' Associa- tion on profit margins and other matters; and if he will make a statement of the results arrived at.
I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. J. T. Price), today.
Hill Farming Improvement Schemes, Scotland
asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many comprehensive schemes on a township basis have been applied for in the County of Ross and Cromarty; and how many of these schemes have been formally approved and approved in principle, and are still being examined, respectively; and if he will state the names of the townships.
Under the Hill Farming Act, 15 applications for comprehensive schemes on a township basis have been received in the County of Ross and Cromarty. Three of these schemes have been formally approved, one scheme has been approved in principle and two schemes are still being examined. Of the remaining applications, three could not be accepted as the land did not comprise a unit suitable for rehabilitation, five had to be refused as the applicants were unwilling to embark on a sufficiently comprehensive scheme, and one was withdrawn, grant being offered instead under the Scheme for the Assistance of Marginal Agricultural Production.With reference to the final part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 8th April.